By: Tim Grimsley
Should you get hair extensions for your wedding? Are they secure and won't cause an embarrassing moment in front of hundreds of my family and friends? The answer to both questions is yes.
Today's hair extensions are professional quality and as long as you have them applied by a qualified extension technician will be very happy with your results. Some worry about if the extensions will look artificial. The combination of product improvements and improved methods of attaching the extensions has led to hair extensions looking very natural. They do not look artificial at all.
For most brides the best choice for wedding hair extensions would be to use temporary extensions. They are joined in such a way that can look natural, yet be easily removed later. One of the methods used is bonding, Bonding involves using a special adhesive to hold the extension in place. It can be dissolved later for the removal of the extension. It is recommended that if you choose this type of extension, to ask for the best adhesive product they offer. It may cost a little more, but it may save you from having some degree of damage to your natural hair. Damage has been known to occur when inferior adhesives were used. This type of problem is not common.
Another choice is to go with a permanent hair extension. Permanent hair extension cost a good deal more, but they will last up to 6 months. Remember when considering a hair extension, that all extensions do some amount of damage to your real hair. Extensions should not be used constantly. Your real hair needs time to repair itself in between hair extension applications.
Another consideration for your wedding day is hair removal. The process of getting unwanted hair removed is very simple. With the new laser technology that is available today it is not too expensive and can be done in no time. It can give you that nice clean look and sexy feel on your special day...Continue
Monday, April 23, 2007
Wedding Day Hair Extensions
Girlie Pink Wedding Colours Make a Comeback
By: Emily Tanner
The hottest new colours for this season are cerise & baby pink shades all mixed up together. Any bright, hot, shocking, deep pink teamed with softer pinks are key colours for weddings in 2007/8.
When it comes to choosing a colour theme for your wedding, many brides dismiss the idea of pink as they assume it will be too predictable. The reality is however, that pink is a great colour on so many levels.
First of all, pink is a very flattering colour. It looks great on men and women of all colourings whether they have pale, olive or dark skin or whether they have black, brown, blonde or red hair. The only potential issue with choosing pink as your colour theme is bringing your husband-to-be round to the idea. Naturally, he won’t be expected to wear a completely pink suit [unless he is especially eccentric!], though he will have to wear some pink in his outfit. The colour can easily be introduced on a waistcoat, cravat, pocket hanky etc.
Pink is also an especially versatile colour and goes with pretty much everything. So, when it comes to choosing the men’s suits, black, grey, navy, cream or white suits will look well matched with many shades of pink. This is a great incentive for you as your man can choose his own suit without the fear of not matching with everything else.
As far as accessories are concerned, pink is a commonplace colour [especially baby pink] that can be found anywhere. On this basis, when you are choosing your wedding favours and table decorations, you can be sure that these will be a close shade of pink to your bridesmaids and the overall colour match will be good.
Pink by its nature is also not a seasonal colour. Of course, lighter shades probably lend themselves more to a spring/summer wedding although not exclusively. It’s the colours that are used alongside the pink that will determine the time of year that you wish to get married. For example, teaming baby pinks with cerise shades will look fantastic for a summer event. If you are getting married in the spring, you could introduce lilac, lemon and sage green for a lighter feel. For those tying the knot in the autumn months, pinks with chocolate browns will be the perfect choice. On the other hand, pinks that are complemented with silver and gold shades will look ideal for a more wintry affair.
Another huge plus for choosing pink as your main wedding colour is that your floral options are maximised considerably. Pink is probably the most common colour for flowers that are available throughout most of the year at all florists. Not only is the world your oyster as far as choice is concerned but you may also save money by choosing flowers that are more abundant.
So, by choosing the shades of pink carefully and considering which other colours can be used alongside, pink wedding colours are an absolute must for those of you tying the knot in 2007/8.
Another thought provoking article brought to you by “World of Wedding Favours” where brides can choose from an extensive range of unusual products. Call them or visit the website to see their great catalogue of wedding favours and experience their superior customer support: Pink Favour Boxes
About the author: Emily Tanner is a writer for World of Wedding Favours – superior quality wedding favours and expert advice.
NOTE: Please republish this article on your website, magazine, newsletter or in any other publications provided that the article is in its entirety, including the author information and all live website links.
Marriage Counselor: Containing Anger
By: Michael Russell
Anger can be extremely destructive in a relationship. It can have equally negative consequences whether it is acted out upon or repressed. A marriage counsellor must seek effective methods to deal with the issue of anger to assist couples in their quest to develop a loving, supportive and long-lasting relationship.
When anger is expressed, it can leave the person on the receiving end feeling traumatized even when there is no physical violence involved. An interesting phenomenon is that the person who demonstrated the rage also feels assaulted. This is due to the workings of the unconscious mind that perceives all actions as directed toward oneself. Therefore, when we inflict pain upon our partners, we also hurt ourselves. It then follows that anger has a definite negative effect on a relationship. Partners simply have a difficult time establishing intimacy because their safety feels threatened.
Repressed anger can have equally devastating effects as expressed anger. Often, repression can lead to an empty marriage, especially when one's anger is turned inward and manifests itself as depression. An example of this will serve to illustrate this point. Let's say that an individual has an older sibling that was very rebellious and hostile during their youth and as a result was constantly being severely punished. The individual associated expressing anger with being punished and therefore repressed anger and hid it from their parents and, later in life, from their spouse.
This same individual ended up playing the role of the "good child" during childhood who never raised a fuss about anything. This served a purpose in childhood, but later in life, this adaptation became very damaging in a marriage. The constant hiding of anger extended itself to the person feeling that they must also suppress their sexuality and other forms of excitement because this heightened activity and energy felt threatening.
The turning inward of anger into depression left the individuals' partner feeling unsatisfied and searching for fulfillment of desires outside of marriage. A marriage counsellor could do well here to help the repressed individual get in touch with their anger and pain and express it in a meaningful way in a supportive environment.
It is often difficult for people to deal with their hidden anger and pain. For most of us, we learned during childhood that anger is a bad thing and we were punished or criticized for it. We were left with the option to express it and face the consequences or to keep it inside where it wouldn't do us or anyone else any harm. However, when we chose to dampen our anger, we also chose to dampen our capacity to love because love and anger are two sides of the same coin. They are both related to our life energy or life force. When we feel love our life force flourishes; when we feel rage, we experience our life energy as being cut off or stunted.
Anger is therefore an essential expression of our life energy and when we repress this, we become depressed or live a pale, muted existence. However, we are liable to harm ourselves and others if we act on our anger. Containment is a process that allows us to release our anger without hurting our loved ones. A therapist can assist a person to let loose of anger in small, controlled amounts in a safe environment and help to turn it back to its original, positive life-giving form.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Marriage Councelor
Marriage: The Cell Mate Marriage
By: Jeff Herring
Marriage partners can end up as cell mates instead of soul mates. It is a lousy place to be. I've worked with couples that feel very trapped, as if they are caught in a life sentence in their marriage.
Signs of The Cell Mate Marriage
Open hostility to the partner
Sickening silences that can last for days
Lead completely separate lives
Feel trapped, helpless and hopeless
Some people can feel suicidal when they feel so trapped
As you can imagine this is a horrible place to be. Couples have settled for a life of despair and emptiness, and have resigned themselves to living this way until they die. My belief is once they make this decision to live this way, they have already begun to die.
What to Do
To quote the popular line from both "Amityville Horror" movies:
Get ooout!
Now, let me clarify what I mean. I'm a big believer in marriage. I fight for the marriages of the couples I coach and counsel. Sometimes people have to tell me to stop, it's over. I am anything but quick to recommend the end to a relationship.
At the same time, I am not a big believer in a lifetime of misery. When someone has tried everything possible to make it work and make it good, and they are still in a cell mate marriage, then sometimes the most loving thing you can do is release each other from the prison cell.
Visit http://www.SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. Subscribe to our f-ree relationship advice newsletter as well as our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.
You Need to Have a Marriage License if You Want to Marry!
By: Mike South
Marriage License. Hmm! Sounds so formal doesn't it, like driving license, or fishing license and the like. Still, the point is that a marriage license is a formal document, and in order to have a 'right' to marry, we must meet certain conditions, mainly that we are free to marry, of legal age, and a number of other deciding factors that confirm the request is both legit and genuine.
Some states in America have different sets of conditions but the basic requirements are the same nationwide, and that it you are free to marry. There are many countries around the world that permit a man to have than one wife, but not so here in the USA.
