Sweetheart Weddings

Planning a Modern Catholic Wedding

2010-03-31T15:51:00.000-04:00

Planning A Modern Catholic Wedding

by Jason Hennessey,

Pr

Claddagh Jewelry from Ireland
Wedding and Family Rings, Pendants.

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Catholics often place a lot of importance in the marriage of a couple. It is considered as one of the seven sacraments of the Church that should be taken seriously as they represent God’s love to His people. For this reason, most Catholics prefer holding their wedding ceremonies in the church or cathedral as is the tradition. However, in recent times many Catholic couples have looked for other ways of conducting their weddings elsewhere and giving them a different touch while maintaining the significance and image of a traditional Catholic wedding.

Wedding preparations usually start by proposal and engagement, after which the priest should be informed of your intention to marry. He will then organize for you to be enrolled in the Pre-Cana, a special marriage counseling season whose aim is to prepare the couple spiritually, socially and emotionally for matrimony. Traditionally, any partner that is not baptized can get the same service during this session. But recently this has not been followed to the letter and it has become a matter of personal will.

After the Pre-Cana, the couple can then allow themselves enough time to prepare for their big day. The venue of the wedding can be outside the church, probably a place where other Catholic faithful guests can feel comfortable.

The decorations may also take a different route according to the couple’s sense of style. Choice of colors, flowers and other beauty paraphernalia doesn’t have to follow the traditional ways. Innovations have been brought up to spice up the monotonous traditional wedding preparation elements. One is free to experiment on various ideas as long as they do not go against the Catholic spiritual teachings.

Elements of style, culture and heritage have influenced different people’s decisions on how to plan and conduct their weddings. People are now fusing their cultural practices into the wedding routines. This helps in identifying one’s background and customs. It also adds glamour to the ceremony by introducing the beauty of cultural diversity.

The wedding attire has not been speared either. The bride’s gown now includes some elegant cultural decorations, prints and even a different general design of the gown altogether. This has given rise to customized gowns which give the brides an edge above the normal out-of-shop designs. The suits also exude contemporary allure through different alterations and ornamentation.

The bridal party and the groom’s party can also introduce the aspect of culture into the scene by spotting ethnic ornaments and other decorations which help in adding color and style to the ceremony. The whole family can also where there cultural wedding costumes instead of the normal business suits and other official dressing.

Wedding songs have also been influenced by customary practices. The normal hymns sung in the church in English can be done in Spanish, French or any other ethnic language. Some couples have even requested for a full mass in which the body and blood of Christ are given to the congregation. One can even choose to have the whole mass done in local language or even Latin. All this serve to add the beauty of language to the wonderful event.

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http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/

http://ashleeweddings.blog.com/

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

Copyright © 2009 Jason Hennessey - All Rights Reserved. Hyperlinked material remains the property of its respective owners.

Author Resource Jason Hennessey is the President of 1WeddingSource, today’s leading wedding social networking planning site. He also founded an online store that host a collection of wedding favors and wedding gifts to make your wedding day an event to be cherished for a lifetime.

Buy Silk Flowers ~ Wedding Planning

2010-02-25T15:38:00.028-05:00

Wedding celebrations are among the most joyous and memorable times in a person's life. Preparing for a wedding, however, can be one of the most stressful times in a person's life. So let me use this time to try and help ease the stress of one aspect of wedding planning: the purchasing of flowers and bouquets.

There are many benefits of using fake flowers over real such as: you can use flowers that are not in season, don't have to worry about people's allergies, silk bouquets will last forever, artificial flowers are more durable than real flowers and will not wilt due to heat and lack of water, and finally, they are a better investment.

Depending on the season a wedding is scheduled some flowers may not be available or the price for out-of-season flowers will be raised to a ridiculous cost. Seasons or climates will never affect artificial flowers, and every rare and popular flower has an artificial counterpart.

The last thing a wedding needs is the best man or brides maids sneezing during the ceremony and throughout the night due to pollen in the flowers. And, if your wedding is during allergy season, beware. Avoid potential allergy problems by using fake flowers. Artificial flowers can be scented with that fresh flower smell but with none of the harmful loud allergic reactions of pollen.

Wedding bouquets are beautiful and expensive. And when the day is over what do most brides do with that keepsake? Well, they usually dry them out and stick them in a vase somewhere in the house. The wonderful thing about silk bouquets are that the keep their timeless beauty. With practically no maintenance a silk bouquet will look as beautiful thirty years from when the bride first carried it down the aisle.

Artificial flowers are durable. Real flowers are fragile and prone to disaster, especially throughout the hustle and bustle of setting up a wedding. You have to worry about the flowers wilting if the day is hot. You have to make sure they have water so they don't die, and you have to be careful to not break or tear their leaves when handling and arranging real flowers. All this can be avoided by going silk.

Silk flowers are by far a better investment than real flowers. In fact, real flowers are not an investment at all. If you're a wedding planner, you could keep sets of silk flowers and arrangement and use them over and over. After a wedding fake flowers can be sold over eBay or Craigslist to help recuperate some of the money that was spent on the wedding.

Real flowers are great. We purchased real flowers for our wedding. But, no one told us we had options. If you are teeter-tottering between silk or real wedding flowers keep in mind that you can get artificial flowers any season for no additional cost, silk flowers won't affect people's nasal allergies, silk bouquets will last forever, fake flowers are less likely to be damaged before and during the wedding, and finally, artificial flowers are a better investment because they can be reused or resold.

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Recommended wedding Sites

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Flor Gurner has worked in the Silk flower industry for many years and loves to collect, work with and buy silk flowers for weddings and special events. If you would like more information on where to buy silk flowers click on any of the links here in the resource box.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Flor_Gurner

Sterling Silver is the Right Gift for all Occasions

2010-02-14T18:40:00.000-05:00

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Gold, platinum, diamonds, and even cubic zircon seem to get the bulk of the attention from jewelry buyers, but one precious metal remains a strong gift idea for just about any occasion. Sterling silver, the most robust of all silvers is a gift that looks great, has enduring value, and can be worn with just about anything.

If you're looking for a special gift to give, you'll want to consider sterling silver jewelry. Let's take a look at various occasions where a silver ring, necklace, earrings, pendant or bracelet makes for an excellent choice amongst a broad selection of gift giving ideas:

Mother's Day - What mother doesn't love jewelry? Necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings, and bracelets can all be fashioned from silver making for an elegant, yet affordable gift for mom. Many young mothers prize silver hope earrings, while silver dangling earrings complement the ears of young and old alike. Silver cuff rings evoke a 1960s era look - in vogue today - while silver chokers and necklaces are additional timeless classics that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

You're Grad - No matter whether someone you love is graduating from middle school, high school, or college, a gift to mark that special event is in order. Shower her with a whimsical sterling silver butterfly pendant or choose a pair of "Back to Nature" shell earrings from Hot Diamonds. Fashioned by leading designers, the cutting-edge Hot Diamonds line is considered to be amongst the trendiest styles of our day, just what your fashion conscious grad would love!

Father's Day - Guys shouldn't be left out when it comes to sterling silver, with many manly gifts available to give to your Dad. Hot Diamonds has an entire silver jewelry line devoted to serving men, including rings, bangles, pendants, and cuff links. Wide, Masculine looking jewelry that allows him to express his ruggedness and individuality.

Birthdays - What should you give your daughter, mother, wife or sister on her birthday? Sterling silver jewelry is a "I can't go wrong with this gift" that she'll treasure for years to come. Mix and match earrings and necklaces or choose a silver pendant that she'll treasure and pass down as a family heirloom. An inscribed silver ring can be a significant gift to help mark an important milestone, including a "Sweet Sixteen" event.

Religious Holidays - Christmas, Hanukkah, and other holidays of religious significance are often marked by the giving of sterling silver jewelry. A pair of silver Hanukkah earrings or a silver ring for Christmas is always a welcome gift, statement making presents keeping with the spirit of these important holidays.

Perhaps the most attractive feature about sterling silvery jewelry for the gift giver is its price - unlike some other metals which continue to rise and fall sharply, silver is stable and will hold its value over the long run, and giving you more choices to consider for that special occasion.

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Dark Chocolate Wedding Favors Prove Health Benefit

2010-02-09T10:12:00.001-05:00

Dark Chocolate Wedding Favors Prove Health Benefit
by Leah Lee

When you think of Practical Wedding Favors; what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Truffles in a beautifully decorated box, specific chocolates loved by the couple with elegant wrapping... Whatever comes to mind, there is one thing that is certain. Lowering your guests’ blood pressure probably did not come to your mind, especially when thinking of chocolate wedding favors. Who knew you could even help someone lower his or her blood pressure, especially with something as simple as a wedding favor gift? Research has proven that dark chocolate can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, which makes dark chocolate the healthy and elegant choice for your wedding favors.

Let’s face it; with anything natural, darker is usually better for you overall. You have probably heard of such sayings as, ‘the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice’, ‘the brighter or darker the colors of vegetables the better they are for you’, and so on. Now we can add, the darker the chocolate, the healthier the heart. So, what makes dark chocolate good for you is the cocoa. Not hot chocolate, but the cocoa naturally found in cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate. Cocoa helps the body naturally process nitric oxide: a chemical compound that helps the body’s natural blood flow. Flavonoids, a plant compound found in cocoa beans, are also beneficial in the prevention of clogged arteries. Researchers tested this study on a team of men and women between the ages of 55-64 who where diagnosed with mild to high blood pressure. After two weeks of two candy bars per day while balancing a healthy diet, those who enjoyed the dark chocolate displayed a significant drop in blood pressure!

Now your guests can enjoy a double treat with their wedding favors: something sweet and healthy without sacrificing great tastes.

Here Are A Few Ideas For Unique Chocolate Wedding Favors To Consider:

Truffles –
Truffles always work well with any event. A better idea would be to present the truffles in a favor box with personalized satin ribbon tied to a lovely bow. Find companies who will personalize the ribbon to your liking and in script quote your special note.

Chocolate CDs –
Ever think of chocolate CDs? This is the new craze in wedding party favors. It’s a chocolate CD that, of course, you can actually eat. You can also personalize it by placing a special picture on the chocolate and the picture is totally edible. Your guests would be overjoyed with this unique favor.

Chocolate Centerpiece – For your centerpiece, place chocolate dipped strawberries prepared as a bride and groom at each table or the appetizer setting.

Bring Back the Fondue – Get a bit creative and host your wedding shower at the authentic fondue restaurant Melting Pot. Make your bridal shower fun by setting a miniature fondue kit at each table setting for your guests to enjoy dipping fruits, crackers, nuts and even candies as they wish. Place a note next to the fondue kit that says: Have a healthy heart on us! Best yet, the miniature fondue kit can be used later for any fondue dish. Keep in mind when ordering your chocolates the time of year and delivery dates. For warmer seasons, most manufacturers require a 3-day shipping time to prevent chocolates from melting. Be sure the chocolate wedding favor provider you select will adhere proper packaging in warmer seasons and when shipping to warmer climates.

Encourage your guests to be heart smart with the little discovered facts about dark chocolate. Create some cards or flowing words on your dark chocolate wedding favors letting them know how good dark chocolate is for them, and that you wanted to give them something delicious and healthy for their wedding favors!

************************************************************************************* From "Yes, I will" to "I Do" to "BonVoyage" Good luck!!

Getting married?? Honeymoon? Vacation? Several of my favorite sites worth visiting ~ ~

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Article Source http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leah_Lee

Wedding Gifts for the Newly Wed Couple

2010-02-03T17:37:00.000-05:00

Some great ideas which can be easily personalized for your wedding gift! Check us out!!

When it comes to a wedding many people struggle to buy for the happy couple but today you have more options than ever before. Many department stores now offer a service where the bride and groom can shop through the store catalogue and create their very own wedding list which is then issued to all of the wedding guests and the family before the wedding to ensure that duplicate gifts are not purchased.

Wedding gifts are not only given as tokens of love but should also be useful to the bride and groom in their new married life. Gifts for the home are always greatly appreciated by the newly wed couple as these are both useful and show thought but what other gift ideas are there that can be just as appreciated and as useful to the newly wed couple?

With the economy in the shape it is in, don't feel that you need to spend tons of money on a gift for the wedding couple. You can get creative and give a gift that will provide years of great memories. You can also give little cards that offer services to the couple. Maybe you offer to clean the yard, or plant some shrubs. If you are in the service sector, maybe you offer to give them the service you provide.

As a wedding gift you may choose to give a personalized wedding gift, something that the couple will be able to keep and cherish for many years to come and something that will stay as a permanent reminder of their happy day. Items such as engraved crystal glassware to monogrammed bathrobes and towels showing both names and the date of the happy occasion will help the wedding day stay fresh in the memory for many years to come. Personalized wedding gifts show that little extra bit of thought has been taken in the buying of the gift and these offer a totally unique gift for the couple that will be treasured for a long time to come.

If you are looking for something a little different, or even exotic, here are some other ideas. The gift voucher of London helicopter sightseeing for two is unquestionably a wonderful wedding gift. This is an unforgettable gift, and they will remember you throughout their life. Helicopter sightseeing takes them on a tour up in the mid-air from where they can enjoy the country side view and the incredible beauty of London. It is an excellent way to treat the newly wed couples or your spouse. Besides, Flying lessons, Driving Experience, Replica Gold Disc, Newspaper Book, Own a Share in Tiffany and Co., are few amazing gift ideas that are sure to astonish the bridegroom.

Although the department store wedding list offers a handy way to buy the couple a gift that they require sometimes it is sometimes a nicer touch to get the couple something a little different and a little more unique. A unique wedding gift is something that will stand out from the other gifts that are given at the wedding. These gifts do not have to be overly expensive but need to be different to all of the other gifts. Items that will be used as a keepsake are always a good choice for a unique wedding gift, items such as ~~
De Vecchi Frames - Sterling Silver, an engraved solid silver photo frame or With You Always Collectible Porcelain Angel Figurine, a beautiful piece of porcelain are the types of gift that will always find useful place in a home, rather than the run of the mill kettle or toaster that may be on the wedding list.

When you are shopping for the couple, don't forget to hit the internet for ideas. The net is the new shopping portal, and you are not locked in by geographic boundaries. With limitless ideas, have fun, and get them something they are sure to enjoy for years.

Some other wedding sites worth visiting~~

http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

About the AuthorFor more information on the wedding planning tips, visit freakedoutbridesurvivalguide.com
for info on how to pick a wedding ring and a guide to bridal hair tips.

Stress-freee Honeymoon

2010-01-28T18:14:00.001-05:00

In my opinion, every couple who plans to tie the knot should plan for three things at least: a) the wedding (quite obviously); b) family life (again, a given); and c)... the honeymoon.

Let us explore a bit the relationship of this three. Family life, at least in the Philippines, mostly would require marriage. A good family plan includes this critical ceremony. This is the consummation of sleepless nights, long talks over the phone (or texts), emails, and what-have-you. But if you want to get off on a good... no, GREAT start, there's the honeymoon.

Honeymoon comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so to speak. And starting off on the right foot requires that we wade through all the honeymoon packages being offered by different travel agencies, hotels and resorts, and even wedding planners.

What are the things to consider while planning that first magical week with your recently acquired life partner?

1. Know thyself. Two become one so it's really not you alone anymore who gets to decide (unless of course you want to pull a fast one and sweep your sweetie off his/her feet). What is it that characterizes you? What is it that you want? These are some questions you need to settle.

For example, you want to stay close to your roots and have this as a theme to celebrate your love while staying romantic, relaxed, and hopefully reinvigorated after months of preparation for your wedding. You want a destination that you both will enjoy, without spending too much.

2. Once you got #1, decide on the best honeymoon destination. In our example, you want your honeymoon to be here in the Philippines, in one of its grandest beaches-BORACAY. Honeymoon destinations matter a lot as it sets the atmosphere for a romantic getaway. You can say that every day is a honeymoon but really, it can only happen once and you want this to be special.

3. Iron out the details. How many days will it take? Do you have the budget? What are you in for? Honeymoon isn't just hugging and cuddling, you might want to get to know each other a little deeper. Why not go island-hopping, snorkelling, and jet-skiing. After which, you get a relaxing massage or aromatherapy.

4. Take care of the logistics. You can always book yourselves airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc. But why ruin the honeymoon romance with that? Leave it to the expert. Taking care of these things could be as easy as ABC. Just give your travel agency a call or send them an email and they'll take care of this for you.

5. Lastly, the early bird gets the worm. There are certain benefits to doing everything early... or at least these two things. One is to plan early. You do not need honeymoon planning get in the way of the actual wedding planning. You are doing yourself a disservice if the details of these two events get mixed up. Second is to book early. You will be saving serious money by booking your airline tickets and hotel reservations way ahead of time. Also, you may ask your travel agency if they have available promo in your chosen honeymoon destination.

Remember, you need not subject yourself to stressful planning. There are travel agencies that could handle this for you. http://sunshinetravel.blogspot.com/

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Great wedding tips at Weddings by Ashlee!!

Some other great wedding sites ~~

Bettes Wedding

Merry Brides

Sparkling Weddings

Tet Arcenal
Pan Asia Travelways, Inc.
panasiatravelways@gmail.com
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tet_Arcenal

Preparing for the Maid of Honor Speech

2010-01-23T15:05:00.000-05:00

Wedding Speeches for Women: The Girls' Own Guide to Giving a Speech They'll Remember

If you are not a natural public speaker (which most of us are not), then you are probably getting the jitters for the wedding maid of honor speech. Relax! The bridesmaid speech does not have to be something stressful. If you just speak from your heart and talk truthfully about your feelings for the bride, you will have a great maid of honor speech. Of course, you do not want to wait until you are up in front of the entire wedding party before you find a topic. Trying to improvise can lead to a lot of babbling and incoherent thoughts. Here is how you should prepare for the maid of honor wedding speech.

Think of Stories

This should be the easiest part of the bridesmaid wedding speech. If the bride is your sister or you have known her for a long time, you can find stories from childhood. The stories can be funny or sentimental but they should always show the personality and goodness of the bride. Make sure that you are not too personal with your stories- you do not want to embarrass anyone.

Collect Ideas

Poems and quotes are a great way to add humor or sentiment to a bridesmaid wedding speech. The bride and groom may even have a poem which they think sums up their relationship. Religious texts are also appropriate for weddings taking place in churches.

Select

This is the hardest part of the maid of honor speech. You need to narrow down your speech into just one story about the bride, your thoughts on the couple, good wishes, and maybe a poem or quote. The best way to do this is to trusty your instincts. You will know which stories best tribute the bride and are relevant to her wedding day. If you cannot decide, ask people their opinions.

