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Saturday, December 27, 2008

Tips For Renting A Limousine For Your Wedding or Special Occasion

First Step: Decide the type of limousine (Standard Stretch, Super Stretch, SUV Hummer, Escalade, Rolls Royce) desired color, the number of passenger. How many hours you would like to rent the limousine.

Questions to ask when calling to inquire about renting a limousine

While most people assume that all companies are equal, well they are not. Most consumers concern themselves with the hourly rate first and this is a typical mistake, since most of the times you get what you pay for!

When you hear a price that is much lower than other companies be for warned it will probably mean the year, make and features of the limousine offered are older and over used. So the word to the wise: Pay the extra $5-15 dollars more per hour. For a first class vehicle and the professional service you can expect to get from a well trained driver. Besides when you consider that a typical 3 hour minimum you are only talking $75.00 dollars on the high end for a new six passenger limousine versus one that has gone beyond the 100,000 mile mark and the car looks like it too.

Multiple Vehicle Discounts

If renting more than one vehicle. Example: a limousine, a bus, be sure to ask about discounts that may apply to the second vehicle. Many companies offer special discounted rates when multiple vehicles are used.

Murphy's Laws Back Up

Will the limousine company provide you with a live person to contact during your scheduled event should you require any assistance. If not, be certain to obtain a contact phone number of an operating manager in charge.

Additional Questions To Consider

  • How long has the limousine company been in business?
  • Do they have testimonials from past clients?
  • How big is their limousine fleet?
  • What types and colors of limousine are available on your specified date?
  • Do the vehicle have air conditioning and heat controlled from the passenger area?
  • What are the cost?
  • Are there minimum hour requirements?
  • Is the gratuity/tip included in the final price?
  • How much are tolls if applicable?
  • Are the vehicles fully stocked and are the drinks complimentary?
  • Does your company charge for driving time to and form the limousine rental company or does the time start when the driver arrives at your pick up location?
  • How are the drivers dressed?

Some limousine companies have a uniform standard while others do not. The appearance of the driver is as important as the appearance of the vehicle and you will want to have your driver appearance professional and clean.

If renting for a wedding and want to display a "Just Married" sign can it be attached to the vehicle? If so, does the company provide a standard sign or allow you to attach your own. If so is their and extra cleaning or service charge.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Tips And Ideas On How To Find Unique Wedding Favors

Unique wedding favors aren't easily found on a shelf. When we say unique gifts, it obviously refers to one-of-kind present which aren't usually seen. A unique wedding favor has to be scoured at local flea markets and antique shops, and there you'll find unusual choices that can wow your wedding guests. Read and follow tips and ideas below to come up with unique wedding favors:

* First, plan, prepare and think outside the box. Make some research, browsing online and reading magazines relate to wedding can be very helpful. Or, head to a bridal show and grab some unique and fresh ideas about wedding gifts and favors for guests.

* Make is personalized. One of the easiest option to present a unique wedding favor is by adding personal touch. Consider personalized favors such as favor boxes, candle favors, soap favors and the like.

* Search for old items at local antique stores. Bizarre and unique wedding favors can be made from the image of the past.

* Explore your creativity and imagination, the purchase DIY craft materials at local craft stores. Start making a handmade unique wedding favors to show off your hidden creativity and skill with sentiment of thanks.

* Lastly, think of how to present it. Good wrapping and presentation can make a lot of difference which can capture anyone's eye. When presenting a unique wedding favors, jazz up a little bit by adding extra zest. Consider placing ribbons, beads and crystals or even organic and crafty embellishments. With such creative effort, you have created unique wedding thank you gifts to all that are worth to be remembered!

Monday, December 15, 2008

How to Dress for a Wedding Reception

Knowing how to dress for a wedding reception is important. If you're dressed too fancy or not fancy enough, you're going to stand out like a sore thumb. That's not the kind of lasting impression you want to leave on your fellow guests or the happy couple. Unless you're the bride or groom, it pays to learn how to dress for a wedding reception before you attend one.

Step1
Pay attention to the invitation. If it indicates anything like formal dress or black tie, then you know you need to dress to the nines for this event. This means a tuxedo or suit and tie for men and full-length dresses or ball gowns for women.
Step2
Take your cue from the venue of the reception. If the reception is going to be outside, you can usually get away with more casual clothing than if the reception will be in a formal ballroom.
Step3
Refrain from going too casual, unless the invitation specifically requests jeans and t-shirts. You're still attending a wedding, after all. Even the more laid-back outdoor venues require a degree of decorum. Business casual dress, such as khakis and polo shirts, are about as casual as you should go.
Step4
Avoid colors that are too loud and patterns that are too wild. Either one of these things will make you stand out in a bad way.
Step5
Keep the weather in mind. You should choose clothing that's appropriate to the season in order to be as comfortable as possible. Be sure to also check the weather report the day of the wedding, so you'll know if you should wear a coat or bring an umbrella.
Step6
Find out what other guests will be wearing. If you can match your style of dress to that of other people who will be attending the reception, you will rarely go wrong.
Step7
Ask the bride or groom what you should wear. This method is fool proof. It should also be used as a last resort, unless you're very close with either member of the happy couple. However, if the invitation doesn't give you any clues and the other guests aren't talking to you, then this is your best option.

* Dress sensibly. Don't wear high heels to a beach reception unless you enjoy sinking into the sand. Refrain from wearing a turtleneck to a poolside reception. If the reception is in an air-conditioned ballroom, bring a sweater in case you get too cold.
* Never wear white to a wedding or try to outshine the bride. This is considered very bad taste.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Planning: 10 Rules for Every Bride

You're a bride-to-be, so now you can indulge your every emotion and whim, right? Not so fast. It's most definitely your moment to be pampered and reign supreme, so maintaining perspective will make the whole planning process more fun and less mentally exhausting. We suggest you follow these 10 sanity-preserving rules:

I can live without lady's slipper orchids.

As you've discovered, there's a big world of amazing, over-the-top wedding options -- from caviar tastings to three-color origami letterpress invitations -- and many of them are jaw-droppingly expensive. If you find that you're being attracted to things that will have your budget bursting at the seams, it's time for a reality check. Ask yourself: What will those fragile flowers (or whatever your expensive obsession is) truly add to my wedding? If the answer is just "impressed glances from five in-the-know female guests," then you're better off spending that dough on something more people will appreciate -- a killer band maybe? -- or, better yet, splurging more on your honeymoon.


I won't make my bridesmaids look like clones.

Every good friend knows that along with the honor of being a bridesmaid comes the obligation to wear a dress in a color and style that's not of her choosing. So your girls accept that, but it doesn't mean they'll submit happily if you force them to wear identical shoes, jewelry, wraps, and hairstyles. In order to have a great time at your wedding, your bridesmaids need to feel attractive too -- something that's impossible if you've micromanaged their looks down to the lipstick hue. (Plus, buying a bunch of matching accessories they may never wear again gets expensive.) And your bridesmaids will look even better if you give them leeway to let their individual styles shine through the blush-colored chiffon gowns you've dressed them in. So let them choose their hair and makeup styles; give them more than one option with accessories like shoes, jewelry, and cover-ups.

I won't invite my second cousin's fling.

When you're putting your list together, a spirit of irrationally warm hospitality might take over, making you inclined to invite all of your single guests' guys/girls-of-the-moment. We know you're thinking: "What if they get married one day? I'll feel terrible if my cousin by marriage wasn't at our wedding." But remember, aside from the (big) expense of inviting every single person with a date, you don't want to celebrate the most important event of your life thus far with a bunch of people you'll likely never see again. Trust us, if you invite cousin Bill's arm candy, she'll somehow wind up front and center in half of the photographs, but he'll dump her before you return from your honeymoon, and you won't remember her name in a year. So make a rule about plus ones (maybe it's "only couples who've been dating for more than a year" or "only members of the wedding party get to invite random dates") and stick to it.


I won't obsess over my registry.

Once you delve into the world of fine stemware, charger plates, and exotic kitchen gadgets, it's only natural that you'll want to get even more immersed in it -- and start second- and third-guessing every registry decision. And online options make it all too easy to review and revise what you've asked for at every whim. So give yourself a deadline after which you're not allowed to tinker with your registry -- say, six months before the wedding -- so you can stop fixating on "bone china vs. Limoges?" and start obsessing over seating charts instead!


I'll loosen up about the rehearsal dinner.

As a bride, it's pretty much your inalienable right to micromanage every aspect of the wedding if you choose to. The rehearsal dinner, not so much. If you're lucky enough to have the night-before celebration thrown for you by the groom's family or somebody similar, everything will go most smoothly if you offer your input only when asked and on a few issues that are super-important to you. If your future mother-in-law sends out invitations you find unbearably tacky or fills the centerpieces with your least favorite flower, keep in mind that everybody in attendance will understand that the rehearsal isn't reflective of your style.


I'll write thank-you notes as the gifts come in.

Yes, you're busy, but you can always carve out 10 minutes from your schedule to write a thank-you note. So place your stationery box and a big sheet of stamps in the center of your desk and sit down to express your gratitude within 48 hours of a gift coming in. If you wait, your note-writing list will quickly grow to a frightening length, and it'll become that much more intimidating to tackle it. And if you let too much time pass before writing your notes, the gift-giver might wonder if you received the present.


