Are you doing your own vows - they you may be interested in this wedding vows package. "You can have wedding vows, poems, and quotes that are proven winners that will touch the hearts of your loved one and the audience forever.
Wedding Vows, Marriage Vows:
"Preparation is your key to unforgettable wedding vows...
The lifelong commitment you are making to your partner is a honorable one. If you want your ceremony to be unique and special, then you need to prepare the perfect words for your vows.
The challenge is that it can be a hard and scary thing to try and do. This may be your first marriage or it may be your second or even third. That's okay. It can be an overwhelming feeling when trying to write your own wedding vows for anybody.
With this package you'll have the right words, the right timing, the right poems, the right quotes and the right confidence to leave an ever-lasting impression with the perfect wedding vows.""
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Writing Wedding Vows - Ideas That Will Help You Express What You Truly Feel
Writing Wedding Vows - Ideas That Will Help You Express What You Truly Feel
By Jean Bachcroft
More and more, couples are choosing to write their own wedding vows.
Although many people believe that this is the best way to truly express
their personal beliefs and feelings, often they are unsure about how to
begin and what to include. If you would like to write your own wedding
vows, here are some tips for writing vows that pledge the love you truly
feel.
Inform your clergyman early
If the ceremony will be religious, let the clergyman know about your
plans as soon as possible. If there are guide principles you will need to
be aware of as you write your vows, the sooner you know what they are
the better. This is also a good way to avoid possible conflicts between
the beliefs of your house of worship and your own personal beliefs. If
there is some disagreement between the two, you may need to adjust
your plans or wording, or perhaps look for another clergyman.
Ask yourselves fundamental questions
Once you’ve taken that first step, begin by asking yourselves questions.
These may include: "What does marriage mean to us? Why are we
marrying? What promises are most meaningful, and which ones are
essential that we keep?
You may want to ask what words like love, honor, respect, faithfulness,
forgiveness, honesty, fidelity, friendship, and trust mean to each of you.
This exercise will help you to clarify your thoughts as well as express
your true feelings toward each other, your expectations for the future,
and your personal visions of your lives together in the future.
Focus on what’s unique
An essential element of personalizing your wedding vows is expressing
what is unique about the other person. Think about how you see each
other and write down as many of the reasons for loving each other as
you can verbalize. If your backgrounds are different, acknowledge this
and promise to respect and honor your differences as well as your
commitment to building bridges that will strengthen common grounds. If
this is not a first marriage for one or both of you, you may want to talk
about your faith in love and the bond that marriage creates between two
people.
Don’t get too personal
Keep in mind that exchanging wedding vows is as serious as it is
meaningful. Your goal should not be to make your vows sound cute or
amusing. Also, avoid suggestive language or phrasing.
And don’t confuse personal feelings with private affairs. Topics having to
do with money, conception and child-rearing, politics, or in-laws should
not be included in wedding vows to be overheard by your guests.
Incorporating traditional pledges
Although much of what you will write will be unique to your relationship
and therefore highly personalized, you may want to include meaning
parts from traditional vows that are a part of your culture.
While most of the wording is their own, many couples continue to
incorporate the familiar love, comfort, honor (though usually leaving out
the "obey" part) wording into their vows.
Rehearse before your wedding day
Since this is a special occasion, you should give it all of the time and
attention it deserves. Practice reading aloud what the two of you have
written. This is the true test that what appears on paper is what you really
intended to say, in the way you intended to say it. Rehearsing will also
allow you to determine how long exchanging your vows will take and
whether adjustments are needed. If the wording sounds awkward or if it
is difficult to read, change it.
Don’t rely solely on your memory
A case of nerves can strike unexpectedly, and at the most inopportune
time, so make sure your precious words are written down. Once you are
satisfied that your wedding vows express exactly what you wanted to
say to each other, it is time to finalize your draft. The final copy,
preferably two or three, should be printed using a fairly large font size,
which will make it easier to read.
It is a good idea to give a copy to the clergyman, at least several days
before the ceremony is to take place. If a severe case of nerves does
strike, it may be he who will need to read your vows.
Personalize the whole ceremony
Aim to keep the time it takes to exchange your vows between one and
three minutes. To extend the feeling of a ceremony that is a celebration
of
your unique love, have a family member or good friend offer a carefully
selected prayer or reading as part of the ceremony. You can also
choose music that is both appropriate for the occasion and especially
meaningful to the two of you.
About the Author
Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, the founder of
Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of
Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer
wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels,
visit Bachcroft Mailing and
Return Address Labels and
Aloha Return Address
Labels.
For
bargains and
bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping
Bargains.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Bachcroft
http://EzineArticles.com/?Writing-Wedding-Vows---Ideas-That-Will-Help-You-Express-What-You-Truly-Feel&id=43065
By Jean Bachcroft
More and more, couples are choosing to write their own wedding vows.
Although many people believe that this is the best way to truly express
their personal beliefs and feelings, often they are unsure about how to
begin and what to include. If you would like to write your own wedding
vows, here are some tips for writing vows that pledge the love you truly
feel.
Inform your clergyman early
If the ceremony will be religious, let the clergyman know about your
plans as soon as possible. If there are guide principles you will need to
be aware of as you write your vows, the sooner you know what they are
the better. This is also a good way to avoid possible conflicts between
the beliefs of your house of worship and your own personal beliefs. If
there is some disagreement between the two, you may need to adjust
your plans or wording, or perhaps look for another clergyman.
Ask yourselves fundamental questions
Once you’ve taken that first step, begin by asking yourselves questions.
These may include: "What does marriage mean to us? Why are we
marrying? What promises are most meaningful, and which ones are
essential that we keep?
You may want to ask what words like love, honor, respect, faithfulness,
forgiveness, honesty, fidelity, friendship, and trust mean to each of you.
This exercise will help you to clarify your thoughts as well as express
your true feelings toward each other, your expectations for the future,
and your personal visions of your lives together in the future.
Focus on what’s unique
An essential element of personalizing your wedding vows is expressing
what is unique about the other person. Think about how you see each
other and write down as many of the reasons for loving each other as
you can verbalize. If your backgrounds are different, acknowledge this
and promise to respect and honor your differences as well as your
commitment to building bridges that will strengthen common grounds. If
this is not a first marriage for one or both of you, you may want to talk
about your faith in love and the bond that marriage creates between two
people.
Don’t get too personal
Keep in mind that exchanging wedding vows is as serious as it is
meaningful. Your goal should not be to make your vows sound cute or
amusing. Also, avoid suggestive language or phrasing.
And don’t confuse personal feelings with private affairs. Topics having to
do with money, conception and child-rearing, politics, or in-laws should
not be included in wedding vows to be overheard by your guests.
Incorporating traditional pledges
Although much of what you will write will be unique to your relationship
and therefore highly personalized, you may want to include meaning
parts from traditional vows that are a part of your culture.
While most of the wording is their own, many couples continue to
incorporate the familiar love, comfort, honor (though usually leaving out
the "obey" part) wording into their vows.
Rehearse before your wedding day
Since this is a special occasion, you should give it all of the time and
attention it deserves. Practice reading aloud what the two of you have
written. This is the true test that what appears on paper is what you really
intended to say, in the way you intended to say it. Rehearsing will also
allow you to determine how long exchanging your vows will take and
whether adjustments are needed. If the wording sounds awkward or if it
is difficult to read, change it.
Don’t rely solely on your memory
A case of nerves can strike unexpectedly, and at the most inopportune
time, so make sure your precious words are written down. Once you are
satisfied that your wedding vows express exactly what you wanted to
say to each other, it is time to finalize your draft. The final copy,
preferably two or three, should be printed using a fairly large font size,
which will make it easier to read.
It is a good idea to give a copy to the clergyman, at least several days
before the ceremony is to take place. If a severe case of nerves does
strike, it may be he who will need to read your vows.
Personalize the whole ceremony
Aim to keep the time it takes to exchange your vows between one and
three minutes. To extend the feeling of a ceremony that is a celebration
of
your unique love, have a family member or good friend offer a carefully
selected prayer or reading as part of the ceremony. You can also
choose music that is both appropriate for the occasion and especially
meaningful to the two of you.
About the Author
Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, the founder of
Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of
Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer
wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels,
visit Bachcroft Mailing and
Return Address Labels and
Aloha Return Address
Labels.
For
bargains and
bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping
Bargains.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Bachcroft
http://EzineArticles.com/?Writing-Wedding-Vows---Ideas-That-Will-Help-You-Express-What-You-Truly-Feel&id=43065
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Amazing Wedding Planning
Why spend so much for your wedding, when you don't have to? Have the same beautiful wedding for a reasonable cost.
Check out: Amazing Wedding Planning:
"The Average Cost of a Single Wedding is Approaching $30,000. But It Doesn't Have to Be... In Fact, You Could Easily Slash Your Wedding Expenses As Much As 80% To Have the Exact Same Wedding!
Some Shocking Facts About Wedding Industry
#1. It takes less than $100 to manufacture a wedding gown that normally retails at $2000.
#2. More than 70% of wedding vendors will price a product or service higher if the word 'wedding' is mentioned.
#3. In 2006, the average cost of a single wedding was $27,852, which had increased by 32% since 2000"
What to find out more? Amazing Wedding Planning
Check out: Amazing Wedding Planning:
"The Average Cost of a Single Wedding is Approaching $30,000. But It Doesn't Have to Be... In Fact, You Could Easily Slash Your Wedding Expenses As Much As 80% To Have the Exact Same Wedding!
Some Shocking Facts About Wedding Industry
#1. It takes less than $100 to manufacture a wedding gown that normally retails at $2000.
#2. More than 70% of wedding vendors will price a product or service higher if the word 'wedding' is mentioned.
#3. In 2006, the average cost of a single wedding was $27,852, which had increased by 32% since 2000"
What to find out more? Amazing Wedding Planning
Monday, May 28, 2007
101 Tips on How To Save Money for Your Wedding
101 Tips on How To Save Money for Your Wedding
By Erica Tevis
Congrats! You are engaged! Planning a wedding can and should be a joyous fun event. However, the stress of planning and budgeting can make even the calmest bride a little batty. Sure, you want a beautiful, memorable wedding, but perhaps you can’t afford to splurge on every minute detail. The following are some tips to save you money and help your wedding budget.
Categories:
A. Food
Use expensive ingredients such as lobster and shrimp for hors d’oeuvres, rather than in the main course. How dinner is served affects the price. French service and regular plate service are the most expensive options. Offer family style dishes or a buffet style dinner to save on costs. Consider breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or a cocktail party style reception. They are shorter in length and the fare is lighter and less expensive. With the exception of a cocktail reception, guests tend to drink less, earlier in the day.Ask your caterer for seasonal dishes. Ordering dishes that use ingredients which are in season not only will save you money, but also will be fresher and taste better too.Check with the caterer if there is a price guarantee. You want to make sure the price you sign today will not increase if the price of certain food items increases. Consider a signature drink or create a specialty drink(s) and serve that instead of having an open bar. The cost of having a full bar can be quite costly.Limit alcohol choices to wine and beer, both of which will satisfy most guests. Limit champagne to just the initial bride and groom toast.Instead of purchasing the wine through your reception hall or caterer, consider purchasing wine wholesale. Many companies will offer discounts when large quantities of cases are purchased. Some wines are available in magnum size, which lowers the cost of the wine per ounce. If you decide to purchase your own wine, discuss with the caterer how much their corkage fee is; but chances are even with the corkage fee, you’ll be paying much less than purchasing wine directly through your caterer.If your catering contract permits it, shop around for a local baker. Your caterer may charge a cake cutting charge this way, but you’re more likely to still spend less overall. If the caterer does not permit it, skip the extra desert option and only serve only coffee and cake for dessert.There are several options for saving on cake charges. You can order a small cake with an elaborate topper for the cake cutting and a second sheet cake that is cut in the kitchen for the guests. Or, only order enough cake for guests, with larger layers on bottom made of iced Styrofoam. (No one will know the difference, and you’ll have the tall cake for pictures!)B. Flowers While most popular bridal flowers are available year round, some are seasonal. Talk with your florist on cost saving in-season options. It will be extremely expensive (and possibly quite difficult to find) if you require a flower arrangement that is not in season.Make your flowers do double duty. Design your ceremony pieces to also be used on the reception tables.Mix economical non-floral embellishments in with the flowers to fill out bouquets and centerpieces. Check with your florist as to what is available and will look best with your flowers.Think simple. If you want an elaborate bouquet, perhaps your bridesmaids can hold something simple – such as a single rose or a few Gerber daisies tied with a simple bow.Instead of floral arrangements on reception tables, group favors in a tower on the tables. With so many pretty favor packaging options available, you can surely design a centerpiece to remember.Single pillar candles or an arrangement of votives casts a calm, peaceful feeling on tables. Check with your reception hall first though – some ordinances do not allow burning candles for fire safety purposes.If you have a friend who has a flair for crafts and decorating, you can have them go to a local market the day of the wedding and hand select seasonal flowers and arrange them for you.If you are planning on using rose petals for your wedding, consider using freeze dried petals (they are the real thing) or high quality silk rose petals. Either of the two options will save you money – and will last longer than fresh rose petals. Both will save your from a possible slip and fall (real rose petals are slippery) and won’t stain.Don’t overlook floral standbys such as carnations and daises. They are available year round, are usually extremely affordable and when arranged in a group look beautiful.Flowering bulbs in a clear hurricane vase with stones in can provide for an elegant centerpiece. This is something you can do yourself with a bit of pre-planning C. Ceremony Rather than hiring a band, harpist or string quartet to play at your ceremony, see if they allow pre-recorded music.Ceremony programs are not always needed, some couples do without.If you want to use a ceremony program, print your own or have a calligrapher just design the cover and print and attach the interior pages yourself.Check with the ceremony location as to what decorations (if any) they will have at the time of your wedding. Depending on the season and location – they may already have decorations in use (Such as a church during the Christmas season)Have your flower girl toss silk rose petals rather than the real thing. This will save on costs, be less slippery, and easier to clean up.Aisle or pew decorations aren’t necessary for the entire church or location - just use them to reserve seating for the most important guests in the front of the location.Ceremony location fee. If you’re not getting married in a traditional religious setting, shop around for prices. A backyard or park setting can be just as romantic and cost less.If you’re hiring an officiant, get several estimates. If you like one officiant in particular, see if you can negotiate prices. For your vows search around quotation and love poem sites to inspire you. Write your own vows rather than hiring someone to do so. See if your reception hall or area can accommodate a ceremony as well. You’ll save on transportation costs and decorations can be moved quickly and easily from the ceremony to reception site.D. Music Rather than hiring separate musicians for the ceremony and reception, see if they can accommodate both.DJ’s can be less expensive than bands. You’ll be able to have different styles of music – something that some bands can’t duplicate quite like a DJ.Check out local cover bands. Although not your typical wedding band, cover bands usually do cover songs, and may perform just as well as a more expensive traditional wedding band. Look into local high school or college bands. You may be able to make a great find – both in price and in musical style.Look for DJs who are new to the market. Beginners usually are starting out with new equipment such as computers and digital music devices – which hold hundreds and thousands of songs. If they don’t have your songs, they can find them for you. Beginners will also offer better rates than more established DJ companies.Hold auditions – either pick from the lot, or have them bid on playing at your event.If your reception area has the capability – use their stereo. Many stereos these days will play through dozens of CD’s in a row so that the music lasts for hours. Make several CD’s of recorded music and just press “play”. An alternative is making play lists on a MP3 device and just plugging in the player to the sound device. However, this does require some maintenance during your reception, so make sure you designate someone to handle this task.Check local advertisements and back of bridal magazines. Some companies and bands offer discounts. Check with the reception location, some have DJs or bands that they work with and offer package deals.Referrals from friends and family. Perhaps you don’t personally know a band or DJ, but perhaps someone you know does. Ask around, you may get a referral and a friends and family price.E. Transportation When hiring a limo company check local newspapers, and journals. Many companies offer discounts.Ask if they have any wedding packages. Many limo companies have standard packages that would