Make an Outline

Maid of honor speeches are all very different but they generally follow the same basic structure. You will want to start with an introduction explaining who you are and how you know the bride. From there, you can tell the story about the bride you selected. Use a poem as a lead into comments about marriage. Always end a wedding maid of honor speech with your best wishes to the bride and groom.

Helpful Sites~~

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_M_Norton

The Wedding Processional

2010-01-21T17:33:00.000-05:00

Tommy Hilfiger Ties

One of the grandest part of any wedding ceremony is when the bridal party makes its entrance. The air is full of anticipation, and the groom anxiously awaits his first glimpse of his bride in her wedding dress. But do you know what order your bridal party should walk in? And who escorts the mother of the bride?

Different types of wedding processionals

The order of wedding processionals follows a general pattern, but varies according to religious traditions. For example, here is a Catholic wedding processional:

The priest, groom, and best man enter through a side door and wait at the altar.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids walk down in pairs, starting with the two who will stand farthest from the bride and groom, and ending with the best man and maid of honor.

The ring bearer and/or flower girl

The bride and her father, or other close family member. The bride walks on the left side. If the bride's escort is her father, he leads her to the front of the aisle, then takes his seat next to the bride's mother.

However, for a Jewish wedding processional, the order goes something like this:

The Rabbi and/or cantor

Grandparents of the bride, who are then seated in the first row

Grandparents of the groom, who are then seated in the first row

Groomsmen, walking in pairs

Best man

The groom, who is escorted by his parents.

Bridesmaids

Maid or Matron of Honor

Ring bearer and/or flower girl

The bride, escorted by her parents

And for a Protestant wedding, this is the traditional order of a wedding processional:

The mothers of the bride and groom are seated after all guests are seated, and immediately before the start of the processional music.

They are usually escorted to their seats by a brother of the bride or groom, or by another usher.

After they are seated, the officiant, groom and best man enter by a side door and wait at the altar.

Groomsmen may also enter by a side door, or can escort the bridesmaids.

Bridesmaids

Ring bearer and/or flower girl

Maid or Matron of Honor

The bride, escorted by her father or other close male family member or friend. At the front of the aisle, her escort can remain standing with her until the minister asks "Who gives this woman in marriage?" to which he responds "I do," or "Her mother and I do."

However, some people feel this tradition is old fashioned and sexist, and choose to forgo it. In such a case, her escort walks with the bride to the front of the aisle, and then takes his seat in the front row.

For a non-denominational ceremony, a secular ceremony, or a non-traditional ceremony, you can either borrow liberally from one of these traditions, or make up your own rules.

In all cases, the bride traditionally stands on the left, and the groom on the right. This dates back to medieval times when the groom might need to defend his bride in the middle of the ceremony, and wanted to leave his right hand, his sword hand, free. While few grooms even carry a sword anymore, the tradition has lasted.

A wedding processional using two aisles

People tackle the problem of two aisles in a variety of ways. You can choose to only use one aisle, but this means that many of your guests will feel far from the action.

I often advise couples to do the processional up one aisle, and the recessional down the other. Another alternative is to have bridesmaids walk up one aisle, and groomsmen up the other. The bride and groom can then each choose an aisle to enter through.

A wedding processional with a small bridal party
If you only have a few people in your bridal party, it's a good idea to send them up one by one. For example, if you had a best man, maid of honor, flower girl, and ring bearer this should be the order

Groom takes his place at the front

Best man enters

Maid of Honor walks up aisle

Ring Bearer

Flower Girl

Bride, with escort if she has one.

With such a small wedding party, it's probably not formal enough to warrant a formal seating of the mothers and grandmothers. However, if you still want to do this, let the best man seat the grandmothers and the groom seat the mothers as part of their entrances.

Don't forget to smile! It's a good idea to have either a coordinator, or a friend with a written list helping to line up the bridal party and telling each person when to go. They can stand just beyond where the guests can see them. They should also remind each person to smile when they're walking down the aisle!

Galaxy Bridals

Too Young Or Too Old to Get Married?

2010-01-16T19:10:00.000-05:00

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We all know that the average age to get married is the mid-20s. But people of all age find love and want to make a permanent commitment to their beloved. Is there one perfect age to say "I Do" or can a person follow their heart at any age? Can a person ever be too young or too old to get married?

When it comes to being too old, the answer is no. As long as both people are of sound mind, why shouldn't they have the chance to enjoy a romance as seniors?

I know a woman who creates custom bridal gowns, and she says that one of the sweetest brides she ever made a gown for was a woman in her 80s. She had been widowed for many years, and met a man in a similar situation through a place where they both volunteered. This man was a true gentleman, and courted her properly; he even asked the widow's daughter for permission to propose to his sweetheart.

As for the elderly bride-to-be, she said she agreed to be remarried after so many years alone because she finally met a man who was not looking for "a nurse or a purse". This brings us to a key point, that a marriage between people in their golden years will work best if the pair is on even footing. In other words, they both had their health and were financially secure, so they knew that the relationship was based on love, not need. And she made a truly beautiful bride in her custom blue wedding gown and elegant bridal jewelry.

The other question is not so easily answered. The short answer is yes, people certainly can be too young to make the lifelong commitment involved in a marriage. Don't look to your grandparents as examples of why a young marriage is fine; everyone got married younger a couple of generations ago, but people were typically more mature and had a firm belief that marriage was a long term commitment and were willing to put in the work to make it a success.

Readiness to marry is less a question of a particular age, perhaps, but one of the maturity of the potential bride and groom. That said, few people are truly mature before they have had time to live on their own, take responsibility for running a home, and gotten a little life experience. Statistics bear this out; couples who wait until their late 20s or early 30s to get married have a lower divorce rate than teen brides and grooms. So don't go rushing off to marry your high school sweetheart just yet.

Young men or women in their late teens or early 20s may be too inexperienced or immature to fully comprehend the responsibility of nurturing a marriage (actually that can be the case with people of any age!). A younger person who is considering marriage should take the time to evaluate what their expectations are of marriage and whether or not they are realistic. If you want to get married because you think it would be exciting to get all dressed up in a fabulous gown and sparkling bridal jewelry and feel like a princess for a day, it might be a good idea to wait a while.

A final piece of advice for young engaged couples is to opt for a long engagement. Both people should definitely be out of high school; finished with college would be even better. After all, if it is true love, the relationship will last and grow into something even better over the period of a long engagement. And besides, every bride and groom should be able to raise a toast at their wedding.

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http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/
http://galaxybridals.blogspot.com/
http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

Finding the whole process of weddings and all the planning that goes into one fascinating, Laura writes about many of the considerations that brides have to deal with. For the best selection of bridal jewelry, visit http://silverlandjewelry.com/, where all jewelry orders over $99 receive free shipping.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Firenze

Six Tips for Great Coffee Wedding Favors

2010-01-13T18:53:00.000-05:00

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A lot of people love coffee. For some individuals, mornings are simply not complete without a great steaming cup of aromatic and flavorful coffee. This is probably why coffee has now also invaded the wedding scene. If you’re also thinking of handing out coffee favors then take a look at these great tips for coming up with the perfect coffee wedding favor.

Study the Basics of Coffee

Coffee brands and blends were not created equal. Coffee fanatics among your guests would notice if your coffee wedding favor is not the best kind. Take time then to get to know basic details about coffee.

Your coffee wedding favor research should start with the beans. The two major beans are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is more popular and reputedly more flavorful. Robusta however generally has more caffeine content and is cheaper. You can have ground coffee or coffee beans in your coffee wedding favor. From your coffee wedding favor bean inquiry you can move on to choosing among the many bean variations like Kona, Columbian, decaf, organic and many more. The most common choice is to have a coffee bean blend. There are also a great variety of flavors to choose from such as vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, butter rum, cinnamon and Irish cream.

Sample the Merchandise

The best way to choose the right kind of coffee for your coffee wedding favor is to sample the different kinds of coffee yourself. Your coffee wedding favor should be able to speak well about your own personal taste and personality. If you are not confident about your choice, you can ask a group of friends to help you choose a good blend or flavor.

Be Creative with the Package

Most coffee favors are simple packs of coffee bean blends with the details of the event up front. You can however be more creative with your coffee wedding favor. You have the choice among mugs, tin cans and baskets to hold your coffee wedding favor. The advantage with these containers is that your guests can still have a useful reminder of your special day long after they have consumed their coffee giveaway.

Be Generously Sweet

A lot of coffee drinkers prefer to pair their cups of coffee with little sweet edibles. Generously add a few things in your wedding favor like homemade cookies or chocolate candies.

Add Some Great Accessories

You may include a personalized coffee favor accessory with your coffee pack instead of having a personalized container for your coffee wedding favor. Wrap a silver spoon or stirrer or a heart shaped coffee scoop in tulle and ribbons to add to your coffee pack.

Be Considerate of Others

It’s true that a lot of people really drink coffee but there are also some who prefer tea or do not drink coffee at all. Add a few items in your giveaway for your non coffee drinking guests. The most common options include tea and chocolate drinks. You should be careful though with how you pack your wedding favor. Include too many items and it may start to look like a grocery store goods giveaway.

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Fun Links ~~

Rose Theme "Perfect Blend" Coffee Favors

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Wedding Advice:

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Lisa Carter is an expert in wedding planning. Get her Coffee Wedding Favors here or visit her site at www.Your-Wedding-Plans.com for money-saving tips and other wedding favor ideas and other useful advice for your dream wedding

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http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

Wedding Ceremony Escort ~ Walking Down the Aisle

2010-01-13T07:29:00.000-05:00

There are no set rules on who has the honor of escorting a bride down the aisle. Traditionally the father walks the bride down the aisle, but with modern non-traditional families this is not always an option.

Here are some ideas for non-traditional family situations.

Deceased Father or Absentee Father

You can walk down the aisle by yourself. Or you can ask your mother, stepfather, brother or a close relative/friend to escort you.

Whoever escorts you down the aisle will sit in the front pew after the precession. When the clergymember asks, "Who gives this woman in marriage?", your escort may respond. Even if your mother did not walk you down the aisle; she may still respond "I Do" from her place in the first pew.

Deceased Mother

You can ask a favorite aunt or grandmother to take your mother's place during the wedding. She should sit in the front pew with your father. It is even acceptable to have her join your father in escorting you down the aisle.

Divorced Parents - Mother Remarried

This can cause a sticky situation. Every family dynamic is different so there is no single solution. Here are some general guidelines you may want to consider.

Close to your natural father - If he has been a part of your life you may want to take the traditional route and have him walk you down the aisle.

There is no need to cut your stepfather out of your wedding - He can do a special reading during the ceremony, or dance the first dance with you.

Father and Stepfather on friendly terms - If you are torn between your father and stepfather you may ask them both to escort you (one on each arm). When the clergymember asks, "Who supports this woman in marriage", they both respond "We do".

Another idea is to have your stepfather walk you half way down the aisle and sit in the front pew as you take your father's arm to the altar.

Be sure to speak to your father and stepfather privately to make sure they are okay with your plans. If one or both father's seem kind of apprehensive with your plans, do not push the issue.

Absentee Father vs. Stepfather If your natural father has been distant and your stepfather has been there to support you, ask your stepfather to escort you down the aisle. The father who has supported you the most throughout your lifetime deserves the honor of escorting you.

Your natural dad may try to guilt you into choosing him but do not give in. He let you down many times before and probably will again. On the other hand, consider your stepfather's feelings. He helped raise you and loved you and would feel betrayed if you chose your absentee father over him. So be sure to choose wisely.

Cannot Decide

If you are very fond of both of your fathers and cannot decide who to choose; ask neither. Walk down the aisle by yourself or have your groom escort you.
.

Fun Sites ~~

Additional Wedding Planning Advice

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Jasmine MacDonald is the editor of Merry Brides which will provide you with ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget. Ashlee will help you design your very own wedding website to keep your friends and family updated about your wedding plans. Check out a Free Trial offer at Wedding Window

Remarriage, Blended Families & Blended Stuff ~ Create an Opportunity for Challenge

2010-01-08T20:14:00.001-05:00

77 Ideas to Go the 2nd Mile for Our Wives!

These are not times for the average marriage! 77 Ideas to go the 2nd Mile for our Wives take our marriage down the path that produces strength and endurance, the highest road of excellence that God has always intended!

Remarriage. It's the "blend" setting on the Cuisinart of life. The kids, the finances, the friends, the pets, the former in-laws-all a breeze compared to blending your stuff into the same home-sweet-home and learning, up close and personal, why it's said, "One person's treasure is another's junk."

You've both got a house full of furniture, art, knickknacks, and--'fess up--a ton of crap that by any standard belongs in a garage sale at best, more likely in the trash. But it's your crap, thank you very much, and you're attached to it: the molded-to-his-backside recliner with cup holder and duct-tape-repaired rip...the tattered-but-beloved bed canopy your great-grandmother crocheted in the previous century...the paint-by-number landscape your grown-up son did as a ten-year old...the ceramic frog collection you started as a kid that now occupies an entire bookcase. It's no small task to find a place for all that stuff let alone tastefully mix early American milk glass with contemporary chrome 'n glass. Here's the kind of conflict you can face:

When my ex and I married, I moved into his house. We did okay until it came to what was the ugliest painting since men began sketching on the walls of caves. It was hung where seen within seconds of walking through our front door. A gift from a favorite uncle, my ex had a sentimental attachment to it. Now, if the uncle were prone to dropping by unannounced, was obscenely wealthy, and my ex was the sole heir, I suppose I could have learned to love it. No such luck. The uncle lived 2,000 miles away, was infirm, and of modest means. Nothing I said persuaded my ex to get rid of it until I had a stroke of brilliance. I refused to invite people to our home. As I explained to my ex, I did not want people to think I had the bad taste to display that so-called art. My ex wanted to "compromise" and move it to another room. I preferred a bonfire. We settled on the garage.

Believe me, my hubby Dale became twice as attractive when I learned he lived on a boat and possessed neither a recliner nor "art." When we got married, he had nothing (I'm not kidding, nothing) to move into my house that I had happily decorated to my precise taste. All he wanted was about 3 feet of closet space. With a little pushing and condensing, I squeezed out just about that much. Oh, the joy!

I suppose the perfect solution is to move into a new house where you each have your own room to display the can't-let-it-go stuff and hire a decorator for the rest of the house. But that's impractical, not to mention ridiculously expensive. Most of us are stuck negotiating what to do with all that stuff.

Remarriage. Yep, it's a challenge. It's enough to make one seriously contemplate Katharine Hepburn's approach. She said, "I often wonder whether men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then." I dunno, Katharine. Sharing the nest with your sweetheart is pretty darned nice. So, think of all that stuff-blending as an opportunity to score points (or what my hubby and I call Frequent Foreplay Miles). If you do, you'll find yourselves each giving in a little and before you know it, you'll have your cozy nest just the way it should be, recliner, ceramic frogs and all.

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Shela Dean is a Relationship Happiness Coach, speaker, and Amazon bestselling author of Frequent Foreplay Miles - Your Ticket to Total Intimacy, available through Amazon.com and other booksellers. Her book and advice have helped many couples in their journey to improve intimacy and strengthen marital bonds.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shela_Dean

1st Steps for the Newly Engaged

2010-01-02T20:03:00.015-05:00

The holidays are a prime season for new engagements. If you were one of the lucky ones who has recently become engaged, you are probably wondering where to begin. With the holidays behind us, it is time to hit the ground running. Use this simple guide to the first steps for the newly engaged to get you started.

The very first thing to do is share the news of your engagement with those special people in your life. Notice that I did not say share the word with every person you have ever met. Naturally, you will be very excited and will also want to show off your fabulous new ring (your very first piece of bridal jewelry!), but it pays to be a little careful about when you tell everyone and his brother that you are getting married. Why? Because there will be many people who assume when you tell them you are engaged that they will be invited to your wedding.

It can be a good idea to get a general idea of the size of your guest list so that you can manage expectations graciously. Of course, if you plan to have a huge wedding and invite everyone you know, there is no problem, but if you might want to have a small wedding, it can be a very good idea to casually mention that around the time you announce your engagement. That way, your casual acquaintances will not be surprised later to find out that they are not on the guest list.

Getting a sense of the size and shape of your wedding budget is the next step. You will really need to have some concept of what you can afford to spend before you make decisions about everything from the number of guests to the venue to the bridal gown, veil, and jewelry. Once you have spoken to all the people who might assist with the wedding and worked out a basic budget, you can begin to prioritize between style and size. Some couples prefer to pick an elegant location and then invite as many as they can afford to host in that space, whereas others will opt to invite as many guests as possible and then find a venue that will allow them to afford all of their guests.

Making a detailed guest list is the next big step. You need a firm maximum head count before you can even consider booking a venue for your wedding. Many families will start by making a list of everyone they might possibly wish to invite and then whittling it down to a reasonable size. In other instances, it might work better to set a firm number, say 150 guests, and then allocate a portion of the total to the bride's parents, one to the groom's parents, and the final third to the bride and groom for friends. Just be sure to keep the divisions equal, with no extra weight given to whomever is footing the bill.

With your guest list set, it is time to start visiting wedding venues! This can be a lot of fun; do you want the opulent ballroom, the romantic garden, the classic club, or the eclectic alternative venue? At this point in the planning stages, your options are wide open. Once you select a venue which is available on your desired wedding date and within your budget, you can move onto the other planning stages. The style of your venue will help you to determine everything from centerpieces to the wedding gown and bridal jewelry to the formality of the invitations. Then you will really be able to get into details, and sail into the New Year with your wedding planning well under way!

Useful Sites~

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Recommended reading~~

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Finding the whole process of weddings and all the planning that goes into one fascinating, Laura writes about many of the considerations that brides have to deal with. The friendly staff at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ is looking forward to assisting you find the perfect bridal jewelry for your wedding. As our gift to you, receive complimentary shipping on any jewelry order over $99.

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Weddings on a Budget ~ 7 Tips for Really Big Savings!!

2009-12-26T14:13:00.004-05:00

by Sean T. Saunders

It doesn't matter what it is, you have to be looking for a way to save money. Weddings on a budget can be great, but if you don't plan properly nor use a few unique money saving ideas, you will never come in under your budget. Having said that, if you'd like to get a jump start on planning a wedding on a budget, follow the 7 tips below.

Basic Tips For Successful Weddings on a Budget...