I won't stress out about his bachelor party.

What happens on his stag night is totally out of your control and not for you to know or ever find out. He wouldn't be marrying you if he didn't vastly prefer being by your side instead of being surrounded by 10 intoxicated buddies and expensive entertainment named Bambi. 'Nuff said.


I won't have unrealistic weight expectations。

Choose a dress you look gorgeous in at your regular weight. Sure, you're likely to shed a couple of pounds in the weeks before the wedding due to a packed schedule and jitters, but consider that as a bonus. Don't strive to lose any more than that at the last minute. Crash dieting will make you exhausted and bitchy, and no number on the scale will compensate if you're too weak to handle the demands and savor the excitement of your wedding celebrations.


I won't let downers dampen my enthusiasm.

As you've no doubt already noticed, there are people out there who seem determined to make you feel bad about your wedding planning excitement. Maybe they're single and jealous, or not-so-happily married and bitter, or just the types who can't bear to witness other people's joy without trying to chip away at it. It can be hard to ID these people because their negativity is often backhanded and disguised as advice ("Don't stress about the details so much -- it's just a party that will be over in five hours!"), or because they might ask you lots of questions about your wedding day details only to teasingly call you "Bridezilla" when you answer. But once you've noticed that discussing your plans with certain people leaves you feeling defensive or deflated, cross them off your list of conversation partners. You have plenty of others in your life who are genuinely excited for you and eager to hear about (almost) every aspect of the planning process.


I'll make my album within one year of the wedding.

When you come back from your honeymoon, putting together your wedding album may seem like a daunting task. There will be so many beautiful and funny photos to choose from, and after months of daily wedding-related decisions, you may decide to take a break and do the album later. Not to mention the fact that a nice album doesn't come cheap, so it'll be tempting to wait until your funds have been replenished before shelling out for it. But as many of your married friends who had similar plans will tell you, the years slip by quickly, and it's all too easy to wind up with nothing but a proof book and some Snapfish albums on your fifth anniversary. So bite the bullet and order your album while the memories are fresh and you still have a little wedding planning momentum driving you forward.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Wedding Insurance... Can it really help you?

With an estimated 1.2 million people tying the knot this year, the average couple will spend between $16,000 to $20,000 on their wedding. With this price tag, few can afford to absorb the cost of a major nuptial disaster, like a caterer who doesn't show or a cancelled ceremony due to bad weather.

David Blunt, CEO and company president of InsuranceCompany.com encourages you to protect your wedding from potential disaster with wedding insurance. Wedding insurance policies can provide coverage for non-refundable deposits, wedding photographs, attire, gifts and jewelry, damage to rented property or serious disasters that may delay a wedding, such as a death or illness of a family member or member of the bridal party and all types of natural disasters.

These policies typically can cover up to $2,00,000 in personal liability if the couple becomes legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage during the wedding or reception. Wedding insurance is generally offered in pre-set packages or can be designed by couples on their own. A standard package policy should cost less than $200. By definition, the wedding insurance cancellation or postponement coverage will pay up to the coverage limit that you select and is subject to a $250 deductible, the nonrefundable expenses incurred when the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, wedding or private event, reception or honeymoon, which must be cancelled or postponed for certain reasons beyond your control (excluding Change of heart).

This also includes sickness or injury to the bride, groom or anyone essential to the wedding, damage or inaccessibility to the premises where the wedding is to be held, loss or damage to the bridal gown, corporate or military foreign posting and job loss. This coverage also includes adverse weather conditions which prevent the bride, groom or any relative whose presence at the wedding is essential or, the majority of the guests from reaching the premises where the wedding is to take place.

The weather coverage is available only if the policy is purchased 14 or more days from the date of the event. "Failure to show" of the minister, or the person engaged to perform the ceremony is covered for Cancellation or postponement. Closure of the ceremony site or reception site due to "financial failure" is also covered for Cancellation or postponement. Additional expense coverage will pay up to 25% of the cancellation limit you select for any additional expenses necessary to arrange alternative services to avoid a covered cancellation or postponement of the wedding.

Here's some extra wedding tips...

* Protect your wedding presents. When presents begin to arrive, consider raising your homeowners or renters insurance coverage. A wedding present "floater" can be written the day gifts arrive and remain in effect up to 90 days past the wedding date.
* Take an inventory of all gifts with supporting photos or videotape. Keep the gift list and the persons name giving the gift. You never know when you'll need to ask them the cost of the gift.
* Insure your rings. Most homeowners and renters policies require additional documentation to insure valuable jewelry. Some type of disasters may already be covered under homeowners insurance policies or by the vendors themselves. Ask you vendor if they have some type of disaster insurance. Above all get a wedding insurance policy... you can then bypass the hassle with endorsements to your home or renters policy.

Friday, November 28, 2008

Walking Well in Your Wedding Gown

Walking attractively and well in a wedding dress depends on a combination of a number of factors: the style of the dress, width of the skirt, number and size of petticoats or other undergarments, the height of heels on your shoes, your comfort level in walking in that height heel, the floor/ground surface you will be walking on, and more.

There is no magic equation for this, but here are some considerations which should help you find a fairly comfortable wedding day walk.

~ Choose a reasonably low heel, one that you are comfortable walking in. And "break your shoes in" a bit by walking around the house in them before the wedding-- but not when cooking or cleaning or doing other potentially soiling activities.

~ If you never wear heels of any kind, if you expect to do a lot of dancing or walking distances, or if heels are very uncomfortable for you, consider your options-- bridal sneakers, flat sandals, ballet slippers, Isotoner slippers, etc. For many brides, their shoes are never seen unless they *want* them seen, but all of the options above can be decorated (by the bride, if she wants to try it) to have an appropriate, if funky, bridal flair.

~ Wear your petticoat and/or other unusual undergarment around the house to get used to how they feel and move.

~ Practice nice posture. Snug-fitting bras and shapers and tight-waisted petticoats all encourage you to stand straight, unlike our normal everyday clothing. Allow these garments to remind you to stand, straight and tall, for the increased impression of beauty and confidence this gives any bride.

~ Have your gown hemmed to the proper height. Some boutiques hem gowns so they touch the floor. Unless you will be wearing an actual *rigid hoop* petticoat, this is not a good idea. For confidence walking, reducing soil, etc., a full-skirted gown should be hemmed at least 1/2", but preferably more like 3/4" to 1" above the floor. My clients occasionally quarrel with me on this subject, afraid that it will "look funny", but I've never had a client sorry after their wedding that they had the additional room above "hard floor" level. Remember, you may well have to walk over plush carpet, grass, gravel, or any of a number of other surfaces.

~ Proper hem height off the floor also gives you a little extra room for imperfect postures. When your hem is measured and marked, the seamstress will ask you to stand straight, with equal weight on both legs, and look directly, level-ly, in front of you. Pay attention to these requests and do your best to comply with them. It will give you the most attractive and accurate hem. However, when you are moving in the dress later, remember that the hem was cut for you standing straight and looking ahead. When you look down, your hem will dip down in front, and this is when many brides step on their skirts. Try to lift your skirt gently with your hands when you need to look down to navigate steps or other activities, to counteract this natural dip-- and the tendency to tread on your skirt.

~ Last-- try to relax about wearing your gown, and don't 'fight' it. A full-skirted gown has a certain natural swing and movement. Some brides take to this naturally; some find it a bit disconcerting, and almost "artificially girly". But if your feet don't hurt, your hem isn't too long, you are used to your undergarments, you relax and enjoy yourself, and you feel really beautiful in your gown... chances are, you'll wear your gown quite well!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Choosing a theme for your wedding

Choosing a theme for your wedding can be as simple as picking a color scheme, or as elaborate as creating a wedding based upon a particular era in history complete with historically accurate costumes & music.
For suggestions for simple themes: use your monograms throughout your wedding, from the design of your invitation to the designs on your wedding cake; or you could choose a location where you met, like the beach or the mountains, as your theme. Some couples base their themes upon a significant holiday, like Valentine’s Day or Mardi Gras, or a particular season when they met. You could base your theme upon a shared interest, such as mountain climbing, playing musical instruments or computer games, or an interest in history. Picking a certain era in art history can be a wonderful theme, such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Pre-Raphaelite, Baroque, etc. And some couples choose their theme based upon their careers, hobbies, or ethnic background.

Whatever theme you choose, remember to make it personal to you and your spouse-to-be. In this way, your wedding will be distinctly your own, & you and your guests will remember it long after they have forgotten all those other boring, cookie-cutter “white weddings” they will attend throughout their lifetime. As a graphic artist, I have included portraits of pets, coats-of-arms, musical instruments, fairies, favorite flowers, astrological signs, a compass rose (for two cartographers getting married!), Chinese symbols, Celtic knots, & Scottish plaids, among other symbols, into wedding invitations.

If you need help, a good wedding planner or custom wedding stationary designer should be able to come up with ideas to weave your theme throughout your wedding day. Invitations, flowers, table settings, placecards, centerpieces, menus, programs, & your wedding cake should all reflect your theme in some way. Keeping to a consistent color scheme & style brings it all together. But whatever theme you choose, enjoy planning your wedding!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Five Things Your Wedding Photographer MUST Offer

You're getting married, right? Congratulations! You want your wedding day to be as perfect and beautiful as you've always dreamed. However, if you choose the wrong photographer, your day may be a lot less than perfect, and you may not be satisfied with the images your photographer captures. Bummer. So, how do you choose the right photographer?

