Google

Friday, June 8, 2007

HOW TO DECIDE ON A DESTINATION FOR YOUR WEDDING

Author: L Hayes
One of the biggest trends in weddings today is the destination wedding. This means the bride and groom travel to some romantic getaway where ceremony is preformed and the vows are exchanged. Depending on the couple, and their wedding budget, a destination wedding may also include flying in the maid of honor or best man, close family members and friends, or keeping the wedding open if people want to pay their own way. As you will discover, destination weddings have a number of advantages.

For starters, combining the wedding and honeymoon into one location is a great way of saving money. In addition to the bride and groom flying off to their desired destination, family and friends have the chance to enjoy a mini, or extended vacation. Keep in mind, the majority of destination weddings are intimate, including just a few people. In fact, some couples enjoying a destination wedding held on the beach may discover that a number of the guests are unknown, making the event even more memorable.

If you believe a destination wedding sounds like something of interest, the first decision would be whether becoming married in an warm climate or somewhere picturesque, like on a snow-covered mountain. One of the favorite destinations is the beautiful and exotic Caribbean Islands. There, a bride and groom could choose a quaint church wedding or don bathing suits to exchange the "I Do's" underneath a palm tree swaying gently in the breeze.

For a colder climate, couples could still go with a small, traditional church wedding or dress in skiwear, hit the slopes, and exchange vows at the top of a run. Obviously, your choice of wedding destination depends largely on the time of year you plan to wed, as well as the type of honeymoon you want to experience. However, because you have literally thousands of destinations from which to choose, you could become husband and wife anytime of the year, and on any continent of choice.

Once you have settled on a general area, the fun part of planning begins. Now, since travel would be involved, we recommend you begin planning a minimum of six months in advance. This way, you would have the opportunity to book great flight, hotel, and car deals. One of the best ways to enjoy a destination wedding is by going somewhere off-season. For instance, if you wanted to head to the Ozarks of Missouri, a place that is typically enjoyed during the summer due to the vast lake, this part of the country is also gorgeous in the fall when the leaves are changing. Since the fall is considered off-peak, prices go down!

If you have decided to plan Caribbean nuptials, be sure you factor in travel costs, as well as exchange rates. In addition, trying to plan a wedding in another country could be challenging. Therefore, instead of trying to locate a minister, church, cake maker, photographer, musician, and so on, check the local resorts, which often provide great wedding packages. Typically, a local wedding planner works for the resort, doing the majority, if not all of the legwork for you. With this, you set the date, show up, and simply enjoy the festivities. Another huge advantage of using a wedding planner through a resort is that any language barrier is eliminated.

In summary, destination weddings can be a beautiful start to a lifetime of joy with your future spouse. If planned properly, they can even be stress-free, or close to it! With the many advantages that destination weddings offer, it's little wonder they have become such a hot trend in weddings today!

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique party favors as well as , bridesmaids gifts, and wedding party favors.

WEDDING RECEPTION TABLE DECORATIONS

Author: Albert Lee
A wedding reception does not need to have gargantuan floral centerpieces. Couples are realizing the importance of being practical on their special day. They know that their wedding is a reflection of their personality – both as individuals and as a couple.

First and foremost, ask yourself how much you are willing to spend for the wedding. Calculate how much each centerpiece on every table will cause. Calculate the total and decide whether this is reasonable. If it is, then start gathering the materials you need.

Candles result to ambience. It can also serve as a stunning centerpiece when placed on the center of the table. Candles can stand alone for a more dramatic flair or it can be grouped together so that there is better lighting. When buying candles, there are so many designs and colors to choose from. Decide on which color goes well with the wedding motif. If you want to save more, you can buy the church candles and decorate these with ribbons.

Now, floral centerpieces are a consideration the newlyweds must ponder on. It's easy to make what they feel best represents what kind of people they are. For example, they can simply get amounts of rock salt and put it on the center of the table. They can also have neutral colored candles of different sizes. It can be from tea lights to pillars. Then they can combine the rock salt and the candles. This will definitely keep the reception area lit and give off an elegant look.