include the limo for a set number of hours, red carpet service, champagne and/or beverages.Some companies may offer cheaper rates during off peak season and on Sundays. Limo companies often can book all or most of their limos for Fridays and Saturday nights, and therefore may not offer discounted rates on those days.Skip the Bentley or Horse Drawn carriage. Sure they make be whimsical, but if you’re looking to cut costs, these are two things you can live without.If you’re looking to drink while being chauffeured to and from, see if you can bring your own liquor, champagne or wine. Purchasing through the limo company will more than likely be more expensive than bringing your own beverages.Use a personal car to get to and from the reception, and ask a friend to drive.Don’t purchase the limo for the entire day. Paying hourly rates to have a limo driver wait for hours not only is expensive – but also is a waste of your bridal budget. Hire them to take you to the ceremony, bring you to the photo shoot location, and drop you off at reception. If needed, you can hire them to pick you up after the reception in a plain black car.Before signing with a company, check the contract for their overtime rates. Make sure you stick within the time frame purchased; even 15 minutes of overtime can be costly.If you find a great price with a company who is a bit out of your area, before signing a contract with them make sure they will not charge extra for drive time to get to and from your event.Decide upon what type of limo will suit your wedding without going overboard. If you can go with a smaller limo rather than a larger stretch do so. Or it could be cheaper to fit everyone in a larger bus than renting several smaller limos.F. Dress / Accessories / Attire Borrow accessories from friends and family. This can provide your “something borrowed”Look for your dress at designer sales, trunk shows and outlets. Checking out chain stores, vintage shops, consignment stores and sample sales may also provide you with an inexpensive solution.Consider wearing your mother’s gown. The costs of cleaning and alterations will be much cheaper than purchasing a new one. Accessory and comparison-shop online. Chances are you’ll snag a good deal.Consider tux rental centers which offer tuxes for free when you rent “x” number of tuxes.Unless you plan on showing your feet, consider a simple comfortable style under your dress. No one is going to take much notice to your heels when he slips the garter off.If your wedding isn’t too formal consider bridesmaid dresses or evening gowns. If you have a design in mind, a local dressmaker can often design something similar to fit your body perfectly without the expensive designer label.If your budget is for $2,000 then you will want to look at gowns in the price of $1,000 to $1,200. You’ll need the extra money for the rest of your ensemble and alterations, which can be quite costly.Replica jewelry can look authentic without the costly price tag. G. Favors / Gifts Homemade favors can be just as appealing as store bought favors. Think candies, chocolates, soaps and candles.Comparison shop online. If you see a favor or gift in a store, browse online for the item – with so many retailers out there, you may find a better price.Ask a talented friend to make cookies or other edible favors and treats. Cookies should be baked within a week of serving, so if you choose this route, don’t make them yourself, chances are you won’t have the time to do so right before your big day.Purchase favors that came out the year before. Sure you may have seen that bottle stopper before, but last year’s designs may be only slightly different than the same favor in a different style package marketed as “new for the season”. Prices usually drop on older favors as newer styles are released.Skip the fancy packaging. Wrap your favors or gifts simply and elegantly with tulle, organza, or white on white gift-wrap. Choose wedding party gifts in bulk. Perhaps you can get the same engraved picture frames for the entire party with a bulk discount.Look for closeouts and or shop in outlets. If you’re thinking of giving an item such as Mikasa crystal, see if there is an outlet store in your area. Rather than giving one favor per guest, consider one favor per couple. However, if the favor you are considering is sold as a “set”, such as coasters, give one set per couple. Set items should never be split to save on costs; after all, you wouldn’t go into a store and buy just one salt shaker or one coaster for yourself.Limit the bridal party. The more attendants you have the more bridal party gifts you’ll need to buy.Scout out free shipping, low price guarantees, discounts and coupons.H. Invitations / Stationary Although the invitations are the first thing your guests see, they are probably the last thing they remember. Although the invitations should look and feel nice, they need not cost a fortune.Look into print your own invitations. Many companies sell complete “do it yourself” invitation kits at a fraction of the cost.Go with Thermography style ink if you’re getting your invitations professionally printed – it is a cost effective and very popular alternative. Skip on the engraving.Some couples skip on the reply envelopes – saving both on postage and invitation costs. Rather request your guests to RSVP on line, by email or by phone. Skip the save the date cards. Although quite popular these days, it is just an added expense. Instead set up a free wedding website online and announce to your friends and relatives the date. Cut your guest list. This will save in many areas – from caterers, to favors to invitation costs. Instead of inviting all of your co-workers, neighbors and children – just invite those who mean the most to you.In this digital age, most people are online. Skip the invitations all together and create an e-card.Perhaps you or a friend are scrapbook enthusiasts – design and make your own invitations. You’re guests will receive a one-of-a-kind invite. Browse online – many stores work with the same printing vendors – and some are competitively priced – often saving you 25% or more off of retail pricing.Postcard invitations are a unique way to invite guests to a destination wedding. On the front, a beautiful beach photo, on the back, the wedding details. Have them RSVP online or email. You’ll save on printing and postage costs as postcards cost less than an envelope to mail.Colored ink and lined envelopes can add significantly to your invitation budget. Black ink on a simple white or cream invitation can look simple, elegant and classy.I. Photography / Videography Hire a videographer to work just from the ceremony through the first dance rather than for the entire wedding.Place disposable wedding cameras on your reception tables rather than having the photographer take pictures at every table.Consider hiring a photographer who is in their last year in art school or has recently graduated. Some companies offer both photography and videography as a complete package. A package deal may save you money rather than hiring two separate companies.Lose the prints and go digital. Printing proofs costs money – having your photographer make your proofs available digitally, may save moneyGo to a portrait studio to have your engagement photos taken. Some major department stores offer photography service, and usually offer coupons or package deals.Reduce the number of hours you hire the photographer for. Instead of having them run after you while you get your hair and nails done, have one of your bridesmaids do it instead.Assemble your own wedding album. Depending on the photographer and number of pictures taken you can save hundreds by putting together your own albums.Choose a photography package rather than purchasing pictures separately. If something is included that you don’t necessarily want, see if you can trade it for something else.If you have a trusted friend or relative who is good at video editing software and knows how to use a camcorder, think about letting them take charge of the wedding videoJ. General Planning Tips Fridays, Sundays and weeknights are the cheapest for most services. Plan your wedding on those days if possible. Winter weddings are cheaper than summer ones.Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. When you find the service or vendor you want, negotiate the best possible price.Prioritize aspects of the wedding that are most important to you. By compromising in some areas, you can afford to splurge on others. Pay costs with a credit card that earns rewards or frequent flyer miles. Just be sure to pay off the bill in full each month it comes in. You may earn your honeymoon flight, and maybe even the hotel room, just by using your credit cards for your wedding expenses.Think out of the box. Perhaps your wedding can be held in a non-traditional setting. Try to think of places that are different but meaningful to you. Gardens, museums, parks, the zoo, the planetarium, aquariums, an amusement park, a 50’s style retro restaurant, even a friend’s large backyard could be a potential sites.In some states, for a small fee, a person can become a wedding officant. Look into your individual state rules.Be realistic when planning a budget. If you aren’t receiving financial assistance from your family for your wedding, look to the future as well. Is a down payment for a house more important? Is paying off a large wedding debt for several years ok with both you and your fiancé? Make a list of all the things you, family, or friends can do or make yourselves. Perhaps much of the wedding can be prepared without enlisting the help of a professional.If your wedding is a year or more ahead, start purchasing items as you have extra cash to splurge. If you’re planning on a winter wedding, purchase your accessories and other items the end of the winter season the year before your wedding. Wedding vendors will be looking to make way for the new season’s items, and you’ll save some cash.Plan early, make lists, and keep good records. By writing everything down, you’ll know exactly how much you have spent, and how much you still need.
Erica Tevis is the owner of Two Hearts Wedding Favors http://www.twoheartsfavors.com . Vist them on the web and check out their large supply of wedding favors, themed favors, invitations, and wedding accessories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Tevis
http://EzineArticles.com/?101-Tips-on-How-To-Save-Money-for-Your-Wedding&id=386577
By Erica Tevis
Congrats! You are engaged! Planning a wedding can and should be a joyous fun event. However, the stress of planning and budgeting can make even the calmest bride a little batty. Sure, you want a beautiful, memorable wedding, but perhaps you can’t afford to splurge on every minute detail. The following are some tips to save you money and help your wedding budget.
Categories:
A. Food
Use expensive ingredients such as lobster and shrimp for hors d’oeuvres, rather than in the main course. How dinner is served affects the price. French service and regular plate service are the most expensive options. Offer family style dishes or a buffet style dinner to save on costs. Consider breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or a cocktail party style reception. They are shorter in length and the fare is lighter and less expensive. With the exception of a cocktail reception, guests tend to drink less, earlier in the day.Ask your caterer for seasonal dishes. Ordering dishes that use ingredients which are in season not only will save you money, but also will be fresher and taste better too.Check with the caterer if there is a price guarantee. You want to make sure the price you sign today will not increase if the price of certain food items increases. Consider a signature drink or create a specialty drink(s) and serve that instead of having an open bar. The cost of having a full bar can be quite costly.Limit alcohol choices to wine and beer, both of which will satisfy most guests. Limit champagne to just the initial bride and groom toast.Instead of purchasing the wine through your reception hall or caterer, consider purchasing wine wholesale. Many companies will offer discounts when large quantities of cases are purchased. Some wines are available in magnum size, which lowers the cost of the wine per ounce. If you decide to purchase your own wine, discuss with the caterer how much their corkage fee is; but chances are even with the corkage fee, you’ll be paying much less than purchasing wine directly through your caterer.If your catering contract permits it, shop around for a local baker. Your caterer may charge a cake cutting charge this way, but you’re more likely to still spend less overall. If the caterer does not permit it, skip the extra desert option and only serve only coffee and cake for dessert.There are several options for saving on cake charges. You can order a small cake with an elaborate topper for the cake cutting and a second sheet cake that is cut in the kitchen for the guests. Or, only order enough cake for guests, with larger layers on bottom made of iced Styrofoam. (No one will know the difference, and you’ll have the tall cake for pictures!)B. Flowers While most popular bridal flowers are available year round, some are seasonal. Talk with your florist on cost saving in-season options. It will be extremely expensive (and possibly quite difficult to find) if you require a flower arrangement that is not in season.Make your flowers do double duty. Design your ceremony pieces to also be used on the reception tables.Mix economical non-floral embellishments in with the flowers to fill out bouquets and centerpieces. Check with your florist as to what is available and will look best with your flowers.Think simple. If you want an elaborate bouquet, perhaps your bridesmaids can hold something simple – such as a single rose or a few Gerber daisies tied with a simple bow.Instead of floral arrangements on reception tables, group favors in a tower on the tables. With so many pretty favor packaging options available, you can surely design a centerpiece to remember.Single pillar candles or an arrangement of votives casts a calm, peaceful feeling on tables. Check with your reception hall first though – some ordinances do not allow burning candles for fire safety purposes.If you have a friend who has a flair for crafts and decorating, you can have them go to a local market the day of the wedding and hand select seasonal flowers and arrange them for you.If you are planning on using rose petals for your wedding, consider using freeze dried petals (they are the real thing) or high quality silk rose petals. Either of the two options will save you money – and will last longer than fresh rose petals. Both will save your from a possible slip and fall (real rose petals are slippery) and won’t stain.Don’t overlook floral standbys such as carnations and daises. They are available year round, are usually extremely affordable and when arranged in a group look beautiful.Flowering bulbs in a clear hurricane vase with stones in can provide for an elegant centerpiece. This is something you can do yourself with a bit of pre-planning C. Ceremony Rather than hiring a band, harpist or string quartet to play at your ceremony, see if they allow pre-recorded music.Ceremony programs are not always needed, some couples do without.If you want to use a ceremony program, print your own or have a calligrapher just design the cover and print and attach the interior pages yourself.Check with the ceremony location as to what decorations (if any) they will have at the time of your wedding. Depending on the season and location – they may already have decorations in use (Such as a church during the Christmas season)Have your flower girl toss silk rose petals rather than the real thing. This will save on costs, be less slippery, and easier to clean up.Aisle or pew decorations aren’t necessary for the entire church or location - just use them to reserve seating for the most important guests in the front of the location.Ceremony location fee. If you’re not getting married in a traditional religious setting, shop around for prices. A backyard or park setting can be just as romantic and cost less.If you’re hiring an officiant, get several estimates. If you like one officiant in particular, see if you can negotiate prices. For your vows search around quotation and love poem sites to inspire you. Write your own vows rather than hiring someone to do so. See if your reception hall or area can accommodate a ceremony as well. You’ll save on transportation costs and decorations can be moved quickly and easily from the ceremony to reception site.D. Music Rather than hiring separate musicians for the ceremony and reception, see if they can accommodate both.DJ’s can be less expensive than bands. You’ll be able to have different styles of music – something that some bands can’t duplicate quite like a DJ.Check out local cover bands. Although not your typical wedding band, cover bands usually do cover songs, and may perform just as well as a more expensive traditional wedding band. Look into local high school or college bands. You may be able to make a great find – both in price and in musical style.Look for DJs who are new to the market. Beginners usually are starting out with new equipment such as computers and digital music devices – which hold hundreds and thousands of songs. If they don’t have your songs, they can find them for you. Beginners will also offer better rates than more established DJ companies.Hold auditions – either pick from the lot, or have them bid on playing at your event.If your reception area has the capability – use their stereo. Many stereos these days will play through dozens of CD’s in a row so that the music lasts for hours. Make several CD’s of recorded music and just press “play”. An alternative is making play lists on a MP3 device and just plugging in the player to the sound device. However, this does require some maintenance during your reception, so make sure you designate someone to handle this task.Check local advertisements and back of bridal magazines. Some companies and bands offer discounts. Check with the reception location, some have DJs or bands that they work with and offer package deals.Referrals from friends and family. Perhaps you don’t personally know a band or DJ, but perhaps someone you know does. Ask around, you may get a referral and a friends and family price.E. Transportation When hiring a limo company check local newspapers, and journals. Many companies offer discounts.Ask if they have any wedding packages. Many limo companies have standard packages that would include the limo for a set number of hours, red carpet service, champagne and/or beverages.Some companies may offer cheaper rates during off peak season and on Sundays. Limo companies often can book all or most of their limos for Fridays and Saturday nights, and therefore may not offer discounted rates on those days.Skip the Bentley or Horse Drawn carriage. Sure they make be whimsical, but if you’re looking to cut costs, these are two things you can live without.If you’re looking to drink while being chauffeured to and from, see if you can bring your own liquor, champagne or wine. Purchasing through the limo company will more than likely be more expensive than bringing your own beverages.Use a personal car to get to and from the reception, and ask a friend to drive.Don’t purchase the limo for the entire day. Paying hourly rates to have a limo driver wait for hours not only is expensive – but also is a waste of your bridal budget. Hire them to take you to the ceremony, bring you to the photo shoot location, and drop you off at reception. If needed, you can hire them to pick you up after the reception in a plain black car.Before signing with a company, check the contract for their overtime rates. Make sure you stick within the time frame purchased; even 15 minutes of overtime can be costly.If you find a great price with a company who is a bit out of your area, before signing a contract with them make sure they will not charge extra for drive time to get to and from your event.Decide upon what type of limo will suit your wedding without going overboard. If you can go with a smaller limo rather than a larger stretch do so. Or it could be cheaper to fit everyone in a larger bus than renting several smaller limos.F. Dress / Accessories / Attire Borrow accessories from friends and family. This can provide your “something borrowed”Look for your dress at designer sales, trunk shows and outlets. Checking out chain stores, vintage shops, consignment stores and sample sales may also provide you with an inexpensive solution.Consider wearing your mother’s gown. The costs of cleaning and alterations will be much cheaper than purchasing a new one. Accessory and comparison-shop online. Chances are you’ll snag a good deal.Consider tux rental centers which offer