Here's how. Make sure your wedding photographer offers you these five things. Then you can relax and feel confident the love, special moments and important details of your wedding day will be captured in beautiful images for a lifetime of memories.

  1. Do you like the photographer's work?
    Look at a fairly good selection of the photographers wedding images, not just a few photos on a web site. It's best if you can see at least an album or two and a proof book of a complete wedding. The albums probably represent the best of the photographer's work, and the proof book shows all the typical images he or she captures during a wedding day. How do the images look to you? Are they pleasing to look at? Does the lighting and the color look good to you? Is the photographer's style what you are looking for? Most of our bridal couples are looking for a mix of photojournalistic images and classic posed traditional ones. Make sure your photographer is capable of, and comfortable with, taking the style of images you want for your wedding. If you don't like the photographer's work, there is no need to consider them further. Also, make sure the work you see was done by the photographer who will photograph your wedding. Some studios will show you a lot of good work from various photographers, but will not guarantee you will get the photographer whose work you like the best. Sometimes, a husband and wife team like ours is the best way to be sure the photographer's work you see is the work you will get.
  2. Do you like the photographer's personality and mannerisms?
    Is the photographer confident, easy going and not a nervous ninny? Does the photographer have a good sense of humor? Remember, the photographer will be present through most of your wedding day, interacting with you, your wedding party, your family, and your guests. A demanding, inflexible, and uptight photographer can make your day unpleasant. I know you don't want that! Make sure you and your spouse-to-be get along well with the photographer you choose. If the photographer is going to have a second photographer help at your wedding, meet the assistant photographer and make sure you feel comfortable with them also. To get to know your photographer before you choose them, it is really important you meet with them personally. If it is physically impossible to meet with the photographer, you should make sure some of their testimonials from previous clients make you feel comfortable with the photographer's personality.
  3. Does the photographer have a strong sense of professional commitment to photographing your wedding and a professional work ethic?
    Does the photographer use professional cameras, lenses and flash systems? Does he or she have at least some lenses that will produce good images in low light situations (f2.8 aperture)? Does the photographer use a soft box over the flash and keep the flash above the lens on both horizontal and vertical photos to minimize shadows in their images? Does he or she always bring a complete set of backup equipment, or bring a second photographer with another set of equipment, to every wedding? How will the photographer and their assistant be dressed on your wedding day? Ask them. Hopefully, they will professional enough to arrive dressed in a tux, suit, or dressy dress. Although, if your photographer is a man and he says he's coming in a dressy dress, you might worry a little about that :-). You should get the feeling that your photographer is dedicated to making sure your wedding day is wonderful, and that all of the love, emotions and important details will be captured in images you will be able to enjoy for the rest of your life.
  4. Does your photographer have the experience to anticipate all the good things that will happen on your wedding day, and the experience to deal with the bad things that could happen also?
    An experienced photographer will have photographed enough weddings to anticipate and capture special moments during your day, and the important details that may easily be missed by a "newbie". An experienced photographer also knows that things do go wrong sometimes and will be able to anticipate and deal with them, often without you even knowing that something went wrong. That's why a complete set of backup equipment is necessary. My little kit of duct tape, extra cables, pen knife with scissors, and band-aids has been a life saver several times.
  5. Does your photographer offer you the right value?
    Not the right price, but, the right value. If your photographer doesn't have all of the above four characteristics, it may not matter what their prices are. If the photographer has all four, that's a big part of the value they offer you. In this case, the price should be less important. Just make sure your photographer will provide what is really important to you and is upfront with you about costs for everything you want. Someone who offers a "low" price up front may sound attractive. But, things change when you find they charge extra for every location stop, for the digital image files, for a studio set up at the reception, and so on. A photographer who charges twice as much, but includes almost everything, can often be a better value for you.

So, there you have it. Choose your wedding photographer based on the above five factors, and you will go a long way toward having the wedding of your dreams. Good luck and congratulations again.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

A Wedding Photographer's Wish List: How You Can Help

Finding and hiring a professional photographer to document your wedding day is a sizable investment, in not only money, but time as well. By doing your research and hiring a professional that suits your style, you can rest assured that he or she is going to capture your day exactly how you want. But achieving the best possible results doesn’t end with the signing of the contract. Below are a few simple things you can do as a client before and on your wedding day to help you and your photographer capture the photographs of your dreams.

Develop a personal relationship with your photographer. Hopefully you have selected a photographer whose personality meshes well with yours, besides your fiancee, they are the person you will be spending the most amount of time with on your wedding day. By the time your wedding day arrives, you should consider your photographer a friend, not just another vendor. This can seem like a difficult task to accomplish, considering how busy and hectic the months leading up to the big day can be, but it can be done. Most photographers understand the importance of this dynamic and will take the initiative, but it does take a little bit of effort from you as well. You must make yourself available. Though most beneficial, it doesn’t necessarily have to take place in person. Phone calls, emails, any form of conversation will work. And it most certainly doesn’t need to pertain to the business of your wedding. The stronger this sense of friendship is between you and the photographer, not only will you feel more comfortable and relaxed around him or her, the rest of the wedding party will as well. As soon as the guard comes down, the photographic magic happens.

Be yourself. This may seem like common sense, but it can be more difficult than you might think. Most people aren’t used to having a photographer document their every move, especially with intimidating looking professional equipment. Though they may not realize it, people tend to carry themselves and act differently as soon as a camera is pointed at them, which looks stiff and unnatural in photographs. Others just freeze up altogether. Unless your photographer is giving you specific direction, the best thing you can do is relax, be yourself, and act as if the photographer wasn’t even there. Pay special attention to your hands, they are a good indication of how tense you really are. Relax your hands and the rest of you will follow. No need to put on an act, simply be yourself.

Don’t rush your wedding day. When planning the schedule of the day, allot a realistic amount of time for each separate event. Planning a shorter, more casual wedding is one thing, but attempting to pack an eight-hour event into four makes everything feel rushed, like you’re trying to run a race. Not only does it make it difficult for everyone involved to enjoy the day, it makes it more difficult to capture natural looking photographs when you’re sprinting from one thing to the next. Pace your day and cherish every moment, it is, after all, a once in a lifetime experience (hopefully).

Look through magazines, on-line, and, of course, through your photographer’s portfolio for specific examples of images, scenes, and body positions that appeal to you and share these ideas with your photographer before hand. It will give both you and the photographer a better sense of direction when working together. Also, if you internalize these ideas and are able to carry and position yourself in a similar way without having to be completely directed by the photographer, the photographs will look much more natural. The more the photographer must direct, the more awkward you will feel and it will show in the images.

Communicate with your fiancee about the photography. Often photography is of much greater importance to one half of the couple, typically the bride, but occasionally the groom. Sometimes the photographer wont even meet the groom until the day of the wedding, as everything related to photography was arranged and booked by the bride. This usually translates to the groom and groomsmen standing around in complete disinterest, with a ‘this is her deal’ attitude. If you communicate openly with your fiancee, and, even better, the core wedding party, beforehand about the photography, it will make it much easier and enjoyable to achieve your desired results.

Enjoy your wedding day. Again, this may seem like common sense, but with the anticipation and stress involved in planning the perfect day, it can be difficult to actually enjoy it. While there is certainly no way to eliminate the stress and worry completely, you can minimize it. If you don’t have a professional day-of coordinator, appoint someone you trust to handle the logistics of the day and let them worry about the details. You have been planning this day for months, even years, once it finally arrives, relax and enjoy it. You certainly deserve to and doing so will translate to more natural looking, joyous images.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Tips For An Amazing Maid Of Honor Wedding Speech

You have been chosen as maid of honor for your close friend's wedding, and even though the event is still weeks away, you are already fretting about what you are going to say in your maid of honor wedding speech. The maid of honor wedding speech is one of the most important duties of the maid of honor. The words spoken to the bride and groom, and their wedding guests, should convey the importance of the day and connect the guests with the couple on a more meaningful level. Even though the maid of honor wedding speech seems a little overwhelming, with a bit of early preparation and creativity, your speech can easily become one of the highlights of the bride and groom's special day.

Having the crowd hang on your every word is as easy as following a few simple tips.

  1. Don't forget the basics! It's easy to forget the basic information when you start your speech, but do remember to introduce yourself and tell how long you have known the couple, as well as what your connection to the bride is. Many of the wedding guests may not know you, so this information is important.
  2. Remember to thank the bride and groom for allowing you to be a part of their special day. The bride and groom could have chosen anyone, but instead, they chose you to play such a pivotal role in their day. By acknowledging this in your speech, it shows the couple, and the wedding guests that you appreciate them placing you in such a special role. It also shows you are honored by their trust in you, that they could depend on you to carry out the necessary duties in being maid of honor.
  3. Use your history with the bride as a foundation for your speech. Whether you have known the bride since childhood, or only for a few months, sharing a special memory between the two of you shows the significance of your bond. It also highlights the positive aspects of the bride's personality that may have been a factor in drawing the bride and groom together. Remember, however, not to embarrass the bride with overly personal stories.
  4. Infuse a bit of humor. While adding a joke or a one liner to the speech can break the ice and loosen up the crowd a bit, use caution as to not go too far. The last thing you want to do is offend the bride or groom, or any of the wedding guests. Keep the joke simple, for example, "I'm told that the best speech givers follow three simple rules: Stand up, speak up, and then very quickly, shut up. I'll try to stick to that advice." By keeping the joke clean and simple, you avoid the risk of losing your audience.
  5. Don't be afraid to use a quote. There are thousands of wedding appropriate quotes out there. The most important thing to remember is to choose a quote that is appropriate for the couple. If you want to play it safe, a sentimental quote that speaks about everlasting love is always a good choice.
  6. Get creative! If you don't want to go the typical route, consider doing something a bit different to honor the couple. Maybe a song or dance or even a slideshow could add a new dimension to the usual maid of honor wedding speech. If you opt to add a creative touch, remember to choose something that is in line with the couple's taste. A poem is also a nice touch to a maid of honor wedding speech.
  7. Always end on a positive note. Wind your speech up with positive words for the couple. Wish them a long and happy life together and remember to offer your support.

