My Sweetheart Forever

Getting Married while High ~ Choosing the right heel for your Ceremony

2010-03-28T16:35:00.000-07:00

Anne Klein New York - Hazel (Bridal White Satin) - Footwear

High heels are designed for a mythical tribe of women with big toes located in the middle of their feet, naturally foreshortened tendons, and wings that are constantly flapping to help support their weight.

Wearing them can cause pain in the feet, knees, and back; and regular use can damage your tendons, muscles, and joints; cause hammertoes and bunions; and you've already glazed over and checked out because it's your wedding and you wouldn't be reading this article unless you'd already decided to wear heels.

Now that's out of the way, let's help you pick the perfect pair.

Love your feet.

First, decide what you want to show off. If you're getting a pre-wedding pedicure, you may want to choose an open toe - unless you want a particularly high heel or need a lot of support. The more open the toe, the less support you'll get from your shoe, and the bigger burden you'll place on your feet.

A peep-toe pump can help you show off a glimpse of that new polish without making you feel like your feet have joined an S&M club. If you love your calves and ankles, go with some strappy goodness to draw the eye. It's demurely flirty, and will remind your guests that married or no, you're still quite the babe.

Don't be cruel.

Go with a round or square toe. Pointy shoes cram your toes into a tiny space at an unnatural angle, which means you're starting off on... Oh, you finish it. But the point is, putting on a pair of pointy shoes is just asking for pain.

Stiletto heels focus all of your body weight on two tiny points - again, you're just asking for trouble. A wider heel distributes your weight and will keep you much more comfortable.

If you can stand it, go with a heel two inches or lower. That will allow you the best balance of getting a little lift without sacrificing comfort. If you absolutely must have a higher heel, look for shoes that have a little platform at the front reduce the pressure on the balls of your feet.

Size matters.

It's time to get real. You and your salesperson are the only people who will ever know the size of your shoes, and now is not the time to get dainty. A high heeled shoe that doesn't fit will allow you to fully explore the difference between cutting pain, searing pain, and dull throbbing pain, because you'll be experiencing all three at once. And that's not what you want to be thinking about during your vows.

Make sure your shoe is wide enough as well as long enough. A good test is to hold the bottom of the shoe against the bottom of your foot. If you can't see shoe peeking out all around your foot, it's too small.

Shop smart.

Your feet swell a bit during the course of the day, so shop in the late afternoon or early evening to make sure you get a true fit. As great as your shoes look posing in the mirror, it's especially important to walk around with heels and make sure your arches are fully supported. If it feels like there might be a problem, look for something else. Wiggle your toes to make sure you have enough room. Another good test is to see if you can stand on your toes high enough to leave an inch of space under the heels. If you can't, the heels are too high and you're asking for knee problems and a world of hurt.

Above all, don't buy the line about how they'll feel better once you break them in - if your shoes don't feel good now, they're only going to feel worse when you're trying to lead the bunny hop two hours into your reception.

Once you've bought your shoes, keep your receipt and practice walking around indoors for a couple of hours - if they aren't right, they'll be unscuffed for an easy return.

Step out with confidence.

Once you've found the perfect pair, kick up your heels and enjoy them! Don't forget to lift your skirts a bit to give everyone else a peek.

Helpful wedding sites~~ http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/,
http://sparklingweddings.blogspot.com/
http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

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Unia Griffin is a contributing writer for OneWed.com. She writes about choosing wedding dresses, bridal shoes and wedding shoes issues, and other wedding planning issues on OneWed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Unia_Griffin http://sparklingweddings.blogspot.com/

The Big Day Questions You Should Ask

2010-03-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

The very first thing you want to consider when planning your wedding is how much money you are going to spend to get it done the way you want it. Exactly how memorable your wedding will be to you is not a matter of money.

Exactly how memorable your wedding will be to your guests probably is a matter of money. Believe me when I say the a guest is more like it to remember your wedding if you say your vows while skydiving buck naked on the back of an elephant, especially if they have to ride one down to witness it.

That being said, you have to decide how important it is to you if your guests think your wedding was something special. You, and your closest friends will think so and that is enough for some people. By the way, guest party favors are a great way to help make this day memorable

Another important issue is when your big day will occur and why it will happen on that date. There are people who believe that you have to get married in the spring or summer because tradition dictates it is so. In this tradition breaking time that we draw breath in, this is not a fact anymore. We are now free to do whatever we wish and be as unique and inspiring as we need to be and that, ladies and gentlemen, is the new normal.

There is something to be said for a winter wedding on the bosom of the slopes of Aspen. Be creative and do it the way you have always imagined it and you cannot go wrong.

Think of the decoration money to be saved when getting married among fall's foliage. Fall Wedding Favors on Sale Now Speaking of fall's foliage, some people live in an area that has no redeeming wedding site qualities, like Pig in a Poke Iowa with its natural barnyard beauty. I do not know about you but the thought of getting married where a scarecrow in a cornfield is one of the guests is not appealing to me.

The beach wedding, while romantic, has been overdone by a long shot. You have four seasons and an entire planet of beauty to play with so let your imagination do the planning and make it something to write home about.

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A happy guest is a well-fed guest. At least, that is what my grandmother used to say whenever we had company. That woman could cook, but that aside, how many guests you want to invite is another important decision with which you will be faced.

Fortunately, wedding party favors are inexpensive and should not play a role in the final outcome. Think space when you make this decision because if you are not getting married in the great outdoors, a standing room only wedding will be memorable for the wrong reasons.

What type of ceremony you have is one decision that has caused controversy and has even led to marriages being completely called off. If you and your better half are on different sides of the fence on this issue, you may want to decide on a neutral rite and try not to let family influences come between you and the one you will be fighting over the blankets with for the next hundred years. Remember, you are leaving your existing family a little behind and will be spending most of your time with your new love so their voice should be heard the loudest.

http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/
http://sparklingweddings.blogspot.com/

Aaron Hu is a leading author on a wide range of well published wedding articles. If you are looking for unique wedding favors, E-WeddingFavors.com has the biggest selection available. You will also find all types of wedding favors and much more, all at very affordable prices.

Source:www.isnare.com

Fall Bridal Accessories

2010-03-03T05:11:00.000-08:00

Many brides select a wedding in the fall owing to the temperature ranges and the enjoyable fall colors. Fall bridal accessories are merely as easy to find as any other themed or seasonal wedding day. Whether you have an established wedding or a themed wedding day, the same result occurs, you say your vows and become husband and wife. The ceremony can be longer or shorter depending on what your alternative is for the ceremony. You will need some fall bridal accessories for the wedding ceremony and the reception. Since your wedding is in the fall, you can opt many unusual wedding day favors.

Because fall represents change, with the colors changing and the weather changing, the flawless time to start a new life together is in the fall as the season changes so does your life. Bridal gown favors for the reception can likewise represent the change the two of you are making. You will also like to decorate the tables with coasters made of glass, fall color scented soaps, candies shapes as pumpkins or maple leaves in addition to aromatherapy tapers or oils and the warming of the tea pouches or a Margarita mix. Add a personal touch with engravings to show your names and date of wedding day.

The table decoration not merely can comprise the wedding ceremony favors, you could place fall leaves about the tables and gift location as well as the floor. You could also have centerpiece on the tables like pumpkins and dried flowers. You even may add to your bridal accessories list, a few fish bowls overflowing with dried leaves with more than one dries herbs inside for an aroma to fill the atmosphere. You do not need to stop there, you could also use candle warmers on the tables or fruit baskets that represent the fall season.

Your fall bridal accessories comprise the dress and the flowers as well as the veil. You can opt any type of dress in addition to any color. If you are able then spend leaving tradition behind, you may find pastel colors or some brighter colors that match the ever-changing colors outside. Many brides wear a color to compliment the season and then just add a hair comb styled like a miniature tiara. The ladies of a fall wedding is the weather is cooler and you still have ample of Indian summer days. It is always great when one of these days falls on your wedding day date.

When opting for fall bridal accessories keep in mind, the colors of fall can be reds, yellows, blues and orange. With so many various colors to decide from, why not use them all and have a complete fall wedding. You have so many different ideas to play with when considering a fall wedding. You could even want to attempt some outdoor reception options if the weather is right. Plan your wedding day and don't forget to find all the fall bridal accessories that'll add to the beauty of your special occasion. Your make up and your nail color can also be a little darker than with a summer or winter wedding day.

Helpful Sites~

   Design your own website at Wedding Window

http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/

                        http://betleebridals.blogspot.com/

http://sunshinetravel.blogspot.com/

Find out more about the author in:
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Indoor bike trainer.

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

Wedding Reception Table Centerpieces ~ How to Choose them!!

2010-02-27T14:06:00.000-08:00

Perhaps one of the most fun parts of planning your wedding is choosing the wedding reception table centerpieces. By now you have probably pored over countless magazines and made a list of a dozen ideas. While you were looking for the perfect decoration for your wedding centerpiece you probably noticed that most wedding centerpieces either involve candles, flowers or both.

One of the reasons for this is because both flowers and candles add a sense of romance and a touch of class to any wedding theme. There are also a number of ways that you can use flowers and candles that are unique giving your centerpieces a one of kind and original look.

Color is one way that you can make the centerpiece unique. Going with your wedding colors will tie your reception and wedding together and can make a variety of delightful centerpieces.

Spring and summer weddings can look both elegant and festive when you use a centerpiece that displays the pastel colors you have chosen for your wedding. While red or deep purple flowers that match your wedding colors can add a touch of drama to your wedding table.

Or you can go with simple white flowers and candles with a touch of silver to make a really chic and sophisticated centerpiece.

The style of your centerpiece can be anything from casual to country, to sophisticated and chic depending on the receptacle you choose for your centerpiece. For example you can create the perfect centerpiece for a beach wedding by having your flowers arranged in a small sand bucket circled with candles in sea shells.

If it is sophistication you want, then use those hourglass crystal containers with a large flower in the bottom and a candle in the top can give you just the look you are seeking. Floating candles too make wonderful sophisticated centerpieces when floated in an ornate crystal bowl.

Country themes lend themselves well to flowers in colorful pots and can look wonderful as centerpieces. Making a casual and relaxed statement your guests will enjoy. You can even choose simple greenery in tall white ceramic vases to add a bit of flair to a country wedding theme.

Your reception table centerpieces can be entirely original not using either candles or flowers but something totally unique. For example a medieval theme might feature treasure chests filled with faked jewels for a centerpiece.

Or an oriental themed wedding could use beautiful decorative fans as centerpieces. While a Christmas wedding could have miniature trees adorning the tables.

The simple truth is that your reception table centerpieces can be anything you want them to be, all you need is the right materials and to allow your imagination free reign. If you do that in no time at all you will be able to create the perfect wedding reception table centerpieces that are as unique and original as you and your partner are.

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http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/

http://sparklingweddings.blogspot.com/

http://mysweetheartforever.blogspot.com/

Read information about what you should look at when shopping for lace wedding gowns. You can also check details about the colored wedding gowns for a fresh look.

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

Dazzling New Trends in Bridal Jewelry

2010-02-26T06:15:00.000-08:00

The perfect wedding gown deserves the perfect accessories. The newest trends in bridal jewelry are big, bold, and dazzling. These are some of the hottest trends in bridal jewelry, and how you can wear them for your wedding.

Sparkle is huge for brides right now. Huge as in lots of sparkle, and huge as in big chunky pieces of jewelry. Diamonds, crystals, and rhinestones were seen all over the runways at every major bridal show this spring. The emphasis was on statement-making crystal bridal jewelry. Single large pieces were hot, as were layers of glittering necklaces and bracelets.

One very popular shape for bridal jewelry this year is the crystal starburst. It can be used in a number of different ways to add elegance to your wedding ensemble. A really versatile option is an oversized crystal brooch, which can be attached to a wide satin ribbon, and worn as a choker, a bracelet, or even a headband. This is definitely one of the strongest trends of the moment, and it also has the appeal of vintage glamour.

Speaking of chokers, they are very hot for brides who want their jewelry to make a statement. Double and even triple strands of crystals are a fabulous look. The crystal and pearl combination is also quite popular for this type of bridal jewelry, especially for daytime weddings. Pair a choker with a matching set of earrings, either a large stud or a coordinating chandelier for the perfect finishing detail.

Chandelier earrings have been a popular trend for brides for quite a while now, and it is still going strong. They have enough of a vintage feeling to be timeless, and yet they are also very hip and festive. The chandelier earring is both glamorous and very party-girl chic at the same time. Many brides will choose to don a pair of these fabulous drops for the reception, even if they choose more demure earrings for their ceremony.

Bracelets are one of those accessories that can drift in and out of style, and right now they are definitely in. Keeping with the idea that more is more, big dramatic bracelets with plenty of sparkling Swarovski crystals are the hot look for brides this season. Choose either one very wide bracelet, or customize the look by layering and stacking two or three bracelets. Whichever you decide, the effect will be red carpet ready.

When you are putting together your wedding accessories, don't forget about your hair. Headbands are one of the most popular bridal looks this year, and this is the perfect chance to add more sparkle to your outfit. A wide band works well as a place to pin either one large grand pin or a series of smaller brooches. Both are very beautiful ways to dress your tresses.

The great thing about your crystal or pearl bridal jewelry is that it will have a long life after the wedding. These special pieces can be dressed up for festive occasions, or worn in a funky way for more relaxed events. They will serve as a wonderful reminder of your wedding for years to come.

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Favorite Sites~~

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

http://weddingsuccess.blogspot.com

http://mysweetheartforever.blogspot.com

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Crystal bridal jewelry is an affordable way to add glamour and drama to your wedding gown.

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

To Glove or Not to Glove??

2010-02-22T15:54:00.000-08:00

Many brides like the look of wearing traditional, full bridal gloves with their wedding gown. But many of my brides write, what to do with the gloves and WHEN?

What do I do when it is time to place the ring on my finger?

Before the ceremony, "slit the seams" on the ring finger of your glove. Then just push the material back when it is time for him to place the ring on your finger and wa-la, you are ready for the big moment. After the ring has reached its intended destination, pull the fabric back over your finger.

This same approach can also be used to show your rings off to your guests. If you desire to have a non-slit glove on your left hand after the ceremony, purchase an extra pair and have someone hand them to you when the recessional ends.

The second alternative is to take your gloves off during the ceremony and hand them to your honor attendant. Then, at a predetermined point in the ceremony, she can hand them back to you. Let me warn you though, that trying to get gloves on and off when you are nervous can be a bit awkward, especially if they are long (and you don't want this to look like a strip tease at the altar.).

Ask your clergy if you can remove and then place your glove back on when your back is to your guests.

Do I wear my gloves during the receiving line?
YES - by all means do so. They are a part of your wedding attire.

Do I wear my gloves while eating?
NO - and that includes the cutting of the cake also.

Do I wear my gloves during the rest of the reception?
YES! If you like. However, many brides do remove their gloves as the festivities wear on.

Fingerless Gloves

If any of this glove etiquette has you uncertain, a great alternative is to choose fingerless gloves. They are available in many different styles your groom can easily slip on your wedding ring during the ceremony. At the reception, you can keep your gloves on during dinner and cake cutting too. There is no need to remove your gloves.

So, To Glove or Not to Glove need no longer be an issue. Just remember the rules and you’ll be fine. Gloves worn with your wedding attire can add grace and elegance to any bridal ensemble.

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Helpful Sites

WHITE SATIN FORMAL BRIDAL GLOVES W/BOWS 1/2 ARM Beautifully finished off with feminine bows running up the arm, these evening or wedding gloves are dashing. Glove is 14.5 inches from end to end. Plenty of stretch from side to side. Extremely elegant looking.

Shop for Heart Diamond Pendants at MyJewelryBox.com Great attendant's gifts!!

Satin Gloves - Adult These Satin Gloves are adult size (one size fits most) They add real elegance to your wedding day wear. They are the fashion accessory that gives a special touch and finished look to your lovely white dress.

Excellent sites ! Many ideas and hints for you, the BRIDE!!!http://betleebridals.blogspot.com
http://betteswedding.livejournal.com
www.weddingsbyashlee.com

Source ~Copied from Bridal Fashion Mall

Oxygen on the Go ~ A Travelers Checklist

2010-02-15T08:02:00.000-08:00

Check out prices here!!

Oxygen therapy can be an intimidating addition to your life, but it doesn't have to keep you at home. When traveling for work or for vacations it is important to have proper planning, you can still enjoy the independence and adventure of travel. Experts in home oxygen therapy help make travel easier for their COPD patients with the following checklist.

Four to six weeks before you travel
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Make all arrangements as far in advance as possible, especially if you are booking air travel.
- When booking your ticket, let your travel agent or air, cruise, train, or bus line know that you will be traveling with oxygen. Make sure you know their oxygen policies and all associated costs. At a minimum, you must inform the airlines forty-eight hours in advance of your check-in time.
- If you will be staying in a hotel, motel or bed & breakfast, inform the booking agent that you will be bringing oxygen with you. Most importantly, be sure to let them know if you are expecting oxygen to arrive at the hotel in advance of your arrival.

Three weeks before you travel
-
At least three weeks before you travel, contact your home oxygen provider and ask for help in arranging oxygen tanks and supplies while you are on the road. There are several equipment options to accommodate your travel needs. Your oxygen provider should be able to guide you. Be prepared with the following information:
a. Dates of your planned travel
b. Destination(s) of your travel plans
c. Are you flying? If yes, what airline? Or by train? Bus? Etc.
d. What is the total flight time from gate to gate?
e. If you are not flying, how are you traveling?
f. Are you planning to use a CPAP or Bi-Level device while traveling?

Two weeks before you travel

- Talk to your doctor about traveling.
- If you are flying, get a signed statement or prescription from your physician that includes:
a. When oxygen use is necessary (on all or a portion of the trip)
b. For air travel, maximum flow rate corresponding to the pressure of the cabin under normal operating conditions

One week before you travel

- Confirm all details with your oxygen equipment supplier, hotel and travel agent, airline or other travel provider.

While you are traveling
-
Remember: NEVER take your own home oxygen tank on board any aircraft of any kind. Your oxygen equipment supplier and airline will provide you with specific equipment options and guidelines.
- Make sure to take all of your contact numbers for your physician and oxygen equipment provider.
- If you are flying, arrive at the airport early. Airport security screeners may require extra time to inspect your equipment.

Oxygen therapy does not have to turn you into an armchair traveler. A little careful planning can give you back the joy and independence of travel. Hopefully, this article gives you the information you need to travel with joy and independence.

Questions? Ask your doctor or home oxygen provider.

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Getting Married?? Visit http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/ or http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

Health Conscious?? Visit http://thehealthymoments.blogspot.com/

Antwon Taylor is a home oxygen and sleep therapy technician at Pacific Pulmonary Services.which is one of the largest providers of home oxygen, sleep therapy and nebulized medications in the United States.

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

Rhinestone Jewelry

2010-01-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

Maire Loughran author

Bridal Wedding Tiara Crown 5723L6

Rhinestone jewelry, made from clear or colored quartz, is a great alternative to expensive gemstone jewelry. Gorgeous jewelry costs less than $20.

As the new year is already upon us, it’s time to start thinking about jewelry to accessorize your spring outfits ~ or maybe to wear on your wedding day. One of the more popular looks over the past few years has been rhinestone jewelry. It’s bright and sparkly – a sure attention grabber. It’s a very cost effective alternative to colored gemstones with many pieces priced at under $20.

Defining Rhinestone Jewelry
Rhinestone jewelry is made from inexpensive rock crystal - which is a gemstone albeit a cheap one. Rock crystal is a member of the quartz family. It’s a common misconception that rhinestone is made from glass.

Rhinestone jewelry is made by gluing the rock crystal to foil which in turn is placed in a setting. The metal part of rhinestone jewelry is non-precious, made from either gold or silver colored base metals.

Hallmarking Rhinestone Jewelry
Vintage rhinestone jewelry ranges from $50 to over $1,000 depending on its quality, age and whether it has a hallmark. Hallmarks are unique symbols placed on a bracelet/necklace clasp or tag or inside a ring identifying the jewelry maker, date the jewelry was made and other related information. Having a hallmark doesn’t guarantee the jewelry is authentic nor does not having a hallmark mean it’s a fake. Hallmarks can be copied. Additionally, the jewelry designer may have forgotten to affix a hallmark it or may have made pieces they didn't see the need to mark.

Caring for Rhinestone Jewelry
Over the years, rhinestone jewelry made with clear rock crystal may start to yellow. This is caused by the deterioration of the glue holding the rhinestone to the foil. As the cause of the yellow cast is underneath the rhinestone, it is impossible to remove by surface cleaning the jewelry. The only alternative is to have a jeweler replace the rhinestone – a simple process.

Jewelry cleaning camps are divided on how to best clean rhinestone jewelry or any costume jewelry for that matter with foil backings. Some say it’s okay to use soap and water brushing off the surface dirt with a toothbrush and rinsing the jewelry under running water.

Others say getting the foil wet causes it to turn black, ruining the appearance of white and light colored rhinestones. An alternate method to the above is to dunk a toothbrush into soapy water, shake until the brush is barely wet and carefully clean the rhinestones, taking care to keep any moisture from getting into the setting.

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Read more at Suite101: Rhinestone Jewelry: Costume Jewelry Made From Clear and Colored Quartz http://jewelry.suite101.com/article.cfm/rhinestone_jewelry#ixzz0dvCEqHaH

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

Karoke at your Wedding Reception ~ To Sing or Not Sing ~ That is the Question

2010-01-23T15:10:00.001-08:00

Emerson Karaoke Machine

If you have a wedding coming up, you want it to be memorable. If you are considering adding a karaoke as a package option for your wedding reception because your DJ offers it, you are the type of bride and groom that really want your guests to have fun. Right? It is true. You may want to start of your marriage with something memorable, and karaoke could certainly be a way to do it. However, as Spidey once said, "with karaoke comes great responsibility." (Or something like that.)

First off, if karaoke is your selling point to choosing a DJ, you really need to check out your DJ to see what his actual karaoke background is. He could be a great wedding DJ, but not that cultured in empty orchestra singing performances. Has your disc jockey won best karaoke titles a number of times? Does he (or she) have good gear and current selections as well as the old classics songs that everyone loves?

While it is hard to exactly explain what it is that makes a DJ "The Best" in the eyes of his or her karaoke patrons, it probably has to with a combination of personality and fast pacing.

Personality. It is something your karaoke DJ either has, or doesn't have. There are no lessons for this attribute. You cannot learn this. The only way to really judge this, however is to see them in living color.

Ask to see them playing karaoke music at a public venue. The reason they may also get booked for a lot of weddings and sweet 16 birthday parties is by having potential customers come to public gigs and test them first. If they invite you, do it! You can see them in action, unannounced, uncensored and unknown. Then you can judge for yourself, without watching an edited video of only their best moments.

How do you know, if what you are seeing will translate well for you? They should be funny and fun and keep the party going, but not a spotlight hog themselves. (Some karaoke DJ's are unbooked musicians looking for an outlet to shine. Your wedding is not the place for this.) You don't need them to get on the mic and attempt stand up comedy. Your guests want to hear music, not speeches, but a little bit of quick mic work in the appropriate places after or before a strategic song can be classic. They should mix party DJ success with their karaoke, then they will do a great job at both for your reception.

Timing is everything. No dead air, is important. When it happens - PEOPLE CRINGE! Have you ever been on a dance floor and there is a space between songs? What do the dancers do? They either freeze and stand there like deer in headlights, or go and sit back in their seats. BOTH OF THESE OUTCOMES ARE NOT GOOD! Watch the DJ try their hardest to keep everything moving and leave no room to sleep for the karaoke audience.

Once you have chosen the right DJ who also has karaoke, consider these precautions.

1) SCHEDULED KARAOKE TIME - Not everyone likes karaoke, so limit it to either scheduled performances by a few key players, or open up say the very last hour. If you open it up for the entire reception, it will not be special and will become more annoying than anything else.

2) SET LIMITS - Do not allow multiple songs by one guest. Maybe one or two, but you do not want your wedding reception to become a a karaoke concert staring one or two key players.

3) SCAN SONG SELECTION - Make sure your DJ runs all the songs by you, if they could be considered questionable. Some songs out there have ridiculous amounts of adult content and just are not right for a wedding. (HINT - if there is cursing, or a song by the 2 Live Crew, beware!)

So that's it. Karaoke can really be a blast, but be careful. If you are, it can really add to the final flavor and make it a great night for everyone!

Helpful Sites ~~

Wedding Window

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

DJ Kenny Casanova is a successful wedding reception disc jockey out of Albany, NY. He has won countless karaoke titles and has some great tips for your next party or event.

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6 Wedding Ways to Celebrate Your Values, Reduce Budget, Increase Fun and Enrich Your Marriage

2010-01-16T15:05:00.000-08:00

Ask anyone their most important value and no one will reply: "Gratuitous Consumption." Ask newly engaged couple their most important value and most of them are going to say, "Love" or a "Loving Relationship" or "Family." Some people will say "The Environment;" still others might say "Peace."

So why is it when you look at most weddings what's most evident is the skill the couple has in disposing of large amounts of cash?

Weddings should be lavish and abundant. But they should be lavish and abundant within the context of what's important to you.

If Love is what's most important to you, you want to keep your focus on your wedding ceremony, your wedding vows and the support your community will offer you. You want to design your reception around activities that build and nurture community rather than on how you stretch your wedding dollars to include every piece of wedding paraphernalia the magazines and your friends might insist you need.

One of the reasons that there's so much emphasis on wedding favors is that we're often not comfortable expressing our emotions in public. But as Keats says "these are private words spoken in public." So you're going to be a little uncomfortable, that's the nature of making public declarations of devotions. But the lavish expenditure of cash neither replaces those declarations nor does it make them easier to cough out. It's hard. And it's wonderful. Saying, "I love you now, and I will love you forever," out loud and in public are life-changing and world-changing events. So what are you to do?

Always first, make a budget. How much cash in hand do you have to spend? How are you going to save the money you've decided you need to spend for your wedding, by the time the wedding happens?

Figure out which wedding expenditures really enhance your values.

If there are those that don't, can you eliminate them? Because even if you can afford them, you don't have to have them.

If you want to do something like, say, favors, can you make your favors donations to a favorite charity in the name of your Beloved Community? This can particularly effective if you're making a donation to a local organization. $1,000 to some groups can be life-changing for a local charity.

Consider small rituals within your wedding ceremony that emphasize the values that will be at the heart of your marriage.

Are you nature lovers? Hold your wedding in your community park along the local river rather than at a prestigious venue.

History Buffs? Consider a Landmark Building or Site.

Conservationists? The local zoos all have spaces available and today, they are some of the leaders in conservation.

Consider activities during the reception that will help your community become better acquainted.

Play a game, learn a dance, make wishes for the bride and groom. All of these allow the community to see one another more clearly.

Consider a charitable activity that aligns with your values before the wedding.

Clean up a park or repair a house for a senior. Then do it next year as an anniversary celebration, either in your town or someone else's.

There are lots of ways for you to reduce the cost of your wedding while increasing the value. None of these events encourage you to spend hours on the web or in the malls looking for "inexpensive" or "bargain" solutions to wedding problems that aren't really real. All of them will keep the two of you working on your marriage and what matters to you and allow your community to support you. And that's a wedding bargain you want to have!

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

The Gift of Jewelry ~ Finding Just the Right Piece

2010-01-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

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Most women love jewelry, so it often makes a special gift. It is the type of gift that lasts a long time and provides memories of the moment you gave it to her every time someone compliments her on that special piece.

But before buying anything make sure she appreciates or wants jewelry. There are some women who aren't as excited by it; if she is one of these types of women it may not have the affect you were expecting.

Once you have established that jewelry is her thing there are a few other things to consider in order to pick out something she will always cherish. First, it is important to pay attention to the types of jewelry she already wears. Does she seem to prefer rings, necklaces, earrings or bracelets?

Pay attention to the type of jewelry she seems to like whether it is gems, pearls, chunky stones or delicate chains. Some women prefer silver, some gold and some like both; make sure you know her preferences.

It's also a good idea to think about the colors she wears most. If she wears earthy colors and likes pearls you may want to get her a chocolate pearl. If she wears mostly pastel colors you may want to get her a light stone like aquamarine or a silver chain with a nice pendent that fits her personality.

Notice the type of things she is drawn to when you go shopping. Also notice what she likes on others, whether they are friends or people in the news or magazines.

Depending on your budget and your relationship the exact piece of jewelry you choose will vary a bit but if you are looking for ideas some items that seem to remain popular include white diamonds, colored diamonds, gems (like sapphires and rubies) and the good old standards of silver and gold.

If you want to buy a special piece of jewelry that she will cherish for years to come, it is best to start the process a few months before you want to give it to her. Choosing the right piece yourself will show her how much you care. Paying close attention to her tastes and taking the time to find the right gift will mean almost as much as the gift itself.

Learn more about the incredibly popular earthy looks in jewelry including Chocolate Diamonds and Chocolate Pearls.

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

Bridal Headpieces ~ How to find the Right Headpiece for Your Wedding Veil

2010-01-09T15:40:00.000-08:00

Bridal Tiara - Bride Accessories

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

Style

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

Cost

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

Headpiece Style Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stuart Weitzman: Stuart Weitzman Women's Shoes: Bridal

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

http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/
http://betleebridals.blogspot.com/

Wedding Invitations ~ A guide to Invitation Enclosures

2010-01-02T16:49:00.000-08:00

Birchcraft Embossed Calla Lily Wedding Floral Accents: The folds of this bright white invitation are held by a sophisticated embossed calla lily. The bride and groom's names are printed on the front flap, with plenty of room for your sentiments inside this clever tri-fold design. Printed in raised ink in your choice of ink colors. Price includes double envelopes and tissue.

Birchcraft Embossed Calla Lily Wedding Floral Accents

Wedding invitations can be as simple as one sheet of cardstock printed with the basics, or they can include a number of enclosures. Depending on the nature of your wedding, and your stationery budget, you may choose to consolidate and forgo certain invitation enclosures. Not sure what you need? Here is a complete guide to the various enclosures you may want to include in your wedding invitation.

Outer envelope:
Most wedding invitations consist of two separate envelopes. The outer envelope (the one actually scanned by the post office) lists the complete names and addresses of all recipients and holds all enclosures.

Inner Envelope:
The inner envelope lists only the names of invited recipients. It holds all the contents of the formal, third-person invitation for protection during shipping.

Reception cards:
Reception cards specify where and when the reception will be held. These are only necessary if the ceremony and reception will take place at different locations. It is also perfectly acceptable to forgo the separate card and print reception information directly onto the wedding invitation.

Response cards:
Your guests will use the response cards (also known as RSVP cards) to indicate whether or not they will attend your wedding and their meal preference (if applicable). Make sure to print an RSVP deadline on the card, and always include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Map/Directional:
This optional insert will help guests navigate and arrange for accommodations and is especially useful if there is a significant distance or confusing directions between wedding event locations. You can order a matching direction card from your invitation stationer to ensure a cohesive look to your stationery suite, or you can write and print it out by hand.

Ceremony Cards:
These are used when some guests are invited to the reception only (making the ceremony a private, family affair). The main wedding invitation is for the reception, while the ceremony enclosure is included for the few guests who are invited to the ceremony.

Accommodations Cards:
Accommodations cards are useful for destination weddings or any wedding with a significant number of out-of-town guests. These cards provide them with any necessary travel, lodging, and area information.

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Now that you're an expert on invitation enclosures, consult this complete wedding invitations guide for everything you need to know about planning and sending your invites.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a comprehensive wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.

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

Engaged ~ Now What??

2010-01-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

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Beautiful ring on your finger ~ floating on cloud nine!! Where do you start planning for that "wedding of your dreams?" Now it's come true, but you don't know what to do next.

Where to start? Sit down with your husband-to-be and the family to discuss your plans. Get yourself a notebook, separate by dividers into different categories such as ~ guest list, budget, bridal attendant attire, reception ideas, brides's wedding gown, transportation, flowers, wedding cake and miscellaneous. Record all the ideas and post in the correct file.

Next choose a date or dates (probably two or three) that will work well for you, your finance and both sets of parents. Fall, Winter, Summer, Spring? Over a holiday weekend? Local wedding or a destination wedding such Hawaii or the Caribbean?

Write a guest list. Ask your finance, your parents, future-in-laws and of course guests you might want included. Keep in mind it might be impossible to include everyone, unless money is not an issue.

Set a realistic budget!! Discuss how much money is being contributed by you, by your parents? Are you and your fiance paying for the entire wedding? Or are your parents paying? Any money being contributed by your future-in-laws? Don't go into debt!!!

Start looking for a ceremony and reception site. If you belong to a church and attend regularly, you'll probably have the ceremony there. A church hall? ~have the reception there and likely save some money. If you're planning a destination wedding, it would be easier to hire a wedding planner. A bit expensive, but she knows the area and could probably find some good deals. Don't forget some sites are booked a year or more in advance.

Start deciding what colors you enjoy. Lovely pastels for spring, autumn hues for fall, reds & greens for Christmas, black and white.

Speak to your friends or relatives about being in your wedding party as soon as possible.

Start thinking about your vendors. Checking their sites is a great way of narrowing down your options for booking a photographer, videographer,caterer, florist, at the 10-month mark. Inquire of friends and relatives which vendor they used recently. Ask for interviews with vendors to see if you would be satisfied with their service and prices.

It's never to early to start looking for your "dream wedding gown" Probably 7 to 10 months in advance. Need time for ordering and alterations.

Out of town guests? To save guests from the stress of finding hotel rooms, you can check a hotel to see if you can block off some rooms for them. Try to find several hotels in a variety of prices. Most hotels will give you a discount for blocking off a number of rooms.

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Ashlee Williams is the editor of Weddings by Ashlee, an online wedding site that helps you to plan and create "the wedding of your dreams" by giving you great ideas, hints and resources to remain within your budget.

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=AshleeWilliams

2009-12-26T15:00:00.000-08:00

I just recently had a friend ask me how to handle the fact that her family was trying to emotionally sabotage her up-coming marriage. They didn't approve of her partner. This is an amazingly common issue. Most people have at some point faced parents being damagingly judgmental about a choice of partner. But what a disaster when this takes places around the time you're looking to say "I do"!

I've heard all sorts of variants on this theme. "I hate what I'm studying, but my parents say I should finish my degree." or "I work as an X, not because that's what I wanted, but because my family pushed me in that direction."

The truth is, families can be great supporters sometimes. They can guide us, shelter us, and nurture us when we're hurting. But - and it's a big but - families can also be very destructive if they aren't autonomy supporting, especially once the kids have grown up.

The process starts this way. As children, we learn to look to our parents and siblings to give us hints to where there may be danger. Remember when you were a terrified kid in a scary movie and your Dad put his arm around you and said everything'll be ok? Or, on the other hand, when you were doing something dangerous and didn't realise it? Your Mom swooped in and stopped you before disaster hit.

Basically, in times of stress or uncertainty you got used to looking to your parents for advice, AND THEY GOT USED TO GUIDING YOU and having the power to stop or encourage you.

Well, both parents and kids get confused in later life. Not only is it a huge step for a young adult to "take control of their lives" and go against family wisdom, be it with a choice of partners, career or lifestyle. But parents also have trouble. Because they're trying to prevent their kids from making what they see as a mistake, they can bully, become beligerent and come out with great little kernels like: "You're throwing your life away."

The key to dealing with reactions like this is twofold. The first aspect is to isolate yourself, if only for a few days. Go to someone's cottage. Take a road trip. Stay with a friend in another city.

And now, you want to do this without whoever's been pressuring you, like your parents or even an interfering friend and/or partner.

In this time, you need to square stuff with yourself. Why do you want to make a change? Are you sure of your choice? Are your motives the rights ones?
If the answers to all these questions are "Yes". Then you've got half your answer. You know in your heart what is right for you.

Why do I recommend this check-in with yourself?

Because, rebellious little teenagers that we are, even as adults, often we do things in "reaction" to those around us. For example, "You don't think I should be with this guy? Ok, I'm going to buy a ring." or "You don't think I should move just now? Well I'll call the realtor tommorrow morning!"

For this reason, it's very important to get straight in your head what decisions are yours and what you've done in reaction to other people's (overbearing) opinions.

In the case of a family sabotaging an up-coming marriage, I'd ask myself: "Why do I want to get married at a time when my family has little confidence. If these memories will last a lifetime, wouldn't I rather they be as perfect as possible? And if money is an issue, why not save for 6 months?"

Once you've got this straight, it's time to take on your family. Sit down the contrary members one by one and start with something like:

"I know you don't think what I'm doing is a good idea, but I'm an adult and I've made a choice. There's nothing you can do to change my mind. Actually, now, you're in the process of ruining our relationship by trying to undermine my autonomy and self-esteem. I value our relationship and so want us to straighten this out productively. But you need to learn to respect my judgement. It is me who chooses how to live my life. It's me that will live with the consequences of my actions and who will be happy in my own way. It's my life."

After that, let the other person talk, but don't let them start with the "You're making a bad decision" thing. You're an adult. They have a right to a different view and to draw your attention to details you might have overlooked, but you have a right to your autonomy. And ultimately, it's up to your family to learn to love the person you really are, not the person they'd want you to be.

Be courageous. If you play this type of situation right, you can take a big step into adulthood. You can learn to be more able and fit to stand on your own feet in the future. No one can drag a person down once she's anchored by faith in her power of decision.

See this occaision as challenge an opportunity to acquire strength.

Go out an act according to your desires, dreams and capacities. Other people's support is important, but you're the one living your life. Also, consider that true healthy relationships are balanced with advice and the support of autonomy. Someone trying to bully you into submission over anything is not a great situation to remain in. If, after repeated attempts to curtail emotional bullying you don't succeed to contain it, you might want to take a look at the closeness you accord this particular relationship.

No reason to masochistically open up your jaw for a punch. Of course, we need to learn to be vulnerable time to time, but the intimacy of exposing vulnerablility is a privilege in a friendship. Someone who abuses the trust required to share insecurities perhaps isn't worthy of that trust.

Also, you might want to check your own need for approval. If you find yourself constantly requiring validation that your choices are the right ones, you might be lacking conviction of your own. Requiring validation, of course, opens you up for abuse, should you surround yourself with the wrong people.

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

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

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http://betteswedding.livejournal.com

Terrie Schauer
http://warriorqueenproject.blogspot.com

Writer, kick-boxer, peaceful warrior.

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

Makeup Mistakes that Brides Make

2009-12-23T05:17:00.001-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diamond Stud Earrings ~ The Basics to Buying

2009-12-14T16:06:00.001-08:00

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Diamond stud earrings just like other jewelry come in a variety of different cuts. Round cuts are the most favored for stud earrings. They also are popular in emerald cuts and tear drops. The cut of the diamond refers to the resulting shape. A round cut produces round earrings. Emerald cut ones are square in shape, tear drops pointed at one end and oval at the bottom. Each cut offers a different level of brilliance and sparkle.

Diamond stud earrings are often not given the same attention as say a diamond ring is given. The diamonds used in these earrings often are of lower grade diamonds. The clarity of the diamonds may not be that of a better stone used to be set in a ring or pendant.

These should be given the same care that any jewelry receives. Cleaning them can be accomplished with a commercial cleaning product produced for the care of diamonds. There are ultra sonic jewelry cleaners that are also available that do a great job of cleaning.

They should never be exposed to harsh chemicals to include hair dye, hair spray and other hair grooming chemicals. They can be a challenge to clean because of the oil buildup from the hair, but a good commercially produced diamond cleaning solution should take care of this problem.

As an investment they should be purchased through a reputable jeweler. An appraisal of the the earrings can be requested at the time of purchase. If this is going to be a serious financial investment than there should be a certain amount of research done prior to the purchase. For the novice the best place to start with the research effort would be to better understand the value of a diamond and how diamond stud earrings are rated. Of course then deciding on the cut will be is the next step and of course deciding on the weight is another consideration.

These, like other diamonds, are measured in carats. The weight of diamond stud earrings is listed in TCW which is an acronym for total carat weight. When a pair is listed as a ½ TCW this means that each one of them weighs ¼ carat.

Looking for the perfect piece of jewelry to give that special woman in your life? diamond stud earrings are simple and elegant enough to work as a gift for any occasion.

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Stressed out Before Wedding ~Tips to relieve Stress

2009-12-09T07:54:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ashlee Williams is the owner of Weddings by Ashlee, an online wedding planning site that helps you to plan and create the "wedding of your dreams", yet stick to your wedding budget. You will find helpful hints and ideas, plus money-saving resources. Check out http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/ today!!

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

Perfect Location for Wedding Reception

2009-12-07T03:58:00.001-08:00

So you're getting married and now it's time to plan your big day. This might seem like a daunting task but with a little bit of pre-planning it can be a lot of fun. Here are some things to consider when you start to search for the perfect place to hold your wedding reception.

1. If these walls could talk: Big venues often hold more than one event at a time, so find out what's happening on your target date and where. You don't want your guests to be shouting over the sounds or another band or seminar speaker next door.

2. Size Does Matter: Get a ballpark idea of who's invited and round out that number to help target your search for the perfect space. Remember, the space may look roomy now but it will fill up fast with a band setup, buffet, tables, chairs and decorations.

3. Hell is other people: If you want something intimate, don't hold your event in a public spot like a park or garden unless you rent it. Strangers may walk by and look, or even make comments.

4. Room with a view: Give your guests a little feast for their eyes. Pick a location that offers something visual such as a city skyline or a sunset overlooking the ocean. If you choose a historic building or museum, look at the architectural details, wall hangings and floor coverings.

5. Praying to the parking Gods: If you are having a city wedding, look for a lot nearby and negotiate a flat rate to validate your guests' passes. Opting for a bus or trolley may be a solution to inadequate parking facilities.

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What is a Groom's Cake?

2009-12-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

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

So what exactly is a groom's cake?

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

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

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

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

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

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Reviewing Online Wedding Vendors

2009-12-03T06:15:00.001-08:00

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When it comes to planning the perfect wedding, many people today are opting for online wedding vendors. Not only do they save you time, money, and gas, but they can be very helpful when it comes to viewing things by style and looking for exactly what you want without driving to a million different places to find it. Many people are even turning to online bridal shops to completely plan their wedding, not simply to supplement it.

Whichever the reason you are using to go to online wedding vendors, it is very important you know what you are looking for in an online wedding shop or bridal shop. You need to know what to look for and which places to get it.

When I went out in search for the perfect online wedding shops, I found a number of important things that I had not always realized were so important to look at. I was not exactly sure how difficult reviewing the various online bridal shops like House of Brides and One Wed would be until I set out to do it.

What I liked about some of the more popular online wedding vendors like House of Brides was that they offered great support. When purchasing wedding dresses and various other items for your wedding, it's so reassuring and comforting to know that you can easily reach the staff and customer service for that website with any questions or concerns you have, and you can even track your order which made me much more lenient on spending so much money over the web.

You have to admit after all that spending thousands of dollars online is a little scary sometimes, and it helps when you can be reassured and see where exactly your purchases are at. I was not pleased with how a lot of sites had no way to reach them other than email. Some even lacked a phone number or live chat, which was disappointing and made me not want to spend much money there at all.

When I visited some of the more popular websites however, I enjoyed how incredibly easy it was to browse through the dress styles and product types; they give you options to browse by categories like brands, sizes, and even colors. This made the task of finding what I was looking for much simpler and even gave me some insight into newer styles I thought could be interesting to integrate into my original wedding dress design plan as well as having the chances to completely change my mind while still staying in my budget.

That was both convenient and fun to do all together. I didn't like though how some online dress stores were so overcrowded that I could not find exactly what I wanted with ease, it actually ended up taking a lot of searching to figure out where to find what which was both time consuming and annoying. It made things not only frustrating but downright tiring, I was in no way prepared for all the work it took me to shovel through that site and their various designs. It was a shame that it was so overcrowded too, as some of the design ideas sounded interesting. However, I was not about to sit there for three hours trying to find one simple dress idea. So make sure before sticking with one online wedding vendor, you look for something well organized and simple.

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

How to get a Loan to Pay for a Wedding

2009-11-29T09:27:00.001-08:00

By John O'Mahony
User-Submitted Article

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2009-11-28T03:54:00.000-08:00

How to Marry a Coworker

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer

Long hours at the office can mean little extra time for dating and romance in the real world. Rather than lament the lack of time to find a soulmate, turn your attention to your coworkers. There is significant opportunity to get to know them during meetings and lunches. Make sure your employer has no policy against coworkers dating. You may find companionship and a life partner to marry.

Step 1 Get to know the fellow employee who caught your eye. Invite the person along for group lunches and casually sit near him. Take these innocent opportunities to learn more about his personality and interests outside of work.

Step 2 Discreetly start flirting with your coworker by the copy machine or when passing by her desk. A sultry look when you see her in the hall or prolonged eye contact during meetings should pique her interest. Step it up slightly when you notice her flirting back.

Step 3 Do lunch together—-alone. Turn a lunch for two into your first date. Continue your flirty banter and he'll get the idea quickly. After a few lunches, take your dates outside of working hours with a dinner or movie outing.

Step 4 Discuss the nature of the relationship. Inquire about whether your coworker is seeking out a long-term commitment or a casual dating situation. Talk about being professional while working together by developing a strategy to keep your personal relationship out of the workplace.

Step 5 Separate your work relationship from your romance. Once love has blossomed, fight the temptation to carry out your courtship at the office.

Step 6 Maintain discretion at work and build your relationship on your own time. If the relationship grows and the possibility of marriage exists, wait a minimum of six months to ensure it doesn't interfere with your employment.

Step 7 If you are able to keep a healthy balance between work and personal life. Set a date and get married.

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Happy Holidays!!

2009-11-26T08:08:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays to everyone !!!

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

If you concentrate on what you don't have

you will never, ever have enough. " Oprah Winfrey

Ashlee, Charlotte or Joanie

http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/

Christmas Wedding Flowers

2009-11-25T13:57:00.001-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cuff links take a Spot in Men's Jewelry

2009-10-28T06:56:00.001-07:00

Men's Accessories and Jewelry

David Beckham is one of the stylish men who provide great influence in men's fashion. Rock stars and other athletes as well have been spotted sporting some men's jewelry. Among these are watches, bracelets, and cufflinks.

Such pieces never made them look traditional or fatherly but instead gave them a more modern edge. More and more men are now beginning to transform into fashion forward metrosexual. White metals mixed with diamonds, silver, gold, and rubber are now being used as accents to their outfit.

Cufflinks are now taking a spot in the top men's jewelry staples. Why is this so? It is simply because cufflinks add structure and dimension to their formal or even semi-casual look. Men of today appear to be accepting of the fact that they need such jewelry pieces in order to look not just good but better. You will see modern cufflink designs flaunted on their wrists along with bracelets and necklaces. And because of this trend too that more and more women are giving cufflinks as gifts to the men in their lives.

The most popular choice for men's jewelry is cufflinks made of steel. This is a good choice not just because of its manly structure and look but also because it is durable and scratch-proof. Being stainless and solid looking, it's good for both formal and informal events.

Some men also prefer cufflinks made of tungsten carbide. It somewhat has the same density as platinum and the same characteristic as titanium. It is a hard metal in a slightly darker color; it is also scratch-proof. Titanium is a popular choice too. Perhaps because of its modern and "cool" look, younger men prefer this metal for their jewelry piece. Advanced technology has been applied to this metal thus producing titanium in various colors, including black.

Men indeed are now open to creating a whole new look for the fashion forward age. Their sleek and well-designed choices of jewelry pieces truly make them more manly yet stylish and neat. There aren't any men who wouldn't want to look like Beckham, right?

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How to Make the Special Day ~ Stress Free

2009-10-21T15:31:00.001-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Top 5 Bridal Jewelry Must-Haves

2009-10-19T04:13:00.000-07:00

Brides are too busy preparing for their wedding. Their focus is primarily on the printing of the invitation cards, listing of the entourage, finding of the respective locations for the wedding ceremony and reception, fitting of the bridal gown, hiring of a catering service, and others. They list down things from their wedding calendar; tasks that should be accomplished month-by-month. But, there is one thing that is missing on the to-do list: the choosing and buying of bridal jewelry.

Jewelry plays a key role in making the bride look elegant and attractive. It should not be missed by the bride. These pieces of shiny items even add glamour to the wedding. This is the reason every bride would wish to wear the best pieces of jewelry during her wedding. Speaking of wearing the best, what kind of jewelry should a bride have for this special occasion? Check this list of top five bridal jewelry must-haves:

Necklace

In choosing a necklace, consider the style of the gown. More often than not, the gown style, particularly the neckline, dictates the need for this piece of jewelry. However, necklace makes up the top five bridal jewelry must-haves because most of the bridal gowns are off shoulder, which requires necklace (or else, the neck of the bride will look bare). Moreover, the length should also match the neckline of the gown. Be careful about this.

Earrings

Keep the earrings simple if the gown is already grand in itself. What is important is to make the shape of the earrings complement the face of the bride. A button earring matches a round face, while dangle earring broadens a thin face and a squared earring fits a long face. If the bride will not wear necklace anymore because of the style of her gown, it is best to wear bigger earrings.

Tiara

Tiara makes a bride feel and look like a princess. Becoming a princess is a childhood dream of every girl; thus, it is not surprising that the bride wishes to become a princess in her last day of singlehood.

Bracelet

Bracelet enhances the gown of the bride, as well as her well-manicured hand. It also complements the other jewelries.

Ring

The ring should be included, though it is worn by the bride after the exchanging of vows. In fact, it is the required piece among the set of jewelry. It symbolizes love, oneness, and a happy journey of the groom and the bride toward building their family.

It does not matter if the bride is having gold, sterling silver, diamond, pearl or Swarovski for a wedding jewelry. What is important is that she is showing elegance and beauty, which should be the case because it is her day, anyway. Also, it is not necessary if the jewelry is real or fancy, or if it is cheap or expensive. What matters is it brings a lovely look to the bride. Who has seen bride jewelry-less? No one has because it is a must-have.

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Comical Love Poems

2009-10-14T15:02:00.001-07:00

When most people think of love poems, they think of serious and soulful expressions of passion. Long sonnets by Shakespeare or romantic poems by Browning and Lord Byron are the norm for love poetry. However, funny love poems can be good for a laugh. They may not be romantic, but they do give your friends something to enjoy.

Some of the best funny love poems are limericks. Limericks started in Ireland and follow a standard form of five lines and a rhyme scheme of aabba. Here are a few limericks written by anonymous authors:

There once was an old man of Lyme
Who married three wives at a time
When asked "Why a third?"
He replied, "One's absurd!
And bigamy, Sir, is a crime."

There was a young fellow named Hammer
Whose had an unfortunate stammer
"The b-bane of my life"
Said he, "Is m-m-my wife
D-d-d-d-d-d-damn ‘er!"

She made friends with a young undertaker;
Her last boyfriend had forsaken her.
But she started to curse
When he turned up in a hearse.
She said next time I'll date a baker!

There was a young lady named Constance,
From boys she wouldn't stand any nonsense.
If her partners grew deft
She would lead with her left;
The results would not weigh on her conscience.

My sweetheart and I are just wed.
Already I wish I were dead.
Two weeks she's been spending.
It was time never ending.
We are thousands of pounds in the red!

Limericks are fairly easy to write if you can rhyme well, so you might try writing a limerick yourself that includes the name of your friend or loved one. This is a good way to make a funny love poem that is personalized.

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You can find more information about funny poems at:
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Art Hill is an internet poet who operates an independant poetry publishing company.

http://weddingsuccess.blogspot.com
http://galaxybridals.blogspot.com

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

2009-10-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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Go on! I dare you, be happy together!

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

Secrets for Marriage Success (Soul Food Astrology)

2009-10-03T15:44:00.001-07:00

Soul Food Astrology

By Natori Moore

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! With all that goes into planning your wedding day – the guest list, the photographer, the tuxedoes and dresses – it may be useful to add one more item to your list. How do your astrological charts compare? Evaluating your fitness for marriage based on your astrological signs can pay dividends for you and your spouse for years to come.

First, evaluate your own fitness for marriage. Do you possess the best or worst traits of your Sun sign?

Sign Dates ~Best Attributes ~Worst Attributes
Aries Mar 20 – Apr 20 Courageous, Energetic Selfish, Poor Listener
Taurus Apr 20 – May 20 Steady, Placid Stubborn, Indulgent
Gemini May 20 – Jun 20 Clever, Intelligent Fickle, Restless
Cancer Jun 20 – Jul 20 Good Parent, Nurturing Moody, Childish
Leo Jul 20 – Aug 20 Fun, Big-Hearted Self-Centered, Demanding
Virgo Aug 20 – Sep 20 Hard-Working, Likes to Clean! Critical of Self and Others
Libra Sep 20 – Oct 20 Beautiful, Cooperative Indecisive, Invisible
Scorpio Oct 20 – Nov 20 Devoted, Passionate Secretive, Jealous
Sagittarius Nov 20 – Dec 20 Adventurous, Eager Know-it-All, Lazy
Capricorn Dec 20 – Jan 20 Ambitious, Determined Depressed, Mean
Aquarius Jan 20 – Feb 20 Friendly, Allows Freedom Detached, Cold
Pisces Feb 20 – Mar 20 Compassionate, Caring Escapist, Procrastinating

Once you’re married, you’ll want to continue to bring out the best attributes of your sign. The signs that often do well in marriage are:

Libra – Classic sign of partnership and cooperation, loves companionship
Pisces – Romantic and giving, puts others needs above one’s own
Cancer – Home and family oriented
Taurus – Satisfied with consistency and simple comforts

If you’re not one of the above signs, don’t fret, you can still have a successful marriage. You may simply need to be aware of the things that can get in your way:

Aries – You like your independence
Gemini – Your attentions can be scattered
Leo – The mirror can beat your spouse for best friend status
Virgo – Work, work, work
Scorpio – You’re the brooding, jealous type
Sagittarius – You don’t like boundaries
Capricorn – You’re busy climbing that corporate mountain
Aquarius – That romance stuff is a little too close for comfort

Also, consider your general compatibility with your partner’s sign. There are many ways to do this, and much more depth involved if you want to do it thoroughly, but here’s a simple start. Choose a partner with a Sun sign that falls within the same group as yours, according to the table below.

Group A Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius
Group B Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces

Group A signs generally have a more socially outgoing and experimental temperament, whereas Group B signs have a more reserved and conservational temperament. If your Sun signs fall in different groups, you may have to show extra patience in understanding one another, but you can balance each other out nicely.

There’s another secret to marriage success, and that’s using the timing of Venus (planet of love) and the Moon (domestic happiness) to select a good marriage time and date. The idea behind choosing a wedding date according to the stars is that a marriage occurring under good planetary conditions is like a seed planted in good soil -- it will have the best chance of blossoming well through the years. Though there are no guarantees, much can be done through selecting a good wedding date to minimize problem areas and enhance the probability of a strong and fruitful future.

May you have much joy as you plan your wedding day, and many happy years together!

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© 2001 by Natori Moore

Bridal Jewelry : Fulfilling a Wedding Tradition

2009-10-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Netaya.com

'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.' This is a saying that many brides take to heart when considering their wedding trousseau. From wedding gowns, accessories and motifs, brides from all walks of life throughout the years have tried their best to stick to this formula. It's interesting to note that bridal jewelry can follow this adage, too.

'Something old' could most often be a piece of Bridal Jewelry that is a family heirloom. Sometimes the groom would give to his bride a ring or another piece of jewelry that had once been owned by his mother, grandmother, or past brides in his family. Maybe the bride would wear her own mother's antique jewelry or some other gem that has been handed down to brides in the family from generation to generation. One thing is certain, wearing such bridal jewelry would reinforce a sense of family, tradition and continuity in a wedding ceremony.

'Something new' hardly needs any explanation. Thousands upon thousands of bridal jewelry stores, both the Internet e-commerce sites and bricks-and-mortar stores, offer a dazzling array of accessories to make the bride shine on her wedding day. The would-be bride can choose from among various jewelry pieces one or several items that she would wear at the ceremony and which she could treasure and keep as a memento of that most special day.

At first thought, 'something borrowed' doesn't seem applicable to bridal jewelry. After all, a bride would most probably want to wear her own jewels and not have to borrow and then return them. But for women who want to add to the accessories that they will be wearing on their wedding day without having to spend thousands of dollars more to buy new ones, renting jewelry offers a practical solution. Many establishments rent out antique or estate bridal jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, and only the rental fee plus a refundable deposit need to be paid.

Finally, for that 'something blue' in a bridal jewelry ensemble, there are several gemstones that fit the bill. Depending on the shade of blue that she wants, a bride can opt for a necklace, bracelet, or earrings that are accented with sapphires, aquamarines or blue pearls. Hair ornaments or tiaras with other blue-tinted stones such as agate and topaz are also beautiful accessories for the bride.

The bride is the belle of the ball on her wedding day and it is important for her to look her best on that special occasion. Bridal jewelry, chosen tastefully and worn properly, will complement her wedding dress and make her look as radiant and as beautiful as any bride should be.

Fun Sites ~~ Round of golf on honeymoon? Pink balls for "the new missus"

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Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/profile/samserio-667.html

About the Author
Sam Serio is a musician, a writer, and Dad. For more on jewelry and gemstones, visit MORNINGLIGHTJEWELRY to get your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com.

Why is Turquoise Jewelry so Special?

2009-09-22T04:57:00.000-07:00

When you think of turquoise, it is often the culture in the south-west. This stone has long been a part of the peoples of the nations of this region. However, Africa and Greece have also been known to produce beautiful pieces in turquoise.

The stone dates back to 3500 in British Columbia where it was discovered in Egyptian tombs. In recent centuries, turquoise was searched primarily in South America, Mexico and Arizona. Early Native Americans of the holes drilled in to the turquoise necklaces and even earrings. This stone was thought to bring good luck to the user and to keep away evil spirits. We even thought to have healing properties and considered a sacred stone avoiding poverty. Cavaliers, sea captains and pilots to wear turquoise good luck and protection. It is also seen as a symbol of friendship. The cheerful color is intended to lighten the spirits of the user.

One reason for turquoise jewelry is it so special because of the intense color. Nothing lights a costume as a dull glow of the brilliant blue-green, often associated with money. Turquoise stones range in color from blue to gray-green sometimes streaked with black veins. Polish smooth and wonderfully rich, deep color apart from other jewelry.

Persian Turquoise is less porous than most of the material was extracted today less treatable meaning that you purchased natural, untreated gemstones. Turquoise Sleeping Beauty mines are very porous and are often dipped in a resin or wax coating to prevent the erosion of the material, as well as improving its overall appearance and color, this treatment is known under the name stabilized Turquoise.

Dyeing or coloring Turquoise is another way to improve the color of materials; paraffin oil and salt of copper will increase the stones color and luster, but are only temporary solutions, treatments such as what is known as strengthening Turquoise.

Coupled with the money, gold, leather, coral, black onyx, dyed shell, or wood, is astonishing turquoise rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Smooth rounded or pendants of turquoise beads and turquoise nuggets or chips to make a unique collection of jewelry catchy that everybody loves. Whether you prefer your turquoise pieces have black stripes or predominantly in blue, we have something to meet your needs.

The turquoise often reminds us of a brilliant summer sky. There is something about wearing a "piece of heaven" which is linked to good luck to the user. It will add a touch of fantasy and elegance of any occasion. Because of these attributes, the turquoise jewelry is always in style.
And yes it looks wonderful on a bride!!

Marriage Intentions? Visit http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/ http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/ http://galaxybridals.blogspot.com/

Great hints and ideas!

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Engraving is a great way to personalize your gift from James Avery

Going to a party? Having one? Need Costume? Check out http://www.buyucostumes.com/

TIP ~ Don't expect perfection for your wedding, no matter how well it was planned! Be realistic and then you'll really enjoy your "special day!"

Denise Sanger is the owner of My Wedding Jewelry a popular website devoted to jewelry of all designs and styles. Visit the site for additional information on Turquoise Jewelry along with many other jewelry styles.

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

Eco-Friendly Weddings

2009-09-19T03:07:00.000-07:00

Planning an Environmentally Friendly Wedding
Author: Lynn Lopez

Organic Bouquet Beautiful flowers!!

Nowadays, the world is keen on going green, and nearly every aspect of life has the potential to be done in a better, more environmentally friendly way. Weddings are one of these aspects, and if you’re interested in living a greener lifestyle, then having an eco-friendly wedding should be on your list of things to do. A green wedding won’t just save the planet, it can also help you stay within your wedding budget as well. Here are just a few tips you can incorporate in your plans to have an eco-friendly wedding.

Go electronic with your invitations.

Instead of having your wedding invitations printed out by the hundreds—and usually, the invitation itself consists of lots of extra materials and decorations—you can keep it simple by sending a mass e-mail instead to serve as your wedding invitation. It probably seems too informal, but think of it as a practical option. Not only will you save money, you can also keep paper waste from accumulating. After all, not everybody keeps the invitations they receive.

Support your local florist.

It sounds glamorous to have your wedding flowers shipped from some faraway countryside, or even country, but imagine all the carbon emissions being generated simply from having your flowers delivered. Not only would it be more eco-friendly to use local flowers, you’re also supporting local businesses.

Pick a green wedding gown.

Not the color, mind you. A green wedding gown is made of organic, fair-trade, and sustainably produced and harvested materials. If you want to be even greener, recycle a wedding dress. For example, use your mother’s wedding gown and have it altered or reworked.

Don’t take the wedding to a distant place.

Destination weddings may be fun, but flying somewhere to get married — and having your guests go all the way to the venue — isn’t the most eco-friendly option. If you really must have a destination wedding, keep your guest list small and consider offsetting by purchasing carbon credits.

Have the wedding during daytime.

This ensures that you won’t be needing any lights and helps you reduce electricity use.

Choose fuel-free transportation options.

Instead of rolling to the venue in a car, why not have a horse-drawn carriage take you to the wedding? Don’t forget to look into other innovative ways to get to the ceremony and the reception without burning fuel. You can also encourage your guests to carpool to the wedding. You should also look up car rental companies in your area which offers a fleet of hybrid vehicles.

Have an organic spread.

Consider having locally-grown organic food served during your reception, or even lessening the amount of meat dishes. Also, instead of hiring a caterer from outside your town or city, look into local caterers to reduce your big day’s carbon footprint.

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Wedding Window Design your own wedding site!!

Altar Decorations for Weddings

2009-09-18T03:42:00.000-07:00

If you are being wed in a church, you will be standing upon, or right in front of the altar during the marriage ceremony. With all eyes looking that way, you will want to be sure that the altar is as beautifully decorated as the rest of your wedding. Here are some of the ways that you can make the altar picture perfect for your wedding ceremony.

The first step when planning any type of church decorations is to speak to your officiant. Most churches will have regulations about what they will or will not permit you to do to the church, both inside and outside. You are likely to find that they do not want you to put any holes in the wall, and sprinkling the altar floor with flower petals is also probably not allowed. From there, some churches will allow you a great deal of flexibility, whereas others may permit only a bare minimum of decorating.

If your wedding will fall near a holiday like Christmas or Easter, also be sure to find out what special decorations the church will have in place at that time. It may be that they are so lovely that you do not need to add anything else. In fact, this can be a very good reason to schedule your wedding at one of these times, as you can usually cut down on your decorating costs. It is also quite possible that the seasonal flowers and the like will have to remain in place during your wedding, so you will need to choose your other décor to coordinate.

The altar area of a church is a large space to fill, so it is important to choose flowers and other elements that make a big impact. Remember that your guests will be seeing the decorations from distance. This is not the place to spend your money on special details like crystal drops in the floral arrangements to coordinate with your bridal jewelry. If you are planning on accents like that in your centerpieces and want to bring jewelry style accents to the ceremony décor, put them in your bridal bouquet. They will just get lost when view from far away.

At the minimum, plan on having some tall floral displays flanking the altar, as well as a large accent further out to each side, such as a standing candelabra or a potted tree. If your church does not permit you to have open flame, one pretty idea would be to add battery powered white lights to a potted tree. The trees can be rented, and are an easy way to add a big splash of color without the expense of creating a massive floral arrangement. A contemporary version of this would be to "plant" white birch branches into a large container in lieu of greenery. Place uplighting in the base of each pot for a dramatic effect.

When choosing the flowers for the arrangements nearest the altar, look for ones that are tall and bold. They may not be the same types of blossoms that you use for your centerpieces, which is fine, as long as they are similar in style and color. Tall footed vases will also add height and impact.

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Fun Sites ~~

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

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Attending a Halloween party? Giving a party? Need a costume? Visit this site ~~

Interesting Wedding sites to visit ~~

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http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

http://merrybrides.blogspot.com/

http://sweetheartweddings.blogspot.com/

HINT~~~ To cut costs serve only one entree. Two meal options means there are two lines of servers and two chiefs!! Costs more!

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry, receptions and gifts. Bridal jewelry is the perfect finishing touch for your wedding gown.

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

Musicians for Your Wedding Reception

2009-09-14T14:15:00.001-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is the band available on your wedding date and time?

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

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

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

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

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

Galaxy Bridal, Bettes Wedding,

Tips for your Wedding Reception Meal on a Budget

2009-09-09T10:04:00.001-07:00

Planning a wedding can be tricky, especially when it comes to getting all of the etiquette just right. Nevertheless, the last thing that you want is to get a reputation for being a tacky bride! Here are some of the common mistakes that brides make, and how to avoid them.

What makes something tacky, anyway? It generally just means that it is done in poor taste or reflects poorly on the person doing it. When it comes to weddings, things that will be tacky, cringe-worthy, or otherwise distasteful usually involve the bride getting too involved in the idea of being a princess for the day. If you are either trying too hard to actually look like a princess, that is one way to embarrass yourself; even worse is pretending that you are royalty and your bridesmaids and guests are merely there to serve you!

One thing that is very tacky is to include your bridal registry information in your wedding invitations. Don't try to pretend that you are doing your guests a favor by making it easy for them to find out where you are registered and exactly which gifts you would deem to be acceptable as a price for admission to your wedding. The message sent is that you are expecting, no insisting, that your guests bring you a gift from your registry. If you want to spread the information in a tasteful way, it is as simple as making a note of where you are registered on your wedding website. It is perfectly fine to put the wedding website address on your save-the-date cards, and any interested guests will have no trouble finding out about your bridal registry.

Another tacky thing that some brides try to get away with is forcing their guests to pay for their own refreshments at the wedding reception, in the form of a cash bar. Really, folks, if your friends come to your house for dinner, do you charge them $5 for every glass of wine that you serve them? If you can't afford a full open bar, then make a different choice, like serving only wine and beer or having a signature drink. Just don't ask your guests to buy their own drinks.

A very distasteful thing to be avoided at all costs is taking your bridesmaids for granted. These women are supposed to be your dear friends, so please remember to treat them as such! Some of the tackiest things that brides do to their bridesmaids include: demanding that they host a bridal shower, forcing them to buy dresses they cannot afford, and skip buying them bridesmaid gifts because it doesn't fit in the budget. If you cannot afford to give your bridesmaids small gifts to thank them for their service, then it is time to rearrange your priorities, because those ladies deserve to be appreciated!

One more tacky thing to avoid is pretending to be a princess or a queen on your wedding day. It is very hard to pull off arriving in a glass carriage wearing a massive ballgown and full crown unless you actually hail from a royal family. All brides certainly deserve to feel special on their wedding day, just don't go so overboard that you end up looking silly.

That brings us to the number one tacky thing that all brides should avoid: saying the phrase, "It's my day!". This much overused sentence is almost always used as an excuse for ignoring the feelings of others and acting like a spoiled brat. It also overlooks the fact that a wedding is a day for not only the bride, but also the groom, their families, and their friends. Any bride who keeps that in mind will find it much easier to plan a beautiful wedding that is in excellent taste.

Wedding Window

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Laura helps brides with their wedding plans by offering advice on selecting bridesmaids gifts,reception ideas and other aspects of planning a wedding. Be a gracious bride and thank your attendants with beautiful bridesmaid gifts

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

Country Wedding Theme ~ 3 Fun Ideas for Your Wedding

2009-09-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

Choosing a country wedding theme for your big day can be a lot of fun. If you are a country girl at heart, you will enjoy researching and planning your big day.

There are many great options for this type of wedding. From your dress to your flowers to your wedding cake, you can turn your wedding day into a fun country event.

Choosing a location is an important first step along with choosing the season that you are getting married. Getting married in the spring or summer allows you to take advantage of great flower choices, and fall also has a lot to offer.

Below are three ideas for a country wedding theme.

Country Western Theme

A western theme wedding starts with what you wear. You can wear a western wedding gown, complete with lace and cowboy boots, and your fiance and groomsmen can wear cowboy hats along with their boots.

For your centerpieces, consider unique western containers for your flowers, and try to think of other western-themed items that can be used as decorations.

Of course the entertainment you choose will be important. A good country western band can make your reception one to remember, and there are many DJs that specialize in this type of wedding.

Garden Theme

A garden theme wedding allows you to be a little creative with your planning. Have your ceremony in a garden surrounded by beautiful flowers or under a floral wedding arch.

Depending on the season of your wedding, you should have many nice options for flowers. Use flowers in all aspects of your decorations including your cake and guest tables.

For wedding favors, give your guests small potted plants or flowers. Another option is to send them home with cookies shaped like flowers.

Sunflower Theme

Narrowing your theme down to one flower is another nice option. Sunflowers make the perfect fall wedding theme, and they definitely fit in with any type of country wedding theme.

The rich colors of fall foliage create the perfect backdrop for a sunflower wedding, but a summer wedding is also an option. Work with a good florist to find out when sunflowers are easiest to get in your area.

Sunflowers can be used in your wedding invitation design as well as your centerpieces and other places where a little color is needed. Find wedding jewelry and accessories decorated with sunflowers to finish off your wedding day attire.

Fall in love! The Knot Wedding Shop’s Fall Wedding boutique has the perfect accents for your autumn wedding.

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Stephen Badiali is the owner of Wedding Ideas. For more ideas and tips visit Country Wedding Ideas and Western Wedding Ideas.

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

Favorite sites ~ Great ideas at Betlee Bridals

Cash Bars at Weddings ~ Tacky or Thrifty??

2009-09-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

Offer beer, wine, and soft drinks only.

Offer a full bar for cocktail hour, then switch to beer and wine.

Decide on one type of drink to serve - either a specialty cocktail, champagne, or one type of beer or wine. Most venues will charge significantly less to serve only one type of alcoholic beverage.

Choose a wedding venue that allows you to bring in your own alcohol. Believe it or not - there are plenty of venues that do not have liquor licenses and will allow couples to bring in their own.

Anything unopened can be returned for a full refund after the wedding. You may need to get a little more creative with your venue with this option and choose a mansion, museum, or a facility who's main business is not generated from weddings and special events.

Cut back on other wedding expenses. Lose the expensive designer wedding dress and shoes, do your own hair and makeup, consider less costly alternatives to floral arrangements, drive your own car rather than renting a limo, spin your own tunes instead of hiring a band or DJ...

Cutting some of these expenses will free up enough of your budget to serve your guests properly. We've seen too many brides waltzing down the aisle in a Vera Wang gown carrying a bouquet of imported orchids with newly manicured nails - all while her guests are hitting up the ATM in the back so they can enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.

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

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Additional Wedding Advice~~

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

http://weddingsuccess.blogspot.com

Get even more wedding etiquette advice.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine
Elegala.com is a complete wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell

In-house Caterer

2009-09-04T09:56:00.001-07:00

In-House Caterers

by Kelli Ziegler

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

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

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

Fun Sites to check out

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

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

Add Texture to Wedding Flowers with Natural Dried Elements

2009-09-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

Everlastings - Natural Displays With Dried Flowers: Over 140 Gorgeous Step- By- Step Projects

When you are designing your wedding flowers, the first thing that probably comes to mind is fresh blossoms. It is true that fresh colors are wonderful, but they are not the only thing that can be used to create interesting and beautiful centerpieces and bridal bouquets. A fantastic way to add texture and visual interest to your wedding flowers is to incorporate dried natural elements.

There is an abundance of different dried elements that can be worked into wedding arrangements. Any florist will certainly be able to access a wide variety of dried seed pods, vines, branches, and more, but will the bride who wants to make her own centerpieces and bouquets. These items are widely available at craft stores and on the internet, along with the instructional materials to show you exactly how to work with them. This is great, because it can allow you to design floral arrangements for your wedding that are one-of-a-kind pieces, whether you work with a professional or make them yourself.

Many of the dried natural elements are found in soft shades of brown, wheat, and pale green, but not all. Even if you are not interested in a rustic color palette, you can still create wonderful displays using dried materials. One of the prettiest things to try is large bundles of dried lavender. It carries a lovely relaxing aroma, and has such a chic French country style. Large bunches of lavender can be arranged in tall blue and white porcelain vases to accent entry areas and the gift table for an elegant wedding. If your style is more relaxed, simple galvanized pails can be used to hold the aromatic dried flowers. This would be a nice detail to line the aisle for an outdoor wedding in the country.

More and more brides are finding the appeal of wedding details which have been handmade, whether it is their gown and jewelry, the invitations, or their bouquets. And yet, it can be intimidating to think about making your own wedding bouquets, so many brides who attempt it will end up creating very basic arrangements. However, dried natural elements are so easy to use that almost any bride can learn to incorporate them into her bouquet. For autumn, you could make a wonderful bouquet using mums in shades of russet and orange, combined with dried preserved mini-sunflowers and stalks of natural wheat. So simple, yet so pretty and autumnal.

Dried natural elements can be wonderful accents for an outdoor wedding. Not only can they go into centerpieces, but they can be strung in trees, on barn rafters, and formed into sweet wreaths. A simple wreath made of dried grapevine would be a nice welcoming touch at the ceremony of a bride wearing a linen dress and unique handmade wedding jewelry. Or create your own arbor using grapevine and bark covered wire. Add in some fat garden roses or wildflowers for the perfect background in which to exchange your wedding vows.

There are also dramatic dried lotus pods, pine cones, dried rose petals, and all sorts of other natural elements just waiting to be included in your wedding. These interesting dried pieces give your wedding centerpieces and bouquets a wonderful natural earthy quality with fantastic visual appeal.

Fun Sites~~

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

Wedding Window Share the details of your wedding ~ Design your own wedding site!! Try a 7-day FREE TRIAL!

Additional Wedding Planning Advice

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

Read Guy's other articles on weddings,society and fashions and let us know what you think. Call us at SilverlandJewelry.com for help with your wedding jewelry or gift needs. If you are looking for a special gift for a bride or a bridesmaid, consider handmade wedding jewelry.

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

Budget Friendly Weddings

2009-08-31T08:50:00.001-07:00

Your wedding day is one of the most memorable occasions in your life and it is only natural to want the day to be special for everyone. There are several different elements to the typical wedding, from flowers to invitations, photographs and food, making it easy for costs to add up.

If you want to celebrate your wedding day without spending a fortune then investigate some money saving tips that can help to keep costs under control but still allow you to throw a party that everyone will enjoy.

First and foremost, you need to send invites to all your guests. Making your own wedding invitations is an easy way to use your creative flair and is extremely cost effective as well, meaning you are cutting costs right from the beginning.

If you're a dab hand with publishing packages or PhotoShop you could create your own custom design or even use photographs of you and your partner. If computers aren't your favourite thing then you could opt to embellish your cards with ribbon, bows, beads, or dried flowers. Whatever method you choose, all you need to do is buy a set of plain cards and let your imagination run wild!

When it comes to the day itself you want to choose a venue that fits in with the overall style of your celebrations. The reception is one of the highest costs within your wedding budget so it pays to shop around before making your booking.

Hotels are popular venues for both the ceremony and the reception. This can help to save money as you are only booking one venue as opposed to two and you also cut down on travel as everything takes place under the same roof.

If you or one of your friends or family members has a home large enough to accommodate your guests then you could save a significant amount of money by having a 'home' wedding.

You can rent trellises, archways, gazebos and other features which help to set the scene. Simply decorate with flowers to create a pretty location for photographs and celebrations.

If you want to have your wedding in a church then make sure you get a clear breakdown of church fees, flowers and organist costs.

When it comes to food you might want to use caterers. If so, make sure you shop around to find the most competitive deal and get the most for your money. It is also important to get as accurate an estimate as possible of how many people will be attending so you do not have too much or too little food.

Last but not least, many people planning weddings on a budget take care of their own catering arrangements. If you vouch for this option get some helpful friends and family to give you a hand on the day.

Home baked wedding cakes are gaining popularity and a spot of culinary creativity could save you money without sacrificing quality.

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Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.

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

www.weddingsbyashlee.com http://ashleewedding.blog.com
http://bettesjournal.com

Pets at Your Wedding??

2009-08-26T11:24:00.001-07:00

More and more, couples are starting to plan their weddings with the intention of bringing their pets into the wedding ceremony. It's actually surprising it's taken this long, seeing how attached many people are to their pets.

There are even companies now that will make outfits for pets to wear if that's what their owners wish. Outfits such as tuxedos, hats and bowties for male dogs, and little bridesmaid's dresses or even replica wedding dresses for female dogs. It has been reported that most male dogs don't do so well with the hats, though.

Pets are considered as part of the family, and for some people, it's inconceivable that on their special day their "best friend" wouldn't be there to take part in the ceremony. For younger couples, the pet may have grown up with them; for older couples, the pet might have been their only companion for years before meeting that someone special. In either case, not having their favorite companions with them just doesn't seem right.

Many couples expect their pets to walk down the aisle with them. One hopes that they have their pets trained to behave in public, to sit and stay still while the ceremony is proceeding. Some have a young person walk the pet up the aisle, almost like a guest, while others have the pet with them at the altar.

Pets have often been a part of outdoor weddings, but more couples are asking the reverend if their pets can be with them inside the church. And more reverends are going for it; it's hard to turn down some pets, as reverend's also love animals.

Of course having pets at a wedding can cause certain kinds of issues that couples must be cognizant of. One, if young children are also at the wedding, they could be distracted by the pets and become disruptive. Two, if the pets misbehave that could also be disruptive. Three, their pets will be in an unfamiliar environment, especially if it's indoors, so couples need to make sure that the person responsible for them beforehand takes extra precautions in keeping an eye on them.

Still, imagine the wedding pictures later on with the happy couple and their favorite pets all enjoying the family moment. Those are memories that will last a lifetime, and would probably be something that most other couples would be surprised to see as the years go by.

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An interview with a Wedding Planner

2009-08-18T11:02:00.000-07:00

Today, I had a chance to sit down and get great information from Dana Barone, a worker at JustWeddings.com, regarding the company's process as well as resources that are available to the modern-day bride.

Allison: Please explain how the JustWeddings.com process works?

Dana: A bride arrives at our site and specifies what services she is looking for regarding her upcoming wedding. Next, she is contacted by our verification team to check for inaccuracies and additional information. Finally, she is contacted by three of our preferred vendors who will provide her with the information sought to help make the best decision.

Allison: What benefits does a service like this deliver to an aspiring bride?

Dana: One of the biggest benefits is the reception of unbiased information. By linking the bride with service providers (who are competing for her business), she can then be in the position to better understand the service as well as make a better buying decision.

Allison: What opportunities/disadvantages do modern brides have in comparison to the former generation of brides?

Dana: There are more resources available in today's world to assist a bride. Sites such as ours, can aid a bride in regards to all of her wedding service needs; such a convenience was not available a generation ago.

The glaring disadvantage is the cost of having a wedding. While the resources has increased, so has the cost of everything.

Allison: What wedding resources do you think are most celebrated by the modern bride?

Dana: The Web (of course), bridal magazines, the recommendations of friends and family, and wedding planners.

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Additional Wedding Websites~~~

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For Philly brides, Web-related resources such as JustWeddings.com and The Knot are attempting to make an impact on the wedding industry. Does that mean the Web will take precedence regarding wedding planning? What resources have you used/or are using to prepare for your wedding?

DianeValentine's Tips for Making Wedding Dreams Come True

2009-08-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Diann’s Blog: Dream Weddings within Reach

In these uncertain economic times with consumer spending decreasing, there is one milestone that remains recession-proof: your wedding day. Although many brides are exercising cost-conscious decision-making, the opportunity for a woman to have one day to experience the greatest celebration in her life should go without sacrifice. To help you achieve all of your wedding dreams without uttering the ‘R’ word, here are my tips to ensure that your ‘I Do’ day is nothing less than fabulous!

1. Never sacrifice quantity for quality! Rather than compile a guest list that includes everyone from your childhood nanny to your college professors, ask yourself ‘if this were the last celebration of my life, who would I want to celebrate it with me’? This list can make all of the difference between a chic afternoon backyard soiree for 50 of your closest family and friends versus a buffet style reception for 200 complete with aluminum foil containers at the local banquet hall.

2. Choose non-traditional locations! Many hotels and venues will have a designated ceremony and reception location within their event space. Elect to flip the script and swap the areas for a less than predictable celebration. For example, you can opt to have a simple ceremony on an outdoor courtyard or ballroom of a hotel and then invite all of your guests to an intimate dinner and reception inside of the on-site chapel.

3. Color Your Love! Do not allow traditions or seasons to dictate the colors for your celebration. Most brides default to seasonal colors but if tangerine orange, celadon green and blood red excite you and ingnite your creative genius, and your wedding is planned in the middle of winter snow season, do not allow the weather forecast to deter your creative direction. It’s your day and probably the only day when you should absolutely have it your way!

4. Pre-ceremony receptions! Guests often arrive at weddings rather early to be certain not to miss the bride’s grand entrance. However, there are always a few last minute guests rushing in at the last minute or our precious bride herself that is running behind schedule. In anticipation of this often inevitable circumstance, plan for a 15 – 30 minute cocktail reception before the ceremony actually begins. Chilled white wine or naturally-flavored fruit spritzers will be well appreciated by your guests and offer you a cushion of time to mask any last minute delays while appearing to be a gracious and thoughtful host.

5. Unformatted seating! Traditional table seating with place cards is a must for multiple entrees offered for a sit-down dinner reception. However, a more casual affair lends itself to groupings of vignettes that may include sofas with coffee tables, dinner tables and chairs, ottomans and side tables or high cocktail tables with stools. The non-traditional approach to your seating plan will allow everyone to find their comfort zone and enjoy your celebration in the most comfortable manner for themselves – not to mention all of the great conversations that will stem from the variety of options.

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David’s Bridal is proud to stylishly outfit brides on TNT’s “Wedding Day”, a new reality television series that helps deserving brides ensure that their wedding day is one of the most magical days of their lives. Each week, celebrity wedding planner and author Diann Valentine hosts as family, friends and community come together to create a dream wedding. Today, the David’s Bridal Style Council is thrilled to welcome Diann as a guest blogger who will share tips to ensure your picture-perfect wedding fantasies come true, no matter your budget!

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

www.scottsfinejewelry.com http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

For additional tips, please visit www.diannvalentine.com and check out Diann’s tips of the week. Diann Valentine is the co-host of Wedding Day a new reality show from Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice) that airs on Saturday mornings at 9am ET on TNT, author of Weddings Valentine Style and Creative Director of her Los Angeles based company D. R. Valentine & Associates, Inc.

http://betleebridals.blogspot.com

Learn more about the db Style Council

Water Elements for your Wedding

2009-08-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

When you are planning your wedding, do not overlook a potentially wonderful element that you can use: water. It may seem so obvious that one does not give it a second thought, but water can be used in all sorts of ways to add ambiance to a wedding. Whether it is a ceremony by the ocean, or including unique water elements in a landlocked reception, you will be amazed to find out all the things that you can do with water elements.

Of course the most obvious way to enhance your wedding with water, is to hold it beside a body of water like a lake, river, or ocean. There is nothing quite like being married alongside a lazy river, or with the ocean waves gently rolling onto the shore behind you. It is scenic, romantic, and will make your wedding simply beautiful.

We can't all get married by the ocean, but that does not mean that you have to give up the idea of including water in your wedding. There are other types of venues that have interesting water features, and there are also ways to add your own. One lovely setting for a wedding ceremony or the cocktail hour which follows would be the courtyard of a grand hotel. Many have gorgeous fountains, which would make a beautiful backdrop for your event, and especially for the photographs. The sound of water bubbling in the background is a very pleasant one, indeed. For an evening wedding, look into venues that have fountains which they light at night for even more impact in a water feature.

If you are having your wedding at home, you can bring in a special water element. One idea would be a contemporary wall fountain. These are often created from a backing material such as undulating copper, and the water flows down the wall fountain in beautiful cascades. A really neat thing about this type of fountain is that many of them work equally well indoors. Imagine what a cool effect it would be to bring a waterfall into an interior venue such as a loft.

Backyard weddings can also benefit from the beauty and serenity of a water feature. When you are getting married on your own property, you can think about doing some clever landscaping with water. For instance, did you know that it is remarkably easy to build a small pond in your own backyard? Any garden center will have the materials and instructions necessary to add your own little backyard oasis. The best part is "decorating" your pond. Fill it with lazy koi fish for a Zen feeling. Or bring out your inner Monet with a waterlily garden. The best garden centers have entire sections devoted to special water plants that you can use to make your water feature even more delightful.

Those are some of the "splashier" ways that one can include a water element in a wedding, but there are also plenty of small and simple additions that one can make. For instance, some brides just go crazy for sparkle. Everything from their gown to their stud earrings must be adorned with Swarovski crystal upon fabulous crystal. Bring the sparkle of the perfect pair of Swarovski crystal stud earrings into your centerpieces by filling the base of each vase with crystals to dance and twinkle in the water. That is an example of taking something as utilitarian as the water needed in a vase and making it a design element. Another way to transform water into something special is with a few drops of food coloring.

Finally, when you are looking for water elements to add to your reception, don't overlook floating candles and floating flowers. It is a very simple idea, but the water transforms a basic candle into something that flows and swirls, which introduces the element of movement into your table design. It is amazing how something as elemental as water can become such an integral part of the style and ambiance of a wedding.

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

Wonderful Things that can Happen to Parents as Their Children Marry

2009-07-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Your children's weddings are high points in your life. What you may not know is all the wonderful things to look for that will make your baby's wedding an even sweeter occasion than you might have dreamed.

Weddings can be frightening with conflicting emotions. Your baby is now a grown up and deliberately creating a new life for him or herself. There may have been dust-ups with the children (and your almost in-laws) about how money is spent and how much of it you will have contributed. Your very grown up child, under all the stress of wedding plans, may have reverted to behavior you haven't seen since he or she was 10. And then of course there's the incredible excitement and pride and the wonder that this day has really arrived. So lots of parents arrive at the wedding almost as worried and tired as the bride and groom.

But here are some great things that often happen at weddings that you may not expect but you'll do well to make heartroom for.

Your son or daughter will be so handsome/beautiful. Don't like the dress or the tux? Look at that shining face and know how incredibly happy your child is.

Your family is gathered for a joyful occasion. Cousins have the opportunity to become (re)acquainted. All the generations are accounted for, even those whose presence is simply spiritual. However odd or eccentric family members are, they are your family members and you know how to be around them.

There are often friends invited from your children's growing up years. They know the hardships and the triumphs that preceded this day. These are people with whom you've shared picnics and martinis and holidays. You may not have seen them for a long time, but they're here to celebrate the occasion and your friendship.

You learn a lot about your grown-up child by the wonderful friends this couple has gathered around them. You have the chance to look into their life a little and that's so much fun.
Bosses and co-workers may be there and they'll be happy to tell you how valued and competent your child is at work.

People, from the new in-laws, to the clergy, to friends, will be eager to tell you how wonderful your child is and what a great parent you are. Who doesn't want to hear that?

You'll get to watch your darling child make life-long promises to the partner of their dreams. If you're married, you and your partner will relive what it meant to exchange your wedding vows. If you're not, it may be bittersweet to remember making promises with your child's other parent. But it's still thrilling.

Relaxed and hanging with old and dear friends, you're going to have a great time. Not just at the wedding, but at the rehearsal dinner and at the meals and events that surround the wedding.

And on top of that your baby will be married and you'll have a great new kid and his or her family to add to the mix that is yours. Enjoy your child's wedding. It's going to make you a much better support to their marriage and allow you to reflect on your successful parenting!

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Bottom Line?: Give your relationship the chance it deserves to succeed wildly, against all odds! After all, you deserve it. Your relationship deserves it! There's a lot more info to help you create the wedding ceremony of your dreams, the wedding vows of your heart and the marriage of a lifetime over on my website: http://annkeelerevans.org. And to help you create the wedding vows that will become the blueprint for your incredible, happily and healthily ever-after marriage, I'd like to invite you to sign up to receive 2 free wedding vow templates: http://annkeelerevans.org/weddings/free Go on! I dare you, be happy together!

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

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

All About Bridal Jewelry

2009-07-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

Accessorize your wedding day look with the right baubles.

OK ladies, here’s music to your ears (and neck, and wrist)… now that you’ve got your wedding dress, it’s time to accessorize it! There’s no doubt about it, the right baubles perfect ensemble. Here’s what you need to know to accessorize like a pro.

Bridal Jewelry Style Tips
Keep it Simple
Before the fun begins, please heed this advice. When it comes to your bridal jewelry, less really is more. Simple jewelry makes a timeless fashion statement; overdo it and you risk a phone call from Diddy asking for his bling back.

Formality Rules
Along with all other accessories, the bride’s jewelry, should reflect the formality of the wedding celebration. A small, informal wedding calls for simple jewelry, while a large, formal wedding calls for more elaborate pieces.

Complement the Gown
Wedding dress style also plays a major roll in jewelry selection. As a general rule - the more detailing on the gown, the simpler the jewelry, while a dress calls for added embellishment.

Let Your Neckline Lead the Way
Your dress neckline will guide you towards what pieces and styles you’ll wear. Many gowns are strapless or have low necklines, which is a perfect style to showcase a great necklace. If your gown has a high neckline, you may want to forego the necklace and concentrate on finding the perfect earrings.

Make It You
Above all, wedding day duds should reflect your personal style. So stick to studs if you’ve never worn chandeliers, and if you’ve never left the house without your favorite strand of pearls – around your neck is where they should be when you say “I do.”

Pick your Metals:
The shade of your wedding dress will guide you to which metals work best:

If your dress is white – choose platinum or silver jewelry, as yellow gold may clash with stark white.
If your dress is off-white – either golds or silvers/platinums will work.
If your dress is ivory – the slightly yellowish undertones call for gold jewelry.
Pick Your Gems:
Pearls – A Classic Choice
The tradition of pearl bridal jewelry stems back to the ancient Greeks, who believed pearls promoted marital harmony. And of course, style icon Jackie O donned a strand the day she became Mrs. Kennedy, further cementing pearls as the refined gem of choice for brides everywhere.

Diamonds - The BFF of Jewelry
Diamonds didn’t get their “girl’s best friend” status for nothing. They’re always good to add a touch of sparkle to your wedding day ensem. The good news for your wallet is that faux varieties work just as well.

Add Some Color
Of course, colored stones/gems present a great way to incorporate some color into your wedding day look, so don’t shy away from blues, pinks, yellows – you name it.

Pick your Pieces
Necklaces:

The Choker: The classic choker features one to three strands worn close around the neck. This length works well with a jewel or bateau neckline, as it may get lost if too much skin is showing.
The Collar: This Victorian style consists of three or more strands fitting securely around the middle neck. This length is a great accent to a low or strapless neckline.
The Princess: This length falls about 16 inches to the hollow of the neck and often supports a pendant. This style works with almost any but a high neckline.
The Matinee: This style hits the top of the bust and looks great with a bateau, jewel, or a lower neckline with sheer fabric covering the décolletage area.
The Opera: The opera necklace is a long single strand falling below the bust. It creates a dramatic look when paired with a very high neckline.
Earrings:
Keep your earrings simple if your necklace is especially large or grand. You also may not want to wear earrings at all if you’re wearing a tiara – as the two may compete. On the other hand – if you’re going sans necklace, consider highlighting your look with elaborate earrings. Remember, the key to accessorizing is balance.

Deck your Wrist?
Although not as common as necklaces and earrings, brides can wear a bracelet with sleeveless, short-sleeve, and three-quarter sleeve gowns. However, a watch is best left at home on your wedding day unless it’s a family heirloom or antique.

Author Cori Russell Get even more advice to help you plan your bridal jewelry and wedding accessories at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple.

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

Top Tips for Planning Wedding Reception Entertainment

2009-07-21T04:24:00.001-07:00

Wedding receptions or anniversary parties are a great way for friends and family to celebrate and share in your happiness. There's nothing like rounding off such an occasion with everyone on the dance floor, enjoying the music and the atmosphere. A professional mobile disco is definitely the best option if you want your special day to really hit the mark.

As ever these days the first thing to consider is budget. Don't despair as a good entertainment company will work with what you have to accommodate different budgets and needs.

An experienced DJ will be so much more than someone who turns up on the night and plays some music. The celebration should be planned at the same time as everything else so find your DJ and get the date into his diary. You will find that their experience of previous events and venues can be very useful for your own party; they may even be able to offer you some constructive advice.

Once you have your basic guest list drawn up you need to find a venue that will cater for your numbers. Your disco package should include lighting but if you fancy some special effects then make sure your venue is aware in advance as there maybe restrictions, particularly with the use of smoke machines.

I met with DJ Sammy of SAN Entertainment, a company he set up nearly fifteen years ago, to find out his top tips. "We've worked on many weddings and anniversaries" he said, "and I like to get really involved, even down to getting my tuxedo on if that fits in with what the couple want. The planning of the playlist is very personal for a bride and groom, or a couple celebrating an anniversary. I would advise them to think about the songs that mean the most to them and give the DJ plenty of notice as nothing should be left to chance. Family celebrations tend to involve all ages so you'd need a good varied mix to keep everyone up and dancing. You could even have a karaoke element, what could be better than husband and wife singing a duet together!"

Never forget, it's your day and it should be perfect; so don't skimp on the organization, no matter how much you're spending. Make the most of your professionals and work with people who care as much about your function as you do. Most of all enjoy the day, your party and the memories you'll keep forever.

Many corporate DJ agencies have a large number of DJs all with their own specialties, using one of these agencies can really simplify your search for the right wedding reception DJ.

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Saying "I Do" on a Cruise Around the World

2009-07-20T08:12:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

Consider a unique, memorable wedding.

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

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

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

The memorable romance of weddings aboard around- the -world cruises.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Additional Wedding Planning Reading ~ www.weddingsbyashlee.com, Bettes Wedding, http://sparklingweddings.blogspot.com/, www.merrybrides.com

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

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

Final Planning Tips for Your Wedding Day

2009-07-15T15:34:00.001-07:00

Recently, I went to my home town to help my Mother and my Sister with the final planning for my Sister’s wedding. Every member of my family is a "Do-It-Yourselfer", so we had an unbelievable amount of flower arrangements, pew decorations, garlands, candles, silver, you name it, we had to set it up. We were working with a total of four hours to decorate the church, a huge reception hall, a large lobby and two gazebos.

When I arrived at home I felt a little bit overwhelmed with the amount of time that was allotted and the sheer volume of decorating that we had to execute within the tiny window. But we were able to pull it off with time to relax and enjoy the beauty of all of the work that gone into it during the many, many months prior.

The first thing that had to happen was to figure out how many people were able to come and help us to decorate. It really helps, but it is not totally necessary to have a group of people that have an eye for design. Anyone that is willing is completely capable to come and lend a hand.

My mother and I set up all of the arrangements in my parents’ basement, just as they would be set up in each of their locations around the hall and Church. With a digital camera, we snapped a photo of each so that if necessary, we had a visual reference for all of our helpers and our intentions for the finished product. A digital camera and a computer with a color printer are the handiest tools to have at this point. But regular, 4x6 photos are just as helpful, it will just cost a bit more and take a little longer to get them printed.

While everything was arranged in the basement, we numbered each piece with a small piece of masking tape and a number so that the set up on the big day of hustle and bustle always started at one and went from the left to the right.

Then we packed everything for transport in banana boxes that we got from the local grocery store. You may be saying, “Why banana boxes?” They are very strong and also very light, so you can fill them with just about anything and not have to worry about the bottom dropping out. The top of each box was labeled with the exact location of its contents, ie: On top of the piano in the lobby. We then loaded all the boxes in a logical order, with similar decorations grouped together, into a rented box truck.

When we arrived on the morning of decorating, there was crew of 12 waiting for us, so we hopped out of the truck and handed out instruction sheets to each person stating how everything was labeled, what the general layout would be, what to expect once they opened the boxes, and who they could come to if they had any questions at all. From that point, everyone was off and running. It went like clockwork, and everyone let us know that they were very thankful that we were all on the same page. Due to the extra time that we put into organizing before we arrived, we finished early and were able to enjoy all of the work that we had done and got a few photos of the venue that was decorated beautifully, before any of the guests arrived.

The day of the wedding was very relaxing since we didn’t have to go back for last minute touch ups. We could spend the time casually with our family and friends until it was time to get the show on the road that afternoon.

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Article source: ArticleFever.com
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only.

http://ashleeweddings.blog.com
http://weddingsuccess.blogspot.com
http://sweetheartweddings.blogspot.com

Budgeting for Your Special Wedding Day

2009-07-11T08:08:00.001-07:00

Getting married is still very much in vogue and with so much choice available for when where and how to get married, with careful planning you should be able to guarantee that your wedding day will indeed be a very special day.

Budgeting for that special wedding day is important as you could run up bills amounting to many thousands of pounds. Decide what you budget is at the outset, stick to it and don’t be swayed and end up spending more than you can afford.

Some of the biggest expenses will arise from the cost of the wedding attire with the bridal outfit accounting for a substantial sum of money. On top of that will be the costs of bridesmaid dresses, flowers, corsages and suit hire or purchase for the groom and best man. The wedding rings for the bride and groom will also be costly purchases as will the gifts for the bridesmaids and mums. The gifts given to the bridesmaid are usually pieces of jewellery and mums usually get lovely big bouquets of flowers.

Decide on how many people you are going to invite and then look at potential venues and catering costs and explore the alternatives. You don’t have to have a costly formal sit down meal when a more relaxed buffet style function may better suit your needs. If you do opt for formal you may choose to limit the number of people at the formal sit down meal to limit costs and then invite more guests to an evening buffet disco.
If you are getting married in church you will need to arrange some form of transport and there are many options such as Rolls Royces or maybe a horse drawn carriage.

The time of year that you are getting married may dictate many of the above, for instance you may not want arrive at a marquee in the middle of winter with the real likelihood of bad weather affecting your arrangements.

These days you can just about get married anywhere you choose and it doesn’t have to be in a church so you may be able to get married in the same venue where you are holding the reception. This will cut down on transport costs and you may get a better deal all round with an all inclusive package. Whether you choose a romantic castle in the Highlands of Scotland, a magnificent stately home or something more modest, remember stick to your budget and don’t be tempted to overspend.

Of course you and you future spouse may just decide to go abroad either alone or with a few friends and family and get married on a beach, up a mountain of even Las Vegas in Elvis Presley style. Tour operators will be very helpful in providing you with the correct advice and information about getting married abroad.

When choosing your exotic destination remember that some of the destinations we normally associate with glorious sunshine and beautiful beaches and scenery may have seasons where the weather may not be so predictable or kind. Beware of monsoon and hurricane seasons in particular.

Organising a wedding can be a very stressful affair but there are usually plenty of people that will be willing to help such as friends and family as well as wedding organisers if you want to leave everything to a professional. There are also many ways that you can get the information that you need to ensure your wedding day goes smoothly and to plan.

Whatever you decide, good luck, have fun, enjoy and make you wedding day a very special day!!

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Wedding Attire for Outdoor Wedding

2009-07-08T09:08:00.001-07:00

At an outdoor wedding site you generally have two things to walk on – grass or concrete. There is the occasional gravel path or stones of some kind, perhaps even good old-fashioned dirt. (in a church or other indoor venue, you have a clean, hard surface that can be easily covered with a satin runner to keep the train clean). This presents some interesting challenges when choosing wedding attire.

Many wedding gowns come with trains – those yards of material on the back of the dress that are supposed to flow behind the bride as she walks up and down the aisle. Beautiful? Yes. Many are beaded and bejeweled on a gown that ranges in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

She also has selected beautiful satin shoes with four inch heels. Her attendants have the same style shoes in the colors that match their gowns. Gorgeous and stylish!

And the processional begins. The officiant is several hundred feet away standing with the groom across an expanse of freshly cut grass that probably has been recently watered. The goal is for everyone to maneuver through the grass in those spiked heels and arrive safely beside the officiant.

The bride’s maids, followed by the maid or matron of honor come in and with each step the spiked heels go down into the grass. (As the waiting officiant I often think the gardeners should pay the wedding party for aerating the lawn). It is not only difficult for the women to walk in the grass with spiked heels but also leaves the shoes with green and brown stains from the grass and dirt.

When the wedding party is arranged appropriately on each side of the officiant, the runner, generally made of paper, is rolled down the grassy aisle and the bride comes in, beautiful in her stunning gown with the long train. Her spiked heals sink down catching in the runner and she hangs on to dad to keep from falling. Sometimes the heels sink down through the runner almost tripping the bride and, like her attendants, leaving stains on her shoes. The train, full behind her, is wider than the runner and the outer sides of the train glide across the grass.

If no one removes the runner prior to the processional, the entire wedding party has to navigate the runner on their way out. It is not safe but it does lend some comic relief.

Now come pictures. The train is probably dragged over more lawn, more gravel and more dirt. By the time she is ready for the reception or dinner, the underside of the train is probably quite dirty and grass stained.

This is not made up. As an officiant I see this over and over. The solution? The solution is three fold and very, very simple:

1. Purchase a beautiful gown that has no train.

2. Wear shoes that don’t sink down into the ground. (At one wedding the bride and her attendants wore white flip-flops and the groom and his attendants wore black ones. They were dressed elegantly. The flip-flops did not detract from the elegance and everyone walked safely up and down the aisle).

3. Never use a paper runner. (In my opinion these are unsafe both inside and outside).

It seems like safety should outrank high heels and trains but this is just one officiant’s opinion. The choice is always the bride's!!

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Weight-Loss Purification Health ~ A Short Guide to Green Tea

2009-07-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

Green tea is no longer a mystical beverage only available in trendy cafes and specialist shops. In fact, today its popularity is so vast that it can be found in abundant variety on supermarket shelves and even alongside cappuccinos in coffee vending machines. So what led to this popularity, and why is green tea’s reputation more squeaky clean than a standard brew?

The history of green tea stems back as far as traditional consumption to China in around 2000bc. By the 12th Century it had begun to spread across the continent to Japan with the travels of Japanese Buddhist Priest Myōan Eisai; and onward to India and Thailand thereafter. The drinking of green tea in Japan has since become more part of everyday life and is considered in a similar manner to which black tea is in the west with varying quality and price differences.

All tea has been subject to extensive research regarding health benefits, but whilst black teas have been scientifically proven to lower coronary artery disease, the positive effects of green teas have long been regarded as diverse and far reaching. In further active promotion, Eisai wrote Book of Tea (Kissa Yojoki) in 1191, which promoted the positive effects of green tea on the body, most notably, vital organs such as the heart and brain.

In more recent years, many of these claims have been proven scientifically. In the so called ‘war against obesity’ in the UK, Birmingham University has found that green tea promotes the rate of fat oxidation by 17 percent. Similarly, the American Association for Cancer Research used Polyphenon E (a green tea property) in tests on rats and found that just under half of those tested were as likely to develop colon cancer.

Similarly, green tea has also increased in its popularity due to its lack of the stimulant caffeine and its calming properties because of this. Although black tea and coffee are well-known for their caffeine content ranging anywhere between 30 and 100 milligrams, on average green tea contains about 70 percent less and so is less likely to lead to a dependence (caffeinism). Additionally, there are many ways that green tea research is set to explore new further benefits, such as fighting LDL Cholesterol and stopping Parkinson’s Disease.

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Some Great Ideas on How to Save Money on Flowers for Your Wedding

2009-06-28T17:28:00.001-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wedding Gift Baskets

2009-06-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

Large Wedding Wishes Gift Basket

Weddings are really momentous occasions and it is important that everyone remember them and all the fun that they had. It should be one of the most memorable moments of someone's life and there are a lot of ways to really ensure that happens. Sometimes, just being a celebratory guest at a wedding does not make you feel like you have done enough to fully acknowledge this event and you want to do something a little bit extra for the bride and groom. Or maybe you are the bride or the groom and you want to give an extra special thanks to your maid of honor or best man.

Whatever the situation is, gift baskets are a great way to solve it. You can find a really large variety of gift baskets that range from anything you can think of. The great thing is that gift baskets have a lot of different items in them and your guests will keep being amazed by the fact that there is so much there for them. Whoever receives one of these amazing gift baskets on a special occasion will feel really good about the whole thing and have a lot more memories to add to it. Here are a few examples of the kinds of gift baskets that I am talking about. You can find them all online for a convenient shopping experience right from your own home. You can even try fitting in different themes into the baskets to go along with the themes and color schemes that were at the wedding. This will really show that you put a lot of thought and planning into this gift and that you really cared about making it worth while.

Men's Bath Retreat Gift Basket:
This is perfect for any man that you want to show your appreciation for. This kit includes everything a man needs to relax comfortably and without any reservations. Everyone loves to just sit back and relax every now and then so whoever you get this for will really appreciate this gift because they will be able to use it a lot and think about the reasons why they received the package in the first place. The set includes body lotion, bath foam, shower gel, shave cream, and a pampering pumice stone. All of these things will really just help this special man to relax and be stress free.

Breakfast on the Farm Gift Basket:
This is an amazing basket that includes our special gourmet apple pancake mix with Vermont maple syrup, two selections of Bellagio cocoas, a rooster napkin holder & a ceramic mug all wrapped in a wicker gift basket. This is a really amazing thing for the new bride and groom to wake up to after their first night together after the wedding. They will really appreciate this amazing basket waiting for them when they get out of bed and talk about the ceremony and the reception. So help make their marriage memorable by giving them this wonderful basket.

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Casino-Themed Weddings

2009-06-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

A casino or Vegas wedding theme is a popular choice with many couples & one which calls for some fun wedding favors.
Here are a few ideas for some Vegas casino style wedding favors:

Gambling chips: many favor stores provide versions of poker or gambling chips. They often come in a range of colors & can be personalized with your names & wedding date, creating your own casino in the process!

You will also find bookmarks & key rings with gambling chips & even candle holders.

Playing cards: a deck of cards on its own may not seem like much of a gift, so look for decks that can be personalized or for unusual packs of cards, perhaps with printed photographs on the back or one's which come in unusual packets.

Also look for card bookmarks & key chains, bottle stoppers, coasters, fridge magnets & candle holders.

However, I will say that a pack of cards could keep your guests occupied during any lulls in the entertainment at the wedding reception!

Dice: look for sets of dice, usually in twos, & which may be personalized. You will also find dice printed favor boxes in which you could put chocolate gambling chips or chocolate dice!

Check out dice themed bottle stoppers, bookmarks, keepsake boxes, lollipops& key chains.

Chocolates: you will find casino themed chocolates in the shape of dice, chips, cards & casino printed wrappers for bars & candies.

Slot Machines: why not give your guests a candy slot machine & let them gamble their wedding favors out!

Other favor ideas include: dollar sign wine pourer/stopper, Las Vegas mint tins, pencils, place card holders, matchbooks, Lucky 7 personalized boxes, tote bags. Dice cuff links, wine glass charms, mini roulette key chain, shot glasses & candles.

Why not add to your casino theme with a roulette wheel or poker table at the reception to entertain your guests, hire a James Bond look-alike to mingle with your guests & have their photographs taken with him. Serve up Martini's as your wedding cocktail - shaken not stirred!

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Rain, Rain Go Away ~ 10 Ways Not to Care when Rain Threatens Your Perfect Wedding

2009-06-12T10:21:00.001-07:00

"Happy the bride it rains upon" is an old saying. Rain on your wedding day was considered good luck because rain assured fertility. And in those days, you were getting married for that very reason. You can decide whether or not you want to fold the fertility into it, but you might as well capitalize on the good luck. Because as fabulous as you are, you still can't control the weather! They're predicting an awkward summer. So you might as well build it right into your planning. Don't be caught off guard. You've found the perfect partner. You can figure out how to deal with the rain!

Ceremony Site: Just make sure you have an alternative, if you're planning an outdoor wedding. Wherever it happens, you'll be getting married. If you've planned a fabulous wedding ceremony and worked hard on your wedding vows, you're going to have what you need to be married at the end of the day. That's what's important, right?

Attendant gifts: Choose great rain boots as your bridal gifts. Have some pictures taken in them!

Dressing room: Make sure that there's a place to change clothes at the site. The whole "happy the bride" thing was started back before brides wore tulle and chiffon! Have a couple towels there. Bring your hairdryer, just in case. Hairdryers work well for clothing as well!

Clothing: I'm sure you've had your dresses for eons, but if not, consider a knee length or tea-length skirt for bride and attendants. Wear your flip flops there! Consider fun clothes to change into before you leave the site, if it's still pouring. No sense wading through mud puddles in your white dress unless you've decided to trash the very expensive dress you scrimped and saved to buy. (That's really a waste!)

Favors: consider a great deal on umbrellas in your colors. If the weather cooperates and you're outside, people can use them as sunshades. And haven't you always found that carrying an umbrella is a guarantee the weather will be grand? So, if your entire community is carrying umbrellas, it's got to help, right?

Metaphors: Rain washes the world clean, it supplies life-giving water. Both of these are images that a marriage can incorporate! Use what's around and let it make your marriage strong and at one with the natural elements.

Décor: Go with it. Throw out the candles and use fish in your centerpieces. Have a sense of humor and play it up.

First Dance: Start out your first dance with "I'm going to love you, come rain or come shine." And segue into another song that's equally mushy about a man loving a woman.

Sense of Humor: Nothing is going to be ruined by the rain unless you're determined that your life, wedding and marriage will be ruined if there is rain. Why do that? Remember how amazing it is that you're going to marry your beloved. And enjoy it.

This is your wedding. Plan the wedding ceremony, craft your wedding vows, focus on your marriage and the wonderful community that has gathered to support you. Let the rain come. You're busy going about your incredible life and marriage! Have your perfect wedding whatever the weather. You're more than up to the challenge, because you have one another!

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

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Middle-Aged Brides ~ 3 Huge Advantages you have over Youth when Planning your Perfect Wedding

2009-06-11T04:45:00.001-07:00

Congratulations! You've found Love and Love has found you and you're ready to settle down and live happily and healthily ever after. You're excited to plan your wedding, but find the whole bridal mania a little daunting and not quite your style. That's great! Because here's the secret: You don't have to do it the way everyone else does. You can do it exactly the way you want to do it. Many of those things that matter to the minors, don't matter to you. You need a good ceremony and wedding vows: after all, you want your friends and families to support the blue print that you are creating from which you will build your marriage. Some of the rest of it. It's up to you.

What do you have that they don't have?

You know what matters. You're getting married to the person you love. You know how easy it is for love to slip away, so you're going to do it differently than you've ever conducted relationship. You know what matters at the wedding. You know what your skills are. You're pretty clear about your foibles to. So you build to your strengths!
You know who your friends are. You've had major life events and you know who has stuck with you through all those things. You know with whom you've share the best laughs, the most down-to-earth conversations and the most inspiring talks. You're at the point where you've chosen family as well as inherited it. And you're loving sharing those people with your soon-to-be spouse.
You know what your style is. You're not going to open a magazine and say, "oh, I must have that thing," because you know it's not going to suit you. You know how much you want to spend and how to stick with that. You've managed budgets for a long time and usually the money you spend will be your own, so that makes a wedding budget easier. That brings a lot of clarity to wedding planning.

You've done your homework in life, you've had heartbreaks and real successes. And now you've got a partner to celebrate those things with. You understand you don't have to become someone else before your wedding day because your partner chose to marry you! So relax, look fabulous, craft wedding vows that make sense to the two of you, create a wedding ceremony that celebrates your love and your community, throw a wedding reception your friends will recognize, and then live happily and healthily ever after in marriage. Sweet.

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

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What to Do When the Family Bullies ~~

2009-06-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

I just recently had a friend ask me how to handle the fact that her family was trying to emotionally sabotage her up-coming marriage. They didn't approve of her partner. This is an amazingly common issue. Most people have at some point faced parents being damagingly judgmental about a choice of partner. But what a disaster when this takes places around the time you're looking to say "I do"!

I've heard all sorts of variants on this theme. "I hate what I'm studying, but my parents say I should finish my degree." or "I work as an X, not because that's what I wanted, but because my family pushed me in that direction."

The truth is, families can be great supporters sometimes. They can guide us, shelter us, and nurture us when we're hurting. But - and it's a big but - families can also be very destructive if they aren't autonomy supporting, especially once the kids have grown up.

The process starts this way. As children, we learn to look to our parents and siblings to give us hints to where there may be danger. Remember when you were a terrified kid in a scary movie and your Dad put his arm around you and said everything'll be ok? Or, on the other hand, when you were doing something dangerous and didn't realise it? Your Mom swooped in and stopped you before disaster hit.

Basically, in times of stress or uncertainty you got used to looking to your parents for advice, AND THEY GOT USED TO GUIDING YOU and having the power to stop or encourage you.

Well, both parents and kids get confused in later life. Not only is it a huge step for a young adult to "take control of their lives" and go against family wisdom, be it with a choice of partners, career or lifestyle. But parents also have trouble. Because they're trying to prevent their kids from making what they see as a mistake, they can bully, become beligerent and come out with great little kernels like: "You're throwing your life away."

The key to dealing with reactions like this is twofold. The first aspect is to isolate yourself, if only for a few days. Go to someone's cottage. Take a road trip. Stay with a friend in another city.

And now, you want to do this without whoever's been pressuring you, like your parents or even an interfering friend and/or partner.

In this time, you need to square stuff with yourself. Why do you want to make a change? Are you sure of your choice? Are your motives the rights ones?
If the answers to all these questions are "Yes". Then you've got half your answer. You know in your heart what is right for you.

Why do I recommend this check-in with yourself?

Because, rebellious little teenagers that we are, even as adults, often we do things in "reaction" to those around us. For example, "You don't think I should be with this guy? Ok, I'm going to buy a ring." or "You don't think I should move just now? Well I'll call the realtor tommorrow morning!"

For this reason, it's very important to get straight in your head what decisions are yours and what you've done in reaction to other people's (overbearing) opinions.

In the case of a family sabotaging an up-coming marriage, I'd ask myself: "Why do I want to get married at a time when my family has little confidence. If these memories will last a lifetime, wouldn't I rather they be as perfect as possible? And if money is an issue, why not save for 6 months?"

Once you've got this straight, it's time to take on your family. Sit down the contrary members one by one and start with something like:

"I know you don't think what I'm doing is a good idea, but I'm an adult and I've made a choice. There's nothing you can do to change my mind. Actually, now, you're in the process of ruining our relationship by trying to undermine my autonomy and self-esteem. I value our relationship and so want us to straighten this out productively. But you need to learn to respect my judgement. It is me who chooses how to live my life. It's me that will live with the consequences of my actions and who will be happy in my own way. It's my life."

After that, let the other person talk, but don't let them start with the "You're making a bad decision" thing. You're an adult. They have a right to a different view and to draw your attention to details you might have overlooked, but you have a right to your autonomy. And ultimately, it's up to your family to learn to love the person you really are, not the person they'd want you to be.

Be courageous. If you play this type of situation right, you can take a big step into adulthood. You can learn to be more able and fit to stand on your own feet in the future. No one can drag a person down once she's anchored by faith in her power of decision.

See this occaision as challenge an opportunity to acquire strength.

Go out an act according to your desires, dreams and capacities. Other people's support is important, but you're the one living your life. Also, consider that true healthy relationships are balanced with advice and the support of autonomy. Someone trying to bully you into submission over anything is not a great situation to remain in. If, after repeated attempts to curtail emotional bullying you don't succeed to contain it, you might want to take a look at the closeness you accord this particular relationship.

No reason to masochistically open up your jaw for a punch. Of course, we need to learn to be vulnerable time to time, but the intimacy of exposing vulnerablility is a privilege in a friendship. Someone who abuses the trust required to share insecurities perhaps isn't worthy of that trust.

Also, you might want to check your own need for approval. If you find yourself constantly requiring validation that your choices are the right ones, you might be lacking conviction of your own. Requiring validation, of course, opens you up for abuse, should you surround yourself with the wrong people.

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Terrie Schauer
http://warriorqueenproject.blogspot.com

Writer, kick-boxer, peaceful warrior.

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

Honeymoon Hot Tips

2009-06-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Worthy Splurges

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

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

A glass of Champagne whenever and wherever possible.

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

His 'n' Hers massage

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

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Questions to Ask Your Florist?

2009-06-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

silk

1. Is my date available?

If it is, check to see if a deposit is necessary to hold the date. Also ask if there is any consultation fee. Inquire as to whether you can receive a price proposal before deposit is placed.

2. Do you have actual photographs or samples of your past work?

It's important to see the work of the actual florist, not air brushed photos from a FTD book. There is no better way to see if their style complements your tastes and verify just how skilled they are.

3. Is there a delivery or set-up fee?

Watch out this can be a substantial extra charge. Most florists will charge a delivery and set-up fee especially if you have either complex flower arrangements or a site that is a long distance from their shop. If the charge is high, consider finding a florist closer to the site or cut back on the complicated decorations.

4. Do you offer any silk or dried flower arrangements?

This may be important to you if you want to save your bouquet or want an unusual look for a table centerpiece. Sometimes these two options may be less expensive than fresh flowers, especially for some exotics like orchids. A table centerpiece idea: dried rose topiaries double as an elegant keepsake.

5. How many weddings do you do in a day?

The biggest problem with some florists is that they become over-extended trying to do too many weddings in one day. A florist can probably do two or three events a day if the events are held at different times or the florist has plenty of help. If the florist schedule looks crowded for your wedding date, they may arrive late or deliver the wrong flowers. Be sure to look for someone focused on your wedding not just your checkbook.

6. Are you familiar with my ceremony and reception site locations?

If not, will you visit it with me? It may be a good idea to introduce your florist to the ceremony or reception site if they have never seen it. Ask if there is any charge for this on-site visit.

7. What rental items do you have? How are they priced?

Some things you many want to rent include a candelabrum, aisle standards or urns. The best florists don't over charge on rentals. One way to find out is to compare prices with a local rental store. A common markup for florists is about 10% for their time to coordinate this detail. If you would prefer to rent the items yourself because you can get a better price, be sure you have the time to pick up and return the items.

8. Can I attend one of your weddings during set-up for a look at your designs?

Here is another way to determine how professional and talented your florist is. You will need to visit during set-up and leave before the wedding party arrives. Try not to interrupt the florists or their staff while they work (save your questions for later.) Look for timeliness, freshness of the flowers, and how well the florist and staff work together.

9. What time will you be at my ceremony and reception sites to set up my wedding?

Confirm this time constantly throughout your planning. Many florists set up weddings a couple of hours in advance. If this is the case with your wedding, make sure the temperature at your site will not be too hot for the flowers.

10. Will you merely drop off my flowers or stay through the ceremony?

The degree of service here differs dramatically from florist to florist. Some just drop off the flowers for the ceremony and leave, while others will stay to pin on corsages, make sure nothing is missing etc. There will be an extra fee of generally $50-75 for this service; however this could be a worthwhile investment.
11. What happens if the flowers I pick are not available for my wedding?

How will you determine what flowers to substitute?

12. What is the policy if I want to add extra items such as another table centerpiece or boutonniere at the last minute?

Wholesale Flowers by FiftyFlowers

Great wedding hints at Weddings By Ashlee

About the author: Jasmine MacDonald is the editor of Fun Weddings and Merry Brides which will provide you with daily ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget. http://www.funweddings.com/

http://ashleeweddings.blog.com http://betteswedding.livejournal.com