1. Set a Realistic Budget: This is a very important step, as it will ensure you are realistic with your goals and expectations. Talk with your partner about the money you can get together for the wedding. If the bride and groom's family are also helping to pay the bill, then discuss who will be in charge of paying for each aspect of the wedding. Knowing what you're working with is a key first step.

2. Create a "What We Want" List: Everything you (and your husband) want at the wedding will need to be put on this list, down to the last detail. No matter how trivial or inconsequential the detail may seem, make sure it is on this list. Another way to think of it -- if it's not on the list, it's not in the wedding!

3. Prioritize the List: Take the list you created above and start numbering it from crucially important to can-be-sacrificed-if-necessary. This prioritization will help you to focus on the truly important aspects of the wedding and, if need be, sacrifice the smaller aspects so that the wedding can live on.

4 Specific Tips to Save When Planning Weddings on a Budget...

1. Do NOT Have a Sit Down Meal. With servers, specialty orders, custom food requests, etc. this choice will be a financial catastrophe that will destroy your wedding budget entirely. That said, you're far better of going with the buffet style reception. A buffet will allow you to save money by offering inexpensive, easily prepared food as well as please guests with a greater variety of food options.

2. Tone Down the Fancy-Schmancy. You don't have to have super expensive decorations for your wedding to be classy and memorable. In fact, with a few carefully chosen cheap wedding accessories, you can easily give everything a touch of elegance all the while staying within the budget.

3. Drop the Open Bar Idea. Kill it, dump it, drown it, and then forget it. An open bar is too expensive and will encourage people to get way more drunk than you, or they, would like. Instead, buy the beverages -- nonalcoholic drinks, beer, champagne, and wine -- in bulk. For even greater savings, serve the beverages yourself or put a friend in charge.

4. Dress For Less. The wedding attire can be quite expensive -- which, as you can guess, is NO good for weddings on a budget. That said, start thinking more frugally. Rather than buying a dress you'll only wear for ONE day, consider the possibility of renting. If you don't like the idea of renting, think about buying second hand wedding dresses or even used inexpensive wedding dresses instead.

When it comes to planning weddings on a budget, these 7 tips are sure to lighten the financial load. If they aren't enough, well, you'll just have to find a wedding planning website that offers more tips and unique money saving ideas.

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For more detailed information about how to save a great deal of money while planning weddings on a budget, try visiting http://www.Dream-Weddings-on-a-Budget.com, one of the most popular and informative wedding planning websites on the web.

33 Best R&B Songs for Your Wedding Reception

2009-12-23T07:38:00.001-05:00

If you're looking to set a sensuous vibe at your wedding reception, look no further than a playlist full of R&B wedding songs. With smooth bass lines and sultry lyrics, R&B songs of love and devotion are perfect for moving, grooving, and romance on the dance floor. But with decades of songs to choose from, the only hard part is narrowing your playlist down. Consider this list of the best R&B wedding songs your starting point .

R&B Wedding Songs

These passionate R&B wedding songs have fitting lyrics and sultry melodies that will suit every component of your wedding from walking down the aisle through to the last dance.

Never - Jaheim
Forever My Lady - Jodeci
Sweet Love - Anita Baker
Caught Up in the Rapture - Anita Baker
Spend My Life with You - Eric Benet & Tamia
Nice and Slow - Usher
You Got It Bad - Usher
Ribbon in the Sky - Stevie Wonder
You Mean the World to Me - Toni Braxton
Always and Forever - Heat Wave
On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men
Never Let Go - Faith Evans
Angel of Mine - Monica
For You I Will - Monica
The Sweetest Thing - Lauren Hill
No Ordinary Love - Sade
You - Jesse Powell
The Cool in You - Babyface
By Your Side - Sade
I Swear - All-4-One
Make it Last Forever - Keith Sweat
Here and Now - Luther Vandross
Every Beat of My Heart - Brian McKnight
Back at One - Brian McKnight
Saved the Best for Last - Vanessa Williams
Crazy Love - Aaron Neville
All My Life - K-Ci and Jojo
Suddenly - Billy Ocean
No One - Alicia Keys
Hello - Lionel Richie
Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston
Everything - Mary J. Blige
Family Affair - Mary J. Blige
Get even more great R&B wedding songs for your reception.

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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. Brides can request wedding vendor quotes from top vendors across the nation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell

Makeup Mistakes that Brides Make

2009-12-15T15:01:00.002-05:00

Makeup Makeovers: Weddings: Stunning Looks for the Entire Bridal Party

They say that you are never fully dressed without a smile, and how better than to show off that happy smile than with the perfect makeup? That said, the right makeup can enhance, but the wrong makeup can look artificial and just plain bad. These are some of the most common makeup mistakes that brides make, and how to avoid them.

One of the most typical makeup mistakes that brides make is not to wear enough, or any at all. Even the most natural and earthy bride needs a little makeup to look her best on her wedding day. If you are unaccustomed to wearing makeup on a daily basis, work with a makeup artist (either in a salon or at a department store) who understands how to apply makeup with a light touch. A very sheer foundation, sometimes called a tinted moisturizer, topped with a light dusting of sheer powder will give your skin a flawless finish that will photograph beautifully.

Finish off your natural looking wedding makeup with a coat of mascara to bring out your eyes in the pictures and a medium toned lipstick in a satin finish, which is neither too matte nor too glossy. It will be just enough to ensure that you look as beautiful as you feel on your wedding day. When done right, this natural effect will look like you are not even wearing makeup; everyone will chalk up your glowing face to bridal radiance!

Another makeup mistake that brides often make is to wear way too much makeup. An overeager makeup artist or mother talks these poor brides into wearing something akin to stage makeup, which always looks artificial, especially when seen at close range ("Just so you have a face in the pictures, dear"). If the first thing that jumps out is your makeup, it is too much. The goal of wedding makeup is to enhance your features, not to take over your face. I once knew a gorgeous bride who was wearing a custom bridal gown with very delicate hand beading on it. Her mother talked her into wearing a full face of heavy pancake makeup with bright red lipstick and heavy eye makeup, as well as very heavy looking bridal jewelry. What she needed was a soft romantic look with delicate bridal jewelry to bring out the beauty in her face and her gown, but what she got was makeup so overpowering that it was all you saw when looking at her.

Something else that can go wrong with wedding makeup is forgetting to take conditions into account. On a hot day, the wrong foundation can run or get cakey, so keep it as light as possible. An older bride will find that certain types of foundation or eyeshadow will settle into the creases on her face after a few hours, which is never flattering. Too much shimmer or highlighting can make a bride look oily instead of dewy fresh.

The best way to ensure that you avoid these wedding makeup mistakes is to practice, practice, practice. After a few times of wearing your wedding makeup, you will discover what holds up over the course of a long day, and what photographs well or does not. By the time the day of your wedding rolls around, you will know exactly how to wear your makeup to look your absolute best.

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Stressed out Before Wedding ~Tips to relieve Stress

2009-12-09T11:00:00.005-05:00

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You're working full time. Only weeks before the most memorable day of your life. How are you going to get everything done and not be all tired out on your wedding day?

Well, for starters, keep up your exercise program at home or by hitting the gym. It will work wonders! A great Cardio, Pilates or Yoga workout is really helpful in clearing your mind. In addition the exercise will keep your weight under control so you'll look stunning in your beautiful gown.

Got some letters to write, thank yous to send or some other paper work to take care of? While doing these chores listen to some good music and you'll be surprised how the music can relieve the stress of wedding planning. Or maybe just sit in a comfortable chair and listen to the music. You'll be surprised how wonderful you will feel in a short period of time.

If the wedding ceremony preparations are really causing you trouble and you don't know how much more "stress" you can take. plan on spending some time with good friends or relatives. Talking, laughing - just having a good time. Maybe trying that new restaurant for lunch , eating that hot fudge sundae which is a definite "no no", trying a few strings of bowling or going shopping at the mall!! Ask your friends to join you. These activities will be a great "boost" in getting rid of your wedding stress.

Why not go to a spa ~ pamper yourself with a relaxing facial or get your hands and treated for that wonderful day! Or maybe get a massage.

No matter how simple or lavish your wedding ceremony, just remember to spend some time preparing yourself for that "important day."

Now just sit back ~ wait for that wonderful day and enjoy yourself!!

Good luck !

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashlee_Williams

What is a Groom's Cake

2009-12-06T18:09:00.012-05:00

The groom's cake is one of the peculiarities of modern weddings. As a trend, it has really picked up in recent years when the couples are more adventurous and want to try something new. However, the groom's cake is a tradition that dates back to the American south, where it was common to have it at weddings. Like all old things, this is again making a comeback in the modern wedding scene.

So what exactly is a groom's cake?

A groom's cake is simply a second, smaller cake. It can either be designed by the groom himself to bring a little bit of his personality into the wedding, or it can be designed by the bride and meant as a surprise for the groom. The whole idea is to give the groom something to take away from a day that is, well, largely about the bride.

The themes that the groom's cake is built around can range from his personal hobbies, interests, or ambitions. Sometimes, couples like to go really wild with the groom's cake to inject some spice and chutzpah in a day that can be quite sedate and dull.

Thus, if the groom was a college quarterback, a cake with a football themed design would be an appropriate choice. If the groom has a certain fascination with a particular piece of pop culture (say, a particular movie or book), you could have a cake designed around that. How about a groom's cake that shows both the bride and the groom's love for a particular rock bank? We all have to agree that a KISS themed cake would be just too interesting to pass up.

Groom's cakes were an integral part of weddings in the years past. Today, they are used primarily by brides to do a little bit for their husbands-to-be. Because of its size, theme, and flavoring (groom's cakes are usually in dark chocolate or spice), the groom's cake serves as a nice counter-balance to the traditional wedding cake. If you want to add a little bit of extra to your wedding, a groom's cake would be a very fun way of doing something for the groom.

To conclude, the grooms cake is one of the most wonderful wedding trends that has emerged in the past few years. Weddings have too long been dominated by the bride, and for once, the groom actually has a say in the entire wedding ceremony.

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South America Wedding Traditions

2009-12-05T08:06:00.009-05:00

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The main South American communities include the Venezuelan, Argentinean and Chilean communities. The South American wedding traditions are similar though each community has its own interpretation of the cultures. In Toronto, couples celebrate such ceremonies with both the immediate and extended family members, as it is important in the establishment of strong family relationships or ties. They have cultural guidelines that assist in the organizing of the engagement ceremonies and they have their traditional ministers who unite both the groom and bride in holy matrimony.

Before getting married, the priest normally confirms whether the bride and groom have informed their parents. The South American natives value their relations with the priests and this explains why they normally inform them subsequent to informing the parents. They believe that when a priest blesses the couple, they will experience good luck.

Venezuelan Customs

The Venezuelans in Toronto value family life and this is why they have to include every family member in the preparations. The groom has to seek permission from the father-in-law before making a proposal to a woman the groom intends to marry. The couples normally introduce each other to their parents when they are courting as an indication that they intend to marry each other. South American wedding traditions require both families to organize a civil ceremony where they inform all the other family members of their wedding plans.

The civil ceremony normally takes place a fortnight prior to the main ceremony. Subsequent to the civil ceremony and the main service, the invited guests attend a reception at a selected venue. These ceremonies are vital to the Venezuelan community nonetheless, the spiritual service includes more festivity. As the main ceremony is in progression, the families exchange thirteen gold coins as a sign of good fortune and prosperity. They refer to these gold coins as 'arras'. Many Venezuelan couples living in Toronto prefer to follow their wedding tradition. The newlyweds normally sneak from the reception venue as a way of bringing good luck to their marriage.

Argentinean Ethnicity

The exclusion of both the best men and bridesmaids is a common thing in the Argentinean community. The only people allowed to escort the couple are the groom's mother and the bride's father. The South American wedding traditions require the couples to exchange the rings during the engagement ceremony and their customs forbid them from doing so when making vows. Many Argentinean couples reside in Toronto and this is why most of them prefer to have their weddings there.

Chilean Traditions

Chilean couples residing in Toronto can organize a traditional engagement ceremony conducted by a minister who knows the cultures. A Chilean couple is required to exchange rings immediately after the groom makes a proposal. South American wedding traditions require a couple to wear wedding bands around their hands prior to making vows. After they get married, they place each other's ring on the ring finger of the left hand. South American wedding traditions require that the bride dress in a white gown if she is a virgin. If she is not, they should dress in either cream, light yellow, or beige gowns.

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3 Amazing Non Holiday Winter Wedding Themes

2009-12-02T07:58:00.010-05:00

NEW YEAR 2010

As the New Year approaches many brides will be looking for a new wedding theme idea that goes beyond the normal holiday and winter wedding themes. This makes sense as many brides will still want to take advantage of the off season savings of a winter wedding. So how does a bride still come up with an original wedding theme and at the same time still make the best advantages offered by an off-season ceremony? It takes imagination and some research to make it a reality. Here are some great ideas for you the bride in such a predicament can use that will be sure to make your ceremony and reception at this time of year unforgettable and spectacular.
If you are having a January wedding one great idea to have is a New Year's theme. Having your wedding at this time of year is a great choice because you not only are celebrating the beginning of a brand new year but also the beginning of your marriage. This is an apt theme to use and it can add some glitz and sparkle that would be otherwise lacking in a winter themed wedding. For example you decorate the chapel or ceremony location in bright and sparkling material. You want to give the venue a shimmering and wonderful look but not make it look too much like a party. That is what you want your reception to look like. You want it to have a look similar to a lavish New Year Eve Party in New York or some other popular venue.

Another great choice is Valentine's Day. This is the perfect theme for a February wedding. What better theme than one based on the lover's holiday? This is a great advantage to ramp up the romance in your wedding design. You can use the motifs of hearts and red colored flowers and blossoms to give the room an excellent look. You can also look to other famous Valentine's Day images of cupid. For the ceremony, try to blend these in a manner that will provide an elegant and romantic look to your ceremony location. For the reception you will have much more room to let your imagination soar. You can make your reception into one of the all time great Valentine's Day parties with chocolate desserts, menus designed around famous romantic dinners and a great selection of love ballads and songs to serenade your guests.

Another popular theme is the black and white wedding. This is a classy and elegant theme that matches the winter season perfectly in its stark contrasts and sophisticated simplicity. This is the type of wedding that is perfect because it does not have to match any particular holiday and can still be considered to be a great choice for a winter ceremony and reception. The result is something that has old time beauty and an unforgettable look that will leave a great impression on your attendees. To add to glitz to your decorations try incorporating sparking elements such as glitter, sequins, and some crystal.

These are just some of the many themes that you can use for your winter wedding after the holiday season. The important thing is that there are several ideas you can use for you winter wedding that don't have to follow the same boring pattern. You just have to think of themes that best match the season and what you want to do.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Hu

How to get a Loan to Pay for a Wedding

2009-11-29T12:24:00.001-05:00

By John O'Mahony
User-Submitted Article

These days more and more couples are paying for their own wedding, and they are turning to lenders for loans so they can have the wedding day of their dreams.

Step 1 Taking out a loan for your wedding can be good for your marriage. There is no better way to find out about your partner’s spending habits and your compatibility about financial matters.

Step 2 The actual process of taking out a wedding loan is easy – the difficult part is figuring out how much you need and how much you can afford.

Step 3 Loans for weddings usually start around $10,000 and run into the six-figure category.

Step 4 Before you approach a lender, decide together what you want to spend on your big day. The cost of an average wedding in the United States is almost as high as the average annual household income...and rising.

Step 5 Make a list of what you’d like at your ideal wedding and, if the final figure makes either of you uncomfortable, start paring down.

Step 6 One way to get a handle on costs is to list the expenses as necessary, unnecessary but desired, and frivolous extras. You certainly will need a venue, but do you really need to splurge so much on flowers and ribbons.

Step 7 You should also consider what you can afford to pay back each month on your loan before you get one. You don’t want your wedding loan to become a burden for the rest of your lives together, so don’t borrow more than you can repay in 3 years.

Step 8 Make sure what you decide about the scale of the event and what it will cost is a unanimous decision. That way you will avoid any future ill will or resentment. You’re in this for better or worse and you’ll be paying for your loan together.

Step 9 Wedding loans exist in 2 forms-–secured and unsecured. To secure a loan you can use your home, car, or an alternative form of security like stocks and bonds. Unsecured wedding loans require no security.

Step 10 Interest rates are reasonable on wedding loans, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shop around. Wedding loans do not usually have any fee or pre-payment penalties. Do your research to find the best rates and terms.

Step 11 Compare options like refinancing an existing home loan and other loan options to determine if a wedding loan is the best choice in terms of what you will have to repay.

Step 12 Even if you have bad credit it’s likely you’ll still be able to get a wedding loan. Get your credit report before you apply for the wedding loan so you’ll be able to make a good impression with your lender by alerting him to your situation.

Step 13 Ask friends, family and co-workers for referrals to a good lender, just in case they got good deals in the past. Most likely, however, you will end up shopping for your wedding loan on the Internet.

Step 14 If you choose an online lender you will be required to fill in a few simple forms on the lender’s Web page, giving details about your occupation and income, before the process begins in earnest.

Step 15 Before you formalize the loan you will probably be asked to produce some if not all of the following: Copy of deed to any property; Last 2 years' W-2's, tax returns and current pay stub, or two years' tax returns if self-employed; Proof of income from alimony, child support, lawsuit settlement or other income sources; Copies of your last 3-6 bank statements and a list of all open credit accounts (account numbers, payment amounts, and balances). Make sure you have all of the items in hand before you talk to your lender, as it will shorten the loan approval process.

http://betleebridals.blogspot.com

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com

Pledge of Personal Property (as Collateral)

Tips & Warnings !!!!
Don’t run up your credit cards to pay for your wedding. Wedding loans offer far better interest rates. If a lender rejects you, ask for reasons why and what you need to do to secure a wedding loan approval on your second try. Sometimes paying down some credit cards can increase your credit score just enough to qualify for your wedding loan. Don’t mortgage your future happiness by spending more than you can afford for what will amount to one day’s fun.The Federal Trade Commission warns against using lenders that encourage you to falsify your application to get the loan

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T10:59:00.002-05:00

Happy holidays to everyone

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.

If you concentrate on what you don't have

you will never, ever have enough. " Oprah Winfrey

Ashlee, Charlotte or Joanie

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

Christmas Wedding Flowers

2009-11-25T17:46:00.006-05:00

Leading up to Christmas is filled with all sorts of activities, organizing food, presents, flowers, holiday accommodation. Is the spare room ready for guests? Yes it is chaotic and the list is endless.

Yet it can be exhilarating when you and your partner decide to marry at Christmas.