Prepare your speech well in advance of the day and practice it over and over again to avoid stammers and jitters. Don't be afraid to take a few note cards to help you stay on track in the event you lose your place. Above all, have fun and remember you are honoring the couple on their special day. After all, your speech is a very important extension of their wedding ceremony.

Friday, October 17, 2008

A New Trend in Bachelor Parties

Bachelor parties are about guys getting together, sharing old stories, and maybe creating some new ones. They are a chance for the best man to send the groom off in style, in appreciation for years of friendship. Traditionally, this has involved drinking one's fair share of alcohol, heading off to a gentleman's club, and waking up the next morning in a strange place with a new tattoo. Recently, a new trend has emerged. Guys are now spending weekends immersed in outdoor adventures: leaping out of airplanes, roping cattle, reeling in trophy fish, and riding wild whitewater.

Picture it: 10 buddies sitting in a rubber raft, getting tossed back and forth, and paddling like crazy through a menacing drop-off the guides call, "The Meat Grinder." Besides whitewater rafting, parties can perform airborne ballets after leaping from planes at 10,000 feet, reel in fish ranging from 30 lb king salmon to 300 lb sharks, or drive hundreds of cattle alongside real-life cowboys. As an added bonus, guys return from the adventure, with pictures, mementoes, and memories that will always remain special.

Although these adventures bring a fresh, new idea to the bachelor party concept, groups are given many opportunities to do some old-school partying. Typically, the extreme adventure locations are located off the beaten path, requiring a couple-days excursion. Everyone usually congregates in a major city near the adventure site and spends the first night enjoying the urban nightlife. Day Two kicks off with an early morning rise, followed by a trip out into the wild for the adventure activity.

Some detailed examples of adventure-based bachelor parties paint a clear picture of exactly how extreme adventure combines with traditional fun to produce an unforgettable experience.

Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is an adventure that can take place in multiple locations across the country. As long as there is a flowing river, someone will put a boat in it. The trick is finding the rivers that will take you to the edge, without throwing you over it. Under the guidance of an adventure expert, guys paddle, dodge, and hold on through class IV and V rapids, all while taking in spectacular views of the scenic beauty and wildlife. To compliment the adventure, the group spends the first night at an upscale hotel in a bustling downtown area and the second night in more rustic accommodations surrounded by nature. This combination creates a solid mix of fun and adventure.

Cattle Wrangling
Imagine living out the movie, City Slickers. Saddle-up the crew, ride the open range like old-time cowboys, and drive longhorn cattle through rugged mountain terrain. In the morning, work alongside real cowboys to move the thundering herd to greener pastures. Enjoy the sights and sounds of rolling rivers, towering mountain ranges, and native wildlife while attempting to control the wild herd. After the drive, see if anyone lasts eight seconds on the mechanical bull before taking aim at the skeet shooting range. Recount the day's highlights during a Texas-style-barbecue dinner including steaks, potatoes, and plenty of beer. Before you dive headfirst into the cowboy lifestyle, enjoy a night with upscale hotel accommodations, fine dining, and outstanding nightlife characteristic of the adjacent downtown area.

Charter Fishing
In groups of four to six people, the guys board separate charter boats and compete in a private fishing tournament. Someone not only has the satisfaction of wrestling a trophy fish into the boat, but also the sweet taste of victory in catching the winning fish to beat the rest of the bunch in the tournament. While everybody breathes in the fresh air and takes in picturesque views, the expert captains and crew guide the team to the hot spots and teach the boys how to reel in the big one. After a full day of fishing, camaraderie, and competition, a chef "cooks the catch" at a restaurant overlooking the water. Since most fishing trips are located in beach side towns, nights will be spent at Buffet-like bars sipping Margaritas, watching the fade over the horizon.

Skydiving
What's better than jumping out of a plane, free-falling for over a minute at 120 mph, and seeing for miles in every direction? Doing it all with some of your closest friends. After some basic training, everyone flies to 13,000+ feet and prepares for the jump. Hearts pound, men begin to fade to the back of the line, and adrenaline pumps as everybody peels out of the plane into the open sky. Once everyone has returned safely to Earth, the party begins. The boys enjoy beers in the hanger, a bonfire on the grounds, a delicious catered dinner, and a viewing of the days skydive video. To enhance this exceptional skydiving experience, upscale accommodations, fine dining, and locally distinct nightlife in a lively downtown setting complete the package.

Regardless of the adventure theme you choose, it will be important to make the outing an "experience" rather than just a trip. Answer these questions when planning your weekend to remember:

  1. What adventure activity is the group interested in?
  2. What areas of the country offer this type of activity during the group's seasonal timeframe?
  3. Is there a major city near the event where people can fly to at a reasonable price?
  4. What hotels offer high-class accommodations and fit the group's price range?
  5. Is there a restaurant with a private banquet facility near the hotel, where champagne toasts and words of encouragement can be uttered without upsetting the other patrons?
  6. What are the best bars?
  7. How will the group get from the hotel to the adventure outfitter?
  8. If the adventure is outside of the city, where will the group stay the second night?

These are just some of the questions that will come up as the event planning takes shape. The most important part of the trip is making sure the groom has a great time. So, if you are the best man, make sure to have his best interests in mind at all times. If all goes as planned, you will have successfully orchestrated a weekend filled with memories to last a lifetime and maybe even overcome some fears along the way.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

How To Get The Wedding Invitation Of Your Dreams Without Breaking The Bank

I would like to help take some of the stress of decision-making off of you by offering some hints and tips that will help you in choosing your wedding invitations.

1. Proofs:
Find out if there is a charge for proofs. If there is a charge, pay it! It is better to pay a small fee for proofs than to have to pay to reprint all of your invitations because of an error on your part. E-proof, online proof or printed proof? A printed proof is best.
But if you have already purchased a sample in the same colors and confirmed that you are satisfied with the colors, a proof sent via email will do.

Even when you are offered an online proof after you personalize your invitation online, it is still best to get a proof e-mailed, faxed or mailed to you. Some companies only offer a black and white faxed proof, which does not allow you to make sure you are satisfied with the colors. Find out how many revisions you are allowed and what the charge is for additional revisions and/or proofs.

2. Colored inks and printing in more than 1 color:
Most wedding invitation companies charge an extra fee for colored inks instead of black only. They might also charge you an extra fee to print a second color. For a more contemporary style invitation, look for invitations that are printed in full-color.


3. Raised lettering or thermography:
There is usually an extra charge to have your invitations printed with raised lettering. There is also usually a very limited color palette to choose from with this option. That's why more and more brides are choosing invitations that are printed in full color so that they can match their wedding color scheme, no matter what their colors are.


4. Adding extra lines of text:
It is not uncommon for traditional wedding invitation companies to charge an extra fee for adding extra lines of text. (Some companies do not even offer the option of adding extra lines of text.) Custom invitation boutiques usually do not charge extra for this.

5. Layout changes:
If it is even offered at all, many companies require an additional charge for any invitation or card you would like set up differently than shown in their sample or catalog. For instance, if you want your text to be right-aligned instead of centered, or if want your
names to be in a larger font, etc. The exception to this is custom invitation boutiques that will create your invitation for you exactly to your specifications. The problem is custom invitations can be quite expensive. A more affordable option that would give you more options for customization that traditional invitations are customizable invitations. Customizable invitations are based on a particular design, but can be made to look like a custom invitation by changing the color scheme, layout, fonts, wording and even adding a photo.

6. Changing paper colors:
Be aware that some papers cost more than others and may be offered in limited colors. For instance, metallic papers, textured papers and vellum typically cost more than smooth papers.


7. Changing colors of the design:
You will have to look pretty hard to find a company that will allow you to change the colors of their design. If they offer that option at all, do not be surprised if they charge you an additional fee for doing so, or if they only have 2 or 3 different color schemes to
choose from. Again, if you want to customize your invitation to match your wedding colors scheme, your best bet is to look for customizable wedding invitations.

8. Adding a photo and photo touch-up:
There are some companies that offer to print your photo on your wedding invitation, but, (except for high-priced custom invitations)they usually have predetermined layouts that your photo must fit into. If you photo needs some correcting, adjusting or cropping, be sure to find out if you will be charged an extra fee for that.