tuxes for free when you rent “x” number of tuxes.Unless you plan on showing your feet, consider a simple comfortable style under your dress. No one is going to take much notice to your heels when he slips the garter off.If your wedding isn’t too formal consider bridesmaid dresses or evening gowns. If you have a design in mind, a local dressmaker can often design something similar to fit your body perfectly without the expensive designer label.If your budget is for $2,000 then you will want to look at gowns in the price of $1,000 to $1,200. You’ll need the extra money for the rest of your ensemble and alterations, which can be quite costly.Replica jewelry can look authentic without the costly price tag. G. Favors / Gifts Homemade favors can be just as appealing as store bought favors. Think candies, chocolates, soaps and candles.Comparison shop online. If you see a favor or gift in a store, browse online for the item – with so many retailers out there, you may find a better price.Ask a talented friend to make cookies or other edible favors and treats. Cookies should be baked within a week of serving, so if you choose this route, don’t make them yourself, chances are you won’t have the time to do so right before your big day.Purchase favors that came out the year before. Sure you may have seen that bottle stopper before, but last year’s designs may be only slightly different than the same favor in a different style package marketed as “new for the season”. Prices usually drop on older favors as newer styles are released.Skip the fancy packaging. Wrap your favors or gifts simply and elegantly with tulle, organza, or white on white gift-wrap. Choose wedding party gifts in bulk. Perhaps you can get the same engraved picture frames for the entire party with a bulk discount.Look for closeouts and or shop in outlets. If you’re thinking of giving an item such as Mikasa crystal, see if there is an outlet store in your area. Rather than giving one favor per guest, consider one favor per couple. However, if the favor you are considering is sold as a “set”, such as coasters, give one set per couple. Set items should never be split to save on costs; after all, you wouldn’t go into a store and buy just one salt shaker or one coaster for yourself.Limit the bridal party. The more attendants you have the more bridal party gifts you’ll need to buy.Scout out free shipping, low price guarantees, discounts and coupons.H. Invitations / Stationary Although the invitations are the first thing your guests see, they are probably the last thing they remember. Although the invitations should look and feel nice, they need not cost a fortune.Look into print your own invitations. Many companies sell complete “do it yourself” invitation kits at a fraction of the cost.Go with Thermography style ink if you’re getting your invitations professionally printed – it is a cost effective and very popular alternative. Skip on the engraving.Some couples skip on the reply envelopes – saving both on postage and invitation costs. Rather request your guests to RSVP on line, by email or by phone. Skip the save the date cards. Although quite popular these days, it is just an added expense. Instead set up a free wedding website online and announce to your friends and relatives the date. Cut your guest list. This will save in many areas – from caterers, to favors to invitation costs. Instead of inviting all of your co-workers, neighbors and children – just invite those who mean the most to you.In this digital age, most people are online. Skip the invitations all together and create an e-card.Perhaps you or a friend are scrapbook enthusiasts – design and make your own invitations. You’re guests will receive a one-of-a-kind invite. Browse online – many stores work with the same printing vendors – and some are competitively priced – often saving you 25% or more off of retail pricing.Postcard invitations are a unique way to invite guests to a destination wedding. On the front, a beautiful beach photo, on the back, the wedding details. Have them RSVP online or email. You’ll save on printing and postage costs as postcards cost less than an envelope to mail.Colored ink and lined envelopes can add significantly to your invitation budget. Black ink on a simple white or cream invitation can look simple, elegant and classy.I. Photography / Videography Hire a videographer to work just from the ceremony through the first dance rather than for the entire wedding.Place disposable wedding cameras on your reception tables rather than having the photographer take pictures at every table.Consider hiring a photographer who is in their last year in art school or has recently graduated. Some companies offer both photography and videography as a complete package. A package deal may save you money rather than hiring two separate companies.Lose the prints and go digital. Printing proofs costs money – having your photographer make your proofs available digitally, may save moneyGo to a portrait studio to have your engagement photos taken. Some major department stores offer photography service, and usually offer coupons or package deals.Reduce the number of hours you hire the photographer for. Instead of having them run after you while you get your hair and nails done, have one of your bridesmaids do it instead.Assemble your own wedding album. Depending on the photographer and number of pictures taken you can save hundreds by putting together your own albums.Choose a photography package rather than purchasing pictures separately. If something is included that you don’t necessarily want, see if you can trade it for something else.If you have a trusted friend or relative who is good at video editing software and knows how to use a camcorder, think about letting them take charge of the wedding videoJ. General Planning Tips Fridays, Sundays and weeknights are the cheapest for most services. Plan your wedding on those days if possible. Winter weddings are cheaper than summer ones.Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. When you find the service or vendor you want, negotiate the best possible price.Prioritize aspects of the wedding that are most important to you. By compromising in some areas, you can afford to splurge on others. Pay costs with a credit card that earns rewards or frequent flyer miles. Just be sure to pay off the bill in full each month it comes in. You may earn your honeymoon flight, and maybe even the hotel room, just by using your credit cards for your wedding expenses.Think out of the box. Perhaps your wedding can be held in a non-traditional setting. Try to think of places that are different but meaningful to you. Gardens, museums, parks, the zoo, the planetarium, aquariums, an amusement park, a 50’s style retro restaurant, even a friend’s large backyard could be a potential sites.In some states, for a small fee, a person can become a wedding officant. Look into your individual state rules.Be realistic when planning a budget. If you aren’t receiving financial assistance from your family for your wedding, look to the future as well. Is a down payment for a house more important? Is paying off a large wedding debt for several years ok with both you and your fiancé? Make a list of all the things you, family, or friends can do or make yourselves. Perhaps much of the wedding can be prepared without enlisting the help of a professional.If your wedding is a year or more ahead, start purchasing items as you have extra cash to splurge. If you’re planning on a winter wedding, purchase your accessories and other items the end of the winter season the year before your wedding. Wedding vendors will be looking to make way for the new season’s items, and you’ll save some cash.Plan early, make lists, and keep good records. By writing everything down, you’ll know exactly how much you have spent, and how much you still need.
Erica Tevis is the owner of Two Hearts Wedding Favors http://www.twoheartsfavors.com . Vist them on the web and check out their large supply of wedding favors, themed favors, invitations, and wedding accessories.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erica_Tevis
http://EzineArticles.com/?101-Tips-on-How-To-Save-Money-for-Your-Wedding&id=386577
Sunday, May 27, 2007
My Wedding Story
I guess I got real lucky when I married my wife, now of 20 years. To start with, I graduated college, and got married...on the same day!
Since we were both college students, and parents couldn't help out, we decided to get married by the swimming pool of our apartment complex. We bought 30 pounds of chicken, a bunch of corn on the cob...and oh, a couple trash cans full of beer. We had a local preacher come over to perform the ceremony.
In Texas, thunderstorms just kinda form right over you...and you guessed it, we got a doozy...just as the food was ready to be served. So, everyone piled into our little 1 bedroom apartment to eat, and drink...and to seemingly, never leave.
When we finally ran out the last of our guests, it was 3am...and our flight out for our honeymoon was at 8am. Well, we figured that 30 pounds of chicken bones might get kinda "ripe" by the time we returned home in a week, so we set about to cleaning the house, until 5am. We then decided to take a quick nap before catching our plane.
And yes, our marriage finally got "legal" within a few minutes of arriving at the hotel.
See...who needs all those wedding planning headaches!? lol
Garry
--------------------
Since we were both college students, and parents couldn't help out, we decided to get married by the swimming pool of our apartment complex. We bought 30 pounds of chicken, a bunch of corn on the cob...and oh, a couple trash cans full of beer. We had a local preacher come over to perform the ceremony.
In Texas, thunderstorms just kinda form right over you...and you guessed it, we got a doozy...just as the food was ready to be served. So, everyone piled into our little 1 bedroom apartment to eat, and drink...and to seemingly, never leave.
When we finally ran out the last of our guests, it was 3am...and our flight out for our honeymoon was at 8am. Well, we figured that 30 pounds of chicken bones might get kinda "ripe" by the time we returned home in a week, so we set about to cleaning the house, until 5am. We then decided to take a quick nap before catching our plane.
And yes, our marriage finally got "legal" within a few minutes of arriving at the hotel.
See...who needs all those wedding planning headaches!? lol
Garry
--------------------
Friday, May 25, 2007
Great Wedding Gift Ideas
Great Wedding Gift Ideas
By Adriana Copaceanu
You're looking for a special wedding gift, and don't want to simply choose something from the registry. You want unique and memorable wedding gift ideas.
Every couple is unique. So here are a few surefire tips to help you find wonderful and unforgettable wedding gift ideas that match the couple perfectly.
Today's weddings are as unique as the people involved. The wedding day is one of the most memorable and special events in a person's life; and the means by which the day is celebrated and executed, are no longer routine. So you'll want to make sure your wedding gift ideas as are tailored to suit the event and the couple.
If you know the theme of the wedding, your shopping time could be cut in half. Simply choose a unique gift, they both will enjoy that concentrates around the theme.
If you don't know the theme of the wedding, think about the couple. What is their couple "identity"? For example, if they take a trip together... Do they go camping, skiing, golfing, to the beach, to the mountains?
Another approach… what's their entertainment style? What do they do in their free time? The concept is to come up with something you know they both love and then choose your gift to match the topic. Here's a sample:
A friend of mine knew my husband and I had a small vacation home on one of the North Carolina beaches. She also knew that whenever we could get away, that's where we went. For our wedding present, she gave us a book full of photographs and information on the North Carolina coast. Inside the book were two gift certificates, one for a day at the spa for me, and one for a massage for him.
It has been almost fourteen years and we still have the book and remember the gift.
If you want your gift to be as memorable as their wedding day, here are two gifts that will do the trick:
Buy the bride and groom engraved keepsake boxes to safely place the special items they're sure to accumulate as the day goes by. The boxes will safely and securely protect precious memories of the day they married for years to come. For something very special, as you're choosing the boxes, go beyond the typical keepsake box. Specialize each box to depict the personality of it's owner.
Watercolor wedding paintings make a sentimental and unique gift. You give a gift certificate that allows the bride and groom to send in pictures from their wedding day that are used to do a watercolor painting. The couple will have a one of a kind painting of their favorite photo that keeps the memories alive for years to come.
With just a little bit of imagination, your gift could be the best one they receive.
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don't blow the bank. Find many Unique Wedding Gift Ideas at her site. In a hurry to get a gift? Check her Gifts 911, where you'll find last minute gifts for any occasion.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_Copaceanu
http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Wedding-Gift-Ideas&id=75969
By Adriana Copaceanu
You're looking for a special wedding gift, and don't want to simply choose something from the registry. You want unique and memorable wedding gift ideas.
Every couple is unique. So here are a few surefire tips to help you find wonderful and unforgettable wedding gift ideas that match the couple perfectly.
Today's weddings are as unique as the people involved. The wedding day is one of the most memorable and special events in a person's life; and the means by which the day is celebrated and executed, are no longer routine. So you'll want to make sure your wedding gift ideas as are tailored to suit the event and the couple.
If you know the theme of the wedding, your shopping time could be cut in half. Simply choose a unique gift, they both will enjoy that concentrates around the theme.
If you don't know the theme of the wedding, think about the couple. What is their couple "identity"? For example, if they take a trip together... Do they go camping, skiing, golfing, to the beach, to the mountains?
Another approach… what's their entertainment style? What do they do in their free time? The concept is to come up with something you know they both love and then choose your gift to match the topic. Here's a sample:
A friend of mine knew my husband and I had a small vacation home on one of the North Carolina beaches. She also knew that whenever we could get away, that's where we went. For our wedding present, she gave us a book full of photographs and information on the North Carolina coast. Inside the book were two gift certificates, one for a day at the spa for me, and one for a massage for him.
It has been almost fourteen years and we still have the book and remember the gift.
If you want your gift to be as memorable as their wedding day, here are two gifts that will do the trick:
Buy the bride and groom engraved keepsake boxes to safely place the special items they're sure to accumulate as the day goes by. The boxes will safely and securely protect precious memories of the day they married for years to come. For something very special, as you're choosing the boxes, go beyond the typical keepsake box. Specialize each box to depict the personality of it's owner.
Watercolor wedding paintings make a sentimental and unique gift. You give a gift certificate that allows the bride and groom to send in pictures from their wedding day that are used to do a watercolor painting. The couple will have a one of a kind painting of their favorite photo that keeps the memories alive for years to come.
With just a little bit of imagination, your gift could be the best one they receive.
Adriana Copaceanu provides people with creative gift ideas that don't blow the bank. Find many Unique Wedding Gift Ideas at her site. In a hurry to get a gift? Check her Gifts 911, where you'll find last minute gifts for any occasion.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_Copaceanu
http://EzineArticles.com/?Great-Wedding-Gift-Ideas&id=75969
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Save Money on Your Wedding
Save Money on Your Wedding!
Amazing Wedding Planning:
Dear bride-to-be,
How much money can you put in your pocket if you saved just 10% on your wedding? It doesn't matter whether your wedding budget is $5,000, $10,000, or even $50,000.
Let's just say that your wedding budget is only $10,000. If you saved just 10% it would give you $1,000 in savings.
But what if you could save 30%?... 50%.... or even 80%?
Seems difficult or maybe impossible? Well, it's not... And that's exactly why I'm here to prove it. I can say it with confidence because not only I have done it and people how followed my advice have done it as well.""
"The Average Cost of a Single Wedding is Approaching $30,000. But It Doesn't Have to Be... In Fact, You Could Easily Slash Your Wedding Expenses As Much As 80% To Have the Exact Same Wedding!
Save Money on Your Wedding -- Get Amazing Wedding Planning Today
Amazing Wedding Planning:
Dear bride-to-be,
How much money can you put in your pocket if you saved just 10% on your wedding? It doesn't matter whether your wedding budget is $5,000, $10,000, or even $50,000.
Let's just say that your wedding budget is only $10,000. If you saved just 10% it would give you $1,000 in savings.
But what if you could save 30%?... 50%.... or even 80%?
Seems difficult or maybe impossible? Well, it's not... And that's exactly why I'm here to prove it. I can say it with confidence because not only I have done it and people how followed my advice have done it as well.""
"The Average Cost of a Single Wedding is Approaching $30,000. But It Doesn't Have to Be... In Fact, You Could Easily Slash Your Wedding Expenses As Much As 80% To Have the Exact Same Wedding!
Save Money on Your Wedding -- Get Amazing Wedding Planning Today
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Diamonds are a girl's best friend!
They can be a guy's best friend, too, if you know what to look for and how to buy them properly. Check out this new site called All about diamonds!
Step-by-Step Wedding Planner
Spend less time stressing about your wedding - try this guide out today!
"Your Perfect Day":
This is an exciting time in your life that you're facing! You are getting ready to embark on one of the most important and memorable tasks you will ever face in your life...planning your wedding. It can also be one of the most challenging and stressful times, but it doesn't have to be!
If you are like many others who have planned a wedding in the past or just getting started, it can be mind boggling trying to figure out what to do and when it needs to be done. You see, there are so many things that need to be planned. From ordering the flowers, to printing the invitations and so on, every aspect of your wedding must be planned out. Mainly because wedding vendors need time to contact their suppliers so that they can get things ready for you on time (they have schedules as well).
If you don't have a clue where to begin or you don't order things on time, guess what? It can ruin your wedding, literally! And that's something I am sure you certainly don't want to happen. Imagine not ordering the flowers on time, booking the reception venue on time or even not choosing a caterer on time. What a disaster that would be!"
"Your Perfect Day":
This is an exciting time in your life that you're facing! You are getting ready to embark on one of the most important and memorable tasks you will ever face in your life...planning your wedding. It can also be one of the most challenging and stressful times, but it doesn't have to be!
If you are like many others who have planned a wedding in the past or just getting started, it can be mind boggling trying to figure out what to do and when it needs to be done. You see, there are so many things that need to be planned. From ordering the flowers, to printing the invitations and so on, every aspect of your wedding must be planned out. Mainly because wedding vendors need time to contact their suppliers so that they can get things ready for you on time (they have schedules as well).
If you don't have a clue where to begin or you don't order things on time, guess what? It can ruin your wedding, literally! And that's something I am sure you certainly don't want to happen. Imagine not ordering the flowers on time, booking the reception venue on time or even not choosing a caterer on time. What a disaster that would be!"