Whether it be a winter wonderland wedding or get away to the tropics. This is a time when your wedding will make a huge impact on family and friends regardless of the destination.

It's Christmas time, a time for goodwill towards all men. A wedding to top it off always brings added joy.

Wedding flowers at Christmas during winter are gorgeous. Perfect time for tulips, hyacinths, freesias, and so on. A winter wonderland theme is perfect to entertain your guests with at Christmas time if you are in the Northern Hemisphere.

For those considering a tropical Christmas wedding the season swings to the vibrant colored lilies and orchids, roses and a rainbow of colors in a large range of florist blooms to choose from. Tropical beach wedding on the sunny shores are breath taking with frangipani or orchids to dance in your hair.

Florist flowers are chosen specifically for their longevity, they are grown in hot houses to suit all seasons.

Wedding flowers are special no matter the season nor the choice of flower, it is always smart to know when your choice of bloom is in season,whether it be a Christmas wedding or a tropical beach wedding. Seek advice and know what is in season for your wedding to save any disappointment.

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Planning a Bridal Luncheon or Tea

2009-10-26T15:31:00.003-04:00

Your big day is only days away, but it is important to make time for the little things. One of the most important "little" things you can do as a bride is to host a bridal luncheon or tea. A bridal luncheon or tea is traditionally held in the afternoon a day or two before the ceremony.

Occasionally, bride's host this intimate gathering the morning of the ceremony in the form of a breakfast tea that is held at the hair salon while all the girls in the wedding party are getting their hair done.

A cocktail party or intimate dinner is also nice, but may not be quite as kid-friendly if you are wanting to include your flower girl(s) or younger bridal attendants. Your bridal luncheon is the ideal time to give your bridal attendants any gifts you may have purchased for them, and it's a nice way to say thank-you for all the hard work and time that those special ladies have given to helping you pull off a truly memorable wedding.

However, you may not even know where to begin, especially you are overwhelmed with all the other wedding plans you are making, so here are some great tips on where to get started.

1.) Who is invited? Traditionally, all the young ladies involved with your wedding are. This usually includes the bridesmaids, maid of honor, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, and the flower girls, and any other girls you might have in your wedding such as candle lighters, guest book attendants, etc. As a courtesy you might also include the mothers of any young girls in your wedding, as well as, your grandmother(s) and the groom's grandmother (s).

2.) What to serve? If you are having a luncheon, you could have it catered to the location of your choice or you could host it at a local restaurant, but see if they have a party room you could reserve for this event. Another neat idea is to host your luncheon at a nearby "tea room". A "tea room" is a restaurant that serves light fair such as soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as, a variety of coffees and teas. A "tea room" often will offer an intimate, feminine location for your party. If you host your "luncheon" in the morning such as at the salon while you are all getting your hair done, you can have it catered by a local bakery or you can pick up a variety of muffins and bagels, as well as, thermoses with different flavors of coffee, milk, and juice.

3.) What to give? A lot of bride's fret over what to give the girls in their bridal party. Traditionally gifts are not given to the mothers or the grandmothers, so unless you just want to, don't worry about finding something for them. Including them in your "luncheon" is thanks enough. As for the young members of your bridal party, you can consider giving them things that are appropriate to their age. If they are really young and you find out they are interested in things like Dora the Explorer, Disney Princesses, Hannah Montana, etc. You can look for something to give them that reflect their interest in these types of things such as a Barbie doll, books, or other toys of that character. If you have young ladies in your bridal party that are teens you could consider giving them a gift card to download music or a CD of their favorite artist, or bath and body products. As for your bridesmaids and maid of honor, you could consider giving them the jewelry you want them to wear on your big day, or maybe give them all gift cards to a local movie theater and restaurant, so they can enjoy a nice dinner and movie to relax after all their hard work. There are just so many great ideas, so don't limit yourself and don't be afraid to get creative.

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Useful Sites~~

Thanksgiving Flowers

Great wedding music

http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/, http://galaxybridals.blogspot.com/,

Ashley Rader is the owner of Moments of Elegance, an online wedding boutique. We scoured every corner of the internet to find everything you ever wanted to know about cheap wedding favors. Here is the absolute best source we uncovered, bridesmaid gifts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Rader

How to Make the Special Day ~ Stress Free!

2009-10-21T18:48:00.003-04:00

Personalized wedding sites are becoming a "must have" for couples getting married! There is so much information to circulate, regarding the details of the event, maps, suggested accomodations and so much more. A wedding website lists all the important particulars, available 24-7 world -wide Click here ~A free trial at Wedding Window. No computer experience necessary!! Fun and easy!!

The special day is supposed to be the most auspicious day in the life of the bride and the groom. The day also means a lot to the family and friends of the couple. Giving out plenty of invitations means that there will be a lot of guests during the occasion and means that the family should be prepared to cater for all of them and create an atmosphere whereby everyone has a pleasant time and bless the couple wholeheartedly. It can be quite difficult to organize big functions which usually involve hiring a wedding videographer or a videographer, food caterers, planners and decorators. However, there are many tips which families can use to make the special day a truly successful and outstanding one. These tips will also ensure that they do not undergo too much stress during the occasion and have a pleasant time for themselves as well.

Time can be a stressful factor during big occasions and to avoid this stress, it is essential for families to manage time properly. This means that they should avoid doing last minute work such as shopping, decorating, getting the menu ready and making other arrangements. Planning well in advance and proper time management can save families a lot of money as they will get enough time to make good deals and get the best products. It is essential to write down everything that will need to be done. Making a list also includes making a financial plan and estimating the amount of time each task will take.

Finance can be an issue when preparing for the special day. Therefore, it is essential for the family to talk about how much is going to be spent. If the budget is low, families can plan a small occasion where only important members of the family, friends and relatives will be present. They can have the menu in budget and cut down on things like hiring a professional for decoration, planning and photography. Family members can get together and do these tasks themselves which will save them a lot of money.

Furthermore, the families, bride and groom should picture the special day and visualize all the details. They should stay focused and pay attention to all the things they need to do to make the occasion a really happy one. With a mental image, they should be able to decide how they plan the special day to be. Moreover, the family should not start panicking about the event. If they are unable to plan everything on their own, it is best to seek advice from close friends and families, especially those who have already done such a planning before.

It is essential to pay attention to how many guest are invited and how their seating arrangement will be to make them most comfortable. It should be noted that in order to make the special day a success, families need to plan everything beforehand and do not take unwanted stress. They should also be able to enjoy the day while taking care of the guests.

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Connor R. Sullivan has an assistant at the office who hired an experienced Chicago wedding videographer for his large wedding. He was very impressed with the Chicago videographer quality of work.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connor_R_Sullivan
http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/
http://galaxybridals.blogspot.com/
http://weddingideas.blogspot.com/

Top 5 Gifts for Sporty Groomsmen

2009-10-19T06:50:00.011-04:00

There's a better way of saying thank you to your groomsmen without simply saying the words or shaking their hands for being a part of your wedding day. It would be best if you choose to give them a gift or memorabilia instead so that they can remember being a part of your special day. It's even better if you have sporty guys as your groomsmen.

There are lots of different options that you can choose to purchase for a sporty groomsman. To give you a quick and easy idea what to possibly give them, here are some items that you may want to purchase:

1. Water bottle - Guys who are into a very active lifestyle would find themselves always on the go. So they would really need a water bottle which they can fill in with the liquid that would be needed to replenish the lost fluids in their body. There are lots of differently designed water bottles these days. Aside from these, you can also choose to have their initials printed right on the water bottle sleeve.

2. Duffel bag - For a guy who is a certified gym buff, receiving a duffel bag as a gift would surely be appreciated. If you want to be able to save on costs and find no need to worry about the bag being individually expensive, you can try buying them in wholesale or better yet contact a supplier who can quote a price for you.

3. Cap - An active guy always finds himself outside, probably baking under the sun. So they would really find a good use for a cap as a groomsmen gift. Keep it in dark colors and you can also try placing the initials of the recipient right on the cap.

4. Towel - Of course a towel is a very important thing for any guy who's actively into sports and other outdoorsy stuff. To make it even more exciting for them to receive, you can also try squeezing in a small note of thanks for your recipients to read. Make it something personally done by you and your husband.

5. Performance enhancers - It would also be a good idea to plan giving your groomsmen gifts according to the sports or activities which the guy specifically does. There are many different gears that people tend to use depending on the sport or activity they engage in. This is something that would definitely be much appreciated by your groomsmen because you really took the time to know what they would probably need.

When it comes to giving groomsmen gifts for sporty guys, it would be best to look at your possible gift options online and on commercial stores. Learn to compare prices and look at the designs that are available in the market. This way you can really look at how they goods will fit with the overall them of your wedding day.

You should also take some time to know what the groomsmen really like and need with regards to the sports they play. Better try asking among the people closer to them than you and your future spouse is if you are unsure.

Tickets to All Sporting Events Baseball? Football? Hockey? Basketball? Tennis? Nascar?

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Harrison Fray is has a lifelong passion with weddings and relationship matters. He can help you decide on the best groomsmen gifts cheaply and with classic style. Harrison also can help on picking the right personalized groomsmen gifts. Stop by Go Wedding Gifts to see what Harrison recommends.

Recommended reading

www.weddingsbyashlee.com
http://betteswedding.livejournal.com
http://weddingideas.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harrison_Fray

How to Find Great Deals on Platinum Engagement Rings

2009-10-16T10:54:00.004-04:00

Platinum engagement rings look gorgeous on anyone's hand and those who are about to propose know this fact. That is why shopping for a platinum style engagement ring is on the mind of many men who are searching for that one perfect ring for their future fiancé to wear on her hand. With that said, many individuals these days are on a tight budget and spending a great deal of money on an engagement ring may not be possible for most. Therefore, searching for a great deal is an ideal notion and one which appeals to many men. The following will provide some details on how to find great deals on an engagement ring comprised of platinum.

When searching for platinum engagement rings, the first place to look so that you may find a great deal on this item is at your local jewelry store. Shop the sales counter at the store and also ask the jewelry store sales associate which platinum rings are on sale and how you can get the best deal on a ring of this type. See if there are any financing opportunities if you were planning to put the item on a store credit card such as no interest for a certain period of time or a certain amount of money off of the price of the purchase. However, if you were not planning to open up a new credit card with the company and had other means of paying for the ring then perhaps credit card incentives of this type would not be worthwhile.

You can also ask the jewelry store which you are shopping at, whether it is a large retail store or a small jewelry boutique, what types of sales they are offering at the moment. Since platinum rings, especially those with diamonds in them, can be pricey, shopping for a ring which is on sale at the moment is a worthwhile venture. If you are going to propose around the time of a certain holiday you may be able to find great holiday sales going on which will get you exactly what you want in a platinum ring and be affordable all at the same time.

Those who like to shop for items and gifts online may find that purchasing a diamond engagement ring made of platinum over the World Wide Web is a good choice. Not only does this way of shopping provide convenience to the man who is going to propose but it can also yield great deals as well. Many online retailers stock these and with a little bit of searching around on the Internet you are sure to find some favorable price tags attached to the rings.

So when you are ready to make a marriage proposal you should have no problem obtain this type of ring for a good price. Platinum engagement rings are sure to put a smile on the face of all the women who receive such a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Wedding and Engagement Rings

Keep family and friends updated on wedding detail at Wedding Window

Recommended Wedding Sites~~

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Visit Weddings by Ashlee for great ideas!! My favorite!!

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Widen your knowledge on platinum rings for engagements at http://www.whereyoucanbuy.com - Free information and impartial advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Thornburrow

How to Stay Healthy for Your Perfect Wedding in the Midst of the Cold & Flu Season

2009-10-09T11:03:00.003-04:00

Weddings are huge stressors. Stressors are not good for the immune system. So, hard as it may be, loosening up and letting go might be helpful. Hire some help, either for the wedding or your brains. No money? Solicit help from your friends.

Aside from that here are a few practical steps you can take. Exercise is always good anytime!

Get vaccinated as soon as possible. As far away from your wedding as you can.
Wash your hands. Maniacally. Use that horrible alcohol-based stuff and get clean. Then put cream on your hands. Repeat.
Use tissues to sneeze and cough into. Cover your mouth. Throw out the tissues immediately.
Talk to your doctor about the supplements you should take to keep your immune system up.
Stop casual hugging, kissing, and hand shaking. Be warm and comfortable, nod and bow instead.
Eat well. Eat things that keep your system strong. I know you're trying to loose weight for the wedding. Being thin and missing your wedding, not fun.
Sleep well. (see that thing about stress). But just make the time for sleep. And stop working at least a half-hour before bedtime so you CAN sleep. Keep changing those sheets and pillowcases so that the germs go away.
Let go of perfectionism. Do what you can. Do it well. Give up obsessing on work, home, wedding being perfect.
Ugh. Consider an Intimacy Fast. If you have two comfortable beds, think about sleeping separately that last week. No sense spreading this back and forth.
Give up the alcohol. It actually sucks sleep away from you. And doesn't do much for that dewy fresh skin.
Lastly, if you get sick, go to bed and stay there. Call the doctor, whine and plead for help. Find friends to deliver your favorite hot and sour soup to your door step. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Do what the doctor tells you. Last minute details will be fine, even if you can't obsess over them. All your vendors have had weddings before. Give up control, let them make decisions. You focus on getting well so you can have a wonderful wedding. Whatever's happening is just going to be a great story 10 years from now. Breathe in, breathe out, through your mouth if you must!

Bottom Line?: Give your relationship the chance it deserves to succeed wildly, against all odds! After all, you deserve it. Your relationship deserves it!

Fun Sites !!!!

Easy, fun, Design own wedding site at Wedding Window

Create the custom wedding invitations of your dreams. Personalize your invitation online, view the preview, and order it on the spot!

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Wedding Links ~~

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

There's a lot more info to help you create the wedding ceremony of your dreams, the wedding vows of your heart and the marriage of a lifetime over on my website: http://annkeelerevans.org And to help you create the wedding vows that will become the blueprint for your incredible, happily and healthily ever-after marriage, I'd like to invite you to sign up to receive 2 free wedding vow templates: http://annkeelerevans.org/weddings/free

Go on! I dare you, be happy together!

The Rev. Ann Keeler Evans, The Wedding Priestess - helping you move from "I do" to happily and healthily ever after!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ann_Keeler_Evans

5 Ways to Make Your Guests a Meaningful Part of Your Wedding Ceremony

2009-10-03T11:36:00.004-04:00

Getting Your Wedding Guests to Vow to Support Your Marriage
By Nina Callaway, About.com

Wedding ceremony is an important part of your wedding. As this is a most special day of everyone's life, each of us wants wedding ceremony to be unique and memorable. There are different aspects of wedding ceremony that need to address properly to make this event a special one.

When you start planning your wedding ceremony, the first thing to do is decide what type of wedding ceremony you opt for because you have to plan everything according to the theme ~ like wedding decoration, wedding location, food, wedding singers etc. If you are going for traditional wedding ceremony, then you have to follow certain procedures. You should consult with church authority regarding your wedding ceremony. However, if you have an informal or causal wedding ceremony, you are more flexible in deciding procedures. But regarding legal procedures, you are not excused. You need to present documents such as address proof, birth certificate and marriage license.

Next you have to decide location, date and time of wedding ceremony. For traditional or religious marriage you need to book a location in advance specially in wedding season. In non religious wedding ceremony, though you get hall easily but judges are busy. So call them well in advance.

Wedding ceremony is very special day for both bride and groom. On most important day of your life you want to look most attractive and beautiful. You should already get prepared for the wedding dress, make-up and hairstyle of bride etc according to the theme. Book all the things in advance in the marriage season especially.

Finally you need plan for your wedding vows. Wedding ceremony decorations, wedding ceremony songs, wedding ceremony reading, wedding ceremony program are other different elements of wedding ceremony. Reception held after wedding ceremony is most enjoyable.

With proper planning and execution, you can make your wedding ceremony a memorable event which you will remember forthe rest of your life.

Helpful wedding sites~~

Win a Free Wedding Dress

Find the perfect Wedding Invitation at InvitationBox.com

Save 15% on all Halloween Cards and Halloween Party Invitations at Cardstore.com - use coupon code SPOOKY

http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/
http://bettteswedding.livejournal.com/
http://mysweetheartforever.blogspot.com/

Five ways to Find Cheap Wedding Gowns that Look anything But

2009-09-29T15:03:00.002-04:00

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.

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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

12 Elegant Bridal Hairstyles for your Wedding

2009-09-22T11:15:00.015-04:00

Dallas is known for its class, affluence, and style around the world. Many brides living in Texas decide to get married in Dallas proper for its reception facilities such as the Dallas Museum of Art, The Nasher, Merchanson, and other large and elegant buildings with the ability to host 100s of people.

Just like for all brides, when the big day is approaching, of course there is so much to remember and so much to do to prepare for it-to make sure your wedding day is as perfect as possible. Since all eyes will be on you as the bride, it is only natural to be stressed out over your gown, your makeup, jewelry, and your hair. It will all come together with time and planning, so try to relax. That said, let's take a look at some of the more elegant bridal hairstyles popular in Dallas you can choose from to help you complete the perfect look and shine on your wedding day as the beautiful bride you were meant to be. Whether you have short or long hair, there are a variety of options you can use for bridal hairstyles for your wedding in Dallas.

1. Upsweep: One of the most common ways to style your wedding hair is to choose an upsweep of hair. While this particular hairstyle can refer to a variety of different styles, for our purposes, it is the simple upsweeping of hair at the base of the neck. This is a very elegant style in its simplicity and grace, and can be accented with either delicate or demonstrative hair combs. Moreover, it can be as loose or tight as you prefer.

2. Down: Though often overlooked as a style, wearing your short to long hair down can prove quite elegant, despite the informality usually attached to it. There are a variety of things a woman can do with her hair if left down-curled, waved, or left straight. Whichever you choose, make sure your hair is well groomed so that the beauty of your hair can be accentuated while down.

3. Half up: Half up is another popular choice for brides to be, as it shows off the face, while leaving some hair down for femininity. Your hair can be swept from both sides evenly and secured with a barrette or other decorative bauble, or affixed on the side of your head. In either event, it is a beautiful way to combine two different hairstyles in one delicate wedding hairstyle..

4. Braided: Whether you choose one simple braid, a French braid, or still smaller braids entwined in your hair-all of them are elegant choices for a wedding day hairstyle.

5. Bun: Though seemingly simple, a bun at the nape of your neck or back of your head can add a beautiful and sophisticated elegance to any type of gown and jewelry you choose, and makes for an easy to maintain wedding hairstyle.