9. Turnaround time and rush fees:
Make sure you find out the estimated turnaround time so you can order your invitations far enough in advance to leave yourself time to address the envelopes, assemble the invitations, stuff and stamp the envelopes, etc. You'll need to find out how long it will be before you receive a proof, and then how long the printing will take once the proof is approved. Add on several days to the estimated turnaround time to allow for revisions and additional proofs. It is important to start the ordering process early because rush fees can be quite hefty. Your wedding invitations should be mailed out to your guests six to eight weeks prior to your wedding date.

10. Extra envelopes:
You should always get extra envelopes in case of addressing mistakes or invitations that get returned because of wrong addresses. They will cost a lot more if you don't order them with your initial order.


Just like buying a car, a home, or a new refrigerator, you can get stuck with some surprise fees if you don't read the fine print.

Your wedding is one of the most special days of your life and you deserve to have everything exactly the way you want it - including your wedding invitation. You don't have to settle for less than "perfect." But you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to get your "perfect" invitation, either. As you just read, expenses can add up very quickly, but knowing what questions to ask and what to look for in wedding invitations can save you a lot of heartache, expense and rushing around.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Wedding Gifts You'll Enjoy - Creating Your Wedding Registry

Receiving wedding gifts is a whole lot more fun when the gifts are of your choice. It is a good idea to create a wedding registry to help your guests choose a wedding gift that you'll enjoy...and use!

Most people find it difficult to choose a wedding gift for a couple. Worrying about things like whether the couple will like it, is it nice enough, do they need it, can it be exchanged and similar things can make the shopping expedition quite tiresome. You can make things easier for your guests by creating a wedding registry.

Not only do you make things easier for your guests by creating a wedding registry but also for yourself. You will receive only things you really want and you won't end up with 6 of the same thing. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your wedding registry.

  1. Create your wedding registry with a store that has a wide variety of things. A large and popular store like Macys is a good option to create your wedding registry with.
  2. Let your guests know about your wedding registry at least 2 months in advance. If a guest has already bought you a gift, it is highly unlikely that she would buy another one from your wedding registry. Also, if the gift is not listed in your wedding registry it can put the guest in a spot.
  3. Ensure that you have gifts in your wedding registry from a wide price range. Choosing only high priced wedding gifts as part of your wedding registry could be considered to be in bad taste.
  4. Create a wedding registry with a store that allows you to merge the registry online and offline. This will make it easy for guests from out of town to shop for you.
  5. Ensure that your wedding registry includes items that can be easily shipped. While most guests are willing to spend on the wedding gift itself, if they have to pay extra for shipping and handling they may not be so excited about it.
  6. When creating your wedding registry make sure you specify your name as well as that of your spouse. Some guests may want personalize your gift and may need to know how to spell your names.
  7. Creating a wedding registry online has many benefits. The online wedding registry keeps track of who bought you what. Also, you can email thank you notes directly from the website.
  8. You can also create multiple wedding registries with different stores. However, be careful that the items you choose do not overlap since there is no way you can integrate different stores into one wedding registry.

Thus, creating a wedding registry is as easy as 1-2-3. In addition, it saves you and your guests a whole lot of trouble. So if you want to get wedding gifts of your choice (and not another toaster!), create your wedding registry today. You'll be glad you did, and so will your guests.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Tips To Plan Out A Great Spring Wedding

Spring signifies the beginning of new life and it is the perfect time for exchanging vows and to have a dream wedding. You can have your spring wedding in an outdoor location decorated with fresh seasonal flowers and you looking gorgeous in a traditional wedding gown. For planning a spring wedding there are certain things that you need to keep in mind to make the wedding a great success. Here are some tips to help you plan out a spring wedding:

Using seasonal flowers and pastel colors would give your wedding a feeling of spring time. Decorating the tables with snowflakes is not ideal for a spring wedding. Instead choose petals to adorn tables. For centerpieces, you can use baskets containing spring flowers in soft pastel shades. You can decorate the place with beautiful tulips, roses, lilies, ranunculus, Gerber daisies, hyacinth and daffodils. A bouquet of cream tulips and red roses looks very classic.

Menu

For a spring wedding, a menu which comprises of fresh vegetables such as baby carrots, asparagus, peas, and haricots verts would be great. And don't forget to include spring fruits such as strawberries, watermelon and apricots. As far as wedding cake is concerned, get the cake decorated with edible spring flowers. In fact you can even opt for something different instead of a regular cake. A carrot cake with a cream cheese icing would be delicious.

Spring Wedding Dresses

An A-line dress with floral embellishments on the bodice or waistline would be ideal for a spring wedding. But don't choose anything heavy or long-sleeved wedding dresses unless you want to sweat your way down the aisle. You can also go for long floating skirts or gothic gowns. Tea-length gowns are another popular style of wedding dress for brides looking for something trendy to wear. You can find all these styles of wedding dresses quite easily at online bridal shops and that too at much affordable prices.

Adding a bit of color to your wedding dress would be a great idea. Add a touch of pink or blue color or include a bit of colorful embroidery in your wedding dress. As far as fabrics are concerned, light and airy fabrics are ideal such as chiffon, organza or charmeuse.

During the spring season, temperature can drop down to 50 degrees in the evening. Hence carry a sophisticated cashmere cardigan or an organza neck scarf with you.

Headpiece

A delicate floral headpiece would be perfect for a spring wedding. But make sure that the floral headpiece matches with your wedding dress completely. If you have a touch of pink shade or pink color embroidery on your wedding dress, then wearing a blue color floral headpiece would look odd. Hence it is advisable that you first make purchase of your affordable yet elegant wedding dress from a bridal store or online bridal shops and then proceed to buy matching accessories.

Best wedding favors for spring wedding

Seed packets are a popular favor for a spring wedding. You can also present wedding guests with a colorful butterfly cookie or birds nests. Spring is the time of Easter. So you can give your guests a ceramic Easter egg or a chocolate Easter bunny.

Spring is a great time to exchange vows with your beloved. And don't get disheartened if it starts raining. It would only make the atmosphere even more romantic.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

How To Plan A Wedding On A Small Budget

Weddings today seem to be all-time high. The average cost of wedding in the US is said to play in between 20 to 25 thousand dollars. Many couples just don't have such amount to spend on their wedding. Fortunately, there are several economical ideas that will help you make your big day successful even though you don't have huge fortune to spend. Consider such ideas so that your bill be reduced considerably; ideas that could help you achieve your dream day for less.

Low-cost Wedding Outfit Ideas. A piece of gown can already cost you a thousand or more. To save some money, you may consider to buy a wedding dress that has only been worn once for less than half the price. Many stores have begun to supply wedding outfits this way, and often hiring them just for the day.

Inexpensive Wedding Invitation Ideas. You can always make your own wedding invitations and seating card with help of your personal computer and home printer. This is the perfect time for you to show off your hidden creativity and skills to make wedding invitations using your own bare hands. Or, you can also shop invitations online; available invitations online are a lot cheaper than buying them in local stores.

Affordable Wedding Reception Ideas. The wedding reception is one of the most very expensive part of your occasion, however, it can also be your biggest savings. So where should you begin? Start planning your cheap wedding by looking at the number of guests you have attending. Shorten your guest list by only inviting people that are very close to you, such as you family and friends. When it comes to the meal, consider arranging a hot or cold buffet, instead of a four course silver service.

If you wish to hold the wedding reception in an expensive hotel then you may consider these available options such as holding it at a club perhaps or even book a restaurant where you can keep an open bar to a minimum by only serving beer, wine and soft drinks.

Money-Saving Wedding Transportation Ideas. You can also save big amount by not hiring expensive limousine, rather you may ask to borrow a friend's vehicle. Just give it a good clean and polish it can make a two thumbs up substitute.

Cheap Floral Arrangements Ideas. If you wish to cut the cost of your wedding flowers, why not visit the local flower wholesaler where huge savings are possible, then all that's needed is a little imagination when it comes to the display.

Other possible cheap wedding ideas include baking your own wedding cake, or ask a friend who is an expert on baking. Or, you can bake your own cake and deliver it to your nearest bakeshop and let them finish your wedding cake at a lesser cost; basically cost is only for the icing and the time they spent in working. Another cost-reducing technique idea is to distribute affordable wedding favors and wedding gifts. Choose inexpensive bridesmaids gifts for the ladies who supported you all throughout your wedding celebration, as well as discount groomsmen gifts for your groomsmen.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Planning a Wonderful Wedding on a Realistic Budget

Contrary to what they say in the magazines and on-line now, you don't have to spend a fortune to have a wonderful, memorable wedding. I tell my clients and my readers that the most important part of making a wedding memorable is focusing on and prioritizing what you want to achieve. Fortunately, that same focus will help you save money as well!

You can look at all the planning guidelines and timelines in magazines and on websites for ideas of things you might do, but don't get boxed in by them-- real weddings come together in a much different way than magazines and many experts suggest.

You and your fiancé need to sit down and really talk and think about what you want MOST for the wedding-- a certain location, a large guest list, great photography, a really fancy gown and accessories. Start making notes of what you really want and what you can live without. Compare your ideas, and compromise when necessary, to come up with a wedding you'll both love.

When you have an idea of what's most important to you, you can start finding out what those things will cost. Call around, ask around, make notes, add things up. Then when you have an idea of what you'll do, start with the most important priorities FIRST, so you make sure you can afford them. Then you can compromise on, or even omit, some of the less important things as your budget gets stretched.