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
What A Wedding Planner Can Do
What A Wedding Planner Can Do
By Eric Hartwell
A wedding planner can add significantly to the cost of a wedding. But they can also provide you with an extremely valuable service. They will take the weight off of your shoulders and take the strain of the preparations. This means that you can concentrate on other things and leave the important tasks to the wedding provider.
Looking at their advertisements, the weddings service providers can assist in:
Budgeting: Their experience and contacts enable them to offer valuable advice on the kind of wedding possible for any budget. It is true that you have to pay for their services but you can also avoid costly mistakes.
Finding a church or venue of the wedding if it will no be held in a church: You will get information on alternate churches or venues if your chosen ones are not available.
Reception: This may include the cake and drinks depending on the agreement. The wedding service provider can provide possible choices that are within your budget. You may ask for advice on the seating arrangement
Wedding attire for the bride, groom, or the whole entourage: They can guide clients to possible sources of made-to-order or off the rack wedding attires, shoes and other accessories within the specified budget.
Flowers and decorations: You may ask to see the decors of their other clients to get some ideas.
Photographer and videographer: They can recommend you to the reputable but affordable ones who will make sure you will be able to keep for posterity the highlights of your wedding.
Also:
Choosing Invitations, Favors, Music, Gifts
Buying the ring if you do not know where
Wedding entourage composition
Honeymoon, if you can’t decide on the preferred place
Other small but valuable items which makes a wedding complete
Even the best planned affairs can have some last minute, unexpected glitches but with a wedding services provider, you have somebody to attend to them while you and your relatives and friends enjoy the occasion.
Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on marriage and weddings and visit our associated site articles for free.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-A-Wedding-Planner-Can-Do&id=511341
By Eric Hartwell
A wedding planner can add significantly to the cost of a wedding. But they can also provide you with an extremely valuable service. They will take the weight off of your shoulders and take the strain of the preparations. This means that you can concentrate on other things and leave the important tasks to the wedding provider.
Looking at their advertisements, the weddings service providers can assist in:
Budgeting: Their experience and contacts enable them to offer valuable advice on the kind of wedding possible for any budget. It is true that you have to pay for their services but you can also avoid costly mistakes.
Finding a church or venue of the wedding if it will no be held in a church: You will get information on alternate churches or venues if your chosen ones are not available.
Reception: This may include the cake and drinks depending on the agreement. The wedding service provider can provide possible choices that are within your budget. You may ask for advice on the seating arrangement
Wedding attire for the bride, groom, or the whole entourage: They can guide clients to possible sources of made-to-order or off the rack wedding attires, shoes and other accessories within the specified budget.
Flowers and decorations: You may ask to see the decors of their other clients to get some ideas.
Photographer and videographer: They can recommend you to the reputable but affordable ones who will make sure you will be able to keep for posterity the highlights of your wedding.
Also:
Choosing Invitations, Favors, Music, Gifts
Buying the ring if you do not know where
Wedding entourage composition
Honeymoon, if you can’t decide on the preferred place
Other small but valuable items which makes a wedding complete
Even the best planned affairs can have some last minute, unexpected glitches but with a wedding services provider, you have somebody to attend to them while you and your relatives and friends enjoy the occasion.
Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on marriage and weddings and visit our associated site articles for free.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-A-Wedding-Planner-Can-Do&id=511341
Monday, May 21, 2007
A Bride's Basic Guide to Wedding Planning By Jeffery Dodd
A Bride's Basic Guide to Wedding Planning
By Jeffery Dodd
Every woman desires to have the wedding of her dreams. May it be a garden wedding or a church wedding, every woman dreams to have the most memorable and special wedding that she can have. And why not? It is the event that bonds her with the person she loves. Your wedding should therefore be well planned and necessitates some know how in wedding planning. Here is a basic guide for you in planning your wedding of a lifetime:
Get input from others. Asking the idea of other people is a great idea for a bride to be. Getting input means asking other people about their experiences on their wedding so you will have an idea what and where to look for things you need. Your mother might be able to give you input on where to buy the best and most affordable cake or an older brother might be able to introduce you to a very talented wedding singer. This also goes true with seeking help and assistance especially on your wedding day. You don’t want to stress up yourself on your special day by solving and looking after every thing. You can get the necessary help by assigning friends, relatives, groomsmen and bridesmaid particular tasks and assignments. You may, for example, ask your bridesmaid to see to it that everybody in the bridal entourage arrives on time.
Ask yourself how you would like to look like on your wedding day. This will help you determine the things that you need to look fabulous and beautiful on your wedding. This includes your wedding gown, jewelries, and shoes and make up. Preparing yourself to look beautiful does not only depend on the things that you will buy for yourself but also on how you will look like, say, in a particular design of a wedding gown. This also includes searching for the best jewelries that you can afford and looking for someone who can assist or help you with your make up on your wedding day.
Remember your friends and loved ones. Weddings are special events and it is also the best time where you can share your joys in life to your loved ones. Make a list of the people you want to come on your wedding day. You also have to consider who you want to be part of your bridal entourage. Give out invitation cards weeks in advance to allow your guests to plan or change their schedules. Remember to prepare wedding gifts for your family, and those who assist you on your wedding particularly the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Let these be your token of appreciation for their great help on your wedding.
Whether you wanted a simple or a fabulous wedding event, this guide will help you in preparing for a worry free and memorable wedding day. May your wedding be as special and memorable as you have wanted it to be. Best wishes!
Jeffery Dodd is an accomplished writer who specializes in weddings and celebrations. For more information on wedding band, just visit us at http://weddingband.recreationrally.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_Dodd
http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Brides-Basic-Guide-to-Wedding-Planning&id=494226
By Jeffery Dodd
Every woman desires to have the wedding of her dreams. May it be a garden wedding or a church wedding, every woman dreams to have the most memorable and special wedding that she can have. And why not? It is the event that bonds her with the person she loves. Your wedding should therefore be well planned and necessitates some know how in wedding planning. Here is a basic guide for you in planning your wedding of a lifetime:
Get input from others. Asking the idea of other people is a great idea for a bride to be. Getting input means asking other people about their experiences on their wedding so you will have an idea what and where to look for things you need. Your mother might be able to give you input on where to buy the best and most affordable cake or an older brother might be able to introduce you to a very talented wedding singer. This also goes true with seeking help and assistance especially on your wedding day. You don’t want to stress up yourself on your special day by solving and looking after every thing. You can get the necessary help by assigning friends, relatives, groomsmen and bridesmaid particular tasks and assignments. You may, for example, ask your bridesmaid to see to it that everybody in the bridal entourage arrives on time.
Ask yourself how you would like to look like on your wedding day. This will help you determine the things that you need to look fabulous and beautiful on your wedding. This includes your wedding gown, jewelries, and shoes and make up. Preparing yourself to look beautiful does not only depend on the things that you will buy for yourself but also on how you will look like, say, in a particular design of a wedding gown. This also includes searching for the best jewelries that you can afford and looking for someone who can assist or help you with your make up on your wedding day.
Remember your friends and loved ones. Weddings are special events and it is also the best time where you can share your joys in life to your loved ones. Make a list of the people you want to come on your wedding day. You also have to consider who you want to be part of your bridal entourage. Give out invitation cards weeks in advance to allow your guests to plan or change their schedules. Remember to prepare wedding gifts for your family, and those who assist you on your wedding particularly the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Let these be your token of appreciation for their great help on your wedding.
Whether you wanted a simple or a fabulous wedding event, this guide will help you in preparing for a worry free and memorable wedding day. May your wedding be as special and memorable as you have wanted it to be. Best wishes!
Jeffery Dodd is an accomplished writer who specializes in weddings and celebrations. For more information on wedding band, just visit us at http://weddingband.recreationrally.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffery_Dodd
http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Brides-Basic-Guide-to-Wedding-Planning&id=494226
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Planning Your Wedding - Advice from An Insider By LJ Stewart
Planning Your Wedding - Advice from An Insider
By LJ Stewart
As a floral designer for over 10 years- I have seen the stress of planning a wedding can take on the bride- and her family. Whenever there is high emotion and money involved- stress is sure to follow. There are some strategies that can help relieve the anxiety involved with planning your wedding and working within your budget.
Find out first who is paying for what and how much. Keep in mind that anyone who contributes money will feel entitled to express their opinion- sometimes loudly! So try and make clear what expectations are. Your future mother-in-law may want to help out- but she also might want her second cousins daughter in your wedding party. If possible try and pay for as much of the wedding yourself and not rely on anyone else.
Take a realistic look at how much money you have to work with- avoid going into debt. Most important- Have a budget!
Be honest with your wedding professional- tell then how much you want to spend and have them help you give you the biggest bang for your buck. They know their field and what is possible and affordable. I know from experience that most creative people want to do their best work for you- and want your wedding flowers to be spectacular or your wedding dress to suit your body type. It is a business but most bridal shop owners, wedding photographers or florists I have met all have pride in their work- if you are getting a sense that they don't or feel like just another dollar sign then move on and find some one else.
Ask their advice- they know their stuff! They have seen hundreds if not thousands of brides and have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. I remember one year when a famous Kennedy got married- and pictures of his bride were all over newspapers and magazines of her holding a wedding bouquet of solid lily of the valley. I had DOZENS of brides walk in wanting this exact look. This is great if your are getting married in the 3 week window in June when lily of the valley is available. Any other time it is imported from Holland and packs a staggering price tag. For a 1/10 th of the money I could have given those brides stunning wedding flowers.
Take a look at your budget and decide which is important to you. For some brides it might be the dress; others the wedding flowers or wedding cake. Maybe you have always dreamed of a live band at your wedding reception. With a limited budget you will have to make choices. If you want to have 350 people to your wedding- you may have to have chicken and not surf and turf for your guests. Something will have to give. Some good advice- you will be looking at your wedding photos for the next 50+ years. I would invest money into anything that shows up in those photos. Get the best photographer you can afford- do not give this job to your brother or friend who took a Learning Annex course in Photoshop. Good hair and makeup. I suggest nothing TOO trendy in a head piece unless you want to suffer the jibes of your children… and grand children. Do not skimp on your bridal bouquet. This will be staring back at you for years in an 8x10 glossy. Your wedding attire- gets a lovely dress and something nice for your groom.
Anything else is really is just icing on the cake.
Trust me - you may regret spending all your money on a custom designed wedding cake. You will not regret beautiful and professional wedding photographs. It varies from person to person- but certain things really don't matter and some do- I will share my opinions on this. Your dress, wedding photos, your bridal bouquet, location, grooms attire MATTER. Bridesmaid dresses, bridesmaid's flowers and other wedding flowers, wedding cake, head table flowers, table centerpieces, food do not! If it’s not in the wedding photo that will be above your mantle- it probably doesn't matter.
Find our how much money you have to work with, who is responsible for what- make a plan and stick to it. Remember all weddings are beautiful and all wedding days are perfect- Try not to let the stress of money ruin the panning process for you. Best Wishes on your Wedding Day!
LJ Stewart was award winning floral designer and owner of successful floral studio for over 10 years. For more information on wedding flowers please visit Toronto Wedding Flowers and Toronto Wedding Decorations. She now works as freelance writer based in Toronto, Canada.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=LJ_Stewart
http://EzineArticles.com/?Planning-Your-Wedding---Advice-from-An-Insider&id=122669
By LJ Stewart
As a floral designer for over 10 years- I have seen the stress of planning a wedding can take on the bride- and her family. Whenever there is high emotion and money involved- stress is sure to follow. There are some strategies that can help relieve the anxiety involved with planning your wedding and working within your budget.
Find out first who is paying for what and how much. Keep in mind that anyone who contributes money will feel entitled to express their opinion- sometimes loudly! So try and make clear what expectations are. Your future mother-in-law may want to help out- but she also might want her second cousins daughter in your wedding party. If possible try and pay for as much of the wedding yourself and not rely on anyone else.
Take a realistic look at how much money you have to work with- avoid going into debt. Most important- Have a budget!
Be honest with your wedding professional- tell then how much you want to spend and have them help you give you the biggest bang for your buck. They know their field and what is possible and affordable. I know from experience that most creative people want to do their best work for you- and want your wedding flowers to be spectacular or your wedding dress to suit your body type. It is a business but most bridal shop owners, wedding photographers or florists I have met all have pride in their work- if you are getting a sense that they don't or feel like just another dollar sign then move on and find some one else.
Ask their advice- they know their stuff! They have seen hundreds if not thousands of brides and have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. I remember one year when a famous Kennedy got married- and pictures of his bride were all over newspapers and magazines of her holding a wedding bouquet of solid lily of the valley. I had DOZENS of brides walk in wanting this exact look. This is great if your are getting married in the 3 week window in June when lily of the valley is available. Any other time it is imported from Holland and packs a staggering price tag. For a 1/10 th of the money I could have given those brides stunning wedding flowers.
Take a look at your budget and decide which is important to you. For some brides it might be the dress; others the wedding flowers or wedding cake. Maybe you have always dreamed of a live band at your wedding reception. With a limited budget you will have to make choices. If you want to have 350 people to your wedding- you may have to have chicken and not surf and turf for your guests. Something will have to give. Some good advice- you will be looking at your wedding photos for the next 50+ years. I would invest money into anything that shows up in those photos. Get the best photographer you can afford- do not give this job to your brother or friend who took a Learning Annex course in Photoshop. Good hair and makeup. I suggest nothing TOO trendy in a head piece unless you want to suffer the jibes of your children… and grand children. Do not skimp on your bridal bouquet. This will be staring back at you for years in an 8x10 glossy. Your wedding attire- gets a lovely dress and something nice for your groom.
Anything else is really is just icing on the cake.
Trust me - you may regret spending all your money on a custom designed wedding cake. You will not regret beautiful and professional wedding photographs. It varies from person to person- but certain things really don't matter and some do- I will share my opinions on this. Your dress, wedding photos, your bridal bouquet, location, grooms attire MATTER. Bridesmaid dresses, bridesmaid's flowers and other wedding flowers, wedding cake, head table flowers, table centerpieces, food do not! If it’s not in the wedding photo that will be above your mantle- it probably doesn't matter.
Find our how much money you have to work with, who is responsible for what- make a plan and stick to it. Remember all weddings are beautiful and all wedding days are perfect- Try not to let the stress of money ruin the panning process for you. Best Wishes on your Wedding Day!
LJ Stewart was award winning floral designer and owner of successful floral studio for over 10 years. For more information on wedding flowers please visit Toronto Wedding Flowers and Toronto Wedding Decorations. She now works as freelance writer based in Toronto, Canada.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=LJ_Stewart
http://EzineArticles.com/?Planning-Your-Wedding---Advice-from-An-Insider&id=122669
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Spring and Summer Wedding Flower Ideas By Emily Tanner
Spring and Summer Wedding Flower Ideas
By Emily Tanner
Planning a spring or summer wedding? Read on to find out what’s hot and what’s not for bridal flowers in 2007.
The key to getting it right is to choose flowers that are in season. Deep red roses don’t really look the part on a hot summer’s day, whereas hydrangeas and sweet peas will suit a summery theme perfectly.
Spring flowers should encompass a feeling of gentle freshness along in soft colours with a pretty fragrance. Anemones, tulips, hyacinths and daffodils are perfect choices for spring bouquets. Tulips are reasonably priced and come in a whole range of shapes and colours. They give a contemporary feel to a wedding, although they can wilt quickly so beware of using them in a bouquet.
Soft yellows and lilacs look great together in a bouquet and can really capture the essence of spring. Spring is really in the air when primroses and violets are combined in floral arrangements. There are many pot-grown plants such as bellflowers, African violets and Cape Primroses that would also look great together along with flowering alpines such as mossy saxifrage. Primulas and violets in wicker cones can enliven any indoor or outdoor setting.
The Calla Lily is always a popular choice as it is delicate looking although sturdy in structure. Naturally, the calla lily lends itself to a range of floral decoration styles as the elegant shape of the curled spathe formed at the top of a long green stem produces a striking effect in bouquets and other arrangements. Many brides choose the Calla Lily as a central theme for their entire wedding.