The most popular table centerpiece is utilizing a bedroom door mirror and placing it down on the center of the table. The sides can be painted to match with the motif of the wedding. Then small or large candles of the same color can be attached to the side. By sprinkling gold or silver confetti, the mirror gives off the dramatic and eye-popping effect that can tantalize the guests.

Whatever centerpiece you decide, make sure that it is tasteful. Tacky design does not look good. The key is designing the perfect wedding centerpiece in such a way that will give off the impression to your guests what kind of person you are.

To learn more wedding reception ideas, visit http://www.weddingreceptionideas101.com

WEDDING BOUQUETS

Author: Yolanda Nash
Did you know that the humble beginnings of the wedding bouquet were garlands made of herbs? It is true, each herb ad flower suggest its own special meaning. Down through time the floral wedding posy of a beloved queen replaced the simple wedding garland, and then Hollywood with all its glamour, fashioned the use of exquisitely created wedding bouquets and new brides of that time created a wedding trend by wanting their own bouquets to resemble those of the stars. The styles of wedding bouquets have swung back to nostalgic times for some brides and their choices of a wedding bouquet.

The wedding bouquet represents fertility and is to compliment the bridal gown. There are several different styles of wedding bouquets and they carry in the manner of which is their creation. Crescent and cascading bouquets as well as heart shaped and round bouquets carry in front. Wedding bouquets which are delicately small and lightweight such as single blossoms or nosegays are carried to your side in one hand, however if you choose to make these simple bouquets more elaborate, you may wish to carry them in front as well. Floral pomander styles of bouquets carry to the side by an adult and to the front for children. Arm bouquets style in wedding bouquets shall rest upon the forearm across the inner bend of the elbow so to carry in the cradle of your arm. There are many other bouquet styles to choose from, so be sure to investigate and compare to find the perfect wedding bouquet for your own wedding.

Long ago, it was improper for a gentleman to pronounce to a lady what his feelings for her entailed, instead he let her know by the flowers that he gave to her, and all flowers had their well-known meanings. Roses of different colors tell of love. White roses mean charm, innocence and beauty, while a red rose admits to passion and dark pink roses express thankfulness of finding one another. Shades of green or ivy in roses stands for marriage devotion. Tulips speak of love undying, while daisies represent an innocent and romantic spirit. Remember calla lilies associate the sophistication of charm and elegance to any wedding bouquet. Of course, these are just a few, although you should put some deep thought into what type of flowers your wedding bouquet should be. In addition, you may want to consider a special wedding bouquet just for its throwing ritual, this way you shall have your own wedding bouquet keepsake, and so will the friend who captures your throw.

Since wedding guests of the younger girls love the play of throwing and catching, a favor of miniature wedding bouquets for the girls in attendance would add a nice touch to your wedding, making fashionable memories of keepsakes. A centerpiece arrangement composed of miniature wedding bouquets that can be the setting for such wedding favors. As you know very well there is just something special about having your hands on a wedding bouquet.

PLANNING A WEDDING

Author: Manisha Bhatra
Whether you are planning your entire wedding or assisting in a small way, our
sole aim is to perfectly deliver the aspects we are responsible for. Wedding
is the most special time in the life of everyone, because it feels so special
to walk down the aisle and taking vows to be with each other. We constantly
listen to our clients and ensure they remain happy. It doesn’t matter
how often our clients change their minds about something, provided they are
happy with the end result.

Just a sample of the areas we can manage for you:

Venue finding from the small, intimate and cozy to the more grand and glamorous

Top class Caterers

Cutting Edge Photography

Up to the minute Film Crews

Stunning Floral Designers

Unique Handcrafted stationery

Fabulous Wedding Cakes

The cream of wedding dress designers

Entertainers of all descriptions to make sure your party swings the perfect
form of transport – from horse and carriage to a hot air balloon and everything
in between.

Venues:

Wedding days is one of the most important events of our life, and we aim to
help you find the perfect location for your wedding venue in the UK.

Photographers / Video services:

Wedding Photographers and Videographers are an extremely important part of your
wedding day

Caterers:

From a small gathering to a large party, we can source the best caterers to
suit the event. Set a budget. This must be the maximum amount of money that
you're willing to spend. Be honest with yourself when setting the maximum limit.