Of course, folks can re-marry, but once again, they have to be divorced before they can proceed with their application for a marriage license and merely a legal separation will not suffice. So, once the happy couple-to-be are issued with their marriage license, the authorized person performing the ceremony must have a copy of the marriage certificate by law, otherwise the marriage is not legally binding.
It's strange how the laws pertaining to wedlock differ so greatly between western democratic nations. In the UK, Scotland, right up until 1929 allowed a girl to marry at just 12 years of age and a boy at 14. However, despite those laws, such young marriages were practically unheard of. Today the legal age for marriage in the UK is just 16 but Scottish law does not require parental consent like England, and Wales. This is why the small southern Scottish village of Gretna Green became so popular, as may young English runaway lovers used to make a dash for the border so their marriages could be performed despite parental disapproval.
Things are a little stricter in the US, and any new marriages become part of a public record. When US citizens apply for a marriage license, it most likely publicized in the local newspaper(s), so it's imperative that all the information supplied is correct, or someone might just report any falsehood to the appropriate authorities,
Like birth and death certificates, copies of marriage licenses are stored in your county courthouse indefinitely. Public records such as these are often used by the law or private investigative firms when attempting to track folks down. Of course, old records and old details are no fast route to who you are and where you are now, but they are useful in finding out names (married or maiden), and some indication or where you are residing. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, there is very little of us these days that isn't stored somewhere by some data center and pretty easily accessible for those in the know.
If you have ever got into the study or investigation of ancestry and family history, otherwise known as genealogy, then you will know that marriage licenses are useful documents when attempting to piece together the family tree. With the rapid development of the internet, a lot of great research can be done online, and this includes finding old marriage licenses, but depending on the state and requirements of obtaining such documents, you may need to visit the courthouse in person in order to obtain one.
So you see, a marriage license is a formally recorded legal document, which begins a history at the time of application and gets stored in the marital archives until the end of time. Remember, you can't get 'legally' married without one.
Mike South is a proficient writer and webmaster for Dates Allowed dot com where he writes on such issues as The Free Online Dating Agency and The Dating service online. A growing trend! He also has other dating & relationship related pieces on the site.
Marriage is Not a Fairytale Wedding
By: Maria Romain
Are you in a long-term relationship and in favor of getting married one day? Are you currently engaged and anxiously awaiting the moment that you will walk down the aisle? Are you a newlywed basking in your honeymoon bliss? If you can answer “yes” to any one of these questions then this article was written just for you. The purpose of this editorial is to communicate the differences between a marriage and a wedding ceremony. As obvious as this may seem, there are millions of people who have not mastered this concept.
The idea of getting married is favorable. However, marriage far exceeds the work that it takes to plan a fairytale wedding. A major mistake that men and women make is confusing the wedding with the marriage. Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who have vowed to spend the rest of their lives with each other. According to those joined in Holy Matrimony, a marriage is supposed to last until “death do you part”. A wedding ceremony, on the other hand, is an event that commemorates the marriage between a husband and a wife. It can lasts anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours. Ironically, some people spend more time and money on investing in a fairytale wedding than they do on investing in the marriage itself. Anyone who has had experience with being married knows that marriage is a full-time job. At no point in time can you choose to go on vacation from being married without running the risk of losing your spouse.
A wedding ceremony is a wonderful notion. In fact, the planning phase of a wedding can draw a couple closer together. Making the decision on what type of flowers to use or picking out the perfect wedding favors can be exciting. There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a fairytale wedding. The key to having a fairytale wedding is to allow your marriage to reflect what you vowed during the wedding ceremony. The divorce rate might not be as high if more people could grasp this concept.
For those of you who would like to get married or are in the process of getting married, hopefully you will be encouraged to plan your dream wedding along with taking the time to invest in your marriage. The best way to approach marriage is by learning how to be successful at being married. Premarital counseling is an effective way to educate couples in this area. As for the newlyweds who have already experienced the joy of walking down the aisle, continue to reflect on that special moment, but work hard to make your marriage last forever. You can empower your marriage by reading books, attending seminars, or going to counseling. Knowing the differences between a wedding and a marriage is a great start to a happily ever after.
Maria Romain, creator of Academic Success Management, Inc. is an editor for HQ Wedding Favors. A family owned company that offers the most unique wedding favors that fit any budget. Find more articles on wedding ideas by visiting today.
Save the Marriage Alone: Where Do You Begin?
By: Larry Bilotta
Divorce used to be viewed as a sign that you had "failed" at marriage. But in today's society for many people, they see divorce as a sign of freedom. Even those who would consider themselves to be religious and see divorce as being "unholy", are now getting a divorce because it has become more socially acceptable than ever before.
The next generation of children are growing up in broken homes. Instead of dealing with normal issues like puberty and other social issues, children are now faced with parents who start a new life and even a new family of their own.
But most couples don't know any better.
We are all raised to believe that it's simply "tradition" to have a big wedding with lots of people, go on a luxurious honeymoon and then go on your merry way being..well..married.
Many couples actually feel pressured from their very own family members to have a big wedding. Then once the wedding and honeymoon are over, the couple is faced with a large amount of debt from their elaborate celebration.
The first couple years of marriage are usually relatively painless, but as time goes on, the couple starts to get back into their normal routines and eventually they stop meeting each other's "Ultimate Expectations".
Why? Simply because they didn't realize they were meeting them in the first place! The downward spiral that leads to divorce begins when one spouse becomes more discontent than the other. And that's when resentment sets in...along with that "little voice inside your head".
You know the one.
It's the one that says, "Why should I have dinner ready when he gets home, what has he done for ME lately? He comes home, flips on the TV and that's it...no quality time like we used to have!"
...or...
"Why can't she just leave me alone sometimes? I just want to come home and just relax! But all she wants to do is talk, talk talk. I need some peace and quiet for once!"
The big problem is that couples don't realize they're on the "Secret Path to Divorce" until it's too late...usually when one spouse brings up the "D" word or says, "I love you, but I'm not in love with you".
And that's when I get the call...or in most cases..the email. Most people want to know if their spouse has reached the "Point of No Return". They desperately need to know if there is any hope left for their marriage.
And I don't blame them! When you're struggling with uncertainty, hanging on just a thread of hope, divorce may start sounding appealing for the mere fact that you won't have to worry anymore!
But I don't want you to give up hope just yet.
I've pulled marriages out of divorce court as a judge put a hold on the proceedings insisting that the couple get some help first before they go on with the divorce.
The couples end up tearing up their divorce papers.
I say this to you, not as a promise, but as an indication that anything can happen while the "divorce machine grinds up it's marriages".
So what now?
Well, since it's nearly impossible for me to give you useful advice to help you save your marriage. You can visit http://www.marriage-success-secrets.com to read a wide variety of articles and free advice on marriage that can help you understand what went wrong in your marriage and what you can do about it.
Many couples ask me what the first step is in healing a marriage.
While many books and self help authors have led you to believe that you need to "do good...and then you'll feel good."
(An example of this would be establishing some sort of "touch" with your spouse to try to obtain a physical connection between the two of you. This may mean holding their hand or rubbing their back.)
In reality, there is one huge, gaping hole in this theory.
In one word...contempt.
That's right.
All couples struggling in their marriage experience contempt in one form or another. Hurtful things are said that only add to the resentment and anger already present in the marriage.
Chances are, if you were to attempt to hold your spouses' hand, they would view it as an insincere gesture.
At this point, your spouse is thinking, "too little, too late. If you wanted to hold my hand, you would've done it a long time ago. You've haven't fulfilled my needs for a long time and now it's too late."
So what is the first step you ask?
You need to "feel good FIRST...and THEN do good."
If you're wondering, "how can I save the marriage alone", get free marriage advice and a free 30 minute consultation to learn how you can "feel good first, and then do good". Once again, that's http://www.marriage-success-secrets.com I hope to talk to you soon.
How to Buy a Diamond Engagement Ring
by Alana Jill Clark
Home :: Articles :: How to Buy a Diamond
Buying a beautiful diamond does not have to be a difficult or stressful process. All you need to do is learn a few facts and follow a few simple tips.
Diamonds are one of the loveliest of all gems. Simply put, a diamond is nothing more than a chunk of carbon, yet in its pure, crystallized form is the hardest transparent substance known to man, one hundred times harder than ruby or sapphire. Only another diamond can cut a diamond. This durability, along with its light, has made diamonds an enduring marriage symbol.