All through spring, the flowering shrub world comes into its own, and this is clearly evident with the wonderful colours and flower types of camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias. These blooms make exquisite choices for brides whether you choose the palest shades and most delicate flowers to the big, blowzy rhododendrons heads in a myriad of lively tones. Although many of these blooms like fragile they are actually long lasters and have a somewhat hardy nature. However, their shadings and subtle combinations of colours make them ideal as bouquet flowers when teamed with delicate satins or organzas.
Spring brides should also consider floral arrangements in their hair rather than a tiara. Small blooms can be attached to hair combs, slides or headbands and co-ordinated with button holes. Best to keep hairpieces small though as they can look at bit overpowering not to mention expensive!
Summer flowers will have similar qualities to those from the spring although perhaps more fragrant and in deeper shades. Fine summer weather brings with it the possibility of a garden wedding. Open air settings require themes that will link the occasion to the place and time of year including the right flowers for the right time and location. The summer brings an abundance of pretty flowers in subtle pinks, ivories, lilacs and white with intoxicating heady fragrances. Flowers at the wedding of a summer bride will probably be central to the entire wedding theme and everything else should fall into place around the floral choices. Lavenders and lilacs clearly encompass everything a summer wedding should be and many summer brides choose bridesmaid dresses in these shades. To compliment the dress fabrics, go for lavenders and sweet peas to form the basis of the floral theme with other fragrant summer flowers making an appearance throughout. Blue, lilac and purple shades look fantastic on a bright and sunny day.
Fragrance is a very important factor to consider in a summer bouquet although steer clear of heady fragrances on reception tables where guests eat. Some blooms can have quite an overpowering scent that can be off putting during a meal. The more highly perfumed flowers in summer bloom are stocks, sweet peas, jasmine, rosemary and peonies. Hydrangea and rose petals are also seasonal and would look great scattered on reception tables as well as thrown over the bride and groom!
Remember to order extra flowers to decorate the wedding cake with and you could also continue the floral theme with wedding favours. Why not tie bunches of lavender with pink ribbon sand a tag? These can then double as place settings and favours. You could also present guests with a small corsage of flowers at their place setting and tie it to their napkins. Some brides even hang them from the back of the chairs; perfect if you are having an outdoor wedding!
Whether you are marrying in the spring or the summer, never underestimate the importance of flowers on your wedding day. If you are still unsure about what to go for, why not consult your local florist who would be happy to give you an idea of which blooms are best suited to you.
This article is brought to you by "World of Wedding Favours" - Offering brides high quality wedding favours and bomboniere at low-cost prices. To view our vast range of wedding favours to suit your special occasion please visit: Flowers, Decoration and Accessories
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Tanner
http://EzineArticles.com/?Spring-and-Summer-Wedding-Flower-Ideas&id=258140
By Emily Tanner
Planning a spring or summer wedding? Read on to find out what’s hot and what’s not for bridal flowers in 2007.
The key to getting it right is to choose flowers that are in season. Deep red roses don’t really look the part on a hot summer’s day, whereas hydrangeas and sweet peas will suit a summery theme perfectly.
Spring flowers should encompass a feeling of gentle freshness along in soft colours with a pretty fragrance. Anemones, tulips, hyacinths and daffodils are perfect choices for spring bouquets. Tulips are reasonably priced and come in a whole range of shapes and colours. They give a contemporary feel to a wedding, although they can wilt quickly so beware of using them in a bouquet.
Soft yellows and lilacs look great together in a bouquet and can really capture the essence of spring. Spring is really in the air when primroses and violets are combined in floral arrangements. There are many pot-grown plants such as bellflowers, African violets and Cape Primroses that would also look great together along with flowering alpines such as mossy saxifrage. Primulas and violets in wicker cones can enliven any indoor or outdoor setting.
The Calla Lily is always a popular choice as it is delicate looking although sturdy in structure. Naturally, the calla lily lends itself to a range of floral decoration styles as the elegant shape of the curled spathe formed at the top of a long green stem produces a striking effect in bouquets and other arrangements. Many brides choose the Calla Lily as a central theme for their entire wedding.
All through spring, the flowering shrub world comes into its own, and this is clearly evident with the wonderful colours and flower types of camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias. These blooms make exquisite choices for brides whether you choose the palest shades and most delicate flowers to the big, blowzy rhododendrons heads in a myriad of lively tones. Although many of these blooms like fragile they are actually long lasters and have a somewhat hardy nature. However, their shadings and subtle combinations of colours make them ideal as bouquet flowers when teamed with delicate satins or organzas.
Spring brides should also consider floral arrangements in their hair rather than a tiara. Small blooms can be attached to hair combs, slides or headbands and co-ordinated with button holes. Best to keep hairpieces small though as they can look at bit overpowering not to mention expensive!
Summer flowers will have similar qualities to those from the spring although perhaps more fragrant and in deeper shades. Fine summer weather brings with it the possibility of a garden wedding. Open air settings require themes that will link the occasion to the place and time of year including the right flowers for the right time and location. The summer brings an abundance of pretty flowers in subtle pinks, ivories, lilacs and white with intoxicating heady fragrances. Flowers at the wedding of a summer bride will probably be central to the entire wedding theme and everything else should fall into place around the floral choices. Lavenders and lilacs clearly encompass everything a summer wedding should be and many summer brides choose bridesmaid dresses in these shades. To compliment the dress fabrics, go for lavenders and sweet peas to form the basis of the floral theme with other fragrant summer flowers making an appearance throughout. Blue, lilac and purple shades look fantastic on a bright and sunny day.
Fragrance is a very important factor to consider in a summer bouquet although steer clear of heady fragrances on reception tables where guests eat. Some blooms can have quite an overpowering scent that can be off putting during a meal. The more highly perfumed flowers in summer bloom are stocks, sweet peas, jasmine, rosemary and peonies. Hydrangea and rose petals are also seasonal and would look great scattered on reception tables as well as thrown over the bride and groom!
Remember to order extra flowers to decorate the wedding cake with and you could also continue the floral theme with wedding favours. Why not tie bunches of lavender with pink ribbon sand a tag? These can then double as place settings and favours. You could also present guests with a small corsage of flowers at their place setting and tie it to their napkins. Some brides even hang them from the back of the chairs; perfect if you are having an outdoor wedding!
Whether you are marrying in the spring or the summer, never underestimate the importance of flowers on your wedding day. If you are still unsure about what to go for, why not consult your local florist who would be happy to give you an idea of which blooms are best suited to you.
This article is brought to you by "World of Wedding Favours" - Offering brides high quality wedding favours and bomboniere at low-cost prices. To view our vast range of wedding favours to suit your special occasion please visit: Flowers, Decoration and Accessories
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Tanner
http://EzineArticles.com/?Spring-and-Summer-Wedding-Flower-Ideas&id=258140
Friday, May 18, 2007
The Wedding Hairstyle-Choosing The Right Style To Compliment Your Dress By Vicki Churchill
The Wedding Hairstyle-Choosing The Right Style To Compliment Your Dress
By Vicki Churchill
For any girl their wedding day will be the most important and planned day of their life, something that will be remembered forever and taken months of careful planning.
One of the most important aspects of a wedding is that the bride looks her best and stands out from everyone else. As a bride you will want everything to be perfect and to achieve this you will need to spend many many hours making sure everything is just right!
The wedding dress is probably the most important item of clothing a woman will ever wear and purchase, To finish off the perfect look the wedding hairstyle must be something that compliments the dress as well as make the bride look and feel fantastic!
When choosing your wedding hairstyle time is really really important, make sure you have done this well in advance so you can have a trial and make sure you like how it looks, remember sometimes when you see something in a magazine and love it it may not necessarily suit your wedding dress, on the other hand something you never have considered may look perfect.
Most salons will offer free trials or charge a small fee to spend some time discussing what would suit you best.
If you have already chosen your wedding hairstyle then it is always worth having a look around to see if there are and additions or accessories that will compliment it.
There are so many accessories available that will make a subtle but noticeable enhancement.
The length of your hair could limit the wedding hairstyles available to you, however if you fall in love with one but your hair is not long enough then you could always have hair extensions however this could prove costly.
Always try at least 5 different styles before you decide on the final one, many brides choose a style they would never have thought of because when you see a style you like on someone else it may not look as good on you, or a style you would never have thought suited you could look fantastic.
Try and choose at least 5 wedding hairstyles that are completely different so you know you have tried different styles and can walk away knowing you have the perfect wedding hairstyle that suits your face and compliments your dress.
As tempting as it might be never show your husband to be your wedding hairstyle, not only is it considered bad luck but it will spoil the over all effect when he sees you walking up the isle.
Vicki Churchill is the owner of http://www.perfectweddingtableideas.com, a site that specializes in Wedding Hairstyles Wedding Table, Wedding Decorations, Seating Plans & all your wedding needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Wedding-Hairstyle-Choosing-The-Right-Style-To-Compliment-Your-Dress&id=427351
By Vicki Churchill
For any girl their wedding day will be the most important and planned day of their life, something that will be remembered forever and taken months of careful planning.
One of the most important aspects of a wedding is that the bride looks her best and stands out from everyone else. As a bride you will want everything to be perfect and to achieve this you will need to spend many many hours making sure everything is just right!
The wedding dress is probably the most important item of clothing a woman will ever wear and purchase, To finish off the perfect look the wedding hairstyle must be something that compliments the dress as well as make the bride look and feel fantastic!
When choosing your wedding hairstyle time is really really important, make sure you have done this well in advance so you can have a trial and make sure you like how it looks, remember sometimes when you see something in a magazine and love it it may not necessarily suit your wedding dress, on the other hand something you never have considered may look perfect.
Most salons will offer free trials or charge a small fee to spend some time discussing what would suit you best.
If you have already chosen your wedding hairstyle then it is always worth having a look around to see if there are and additions or accessories that will compliment it.
There are so many accessories available that will make a subtle but noticeable enhancement.
The length of your hair could limit the wedding hairstyles available to you, however if you fall in love with one but your hair is not long enough then you could always have hair extensions however this could prove costly.
Always try at least 5 different styles before you decide on the final one, many brides choose a style they would never have thought of because when you see a style you like on someone else it may not look as good on you, or a style you would never have thought suited you could look fantastic.
Try and choose at least 5 wedding hairstyles that are completely different so you know you have tried different styles and can walk away knowing you have the perfect wedding hairstyle that suits your face and compliments your dress.
As tempting as it might be never show your husband to be your wedding hairstyle, not only is it considered bad luck but it will spoil the over all effect when he sees you walking up the isle.
Vicki Churchill is the owner of http://www.perfectweddingtableideas.com, a site that specializes in Wedding Hairstyles Wedding Table, Wedding Decorations, Seating Plans & all your wedding needs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Wedding-Hairstyle-Choosing-The-Right-Style-To-Compliment-Your-Dress&id=427351
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Fairytale Wedding Themes By Emily Tanner
Fairytale Wedding Themes
By Emily Tanner
Every girl wants to feel like a princess once in a while and even more so on her wedding day. She wants to feel like a princess to her parents, her new husband and a princess to all the little children attending the wedding. It also means that the little girl inside all of us is truly nurtured. So, why not have a fairytale inspired wedding to truly give you a feeling of royalty?
A fairytale inspired wedding theme first and foremost must centre on a fairytale. For every stereotypical thought you may have of a princess in a story book or fairytale, there is a wedding idea that can be incorporated into your big day. When it comes to your dress, it really needs to be princess-like. Of course, it is up to you what style or colour dress you wear as trends, cultures and families differ hugely. You could choose a ball gown shaped dress i.e. with a fitted bodice and full skirt. These look great especially if the skirt is really full with layers and layers of tulle and netting. Alternatively, you may go for a simple fitted silk gown with a long silk train. This type of dress can be made more princess like with the introduction of a small crown or tiara. If you are opting for coloured wedding attire, ensure you are covered with face and hair jewels to complete the Oriental princess look. The same ideas apply to bridesmaids and young female attendants.
When it comes to your handsome groom, ensure he is kitted out as your prince. No, he doesn’t need to look like he has just walked off a pantomime set, but he does need to look the part. Generally, a light coloured suit would be in keeping with the rest of the theme. However, he may be dressing is bright colours which is fine too as long as he looks very smart and well groomed. After all, princes are always well dressed and terribly alluring…
Young male attendants are usually more accommodating than older ones when it comes to ‘dressing up’ for a wedding. Use them as your mini princes, and dress them in ¾ length trousers, waistcoats with crisp shirts underneath. They will look sensational next to the mini princesses!
As far as flowers are concerned, anything goes as long as they are pretty, plentiful and beautifully scented. Ensure all members of the bridal party have buttonholes, female attendants should carry posies draped in ribbon and table decorations should co-ordinate nicely with everything else. It’s becoming more and more common for tables to be scattered with petals so why not do this too?
Guests will naturally think of castles, carriages and silver tiaras when they learn of your fairytale themed wedding. What better why to succumb to their [and your] desires than with Happily Ever After Carriage Candles as favours and Happily Ever After Themed Place Card Holders for place settings? Tie in the silver theme with silver organza ribbon tied round napkins and on floral decorations.
If you really want to take your fairytale themed wedding to the extreme, why not hire an ice sculptor to create a fantastic centrepiece for you? You could even have one made in a castle shape!
However you interpret the princess theme in your wedding, have the fairytale you deserve but don’t forget to be home by midnight!!
Article written by Emily Tanner from "World of Wedding Favours" - Where all customers are guaranteed superior customer service and quick delivery times on their quality - and competitively priced - wedding favours. Why don’t you browse their amazing range of beautiful products at: Wedding Favours
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Tanner
http://EzineArticles.com/?Fairytale-Wedding-Themes&id=386767
By Emily Tanner
Every girl wants to feel like a princess once in a while and even more so on her wedding day. She wants to feel like a princess to her parents, her new husband and a princess to all the little children attending the wedding. It also means that the little girl inside all of us is truly nurtured. So, why not have a fairytale inspired wedding to truly give you a feeling of royalty?
A fairytale inspired wedding theme first and foremost must centre on a fairytale. For every stereotypical thought you may have of a princess in a story book or fairytale, there is a wedding idea that can be incorporated into your big day. When it comes to your dress, it really needs to be princess-like. Of course, it is up to you what style or colour dress you wear as trends, cultures and families differ hugely. You could choose a ball gown shaped dress i.e. with a fitted bodice and full skirt. These look great especially if the skirt is really full with layers and layers of tulle and netting. Alternatively, you may go for a simple fitted silk gown with a long silk train. This type of dress can be made more princess like with the introduction of a small crown or tiara. If you are opting for coloured wedding attire, ensure you are covered with face and hair jewels to complete the Oriental princess look. The same ideas apply to bridesmaids and young female attendants.
When it comes to your handsome groom, ensure he is kitted out as your prince. No, he doesn’t need to look like he has just walked off a pantomime set, but he does need to look the part. Generally, a light coloured suit would be in keeping with the rest of the theme. However, he may be dressing is bright colours which is fine too as long as he looks very smart and well groomed. After all, princes are always well dressed and terribly alluring…
Young male attendants are usually more accommodating than older ones when it comes to ‘dressing up’ for a wedding. Use them as your mini princes, and dress them in ¾ length trousers, waistcoats with crisp shirts underneath. They will look sensational next to the mini princesses!
As far as flowers are concerned, anything goes as long as they are pretty, plentiful and beautifully scented. Ensure all members of the bridal party have buttonholes, female attendants should carry posies draped in ribbon and table decorations should co-ordinate nicely with everything else. It’s becoming more and more common for tables to be scattered with petals so why not do this too?
Guests will naturally think of castles, carriages and silver tiaras when they learn of your fairytale themed wedding. What better why to succumb to their [and your] desires than with Happily Ever After Carriage Candles as favours and Happily Ever After Themed Place Card Holders for place settings? Tie in the silver theme with silver organza ribbon tied round napkins and on floral decorations.
If you really want to take your fairytale themed wedding to the extreme, why not hire an ice sculptor to create a fantastic centrepiece for you? You could even have one made in a castle shape!
However you interpret the princess theme in your wedding, have the fairytale you deserve but don’t forget to be home by midnight!!
Article written by Emily Tanner from "World of Wedding Favours" - Where all customers are guaranteed superior customer service and quick delivery times on their quality - and competitively priced - wedding favours. Why don’t you browse their amazing range of beautiful products at: Wedding Favours
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Tanner
http://EzineArticles.com/?Fairytale-Wedding-Themes&id=386767
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Wedding Ideas for Brides: 5 Ways To Capture Your Wedding Memories Forever By Lesley Mattos
Wedding Ideas for Brides: 5 Ways To Capture Your Wedding Memories Forever
By Lesley Mattos
As far back as a girl can remember, she dreams of her wedding day. She imagines - to every last detail - things like: what type of wedding dress she will wear, what color the bridesmaids’ dresses will be and even more importantly, who that perfect man will be who becomes her husband. When that day finally arrives, it is the most important day of the bride’s life - a day she wants to look back on with fond memories for years to come. For more and more brides, one of the most perfect ways to capture their wedding is to create an Instant Photo Guest Book similar to the one created by Adesso Albums. Having such a keepsake, scrapbook or photo album to open up and share with your spouse, family and friends is the best way to capture the wedding day’s memory forever.
Instant Photo Guest Books are a unique "marriage" of a photo album and a guest book. To create a photo guest book at a wedding, simply take Polaroid pictures, slip them into your guest book and have the guests write their personalized messages to you the bride and your groom on the guest book pages. This will capture your wedding event instantly in pictures and words—and you won’t even have to wait weeks to get your photographs returned from your wedding photographer. You’ll be able to enjoy it as soon as it’s over. However, the beauty of these keepsake albums is that it can be used for all parts of your wedding event: engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, wedding, reception and even the honeymoon.
Here are 5 other great ideas to capture your wedding moments:
1. Wish Bowl
Here’s an idea, that won’t even cost you a dime. The purpose of a wedding Wish Bowl is to provide an opportunity for guests to wish good fortunes to follow the Bride and Groom wherever they go. The idea is to have your guests write their wishes for love and life on little slips of paper and place them into a crystal or decorative glass bowl or vase. You don’t even have to buy one if you have a nice vase or bowl at home already. For a more formal presentation, the slips of paper can be placed into little matching wedding stationary envelopes. The stationary paper and envelopes should match the Bride’s color theme and/or wedding stationary. After the wedding events are over, the notes can be read and placed into a wedding album or scrapbook while the bowl or vase can be used for the home or decoration.
2. Wish Tree
The Wish Tree theme, similar to the Wish Bowl, is for guests at the wedding to write down their wishes for love and life to the Bride and Groom - except instead of the bowl, a tree is used to collect the wishes. There are many types of Wish Trees - your can purchase metal ones, or fashion your own using blooming branches from a garden or florist, or even use a live potted plant such as a fichus tree. Gift boxes can be hung from the tree of your choice and your guests can take a box off the tree in exchange for their wishes. After the wedding events are over, the wishes can be taken off the tree and placed in a keepsake box, scrapbook or album.
3. Signature Platter
Wedding Signature Platters or plates make a unique alternative to traditional wedding guest books. The platter can be plain, decorative or even custom designed and ordered online or from a wedding stationary store. Guests simply sign the platter during the wedding event with a special ceramic marker and after the wedding events are over, the platter is fired in your home oven. The special signature platter can be used for serving favorite dishes at future dinner parties as husband and wife or just as a decorative memento of the special gathering.
4. Framed Signature Mat
Similar to the Signature Platter, the Signature Mat is another alternative to the traditional wedding guest book. A photo of the Bride and Groom - often a “before” wedding photo (like an engagement photo) - is placed in an acid free matte and mounted either on an easel or table in the entry area of the wedding reception. Guests sign their name and well wishes to the Bride and Groom on the mat surrounding the picture. The Signature Mat is then framed for the newlywed’s new home. The “before wedding” photo can be replaced with a wedding photo of the couple before framing.
5. Typewriter Guest Book
The Typewriter Guest Book is Martha Stewart’s latest discovery for a guest book alternative. Look for an old-fashioned, inexpensive typewriter either online, from a flea market or thrift shop – but make SURE it works - and set it out on a table in the entry area of the wedding reception. Load the typewriter with long sheets of paper for guests to type in good wishes to the Bride and Groom along with their name and any sentiment that comes to mind. After the wedding, the page can be tied into a scroll with ribbon or framed along with pictures taken at the wedding.
The above 5 unique ways to capture your wedding moments will help you and your loved ones relive your wedding memories over and over again.
Lesley Mattos, Founder of Adesso Albums has been happily pursuing her dream of helping people all over the world capture the Now in life’s most important moments. Of all the ways to capture your wedding memories, the Adesso Album is the only guess book alternative that provides an instant memory of your wedding event in both pictures and words. If you need the Polaroid gear, you can purchase it along with the guest books as part of a kit at http://www.adessoalbums.com/begin-polaroids-p-30.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lesley_Mattos
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Ideas-for-Brides:-5-Ways-To-Capture-Your-Wedding-Memories-Forever&id=167005
By Lesley Mattos
As far back as a girl can remember, she dreams of her wedding day. She imagines - to every last detail - things like: what type of wedding dress she will wear, what color the bridesmaids’ dresses will be and even more importantly, who that perfect man will be who becomes her husband. When that day finally arrives, it is the most important day of the bride’s life - a day she wants to look back on with fond memories for years to come. For more and more brides, one of the most perfect ways to capture their wedding is to create an Instant Photo Guest Book similar to the one created by Adesso Albums. Having such a keepsake, scrapbook or photo album to open up and share with your spouse, family and friends is the best way to capture the wedding day’s memory forever.
Instant Photo Guest Books are a unique "marriage" of a photo album and a guest book. To create a photo guest book at a wedding, simply take Polaroid pictures, slip them into your guest book and have the guests write their personalized messages to you the bride and your groom on the guest book pages. This will capture your wedding event instantly in pictures and words—and you won’t even have to wait weeks to get your photographs returned from your wedding photographer. You’ll be able to enjoy it as soon as it’s over. However, the beauty of these keepsake albums is that it can be used for all parts of your wedding event: engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, wedding, reception and even the honeymoon.
Here are 5 other great ideas to capture your wedding moments:
1. Wish Bowl
Here’s an idea, that won’t even cost you a dime. The purpose of a wedding Wish Bowl is to provide an opportunity for guests to wish good fortunes to follow the Bride and Groom wherever they go. The idea is to have your guests write their wishes for love and life on little slips of paper and place them into a crystal or decorative glass bowl or vase. You don’t even have to buy one if you have a nice vase or bowl at home already. For a more formal presentation, the slips of paper can be placed into little matching wedding stationary envelopes. The stationary paper and envelopes should match the Bride’s color theme and/or wedding stationary. After the wedding events are over, the notes can be read and placed into a wedding album or scrapbook while the bowl or vase can be used for the home or decoration.
2. Wish Tree
The Wish Tree theme, similar to the Wish Bowl, is for guests at the wedding to write down their wishes for love and life to the Bride and Groom - except instead of the bowl, a tree is used to collect the wishes. There are many types of Wish Trees - your can purchase metal ones, or fashion your own using blooming branches from a garden or florist, or even use a live potted plant such as a fichus tree. Gift boxes can be hung from the tree of your choice and your guests can take a box off the tree in exchange for their wishes. After the wedding events are over, the wishes can be taken off the tree and placed in a keepsake box, scrapbook or album.
3. Signature Platter
Wedding Signature Platters or plates make a unique alternative to traditional wedding guest books. The platter can be plain, decorative or even custom designed and ordered online or from a wedding stationary store. Guests simply sign the platter during the wedding event with a special ceramic marker and after the wedding events are over, the platter is fired in your home oven. The special signature platter can be used for serving favorite dishes at future dinner parties as husband and wife or just as a decorative memento of the special gathering.
4. Framed Signature Mat
Similar to the Signature Platter, the Signature Mat is another alternative to the traditional wedding guest book. A photo of the Bride and Groom - often a “before” wedding photo (like an engagement photo) - is placed in an acid free matte and mounted either on an easel or table in the entry area of the wedding reception. Guests sign their name and well wishes to the Bride and Groom on the mat surrounding the picture. The Signature Mat is then framed for the newlywed’s new home. The “before wedding” photo can be replaced with a wedding photo of the couple before framing.
5. Typewriter Guest Book
The Typewriter Guest Book is Martha Stewart’s latest discovery for a guest book alternative. Look for an old-fashioned, inexpensive typewriter either online, from a flea market or thrift shop – but make SURE it works - and set it out on a table in the entry area of the wedding reception. Load the typewriter with long sheets of paper for guests to type in good wishes to the Bride and Groom along with their name and any sentiment that comes to mind. After the wedding, the page can be tied into a scroll with ribbon or framed along with pictures taken at the wedding.
The above 5 unique ways to capture your wedding moments will help you and your loved ones relive your wedding memories over and over again.
Lesley Mattos, Founder of Adesso Albums has been happily pursuing her dream of helping people all over the world capture the Now in life’s most important moments. Of all the ways to capture your wedding memories, the Adesso Album is the only guess book alternative that provides an instant memory of your wedding event in both pictures and words. If you need the Polaroid gear, you can purchase it along with the guest books as part of a kit at http://www.adessoalbums.com/begin-polaroids-p-30.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lesley_Mattos
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Ideas-for-Brides:-5-Ways-To-Capture-Your-Wedding-Memories-Forever&id=167005
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Your Guide To A Beautiful Wedding Bouquet By Wade Robins
Your Guide To A Beautiful Wedding Bouquet
By Wade Robins
As your wedding day quickly approaches, you will want to begin thinking about your wedding bouquet. The right wedding bouquet will compliment your dress, but at the same time, should not detract. Flowers are a very important part of your wedding ceremony and when you choose your bouquet, you want to make sure it reflects your personal style, personality, and the overall look of your wedding.
Artificial Or Real
One of the first things that you will think about when you choose a wedding bouquet is whether you will use artificial flowers or real flowers. Most brides choose to use real flowers because they look spectacular. However, you can often find artificial flowers that look so real that only you will know the difference. In addition, an artificial bouquet will last you for years, while a real bouquet will soon wilt and die if you don't have it preserved.
If you are worried about the amount of money, you will spend on your wedding bouquet and you still want to use real flowers, you can find a way to do it. The best way to get the lowest prices on your wedding bouquet is to shop around, and to use flowers that are in season. If you choose to use flowers that are out of season, it will certainly cost you more money. In addition, flowers such as carnations are usually cheaper than roses. You can dress up simple flowers using ribbon, baby’s breath and other greenery.
Go Simple
As mentioned before, your wedding bouquet should compliment your dress and your face. It should not be so elaborate that that is the only thing your guests will notice. For this reason, many brides consider a wedding bouquet that is simple. How do you feel using a few colorful tulips tied together with a beautiful ribbon? Unbelievably, wild flowers gathered right before your wedding ceremony and tied together with a beautiful ribbon can also look stunning. You do not need to spend a lot of money or have an elaborate wedding bouquet to impress. These simple or bouquets are also perfect for outdoor weddings or affairs that are more casual.
When you begin planning your wedding bouquet and the other flowers that will be used during your wedding ceremony, remember that you do not have to go with traditional flowers or arrangements. Your wedding is your day, and it should reflect your unique style and personality.
You can also find more information at Wedding Invitations and Wedding Photographer. Dreamweddingplanning.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about dream wedding planning.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins
http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-Guide-To-A-Beautiful-Wedding-Bouquet&id=559307
By Wade Robins
As your wedding day quickly approaches, you will want to begin thinking about your wedding bouquet. The right wedding bouquet will compliment your dress, but at the same time, should not detract. Flowers are a very important part of your wedding ceremony and when you choose your bouquet, you want to make sure it reflects your personal style, personality, and the overall look of your wedding.
Artificial Or Real
One of the first things that you will think about when you choose a wedding bouquet is whether you will use artificial flowers or real flowers. Most brides choose to use real flowers because they look spectacular. However, you can often find artificial flowers that look so real that only you will know the difference. In addition, an artificial bouquet will last you for years, while a real bouquet will soon wilt and die if you don't have it preserved.
If you are worried about the amount of money, you will spend on your wedding bouquet and you still want to use real flowers, you can find a way to do it. The best way to get the lowest prices on your wedding bouquet is to shop around, and to use flowers that are in season. If you choose to use flowers that are out of season, it will certainly cost you more money. In addition, flowers such as carnations are usually cheaper than roses. You can dress up simple flowers using ribbon, baby’s breath and other greenery.
Go Simple
As mentioned before, your wedding bouquet should compliment your dress and your face. It should not be so elaborate that that is the only thing your guests will notice. For this reason, many brides consider a wedding bouquet that is simple. How do you feel using a few colorful tulips tied together with a beautiful ribbon? Unbelievably, wild flowers gathered right before your wedding ceremony and tied together with a beautiful ribbon can also look stunning. You do not need to spend a lot of money or have an elaborate wedding bouquet to impress. These simple or bouquets are also perfect for outdoor weddings or affairs that are more casual.
When you begin planning your wedding bouquet and the other flowers that will be used during your wedding ceremony, remember that you do not have to go with traditional flowers or arrangements. Your wedding is your day, and it should reflect your unique style and personality.
You can also find more information at Wedding Invitations and Wedding Photographer. Dreamweddingplanning.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about dream wedding planning.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins
http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-Guide-To-A-Beautiful-Wedding-Bouquet&id=559307
Monday, May 14, 2007
Looking for Unique Wedding Favor Ideas? Here are Seven! By Shauna Arthurs
Looking for Unique Wedding Favor Ideas? Here are Seven!
By Shauna Arthurs
With so many weddings to attend over a lifetime, when it’s your turn to get married the desire to create unique experience for you and your guests can be strong. You want people to remember your special day, and to take home a wedding favour that is unique and special. More and more brides recognize that wedding favors can be special and beautiful AND enjoyed by guests in their own homes. Here are seven ideas you may not have thought of:
One: Beautiful pens engraved with your wedding date or a special message, such as ‘Love is Forever.’ This allows for a unique and special and useful present that people will appreciate in the years to come, and won’t get lost on a dusty shelf.
Two: Potted flowers and plants: Give the gift of fresh greenery and flowers. Not only will your wedding be extra beautiful because of all the foliage, each guest will have something beautiful and practical to take home and decorate with, and remember your day fondly.
Three: Simple cream vases with flowers in them. Rather than having something that matches your wedding colors, you may consider having a neutral, classic vase or container that will complement every guest’s home so they can enjoy the flowers you send with them, as well as their own selections in years to come.
Four: Beautiful paper. Many stationery stores will carry a lovely selection of unique and beautiful paper gift sets. Rather than having your own names engraved on them, because then no one would be able to use them, a beautifully boxed sheaf of pretty paper speaks for itself and will be remembered as a special and unique wedding favour.
Five: Hurricane vases with a candle: You may have seen this before but it’s such a classy and beautiful gift that it warrants being in this list. One simple chunky candle that matches your wedding colours in a glass vase makes a simple and elegant favour for your guests. Later they can replace the candle, add river rocks, or decorate with it as they see fit, because the vase is simple and will match anyone’s décor.
Six: Ringholder: A little jewellery case, if simple and classic, can be a nice addition to anyone’s bedroom dresser, and is something people would not usually buy for themselves.
Seven: A book, perhaps one about love or a historical book about your city. A quality book is something people will keep and enjoy for years to come and is definitely a unique and special favour they will remember you for.
Find out how to save money on every aspect of your planning – check out the Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide available at Create-the-perfect-wedding.com.
Shauna Arthurs is a writer/editor and Co-founder/owner of a network of web-based businesses, including Create-the-perfect-wedding.com, home of the Amazing Wedding Planning system that helps brides save up to 70% on all wedding expenses – Guaranteed!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shauna_Arthurs
http://EzineArticles.com/?Looking-for-Unique-Wedding-Favor-Ideas?-Here-are-Seven!&id=544648
By Shauna Arthurs
With so many weddings to attend over a lifetime, when it’s your turn to get married the desire to create unique experience for you and your guests can be strong. You want people to remember your special day, and to take home a wedding favour that is unique and special. More and more brides recognize that wedding favors can be special and beautiful AND enjoyed by guests in their own homes. Here are seven ideas you may not have thought of:
One: Beautiful pens engraved with your wedding date or a special message, such as ‘Love is Forever.’ This allows for a unique and special and useful present that people will appreciate in the years to come, and won’t get lost on a dusty shelf.
Two: Potted flowers and plants: Give the gift of fresh greenery and flowers. Not only will your wedding be extra beautiful because of all the foliage, each guest will have something beautiful and practical to take home and decorate with, and remember your day fondly.
Three: Simple cream vases with flowers in them. Rather than having something that matches your wedding colors, you may consider having a neutral, classic vase or container that will complement every guest’s home so they can enjoy the flowers you send with them, as well as their own selections in years to come.
Four: Beautiful paper. Many stationery stores will carry a lovely selection of unique and beautiful paper gift sets. Rather than having your own names engraved on them, because then no one would be able to use them, a beautifully boxed sheaf of pretty paper speaks for itself and will be remembered as a special and unique wedding favour.
Five: Hurricane vases with a candle: You may have seen this before but it’s such a classy and beautiful gift that it warrants being in this list. One simple chunky candle that matches your wedding colours in a glass vase makes a simple and elegant favour for your guests. Later they can replace the candle, add river rocks, or decorate with it as they see fit, because the vase is simple and will match anyone’s décor.
Six: Ringholder: A little jewellery case, if simple and classic, can be a nice addition to anyone’s bedroom dresser, and is something people would not usually buy for themselves.
Seven: A book, perhaps one about love or a historical book about your city. A quality book is something people will keep and enjoy for years to come and is definitely a unique and special favour they will remember you for.
Find out how to save money on every aspect of your planning – check out the Ultimate Wedding Planning Guide available at Create-the-perfect-wedding.com.
Shauna Arthurs is a writer/editor and Co-founder/owner of a network of web-based businesses, including Create-the-perfect-wedding.com, home of the Amazing Wedding Planning system that helps brides save up to 70% on all wedding expenses – Guaranteed!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shauna_Arthurs
http://EzineArticles.com/?Looking-for-Unique-Wedding-Favor-Ideas?-Here-are-Seven!&id=544648
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Romantic Real Life Marriage Proposal Stories
Romantic Real Life Marriage Proposal Stories:
"I was a poor art student in college living 17 hours away from my girlfriend.
I wanted to propose to her in my own unique way.
So I wrote out my true feelings for her on illustration board. I then made it look over 100 years old by applying an aging varnish and crackling varnish.
I had it framed in this 18th century style frame I bought at a cheap art store.
Then I arranged with the exhibit director at the local museum in her town to have it hung in a gallery space. (The director didn't charge me, she loved the idea).
I surprised my girlfriend on her graduation weekend by flying in. (Before I saw her I had stopped at the museum to drop off my framed piece).
My girlfriend had to run errands all day for her graduation, but I asked her if we could stop at the museum. I explained to her (and lied to her) that a friend of mine from art school happened to have some work on display at the local art museum.
I told her I realized she was busy that day but if we could just stop in and see it because it was the last day for his exhibit.
We stopped in and I let her walk in the room and look at the art work. Finally she saw a piece of writing hung on the wall that had her name at the top.
She read it and finally realized what I had done!
By the time she got to the end, I was on one knee and proposed!
She loved it, and the best part was she got to show all her classmates her ring and tell the story at graduation!" "
"I was a poor art student in college living 17 hours away from my girlfriend.
I wanted to propose to her in my own unique way.
So I wrote out my true feelings for her on illustration board. I then made it look over 100 years old by applying an aging varnish and crackling varnish.
I had it framed in this 18th century style frame I bought at a cheap art store.
Then I arranged with the exhibit director at the local museum in her town to have it hung in a gallery space. (The director didn't charge me, she loved the idea).
I surprised my girlfriend on her graduation weekend by flying in. (Before I saw her I had stopped at the museum to drop off my framed piece).
My girlfriend had to run errands all day for her graduation, but I asked her if we could stop at the museum. I explained to her (and lied to her) that a friend of mine from art school happened to have some work on display at the local art museum.
I told her I realized she was busy that day but if we could just stop in and see it because it was the last day for his exhibit.
We stopped in and I let her walk in the room and look at the art work. Finally she saw a piece of writing hung on the wall that had her name at the top.
She read it and finally realized what I had done!
By the time she got to the end, I was on one knee and proposed!
She loved it, and the best part was she got to show all her classmates her ring and tell the story at graduation!" "
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Smart Wedding Planning - A Quick Guide to Saving Money on Your Wedding Day By Allison Campbell
Smart Wedding Planning - A Quick Guide to Saving Money on Your Wedding Day
By Allison Campbell
If you've begun to research reception venues, photographers, and other "high-ticket" items on your wedding to-do list, you've undoubtedly experienced a good case of sticker shock by now. You may find yourself thinking: "How can they get away with charging this much?!!"
It's a fact. The wedding industry is huge, and anything with the word "wedding" attached to it is likely to mean "expensive".
So is it feasible to hire a photographer who doesn't necessarily focus on weddings, or a band that wouldn't be found in your local bridal magazine? Absolutely!
To get started on this road less traveled, begin by asking recently-wed family, friends or colleagues for any good wedding leads. Perhaps they'll know of a fabulous bakery that was less expensive than all the larger ones in the area. Or an art student who just graduated from college and is looking for work as a calligrapher. Maybe there's a friend of a friend who's an aspiring photographer and would be able to capture fantastic wedding photos for you on your big day.
Next, move your research online and check out the local wedding chat boards in your area at TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. Look for posts like "Rave Reviews" and "Highly Recommended" - and be sure to also take note of any vendors that received negative reviews from other brides and grooms. Another excellent free resource is Craigslist.com. Musicians, photographers and other artists post their services regularly here in areas across the country. If you see a post that catches your eye, just send a quick email to the poster to get more information, or submit your own ad describing exactly what you're looking for.
Finally, head to Amazon.com or your local book store and buy at least one good wedding planning book. This will be your trusty reference book and will help you know just which questions to ask, so that you can make an informed decision about a particular wedding vendor. For example, knowing the various costs that are typically associated with catering will allow you to ask for only the items you NEED, and avoid paying for anything you don't. In fact, knowing a bit about each type of wedding service vendor - caterers, musicians, DJs, etc. - will actually help save you money no matter which vendors you talk to, "professional" or not.
With a little outside the box thinking and basic knowledge about the "biz", you're on your way to pulling together a fantastic wedding day that may just cost you less than you think!
Allison Campbell is the editor of The Little Wedding Guide, a free wedding guide dedicated to sharing creative wedding ideas with its readers. Sign up for their free newsletter and receive weekly wedding tips and advice in your inbox, or research wedding vendors in your area right now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Campbell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Smart-Wedding-Planning---A-Quick-Guide-to-Saving-Money-on-Your-Wedding-Day&id=232103
By Allison Campbell
If you've begun to research reception venues, photographers, and other "high-ticket" items on your wedding to-do list, you've undoubtedly experienced a good case of sticker shock by now. You may find yourself thinking: "How can they get away with charging this much?!!"
It's a fact. The wedding industry is huge, and anything with the word "wedding" attached to it is likely to mean "expensive".
So is it feasible to hire a photographer who doesn't necessarily focus on weddings, or a band that wouldn't be found in your local bridal magazine? Absolutely!
To get started on this road less traveled, begin by asking recently-wed family, friends or colleagues for any good wedding leads. Perhaps they'll know of a fabulous bakery that was less expensive than all the larger ones in the area. Or an art student who just graduated from college and is looking for work as a calligrapher. Maybe there's a friend of a friend who's an aspiring photographer and would be able to capture fantastic wedding photos for you on your big day.
Next, move your research online and check out the local wedding chat boards in your area at TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. Look for posts like "Rave Reviews" and "Highly Recommended" - and be sure to also take note of any vendors that received negative reviews from other brides and grooms. Another excellent free resource is Craigslist.com. Musicians, photographers and other artists post their services regularly here in areas across the country. If you see a post that catches your eye, just send a quick email to the poster to get more information, or submit your own ad describing exactly what you're looking for.
Finally, head to Amazon.com or your local book store and buy at least one good wedding planning book. This will be your trusty reference book and will help you know just which questions to ask, so that you can make an informed decision about a particular wedding vendor. For example, knowing the various costs that are typically associated with catering will allow you to ask for only the items you NEED, and avoid paying for anything you don't. In fact, knowing a bit about each type of wedding service vendor - caterers, musicians, DJs, etc. - will actually help save you money no matter which vendors you talk to, "professional" or not.
With a little outside the box thinking and basic knowledge about the "biz", you're on your way to pulling together a fantastic wedding day that may just cost you less than you think!
Allison Campbell is the editor of The Little Wedding Guide, a free wedding guide dedicated to sharing creative wedding ideas with its readers. Sign up for their free newsletter and receive weekly wedding tips and advice in your inbox, or research wedding vendors in your area right now.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Campbell
http://EzineArticles.com/?Smart-Wedding-Planning---A-Quick-Guide-to-Saving-Money-on-Your-Wedding-Day&id=232103
Friday, May 11, 2007
Inspiration to Make Your Own Wedding Invitations by Nicola Ray
Inspiration to Make Your Own Wedding Invitations by Nicola Ray
To make your own wedding invitations is not only easy, but it allows you to have a creative flair and is extremely cost effective as well.
Here are some ideas to give you inspiration to make your own wedding invitations.
Get your creative juices flowing...
* 'Just the two of us' - you could use a photograph of you and your fiancé on the front of a card. Use passport size photos (you can get digital ones done really cheaply) or create a custom pose for each of your guests. Definitely individual and unique!
* You could also use an image from an image library. You can pick up lovely shots or illustrations for less then £1. If the shot's royalty free, then you can use it as much as you like too.
* Use a pretty postcard and then print out the wedding information and glue it to the back of the postcard. You can buy packs of postcards for half the price of normal plain greeting card. Just insert it in an envelope with the rest of your info and you're off.
* Try experimenting with water-soluble pencils. They're easy to use and give a nice effect when treated with a bit of water. They make repeating a hand drawn design easy. Try hearts, couples, rings or flowers for simple illustration ideas.
* Use a coloured glue pen to give a relief effect to your designs. They come in all different colours so you can easily match your theme.
* Embellish your cards with ribbon, bows, beads, foam cut-outs or dried flowers. These will add to your cost, but still be much cheaper than buying pre-made cards.
* There are lots of wedding stickers and transfers in craft shops. From modern designs to antique styles - there's lots to choose from. A couple of packets will see you through invites and be really cheap too.
* If you're a dab hand with publishing packages or Photoshop, you could create your own custom design. Tinker with some of your photos or create an illustration yourself.
* Last but not least, try a calligraphy pen for a traditional approach.
Don't forget if you make your own wedding invitations you'll also need envelopes. Plain and simple envelopes are often the best and cheapest route to go. Don't forget to check that the card you buy will fit the envelopes!
About the Author
Nicola Ray is the owner of Cheap Wedding Success, a website dedicated to planning and creating the perfect cheap wedding. With lots of advice, tips and ideas to lower the cost of your wedding, Cheap Wedding Success is the perfect place to start.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Wedding Tips: Year-Round Ideas for Wedding Programs By Antoinette Boulay
Wedding Tips: Year-Round Ideas for Wedding Programs
By Antoinette Boulay
Wedding programs are an integral part of your wedding ceremony. Through wedding programs, your guests are able to feel more involved with your wedding. In addition, the knowledge of what is to come often helps guests have a better time at your reception and provides you with a way for keeping your guests informed about the meaning behind certain aspects of you ceremony. Programs are also excellent keepsakes for your guests.
What to Include in Your Wedding Program
Wedding programs are a fairly flexible addition to your wedding ceremony and reception. A basic program should include information regarding rituals, customs, or traditions being included in your wedding ceremony and in your reception. With the program, you can explain any aspect that may be unfamiliar to your guests. Of course, it should also include the times for certain events, particularly if your program will cover your reception events as well.
Wedding programs can also include many extras to help make them more personal. For example, you might include a brief biography of the members of your bridal party. Favorite poems, quotes, and photographs are also an excellent addition to your program. You might even honor a deceased relative or friend by including meaningful photos, quotes, or poems on the back of your program.
Program Designs
When it comes to wedding programs, anything that can be written on can be used. You might print your program on paper fans or in booklets. You can even be creative and place your program on scrolls of parchment or create a Playbill containing the names of the “actors” in your ceremony in order to help set the tone for your ceremony.
Winter Ideas for Wedding Programs
The time of year during which you get married can play a large part in determining the design and layout of your wedding programs. If you will be having a wedding program, you might create a program booklet that is bound in white faux fur. Or, use the traditional single-sheet program and attach a silver-studded snowflake to the top. Another idea is to create an ice-blue program and cover the top sheet with an piece of velum that is opaque and reads “Welcome to our Warm Winter Wedding.”
Spring Ideas for Wedding Programs
Spring is a fun and colorful time filled with blooming flowers. Therefore, spring wedding programs should reflect that same spirit. You might consider creating a two-fold program with a cover the same color as your wedding colors. Then engrave or emboss a bouquet of white blooms on the cover. Or, create a booklet and wrap it in chiffon ribbon and place a snap on it to keep it secure. If you want to keep it simple yet romantic, create a vertical program and place it on each of your guests’ chairs. Place a stone engraved with Love, Forever, or Joy on top of the program to keep it in place.
Summer Ideas for Wedding Programs
Summer brings with it thoughts of sunshine and splashing at the beach. To play upon this natural theme, you might create wedding programs that are bound with a string of seashells. Or, make fan-shaped programs that include all the colors of a sunset when they are opened. If you are going to lay your programs on your guests’ chairs, hold them down with a package of sparklers. This can be gorgeous if you are having an outdoor wedding and all of your guests light the sprinklers at the end of the ceremony.
Fall Ideas for Wedding Programs
In the fall, your wedding programs could include a leaf design. Or, create a small booklet with a mocha or cocoa colored cover and bind it with twine. Finish the look off with an attached acorn covered in gold glitter. A gold or yellow program with a velum overlay topped with a velvet chocolate-brown ribbon is another beautiful option.
Visit Aragia.com for tips on best man speeches and bridesmaid gift giving.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antoinette_Boulay
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Tips:-Year-Round-Ideas-for-Wedding-Programs&id=244125
By Antoinette Boulay
Wedding programs are an integral part of your wedding ceremony. Through wedding programs, your guests are able to feel more involved with your wedding. In addition, the knowledge of what is to come often helps guests have a better time at your reception and provides you with a way for keeping your guests informed about the meaning behind certain aspects of you ceremony. Programs are also excellent keepsakes for your guests.
What to Include in Your Wedding Program
Wedding programs are a fairly flexible addition to your wedding ceremony and reception. A basic program should include information regarding rituals, customs, or traditions being included in your wedding ceremony and in your reception. With the program, you can explain any aspect that may be unfamiliar to your guests. Of course, it should also include the times for certain events, particularly if your program will cover your reception events as well.
Wedding programs can also include many extras to help make them more personal. For example, you might include a brief biography of the members of your bridal party. Favorite poems, quotes, and photographs are also an excellent addition to your program. You might even honor a deceased relative or friend by including meaningful photos, quotes, or poems on the back of your program.
Program Designs
When it comes to wedding programs, anything that can be written on can be used. You might print your program on paper fans or in booklets. You can even be creative and place your program on scrolls of parchment or create a Playbill containing the names of the “actors” in your ceremony in order to help set the tone for your ceremony.
Winter Ideas for Wedding Programs
The time of year during which you get married can play a large part in determining the design and layout of your wedding programs. If you will be having a wedding program, you might create a program booklet that is bound in white faux fur. Or, use the traditional single-sheet program and attach a silver-studded snowflake to the top. Another idea is to create an ice-blue program and cover the top sheet with an piece of velum that is opaque and reads “Welcome to our Warm Winter Wedding.”
Spring Ideas for Wedding Programs
Spring is a fun and colorful time filled with blooming flowers. Therefore, spring wedding programs should reflect that same spirit. You might consider creating a two-fold program with a cover the same color as your wedding colors. Then engrave or emboss a bouquet of white blooms on the cover. Or, create a booklet and wrap it in chiffon ribbon and place a snap on it to keep it secure. If you want to keep it simple yet romantic, create a vertical program and place it on each of your guests’ chairs. Place a stone engraved with Love, Forever, or Joy on top of the program to keep it in place.
Summer Ideas for Wedding Programs
Summer brings with it thoughts of sunshine and splashing at the beach. To play upon this natural theme, you might create wedding programs that are bound with a string of seashells. Or, make fan-shaped programs that include all the colors of a sunset when they are opened. If you are going to lay your programs on your guests’ chairs, hold them down with a package of sparklers. This can be gorgeous if you are having an outdoor wedding and all of your guests light the sprinklers at the end of the ceremony.
Fall Ideas for Wedding Programs
In the fall, your wedding programs could include a leaf design. Or, create a small booklet with a mocha or cocoa colored cover and bind it with twine. Finish the look off with an attached acorn covered in gold glitter. A gold or yellow program with a velum overlay topped with a velvet chocolate-brown ribbon is another beautiful option.
Visit Aragia.com for tips on best man speeches and bridesmaid gift giving.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antoinette_Boulay
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Tips:-Year-Round-Ideas-for-Wedding-Programs&id=244125
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Free Bridal Shower Games by By Jeanette Shinn
Turn your bridal shower from plain and ordinary into an extraordinary event by integrating free bridal shower games into your party. Games turn any shower into something more fun and enjoyable.
With these free bridal shower games you will find everyone at your party getting a little silly and crazy, but that is the fun of it. Your friends will be talking about your bridal shower for weeks.
Free Bridal Shower Games:
Weigh the Handbag
Get a buzz going by having the bathroom scale sitting in the middle of the room when your bridal shower guests arrive but do not answer any questions about it. Then after watching them sweat, announce that the scale is there so that everyone can weigh... their handbag. When everyone has had their turn, give a prize to the person with the heaviest handbag.
Fishing
Get a large bowl and fill it full of long grain white rice. Bury about 20 safety pins in the rice. Each shower guest takes a turn being blindfolded and they have 30 seconds to find as many safety pins as they can. The person who found the most safety pins in 30 seconds wins.
Famous Couple Trivia
Gather info about famous couples and use that as the basis for a trivia quiz at your bridal shower. The individual with the most correct answers wins!
The Paper Bag Game
Get some small paper bags and write numbers on them. Fill them with common household items and see how many of the items each guest can name. The person that correctly identifies the most items wins.
Level the Field Game
Do you have a group with one person that always seems to win everything? Try this game at your bridal shower: Pass out balloons (inflated and tied) with pieces of paper inside. One balloon will have the bride's name on it. The others should say something like, "No Way," "Maybe Next Time," or the classic, "Sorry, not a winner." Once all the balloons are passed out have your guests pop the balloons to discover what is on their paper. The one with the bride's name wins a prize - hopefully it won't be the one that always wins.
What Comes Next
Each person attending your shower takes a turn beginning a saying and the first person who can finish the saying gets to be next.
Examples
Spare the rod - spoil the child.
Actions speak - louder than words
A watched pot - never boils
The person who is able to finish the most sayings is the winner.
Married Life Love Poems
This one can have them rolling at your bridal shower! Prepare by creating two lists of words (each list needs to be longer than your guest list so that every guest will be able to choose one from each list). The first list is of words related to love, romance, and passion. The second list should be of everyday items found in daily life such as dirty dishes and toilet bowls. Now place each word on its own 3"x 5" card, taking care to keep the lists separate, so that you can hand each guest a word from each list and have them write a love poem based on those two words that you will then read aloud.
Example: Words - caress & toilet bowl
"I love your caress, it takes its toll. Its like drinking fine wine, without the next morning toilet bowl!"
"Caresses are great they're like time in the sun, but cleaning the toilet bowl just makes me wish I was done!"
Wedding Day Charades
This is played similar to regular charades except you act out a wedding day phrase.
Free bridal shower games are a sure way to make your event a fun and memorable experience.
Jeanette Shinn is a wedding professional with over a dozen years experience making dreams come alive. Find everything from bridal shower favors and gifts to all your wedding accessory needs - things like single use wedding cameras at http://www.ExcitingWeddingFavors.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Shinn
http://EzineArticles.com/?Free-Bridal-Shower-Games&id=556427
With these free bridal shower games you will find everyone at your party getting a little silly and crazy, but that is the fun of it. Your friends will be talking about your bridal shower for weeks.
Free Bridal Shower Games:
Weigh the Handbag
Get a buzz going by having the bathroom scale sitting in the middle of the room when your bridal shower guests arrive but do not answer any questions about it. Then after watching them sweat, announce that the scale is there so that everyone can weigh... their handbag. When everyone has had their turn, give a prize to the person with the heaviest handbag.
Fishing
Get a large bowl and fill it full of long grain white rice. Bury about 20 safety pins in the rice. Each shower guest takes a turn being blindfolded and they have 30 seconds to find as many safety pins as they can. The person who found the most safety pins in 30 seconds wins.
Famous Couple Trivia
Gather info about famous couples and use that as the basis for a trivia quiz at your bridal shower. The individual with the most correct answers wins!
The Paper Bag Game
Get some small paper bags and write numbers on them. Fill them with common household items and see how many of the items each guest can name. The person that correctly identifies the most items wins.
Level the Field Game
Do you have a group with one person that always seems to win everything? Try this game at your bridal shower: Pass out balloons (inflated and tied) with pieces of paper inside. One balloon will have the bride's name on it. The others should say something like, "No Way," "Maybe Next Time," or the classic, "Sorry, not a winner." Once all the balloons are passed out have your guests pop the balloons to discover what is on their paper. The one with the bride's name wins a prize - hopefully it won't be the one that always wins.
What Comes Next
Each person attending your shower takes a turn beginning a saying and the first person who can finish the saying gets to be next.
Examples
Spare the rod - spoil the child.
Actions speak - louder than words
A watched pot - never boils
The person who is able to finish the most sayings is the winner.
Married Life Love Poems
This one can have them rolling at your bridal shower! Prepare by creating two lists of words (each list needs to be longer than your guest list so that every guest will be able to choose one from each list). The first list is of words related to love, romance, and passion. The second list should be of everyday items found in daily life such as dirty dishes and toilet bowls. Now place each word on its own 3"x 5" card, taking care to keep the lists separate, so that you can hand each guest a word from each list and have them write a love poem based on those two words that you will then read aloud.
Example: Words - caress & toilet bowl
"I love your caress, it takes its toll. Its like drinking fine wine, without the next morning toilet bowl!"
"Caresses are great they're like time in the sun, but cleaning the toilet bowl just makes me wish I was done!"
Wedding Day Charades
This is played similar to regular charades except you act out a wedding day phrase.
Free bridal shower games are a sure way to make your event a fun and memorable experience.
Jeanette Shinn is a wedding professional with over a dozen years experience making dreams come alive. Find everything from bridal shower favors and gifts to all your wedding accessory needs - things like single use wedding cameras at http://www.ExcitingWeddingFavors.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Shinn
http://EzineArticles.com/?Free-Bridal-Shower-Games&id=556427
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Do-It-Yourself Wedding Ideas
Do-It-Yourself Wedding Ideas
By Yolanda Nash
You’re engaged! Congratulations! Are you a do-it-yourself kind of couple? If you are a cost-conscious couple trying to stay within a budget or you are surrounded with family and friends with several talents, creating your day, your way, is well within your reach. Everything from invitations to bouquets to decorations can be fashioned to create a one-of-a-kind wedding for you and your spouse. Here are some quick tips to help you in your planning (not necessarily in any particular order).
Determine your guest list.
Agree on a budget for the wedding and reception and write it down so you can refer to it often.
To save money on your floral arrangements, select flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding.
Together, answer the question, “What is our vision of the perfect wedding day?”
Decide on the time of year you would like to be married.
Look for a unique place to have the wedding/reception. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a church. Maybe a museum, a historic site in your hometown, or your own backyard can provide the ideal setting for your special day.
What colors do you want to use?
Brainstorm about what special talents your friends and family may have to offer and then enlist their help. They may have a knack for something such as photography, calligraphy, floral arranging, sewing, or crafting, even if they aren’t a professional in any area.
Consider making your invitations by hand. There are many websites that have precise instructions and illustrations to be of assistance in this area.
When you are shopping for your dream gown, consider selecting a simple satin or polyester gown and adding your own embellishments to make a statement all your own. If your mother or grandmother still has her wedding dress, maybe you could restore it and honor them by wearing it on your wedding day.
Your guest book can be elegant and functional at the same time. Purchase a standard guest book. Then, cover it with batting and satin fabric and then add beads, ribbon, or floral trimmings to compliment your color palette. It serves the purpose of recording your guests’ names and it becomes a beautiful keepsake.
Pew bows made at home are a great way to decorate the church as well as the reception hall. After the wedding, transport them easily to adorn your reception area.
Simple items such as tulle, candles, white lights, luminaries, and ribbon can transform any space into a magical place for your wedding and/or your reception.
Do your research on the honeymoon packages. Sometimes they include ‘extras’ that may make it seem attractive on the surface, but further research may reveal that you could put together your own package and save money. Adding those special touches like flowers and champagne in the room can be done via room service and enjoyed together.
Remember, you’ll save money by doing things yourself, but most of all, you’ll honor those who help you to make your day a cherished memory. An upcoming wedding brings out people’s generosity with their time and efforts like nothing else!
Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas Wedding Favors. She sells many different types of wedding reception favors such as, love glass coasters, two peas in a pod salt and pepper shakers and many many more. Yolandas Wedding Favors also carries many different wedding accessories and wedding decorations such as many different favors that will look great on your reception tables.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yolanda_Nash
http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-It-Yourself-Wedding-Ideas&id=549641
By Yolanda Nash
You’re engaged! Congratulations! Are you a do-it-yourself kind of couple? If you are a cost-conscious couple trying to stay within a budget or you are surrounded with family and friends with several talents, creating your day, your way, is well within your reach. Everything from invitations to bouquets to decorations can be fashioned to create a one-of-a-kind wedding for you and your spouse. Here are some quick tips to help you in your planning (not necessarily in any particular order).
Determine your guest list.
Agree on a budget for the wedding and reception and write it down so you can refer to it often.
To save money on your floral arrangements, select flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding.
Together, answer the question, “What is our vision of the perfect wedding day?”
Decide on the time of year you would like to be married.
Look for a unique place to have the wedding/reception. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a church. Maybe a museum, a historic site in your hometown, or your own backyard can provide the ideal setting for your special day.
What colors do you want to use?
Brainstorm about what special talents your friends and family may have to offer and then enlist their help. They may have a knack for something such as photography, calligraphy, floral arranging, sewing, or crafting, even if they aren’t a professional in any area.
Consider making your invitations by hand. There are many websites that have precise instructions and illustrations to be of assistance in this area.
When you are shopping for your dream gown, consider selecting a simple satin or polyester gown and adding your own embellishments to make a statement all your own. If your mother or grandmother still has her wedding dress, maybe you could restore it and honor them by wearing it on your wedding day.
Your guest book can be elegant and functional at the same time. Purchase a standard guest book. Then, cover it with batting and satin fabric and then add beads, ribbon, or floral trimmings to compliment your color palette. It serves the purpose of recording your guests’ names and it becomes a beautiful keepsake.
Pew bows made at home are a great way to decorate the church as well as the reception hall. After the wedding, transport them easily to adorn your reception area.
Simple items such as tulle, candles, white lights, luminaries, and ribbon can transform any space into a magical place for your wedding and/or your reception.
Do your research on the honeymoon packages. Sometimes they include ‘extras’ that may make it seem attractive on the surface, but further research may reveal that you could put together your own package and save money. Adding those special touches like flowers and champagne in the room can be done via room service and enjoyed together.
Remember, you’ll save money by doing things yourself, but most of all, you’ll honor those who help you to make your day a cherished memory. An upcoming wedding brings out people’s generosity with their time and efforts like nothing else!
Yolanda is the owner of Yolandas Wedding Favors. She sells many different types of wedding reception favors such as, love glass coasters, two peas in a pod salt and pepper shakers and many many more. Yolandas Wedding Favors also carries many different wedding accessories and wedding decorations such as many different favors that will look great on your reception tables.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yolanda_Nash
http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-It-Yourself-Wedding-Ideas&id=549641
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Winnie's Wedding Ideas
Winnie's Wedding Ideas:
"Making it count: Tips from our resident newlywed | Winnie | December 2, 2005 | 12:44 am
All that planning for just one day. You hear this all the time from brides, post-wedding day. Most girls put in a year's worth of looking at color swatches, budgeting, and managing a guest list; and many of those girls would agree that the day goes by in a flash, while they hardly had a chance to stop and smell the bouquet. Although there is no way to squeeze more hours into the day, I talked with Gina, our recently married Client Services Director, who gave me some tips on how to make the process getting there more enjoyable.
- Involve your bridesmaids. Make this a year of bonding for you and your girlfriends by scheduling periodic pamper sessions. They can help with details, or just lend a sympathetic ear when you want to complain about how your brother refuses to wear a tux.
- Document the planning process. Wedding details these days can be so elaborate, that you'll find yourself wow'd with each bit of research you do. I personally can't get enough of looking at cakes, and gowns. Take photos, or keep a scrapbook or journal of pieces that you like, and personalities you encounter, so that later on, you can look back at the entire experience, and not just the day of. - Pace Yourself. Being organized as you plan your wedding doesn't have to be a cliche. Count down calendars can help remind you to take care of certain elements as you go. If you give yourself room, you'll be in the right frame of mind when you're making important decisions, and be able to weigh your options.
- Network. With the number of wedding vendors available, it might be a little overwhelming if you're not working with a coordinator. By talking with people, and getting their opinions on particular vendors, or just practices that have worked for them, you can really network your way through the planning process. Your florist might be able to recommend a really good cake designer, who happens to know of an amazing musician...etc.
- On your wedding Day, make sure to stop every 20-30 minutes, no matter what you're doing, and just soak it all in. Take mental pictures of everything going on around you. Sometimes you get so caught up in the moment, that you forget to enjoy yourself, and you miss out on the wonderful details that you helped create."
"Making it count: Tips from our resident newlywed | Winnie | December 2, 2005 | 12:44 am
All that planning for just one day. You hear this all the time from brides, post-wedding day. Most girls put in a year's worth of looking at color swatches, budgeting, and managing a guest list; and many of those girls would agree that the day goes by in a flash, while they hardly had a chance to stop and smell the bouquet. Although there is no way to squeeze more hours into the day, I talked with Gina, our recently married Client Services Director, who gave me some tips on how to make the process getting there more enjoyable.
- Involve your bridesmaids. Make this a year of bonding for you and your girlfriends by scheduling periodic pamper sessions. They can help with details, or just lend a sympathetic ear when you want to complain about how your brother refuses to wear a tux.
- Document the planning process. Wedding details these days can be so elaborate, that you'll find yourself wow'd with each bit of research you do. I personally can't get enough of looking at cakes, and gowns. Take photos, or keep a scrapbook or journal of pieces that you like, and personalities you encounter, so that later on, you can look back at the entire experience, and not just the day of. - Pace Yourself. Being organized as you plan your wedding doesn't have to be a cliche. Count down calendars can help remind you to take care of certain elements as you go. If you give yourself room, you'll be in the right frame of mind when you're making important decisions, and be able to weigh your options.
- Network. With the number of wedding vendors available, it might be a little overwhelming if you're not working with a coordinator. By talking with people, and getting their opinions on particular vendors, or just practices that have worked for them, you can really network your way through the planning process. Your florist might be able to recommend a really good cake designer, who happens to know of an amazing musician...etc.
- On your wedding Day, make sure to stop every 20-30 minutes, no matter what you're doing, and just soak it all in. Take mental pictures of everything going on around you. Sometimes you get so caught up in the moment, that you forget to enjoy yourself, and you miss out on the wonderful details that you helped create."
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