The following is a compilation of ideas I have sent to various brides who were looking to keep their expenses and/or weddings small, but memorable.

General Budget/Cash Flow Issues--

~ Careful timing can reduce reception costs. Do you have a time set for the wedding? If you don't want to spend a lot on refreshments, plan the wedding and reception at a time other than mealtime. This is tricky because the length of time a wedding and reception takes, but you can work with it a little.

Usually, for instance, it's tough to have a morning wedding early enough to avoid feeding the guests lunch. Even a very short ceremony and reception that starts at 10 am is going to run into "lunchtime" (and some guests may expect brunch, since many morning weddings offer that.)

In the afternoon, you could plan the wedding to start, say, 1:30 or 2 pm, and figure you can have people on their way before 5 if there are no real activities except socializing and limited light refreshments.

In the evening, you can work it the same way, if you wish. Any ceremony after about 6:30 pm (or certainly 7) would be "after dinner" (in most regions), so you could plan to only serve dessert rather than a buffet or meal.

~ Make some things for the wedding yourself. Doing-it-yourself is not always as much cheaper as it used to be, but it still saves you labor charges, if you have creative talents and energy. I encourage couples and families to make garters or bridesmaids dresses, arrange flowers, cook the reception food-- whatever they are good at. It's cheaper, and it's often more meaningful to have had a hand in the preparations personally. Also, many family and friends really ENJOY helping out with wedding prep. Don't be afraid to ask! : )

~ Consider marrying on Friday evening. This is NOT the most convenient arrangement, because people have to get out of work early, etc. It can also be difficult for any out-of-town guests you might have, because it may force them to take an additional day off work to arrive in time for all the festivities. But you can sometimes get discounts on sites and services. If you are *really* tight in the budget, this could be an option worth researching.

~~One other **very important** thing to remember when money is tight--- most of your bills will come due right before the wedding. Usually you pay 1/2 up-front for services, and then the last couple weeks before the wedding, everyone wants their other half paid. BE PREPARED FOR THIS! Try to look ahead so you will have the cash flow you need when all those payments go out at once. If you can, save extra *right away* while you are in the early planning stages, because you will need it later.

Also, plan your budget *smaller* than you think you could really afford. If your wedding expenses come within that figure, that will be great. But if one or two things turn out to be more expensive than you expected, you won't be right at the absolute limit of your funds. It will give you peace of mind.

Location/Guest List--

~ Keep your guest list small. The more people, the bigger the location, the more food, the more invitations, etc.

~ Have the wedding and reception in the same place. It's trendy to have them separate locations, but frankly, as a guest, I really dislike the practice (all that extra driving and parking). And from the couple's standpoint, it's much cheaper to do it all in one place. It's also more convenient and relaxing for everyone involved.

~ Consider an less-traditional location. In most areas, many attractive locations are willing to have weddings-- not just the churches, hotels and country clubs where most weddings take place. Some non-traditional locations will cost you more, but others may cost *considerably* less. So do some research, and make some calls. Likely locations include, parks (local, state and national), bed-and-breakfasts, country inns, restaurants, public gardens, historic homes or monuments, museums, galleries, and private homes of friends or family.

When considering the suitability of *any* location, be sure to find out not just about the price to rent the location, but also about parking, seating, restrooms, food preparation and/or storage, dressing areas, security, electrical hook-ups, restrictions or regulations (on alcohol, attire, photography or videography, decorations, etc.) Anything not provided or conveniently available may cost you more to rent or provide on your own.

Attire--

~ The two best ways to save money on attire are to dress very casually, or to sew your own (or have a friend or relative sew your) gown and/or bridesmaids' gowns. But even casual gowns can be quite costly in the current market, unless you are able to take advantage of sales or other discounts.

Home-sewn gowns are less popular now than they were in the 70's and 80's. However, since the current styles and fabrics are actually fairly easy to sew, it seems a shame that more brides and their families do not make use of this option--especially for bridesmaids and flowergirls.

Obviously, good general sewing skills and a dependable sewing machine are necessary, as well as a reasonable "eye" for fitting. But if you consider that a bride recently commented to me that she was *happy* to find a flowergirl dress for "only" $99 (other similar gowns were as much as $150), it seems clear that sewing should be an option budget-conscious brides at least *consider*.

~ Headpieces and some accessories are very inexpensive to make, as well. Good instructions are available in books and with patterns. If you are creative at all, you might look into this option. Mark-ups on headpieces, especially, are VERY high in most bridal boutiques, so this can net you a big savings from retail.

~ If you will buy your gown "off-the-rack", big discount bridal stores and on-line resources can offer lower prices-- but consider what you may, or may not, get from these sources in the way of quality, personal service, dependability, selection, alterations, etc. Some are excellent; others are not. Working with a company or resource you have personal references for is the best, whenever possible.

~ If you will hire a dressmaker to save money, remember that the talents and prices and quality provided will vary considerably. You might be fortunate to have a very inexpensive, but fabulously talented dressmaker available to you. On the other hand, to get the best deal from a more expensive dressmaker or designer, you might decide to simplify your fabric and detailing choices to include only what's MOST important to you. The other advantage of having a gown made is that, at least you will not have to worry about alterations costs on top of the purchase price.

~ Menswear costs can be reduced by having the men wear suits they own, for example, rather than renting matching formalwear.

Decorations/Flowers--

~ If you will use fresh flowers, try to choose varieties which will be in-season at the time of your wedding date. Skip extra arrangements on the altars, reception tables, etc. If you must decorate these areas, consider using inexpensive live plants (home centers, discount stores, large nurseries, and even grocery stores sometimes have great prices on potted plants.) Be sure, however, that any plants or flowers used near food are not toxic.

~ Keep the bouquets small. Let the bouquets do double-duty for decoration, by laying them out on your tables at the reception. Consider eliminating corsages and boutonnieres for anyone besides your own and your fiancé's parents.

~ Consider arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. The price of professionally-arranged silk or dried bouquets is often about the same as fresh flower prices. However, if you use careful shopping, creative filler options, a bit of patience, and some ingenuity, you can often save money by arranging silk or dried flowers yourself. If you haven't worked with floral arranging before, start with the boutonnieres. They are easy to handle and help you get familiar with the general techniques and products you will use on the larger arrangements.

~ Not all locations need extra decorations. It is not necessary to totally *transform* your ceremony or reception location in order to have a beautiful and memorable wedding. If your budget is tight, do the minimum you are comfortable with.

~ If you really need some color and interest in a really boring reception location (a common problem), I have seen really pretty, classy effects achieved with really simple, inexpensive party materials, like balloons, streamers (especially metallic or pearlized), honeycomb wedding bells, inexpensive fabrics, candles, confetti and glitter.

If you choose to use materials like these, choose your colors carefully so they are not too harsh, and look for ways to combine materials and add small decorative details (silk flowers, ribbons, floating beads, etc.) to create a more complex, customized look.

Refreshments--

~ Your choice of refreshments is very important to how much the reception will cost.

Generally, the least expensive reception is a cake and punch reception. Cake is really the minimum food you should serve. You can cut cake costs, if necessary, by having a very small decorative and/or stacked cake, and supplementing the servings with additional sheet cake in the same flavor. Punch is an easy and inexpensive beverage, and it can be very fun to make (ideas for a custom punch recipe can be found in A Bride's Touch on page 249).

A cake and punch reception usually also includes coffee and perhaps tea, individual sodas instead of punch if you prefer (but that costs more), and sometimes champagne or other alcohol (but that's a pricey item, too.) There has also recently been a trend toward offering other desserts besides cake, so you could have a "dessert and punch" reception for a little more than a standard cake and punch affair.

A pot-luck is next most expensive, because it should be assumed that you and your family will contribute several dishes. In some social circles, this works out very well, and makes for a very fun and tasty reception. There is a lot of variety in the food (something for everyone, usually) and even if some guests are not able/willing to bring something, there's usually plenty. This sort of arrangement works well for family- or church-oriented weddings, where guests feel that bringing a dish is a way to help the couple celebrate. In other circles, guests may consider this in poor taste, feeling that the bride's (and perhaps groom's family) should be treating the guests to a meal. You would have to check around with family and friends to see how they would feel about this idea.

Some hosting families opt to prepare the food themselves. It gives them control over the cost and menu, but eliminates the potluck concept of asking others to bring something. If you have a lot of guests, you could also ask for help from the bridal party members and your closest family and friends.

Cold food works the best for this because you can buy and prepare it ahead. If you have family or friends willing to help, it's not too taxing to have them each make a double or triple recipe of one dish like potato or crab salad, or a platter of cold cuts, or a tray of rolls. Warehouse and food service stores like Price Club and Smart and Final have made this even easier, providing good prices for large quantities, and (at Smart and Final and other restaurant suppliers), low cost serving dishes and utensils as well. I have found that big plastic punch bowls are excellent for serving salads and other large dishes attractively and economically.

Of "catered" options, prices would range from purchasing trays at a supermarket or other deli, to having a restaurant or caterer provide trays or a simple buffet, to having a formal sit-down dinner cooked by the kitchen at the reception site or a private caterer, to really elaborate, multi-course banquets.

Entertainment--

~ Providing entertainment or activities costs extra, generally. If you want to keep the reception low-key, skip or at least limit music and dancing (this will also save you from having to rent a dance floor). If you have access to a small sound system, at the location or through a friend, you can supply your own background music through CDs or cassettes.

You may or may not need a microphone at all, depending on what you choose to include in the way of toasts and announcements. If you keep it really informal, just a chance to chat with guests, you can get away with almost no extra equipment or related preparation. This will also tend to keep the reception short, since guests won't be staying late to dance and party.

Professionals--

~ Hiring professionals, of course, accounts for a great chunk of many wedding budgets. As a professional myself, and speaking for the many fine wedding professionals I know, this is often money very well spent. However, people have married *without* the help of professional dressmakers, florists, caterers, photographers, videographers, musicians, and event planners for hundreds of years. And some couples still do.

If your budget is really tight, pick your professionals with care. Personally, for my own wedding, photography was the most important professional priority (see article); and many couples I have interviewed have felt the same. For you, it might be a particular florist or caterer. But remember you *do not* have to hire every professional suggested in the bridal magazines, or by people you know. You can choose to spend the money you have on what matters most to you.

~ Consultants, coordinators and event planners are currently touted by most magazines, and many bridal advisors, as an *essential* element of modern wedding planning. They site money savings, higher quality wedding "results", planning-stress reduction, and more. I think it is important to point out, however, that many, if not most, weddings are planned *without* the help of this type of professional. And most of them are beautiful, happy, fun and memorable.

There *are* situations where a bridal consultant, coordinator or event planner is very helpful-- and still another few situations where one *might* be essential. But if you are planning a relatively average wedding, and you are concerned with keeping costs down, this is a professional I believe you can safely skip-- no matter what the magazines say.

Good advice and information about wedding planning is available from many free or inexpensive sources-- friends and family, your local library, the internet, and many of the wedding professionals with whom you will be working. Don't sell any of these resources short!

And don't let anyone intimidate you by making wedding planning seem more complicated than it is. A lot of the people who emphasize the stresses, costs, and frustrations of planning are either selling something, or they have been heavily influenced by those who are.

LOTS of couples plan wonderful weddings without suffering tremendous stress, without going into years of debt, without having horrible fights with their future spouses-- and without losing sight of the reason they are doing all of this in the first place. You can, too! Best wishes to you!!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Slashing Wedding Food Costs

With rising gas costs and other expenses through the roof, the following ideas are great to save money planning your wedding reception.

The cost for food and drinks for your wedding can easily climb to several thousand dollars, but it doesn't have to. Here are several tips that will save you money and still provide you with the classy wedding you've dreamed of:

1. The biggest cost saver, whether you are using a caterer or planning the food yourself, is to schedule the wedding and reception at a time of day when a full sit-down meal won't be expected by guests. An afternoon/evening cocktail or dessert reception can save you thousands of dollars when compared with an elaborate dinner.

2. Next, be smart when planning beverages for your reception. An open bar can break the bank. Consider a classy champagne punch or a wine instead (or even an alcohol-free punch). And remember that it is always less expensive to purchase and serve the drinks yourself than to pay a caterer or bartender to do so.

3. Second to alcohol, the biggest food and beverage expense is usually meat for the wedding reception or dinner. Keeping meat to a minimum is another easy way to trim your wedding food costs. Choosing a vegetarian entree, a dish whose main ingredient is not meat, or a less expensive cut of meat are all wise decisions that will positively impact your food budget.

4. Another easy place to save money is on the wedding cake. Bakers and caterers often charge anywhere from $2-6 per slice to make and/or serve the wedding cake. For about $1 per slice, you can purchase a nice cake at a bakery and have a friend cut and serve it at the reception.

5. If you are well-organized and have a good support system of friends and family willing to help, you may wish to consider planning and making your own food for your reception. You can save several thousand dollars by doing so. And it's not as difficult as you may think. Food for a dessert reception, for example, can be made ahead and served cold the day of the wedding with little effort on anyone's part. For many brides, the extra work is worth the savings if it means more money to spend on the honeymoon or being able to afford a designer wedding gown.

The food for your wedding is one of the easiest expenses to slash, while still allowing the smart bride and groom to host a very nice affair. Be creative, ask questions, don't be afraid to ask for cheaper menu items, and do as much yourselves as you can handle, and you will be able to trim hundreds (if not thousands) from your wedding food costs.

WedAlert tip: In certain locations some of the above suggestions are not feasible, but many catering halls/reception sites offer much cheaper price per plate (which include food and drinks) depending on the date and time of your reception. So while the reception hall may not permit you to bring in your own food, a Friday night or Sunday afternoon reception will be substantially less that a Saturday night.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Ideas On Presenting And Displaying Wedding Favours

Wedding favours can be just as much a part of the table decorations and
overall look of the wedding reception as flowers, table settings, and
linen. Traditionally, favour boxes and tulles are placed on the wedding
reception table at the guests’ seat or in their champagne glasses. If
you prefer to save space on the table, why not hang the wedding favours
from the guests’ chairs? Sheer organza bag wedding favours are idea for
this. This is a creative way to present your wedding favours and also
dress up the reception chairs.

Let your wedding favours also be functional. You can attach a favour
label to your favours with the guests’ names and their table numbers
and set them out on a table near the reception entrance to double as
escort cards. Give pretty hang bag boxes to the ladies and top hats to
the men filled with delicious sugared almond or chocolate dragees as
you welcome them to your evening reception.

A popular idea is to have breakaway centrepieces, where the centrepiece
is made up of several elements that come apart, each part able to be
taken home by guests as wedding favours. Breakaway centrepieces are
often an arrangement of cake box wedding favours. You could also have
wedding favours tree. This idea works really well with Christmas
weddings. If a Christmas tree is out of season, get a potted tree or
use vines to bring a Mediterranean touch to you wedding. Wedding guests
can untie wedding favours from the tree at the end of the evening for a
sweet memento.

You could pile wedding favours in baskets set by the door and give them
to your guests as the leave or give the flower girls something helpful
to do at the wedding reception. Ask them to walk around with baskets of
wedding favours and pass one out to each wedding guest. Make sure they
make it to each table and do not leave anyone out!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Most Beautiful Wedding Gown Trends of 2009

Finally! 2009’s gowns bring brides some real choices, after several years of strapless uniformity. (Thank you, Vera Wang!) If you’re the type of bride who wants a couture (or couture-inspired) gown to match the finer shades of your personality and wedding style, 2009 is the year with your name on it! Here are a few of the hottest trends going:

Crumb-Catcher Bodices.
This regal, old-world design twist came from that same lust for luxe that brought us Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, and its subsequent style explosion in the bridal world.

Greek Goddess Columns.
The ultimate look backward, the style takes us back to the lovely goddesses (and early supermodels) of Greece’s Golden Age. With plenty of glorious examples to be seen from bridal magazines to the red carpet, this style’s not going away soon. Happily, it lends itself to arm bling and the half up-half down style that’s still so alluring to brides. Also note: bridesmaids look amazing in goddess gowns when the bride’s wearing something more structured.

Asymmetrical / One-Shouldered Styles.
These gowns are sexy attention-getters. Another hot commodity on the red carpet, the asymmetrical top adds up to an exciting departure from same-old strapless, while exuding plenty of come-hither vibes.

Subued Color Plays.
Color’s no longer the domain of a bold -- or even distracting -- burst of contrast in the train or cuffed bodice of an otherwise stark-white gown. Instead, next year's color inspiration flows from Vera Wang’s gowns in warm toasts and charcoals, St. Pucchi’s fabulous champagne and platinum combos, or gowns that ripple with multicolored gardens of embroidery (Claire Pettibone).

The Mini.
No longer the oddball in an otherwise full-length portfolio, minis have become serious business, with layers and ruches and ruffles aplenty. Increasing number of brides find them a brilliant choice for tent weddings on the shore or in the vineyard. And let’s not forget those brides who want a gorgeous but mobile second gown to get down and boogie the night away.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Honeymoon - A Maui Destination Wedding

I would like to discuss some of the advantages of a Maui destination wedding. These advantages include greater freedom, flexibility and financial control.

Planning a wedding in your home town will most likely mean that many family members and friends are going to want to help you plan it, unlike planning a Maui wedding. Chances are they might have some strong opinions, too. And, can you say "no" to your finance's mother who insists on paying for a cigar bar at your reception, while you happen to loathe cigars?

Planning for a wedding afar, especially to a premium destination such as Maui, changes all that. You can blithely say, "Oh, my wedding planner already booked us a smoke-free venue," or... you might not even invite anyone except your fiancé - something you can get away with in Hawaii, but not at the country club at home. The Beaverton relatives despise the Campanos' family - no problem. They can work it out while watching your wedding on Maui on streaming video at home and you won't have to witness the drama.

On the other hand, if you love the idea of having Mom, mother-in-law-to-be and six bridesmaids planning the whole affair, invite them and they can help out strewing petals and making shell centerpieces. Along this same vein, say you have long fantasized a bridal processional preceded by six Tahitian drummers in flowered loin cloths on a dream Maui beach. If you wanted to do this at home, and could even find the Tahitian drummers, what would Aunt Mildred say? In Pittsburgh, probably a lot. On Maui, she would just shrug and say "well, I guess 'when in Rome...'" She might actually love it, especially after a mai tai or two.

Because it is much easier to control the guest list in a destination wedding, it is easier to control the spending. You won't be expected to invite everyone you know or your sister knows, and even if you do, they won't all come. Because of the distance involved, people have to make a real effort and commitment to come to your Maui destination wedding, and only the ones who really want to be there will come. And, that's good. You probably won't get cousin Ed's former dorm mates, who are only looking for free drinks and cut bridesmaids. Another financial bonus is numerous, beautiful free Maui wedding sites.

So, in conclusion, a destination wedding in Maui or other lovely exotic locales will allow you more fun and freedom to plan the wedding of your dreams. You will likely save money, which you can use to hire a helicopter to escape to a different Hawaiian island, fleeing friends and family who do follow you after the wedding. And, they will be find, swimming, surfing, para gliding and trying to find the phone numbers of those Polynesian drummers.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

How to be Creative on Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are one of the few pieces of mail that people enjoy receiving. It’s fun to open up that envelope knowing there’s a custom invitation inside. But amidst all of today’s junk mail, how can you make your envelope stand out to get your guests’ attention?

There are actually several ways you can make your mailing envelope as unique as your wedding invitation.

  • Shape - With so many wedding invitation designs available today, you could easily select a uniquely shaped style such as square or tea length. The mailing envelope will then reflect that same distinctive size to fit the invitation.

  • Style - Another option is to select a Seal and Send wedding invitation style. This all-in-one invitation is designed to be folded into a self-mailing piece eliminating the need for a mailing envelope. The response card is attached to the invitation so it can be easily detached by your wedding guest along the perforation. This also eliminates the response card return mailing envelope and saves on your postage cost as it only requires a postcard stamp.

  • Color - How about using color for emphasis? Some wedding invitations now come with colored mailing envelopes. In particular, self-mailer invitations often include a colored envelopment. The envelopment holds your invitation card and has a built-in pocket for keeping any extra enclosures. It is then folded up wrapping around all your invitation pieces to become your mailing envelope.

  • Decorative Seals - Adding a seal to your wedding invitation envelope could be that extra touch you’ve been looking for. Even though your envelope is sealed, you can choose to place a special seal on the back so it gives the illusion that the seal is actually holding the flap down. There are many seal design choices, from monograms to first names to specific themes. Their appearance can be clear, white, silver, gold, embossed, etc.

  • Custom Wedding Stamps - There are now websites that offer you the option of creating your own personalized postage stamps using an uploaded photo or choosing from ready-to-use wedding designs. This is a great way to dress up your wedding invitation envelopes to reflect your personal style.

You want to be sure your wedding invitation gets the attention of your guests as soon as it arrives in their mail and that it doesn’t get lost in their sea of junk mail and bills. Using any of the above suggestions will surely accomplish this and will start building their excitement even before they see your actual invitation.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Bouquet Jewelry is the Hottest New Wedding Accessory

Bouquet jewelry is a hot new bridal accessory that is being used to accentuate and personalize bridal bouquets. They are also turning up in bridesmaid’s flowers, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and even customizing the wedding cake. The jewelry is usually inserted into the bouquet by a six inch post, but may also be attached to stems and hand-tied ribbons.

A popular choice is Swarovski crystal monograms using the bride and groom’s initials. They may choose to use the initial for each of their first names as well as the initial for the groom’s last name. Six mm faux diamonds can also be inserted into the center of each flower to give the bouquet a dazzling new look.

Besides monograms, most online companies have the same selection of jewels: pearl clusters, bows, snowflake, bee, frog, dragonfly, starfish, flip flop sandal, palm tree, butterfly and crucifix. The bee only comes in clear crystal and the frog and palm tree come only in peridot crystals. The flip flop sandal comes in blue or pink. Pearls come in pink, yellow, white, blue, green, lavendar, peach, champagne and platinum. The bows come in a wide range of colors with gold or silver plating.

The prices range from $12.00 (snowflake) to $20.00 (dragonfly) each. Some are sold individually while others have a discount if you purchase in groups of ten. The crystal bee sells for $18.00 each and $153.00 for ten. That would be a savings of $27.00. The starfish sells for $13.00 each and $110.00 for ten. That would be a $20.00 discount.

The bouquet jewelry should be chosen to reflect the bride’s personal taste or reflect the theme of the wedding. Starfish, flip flop sandals and palm trees would be perfect for a beach theme wedding. The crystal crucifix would reflect a more solemn and spiritual wedding and could also be used around the holidays.

The bride and groom can continue to use the jewelry long after the wedding for holiday centerpieces and floral arrangements. They should choose the colors carefully, because many online companies advise they are non returnable and non refundable.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Wedding Dresses

The excitement behind the wedding dress phenomenon is something most women undergo. It is the one special day of their life they have been waiting for and as such, when the time is right they go through great measures in order to be able to find wedding dresses that they have always pictured themselves in.

When it comes to choosing between wedding dresses, two things play an important part. One being, the visionary sense you have and what you have always imagined your wedding dress to be and the other being what suits your body type. This of course is the more realistic approach, and being able to combine your thoughts with what’s available will certainly ensure that your wedding dress is truly unique. The idea behind selecting a fine wedding dress is that it should make you feel, that this particular design and fit was meant specifically for you, let it be unique in every aspect.

Wedding dresses are available in varied colors, patterns and lengths. What you select is certainly a matter of personal opinion. One thing you should be attentive towards when it comes to selecting wedding dresses is that you shouldn’t always depend on a second or third opinion entirely. When selecting through wedding dresses ensure that you take along a really close friend or relative who understands just what you need, because eventually it’s your big day, so choose just as you please.

You can look for patterns from scores of wedding dress magazines or even online. There are zillions of pattern available and even cutting and stitching tips. You can use these tips to get yourself just the pattern you have been contemplating. If you are working with a renowned designer, you can let them know just what you have been thinking of and let them do the professional bit. The good part being, professionals know a lot more in this field and will be able to give you just the right advice.

Armed with your specific design, it’s truly like conquering the world. It’s not necessary that you need to go the traditional white wedding dress. Times have changed and there’s no stigma attached to wearing a colored wedding dress. It’s not like earlier wear specific shades of wedding dresses denoted an underlying meaning. This included pronouncing that it’s your second wedding, or a pregnancy status. If you are fond of the color pink, or lemon yellow, maybe even sky blue, you can happily wear your preference.

You can pick up your wedding dress from the numerous wedding dresses stores itself. Here you have an added advantage of actually trying out many dresses. There are so many designs and patterns on the racks, so you can take a good look at each of them and try the ones that you think are nice. This way you can finalize, just what you like and if you want make alterations to a particular design itself. The good thing about trying on the dresses gives you a real feel of the wedding dress rather than counting on wedding dress concepts.

Once you have picked and finalized a design, the store can create just what you need, and you’ll certainly need to make a few more trips in regards to alterations and last minute touch ups. Wearing sample-wedding dresses gives you a real picture of the weight of the dress too. This will help you determine how much layering and frills you would want because you surely don’t want to be weighed down by the dress.

Once you have finalized amongst the wedding dress at your disposal, you can start looking for a well matched, veil, gloves, shawls and tiara. All of these accessories are not an absolute necessary when it comes to wearing a wedding dress, but it certainly compliments your dress. You need not have to head to a wedding dresses store if you have a family member who is in the wedding business because they would surely be able to tailor your needs perfectly. If you choose to order your wedding dress from exquisite high end stores located at remote facilities, make sure you have adequate time in hand between the big day and the date you receive your dress on. This will give you enough time to make alterations if need be.

If you are not in the mind frame to buy a new wedding dress, then you can approach a wedding dress store regarding wedding dresses rentals. Along with the dress you can even rent jewellery and accessories. This is a great option because on a realistic note, your wedding dress is a onetime affair and it certainly costs money. Whatever your wishes are for this big day, you never have to compromise on your wedding dress needs, be it a new purchase or rental option. So go on and look like the pretty princess on your big day and feel the real happiness.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

11 Things to Remember in Planning Your Wedding

Every woman dreams of her own wedding. May it be a small gathering in a picturesque orchard, a grand ball in a gigantic castle or a funky wedding along the coastline, she wants it planned and tailored to her wishes. Planning your wedding would take time, effort and energy but it's worth it. For brides out there, here are some things you can't forget to look into.

1. Payments
Of course, planning your wedding will need sufficient amount of cash. Establish who pays for what. This is usually worked out between the couple and their families.

2. Marriage License Requirements
There are different requirements for each state, so be sure to look into yours. Remember that you can't even start planning your wedding without a license so make it high priority.

3. Booking the ceremony and the reception.
Choose a place to hold your wedding. It'd be great if both parties talk about it. Also, planning your wedding means planning the reception well so that there won't be wrinkles in your wonderful day.

4. Reception Ideas
Planning your wedding by yourself might become tiring, so set up a brainstorming session with your friends and relatives to work out the details. List the ideas in a piece of paper and deliberate on them carefully. Properly laid out plans are wonderful to work with.

5. Invitations
The invitation should be simple yet elegant. An overly decorated invitation just turns people off. Remember to include all the people involved in the wedding itself and address them properly. Be sure to indicate if you're inviting the children of the family too because most parents don't take them to weddings if their presence is not specifically requested.

6. Catering
Oohh... the success of every party more often than not relies on its food. