Shopping For Your Bridal Gown

Shopping for your bridal gown is one of the most important essentials of your wedding preparation. It should be a lot of fun, and it’s going to be if you do your homework. Although it might be difficult to resist at first, you should never shop for a bridal gown based on instinct.

You should research before you walk in to the first bridal gown salon. Chances are this is going to be the first time you shop for a bridal gown, so you need to prepare.

It is essential that you give yourself plenty of time to buy your bridal gown. Choosing your bridal gown up to one year prior to your wedding day is not unusual at all. If your dress needs to be ordered and altered you’ll need that much time. Buying your bridal gown early is also a great stress reducer.

Before you visit the bridal gown retailer, you have to do your homework. To get a general idea of what’s out there, you should start with magazines. Then, move on to the Internet for more detailed searches. There are thousands of Web sites dedicated to wedding shopping where you can learn about bridal gowns.

After you get a general idea of what you like, be sure to take detailed notes. Even if you have an excellent memory, it is best to make detailed notes for reference. You shouldn’t just write down what you like about a bridal gown, but the reason why you like a particular feature. If you are well prepared, your sales person at the salon will be able to help you better.

Once you have a detailed list of designs and designers you’d like to try, you should make an appointment with a salon. Don’t go by yourself. Take your mother, your sister, your girlfriends, your bridesmaids, your honor attendant, and your relatives. In other words, bring everyone that matters! Instead of bringing all of them to each salon at the same time limit the shopping team to no more than five members per shopping trip. It is OK to shop around for your dress by yourself if you need the privacy, but you shouldn’t make your decision without some outside opinion.

You should bring the following with you on your wedding gown shopping trip.

· Shoes with the same height as your wedding shoes are going to be on your wedding day.
· A bustier, a control-top panty hose and be sure slip a slip into your purse.

By: George Meszaros

Wedding Reception Seating Tips

Seating during your wedding reception is more important than it seems. You want your guests to feel comfortable, and, for that, seating is critical. You can shape how much fun everyone has, since you can choose the best seating positions for your guests. Divorced parents, and people you know who hate each other are best kept apart from each other.

To begin your wedding reception seating plan, you will first need to know how many tables you will set up at your wedding reception, as well as how many chairs will be at each table. To find this out, contact your wedding reception facility and make sure to also ask them for a chart of where the tables will be at your wedding reception.

Although your seating chart should be prepared early, you shouldn’t finalize it until about two weeks prior to the date of your wedding reception.

Place card holders are not only attractive decorations, but they provide a great way to help your wedding guests with the seating. Your guests should be able to quickly find their seat. Each card should have the guests’ or couples’ names.

Seat people with similar interests at the same table. Think of a unique and fun way to identify each table.

Seat wedding guest of similar ages together.

Seat family members who don't see each other often to help them catch up on the latest family matters. You should only seat family members together, if they like each other!

Use place card holders to help your guest find their seats.

Seat an even number of guests at each table.

Your wedding reception guests who enjoy dancing close to the dance floor.

To avoid possible conflicts, divorced parents should have their own tables. Seat them separately with their respective family members.

Keep small children next to their parents.

Don’t worry about a seating chart for a cocktail only wedding reception. If it is a very small party, you can skip the seating chart all together. For a formal dinner reception, a seating chart is essential. Don’t wait until the last minute to decide who should sit at which table. Proper seating is hard work, and it requires careful planning.

By: George Meszaros

Give Something Different With A Unique Wedding Shower Gift

Wedding shower gifts can be as unique as the recipient. The shower organizer should consider the personality, style and interests of the bride when planning the party. With a wedding shower theme that fits the unique qualities of the bride, shower guests will be prompted to use their imaginations to brainstorm creative gift ideas.

Love of the Outdoors

For the outdoorsy bride-to-be, organize an adventurous shower activity such as mountain biking, rock climbing or camping. Unique wedding shower gifts could include items such as a cozy tent, a sleeping bag for two, and a book on romantic outdoor getaways.

Culinary Gifts

If the bride lacks confidence in her cooking skills, why not organize her shower around a culinary theme. The shower activity may include a cooking demonstration or wine tasting event. All attendees would be asked to bring three of their favorite personal recipes, written on cards; the cards would then be presented to the bride in a special recipe box or book. Guests could bring shower gifts such as live herb-garden starts, a serving tray for breakfast in bed or a picnic basket for two.

New Homeowner Gifts

For the couple about to move into their first home, organize a home improvement shower. Gifts could include tool sets, books on household repairs or decorating tips, and lawn tools such as rakes, hoes and leaf blowers.

Honeymoon Gifts

Is the couple about to embark on a tropical honeymoon? Organize a luau shower, with leis, grass-skirted tables and inflatable palm trees. Shower gifts might include scuba lessons, snorkeling equipment, his and hers beach towels, or a gift certificate for a couples massage at their honeymoon resort.

Artistic Gifts

Don’t leave the happy couple staring at blank walls. Organize a shower where each guest brings a piece of art to decorate the newlywed home. The gifts do not necessarily need to be expensive; guests can acquire unique items from local Saturday markets or craft fairs. Shower guests may even wish to contribute a special painting or framed photograph of their own creation. Along with filling their home, the wedding shower gifts will hold special significance to the newlyweds as it will remind them of close friends and family members.

By: Amy Lee Johnson

Why Have A Wedding Video?

Why? Well the answer is very simple, because you will kick yourself in the B*TT, everyday if you don’t. When you see you other brides having a beautiful video of their Wedding Day, you’ll wonder why you didn’t. Video isn’t just a quaint little side gimmick any more. Video is an art and a profession. Of coarse there are some bad Videographers, and some inexperienced ones, but I think you have enough common sense to weed those out. Lets concentrate on the Experienced, and Qualified Professionals.