6. French Twist: A fresh twist is a bit dressier than a bun and less simple, but still demonstrates a simple classic hairstyle for any wedding day.

7. Curled: Perhaps you would like to add curls to your hair or define the ones you already have. Whichever you choose, soft wavy curls can add a romantic look to any wedding gown and bride.

8. Straight: If you are looking for a sleeker look-and you have curly hair, you should try the sophisticated elegance of straightening your hair.

9. Ringlets: A very popular choice for many brides-whether they opt to wear their hair up or down, if they have short or long hair is to have ringlets put in. As long as the ringlets are soft and not tight, the look is very romantic and old fashioned.

10. Beading: Once you have decided upon the style for your wedding day hair, you may want to consider beading to intersperse and accent it.

11. Ribbons/headbands: Another option for both formal and more informal looks are weaving and tying ribbons and headbands into your hair for a subtle accent.

12. Flowers: Many brides choose to accent their upsweeps and half up hairstyles with both real and faux flowers. The flowers add a romantic and earthy accent to any wedding gown, and are suited best to outdoor weddings that are less formal.

Fun Sites

Create the custom wedding invitations of your dreams. Personalize your invitation online, view the preview, and order it on the spot!

Design your own wedding site at~ Wedding Window

Birthdays are Free at Disney. Book your Travel package at Travelocity today!

Jacqueline Lajoie is the Chief Operations & Marketing Officer for Daireds Salon and Spa Pangea, thirty year-old Dallas hair stylist hair salon, offering services such as massage, laser hair removal, Botox, and hair styling for brides and relaxation seekers. http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/ http://galaxybridals.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacqueline_Lajoie

Musicians for Your Wedding Reception

2009-09-14T17:12:00.011-04:00

Okay, let's start hunting for a band or disc jockey to provide the music at your reception! Which one do you want?

A disc jockey will save you some money, play a variety of music, original songs played as guests remember them, require a minimal space for their equipment, continuous music, and a skilled announcer.

If you choose to hire a band ask your friends or relatives which ones they liked and enjoyed. If it sounds good to you, try to see a live performance ~ see how loud the music was, how the announcer did when introducing songs or other details. the clothes the members of the band were wearing (If you're having a formal wedding you wouldn't want the band showing up in jeans) and how the bandleader was in introducing songs and other details.

Make an appointment to meet with the band leader. Tell him the type of music you want played ~ pop, jazz, motown, reggae, Polish polkas, songs of the '50s or 60's, Irish ballads ~ just to name a few.

Before booking the band find out if your wedding location has any restrictions.. Some places have laws that music can't be played above certain decibels.

Ask the musicians if they bring their own sound system. If so, be sure to check with the reception site to make sure that the electrical system is compatible with the sound system. If not what has to be done and the cost of providing it. Extra generator available? Price if necessary to use it. Location of electrical outlets.

How long does he play? How many breaks? How many in the band? What is the arrival time and when is the departure?

Is the band available on your wedding date and time?

Also give him a list of any special songs you'd like played. Also any songs you don't want played. Inform the band leader of any special introductions you'd like him to make.

Let the musician know, how and when the wedding party will be announced, when you want the first dance of the bride and groom announced, the dance between father and daughter and dance between mother and son, and when the best man will offer a toast.

Ask the total price and how much is required to book them? Generally a 50% or higher deposit is required at the time of the contract.

Before signing the contract make sure all the details which were discussed are included in the written contract.

_____________________________

Fun Sites

Create the custom wedding invitations of your dreams. Personalize your invitation online, view the preview, and order it on the spot!

Wedding Window Allow your guests to reply on line, Reduce wedding stress level by making everything available on line , Keep relatives and friends updated on wedding plans, And so much more. Lots of fun!!

Going to a party? Giving a party? Need a costume? Check out this site for great prices and ideas!!

Some additional sites with many ideas for your beautiful wedding

Wedding Ideas ( my favorite site)

Galaxy Bridals

Bettes Wedding

The author, Ashlee Williams is the editor of Weddings by Ashlee and Betlee Bridals which will provide YOU, the BRIDE with ideas & tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget. Also many resources!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashlee_Williams

Beach Wedding Guide Tips!!

2009-09-08T10:09:00.007-04:00

Beach Wedding Guide Tips

by Dushan Vaithilingam

The Beach Wedding Guide can help your day go smooth. Beach weddings have become very popular in recent years and one of the most romantic ways to exchange your wedding vows. But just like a traditional church wedding, your beach wedding takes some planning, too.

First, you need to decide on a location. If you’re staying local, you will want to check on fees and/or guidelines for having a wedding ceremony.

Next, you want to check with the providers in your area, i.e., photographer, caterer, DJ, rental companies for chairs, tents, etc. It’s important to make sure that the photographer you choose won’t mind spending the day at the beach or that the caterer has no problems bringing the food to the beach. Your minister or person performing the ceremony will also have to be chosen. Depending on the location, clergy sometimes have restrictions on distance, or they may charge extra to perform a ceremony on the beach.

Now, let’s take a look at your guest list. Will your beach wedding be accessible to all of your family and friends? Will everyone be able to reach the destination, will anyone need special accommodations, and will they be comfortable?

What about your dress? When planning a beach wedding, you may not want to wear a long white gown with an expansive train unless you plan to change immediately after the ceremony. Think about it. You’re going to be out in the hot sun all day, so you may want to choose light material or even perhaps something a little less formal. Think about your bridesmaids and the groom’s attire as well.

Now, the next thing you need to do is pray for wonderful weather on your special day and have a back up plan in case the odds are not in your favor.

ASHLEE HINT ~ Destination wedding ~Never plan your wedding on a travel day, unless you are arriving by cruise ship!! You want to feel exuberant, not tired!!

******************************************************************

Lingerie ~ Need some new "undies" for your honeymoon? Check this site for unbelievable prices!!

Planning a beach wedding? Find just what you're looking for! Shop My Wedding Favors for great selection and value pricing.

Additional wedding Sites worth visiting ~

Design your own wedding site at Wedding Window

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com, http://weddingideas.blogspot.com

If you’d like more tips and suggestions when planning your "I do’s," take a look at the Beach Wedding Guide to help made your day a memorable one.

To find out more about beach wedding guide, take a moment and visit us at http://bestbeachweddingplanner.com/

(ArticlesBase ID #1206117)

How to Purchase A Girl's Dress for A Wedding

2009-09-07T19:09:00.009-04:00

Big weddings involve a lot of work and the couple who is about to be wed wants more than anything for the big day to go without a hitch. If you have a young girl who is going to be either a flower girl or a junior bridesmaid it is very important to purchase the perfect dress for the occasion.

Flower girl dresses can be purchased from a variety of places including online, at a wedding dress shop or at a large department store in your local mall. It is wise to check with the bride-to-be before you buy a dress to see what color she would like the flower girls dresses to be. It is important that the dress matches the dresses of the bridesmaids and this also holds true for junior bridesmaid dresses. The best weddings are well coordinated weddings and this is also true for the wedding attire. When everyone matches each other, the wedding is more beautiful and it makes for some lovely wedding photography as well.

When selecting a dress for either a flower girl or a junior bridesmaid, be sure that you choose the correct size. You do not want a tight fitting dress as it will be worn for many hours. You want to be sure that the girl is comfortable in the dress. Be sure not to choose flower girl dresses that are too short or too long either. The dress's bottom hem should fall just above or just below the knee. Junior bridesmaid dresses can actually be gown-length, but this again, is up to the bride.

If you choose to shop in a bridal wear shop you will be given the option of having the dress you choose tailored to fit the girl perfectly. This is a great benefit of shopping at this type of store and is a service that you will not receive at a department store or if you make your purchase on the web.

Practicality is also a factor, especially when choosing a flower girl dress. Try to choose a dress that the girl can wear again after the wedding. There is no reason to spend a lot of money on a dress that will only be worn one time.

When shopping for these dresses on the internet, be sure that you are shopping from a legitimate website. You want to be certain that the dress you order is the dress you receive. Do not hesitate to ask the owner of the online store questions before order and one of the most important questions to ask is regarding how long it takes for the dress to be shipped to you.

It is wise to check with the bride-to-be before you buy a dress to see what color she would like the flower girls dresses to be. It is important that the dress matches the dresses of the bridesmaids and this also holds true for junior bridesmaid dresses.

Fun Sites

Create the custom wedding invitations of your dreams. Personalize your invitation online, view the preview, and order it on the spot!

Wedding Window Allow your guests to reply on line, Reduce wedding stress level by making everything available on line , Keep relatives and friends updated on wedding plans, And so much more. Lots of fun!!

Going to a party? Giving a party? Need a costume? Check out this site for great prices and ideas!!

Some additional sites with many ideas for your beautiful wedding

Weddings by Ashlee ( my favorite site)

Galaxy Bridals

Bettes Wedding

(ArticlesBase ID #1205967)

Cash Bars at Weddings - Tacky Or Thrifty?

2009-09-07T09:54:00.020-04:00

By Cori Russell

Savvy couples are looking for any way to cut wedding costs - and rightfully so. Shelling out nearly $30,000 to host a party in these tough economic times just feels frivolous and wasteful. But sorry brides and grooms, a cash bar is never an acceptable money-saving solution. Think about it this way: would you ever charge your pals three dollars every time they grabbed another beer at your Superbowl party?

People at your wedding reception are still your guests, even if the event is not held in your house (like said Superbowl party), so they shouldn't be asked to pay for anything while there. Also keep in mind that, unlike the Superbowl party, many guests will have likely traveled and paid for a hotel room - not to mention a wedding gift - in order to attend your wedding. While the wedding ceremony is all about you, the wedding reception is about thanking your guests for celebrating in your nuptials.

Some couples think providing non-alcoholic beverages gratis while charging guests who wish to upgrade to an alcoholic beverage is perfectly acceptable, but here's another analogy: Imagine serving all of your wedding guests free soup for dinner at your reception. Now imagine offering optional lobster tail, but forcing those who wish to eat lobster instead of soup to shell out $30 for their meal. Surely you can see why this shouldn't be done. You should never offer anything that you can't afford at a party you're hosting - and then expect your guest to purchase it.

If a four or five-hour open bar is not within your budget, there are plenty of less-costly alternatives that won't offend your guests:

Offer beer, wine, and soft drinks only.
Offer a full bar for cocktail hour, then switch to beer and wine.
Decide on one type of drink to serve - either a specialty cocktail, champagne, or one type of beer or wine. Most venues will charge significantly less to serve only one type of alcoholic beverage.
Choose a wedding venue that allows you to bring in your own alcohol. Believe it or not - there are plenty of venues that do not have liquor licenses and will allow couples to bring in their own. Anything unopened can be returned for a full refund after the wedding. You may need to get a little more creative with your venue with this option and choose a mansion, museum, or a facility who's main business is not generated from weddings and special events.

Cut back on other wedding expenses.
Lose the expensive designer wedding dress and shoes, do your own hair and makeup, consider less costly alternatives to floral arrangements, drive your own car rather than renting a limo, spin your own tunes instead of hiring a band or DJ... Cutting some of these expenses will free up enough of your budget to serve your guests properly. We've seen too many brides waltzing down the aisle in a Vera Wang gown carrying a bouquet of imported orchids with newly manicured nails - all while her guests are hitting up the ATM in the back so they can enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.

Invite less people to your wedding. This is the most effective way to cut wedding costs across the board. The significant savings you'll experience with a smaller guest list will allow you to treat those who you do invite with courtesy and respect.

******************************

Fun Sites

Create the custom wedding invitations of your dreams. Personalize your invitation online, view the preview, and order it on the spot!

Wedding Window Allow your guests to reply on line, Reduce wedding stress level by making everything available on line , Keep relatives and friends updated on wedding plans, And so much more. Lots of fun!!

Going to a party? Giving a party? Need a costume? Check out this site for great prices and ideas!!

Some additional sites with many ideas for your beautiful wedding

Weddings by Ashlee ( my favorite site)

Galaxy Bridals

Bettes Wedding

Find great electronics at Ashlee Bargains

Get even more wedding etiquette advice.
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

In-House Caterers

2009-09-04T10:23:00.016-04:00

In-House Caterers

by Kelli Ziegler

If you're lucky, the reception site will have an in-house caterer that fits your budget, serves great food, and knows how to work with you. All hotels offer such services, as do most country clubs.

There are several advantages to an in-house caterer, the main one being that you don't have to go through the trouble of finding one yourself. The in-house caterer is already familiar with the particulars of the room, which can carry many advantages (for instance, linens and dinnerware that really compliment the overall atmosphere.)

But the in-house picture is not all roses. In-house catering is usually more expensive than independent catering, often charging you for lots of little extras; often things you don't want or need)as part of one all-inclusive package.

Fun Sites to check out

Make it a wedding night he'll never forget! Check out Henry & June Lingerie's Bridal Selection

Design your own wedding site at Wedding Window Keep your relatives and friends informed about your plans. Try a FREE 7-day!!

TIP~ To add flair before the reception, greet your guests with something, whether it be a glass of wine or some little niblet of food

Prenuptial Agreement

2009-09-01T12:17:00.004-04:00

It is a sad fact that roughly half of all marriages will end in divorce. This has caused many couples to consider signing prenuptial agreements before saying 'I do'.

A prenuptial agreement, often called a prenup, is a legal contract entered into by a man and woman prior to marriage. It includes provisions related to the division of property and spousal support in the event of divorce.

You may want to consider a prenuptial agreement if any of the following circumstances apply:

-One of you is much wealthier than the other.

-You own a home or other significant assets.

-You own part or all of a business.

-You expect a big increase in income (for example, if you expect to graduate from medical school).

If you do believe a prenup is in your best interest, bring it up early. Don't wait until a week before the wedding to spring it on your significant other.

Be open and honest about why you want a prenup and try to agree on the basic framework before bringing in the lawyers. Draw up a list of all your assets and discuss who should get what.

Once you've both agreed to sign a prenuptial agreement you should each get your own lawyer. If you use the same attorney a judge may choose not to enforce the prenup on the basis that one spouse did not receive adequate legal representation.

You must also be sure to fully disclose al of your assets. Any attempt to mislead or hide assets will result in the prenup being thrown out.

Another way to have your prenup thrown out by a judge is to make it too lopsided. A vaild prenuptial agreement must be fair to both parties and it must not leave either party destitute.

A few more things to keep in mind:

Prenuptial agreements do not pretain to child support. You can not waive your rights to child support nor can you designate less than would be provided to the child by the courts.

A will does not supercede a prenuptial agreement if the terms of the prenup are more generous. In other words you can not use a will to leave behind less money than is stipulated in the prenup. You can however leave more money than the prenup stipulates.

You can insert a clause in the prenup that will cause it to expire after a certain amount of time. These are called 'Sunset Provisions' and in some states they cause prenups to lapse
automatically after a number of years unless both parties opt to renew the terms. In a few states, prenuptial agreements automatically lapse after the birth of a child.

Fun Sites ~

http://betleebridals.blogspot.com http://betteswedding.lkvejournal.com

Acknowledgements
Article By Phinos at Your Wedding Steps

Wedding on a Budget ~ 7 Tips for Really Big Savings!!

2009-08-25T14:10:00.025-04:00

by Sean T. Saunders

It doesn't matter what it is, you have to be looking for a way to save money. Weddings on a budget can be great, but if you don't plan properly nor use a few unique money saving ideas, you will never come in under your budget. Having said that, if you'd like to get a jump start on planning a wedding on a budget, follow the 7 tips below.

Basic Tips For Successful Weddings on a Budget...

1. Set a Realistic Budget: This is a very important step, as it will ensure you are realistic with your goals and expectations. Talk with your partner about the money you can get together for the wedding. If the bride and groom's family are also helping to pay the bill, then discuss who will be in charge of paying for each aspect of the wedding. Knowing what you're working with is a key first step.

2. Create a "What We Want" List: Everything you (and your husband) want at the wedding will need to be put on this list, down to the last detail. No matter how trivial or inconsequential the detail may seem, make sure it is on this list. Another way to think of it -- if it's not on the list, it's not in the wedding!

3. Prioritize the List: Take the list you created above and start numbering it from crucially important to can-be-sacrificed-if-necessary. This prioritization will help you to focus on the truly important aspects of the wedding and, if need be, sacrifice the smaller aspects so that the wedding can live on.

4 Specific Tips to Save When Planning Weddings on a Budget...

1. Do NOT Have a Sit Down Meal. With servers, specialty orders, custom food requests, etc. this choice will be a financial catastrophe that will destroy your wedding budget entirely. That said, you're far better of going with the buffet style reception. A buffet will allow you to save money by offering inexpensive, easily prepared food as well as please guests with a greater variety of food options.

2. Tone Down the Fancy-Schmancy. You don't have to have super expensive decorations for your wedding to be classy and memorable. In fact, with a few carefully chosen cheap wedding accessories, you can easily give everything a touch of elegance all the while staying within the budget.

3. Drop the Open Bar Idea. Kill it, dump it, drown it, and then forget it. An open bar is too expensive and will encourage people to get way more drunk than you, or they, would like. Instead, buy the beverages -- nonalcoholic drinks, beer, champagne, and wine -- in bulk. For even greater savings, serve the beverages yourself or put a friend in charge.

4. Dress For Less. The wedding attire can be quite expensive -- which, as you can guess, is NO good for weddings on a budget. That said, start thinking more frugally. Rather than buying a dress you'll only wear for ONE day, consider the possibility of renting. If you don't like the idea of renting, think about buying second hand wedding dresses or even used inexpensive wedding dresses instead.

When it comes to planning weddings on a budget, these 7 tips are sure to lighten the financial load. If they aren't enough, well, you'll just have to find a wedding planning website that offers more tips and unique money saving ideas.

Win a Free Wedding Dress

Design your own wedding website Relieves great wedding stress. Why not try a FREE 7-Day Trial?

Find the perfect Wedding Invitation at InvitationBox.com

Huge Discounts on Mother of the Bride Dresses

Recommended Wedding Sites

http://www.wedddingsbyashlee.com/

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

http://weddingideas.blogspot.com/

Good luck and I know you'll have the"wedding of your dreams!" while staying within your budget!! What are you going to do with that money???

Fabulous Wedding Pictures ~ 9 things to Think About While the Photographer is Snapping

2009-07-26T09:13:00.009-04:00

Weddings where the bride becomes a celebrity are all the rage right now. Why, be who you are, when you can be someone else~~ right? And why not make the most important promises you're going to make, looking like someone you're not? Eek.