The purchase of a diamond can be a major investment or mark an event of great personal significance, such as engagement, marriage, or an anniversary. The value of a gem quality diamond depends on several factors: size, color, clarity, cutting quality, and correct proportions. Large diamonds are rarer than small ones, and therefore more valuable. The price, or value, of a diamond does not go up in simple steps, along with size, however. A 3-carat diamond will cost far more, per carat, then three times that of a one-carat diamond of comparable quality. Determine your budget and how much you want to spend. Express the number in a range rather than a fixed amount.
How much to spend on any gift is a personal matter, most often determined by the purchaser's income. According to De Beers, the world's largest source of rough and polished diamonds, two months' salary is an appropriate amount to spend on a diamond engagement ring. The final decision rests with you as the buyer.
COLOR is the most important single factor that contributes to the value of a diamond. Several grading scales are currently in use: on the GIA scale, for example, the highest-quality color grades are D, E, and F, all corresponding to a pure "white" color, with no tinge of yellow. Further along in the scale, corresponding to moving through the alphabet to N, O, and P, a diamond would have an increasingly yellowish tint, and its value would drop steadily, all other factors being constant. Fluorescence is another important factor that is vital when grading a diamond. Fluorescence is the phenomenon through which ultra-violet light, invisible to the naked eye, is converted into visible light.
CLARITY refers to the presence of inclusions, spots, or flaws in a diamond. Most diamonds contain inclusions of other minerals, which were incorporated at the time of crystal growth. Inclusions decrease the value of a diamond. Their size and number can be determined by means of a magnifying glass or microscope. Diamonds containing no such imperfections are considered flawless (F). With increasing size and number of imperfections, the classifications are very, very slightly imperfect (VVS), very slightly imperfect (VS), slightly imperfect (SI), and imperfect (I). Each of these categories has two subdivisions, labeled 1 and 2.
CUT refers to the surface finish and polish of a diamond, as well as its proportions, which affect its beauty and hence its value. A diamond's cut and proportion determines its brilliance and fire, making the cut perhaps the most important factor in a diamond's beauty. Because each facet acts as a light-dispersing mirror, more facets generally mean greater beauty. The ideal cut involves a compromise, with proportions and angles that would give brilliance and also substantial dispersive color. When light enters an ideally proportioned diamond, it is reflected from facet to facet and back up through the top, maximizing its fire and sparkle. CARAT Weight refers to the actual weight of a diamond, not the face-up size of a stone. Many consumers confuse the look of a diamond's size as the carat weight, when it is actually comparable to a gram weight.
When buying a diamond or diamond jewelry, a good rule is to opt for the best quality you can afford within your price range. With proper care, your diamond will last forever; therefore its quality should be your highest concern.
Read More......
Honeymoon Registry
by Nancy Bombace, CEO
HoneyLuna, The Honeymoon Registry Service
Home :: Articles :: Honeymoon Registry
When Alexa and Don Mercer got married, they didn’t bother registering with the traditional registries. “We’d lived together for two years and had already bought the housekeeping stuff we needed,” explains Alexa. Instead, the Mercers registered with HoneyLuna, the Honeymoon Registry Service, and became part of a growing trend of couples seeking non-traditional wedding gifts. Nearly 80 percent of the guests at the Mercers’ wedding gave gifts from the couple’s honeymoon registry.
Most couples don’t need or want toasters. A honeymoon registry allows you to register the items and activities of your destination so that friends and family can purchase “pieces” of your honeymoon as wedding gifts.
“Parts of our honeymoon included staying at a fifteenth century farmhouse outside Avignon, France, and having a biking picnic through Provence with castles tours along the way.”
By registering with HoneyLuna, Alexa says their honeymoon “became a trip of a lifetime. Our friends and family loved that they were able to participate in our dream honeymoon.”
When you look for a honeymoon registry service, it is important to find one not only that you are comfortable with, but one that your wedding guests will feel comfortable with. They need to have a positive experience with the honeymoon registry too.
When researching your honeymoon registry, be sure to ask:
* How long have you been in business?
* Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau?
* Is the money in my registry account secure? How??
* Can I make all of my arrangements, including travel, with you (i.e. “one stop shopping”) or,
* Do I have to use you for our travel?
* Is your website secure? How?
* What is your privacy policy?
* Do you have an 800# in case my friends in family don’t use the internet?
* Can you provide me with references to substantiate your service?
Your honeymoon should be the highlight of your wedding experience. Honeymoon registries should help enhance that experience by not only helping get it paid for, but also helping put your mind at ease that your honeymoon is in the hand of capable, competent experts.
Mid-Engagement Crisis
by Jill K. Dreyer
Home :: Articles :: Mid-Engagement Crisis
The other day, I had a fascinating revelation. Being engaged has pushed me into a pre-marriage early mid-life crisis. I’ve even gone so far as to pull out the music that I listened to when I was twelve – Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli… You name it, I can be found dancing through my apartment to it.
And suddenly, I realized what was going on: I was trying to enjoy my youth while I still could. Somehow, as soon as that ring was on my finger, I felt my youth slipping away. I’ve even caught myself wearing wool cardigans! When, I wondered, did I get this old? Then I looked down, and there it was – that diamond ring.
Oh, no! I thought. I’m growing up! I’m getting married! Teenage waiters will soon be justified in calling me Ma’am! Aaaarg! I can’t do this! I made such a good young, single chick! I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid, for crying out loud!
Just yesterday (well, more like last month), I was such a crazy, carefree girl (or at least that’s how I remember it). Then I looked in the mirror one morning, and I saw an old, fat woman in a cardigan sweater – a woman whose greatest concern at that particular moment was which flatware pattern would be more user-friendly.
Thus, in order to regress even more into a twelve-year-old state, I – like all other crisis-ridden brides-to-be – have started my pre-wedding diet.
As if I weren’t stressed-out and miserable enough! Now I’m trying to find the perfect reception hall all by myself – without chocolate! I’ve eaten more bananas than I ever thought possible. And all of my meals contain a combination of the following ingredients: pasta, canned peas (cold), lettuce, curry, seasoned salt, and Fat Free Honey Dijon Salad Dressing.
But I’m convinced that, by the time I go on my honeymoon, I’ll look fabulous in some butt-baring shorts and a tiny little cropped top. And maybe Paul will even get arrested for illegally marrying a twelve-year-old (wouldn’t that be cool?).
When I was in high school, I worked in a bridal shop, and I was always amazed by the brides who came in. They were all so crazed and frantic.
Suddenly, I understand completely.
Packing for Your Destination Wedding
ARTICLES
Packing for Your Destination Wedding
by Paris Permenter and John Bigley
Home :: Articles :: Packing for your Destination Wedding
Are you planning a destination wedding? Congratulations! Before you head off to your dream wedding and honeymoon, don't forget the packing for the wedding itself. Much will depend on where you're having your wedding and your own personal style.
If you're getting married in a formal wedding dress, be sure to carry it with you - don't trust your dress to checked luggage. Most airplanes have coat closets and will allow travelers to hang garment bags. Check with your airline.
Grooms should also carry the clothing needed for the ceremony. If you're getting married in the Caribbean, you won't find many tuxedo rental shops in the islands. It is easiest to bring clothes with you. We recently saw a panicked groom in the Bahamas wearing a tuxedo shirt, coat, cummerbund -and a pair of jeans. The stressed-out groom was racing for the lobby door to meet a clothier who had located a pair of tuxedo pants after the groom's were lost in his luggage. Don't let this happen to you!
Also, carry all original documents--including birth certificates and divorce papers, if applicable--in your hand luggage. Don't pack these in checked luggage!
Many resorts have on-site beauty salons, so you can make sure your hair is perfect for your wedding day. (If you plan to do your own hair, be sure to check first on the electrical current and plugs at your destination. You may need to bring converters for hot rollers and other appliances.) Many resorts also have on-site spas which can pamper the two of you with a massage to work out the kinks from your flight.
For the wedding, you'll want to pack some of these items, depending on your plans:
* wedding dress
* special hosiery or undergarments
* shoes (if you're planning a tropical wedding, remember that high temperatures and humidity, coupled with a long flight, can make feet puffy)
* guest book
* wedding rings
* groom's tux or suit
* groom's shoes
* address book
* thank you cards if you'd like to write them on the way home
* special decorations, wedding music
Themed Wedding Favor Ideas
1.Theme Wedding Favor Ideas
There’s nothing like a well-chosen theme to make your wedding celebration unique and memorable. A wedding theme should ideally tell your guests something about the two of you – that’s what makes it unique. If you share a love for travel, maybe a travel themed wedding would be right for you. Or maybe you met on the beach, in which case a beach themed wedding would be just right. Once you’ve decided on your wedding theme, make sure all elements of your wedding celebration reflect that theme, including the wedding favors.