In this day when people are capturing life on video with their cell phones, and I-pods and every other gadget, why would you let the most important moment of your life just slip by and not get it on quality video? “But I have an excellent Photographer and it’s already costing me an arm and a leg.” Well, Videography is generally not as expensive as Photography, for a multitude of reasons which I wont go into here. There are also a few very important differences between video and photography. The most obvious one is that they are not the same. The next one is that one DVD of VHS is a lot easier to carry around to a friends house, or send to a relative in some distant state or country, than your entire wedding album. Also you can copy your DVD or VHS and send it to relatives, where photos you generally don’t get the negatives so you have to go back and have your photographer make you copies for a rather handsome fee. The best reason why Video is so very different from photography I have left for last. Can you take a guess as to what it is? I wont keep you in suspense any longer. The best reason why you really want a video of your Wedding Day is because when you watch your video, it’s like being there all over again. When your spouse is far away and you miss them, when you want to hear yourselves taking your vows again, or when you want to see yourself walking down the isle, you can see it as it really happened. Photos only capture a soundless, emotionless, split second of what happened on your special day. Video captures sound, images, emotion, mood, ambiance, tensions, fears, joys, happiness, sadness, all the emotions of the moment. You don’t need to fill in the blanks with your memory, because there are no blanks.

If a photo is worth a thousand words, than a video must be worth millions of words. I am not saying not to have a photographer at your wedding. I would never be so crazy as to advocate one at the exclusion of another. Even though some photographers do try to talk Brides out of spending on a video so they can get the bride to go for a more expensive photo package. Those are unscrupulous dealers and I hope you can see through their ploy. I believe both Photography and Videography have a useful and legitimate place in your wedding budget and on your wedding day, but going without video is like going without music at your reception, it’s OK, but it could have been better. Do some shopping around, look at some Demo videos, and I’m sure you’ll be convinced that it’s something you really want for the long run, and you’ll get many years of enjoyment out of it. The best part is that as years go by and fashions change, it will be a kick and a hoot to see just how you looked those many years ago. Your kids and grand kids will love it too. No matter what you decide, good luck and be happy.

By: Frank Stone

Wedding Consultants “to Hire Or Not”

Wedding consultants or wedding planners are professionals specializing in wedding planning. Your wedding planner can be an organizer, an event planner, a vendor specialist, a project manager, a shrink, or a friend. A wedding planner can work with you to plan your wedding day part-time or full-time. How much time a wedding consultant spends on your wedding is only limited by your budget. A good rule of thumb is not to spend more than 7 to 10 percent of your total wedding budget on a wedding planner. If your wedding budget is $20,000, you should not spend more than $2000 on your wedding planner. The savings gained from hiring an experienced wedding planner may justify paying for one. Even if you can’t afford a wedding planner to plan your entire wedding, you may consider meeting one for an hour or two just to get help with the most important things.

One of the most important reasons for hiring a wedding planner it to reduce your stress level. Even if you might be able to organize everything from the wedding cake, your reception site, the wedding band, and the list goes on, you might be better off with the help of seasoned wedding professional.

Your wedding consultant can handle the less glamorous aspects of organizing your wedding such as setting appointments with vendors. When you meet with your wedding planner for the first time come with a plan. The more prepared you are the more your wedding consultant can help. Good preparation will not only save you time, but it will save you money. The less time your wedding consultant needs to spend on organizing your wedding, the less it will cost.

Just because you are working with a consultant, it doesn’t mean that all you need to do is show up on your wedding day. You should setup a time line and make sure your goals are met according to schedule.

If you enjoy planning events, you might plan your entire event without any help from a professional wedding planner. If you are unsure of what needs to be done to organize your special day, you might at the very least setup an appointment with a professional wedding planner. You should always ask for references prior to hiring a wedding planner.

By: George Meszaros

Planning Your Wedding Date

Setting your wedding date is an important and possibly difficult task. Your wedding date will depend on a variety of factors.

Wedding Planning Time

One of the first and most important questions you might ask yourself is: How much time do I need to plan my wedding? Are you the most organized person you know? Do you have any experience planning events? Are you going to hire a wedding planner? On average, the time between engagement and the wedding day is 12-18 months.

Commitments

You want to make sure your wedding date does not conflict with other important dates such as graduations, birthdays, or any other possible significant events that might prevent your friends and family members from attending your wedding. It is good to discuss the potential dates with some of the most important members of your wedding party.

Holidays

It is generally a good idea to avoid wedding dates set for holidays such as Christmas, the 4th of July. Valentine's Day is an exception to this rule. Valentine's Day is the only holiday that's a great day to get married. Many people are on vacation around the holidays, and it may be too much to ask someone to cancel their yearly vacation for your wedding.

Weekend or Weekday

Although it makes perfect sense to get married on a weekend day, you should be prepared to compete with most other brides and grooms for vendors and venues. If you plan a weekend wedding, you might have to schedule your church, reception, caterer, and other vendors as much as one year before your wedding day. Saturdays during the busiest wedding months are the most difficult to plan for since many brides are competing for the same reception and ceremony venues.

Wedding Day Expense

Popular days might be not only more difficult to book, but they might also be more expensive. Vendors might charge a higher price for more competitive dates such as Saturdays during the summer months. If you get married during the fall or winter, you may be able to get much better deals.

By: George Meszaros

Dos And Don’ts Of Shopping For Your Wedding Dress

DO Shop early! Avoid the “Two Weeks ‘til Wedding Day Attack.” Get your wedding dress early.

DO Research before your buy. The quickest and easiest way to research is by searching online. There are many Web sites dedicated do wedding dresses where you can get a ton of useful information about styles, designs, trends, etc.

DO Go to a wedding dress specialist. You should visit several wedding boutiques, and learn from the pros. Of course, keep in mind they are selling, so you should take everything with a grain of salt.

DO Expect minor alterations. Even the most expensive designer wedding gowns might need a few adjustments. If you buy your gown well in advance, you may need to alter the dress again a couple of weeks prior to the wedding.

DO Keep an open mind while you shop for your wedding dress. Try lots of things on. Often the dress you thought you’d never like is the one that makes you look and feel the best.

DO Bring shoes with the same height as your wedding shoes are going to be on your special day.

DO Slip a bustier, a control-top panty hose into your purse.

DO Have Fun!

DON'T panic if you have to special order! Wedding dress salons can special order your dress faster than you can say "panic."

DON'T put up with unfriendly sales people. This is your wedding day, your big purchase. The sales person who sells your wedding dress to you should share in your enthusiasm and make it exciting for you.

DON'T shop after you’ve bought. Instead enjoy the rest of your wedding planning journey.

DON'T give up! Finding that perfect wedding dress is going to take some work.

DON'T take too many people with you on your hunt for your wedding dress. You shouldn't take more than five people with you on your shopping trip.

By: George Meszaros

Tips On Choosing Your Wedding Reception Music

Because there is such musical variety available to brides and grooms, selecting your reception music might be difficult.

Before you do anything, you should answer the following questions:

What kind of music do you enjoy the most when you celebrate?

What kind of music would your guest enjoy the most? If there is a conflict between what the bride and groom and their wedding reception guests enjoy, a compromise might be necessary.

Do you prefer live music, or a DJ? Can you afford a live band?

You should book your wedding band or DJ about the same time you reserve your wedding reception venue. Why? Because your reception music will greatly depend on your wedding reception venue. If you want to have live music for your wedding, you need to make sure it is allowed by the reception venue. You need to make sure you understand the venue’s rules about music before you select your wedding reception venue.

If you elect to go with a wedding band, be sure to book early. Popular bands are often booked more than one year in advance. Saturdays during the busiest wedding months are especially busy for wedding bands, so you might need to book even more than one year in advance.

Before you book your wedding music provider, you should ask the following questions:

How long have they been in the wedding business? You should go with an experienced band or DJ. Experience will usually yield a better quality performance.

Do they have any references? (You should always check references.) If the band is unable to provide references, you should walk.

Do they play live, continuous music for the entire event?

Can they play the songs you want to hear? The more songs they can play the better. Bands usually have song lists of all the songs they can play.

Do they have a demo CD, so you can sample their music? Is it possible for you to see one of their performances? There is no substitute for seeing a band in action.

Can you communicate with the band, and do you feel comfortable interacting with them? Are they listening to you; are they enthusiastic? Remember, the band is there to make your party fun, not the other way around. You hire them to play the music you like not the music they like.

How many band members do you get and how many are singers?

How long do they normally play, and how often do they break and for how long?

Are they insured? You should demand at least liability insurance from the wedding band or DJ.

Put everything important you agree on in writing. The answers to the above questions should all be part of the written contract, which is an absolute must. You should also include the exact time the band starts and ends playing.

If you have to work with a smaller budget, you might want to book a DJ instead of a wedding band since they are less expensive than wedding bands. An experienced DJ can create a great atmosphere for your wedding reception; so don’t be disappointed if you can’t afford a wedding band.

Remember to have fun; after all you are planning the most important and joyous day of your life!

By: George Meszaros

Inexpensive, Classy Substitutes For A String Quartet

Live wedding music can be expensive for couples on a budget. However, we found secrets to help keep the music flowing, costs low and without DJs.

“Generally, the more musicians and the more hours, the larger the cost,” Chandler Judkins, President of Las Vegas Wedding Music, said. Las Vegas Wedding Music is the number one musician contracting company in Las Vegas. “Many options are available to keep costs low if you work with a flexible musician contractor.”

1. Ask for deals

Many wedding music contractors have specials for those who can’t afford the big band of their dreams or even a small string quartet.

For example, Las Vegas Wedding Music offers a string quartet for ceremony music in Las Vegas for around $500 if the quartet is used for the ceremony only.

String quartets usually charge by the hour and have a two hour minimum which could easily start at $800.

Sometimes wedding music contractors are also the musicians in some of their own bands, so they have discounts to use the bands that they themselves play in.

Chandler Judkins of Las Vegas Wedding Music plays the trumpet in many of his wedding music groups, so a jazz quartet actually costs less than a string quartet but sounds just as beautiful.

When in doubt, as the wedding music contractor. You never know what they might offer.

2. Get a Trio

If a string quartet, jazz quartet or any other wedding band seems just out of your reach budget wise, hire one less musician. Get a string trio or a jazz trio instead of a string quartet or jazz quartet. It is still better than hiring a DJ and sounds beautiful.

If a string trio or jazz trio is still out of your budget, duos can also be a beautiful touch. Sometimes simple is better anyway.

“Make sure you check with your wedding planner about duos though,” Judkins said. “Sometimes they have contracts with string quartets that disallow them to cut players.”

This is one reason why Judkins encourages brides and grooms to find a musician contractor to handle their music verses a wedding planner.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Judkins said. “Wedding planners are great. But they have their degree in wedding planning, whereas, we wedding musician contractors have our degree in music.”

3. Maximize Your Time

If a couple’s wedding reception plans consist of six hours of cocktails, then five hours of dancing, this can pose a problem if a couple doesn‘t have a deep wallet.

“When planning your wedding music, decide when the most people will be there and paying attention to the atmosphere,” Judkins said. “You may only have a couple hours of live music, but it will make those hours the most unforgettable part of your wedding day … to you and your guests.”

To see examples of wedding bands and possible musician options, go to http://www.lvweddingmusic.com.

By: Renae C. Judkins

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

Wedding Lore

There are few other life events so steeped in tradition as weddings. Do you know the origins of our present day customs? Why do we follow them? Well that one is easy you do it because your mom did and her mom and so on back countless generations. Here is some of the history behind many of our modern day wedding traditions.

Bridesmaid Dresses are often identical in style and color. Why? In ancient times the brides friends and female relatives would dress exactly like the bride in an effort to fool evil spirits bent on spoiling her happiness.
The Post Vow Kiss The Ancient Romans sealed every legal contract with a kiss. Thus the marriage was not legal until the bride and groom kissed. This is why the wedding official says, “You may now kiss the bride.”
The White Wedding Gown brides have always worn white, Right? No white wedding dresses did not become common in the west until Queen Victoria wore one at her wedding. Before that bright colors were the norm.

The Receiving Line originated in ancient times when it was believed that good luck came to anyone who touched the bride and groom on their wedding day. Giving Away the Bride Long ago an unmarried girl or woman was considered her father’s property, so at the wedding he would walk her down the aisle of the church, and “give her away” thereby transferring ownership to the husband.

Why Does the Groom Carry the Bride Across the Threshold? There is more than one bit of lore about this practice. One is that when a girl could be kidnapped and forced to marry against her will, the groom would have to carry her by force into her new home.

Another is that ancient Romans considered it bad luck for a bride to trip when crossing the threshold of her new home. So the groom would carry her in.

Tying the Knot In Celtic, Egyptian and Hindu cultures, the hands of the bride and groom were tied together to symbolize their new bond and commitment to the marriage.

June Weddings Roman mythology held Juno as the god of home ,childbirth and marriage, this is thought to be where the popularity of June weddings originated.

Best Man Back when a man would steal his bride, he would often have to fight her male relatives to keep her. He depended on his best man (friend) for help in fighting them and to get him and his bride safely to the church.

A Locked Church Door In Irish tradition, once the bride and groom were safely inside the church, guests would lock the church door to prevent the groom from running if he changed his mind.

Honeymoon This is another practices with different legends about its origin. One is that if a man kidnapped a girl and could keep her hidden from her family, for a month (moon) she was his to marry. Another is that parents would keep the couple supplied with mead a drink made from fermented honey for a moon, there would be a male offspring within a year.

There are hundreds of other wedding customs many of them unique to a particular religious or ethnic heritage. So if you want something different at your wedding seek out the traditions of your heritage

By: Mary Jane Holmes

Wonderful Wedding Gift Ideas Most People Don’t Think Of

Ever got stuck trying to come up with the “ultimate” wedding gift? Well, you are not alone. Each day thousands of people rack their brains trying to come up with unique wedding gift ideas, only to throw their hands up in frustration and buy any of the common wedding gifts being sold out there.

Below are some wonderful wedding gift ideas most people don’t think of that you can use:

1. Gold-Plated Picture Frames - the perfect way to display favorite photos of their special day. Have them engraved with the couple's names and the wedding date for a treasured memory.

2. Etched Wine Glass - Have their wedding invitation, or other special verse engraved on a glass sculpture. This will be treasured for years to come, and definitely unique. Or, for a little variation, get the actual invitation, and mount it on a glass plate and finish it with matching colored paint.

3. Honeymoon Photo Album - this could be made out of wood, with something like “A Honeymoon to Remember” engraved on the cover a perfect place to capture those wonderful honeymoon memories.

4. Gift Certificates to a spa for the bride and groom are great before or after the wedding. The wedding day is often stressful, so you could offer a day at the spa to prepare them for the wedding day. Or, they could use it just after their honeymoon, as they prepare to resume their regular activities.

5. Keepsake Box - As time goes by, memories begin to fade, and what better and more unique gift than a special box where they can safely store all those precious mementos that become more cherished as the years go by This box is perfect for things like marriage license, special photos, place cards, vows, and all those other special keepsakes that often get lost as time passes.

6. Couples’ Home Spa Kit - As an alternative for the day at the spa, you could give them a spa in a basket, including monogrammed robes, towels, and a few other relaxing items, like candles, bath and body lotions, some romantic music, and even engraved wine glasses accompanied by a bottle of wine for a special evening at home.

Now, who says coming up with the perfect wedding gift idea is hard? The next time you go to a wedding, try picking up any of the above wonderful wedding gift ideas and you would be surprised at how well it works!

By: Mark Anthony

Quick Guide To Making Your Own Wedding Invitations

While you may not be the craft goddess or god, you can certainly make your own wedding invitations. Many couples look into this option because they think that it will be cheaper than the regular printed invitations, but this is not necessarily true. The pricing may be the same depending on the materials that you use.

What is more special about home made invitations is the heart that goes into them.

Getting the materials

Going to your local arts and crafts store can be a truly wonderful time, but only if you have a little bit of an idea of what you need. Where a lot of expense comes in is when you’re wandering around aimlessly looking at things to buy. You end up purchasing things that you’ll never use.

Here’s the way to shop smart (even if you don’t have a plan). First, know how many invitations that you need to make. This will help you to choose materials that won’t cost a lot if you have to make a lot of invites. Know a few colors that you think you’d like to see in your invites. And if there’s a theme that you’re considering, then think about that too.

Go through the aisles of the store and pick up things that you think might work for an invitation. Right now, you’ll only be buying enough to make a sample of your invitation. You want to see if you can make something before you buy a whole bunch of materials.

When you get home

Now that you have a little bag of crafts, start making your sample invitations. You don’t need to worry about the words just yet (these can be printed by a computer), so just make the rest of the invite. A lot of the time, what you plan to do doesn’t quite work out, or it takes too much time and materials. Just try a bunch of things, and when you find something that looks great, write down everything that you used to make it.

This will be your list for when you go back to the store.

Making the actual wedding invitations doesn’t need to be any more complicated than using a scissors and some glue. Try different colored ribbons and shells even. Use thick card stock paper for a background color and place a white sheet of paper where the wording will go.

And don’t worry so much about being perfect. Although you want to make your invitations looks great, you also want them to still seem like you made them. Don’t get too worried if something is slightly askew.

By:

By Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free mini course on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams and avoid wedding day disaster! Get the free course now by clicking Your Special Day from Start

Avoid Wedding Drama: Special Situations And Invitation Wording

There are some families that may have different members in them, some that wedding books and etiquette guides are struggling to keep up with. How can you include everyone in such a way that all are equally important?

Well, to a certain extent, you can not. There’s only so much room on an invitation to include everyone in your life, but for those that you must, there are ways to handle the step and passed on parents in an invitation.

A step up

When it comes to step parents, most couples feel as though they are no different from their biological parents. So, they want to incorporate them into the invitation as well. And while traditionally, the parents are included, how do you put in everyone’s name?

Many invitations start off with “Mr. and Mrs. So and So would like to announce the marriage of their daughter Blah Blah to John Doe, son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” In order to include both sets of parents, you can just add them in at the beginning and end, denoting it with son of Mrs. Smith and her husband Bill and of Mr. Whatever and his wife Something.

It may sound awkward, but it can be done. Other couples have chosen to just include the names of their biological parents, referencing their present last names. That works just as well.

If there is a parent that has been absent for the child’s life, then they do not have to be put into the invitation.

When someone has passed on

If one of the couple members would like to include their parent that has passed on, they can say something to the effect of ‘son of Mr. Smith and the late Mrs. Smith.’ That works just fine. If both parents are deceased, you may want to note that as ‘son of the late Mr. and Mrs.’

If someone has recently passed away, then you may want to include that as a separate note as a way to let your guests know and avoid any awkward moments. This is especially true if it was a recent event.

When in doubt about a tricky situation, do what feels right for you. A lot of the time, you can write and rewrite the wording to include everyone and still satisfy you. Read your words aloud—a lot of times you can see what something sounds like to a reader, and then judge your choice from there.

By:

Amy Spade is an expert on planning weddings, and she has written an amazing totally free mini course on how to make sure that you have the day of your dreams and avoid wedding day disaster! Get the free course now by clicking Your Special Day from Start

Wedding Countdown

Planning a successful wedding requires careful planning. We have created time line for some of the most important elements of your wedding planning process.

1 year before your wedding day (or anytime after your engagement)

· Announce your engagement
· Determine the wedding date
· The bride and groom should introduce the parents, if they haven't already met
· Set your budget
· Hire the wedding planner
· Research possible reception sites
· Make a rough draft of the guest list
· Join a fitness club if you aren't already a member at one. Planning and going through your wedding is going to be a lot of fun, but you will need to be in good shape to handle the demands of the wedding planning process.
· Research your bridal shower favors and wedding favors

6-9 months before

· Decide on your caterer
· Hunt for your wedding gown
· Select your wedding party
· Book a DJ or a band
· Sign up with a bridal gift registry
· Shop for the bridal attendants' dresses
· Choose a florist
· Hire a photographer and a videographer

4-6 months before

· Finalize your wedding guest list
· Search for a hotel for your out of town guests
· Order your wedding invitations
· Purchase your wedding gown
· Call the bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability.
· Make travel arrangements for your honeymoon

2-4 months before

· Order your wedding favors
· Shop for your wedding bands
· Find out about your state's marriage license procedures
· Reserve or purchase the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen
· If required by your state, get a blood test
· Finalize your wedding reception menu with your caterer
· Order you wedding cake
· Contact your ceremony site about your ceremony music
· Make arrangements about your reception music (DJ or band)
· Organize the rehearsal dinner
· Reserve tables and other necessary items with a party rental company

1-2 months before

· Run a complete test of your wedding makeup and hairdo. Invite some friends with you.
· Mail or deliver the wedding invitations

1-3 weeks before

· Complete the final seating chart for the wedding reception
· Contact photographer with the details of the ceremony and reception sites
· Provide your reception venue with a final head count based on the RSVPs received
· If necessary, make final adjustments to your wedding gown
· Facials should be booked for the bride, groom and bridesmaids
· Get your luggage ready for the honeymoon
· Your bridesmaid or a reliable friend should make sure the following items are promptly delivered: Toasting glasses, Band-Aids, Nail clippers, Cake knife, Emergency sewing kit

Last minute

· Most importantly, relax. This is supposed to be a fun experience.
· You are about to experience one of the best days of your life.
· Welcome your out-of-town guests
· To help you relax, do some light physical exercise
· Have your hairstylist and makeup artist do their magic on you
· Keep smiling, it's your special day!

Presidential Wedding Greeting

Receiving a Presidential Wedding Greeting is easier to obtain than you think. The White House Greetings Office will honor citizens with a special Presidential Wedding Greeting.

All greeting requests must be submitted in writing. Brides and grooms can either mail or fax their request to the White House Greetings Office. Faxed requests should include the same information as a mailed request as well as the name and phone number of the sender.

If you decided to mail your request, you'll need to send your request to:

The White House, Room 39
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20502

If you would like to fax your request, you need to fax it to 202-395-1232.

Your request for the Wedding Greeting should include the following information:

· couple's names
· titles such as Mr. and Mrs.
· couple's complete mailing address, including zip code
· full date of marriage, month, day, year

Your request should be submitted about four weeks prior to your wedding day.

For more information regarding Presidential greetings, please call the National Contact Center toll-free at 1-800-FED-INFO or visit the http://www.whitehouse.gov/greeting/

Please review these guidelines carefully before sending your request to the White House.

1. U.S. CITIZENS ONLY. The White House will send greetings to United States citizens only, for special occasions as outlined below.

2. ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIRED. Your request must be received six (6) weeks in advance of the event date. We make every effort to honor every request, but we cannot guarantee a greeting if this guideline is not met. (Greetings are generally not sent after the event date, except for wedding congratulations and newborn acknowledgments.)

3. ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS. Anniversary greetings are extended only to those couples who are celebrating their 50th (and subsequent) wedding anniversary.

4. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. Birthday greetings will be sent only to individuals 80 years of age and above.

5. OTHER GREETINGS. A limited number of special occasions other than birthdays and anniversaries exist for which the Greetings Office will send appropriate recognition to United States citizens. These occasions include important events such as:

a. Wedding (send your request after the event)
b. Baby's Birth (must be born during the George W. Bush Administration; send request only after baby's birth)
c. Eagle Scout Award
d. Girl Scout Gold Award
e. Bar/Bat Mitzvah or equivalent occasion

6. REQUIRED INFORMATION. Please include the following in your request:

a. name and home address of honoree(s)
b. form of address (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Miss, etc.)
c. exact date of occasion (month, day, year)
d. age (birthdays) or number of years of marriage
e. your (the requested) name and daytime phone number
f. Wedding (Include couple's married names and current or new address)
g. Baby's Birth (Include baby's date of birth and full names and address of baby and parents)

7. WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR GREETING. In most cases, greetings will be mailed from the White House approximately ten (10) days prior to the event.

Bridal Shower Countdown

The most important first lesson about having the best possible bridal shower is careful party planning. If your bridal shower is carefully planned, it will be not only more organized but a world of fun. Paying attention to details is what makes a great bridal shower. If you treat your bridal shower just like any other project, you have a good chance of making it a success. Proper planning is the most important first step to take toward a great bridal shower.

The following list can serve as a simple outline for your overall bridal shower planning. Follow the outline to help plan the bridal shower. Be sure to check or underline each completed task, so you can concentrate on the incomplete items. It is also helpful to use actual dates to meet your deadlines.

First steps

· The most important first step is to select the appropriate date and time. Be sure to check with the most important participants, and make sure the date works for everyone.
· Set your budget
· Select the place (A favorite restaurant is a great location, but a friends house works on a limited budget.)
· Prepare your guest list

Five to six weeks prior the bridal shower

· Select method of invitations (You can save money by sending e-invitations.)
· Make a decision about the shower theme

One month prior to the bridal shower date

· Send out the shower invitations
· Decide on food (Select caterer or restaurant if you wish to use one)
· Research bridal shower keepsake favors

Two weeks before the bridal shower

· Based on RSVP s from the invited bridal shower guests make final arrangements regarding food and other planned activities

Last minute preparations

· Contact caterer or restaurant (if you use one) to make sure they are ready for the shower party
· Put together any accessories you plan to use for the bridal shower
· Wrap gifts
· Make sure a video recorder and cameras are available to record the bridal shower

American Wedding Practices

Living in the US makes one feel free - free to do anything, free to live, free to love, free from traditions. While this is true, there are still many practices done during wedding that renders this memorable event with a distinct American touch. Here are some:

Starting from the engagement, Americans can think of unique ways to personalize their wedding. As there really isn't any engagement tradition, the more unique the marriage proposal is done, the better.

For most wedding preparations, the engaged couple visits their parents to inform them of their recent engagement.

At times, the engaged couple hosts an engagement party. The engagement party costs less than a wedding reception since most of the time, the menu will only include cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Therefore, if the couple is on a tight budget, they can just invite more guests to the engagement party if they plan to limit the number of guests during the wedding.

Most wedding preparations have a bridal shower given by the maid of honor and the bridesmaids. The groom may also have a bachelor party the night before the wedding but he has to be careful not to drink too much.

Wedding invitations should include response cards to quickly inform the couple whether the person has accepted or declined the invitation. The wedding invitations should also be sent within four to six weeks before the event.

Usually, there is a rehearsal dinner in which the wedding party and guests came from far places to be present at the wedding attend. It was practiced that the groom's parents pay for this dinner.

A bridal luncheon may be hosted for the bride's attendants during the wedding day. However, time constraints may not permit this to be part of the schedule for the wedding day. Likewise, the groom may also host a groom's dinner for his groomsmen.

Interestingly, even if the couple is not very religious, they still prefer a religious ceremony. However, this may pose a problem since in America people of different faiths and religious backgrounds get married.

Even if there are few people who believe in bad luck, some couples still make sure that the groom does not see his bride until she starts waking on the aisle.

It is still practiced that the groom and his groomsmen enter the church through a side door. The bride will then walk down the aisle with her father. In some cases when both her father and stepfather brought up the bride, she may ask them both to escort her.

During a formal reception, there is usually a bridal table where the couple and the attendants sit. Also, food and drinks should be served as the guests appear at the reception.

Before, gift giving used to depend on what the guest will feel useful for the couple. Now, it is better to register for gifts so the guests will know what to bring that the couple will need.

Upon receiving an engagement or wedding gift, it is better to send a thank you note apart from saying "thank you" to the giver. This should be sent within two weeks upon receipt of the gift. Make a personalized thank you note, instead of using an impersonal generic thank you note.

These are just some American practices during weddings. Whether one chooses to this or prefers to have a very different wedding, what's more important is that American's still believe in the wedding vow, "For better or worse, 'til death do us part."

Brides And Bloating – Prevent Bloating Before Your Wedding Day

You have spent countless hours planning and dreaming about your wedding day which is now fast approaching. As you count down the days the panic begins to set in. How do I prevent the all too familiar pre-wedding bloating experienced by so many brides on their wedding day?

Naturally, we as women may think, I will simply starve myself and not drink a lot of liquids for a few days before my wedding. If I do so perhaps this will help drop a bit of weight and reduce some of that nasty cellulite on my body…right? Wrong!

Did you know that water retention is directly linked to what you eat, drink and your daily habits?

Bloating is caused primarily by dehydration. The loss of water in the body can cause constipation. And the corresponding lack of bowel movements creates the tummy bulge.

Here are six tips to follow for at least 1-2 weeks prior to your big day:

1. Drink 8 – 10 glasses of water a day. Drinking less fluid will not cure water retention and can actually make it worse. So drink plenty of water to flush the toxins from your body. Cellulite is a form of fat with retained water. When the body cannot get rid of the wastes and toxins it tends to store cellulite.

2. Try to eliminate salts and refined sugars from your diet. If you can’t eliminate these types of foods then at least cut down on their use as much as you possible can.

3. Get some exercise. Go for a brisk walk, even if it is just 10 minutes. Movement helps you lymphatic system drain and gets the blood pumping which increases circulation. Did you know poor circulation can cause water retention?

4. Don’t skip meals. Much as you may think this is wise, low calorie diets have been shown to increase water retention. But do avoid high fat foods. Incorporate protein in your daily routine. While you are running around getting all the last minute details finished remember to reach for a yogurt, some cottage cheese or make yourself a protein shake. One of the most important nutrients to prevent water retention is protein.

5. Cut down on caffeine and alcohol. These liquids cause dehydration, plus they are empty calories.

6. Take a good multivitamin. Find one that has a high content of Vitamin B (12 and 6). Stress robs your body of essential vitamins, plus you are probably not eating as healthy as you should. Vitamin B is especially good to take when you are under stress, or have bloating. I always take a daily multivitamin but supplement them with a good B vitamin.

Of course it goes without saying that you should also try your best to get proper and sufficient sleep during this stressful period.

If you can follow these six simple, natural yet highly effective guidelines then you’ll look better, feel better and be as radiant as a bride should be on her wedding day. Take charge and eliminate that unnecessary and unwelcome pre-wedding bloating!

Unique Wedding Gifts For Parents Of The Bride And Groom

Many engaged couples wish to show appreciation to their parents for funding their big day, yet struggle with finding ideas for such a meaningful gift. Fortunately, there are many options for unique wedding gifts for parents of the bride and groom.

One idea is to produce a personalized wedding gift for parents. Personalized items provide a special memento of love and family history. Engraved frames with a heartfelt message and memorable photo will be cherished for years to come. Personal jewelry items such as a locket or cuff links with the wedding date engraved are another option. Plaques with a special poem can be displayed with pride as a reminder of the merging of two families. Holiday ornaments may be engraved with couple’s names. A framed representation of the family tree (with the new son/daughter included) is another option.

Classic Gifts

Another idea is to give a classic item made from precious materials. The bride and groom may wish to give the timeless gift of crystal, in the form of a clock or vase. Silver candlestick holders or a serving piece provide another option.

Creative Gifts

Couples may wish to exercise their special talents by creating their own unique wedding gift for their parents. A handcrafted scrapbook chronicling the journey from childhood to marriage will bring tears to a parent’s eyes. A handmade quilt would become an instant family heirloom. Pottery, lovingly created or painted, will hold a place of honor on the mantel of the family home.

Gift Certificates

Yet another option is to give the gift of relaxation. After months of stressful (and expensive) wedding planning, most parents of the bride and groom would appreciate a gift certificate for a relaxing spa treatment or weekend getaway. Couples can get creative and research local recreational activities, bed and breakfasts and formal dining options.

Wedding Mementos

Once married, the bride and groom can provide parents with a special photo album with candid shots of the wedding preparations, ceremony and honeymoon.

Regardless of the wedding gift that a couple decides to give their parents, the heartfelt message of gratitude will be clearly and lovingly communicated.

The Bridal Bouquet

Bridal bouquets are an inseparable part of wedding ceremonies. The history of bridal bouquet dates back to ancient times. Historically, bouquets symbolized fertility and prosperity. One cannot envision a bridal ceremony without a bouquet.

Bridal Bouquets have evolved through the ages. In the eighteenth century, the practice of carrying a bouquet of flowers or herbs became a popular tradition that symbolized delicateness, purity, and new life. Today, bridal bouquets are tossed to assemble single women to symbolize new life and to pass on the bride’s good fortune.

Wedding bouquets can be as simple as a small collection of flowers, or extravagant with a price tag of thousands of dollars.

It is quite common for brides to have two bouquets. The more elaborate of the two bouquets is made to be carried down the aisle and used in photographs while the smaller bouquet is to be thrown into the crowd of unmarried girls.

Florists take great pride in the wedding bouquets they design and offer. Rarely is the simple group of daises seen at today’s weddings. Instead, wedding bouquets now consist of a variety of floral designs, including combinations of calla lilies, roses, and sweet pea or traditional white lilies and roses. Even sunflowers have made their way into modern wedding bouquet arrangements. The most commonly used flowers are roses, tulips, peonies, hydrangeas, orchids, calla lilies or gardenias.

When choosing the flowers for your bouquet, consider the type of ceremony planned, the location of the ceremony and the style of dress you will be wearing. For example, a formal church wedding requires a more formal bouquet than an informal non-traditional wedding. Compliment an elegant ballroom gown with a bouquet of proper proportions. The bridal bouquet should always complement the gown, but it should not become the center of attention either. The bouquet should also be proportional to the bride's height. A cascading bouquet may be more appropriate to a tall bride than to one of smaller stature.

One image that invariably comes to mind is that of the bride in her white dress and veil carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers. For some reason, when we think of a wedding, we always think of the wedding bouquet. Whether you carry a single rose or a bouquet of orchids, the flowers you choose for your wedding should serve as a symbol of your love.

Wedding Reception Site Rental Check List

When you book your reception site, be sure that you understand what is and is not included in the rental fee. Each facility is different, so you have to clarify with the manager of the property what can be provided by the venue, and what you must provide. As always, make sure that everything you have agreed upon is put in writing.

Depending on the venue you may need to supply some, if not all the items listed below:

Chairs – For a seated dinner or seated buffet you need to provide seating for all reception guests. For a buffet style reception you may able to get away with enough chairs for half or more of the total number of guests. You may need to rent or purchase chair covers separately. High chairs for children should be available from rental companies.

Guest Tables – Smaller tables like a 36-inch round will comfortably seat 4-6 guests and be appropriate for a buffet type menu. Larger tables like a 48-inch round will seat 6-8 guests, or a 60-inch round seats 8-10 guests. Regardless of their size, all guest tables are pre-set with flatware, glassware, linen napkins, and coffee cups that work well for a seated dinner.

Cake Table – usually a 48-inch round works well, but the appropriate size will depend on the size of your wedding cake. Make sure you include the decorative adds to the cake display like floral or linen accents. Be sure the cake table is located in a highly visible, but low traffic location. You want to show it since it is part of the decor, but keep it out of the high traffic areas to keep it safe.

Groom’s Cake Table – If the groom’s cake has not been served during the rehearsal dinner, a 36-inch round will work flawlessly.

Head Table – The most important factor about this table is that is facing the guests. A very common head table arrangement is several rectangular tables placed end-to-end to seat your entire wedding party.

Buffet Tables – If you have decided on a buffet dinner, you’ll need to arrange several food stations, such as meet carving, etc. (Buffet tables may be provided by the catering company.)

Gift Table – The wedding gifts are placed on this table, the size should depend on the number of guests you are expecting.

Guest Book Table – A small table for your reception guest book.

Linens & Tableware – Linens and tableware may be included with the rented tables, or you may need to source it elsewhere.

Tents – Could be lifesaver outdoor receptions to protect guests from the sun or rainfall. Maybe used as a plan B for a rainy day.

Tips For Setting Your Reception Schedule

Wedding receptions normally last between three to five hours. A careful planner should make a timetable. It is going to help everyone involved with your wedding including your guests, your caterer, the band, and the photographer. Keeping with the planned schedule can enhance your and your guests’ overall experience.

Regardless of the style or the duration of your reception, planning can benefit everyone. It is imperative that you plan ahead and establish a sequence of events for your reception. Spending time and effort before the wedding can save you from a lot of confusion and unnecessary distractions on your wedding day.

You can expect better results from any plan that is put in writing. Be sure to give a copy to your wedding vendors, your wedding attendants and family members so they know where they need to be and when.

Be as detailed as possible when preparing your reception itinerary. Include names, the order of events, specific locations and song titles of special dances.

As you prepare your schedule, don't be too concerned about exact times. The times on your schedule should act only as a guide and to keep things moving in the right direction and make sure that everything gets done! The order of events is more important than the time of events. The order of events is up to you, but once established you should stick with it.

Because wedding guests should not begin dancing until after the bride and groom have had their first dance, some brides prefer to do their first dance with their husband very early into the reception, before dinner is served. Other brides prefer to do it after dinner, when the "real dancing begins".

If you put in the effort to have every minute planned out, you should complete the process by preparing a printed wedding and reception schedule for your guests. Include the approximate arrival time of the bride and groom, first dance, cake cutting, special toasts to the bride and groom, picture taking, tossing of the bride's bouquet and garter, etc. Getting everything organized ahead of time helps you and your guests to have a lovely wedding reception.

Wedding Reception

There are an infinite number of possibilities for your wedding reception site. Where you get married should represent your style; it should fit into the image you had envisioned yourself since the first day you started planning your wedding. As you look for your wedding reception venue, be sure it is fitting theme for your wedding. Does it fit the theme of your wedding? No one is expecting your to create a Broadway show production, but be sure the location accommodates the overall theme and fee of your wedding – whether it be a location, a flower. The location of you wedding reception needs to reflect the style and personality of the bride and groom. In addition, it needs to be an enjoyable, memorable experience for the wedding guests.

Selecting a reception site will depend on its availability, price, location to the wedding ceremony site and its capacity. Having your ceremony and reception in the same location can save you money and stress! One of the most important factors to consider is capacity. If you can’t seat all you guest, it doesn’t matter how much you want a location. Only visit sites that can accommodate the number of guest you plan to invite. You should also be flexible when determining your wedding date. Chances are the venue you like is already booked for your date, but you may be able to secure it for following week. If you really like the site, it may be worth the wait?

Find out how they charge for their services. Most hotels and restaurants charge per person where a flat fee is charged for each guest, including food, beverages, tables, chairs, linens, etc. Other venues such as clubhouses, parks charge you based on a period of time.

Most importantly you should feel comfortable at your own reception. Follow family traditions if those are important to you, but not because you feel pressured by family or guest expectations.

Personalized Wedding Gifts For The Newlywed Couple

Nothing helps a couple remember their special day like a personalized wedding gift. Such a gift can bring back all the sentiment of their ceremony and celebration by displaying their names, initials or wedding date on a precious item.

Personalized gifts are widely available, though most stores will add a small charge for this service. It is important to note that a personalized gift will usually require additional processing time, which may delay delivery. Therefore, when ordering a personalized item, it is important to purchase the gift well in advance of the wedding date.

Monogrammed Gifts

Monogrammed gifts are both practical and romantic. From towels and glassware to stationary, monogrammed wedding gifts are a personal treasure.

Personalized Photo Options

Newlyweds are left with literally hundreds of photos documenting their wedding day and honeymoon. Engraved frames and photo albums give the couple beautiful storage and display options. These wedding gifts are usually personalized with the couple’s wedding date.

Autographed Gifts

Document the well-wishes of family and friends with an autographed gift. Wedding guests can sign a large matte of a photo frame, a specially made platter, or a fabric wall hanging.

Home Décor Items

Many home items can be personalized with beautiful results. Engraved photo coasters can display wedding memories while protecting new furniture. Embroidered throws accent the married couple’s home with color and warmth. Seasonal gifts such as personalized ornaments and tree skirts can add to the new couple’s holiday decorations. Embroidered table linens allow the newly married couple to entertain with pride.

Spiritual Items

For the devout couple, a personalized Bible would hold special significance — if given in advance of the wedding, it could even be used as part of the ceremony. An engraved wall cross for display in the home is another option for the spiritual pair.

A Personalized Future Toast

Wedding guests can order bottles of wine or champagne with personalized labels for the happy couple. Engraved wine glasses or bottle stoppers would nicely compliment the wedding gift. The married couple can open the bottles to toast on their honeymoon, or save them for a milestone anniversary.

Ceremony Accessories

Decorations to your ceremony site can provide a personal feeling to you and your guests. The location of your ceremony is going to determine how much or how little decoration is allowed for. During the planning process, you should familiarize yourself with the location to learn what can and can’t be done. Some venues may be more liberal than others when it comes to decorations. The manager of the property should be able to advise you of any restrictions. You should insist to have any restrictions and rules included in the contract.

If you are lucky, decorations may already be included in the site fee. Event facilities specializing normally include items such as chairs, aisle runners, kneeling benches, candelabras, unity candle holders, and bridal archways in the site fee. If you choose a facility that does not, or only provides certain decor, than you’ll need provide your own decoration. Your wedding planner should be able to recommend local rental companies. Be sure that the decoration compliments the location and the style of your wedding.

When considering a ceremony location you should ask the following questions:

What are the fees, and what is included?

How much time is allowed for the ceremony? Is there are ceremony before or after yours?

Are their any restrictions regarding ceremony attire?

How many people will the venue hold? Is the venue insured?

How much are the cleanup fees, in case rice, birdseed, or rose petals be thrown?

Is there a changing room available?

Are there any restrictions regarding flowers or candles?

What are the rules regarding photography?

Are there any noise or music related restrictions?

Is there enough parking?

Does it have a view?

Be sure to get everything in writing. You may verbally agree on something, but requirements and concerns written in your contract are going to be more effective in case of any disputes.

Personalize Your Wedding Vows

You can personalize your wedding ceremony with your own wedding vows. The freedom of creating your own vows comes at a price; you have to work at it. Although writing your own personalized wedding vows can be a difficult and rewarding, there are many things you can do to make the process easier.

First of all, you should make sure that you and your groom are in agreement on having personalized vows. Then, you have to discuss it with your wedding officiant. Most officiants should have no objections to the idea. The wording should be in line with the style of the ceremony, and it is going to be different for a traditional ceremony than a modern ceremony. If you elected to have a religious ceremony, you may be required to include certain phrases. You and your groom may write the same vows or work on different vows on your own.

Remember from your term paper writing days? Brainstorming may be the best approach to start? Write down the words and thoughts you must have in your vows. If you encounter writer's block, you may read several traditional vows to look for ideas. You can start by swapping out some of the words with words you feel more comfortable with. Write down what kind of commitment marriage means to you. Try to put your thoughts into words. Don’t worry about grammar and spelling at this point. The goal is to try to be creative. Some of the questions you could ask yourself in the process are: What are my expectations of my partner? What are the qualities that are important to me? What it means to be committed to one another? What does marriage mean to me?

After you have a first draft, you should consult your wedding officiant. Your friends and your family may be able to help you fine tune it too. Then, be prepared to rewrite. Some of the best writers are famous for writing and rewriting their best work dozens of times. Rewriting is not a sign of failure; it is a sign of perfection.

Remember that your wedding ceremony is also a performance, so you must practice your vows with your groom. Once you hear it, you may have a different opinion on the words you have used. Practicing provides you with an opportunity to make final adjustments.

Once you've worked out a final version, practice reading it on your own, and try to memorize it.