The other day I walked past a photographer and there was a picture of a bride, hands on hip, big ol' bouquet of red roses in her hand, and a look that said "Don't mess with me." Really. Is that how you want to be remembered at your wedding?

Or how about those glazed smiles. Why not be happy, teary, ecstatic, overwhelmed, intense... all the things that you are at a wedding. Forget the shots that detail your cummerbund or your hair ornaments. Get the ones that capture your joy!

Why not do something that is going to help your marriage last? Why not take photos thinking about the things that make your relationship fabulous? Those expressions, whether viewed tomorrow or 20 years from now, are going to keep calling you back to how you felt when you got married.

Talk about your wedding ceremony: If you haven't had it yet, whisper how much you're looking forward to hearing your community's reaction to the things you have to say to one another. Or if your photographs are happening afterwards, talk about how awed you were to hear your community promise to support you. Your happiness will glow.
Tell your beloved what piece of underwear you just removed. The sudden intensity of your sweetie's gaze will be worthy of a couple shots.

Find a particularly powerful statement from your wedding vows and whisper it into your beloved's ear, started by the comment that: I can't believe that I get so happy
Let yourself experience how incredibly happy you are. Say so. Shout it out! And then have your picture taken!

Be amazed at how it feels to have all your friends and family gathered. Think about who isn't there. Let yourself be just the slightest bit teary.
Warn your SweetPea not to get too tired or too drunk because you have a lovely treat for him/her in the room after the reception. Again, watch his eyes sparkle.
Allow yourself to feel just the tiniest bit smug that you are this happy.
Reminisce about what it felt like to stand at the end of the aisle and realize that you were about to make your wedding vows to one another.
Giggle about what went wrong in the ceremony. (something always does.)

Have your photographer take pictures of you having a wonderful time, anticipating and reliving the wedding ceremony and your marriage. That will create the most amazing pictures. And you will treasure them forever. And every time you look at one, you'll remember, that's when you told me about... that's when we laughed about... and you'll deepen your marriage with every viewing. That's a portrait worth having. Your photographer will be stunned at how fabulous your photos are. You? You'll be happily married with the pictures to prove it!

Bottom Line?: Give your relationship the chance it deserves to succeed wildly, against all odds! After all, you deserve it. Your relationship deserves it! There's a lot more info to help you create the wedding ceremony of your dreams, the wedding vows of your heart and the marriage of a lifetime over on my website: http://annkeelerevans.org/

Represent your faith in style with cross pendants from MyJewelryBox.com

And to help you create the wedding vows that will become the blueprint for your incredible, happily and healthily ever-after marriage, I'd like to invite you to sign up to receive 2 free wedding vow templates: http://annkeelerevans.org/weddings/free Go on! I dare you, be happy together!

The Rev. Ann Keeler Evans, The Wedding Priestess - helping you move from "I do" to happily and healthily ever after!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ann_Keeler_Evans

http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com, http://betteswedding.livejournal.com, http://ashleeweddings.blog.com

Say "I Do" on a Cruise Around the World

2009-07-20T09:48:00.010-04:00

Congratulations! Your boyfriend finally proposed, and your beautiful engagement ring is sparkling on your left ring finger. Indeed, the wedding plans are in progress - including finding the right location, perfect floral designer, videographer, photographer, catering company, and so much more!

The mountain of details can be overwhelming, and it is just easy for the bride to agree to anything suggested by the wedding coordinator. Your maid of honor chimes in, suggesting a wedding on a cruise - but she is dismissed by the wedding coordinator.

In fact, the wedding coordinator has argued that a formal wedding in a church is ideal because it makes the ceremony sacred - but it is also easier for her to arrange.

Sadly, the bride misses the fact that her wedding is no longer unique. In the United States, about 80% of weddings are formal, and approximately 85% of all weddings are held in a church, synagogue, or other place of worship.

Consider a unique, memorable wedding

If your wedding is becoming a statistic, then you may want to stop and think for a moment. What happened to the other 15% of weddings? Those brides took the time to think outside the box and visualized a different wedding.

Perhaps you may want a garden wedding, except that your co-worker already had one. Perhaps you could have a wedding on the beach? Your neighbor already did that.

But wait! The bride can take the wedding beyond the beach and onboard a 5 star world cruise ship. Cruise weddings are rare, yet the thought of cruising floods the mind of countless romantic ideas.

The memorable romance of weddings aboard around the world cruises

Enjoy visions of kisses exchanged on deck, witnessed only by the starry night. The soft "I do's" are carried away by the breeze as the bride and groom stand on a Caribbean shore.

Your maid of honor chimes in, "you don't have to worry about the catering because all ships have gigantic kitchens and a host of gourmet chefs." That did not sound necessarily romantic, but it certainly sounded great and convenient.

All around the world cruises offer romantic wedding and honeymoon packages. In fact, all cruise lines have their own wedding coordinators who are highly experienced in arranging cruise weddings. All that the bride needs to do is to pick and choose what features would make her wedding day perfect.

A survey of around the world cruises revealed that cruise weddings offer three basic choices: a destination wedding, an onboard wedding, and a wedding at sea.

Considering your ceremony options for around the world cruises, all around the world cruise packages offer destination weddings. The bride and groom, along with their guests, will board the ship and sail to a chosen destination, such as the Caribbean, Bermuda, or any other romantic destination that would be the perfect backdrop for the couple's big day.

Of course, you can solicit suggestions from the wedding coordinator of the around the world cruise ship. For example, Holland America may suggest a private island, called the Half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas, while others will divulge secret beaches perfect for saying "I do."

Once the destination is selected, all legal arrangements and logistics are organized by the wedding coordinators of these around the world cruises.

Most upscale world cruises offer onboard weddings. Such weddings happen a few hours before the scheduled departure of the ship. The couple and the guests board the ship earlier than the other passengers.

The wedding ceremony will be immediately followed by the reception. Then the guests can disembark, while the couples will stay on the ship, getting ready for the romantic honeymoon at sea.

Only one around the world cruises line can offer a wedding at sea: Princess Cruises. The captains of their ships are legally authorized to perform weddings, and the onboard wedding coordinator offers a variety of wedding packages.

From secluded beaches to romantic onboard ceremonies amidst the ocean breeze, saying "I do" aboard an around the world cruise is a memorable way to celebrate your beautiful matrimony.

Carnival Cruise Lines Wedding Packages

Need Luggage or a new Carryon?
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My favorite wedding sites~~ www.weddingsbyashlee.com, Bettes Wedding,

http://sparklingweddings.blogspot.com/, http://www.merrybrides.com/

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in travel, leisure, and around the world cruise packages. For amazing upscale world cruises on a 5 star world cruise ship, please visit http://www.amttravel.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Martin

Signs that you have Signed a Bad Wedding Vendor

2009-07-16T07:21:00.004-04:00

Travel today is as easy as swiping a credit card and getting on a plane. Thus, brides are traveling all over the United States to say their “I dos.”

However, traveling is the easy part.

Planning a wedding from a different city is hard enough, so how does a bride plan a wedding from a different state?

If a bride doesn’t have the money for a wedding coordinator, she will have to fend for herself in the vendor world. She can search online and make phone calls, but she will still be racked with anxiety that the vendors she hires will not show up on the big day.

Las Vegas is the world capital of weddings, and because of this, some brides are taken advantage of and left without an important service on her wedding day. A bride shows up to the chapel but learns that the vendor she hired to make her cake simply doesn’t exist, or the woman she hired to do her hair also hasn’t shown up.

For wary brides trying to create order out of the chaos, here are some bad vendor signs to watch for:

1. Doesn’t supply a clear contract

The way a vendor handles the contract is the same way they will handle your wedding day. If a vendor doesn’t provide a contract at all, gives you one that looks like a five-year-old wrote it, or says simply, “we don’t need one,” that should be a foreshadow of things to come. Anyone who has a legitimate wedding business should be able to provide a quality written, legible contract in a timely fashion.

2. Doesn’t answer your questions

If a wedding vendor seems more interested in getting paid than your wedding day, get out and get out now. Don’t expect all wedding vendors to be sensitive and caring to the point of tears, that’s what your parents are for, but do expect them to care about their service to you and your satisfaction. If they brush off your questions or make you feel belittled because you asked them, they will not care about your satisfaction on your wedding day.

3. Bad communication

The way vendors answer their phones and return calls and e-mails immediately shows whether a vendor is a winner or not. If you have a hard time getting a hold of them, you don’t seem to understand each other or they don’t speak your same language, get someone else. Plenty of great wedding vendors want your business and you should be patient enough to find that perfect fit like you found your perfect mate.

4. Isn’t willing to meet in person

If a wedding vendor isn’t willing to meet in person it can mean a few things. One, their business doesn’t exist; two, they only want your money; three, they are so booked with weddings that they can’t concentrate enough on any single one. Find a vendor who has time for you and understands the importance of meeting in person.

5. Too inexpensive

A wedding vendor that is too inexpensive can be more poisonous to your wedding than if a wedding vendor doesn’t show up at all. This is because, usually wedding vendors who charge little show up but perform poorly or get your instructions wrong. Look for the good deal, but be careful.

These bad vendor signs are just a few out of dozens to watch for. Other signs to look for include: The vendor won’t give referrals, he or she treats you poorly, he or she has a shady location with a P.O. Box, or you start seeing hidden fees.

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Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only.

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The Wedding Etiquette of Giving Cash

2009-07-10T10:20:00.015-04:00

A wedding of an acquiantance is going to be held some time soon. You are now thinking of what gift you should give the newly wed. But do you know that there are gift giving wedding etiquette? Yes, there is such a thing. If you are contemplating on giving cash as a gift, read on first the gift giving cash wedding etiquette before you do such a move.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 1:

If a guest who receive an invitation can't make it to the wedding, they are not obligated to send gifts and much more cash gifts. Wedding etiquette dictates, however, that those who are unable to attend should send a congratulatory card for the groom or for both couples or a simple best wishes note to the bride.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 2:

Cash gifts or any gift items may be sent to the bride or groom's home before the wedding or to the couple's new home one year afterwards. This is a way of guests to lessen the burden to the newlyweds, such as how would they transport heavy gift items. Couple need not worry about renting a truct to transport the gifts to their new home. Also, your cash gift will be a great help to couples within their first year of marriage who are still in the stage of raising their own savings.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 3:

Giving cash gifts are not a violation of wedding etiquette. Couples need cash as a start up money for them. They need to rent a new apartment, bigger than their bachelor pad, if any of them has one, buy toiletries and groceries for the two of them, buy appliances and furniture that the two of them needs. These are just few among the many expenses that a couple would face in the first few months of their marriage which is why gift giving cash is a good idea to do and does not violate any wedding etiquette.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 4:

So how much should you give if you decide to give the couple cash as a gift?

It is a horrible idea that the amount or price of one's wedding gift should equate to what the couples had spent on your dinner at the wedding reception. It is untrue. You can give as much as you want and as less as you want, if your budget is really tight. But in gift giving cash wedding etiquette, a guest's transportation does not count as a cash gift to the couple.

Gift Giving Cash Wedding Etiquette Fact 5:

Also, don't stop yourself from giving cash gifts if the couple has listed their preferred wedding gifts in registry. Buying gifts from the wedding registry list are optional; you can either give the couple the gift of their choice or don't.

So, the gift giving cash wedding etiquette fact # 5 is that you can give cash gifts eventhough the couples have a wedding registry.

Here are gift giving cash wedding etiquette for couples:

Wedding registries are gaining popularity these days. But there are limitations on how much the bride and groom may direct gift giving. Gift giving cash is a wedding etiquette violation. You should not tell your guests that you prefer cash than gift items or request donations in cash to pay up a mortgage or ask them to give you cash to fund your honeymoon or that gift giving cash is preferred because you will send the money to charity.

Whether you like it or not, don't ask for cash! It will make you look greedy, even if you claim that the money will go to charity. Also, your guests will fell less generous.

Gift giving of cash is an option to guests. They may opt to give cash as a wedding gift but wedding etiquette tells that you should not, ever, ask them for gift giving of cash. You may use the cash gifts in anyway you want.

If the bride and groom receive cash from guests, accept it and say your thanks, write them a thank you note the way you would do after opening a gift item.

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Want to find out about dinner etiquette and wedding gift etiquette? Get tips from the Etiquette Lessons website.

Bridal Headpieces ~ How to Find the Right Headpiece for your Wedding Veil

2009-07-04T13:52:00.013-04:00

Anchor your wedding veil with an elegant bridal headpiece, or let its sparkle make a style statement all of its own. Usually attached to your wedding veil, your bridal headpiece can hold it in place for the entire event or allow it to be detached through hooks or snaps. You can also wear your headpiece sans veil for purely aesthetic purposes. Here´s what to consider when choosing a bridal headpiece.

Style

When trying on headpieces, try to bring as much of your wedding day ensemble as you can (dress photos, accessories, veil, etc.) to get the best sense of which style complements your look. You never know what will or won´t work until you put it all together.

Cost

Bridal headpieces typically cost $20 to $100. Of course, you may find one for less, and you can always pay more.

Headpiece Style Guide

From a wedding tiara to a snood, here´s the lingo you´ll need to know to get started:

Profile (comb):
The profile is an ornamental comb (often featuring flowers, crystals or pearls) that is worn either on the top or side of the head, or underneath your hairstyle. Profiles can be worn with or without a veil and are a great way to accent a sophisticated updo.

Backpiece:
A backpiece is a barrette or comb (often decorated with flowers or beads), fastened to the back of the head, to which your veil is then attached.

Tiara:
A popular headpiece for brides who want to feel like a princess, wedding tiaras are a jeweled or beaded semi-circle that sits on the top of your head.

Crown:
A crown is a full circular headpiece that sits on the top of your head and is usually decorated with stones or beads.

Headband:
A headband is a band of fabric that extends from one temple to the other. This classic look can range from simple to elaborate, and is often made of satin, lace, or any fabric to match your dress

Bunwrap:
As the name implies, the bunwrap is a circular band that wraps around a bun or updo.

Juliet Cap:
A Juliet cap fits at the crown of your head and can be accented with pearls, beading or stones. You can wear a Juliet cap alone or attach your veil to it.

Snood:
A snood is a net that encases a bun at the back of your head and can be made from a variety of fabrics and embellishments. You can attach a veil to the bottom of this headpiece.

Wreath (or Garland):
Wreaths wrap all the way around your head and often feature organic materials such as flowers, greenery or twigs. This headpiece creates a natural, romantic look.

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Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete Weddings, Wedding Planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, photo galleries, checklists, and expert advice to walk brides through every step of the wedding planning process. Brides can request wedding vendor quotes from top vendors across the nation.

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Some Great Ideas on how to Save Money on Flowers for your Wedding

2009-06-28T20:31:00.020-04:00

Weddings are very expensive occasions, and saving money becomes a challenge. As you look at dresses and decorations, churches and dance halls the dollar signs get larger and larger. Everyone wants to find ways to save a bit of money without cutting too many corners on their wedding. Flowers are one way you can change the amount you will have to spend without sacrificing the beauty.

Some people go to extremes with trying to save money by opting for no flowers at all. If you aren't ready for that big of a sacrifice there are other options to save money. A new trend is to have a single flower instead of a traditional bouquet. Having only one flower does have a bit of romance especially when the bride carries a calla lily which is a very elegant flower. If it is hard for the bride to give up the full bouquet a single flower could be given to each bridesmaid.

Once the wedding is over and you move on to the reception the bridesmaids could put their single flowers in a vase to use as a bouquet for the table setting. Silk flowers are another less expensive way to go. You can get them in advance and store until the wedding. After the wedding the silk flowers can be given away or put in flower arrangements to decorate your home.

Another way to save on flowers is to use what flowers are in season but then you may need to be a bit more flexible on your decorations. The grocery store and farmers markets are a good way to get a lot of flowers for little money. Grocers buy flowers in bulk making them cheaper and farmers market is fresh but may lack in selection.

When doing the centerpieces for the tables you could also consider houseplants, if they are healthy and arrange right they would look very nice. The house plants could be then raffled off at each table and sent home with the lucky winner.

Another way to save on flowers is to have the wedding in a park. You wouldn't need to have many flowers since you could pick a garden area for the wedding. Then you would have the beauty of the flowers without the price.

There are so many different ways to save money on flowers at your wedding. Although they are beautiful at any wedding people who attend rarely remember the flowers. When asked guests may remember you dress or the vows or the ring bearer. So when considering the price spent on flowers remember that the flowers are only a part of the wedding decorations. The guests and the groom will all be looking at you so maybe you can spend less on the flowers and splurge on your dress and hair!

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About the Author
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as sending flowers at http://www.floralbouquetsdelivered.com

Daisy-themed Weddings

2009-06-22T18:57:00.003-04:00

Gerbera Daisy Silk Flower Centerpiece

A daisy themed wedding is perfect for spring or an outdoor wedding. Daisies are cheerful flowers that match the tone of a casual wedding or a garden wedding. Daisies come in a wide variety of complimentary colors, so if you are having a hard time picking a color scheme, go with several different daisy colors.

Daisies also look beautiful in silver or clay pots, so you can really play up a garden theme. Here's a guide to planning a daisy-themed wedding.

Decide between white and colored daisies.

White daisies go well with other colors, but a wedding with white daisies can be a very pretty backdrop, especially if the wedding is very casual.

Pick a few different shades for colored daisies. A typical scheme is red, pink, orange, yellow and white. Gerbera daisies are a larger daisy variety that can make a big impact with fewer flowers.

White Daisy Theme

A white daisy theme is perfect for the bride who wants simplicity in her wedding décor. If you using white or one shade such as yellow, pink or purple for your wedding décor, a white daisy theme is perfect for keeping it tied together.

Here are some ideas for using white daisies.

· Have your florist put together large bouquets of daisies for you and your attendants. Have her tie them with a thick, pretty ribbon in the color that matches your colors.

· Daisies are a great option for a pomander bouquet. (A pomander is a ball of flowers that hang from a long ribbon.) These are also great for pew hangers.

· Use white daisies in your hair. These beautiful flowers will look lovely in a low bun.

· Look for a veil with daisies embroidered into the lace.

· White daisies with long stems are a great option for simple table decorations. Place tall cylindrical vases with a few daisies in each. Place on tables alone or with tall white candles.

· White daisies are a great option for the bride on a budget. These flowers are typically less expensive than roses or lilies.

· These daisy votives are a beautiful table decoration that doesn't require fresh flowers. Save money and send them home with guests as favors.

· These darling daisy place card holders will be a great compliment to your simple white daisy décor at the reception.

· Coming up daisies! Your guests can continue the daisy theme at home with these daisy seed favors.

Colored Daisy Theme

This theme works for the bride who has a sunny personality. Gerbera daisies come in very vibrant colors, so they are best set against a simple backdrop of color such as white, cream or green.

Here are some tips for using colored daisies in your wedding theme.

· Pair colorful daisy bouquets with simple bridesmaids' dresses.

· Let your flower girl throw daisy petals instead of rose petals.

· Cut the stems off the daisies and arrange several colored daisy "heads" on a white tablecloth for a very casual look. Add votives for effect.

· Match your favors to your colored daisy décor with these cute daisy-shaped wildflower packets.

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A Wedding Fit For a Queen

2009-06-11T18:35:00.013-04:00

If it has always been your fantasy to feel like a queen on your wedding day, you are not alone. Many brides want their weddings to be regal and royal affairs. This is your guide to planning a wedding that is fit for royalty.

For a regal wedding, all of the elements should be opulent and luxurious. Your reception venue will be especially important in establishing the right atmosphere. Look for sites such as grand hotel ballrooms or historic mansions. If you can rent an actual castle for the day, even better! The site should be resplendent with features such as high ceilings, ornate molding, crystal chandeliers, and gold accents. These details will provide the perfect setting for your royal wedding.

The next step is to pick the right bridal gown and accessories. A full ballgown is ideal when you want to look and feel like a queen. Choose a gown made from a luxe material, such as luminous silk satin. Heavy gold or silver embroidery on the bodice and train will enhance the regal effect of your gown. Finish it off with fabulous bridal jewelry, such as custom Swarovski crystal necklaces and earrings. The wonderful thing about custom bridal Swarovski necklaces is that they will give you the rich and royal jewelry that every queen needs at a price that a non-royal can actually afford.

Think about adding other royal touches to your wedding. One fantastic idea is for the bride's entrance to be heralded by trumpeters instead of the standard church organ. All eyes will be upon you as you glide down the aisle accompanied by your trumpeters. This is the type of wedding that can accommodate a large bridal party, so the bride may wish to have several flower girls sprinkling rose petals along her path, as well as a pair of pages to carry her train.

Regal details can abound at your reception. Start off with a rich color palette, such as purple and gold, or burgundy and copper. A metallic will be a wonderful addition to your wedding decor. It can be incorporated into vases, china and crystal, and even the table linens. For a daytime wedding, sheer gold organza chair covers tied with a deep red satin bow would be stunning. An evening wedding can handle something even richer, such as velvet slipcovers for the chairs, and velvet runners on the tables.

Your centerpieces should be truly over-the-top when you are planning a wedding fit for a queen. Height is a must, and can come in the form of very tall vases and candelabras or towering floral arrangements. Types of flowers to use include velvety roses and exotic orchids. Branches can also be incorporated to give your centerpieces height and presence.

The menu for a regal wedding should be classic and rich. Serve the types of dishes that always feel indulgent, such as Beef Wellington, lobster thermidor, and shrimp cocktail. Opt for very fancy place settings as the backdrop for your feast. Gold chargers and china with metallic patterns are ideal. Complement them with opulent gold rimmed cut crystal glasses for wine and Champagne. Your guests will be wowed by both the food and the presentation.

Every bride deserves to feel like royalty on her wedding day, and with these regal details, she will. A royal style wedding is a lot of fun to plan, and even more fun to attend. The rich and royal elements that you choose will give your wedding an incredible atmosphere.

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Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts,reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding.Brides feel like royalty when they wear custom bridal Swarovski necklaces.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Firenze

Bettes Wedding

Honeymoon Hot Tips

2009-05-23T18:37:00.009-04:00

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Honeymoon Hot Tips
A Honeymoon is more than a holiday.
Increase the romance factor with careful planning

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One
Shop around for the best Honeymoon packages, which often include an upgraded room, champagne and flowers on arrival, gifts and even a free candlelit dinner. To be eligible you usually have to produce your marriage certificate, so make sure it is packed safely inside your hand luggage.

Two
Be demanding of your travel agent. Spell out your ideal honeymoon package and see if they can come up with a trip to match your dreams. If they don't seem very imaginative try somewhere else.

Three
If possible, don't travel on the same day as your wedding. Wind down together in a local hotel and then fly out the next day, once you've recovered from all the excitement (and stress) of the big day.

Four
Don't be fooled by glossy brochure-speak, pictures are often of the best rooms. Even a double bed is not guaranteed unless you outline your requirements beforehand, preferably in writing.

Five
Just because this is a honeymoon, don't imagine you have to spend every waking minute together - it would be too much for even the most love-struck couple! If your fiance fancies playing a game of golf or two, arrange it. A few hours apart will make your time together even more fun.

Six
Many of the 'couples-only' resorts in the Caribbean are all-inclusive, which means everything from food and drink to watersports are paid for in the one price. These can be a good value but, if you're not the active type and don't want to use all the sporting facilities, they can be expensive. It may be worth considering a half board package and then paying for your own romantic extras.

Seven
The Caribbean is the number one hot spot for honeymooners but it is expensive, especially during high season. Watch out for special deals during their low season, our summer months. The weather can be unpredictable but the savings are worth it and honeymooners are more likely to be upgraded, when the resorts are not so busy.

Eight
Ask one another how important the traditional honeymoon extras are~ like a four-poster bed. You don't want to skimp on your room but you could be spending the additional money on more worthwhile extras like wonderful food or interesting day trips.

Nine
Try to pick a hotel in a romantic setting; overlooking a lake, on a deserted stretch of beach, on a wooded hillside or near some famous landmarks. If the setting is right, moonlight walks will take on a whole new meaning.

Ten
Everyone loves a honeymoon couple. Don't be shy especially when making reservations with your travel agent, in hotels, restaurants and on airplanes, you should be pleasantly surprised by the special treatment you receive. A glass of champagne, a room upgrade, a candle-lit dinner, a free gift or just extra special service.

Worthy Splurges

It wouldn't be a Honeymoon without an indulgence or two,
How about?? A room with a view. Imagine laying in your bed or your bath looking at a stunning beach, city sights or simply the stars.

A spectacular ride in a hot-air balloon, helicopter, boat or horse-drawn carriage - holding hands the whole time, of course

A glass of Champagne whenever and wherever possible.

Candlelight, ask your hotel to put candles into your bedroom and bathroom

His 'n' Hers massage

A special memento, like a copy of the menu from your first meal together as man and wife, signed by the Chef, bathrobes or slippers bearing the hotel logo to remind you of the trip every time you wear them.

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How to Plan a Trendy Wedding

2009-05-16T15:37:00.000-04:00

If your big day is approaching and you are not sure what you want to do. You may consider what is trendy for 2009. Weddings are like most things in life they are constantly evolving. This article will try and help you with what is in and what is not in 2009.

First, the wedding reception, some couples decide to have their wedding reception out of doors, while others choose to have their wedding in a church and the reception somewhere else. While others may choose to have the wedding and the ceremony at the same location. This is one of the more popular trends because it makes it much easier on guests. It saves on them having to drive from one location to another location also saves on gas. This brings to mind all of the biological and ecological correct issues that many couples are concerned with today. Green weddings are becoming more and more popular. From the fabrics the wedding attire is made from to the organic food the guests eat and the decorations that are recyclable or green. The favors that are given to the guests are small plants that can continue to grow.

Second, what was essential 20 years ago doesn't necessarily mean it is correct today. Traditional wedding cakes are disappearing for more up to date types. The Figurine of the bride and groom is gone being replaced by a lovely bunch of flowers. In many instances the cake is gone and replaced by the very popular cupcake cake. The transitional band may be replaced by a DJ with totally electronic equipment. Flower arrangements and expensive centerpieces can be replaced by potted plants. Wedding favors given to the guests have changed drastically. Practical gifts with the bride and grooms name on them have become very popular.

Lastly, the internet, what would life be with out the internet ~ well that is true for weddings today. The days of making a million phone calls and dragging all over your town is over. All that information can be attained on the internet. From having your wedding planner on the net, so all those involved with the wedding can see, no matter where they live, to your initial search for invitations, caterers, flowers, music, and even venues can all be done from your PC. So planning a wedding in 2009 can be much easier with the help of your friend the computer.

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Prepare for Your Wedding Walk Down the Aisle

2009-05-13T09:50:00.001-04:00

One moment of your wedding where everyone will look at you is when you walk down the aisle. The people are waiting to see the beautiful bride, as for you want to be the center of attention on your wedding. A wedding dress could fetch you some attention but if you want to look stunningly gorgeous then it is your diet and fitness that you need to work on.

Wedding preparations are very confusing and irritating at times, especially when you have put on weight and are worried about fitting in the dresses that you chose. If you are thinking about losing quick weight but fear that you have lost time, think again. If you do a little bit of research you will see that there is a lot of help around, you can even lose weight and couple of ounces at the very last minutes before your wedding. So stop wondering and act fast before you run out of time.

You can go for diet pills that help you reduce weight, at the same time they provide with vital nutrients. So this means that you need not worry about your body needs. These pills will work simultaneously providing your body with all its needs. You can further help yourself by doing some physical exercises that will help reduce quick weight and unwanted body flesh.

If you commit yourself at getting the perfect body shape you want before the wedding than nothing can stop you. If you are determined and focused on your goals you can reduce a lot of fat and to your amazement will find that you can fit in the clothes you always wished about.

You will be surprised to see that every soul is looking at you when you walk down the aisle. As for your husband, he will be amazed to see you look so stunning and gorgeous.

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Planning a Wedding Differently

2009-05-11T19:36:00.000-04:00

Traditionally, weddings include a church ceremony; a bride wearing white bridal gown and a long veil; a groom in his tuxedo; and attendants making their way on the wedding entourage. These are the most basic scenario in a usual wedding, which is ideal for many people but very common for some who opt to make a bit of difference from what is traditionally done.

There are people who want to go beyond ordinary wedding and are planning to get creative to make their big day memorable to everyone. Nowadays, there are some dramatic changes when it comes to wedding themes, wedding venues and other wedding details and you really can get married in whatever approach you like.

Most of the time, unique weddings are inspired by couple's matching personalities, likes, interests and lifestyles. The couple both agree to have that unique touch to show off their own passion, which is very welcome as it is the day of their days and their personal likes must be followed.

There are actually so many unique ideas you may think of to make your wedding one of a kind. For example, you may decide to get married on the place where you and your partner first met. You may even get married on some places such as golf courses, football fields, basketball courts or even underwater or up in the sky.

Just like and typical wedding, planning a unique wedding requires a lot of effort and careful decisions. You may opt to have a unique theme that will tell your guests what they should be wearing. Planning ahead of time is very important so that you will have plenty of time to to fix if there are some problems; change if there are things that need to be changed ; and deploy information that your guests should know. Also, since you are planning a unique marriage and things associated to it are most likely not very common and difficult to find, planning long before your wedding makes sense as you will have enough time to find unusual things you may hardly find in many stores or places. When planning, however, try not to be carried away by unique wedding ideas so that it won't look overdo and exaggerated you will hardly pull off.

Different from the big and lavish weddings most couples opt to have, sometimes the simpler yet more unusual wedding ideas are the ones that are remembered most. Whether you will still have that gift-giving to practice or having a themed wedding colors, sometimes making a bit of difference makes it all worth while. Get creative! You imagination is the limit.

A wide variety of fun, creative and unique wedding ideas are now available online. You may consider vegas wedding favors, tropical wedding favors, themed place card holders, unique bridesmaids and groomsmen gift ideas, themed cake toppers and etc. The only important thing you need to start with when planning a unique wedding is to make a list of everything you need. Plan long before you wedding and take time to decide. Compare prices so you will not overspend your budget.

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Meaning of Different Wedding Colors

2009-05-03T19:36:00.000-04:00

The wedding colors convey emotion, mood, and tone. We tend to use our favorite wedding color combination without knowing the real meaning of wedding colors. Each wedding color has a good and bad image. In choosing the wedding colors, it is important to highlight the good image of the wedding color.

The cool colors convey calming effect, while the warm colors create excitement. The neutral colors convey unification, or unity. The cool colors of wedding are blue, green, turquoise, and Silver. The warm colors are red, pink, yellow, gold, and orange. The neutral colors are brown, beige, ivory, gray, black, and white.

Black depicts formal, modern, sexy, and sophisticated. It is a color that is always in fashion. It never goes out of style. Black is usually paired with white. Black is the color of highest formality of wedding. With black, you feel elegant, powerful, and sophisticated. Black works well with lighter colors such as yellow, white, blue, red, blue, and green. Black will stand out in photographs. On the contrary, black is also a symbol of evil, darkness, and death.

Blue calls for calmness, tranquility, truthfulness, nobleness, and faithfulness. In all the culture, blue has the lowest amount of bad images. Blue is often use in ribbons to symbolize winners. Blue is recommended and versatile. Anyone can not go wrong. We often see blue in wedding flowers, and dress. The only bad image of blue is depression, loneliness, and sadness.

Brown makes you feel comfortable, warm, and cozy. It is a color of the wood, earth, and stone. The guests will be obliged to stay longer. Brown also stimulates appetite. The only bad image is that it is sometimes dull. However, the brown brings character to the location.

Green represents wealth, money, nature, environment, fertility, growth, re-birth, victory, healing, abundant, and renewable. Green is the color of garden weddings and green weddings. The green tells of new life and beginning after the wedding. Oftentimes, we use green to show the awareness to be eco-friendly, or environment friendly. The bad image of green is greed, jealousy, and envy.

Orange stands for energy, sun, warmth and comfortable. It is often used in fall wedding ideas. The guests will feel at ease. Think of fall leaves, pumpkin, sun, sunset as wedding themes.

Pink symbolizes the femininity, admiration, love, pretty, spring, gentleness, harmony, fidelity, and sensuality. It is an innocent, sweet, and soft color. Pink is usually use in wedding dress, wedding invitations, and wedding flowers. The only bad image is breast cancer awareness in which most people will not consider as bad image.

Purple shows nobility, royalty, luxury, authority, creativity, inspiration, and spirituality. It is a mysterious and intriguing color. The darker shades of purple represent sensuality, while the lighter shades of purple represent romance and delicate. The bad image of purple is a symbol of mourning widow in Thailand.

Red creates excitement as red raises blood pressure. Red also symbolizes love, passion, sex, and power. Hence, we like to give red roses to show a strong affection of love. Red means good luck in China, while red means purity in India. Life, vitality, celebrations, and gifts are associated with red. The negative images about red are blood, war, danger, fire, and anger.

White is one of the neutral colors which are common in wedding dress, flowers, and attire. White is also associated with purity, innocence, cleanliness, and virtue. Think of snow, winter, and peace as wedding themes. Today, it symbolizes crisp, clean, and luxurious. On the other hand, the white is a symbol of death for eastern countries and ghost for western countries. The caskets are usually covered in white, while the ghosts are usually visualized in floating white sheet.

Yellow is a happy, joyful, cheerful, and hopeful color. Because it is close to the color gold, it is sometimes a symbol of wealth. Think of sunshine and summer as wedding themes. The yellow in wedding dress, wedding candles, and wedding flowers indicate a happy moment. For Japanese, it is a symbol of royalty and courage. The bad image of yellow is emergency, cowardice, deceit, and hazard. In Egypt, the yellow means death, grief, and mourning.

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Ceremony ~ Having a Friend Officiate

2009-04-23T12:11:00.000-04:00

Ceremony:
In the time it takes to hop online and buy a pair of shoes or find a recipe for chocolate cake, you can become an ordained wedding officiant.

As crazy as it sounds, it's true! And lots of couples are choosing to have a friend or relative ordained-for-a-day to perform the ceremony. Sound interesting? Here are some things to consider before you make your choice.

Why?
If you're getting married across the country, on a Caribbean island or a similar far-away destination you may meet your officiant face-to-face only minutes before you get hitched. Having your childhood friend or your Aunt Joan in front of you may be a better choice if you're hoping for a deep connection to the officiant.

If you don't have a close or even passing relationship with a minister or rabbi, this is a way to add a real personal touch to your ceremony. Special stories or personalized vows can be more meaningful when they're told by someone who really, really knows you.

While there are many open-minded officiants out there who are willing to adapt to unconventional ideas such as handfasting or a ring passing, this may be a great option if you're having a difficult time finding someone in your area.

The Right Man (or Woman) for the Job
The person you're considering should understand and appreciate the seriousness of the task. The last thing you need is a ceremony peppered with sarcasm, inside jokes or one that's simply taken too lightly.

Part of an officiant's job is to project a sense of authority. Choose someone who you know to be a strong, confident public speaker.

Your officiant should feel comfortable taking a leadership role during this all-important time. Moments before the ceremony you don't need to be the one getting everyone organized and making sure the violinist plays on cue.

DYI Ceremony
One of the nice things about having a professional officiant is that you have access to their wealth of experience. If you decide to have your big brother the orthodontist marry you, then you're going to have to commit to putting a lot of extra effort into planning the vows, the music, readings and the general flow of the ceremony.

Your friend or relative should be committed to spending a fair amount of time with you before the wedding planning the structure and content. Handing your officiant a "script" to follow before the wedding can do in a pinch but involving her in the process is likely to yield a much more personal and heartfelt ceremony.

Is it Legal?
While you can do some preliminary research online, be sure to discuss all rules and regulations with the county clerk where the ceremony will be held so you can be sure everything is on the up-and-up.

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Bridal Shower Favors Guide

2009-04-21T07:08:00.001-04:00

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A bridal shower is an occasion when the bridesmaid and her close female friends gather for a party and the bride to be is showered with fabulous gifts, love and best wishes. Back in the sixteenth century, they believe that the only riches a couple had been their love. Therefore, to offer them some assistance they held a party to shower the bride to be with items that would help her starts her new life. These gifts are today given by the bride to her guests and are known today as bridal shower favors.

These days even the most modern kind of bridal shower favors retain the original spirit of shower favors. The most important thing to remember when deciding on bridal shower favors is the fact that they should be a remembrance of this special event. The gifts offered by the bride to her friends should be carefully chosen to represent the personality of the bride and also appreciation to the guests.

For guidance in choosing the perfect bridal shower favors, take ideas from the theme of the party. Some themes used for bridal showers include tea party themes, room of the house theme, stock the pantry theme, stock the bar theme, wine tasting shower, the famous lingerie theme, around the clock theme, ethnic theme, honeymoon shower theme, Christmas ornament theme, garden party, month of the year theme, jack and Jill shower, favorite memories shower, and pajama party theme to name a few.

Picking the right theme will offer more choice of wedding shower favors. There are more ideas for a stock the pantry theme compared to a month of the year theme. What I mean is that, it is easier to get foodstuffs to stock a pantry compared to things that represent a certain month. Let the guests at your bridal shower know how important they are to your by offering wedding shower favors also known as bridal shower favors.

Since most guests who attend bridal showers are ladies, picking out gifts should not be hard. If you plan to give one of a kind personalized gifts, you might want to refer to my option. Every woman would like to get a personalized cosmetic bag, sandals, monogrammed spa slippers, personalized wedding cookies, bridal shower lifesavers, personalized caramel corn, tea bag favors, and lip butter for chapped lips, honey jar favors, wedding gum favors and personalized goody bags. These wedding shower favors will let your girlfriends know you appreciate them.

The main reason you give gifts at a bridal party is basically to say thank you for coming. The best bridal party gifts are not just wedding shower gifts but rather gift-wrapped memories. If you would like you guest to laugh aloud when they see the gift, get something that is least expected. If on the other hand you are giving a gift to the bride, lingerie is always an icebreaker. Bridal shower gifts are not only for the guests, the bride also needs some love.

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Peach Cascade Bridal Bouquet

2009-04-16T10:19:00.000-04:00

Have you ever seen a wedding without a flower? Well, as a matter of fact, flowers have become an important element in a wedding. Almost all wedding include flowers as its decorations, center piece or bouquets. Flowers, through their beautiful color, unique petals and scents are able to enhance the beauty of the bride whenever the bride carries them as a bouquet. There are many kinds of flowers, in which each type of flowers usually offer different atmosphere to those who carry them as a bouquet. You can easily have some kinds of bouquet arrangements in which each arrangement is usually more suitable for certain theme of a wedding. The arrangements can be in form of cascading, hand-tied and nosegay.

Cascade bouquets usually become the choice of most brides as it offers classic style in which the flowers are cascading downwards; there are flowing part and trail in front of the flowers. A well experienced and talented florist will be able to create a very unique bouquet which is bale to represent personal style of the bride. The flowers used in this flower arrangement are various and the choice can be based on the personal style of the bride, the theme of the wedding, or the wedding dress. A florist may use one type of flowers only or combine some types of flowers in order to create a very special bouquet. A peach cascade bridal bouquet can be made from some different flowers such as roses, carnations, mum daisies, or Asiatic lilies. Foliage can also be used to add the value of the arrangement. Further, peach ribbon can also be used intertwiningly to make the bouquet more beautiful and unique.

Though some people might consider this flowers arrangement is the most traditional and old one, you can always try to make it modern with certain touch. You might want to use tropical flowers instead of carnations or chrysanthemum. Then, the beautiful color and unique petal shape of orchids and anthuriums might be a great choice for peach cascade bridal bouquet.

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Dance the Maypole ~ The Power of Weaving at your perfect Spring or Summer Wedding Ceremony

2009-04-12T19:17:00.000-04:00

Wedding traditions offer richness and color to enrich your wedding ceremony and to transform your life! And what's more fun is that they can be remade to suit your life.

Consider the maypole. Despite its name, it can be appropriately danced during two whole wedding seasons: late spring and early summer! (it's a little too cold earlier in the spring and the warm weather later in the year makes us just a bit too indolent for all that exercise!)

What is its traditional meaning? Fertility! Ancient Northern European traditions were not subtle. Spring came and they felt they needed to remind the world to wake up and do what was needed. Fertility was one of the most important things to the survival of a village. They danced the maypole in the fields, because they needed the fields to be fertile. They needed their families to be fertile because large families could gather/raise more food and the child mortality rate hovered at about 50 percent.

But what does it mean to you? Well certainly fertility if you want. There is that tall pole and layers of people dancing, wrapping and unwrapping the pole. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge!) But it doesn't take much imagination to see that it might also mean the layers of love within which a community enfolds a beloved couple.

Imagine.

A dance master: Someone should know what's going on and how to direct it!

A wide open space: If you're going to involve your entire community, you must have a lot of room under the ribbons for the first two groups to dance.

A tall (very tall) pole: if you're going to have three layers of dancers, the pole needs to be long and it needs to be well secured at the base.

Pole Decoration: The pole should be decorated at the top. If you have a symbol that you're using for your wedding include that. Make a wreath of wedding flowers. The bride and groom might wear a smaller version of that wreath.

Three layers of ribbons: The outermost and most abundant number of ribbons would be the community's ribbons. The second layer of ribbons, somewhat further down the pole, would be the attendants' ribbons. The third layer has only two ribbons for the couple.

Really, really long ribbons: They need to be at least 2x as long as the pole or the place they are tethered on the pole. You may want them longer than usual because you want them to have lots of ends left when they are tied off so they can cascade down the pole. They should only be two or three inches wide.

Decorate the ribbons: You may decorate the ribbons with bells so that there is the wonderful sound (of fairy laughter!) with the weaving of the dance.

The community moves forward to take their ribbons and then move back into the circle, holding their ribbons at shoulder height.

The attendants gather up their ribbons and move as far out as their streamers will take them.
The couple enters the circle and pick up their (differently colored) ribbons. The music starts and facing in different directions, one partner going counter clockwise (often the woman) and the other going sunwise the couple wraps, unwraps and then wraps their pole, moving to the to an ancient folk song or a morris dancing song. You weave over and under one another's head, turn by turn to get the pattern right.

When the pole is wrapped in bridal ribbons and the couple is close enough to the pole to be wrapped in one another's arms. The attendants then begin their dance around the pole. Wrapping and unwrapping and wrapping again. Weaving over and under. Their ribbons should be different colors from the bridal couple's so that the symbolism of community enfolding begins.
When the attendants are standing in a tight circle around the bridal couple, the community then begins its weaving and unweaving. They may only want to weave 4 turns and then unweave 4 turns and then weave until finished.

When the community has woven itself around the attendants and the couple, the wedding celebrant should offer a blessing. The dance master should then, starting with the outermost circle, tie off the ribbons while the community sends silent blessings to the couple.

You may have too many people to do this well, in which case you may select a smaller number of community members to wrap the pole. But this lighthearted dance can add so much in the way of color to your wedding ceremony, support to your wedding vows and celebration to your marriage. (Oh, if you're claustrophobic, don't do this!) Try something new, and enjoy! Your community wants to have a good time at your wedding. Why not let them? And then, because you'll have the materials, use it at the next couple's wedding or bridal shower! Save it for a couple trying to get pregnant. Reuse, recycle, revise and rededicate!

Bottom Line?: Give your relationship the chance it deserves to succeed wildly, against all odds! After all, you deserve it. Your relationship deserves it! And now I'd like to invite you to sign up to receive 2 free templates for creating the wedding ceremony of your dreams, the wedding vows of your heart and the marriage of a lifetime: http://annkeelerevans.org/weddings/free

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Good luck and have lots of fun at your maypole dance!!

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A Wedding on a Budget

2009-04-09T17:23:00.001-04:00

A wedding is a very special time in your life and it can also be a very expensive time in your life Each year weddings seem to become bigger, better and more elaborate. But it is not how much you spend on your wedding that will determine whether it is a success or not. There are lots of ways that you can have a very special and memorable wedding day without saddling yourself with years worth of debt. Many newly weds also have the issue of paying for the deposit on a new house, which with house prices so high can be a massive financial challenge to deal with. Here are our top ten ways to have a wedding to remember without spending a fortune.

• Have the wedding in the late afternoon followed by a party with a buffet, this means that you do not need to have an expensive sit down meal followed by an evening do.
• Buy a second hand wedding dress. It is likely that it will have only ever been worn once so will almost be as good as new.
• Do your own hair and make up. You can look online for ideas and inspiration in advance and practice or do as many dry runs as you like. Chances are that you will feel more comfortable in styles that you have done yourself.
• For guests that would like to buy a present, ask them to buy vouchers to put toward the honey moon.
• Instead of getting a professional photographer ask guests to send you some copies of their photos. If you know anyone who has a good camera and takes great pictures, ask them to take a few for you.
• Make up simple flower bouquets using shop bought flowers from a supermarket. Everyone will be far too busy looking at you to notice your flowers.
• Ask a friend or member of your family with a nice car to drive you to the church and then on to your reception.
• Try holding your wedding in the winter or mid week, you may be able to negotiate a better rate with the venue.
• Don't forget to negotiate with the venue, can you bring your own wine, if so how mush corkage will they charge, it may be cheaper than using their wine.
• Offer guests Bucks Fizz made with sparking wine, most of them will never know the difference.

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Good luck and stay in your Budget!!

This article was written by Ceri Heathcote for posh-swaps, a website for swapping, buying and selling second hand and vintage clothing.
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Shellfish

2009-04-07T19:24:00.000-04:00

These are all classic examples of the passive-aggressive man. This personality syndrome-in which hostility wears a mask of passivity-is currently the number one source of men's problems in relationships and on the job. In Living with the Passive-Aggressive Man, Scott Wetzler draws upon numerous case histories from his own practice to explain how and why the passive-aggressive man thinks, feels, and acts the way he does.

By Lynn Marie Sager

Meet the SHELLFISH - Shellfish either find sharing pointless and uncomfortable, so they never say anything; or they are being passive-aggressive and are withdrawing their responses in order to teach you some lesson and force you to change. Silence is not necessarily a bad thing, until you have to work with them and you need them to contribute some information. Not to worry, you can use their own uncomfortable silences to encourage them to share. Here's how you handle Shellfish:

_____1. If you need Shellfish to open up, you must make their staying silent more uncomfortable than communicating with you.

_____2. Meet with them alone and tell them exactly what you want to discuss.

_____3. Ask an open-ended question to get them talking. An open-ended question is any question that cannot be answered with a yes, or a no. The best open-ended questions usually begin with who, what, when, where, why and how.

_____4. Once you have asked your question, keep quiet and wait for the answer. Use a friendly, silent stare to show them you expect a response and are willing to wait until you get one. If they still don't answer, or if they give you an unsatisfactory answer, you can ask another open-ended question designed to clarify what you want to know. Then, wait again. Above all, do not keep talking. Shellfish feed off your need to fill any gaps of awkward silence.

_____5. If they still don't open up, you can adjourn the meeting to a later time. But before letting them off the hook, always set the time for the next meeting. Make it clear that you expect them to be ready to discuss everything at the next meeting. Try to show them how the information will be used to their benefit. Don't let them think, for one instant, that you will let them get away with not providing the information that you need.

_____6. Shellfish are counting on your inability to wait them out. Once they see that you are willing to wait as long as it takes, they will usually open up in order to get you off their back.

_____7. If you are dealing with a passive-aggressive Shellfish-someone who is purposefully not communicating with you in order to punish you for some perceived wrong-then once they do begin to speak, they will attempt to tell you what you did wrong and how you need to change your behavior. At this point, you should listen to them and question them. However, you should not argue with them, you should not agree with them, and you should not apologize for your behavior-even if they are correct about your behavior needing to change. If you do, you will be rewarding them for the very passive-aggressive behavior that you are trying to correct.

_____8. Respond to everything that they say about you with open-ended questions. For example, if they say that they were hurt by something you did, then gently ask, "Why didn't you tell me when it happened?" Use your open ended questions to make them face their own passive-aggressive behavior.

The most important thing, while dealing with any problem behavioral type, is to not let their behavior pull you off course. In other words, don't let them pull you into inattentive, erupting, pessimistic, defensive, complaining, or passive aggressive behavior. Remember that these people act the way they do because their actions have worked for them in the past. You can't change their actions, so your best choice is to make their actions ineffective on you. Once they notice that their tactics don't work on you, they will hesitate before using them on you again. And with some people, the best that you can achieve is not allowing them to swamp your boat.

Sadly, most of the stress in our lives comes from extended interactions with negative and unhappy people. Certain people have the ability to make you tired, angry and frustrated if you have to spend any time with them at all. Moreover, researchers have discovered that the same "ten behavioral types" keep showing up to drive you crazy. To read more about the terrible-ten, you can visit http://www.navigatinglife.org and click on the Galley where you will find a shortcut to "Coping with Difficult People."

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Additional Wedding Planning Advice

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Serving Guests with Allergies at Your Wedding

2009-04-04T14:26:00.000-04:00

It seems like more and more people have some food that they will not or cannot eat. Some are vegetarians, some are vegans, some may be lactose or gluten intolerant. Even more serious, though, are allergies, such as those to nuts or shellfish. It is an unpleasant but important thing that a couple should factor in when planning the menu for their wedding reception.

There is a big debate about how many accommodations it is necessary and reasonable to make for your wedding guests. If you are big fans of steak and potatoes, do you really need to serve fish instead in case any of your guests eschew red meat? Probably not, although it might be nice to offer the choice. Allergies, however, are a different matter, because they can be a life or death situation. The most dangerous food allergies are usually to nuts, peanuts, and shellfish, so it might be wise to take that into consideration.

The last thing that you want is for one of your guests, beautifully attired in a cocktail dress and wedding jewelry, to go into anaphylactic shock in the middle of your reception! Many people who have serious allergies will carry medicine with them at all times, but sometimes in the excitement of getting ready for the wedding, putting on their fancy clothing and jewelry, and switching to a tiny evening bag, the medicine gets forgotten in the hotel room. This is why it is best for the hosts to take some simple precautions, especially if they know that any of their guests have dangerous food allergies.

This is not to say that you should not serve German chocolate cake at your reception if it is your all time favorite. It is more about making it obvious if allergens are present in the foods that your serve. For instance, if there are nuts on the inside of your cake, decorate the outside of your cake with nuts, which will be a clear warning for people who cannot eat them to stay away.

Speak to your caterer about not putting very allergenic foods into places where they might not be expected. It can be difficult to know when sauces contain nuts or fish stock; for instance you would expect nuts in a Thai satay, but did you know that some people use peanut butter in bar-b-que sauce as well? If you are having an Asian themed reception or rehearsal dinner, beware of eggrolls that are sealed with peanut butter.

Many types of fine cuisine will feature allergens as ingredients. One way to handle this without restricting your menu is by labeling each dish. If you are having a buffet or serving station, you can have elegant little cards naming each dish. A card might read, "Chicken in lobster sauce", which is nice because it both informs your guests what is in each tray and sends a message to those with an allergy. Menu cards can also be a simple way to get information to your guests. Instead of just writing "French cut green beans", print "French cut green beans garnished with slivered almonds". That way, a guest with an allergy to tree nuts could ask the server to omit the green beans from their plate. (People without food allergies often do not realize that a highly allergenic individual cannot simply scrape the nuts off; the risk of contamination to other food on the plate is too high.)

Food allergies are certainly a pain, but they do not have to be a problem at your wedding. It is very simple for the bride and groom to work with their caterer to plan a menu that will not cause difficulties for their guests. After all, you want your reception to be enjoyable for all those in attendance.

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2p's Treasures Cook Book - For Allergies, Candida and Diabetes

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Food Allergies ~ Gives ideas and suggestions on solving food problems.

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Peanut Butter, Milk, And Other Deadly Threats: What You Should Know About Food Allergies

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Some great wedding ideas by Ashlee

Guy writes on many subjects including travel,customs and society. SilverlandJewelry.com Wedding jewelry puts the perfect finishing touch on a special outfit.

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Hope you have a great wedding!!

Jazz Wedding Music ~ Perfect for Every Wedding Event

2009-03-29T14:10:00.001-04:00

Whether a bride wants to walk down the aisle to a touching melody or dance to a swinging tune, jazz musicians can deliver both and more.

“Jazz musicians are unique because they can adapt jazz music to every wedding ceremony, wedding reception, cocktail hour, luncheon, dinner and more,” Chandler Judkins, owner of Las Vegas Wedding Music in Las Vegas, said. “This also saves money for couples because they can use the same band throughout the day so they don’t have to hire other musicians for different aspects such as a string quartet for the ceremony. The jazz musicians can do the wedding ceremony too.”

Las Vegas Wedding Music is the number one music contracting company in Las Vegas and their jazz music package is one of the least expensive.

Ceremony:

String quartets are the number one requested music group for weddings and especially wedding ceremonies, according to Judkins. However, Judkins believes that a jazz quartet can perform just as beautifully for a wedding ceremony and can add an extra dimension because of the variety of instruments to choose from.

“A string quartet will have the same instruments forever, two violins, a viola and a cello,” Judkins said. “But jazz quartets can be varied with a trumpet or a saxophone or even a flute or clarinet.”

Receptions

Jazz bands can have as little as three musicians and go up to a 17 piece big band.

No matter the size though, jazz bands can be flexible to what a bride and groom want for the reception music and their first dance whether it be swing music or a romantic song.

“Las Vegas Wedding Music makes a point to publish a song list on our Web site so couples can see the wide variety that our wedding musicians can play,” Judkins said. “If a couple requests a song, that is never a problem as long as we know ahead of time.”

Judkins went on to say, “It’s harder for string quartets and other music combinations to play such a variety. Requests are harder to accept, and dance music is harder to come by.”

Cocktail Hour

Another feature of a jazz band or jazz quartet is that a singer can be added easily and usually at a minimal cost.

“Las Vegas Wedding Music has singers on hand at all times ready to be added to any jazz band, big or small,” Judkins said. “Our wedding singers are the best in Las Vegas too.”

Luncheons or Dinners

Jazz musicians are amazing featured performers, but they are also amazing in the background. When playing for wedding luncheons or dinners, Las Vegas Wedding Music’s jazz musicians play loud enough to be heard but soft enough so that conversation can continue without straining.

“Any horns have mutes on them and all Las Vegas Wedding Music’s musicians have experience in playing softly, but with quality,” Judkins said.

No matter your wedding event, whether it be a wedding ceremony, wedding reception, cocktail hour, luncheon or dinner, jazz music is no doubt an amazing choice for brides and grooms.

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For more information about Las Vegas Wedding Music, go to a href=“http://www.lvweddingmusic.com” Las Vegas Wedding Music’s /a Web site at a href=“http://www.lvweddingmusic.com” http://www.LVWeddingMusic.com /a

Renae earned her journalism degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is currently a wedding consultant for http://www.vegaswedlock.com. Learn more about a href= http://www.lvweddingmusic.com Las Vegas Wedding Music /a by visiting http://www.lvweddingmusic.com.
Renae earned her journalism degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is currently a wedding consultant for http://www.vegaswedlock.com. Learn more about a href= http://www.lvweddingmusic.com Las Vegas Wedding Music /a by visiting http://www.lvweddingmusic.com/.

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