Wedding stationery

Your wedding stationery is important and should not be forgotten. The purpose
of wedding stationery varies depending on the pieces you choose to purchase.
The purpose of wedding stationery varies depending on the pieces you choose
to purchase. Wedding stationery includes a lot of items apart from the invitations.
You can have programs, announcements, invitations for the rehearsal dinner,
for the bridal shower. Some other wedding accessories include menu cards, thank
you notes and others. There are some stationery items that can help you with
your planning.


Wedding Invitation:

Wedding It makes everyone feel elated, enchanted, and young at heart and the
first item to symbolize this blissful spirit is the wedding cards. Your wedding
invitation is the first glimpse your guests will have of the magnificent wedding
day you are planning. Your guests who will share your special day with you.
You know it has to be just right. You want it to be unique, like your love.
And you want it to reflect the two of you perfectly. Wedding invitations come
in so many varieties; you can match them exactly to your wedding’s mood
and style.

As with any romantic gesture – timing is everything. The same holds true
for mailing your wedding invitations. It’s important to give guests enough
time to make plans to be a part of your special day – especially if you’ve
decided on a destination wedding.

Once you have fixed all the details of your wedding ceremony and reception,
it’s time to turn your mind to ordering wedding
stationery. Order at least 3-4 months prior to the big day and send invites
out 6-8 weeks before.

Points to remember -Wording the wedding invitation

A few things to remember while you’re writing your wedding
invitations:

Use full names, not nicknames.

Don’t abbreviate the dates, times, and addresses

Use Courtesy titles where appropriate (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss).
ou can have a look at the http://www.perfectweddingstore.co.uk wedding invitations we offer and you can see the other wedding
stationery items that we created for special moments like this one .

PLAN YOUR WEDDING - AND YOUR WEDDING GIFT LIST - ONLINE

Author: Adam Singleton
If you're in the process of planning your wedding, you'll be well aware of just how much organisation the event really requires! After all, you'll want to make sure that this really is the happiest day of your life, and that all goes exactly the way you want it to! And while you'll be able to leave some of the more mundane aspects of wedding planning to your relatives or your designated wedding planner, there are some wedding plans and services that you'll definitely want to take care of yourself - and having a way to do this all online is sure to save you a large amount of time.

Many retail outlets with specialist wedding services now offer comprehensive online wedding portals on their sites, in order to help you plan your wedding at your convenience - all from the comfort of your living room. For instance, you'll definitely want to try on your own wedding dress to make sure you've got the perfect fit. But if you're looking for dresses for your bridesmaids or flower girls, you might want to have a look at the selection available to you online first and, if you find the perfect bridesmaids dresses for your wedding, you can buy them online.

Sometimes, you'll even be able to buy crucial items like wedding footwear and wedding jewellery for both you and your troupe of bridesmaids and flowers girls online. And if you're looking for a dress or trouser suit for the mother of the bride or an important female guest to wear, you'll be able to look for that online also. You'll even be able to browse things like wedding stationary, and get personalised wedding invitations, RSVP cards and personalised place cards to match - all online!

Increasingly, however, the most popular online wedding planning tool is a wedding gift list, and getting your wedding guests to consult your online wedding gift list can offer a range of benefits. For starters, you and your fiancé will be able to compile your list of potential wedding gifts from the convenience of your own home, instead of having to trawl through a variety of shops to find what you're looking for. It'll also cut down the environmental cost of having to print multiple copies of a wedding gift list to send out to all your friends and well-wishers.

Additionally, opting for an online wedding gift list will make it easier for your guests to buy your presents without fear of duplication, while many wedding gift list providers also provide gift wrapping services for an additional fee. So you won't just get the wedding presents that you've always wanted, you'll also receive them beautifully wrapped!

So enjoy the luxury of organising your wedding online - you might find the whole wedding planning experience a lot easier to bear!

GETTING MARRIED ON A BUDGET

Author: Mrs2Be
If you are getting married on a budget, you can still have the wedding of your dreams, but you will need to be extra creative.

THE WEDDING DRESS

Every bride wants to look stunning on her wedding day, and the dress is a highly emotional buy. But, there are things you can do in order to look a million dollars without paying a million dollars!

Shop Around

OK, so this sounds obvious enough but it does take some advance planning.

Seasonal Sales

The obvious choice would be to shop during the sales but of course you need to bear in mind that the time of year you are buying is not necessarily the time of year you are going to be wed. Therefore, it is particularly important that you plan ahead.

Closing down sales

Look out for bridal shops that are closing down. You may find information in your local press or simply by walking around.

Cancelled Orders

It is a sad fact that some brides never actually make it to the altar for one reason or another and maybe some bespoke bridal gown designers have dresses that they have made that were never used!

Adverts in local press

Oh come on! It is only ever worn once! However, buy cautiously and check the dress over very thoroughly for marks and damage. Check the washing instructions to see if the dress can be dry cleaned. Some dresses are advertised as never been worn! There could be some bargains to be had.

Ebay

Yes, you heard me, ebay! If you have a good look on ebay, you will find a number of dresses with designer labels without the designer price ticket! Some of these have never been worn!

Stationery

There are so many hobby shops selling everything you need in order to make your own stationery. Even Argos now sells kits or you could go to the likes of Hobbycraft. If you are not particularly artistic, I bet you could find a friend who is!

FLOWERS

Seasonal is best

As obvious as it sounds flowers are cheaper if they are in season. So, if you are not a budding Monty Don, make sure you do your homework and find out which buds are in bloom when!

Keep it simple

Remember sometimes the most powerful statement is the simplest one. A single bloom tied with a pretty ribbon, or a single flower head in a vase as a centre piece on the tables.

The Wedding Reception

This is typically where the biggest chunk of the budget goes but it doesn’t have to break the bank.

Traditionally people have a sit down meal, but you could always have a finger buffet. Or if you would like to bridge the gap (and take the weight off your feet) how about going for top table service and let everyone else help themselves to a finger buffet?

Table Decorations

Who says you have to have flowers, how about balloons? They would be cheaper!

Keep it intimate

The simplest way to keep the cost of the catering down, would be to invite less people! A small intimate wedding can be so romantic though there are the obvious problems of getting round the fact that you have not invited Aunty Doris’ first cousin’s sister’s brother–in-law.

Personally my advice here would be, set your boundaries, and stick to them explaining to put out guests that you are working on a limited budget. People are generally more understanding. Don’t feel that you have to invite everyone’s children either, remember they will probably relish the opportunity to share your special day without the kids in tow anyway – never mind the knees up at the end!

Different Venues

There is no written rule that states you have to have your reception in a Hotel. You might have a favourite pub or perhaps you have a relative in the family who lives in a fabulous pad!

WEDDING CAKES

Now, interestingly, the last couple of weddings I attended dispensed with the traditional “cutting of the cake” and in fact both these weddings had used the popular “cup cake” wedding cakes! This would probably explain why this was!

Most of us did Home Economics in school (or whatever they call it now), you could even organise a ‘girls night in’ and get everyone involved!

Alternatively, perhaps you have a friend or a relative who is particularly good at baking that would be only too pleased to get involved. Remember, there’s nothing to say that you have to have a fruit cake for your wedding cake, though if you do, make sure you have it made in advance of the big day in order for it to mature thoroughly!

ALCOHOL

This is trickier because if your wedding venue is a Hotel, or even a Restaurant, it is likely that they will charge you a corkage charge even if you do take your own alcohol. Again, don’t feel pressurised into providing guests with a free bar, most people would not deem this to be the ‘norm’ anyway.

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

Here is where I would express a word of caution. Lots of people see themselves as the next David Bailey but if they get it wrong, you cannot re-create the day! (well, not without defeating the whole object of getting married on a budget anyway). So, my advice would be that if you do have a budding photographer in the family or amongst friends, make sure you take a look at their stuff. Chances are if they are that keen an amateur photographer they will have plenty of examples to show you!!

Well that’s it from me, feel free to email me if you have any hints and tips of your own on getting married on a budget.

Remember if you a full member of Mrs2Be you can take advantage of our online wedding budget tool and our range of discounts offered by suppliers which is growing weekly, so Join Now.