If you are at a loss for theme wedding favor ideas, one good way to start is to think about motifs that reflect the theme. For instance, if you are having an Asian theme wedding, there are great Asian wedding favors available with designs that evoke Asia. Readily recognizable symbols from the Far East include fortune cookies, chopsticks and take-out boxes and there are a lot of beautifully designed favors with these designs. Some of my favorites are a Fortune cookie place-card holder, a silver take-out box engraved with the names of the bride and groom and an elegant pair of silver chopsticks.
The good news is that no matter what your theme is, you can find unique wedding favors to match it. If you are having a beach theme wedding, you may want to consider favors with designs that evoke memories of a holiday by the sea. Look out for designs with motifs like sea-shells, beach umbrellas, flip-flops and frisky dolphins. For a really elegant and yet useful beach theme favor, nothing really beats a beautiful silver dolphin-shaped bottle-opener or a shell candle favor. But if that’s beyond your budget, there are some hip and yet cheap wedding favors like a shell card holder, a mini beach pail filled with treats and a sea shell candle favor.
Here are some more great theme wedding favor ideas: if you’re having a particular flower as your wedding theme, look out for candy-holders, place-card holders, candles, tea-lights and candy designed in the shape of the flower. If you both love golf, then a golf-themed wedding with stirrers shaped like golf sticks could make great favors. If you’re having a wedding during the holidays, you may want to check out favors with bells and holly wreaths or maybe even a robin. And if you’ve had a fairytale romance, what could be better than a fairytale themed wedding with a pumpkin carriage place-card holder?
When it comes to wedding party favors, the trick to ensuring that your guests love their favors is to pick ones that are elegant and in keeping with your overall theme and yet useful. Place-card holders that double as picture frames, salt and pepper shakers, key-rings, measuring spoons, bottle stoppers and even letter openers are favors that no guest will want to leave behind and the best part is that you can get all of these in designs that go with your theme. And if you want your guests to remember your wedding forever, don’t forget to personalize them by getting your names engraved!
Happy hunting!
What is in a Kiss?
just think of being in front of a warm cracking with you partner in your hands, with a kiss and a cuddle. But have you ever thought about why people kiss? It could be a greeting or a sign of affection, but we all kiss.
Origin of the kiss
The strangest theory on the history of the kiss that I have heard finds its roots in the age of the cave man. It is thought that in primitive times that a mother pre-chewed the food for her baby and transferred it 'in a kiss'. Although this could never be proved, it would explain why the kiss is a sign of affection, between mother and child and latter, adults.
Another theory that I found was that the kiss was reflected in the Ziller Valley of Central Europe, where the exchange of pre-chewed tobacco between a male and a female was common. The young man would let a tip of the piece of tobacco, or spruce resin, etc rest between his closed teeth and invite the girl to grasp it with her teeth -- which of course obliged her to press her mouth firmly on that of the young man -- and pull it out. If a girl accepted the wad of pre-chewed tobacco, it meant she returned the boy's love.
The third theory that I found was from a religious or sacred origin. There have been examples from around the world as early as 2000 BC, that show that people could have brought their faces together to symbolise spiritual union. Even in the culture of Indians, it was believed that the exhaled breath was part of the soul, and by two people bringing their mouths together, showed the joining of their souls. (Another variation on this believed that kissing evolved from the smelling of a companion's face as an act of greeting. )
Kiss through history
Even without fully knowing where the kiss came from, it is well known that the kiss has been with us for a long time.
In the sixth century in France, dancing was one way to display affection, but every dance was ended in a kiss.
Apparently, Russia was the first to incorporate the kiss into the marriage ceremony, where a promise was sealed with a kiss.
The Romans kissed to greet each other. On Roman emperor showed a persons importance, by what part of his body they were allowed to kiss, from the cheek to the foot.
In 16th century England, the clove-studded apple originated. An apple was prepared by piercing it with as many cloves as the fruit could hold and then a maid then carried the apple through the fair till she spied a lad she thought worth kissing. She would offer him the apple, and once he'd selected and chewed one of the cloves, they would share a kiss. After that, the apple passed into the man's possession, and he would venture off in search of another lass to continue the game with.
At one stage it was even thought that people found kissing pleasurable because when the two lips met during kissing, an electric current was generated.
A kiss is a kiss
Now days, kisses range from small pecks on the cheeks as a greeting, to an the use of the lips and tongue as a sign of passion. It is that action that when two people embrace, causes hormones are released into the blood stream, inducing a sense of euphoria that you feed in the sweetness of your lovers mouth.
It's a kiss that brings every fibre of your being alive, turns your stomach over, sends Goosebumps up your spine. It's a kiss that forgives your misdemeanours and smiles at your mistakes. Ingrid Bergman puts it together in that "a kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous"
by: Bud Smith, ArticleCity.com
The Reception was the Best Part
If you’re getting married, and have a million things on your mind to make the day perfect, the last thing you want to worry about is what the guests are doing. But guests are the ones who will make your wedding day special. You invite them to witness the occasion, to remember the day with in years to come, and most of all, to enjoy the party.
The best thing about a wedding, from most guests’ point of view, is the reception. The ceremony is all well and good; after all, it’s the point of having a wedding in the first place. But the reception, with food, drink, perhaps dancing, probably joking, and lots of laughter and pictures to remember it by, will be the highlight of the day.
From choosing a venue and caterer, to hitting the milestones of toasts, gifts, congratulations and cake cutting, a great reception is the way to go for the majority of newlyweds and their friends. The best receptions reflect the newly married couples’ personalities and preferences, involve a key group of people in an organized way so that the bride and groom can spend the time enjoying themselves and their guests’ company, yet leave everyone feeling happy about their contribution to such a special occasion.
Most brides and grooms are far too busy as the wedding approaches to actually plan and coordinate the details of the reception. Traditionally, the primary party planning and organizing fell to the mother of the bride and/or groom, and the maid/matron of honor and the best man.
Times being what they are, the four individuals who traditionally planned the reception may or may not be up to the job. They may barely know one another, or live in cities far from the wedding and reception location. They may not be that organized themselves, in spite of the traditional roles they are asked to play in the wedding party. The budget for the party may be a proverbial shoestring, after the dress and tuxes are selected, the room is rented, and the rings are bought.
Whatever the reason, there are many things you can do in advance to make sure your special day is still special after the last toast has been raised and the last guest has departed.
Remind yourself constantly to dream your dreams, but be realistic. Do this every day and several times a day, if you have to. There’s no reason to overextend yourself and your family, plus your entire circle of friends, chasing an ideal that will not make your wedding one bit more meaningful or memorable. You want to remember your wedding day for all the right reasons!
As the song says, “Fairy tales do come true, they can happen to you, if you’re young at heart….” Keep it simple, and keep it manageable. Make sure that your vision of the perfect wedding matches up, essentially, to what is feasible given your resources and the time allowed for planning. If your ideal reception takes place on a cruise ship or in a country club, but your friends and your budget are better suited to a picnic in the park (bearing in mind that an elegant picnic in Central Park is very different from an organized potluck in your neighborhood), then go with what is realistic! There is nothing so disappointing as to find out too late that the ideal cannot be met, and there is no time to make other plans.
Wedding guests are usually very forgiving. The main things are to make people comfortable and to set them at ease. There are reception mainstays, such as the cake cutting, but aside from that, it’s all about what makes the bride and groom a great couple.
Don’t forget that no one can control the weather. If your heart is set on an outdoor wedding but the day turns soggy, then at the very least have a contingency plan for the reception so you don’t spend the whole day dripping wet or slogging through mud. That’s a good way to lose most of your friends in a hurry.
The same goes for wind, cold, too much sun or humidity, and uninvited guests such as mosquitoes, ants or bees. You’d be surprised at how many couples try to completely ignore Mother Nature, only to find that it can’t be done.
By Kathy L.
Caring for your Silver
Sterling Silver If you own sterling silver, congratulations! You possess one of the most prized metals in the world. Sterling isn't just for holidays, celebrations or special gatherings--sterling is at its' best when used every day. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your silver lovely. Washing Wash silver immediately after each use to avoid the staining and tarnishing that certain foods promote. While we recommend washing sterling by hand, washing silver (even gold-accented pieces) in an automatic dishwasher is safe, if you keep these important tips in mind:
Rinse foods from silver before placing in the dishwasher. Avoid detergents containing chlorides. Avoid lemon-scented detergents, which contain acids harmful to silver. Use slightly less detergent than recommended by your dishwasher's instruction manual. Never sprinkle detergent directly on silver. Minute particles left on silver can cause pitting. In hard-water areas, use a water-softening agent. Remove silver before the drying cycle begins and hand-dry with a soft cloth like flannel. Store only after the silver has cooled. Always wash sterling and stainless steel separately. If you hand-wash, please remember to: Use a mild dishwashing liquid. Dry pieces completely with a soft cloth like flannel. Store only after the silver has cooled. Always wash sterling and stainless steel separately. The "washing recipe" that calls for a mixture of salt, baking soda and water in an aluminum pan is harmful to silver! Stay away from this method. Tarnish The best way to minimize tarnish is to USE YOUR STERLING! Not only does using silver every day enrich your dining experience, constant use keeps pieces bright and shiny. If your complete service is larger than your regular dining needs, simply rotate pieces as you use them. Tarnish is caused by certain foods that contain sulfides, like:
Eggs Fruit Juices Salad dressing Mustard Vinegar Ketchup Tomatoes Salt/salty foods (like butter) If these foods remain on silver for any length of time, they will cause silver to tarnish. Salt will also cause spotting if it isn't washed off immediately. Polishing Sometimes, tarnish is unavoidable. To restore your sterling's lovely sheen:
Use very soft cloths (like flannel) to polish silver. If you use your sterling regularly, you will only need to polish it twice a year, at most. If you have gold-accented sterling, try to keep polish away from gold tones. Closely follow the instructions on your polish. Avoid all-purpose metal polishes or dip cleaners; look for a non-abrasive foaming paste cleaner instead. Don't overrub your silver. As you polish, briskly rub each piece lengthwise, never crosswise or in a circular motion. Storage
Keep silver in a place tha is free of moisture. When your silver is in regular use, store it in a clean, dry drawer. When silver is being stored away for a length of time, place it in treated flannel cloths (available at jewelry and department stores where silver is sold), or consider purchasing an anti-tarnish storage chest, which holds pieces securely. Do not wrap silver in any type of plastic. Never tie or wrap silver with newspaper or rubber bands, which contain high amounts of sulfur that lead to tarnishing. Try not to bang silver, or place it underneath heavy objects. Your Silver's Patina Silver will scratch and chafe as it's used and washed. This is a normal and natural part of silver's character! The interlacing of scratches eventually gives your silver the soft, rich patina that makes it more beautiful with age. This process allows sterling to become a cherished family heirloom. Stainless Steel Stainless steel is completely dishwasher-safe and easy to maintain. Follow these few simple hints to ensure your stainless steel flatware lasts for many years:
Avoid soaking stainless flatware in water for a prolonged period of time or overnight. When loading your dishwasher, make sure knife blades don't come into contact with other utensils. This will prevent blades from nicking or scratching other pieces. Never pour detergent directly onto flatware. Should detergent film build up on your flatware, wash (either by hand or in a dishwasher) and hand-dry to remove film. If washing by hand, wash in hot soapy water using a mild soap or dishwashing detergent. -Rinse in hot water and dry immediately. If stubborn stains or rust should occur, use a non-abrasive stainless or metal polish paste or cream. Avoid grainy cleaners. Pitting and spotting may occur from water that has a high mineral content, undissolved particles of a high-chloride dishwashing detergent, or salty foods.
Wedding Tips & Ideas
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Wedding Tips & Ideas
Here are a few wedding ideas and tips to help you plan your wedding without stress.
Wedding Date
You can attain substantial savings if you choose to have your wedding on a Friday or on a Sunday.
You can book many professional services at substantially lower cost because Fridays and Sundays are bonus days in which they are usually free and available.
Wedding Cake
Order a 3 Tier Beautiful Cake and the same flavor sheet cake to be serve from the kitchen Keep the cake simple by minimizing the hand made design of the baker and decorate instead with fresh matching flowers of the wedding Some Wedding facilities (Hotels, Wineries, Bed & Breakfast) may include the wedding cake as a package deal.
Flowers
Purchase fresh flowers from a wholesale mart and have close family and friends make-up the boutonnieres for the Groomsmen and relatives.
Purchase fresh Roses from a wholesaler and make your own bridal bouquet with matching smaller bridesmaid bouquet and tie the stems with 1" satin ribbons that you can purchase from craft store either by the foot or by the roll.
Centerpieces – Rent some beautiful crystal bowls about 14" round and put floating candles and 3 gardenia ( gardenia usually cost between $1.50 to $3.00 each) Incorporate more tulle with less flowers in your decoration Bring your Church flowers to your Reception.
Bridesmaid make bouquet can be use to decorate the cake table and the head table Incorporate Taper candles with small flower centerpieces to create a very romantic ambiance
Photography & Videography
One time use camera’s can be placed on each table to allow your guest to take pictures of the wedding and the guest Designate 2 friends to take candid pictures of the ceremony and reception.
Designate 2 friends to take video of the ceremony and reception
Purchase a smaller wedding package and purchase the wedding proofs to add to your album. Use the wedding proofs in your parents album.
Hire a Videographer by the hour and have the film unedited
Wedding Coordinator
Hire a professional coordinator by the hour and have them help you with very specific wedding task Be very clear in what you want as to not waste any time on planning ideas that you don’t end up using Ask a very organized girlfriend to help you carry out your wedding itinerary on your wedding day.
Wedding Gown
Buying a White dress or Gown off the rack and having it altered.
Shop bridal outlets
Shop Consignment stores for slightly used gowns
Having a dress custom made for you sometimes may cost less than purchasing a designer gown
Reception/Caterer
Bring your own Champagne and Wine – Corkage fee will usually apply but is always negotiable
Have a buffet style banquet and still have assigned table sitting
Having a luncheon reception instead of a dinner banquet Favors
A 1x2 mini picture frame will serve as place cardholder as well as wedding favor
A mini glass candle votive wrap in tulle place on each place setting will serve as table décor as well as a favor for your guest to take home
Have a cake and champagne reception instead of a sit-down dinner.
Home Wedding
This can dramatically reduce your wedding cost if you’re able to host the ceremony and reception in your home or your family’s home. (A nice garden wedding)
You can have the food catered by a favorite restaurant and serve buffet style
You can hire servers or the restaurant may provide servers with the food purchase
You can purchase your flowers from a wholesaler and decorate the house 2 days before the wedding You can hire a cleaning service a week before the wedding and have them return a after wedding clean up
Entertainment
Hiring a DJ or having a pretape recording of your favorite songs and having friend play tape during a your reception can save you an average of $ 500.00 versus hiring a live band
Invitation & Calligraphy
If you’re handy with the computer, you can print your own invitation on your laser printer. There are so many resources for beautiful paper and envelopes from resources like mail order and office warehouses
You can purchase pretty blank thank you notes from stationary stores for less than $5.00 for a box of 12 notes and matching envelopes.
Select smaller invitation to save on postage – larger invitation weight more and therefore require more postage to mail out
Inquire with friends, maybe one is learning calligraphy. Perhaps he/she may want to do yours a half the cost of a professional calligrapher – take note from the holiday cards you received from your friends, you may be a calligrapher in the making.
If you're not lucky enough to have an artistic friend to do your calligraphy, we recommend MJWCalligraphy.
Wedding Accessories
Make your own flower girl basket – purchase a cute little inexpensive wicker basket from a craft store and spray paint it white or off white and decorate it with fresh flowers the day before the wedding.
Borrow a ring bearers pillow from a previous bride Purchase an inexpensive garter from a lingerie store ($3.00 to $6.00)
Use your Champagne flutes that you may already have at home
Use the reception facilities cake servers and knife and toasting flutes and decorate them with ribbons & fresh flowers
Purchase gifts for the bridesmaid that they can also use during the wedding day – such as mother of pearl necklace, put the pearls in a mini silver jewelry box with their names engraved would really be a nice added touch.
Saving Time and your Sanity
One of the key aspect in planning your wedding is your time, if you see what you want, if it fits your budget, buy it... especially with accessories, not only do you save money but you also save time and save stress from not having to go out and look for the same accessories again
Once you have made your purchase whether its your wedding gown or bridal shoes don’t spend any more time on looking at the same item anymore, this will save you time and also not cause you to second guess your first choice
Getting Help
Its time to call in a few favors – think about the people you know in their respective profession that you have helped in the past, perhaps you may know a professional photographer having done legal work for them. Bartering – it’s a good thing.
The secret in asking for free help is not to burden any one individual with an overload of things to do for your wedding….spread it out, no more than 1 to 2 task per person, you want them to share your wedding day not work it.
At www.AmericanBridal.Com , our wedding accessories include Ring Bearer Pillows, Toasting Flutes and Goblets, Guestbooks, Pens, Pen Holders, Money Bags, Groomsmen Gifts, Bridesmaid Gifts, Picture Frames and Albums, Garter, Cake Knives and Servers, Bridal Accessories, Wedding Gifts, Sterling silver and Silverplated Gifts and accessories , and much, much more. We carry a variety of gifts for your wedding party including Pewter Mugs, Business Card Holder and Cases, Mirrors, and Compacts, Coin Banks, Cigar Accessories, Jewelry Boxes, Crystal Gifts, Stainless Steel Flask, Silverplated Martini Shakers. Sterling and Silverplated Moneyclips, Pocket Knives, Pocket Watches, Watch Chains, Lipstick Cases, Calculators, Frames and Albums, Keyrings, Letter Openers and Place Card Holders.
Wedding Cake Designs & Wedding Cake Ideas
How to choose one among innumerous wedding cake designs and ideas that are out there and also to keep wedding cake price at reasonable level?
Your wedding cake design should reflect your personal style and taste and should, of course, go well with the decor and menu of your reception.
Choose one among many different bridal cake designs, only after you have selected your dress, the place for the reception, the reception decor and colors, and anything else that may affect your choice of your wedding cake idea.
You should try to select one of the wedding cake designs that will fit the overall theme and colors of your wedding and reception.
You could choose the cake first and make everything else match that, but that approach will probably be much harder. And after you slice and serve the cake, everything that was chosen to match it is still there but the cake is history. :-)
The bridal cake is the center attraction as guests arrive at the reception. Many will stand and admire the cake before taking their seats. Those who don’t will be stealing glances at it as they sit with friends and wait for the wedding party to enter.
Brides and grooms fool only themselves if they think that people care about the cake’s flavor and will not notice the wedding cake design and decoration.
Have no doubt that a unique bridal cake idea is remembered by many guests and can set your wedding ceremony apart from others. Many wedding pictures will feature the cake as well as the wedding party.
Aside from the bride’s glowing face and her beautiful dress, nothing says wedding like bridal cake design!
Unique wedding cake ideas may come form looking at pictures of other wonderful wedding cake designs. That way you will find a cake that will enhance your reception.
There are lots of approaches to take with wedding cakes, from traditional white or cream icings in traditional designs to totally non-traditional works of colorful artistry. Today, just about anything goes!
The wedding cake ideas today are so different than in the past. Designs are evolving to meet the needs of today’s couples. More and more we see couples choosing cupcake trees which is one of most original wedding cake ideas.
But some couples still prefer traditional fruit or cheesecakes for wedding cakes.
In any case, as you share your cake with friends and loved ones, the wedding cake tradition continues to symbolize the sweetness of life, love, fertility, and prosperity.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering your wedding cake designs or ideas:
How big is your budget, and how much of that should be spent on the wedding cake design?
Will the cake be the only dessert or will it be one of many choices? How big a cake do you need? Not every guest will want a piece if you have other desserts or a meal.
Will wedding cake design and flavor complement your decorations and the rest of your menu? Today’s pastry chefs at cakery can offer nearly limitless wedding cake ideas and choices of construction, icings, decorations, and flavors.
How many tiers should the cake have and what colors should they be?
Should you have a unique wedding cake topper? Do you and your groom share a passion for motorcycles, cars, fishing, or something else that can be reflected in a miniature bride and groom atop your cake?
If you are looking for very special wedding cake toppers, look no more, they are right here
Should your cake be a single flavor or should each layer have a different flavor? No flavor or filling is considered off limits for a modern wedding. You can dazzle taste buds with mousse-filled cakes, cheesecakes, fruitcakes, or pound cakes. Or you may choose a standard chocolate, vanilla, orange mud, or sponge cake.
Should you simply serve the cake as dessert, or should you offer to put the guests’ slices into small boxes or bags for them to take home?
Try to make your preliminary decisions on these and other questions you might think of before you visit any bakeries, but stay open to their expert suggestions.
How abut making your own cake? Do you need some fresh wedding cake ideas: a recipe, hard to find supply or accessories? Click here and feel free to learn the best and shortest way to your favorite wedding cake.
Wedding Cake Tips
Ideas for Decorating Your Wedding Cake
Work some aspect of your wedding decor into your wedding cake design. For example, bakers can create the lacy look of your dress by using pearl beads and frosting. They have the skill to replicate almost any other element of the decor with frosting.
You can also have them intertwine your initials with the groom’s in icing.
In Bermuda bridal cakes have a tiny green tree for a cake topper. After the wedding, the bride and groom plant the tree in their garden and watch it grow as their marriage does.
Add other edibles such as chocolates, fruits, or nuts to your cake or around it. Serve them to your guests with the cake. They will add a special decorative touch to the cake design and to the guests’ plates.
Talking about being different: how about using organic edible flowers such as roses, oregano, lavender or chicory You can also use non-edible flowers for small bouquets to top the cake. Then sprinkle petals, cascading down the cake tiers. It's simple and elegant.
Outdoor Weddings
Wedding ideas: The Great Outdoors
Think of the setting sun as your back drop as you and your soon to be spouse recite your wedding vows to each other; or the crashing of waves as the soundtrack to your day. Even better, a grassy field where love is uninhibited or anywhere under the greatest venue of all—the blue sky. Summer is here--when love blooms just like new flowers and romance heats up like a day on the boardwalk. Many couples are opting to have their ceremony and/or reception outdoors during this time. Here are three great outdoor site ideas plus some favor ideas from American Bridal to add a special touch:
A Garden Wedding
Pick a garden, any garden! Whether it is the garden of a close friend with a green thumb or the garden of the hotel where your reception will be, any ceremony or reception will look classy and romantic in a garden where flowers are in full bloom. The number one perk of having a wedding in a garden is you do not need the florist to make the extra floral decorations and you can keep your wedding décor to a minimum. In doing this, you eliminate the extra cost of labor and decorations, leaving room in your budget for other special extras. Many hotel reception sites offer gardens with gazebos, ponds, and the sweet scent of beautiful flowers in bloom this time of year!
Garden Wedding Favor and Décor Ideas For favors, try individually planted flowers of your choice in tiny terra cotta pots tied with a gingham ribbon of your wedding day color theme. You can also tie a tiny card with the name of a guest onto the ribbon or set it against the pot and create not only a favor but a place setting as well! You can find adorable Garden Salt and Pepper Shaker sets at American Bridal and give them out as a unique keepsake of your garden wedding. With every garden comes the wonderful beauty of butterflies fluttering around making your surroundings magical. May we suggest our Click here to view Butterfly Place Card Holders to add to the magic of your table settings.
A Beach Wedding
We here at American Bridal love the idea of having a wedding on the beach! There is nothing like the sand between your toes, the warm sun hitting your face (please wear sun block!) and the lapping, or crashing, of the water as you say “I do.” Beach weddings are fun and natural. It can be casual or you can go ahead and wear that wedding dress on the sand and go barefoot underneath it all! There is so much you can do when it comes to décor and favors!
Beach Wedding Favor and Décor Ideas For Favors, you can find big synthetic shell shaped bowls and set it upon a table scattered with seashells and sand. Place our mini Ocean Gel Candles in these bowls and have guests pick them up as they pass! To personalize, tie Wedding Favor Ribbons with your names and date around the candle rim and replace in clear box. Or you can set Click here to view Seashell Candles complete with bow on each table setting along with matching Seashell Place Card Holders . You can also find synthetic starfish at craft shops and use them to hold down items such as printed menus if you hold your reception by the beach. Beach weddings are often breezy so please remember this when choosing favors and décor. You can find many beach related favors, gifts and décor for your ceremony and reception in Click here to view Beach Weddings under our themed wedding section.
National Parks
Nothing could look more majestic in your wedding photo album or to your guests than the grand natural vistas of picturesque mountain peaks and valleys that most of the National Parks in America have to offer. Once again, the décor should be kept to a minimum since Mother Nature is at her best in a National Park, which will be a nice break to you in regards to your budget.
National Park Wedding Favor and Décor Ideas Simple is best when it comes to favors and décor for your park wedding and/or reception. Keep to the natural look by using natural items like pinecones found in the surroundings to decorate. Create an aisle out of rose petals, preferably petals of soft and natural colors, ending in a circle made for the groom and bride to stand in. For your reception, decorate your tables with centerpieces of wildflowers placed in monogrammed Mint Julep Vases. it fits your budget, give out nature loving poet and essayist Henry David Thoreau’s “Walking” which can be purchased less expensively in paperback form as wedding favors that tie in to your nature theme.
Other Great Outdoor Wedding Sites
* A vineyard
* Lakeside
* On a yacht
* A hotel deck with a view
* On a golf course (country club)
Outdoor weddings are beautiful and perfect for the summer months but please do remember to consider a back up plan if in any case an outdoor event turns awry due to the change in weather. Most hotels and resorts will provide a back up provided that you do ask ahead of time what could be done to insure the wedding will go on rain or shine. Almost all outdoor sites do require permits and fees so you must also look into what must be done to secure your site. Temperatures can rise to an uncomfortable degree so consider may be holding the wedding ceremony outside and moving the reception inside. If you choose to hold both ceremony and reception outdoors you can rent party and even tents to keep your guests (and yourselves) shaded and cool. An outdoor wedding offers so much and is best during the warm summer months; it also allows you to do something that will help you relax through it all—the opportunity to breathe the fresh clean air.
by Naomi Castro
Photography
Photo Tips for Wedding Guests
Now that June is here, chances are that you will be attending a wedding or two sometime soon. And, chances are, you'll be bringing your camera to the wedding along with a gift or two for the happy couple. Here are some tips from the pros at the New York Institute of Photography, the world's largest photography school, to help you take great pictures of this memorable occasion.
"While most couples hire a professional photographer to photograph the ceremony and reception, there's still plenty of room for you to also capture your perspective of this joyous occasion on film," says Chuck DeLaney, Dean of NYI, America's largest photo school. "There are lots of moments that happen among the guests that will never be captured by the professional wedding photographer," explained DeLaney. "Stay out of the pro's way. He or she has a big job to do. And, never shoot over the pro's shoulder. That won't be appreciated and could interfere with the job."
Instead, DeLaney suggests concentrating on recording the fun that you and your family and friends have at the wedding. Not only will you have a record of the wedding for your own pleasure, but imagine the joy of the happy couple to receive prints of events that the professional photographer did not see or wasn't asked to cover.
For instance, many wedding photographers no longer shoot those "table shots" of the guests because these photos don't usually get purchased by the bride and groom. This is the perfect opportunity for you. But shoot these like a pro: Have some of the people at your table stand up and move behind those still seated and take a group shot. Avoid showing the entire table complete with half-eaten food, instead concentrate on the faces of the guests.
Another photo opportunity exists at your table. Many bridal receptions now include disposable "single use" cameras at every table. You may need to get the show rolling and coax your table mates to start taking pictures. Remember,the bride and groom can't be at every table to take part in the festivities so candid photos from these cameras can show the guests having fun in a way that professional photographers aren't likely to capture.
A couple of hints on wedding photography etiquette. If you want to take photos at a church, synagogue, mosque or chapel, take your cues from the professional photographer hired by the bridal couple. If you see that he or she is not taking photos at the ceremony, chances are it is because the clergy told the photographer not to do so. Respect the tradition and don't take pictures. The same thing holds true for flash photography. Some places of worship will allow it at the ceremony, others will not. If you see that the pro is shooting, then take an aisle seat. It's the best place to get nice close shots of the couple that fill the frame as they leave the church.
One other suggestion on wedding photography is to be respectful of the professional photographer. Don't get in that individual's way. You don't want to ruin the photos that the bride and groom are paying the pro to take, and the pro can do a better job of capturing many parts of the event than you can. As we've indicated, there are plenty of different kinds of shots for you too.
Check out Seven Tips for Great Wedding Photos on this month's New York Institute of Photography website at for more hints on shooting at weddings and some great photos.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Top Honeymoon Resorts
If you're like me, you only want the best for your once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon vacation. Why not take the time and find the best, most highly-rated resorts in the world? After all, you want the marriage to get off to best possible start and it starts with a really great honeymoon experience. It pays to do the research and read the reviews before you book. Here are some resorts that I've highlighted to you get started on the right track:
The Royal Plantation in Jamaica was voted the best resort hotel in the Caribbean for 2006 by the World Travel Awards. The resort is located on the north side of Jamaica under the St. Ann Mountains that sweep down to two perfect beaches. Royal Plantation pampers guests with a 2 to 1 staff to guest ratio, in-room massages, and three gourmet restaurants that create any dish on request. Enjoy the mango mimosas on the beach from 11 AM to PM, and afternoon tea on the Terrace from 4 -5 PM.
Vatulele Resort in Fiji is an all-inclusive barefoot resort in paradise. The resort has no TVs, no newspapers, no internet, no telephones and no shoes! Just pure, romantic seclusion. Vatulele was voted the best resort in Fiji by the World Travel Awards, AAA Tourism Awards, and Luxury Travel Magazine. Try the special honeymoon bure with 1,960 square feet of exclusive space, air conditioning, private deck, sound system, two indoor and outdoor showers, bidet, bathtub, cozy dining area and plunge pool.
Ladera Resort in St. Lucia is a highly rated resort in one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. St. Lucia itself is rated the #1 honeymoon destination by Travel and Leisure magazine. Ladera resort is located high in the mountains on the south side of the island and it looks as if you're in the South Pacific. Ladera is not your typical luxury resort as all of the suites are open to nature with no air conditioning. Seventeen private suites overlook the sea below and each has a private pool, but it's the service there that makes this place so special. “The staff at Ladera is over the top when it comes to customer service. They make the experience all that more enjoyable. Everyone we encountered had a cheerful attitude and made us feel very welcomed. They meet our every request always with a smile. They made us feel like royalty.”
La Villa Mauresque in Cote d'Azur, France is a World Travel award winner for best villa in Europe. The Moorish style and beautifully manicured gardens set the mood - and the location, on the French Rivera, is tailor made for romance. St. Tropez is not too far from here as well as many local restaurants. If golf is your thing, there is a course nearby and beaches that offer sailing, jet skiing, and windsurfing. You may decide to just sit out on the terrace and enjoy the beautiful view.
Top tips for perfect wedding flowers
Choose your florist carefully. "Word of mouth" is a florists best form of advertising. Ask your florist to make the bouquet on the day of the wedding. A dedicated florist would rather do this than make it up the previous day. Choose flowers that are in season the flowers will be cheaper and of better quality than those forced out of season.
If your dress is plain, then an elegant shower bouquet would look stunning. But if you have a more ornate decorated dress, a simple hand tied design would look more effective. (i.e. white roses or calla lilies with foliage).
Check with your florist before ordering flowers through your reception venue as they are usually more competitively priced and you know they will match those in the rest of the arrangements. One florists idea of cream or ivory may not be the same as someone else's.
Ask for your hairdressers advice on head-dresses as they are better qualified on suggesting a style of headers to complement your hair.
For younger maids, choose styles that can easily stand down, baskets and handtieds are ideal for little fingers. Flower balls and hoops are much more likely to be played with than held properly.
Check with the flower arrangers at the church. If you make a contribution toward the cost of the flowers they can achieve much larger effective arrangements you may be able to contact other brides getting married on the same day to share the costs. If you creams and white they will compliment everyone's colour theme.
Don't have your flowers delivered to early Two hours before hand is usually adequate. Florists have much better facilities to keep the flowers fresh.
Don't over order boutonnieres and corsages - just main members of the wedding party, Groom, Best man, Ushers, parents, and grandparents. Most other guest will expect to get their own.
If you are unsure of any part of your order check and if necessary re-check with your florist who wants you to be happy with your flowers. Remember they are floral artists and just like yourself, they want the finished order to be perfect.
Money Saving Tips for Your Wedding Flowers
CHOOSE FLOWERS IN SEASON
Avoid using flowers that are exotic or not in season. It is much more expensive to have to specially imported flowers. Plus, if you're looking for out-of-season blooms, they will be harder to find elsewhere, and their rarity can also add to the cost.
DECORATE WITH GREENERY
Use greenery such as trees and garlands of ivy to fill large areas. This will give a dramatic impact for relatively little money. Small trees, such as palms and ficus can usually be rented. Ivy garlands and eucalyptus leaves are also lovely when placed around the edge of the cake or gift table.
DECORATE WITH ROSE PETALS
You can choose from fresh or silk petals. A scattering of petals on each table adds a lovely touch of color, and petals en masse, such as a ring around the base of your cake, makes a dramatic statement. Petals come in different color choices and are inexpensive.
RE-USE ARRANGEMENTS AND BOUQUETS
Use your ceremony floral arrangements at the reception. You've already paid for them, why not get a whole evenings worth out of them? Floral arrangements and ribbons which decorated the aisle can dress up the cake table. Bouquets can also be used to decorate the cake, guest book or head tables. Altar arrangements can be placed on either side of the head table, or used at the entry to the ballroom.
CONSIDER SHARING CHURCH ARRANGEMENTS
If another wedding will take place at the same location and same day as yours, you may want to share altar arrangements, pew bows, and other flowers and split the cost.
CONSIDER SMALLER BOUQUETS
Rather than having you and your bridesmaids carry large, elaborate bouquets, how about smaller, elegant bouquets instead? The larger the bouquet, and the more time spent in putting it together will cost you more money. Consider the dramatic look of one or two white calla lilies or a single rose (what a classic!) with a lovely ribbon that coordinates with your color scheme beautifully tied on the stems.
Trends for Invitations
The first glimpse of what you have planned for your guests is communicated through the invitation. Recipients of your invitation will automatically be drawn to the contents of such by the color, texture and even the lettering. Now that you have a captive audience, give them something to be excited about.
Just how do you select the proper invitations for your celebration? Simple. It should reflect the style and sophistication of the event. If you want to try something new, consider the following:
1. Out of shape. The hostess with the most-est is always looks for ways to be original. Long gone are the days of the standard rectangular invite. Invitations are available round, square, folded, tri-fold, oblong, oversized; any shape you can imagine. Gaining in popularity these days are the tea length cards which are rectangular in shape and the regal squares (8"x8").
2. Paper-less. If the thought of a paper invitation, no matter the shape still doesn't tickle your fancy, go for an invite created out of another material. You can have your invitation etched into an acrylic block (similar to the look of a paper weight), embroidered onto a piece of fabric that can be mailed as a scroll, carved into a piece of wood or select a prop from your theme and use that for your invite. Warning, the more creative you are the more excited guests will be, resulting in perfect attendance for your event.
3. Make a Fashion Statement. Belts, bows, bands, buttons and buckles aren't just for clothing anymore. Add any of these embellishments to invitations and change the look completely. Simple styles are transformed when paired with these accessories.
Pouchettes, not to be confused with the poncho is a wrap that covers the invitation usually forming two or four semi-circles making for a dramatic presentation to guests. Or have the details of your event imprinted directly on to the pouchette for simplicity with a luxe look.
For a formal affair put invitations into a jackets or purses. You can find them in silk dupioni, peau d'soie, satin or organza. Not to be outdone by the invites, guests will be flocking to their favorite boutiques in preparation for your fete.
4. Bursts of color. Color options are no longer limited to white or ecru. Color palettes for stationery are mimicking those on the runway. What's exciting on the color wheel now? Vibrant reds, rich cocoa blends and sparkling metallics.
Dare to be different for your next event and take invitations to the next level.
The Perfect Spring Wedding
Tips, Themes and Styles for Your Special Day
Its spring…tulips are blooming; the temperatures are rising - what a perfect time for a wedding! Traditionally spring is associated with the beginning of new life. Flowers bloom, and the earth awakens from its winter sleep. A beautiful spring wedding might be outdoors, in a garden, with an abundance of fresh flowers.
As the weather begins to warm and gardens begin to bloom, many find lovely settings for their special day amidst the greenery and budding flowers. There are many ways to plan and decorate for an outdoor wedding in springtime, here are a few suggestions, with an eye towards elegance and class:
Props - Make use of formal props such as candelabras and urns and drape containers and tables with vintage linens and lace. Make use of arbors, decorated with more simplistic garden materials as opposed to highly adorning them with greens and garlands, a look that is less popular now.
Centerpieces - Clean looking centerpieces with a single floral theme, for example, pots filled with tulips or urns holding only anemones, are really in for spring.
Color - Vibrant color is also in. Try cool greens mixed with vibrant contrasting colors like deep red, hot pink, and gold. Garden herbs also work well for weddings in spring. You can make potted combinations of rosemary, thyme, and other herbs for green centerpieces that are also great take-home gifts.
Bouquets - Many spring brides are choosing bouquets filled with color – simplistic but daring! Brides can have a bouquet made up of tulips or anemones, both of which are beautiful. Anemones are a Dutch flower with dark black centers and vibrant petals that can come in red, purple, and fuchsia. Lilacs or nosegays comprised of sweet peas, miniature grape hyacinths, and ranunculus are also popular.
Shabby Chic - A trend right now is to mix and match, contemporary with vintage, very much the Shabby Chic look. Dried lavender, tied with dried grasses and affixed to the pews lends a Shabby Chic feel. Dress windowsills with wreaths and candles in colored mason jars. These same decorations can later be used on the reception tables.
Spring Wedding Gowns – Colored wedding dresses are in! Bring in more color to your gown, or wear a dress with a tan or beige or pink hue. Another trend is one of nostalgia. Many brides are selecting gowns that recall a specific decade, while others are opting to wear the gown their mother or grandmother wore.
Candlelight Outdoors - Candles really lend a soft and romantic look. If you want candles to be an integral part of your spring time wedding, get married a bit later in the day, or, have the reception run into the evening and light your candles then. To add a touch of spring to your candles, tie pastel colored organza ribbon in a bow around clear glass votive cups. These can double as guest wedding favors.
Backup Plan – Spring weather can be unpredictable. Be sure to have your Plan B worked out in case of rain, fog or strong winds. An elegant indoor hall nearby can serve as a backup location. Alternatively, you might have an event tent lined up for delivery the morning of the wedding, just in case. Having a backup plan for any outdoor wedding, anytime of the year, is always a wise move.
A wedding in spring can be romantic, elegant, and fun! Knowing what you want, coupled with great planning and event staff are the makings for a successful wedding day.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
How to make easy your choice of a bridesmaid dress
By: Ckint Jhonson , Posted On: 2007-04-09
Planning your wedding can be the most stressful, although wonderful, time of your life. There are so many aspects to consider, one of the most delicate being the choosing of the bridesmaid dress. It is rather difficult to match everyone’s desires, particularly if you don’t have enough time. Online bridesmaids tailoring companies can facilitate this process by providing fast and personalized solutions.
In many cases, choosing the bridesmaid dresses creates a situation of disagreement between the bride and her bridesmaids. There are many stories told by unsatisfied bridesmaids who complained that the bride chose dresses that didn’t match their features or personal styles and were unacceptably expensive. The best way to approach this issue is by discussing openly the subject with the bridesmaids and equally sharing the responsibility of choosing the right style and fabric to satisfy all.
The bride should think about the atmosphere, the color theme and the overall aesthetic aspect she wishes to have at her wedding. She should suggest the type of dress she would choose to match her own dress and the color she would like on the bridesmaid dresses in order to match the overall color theme. The bride should be indulgent and not try to disadvantage the bridesmaids by making them part of the setting.
From this point, the details of the bridesmaid dress should enter the responsibilities of the one who wears it. Each of the bridesmaids will know best if the color and the style that matches her constitution, skin and hair color. In addition, if they are free to add a bit of their personality to the dress, it will make them feel more comfortable, which will surely influence the overall mood of the event. In the end, the investment made comes from the bridesmaids and it is rather considerable.
With all the delicate aspects of choosing a bridesmaid dress, it is almost obvious that going shopping is one of the most difficult situations. It is difficult to find the right dress to match the style of the bride’s dress, the color theme of the wedding and be available in all sizes. Even if all sizes are available, the cut may not fit all the bridesmaids let aside the delicate situations where one of them is pregnant or too young to fit in any of the dresses.
One of the possibilities to overcome this dilemma is to appeal to one of the online bridesmaids tailoring companies. They offer many advantages such as cheaper bridesmaid dresses, fast shipping worldwide (faster than most bridal shops) and the possibility of online communication between the bride, her bridesmaids and the tailor. This represents an advantage if one or more of the bridesmaids currently live in a foreign country. Moreover, the bride and her bridesmaids may be too busy and not have the necessary time for wandering through the shops to find the one model that will satisfy all their desires.
The online process is rather simple. First, the bride chooses the style, color and fabric, and then the company creates a digital model of the bridesmaid dress. Then, this model “travels” the way to the bridesmaids whose opinion and presence are also necessary to provide the measurements and the last details. This guarantees that both sides are satisfied: the bride broadly sets the design and the color she wishes and then the dresses follow a tailoring process to match each of the women who will wear them.
Take a load of stress off your shoulders and save a lot of time by appealing to our online bridesmaids tailoring company to solve all the delicate problems related to the choosing of a bridesmaid dress. They are fast, cheap and designed to consider everyone’s desires.
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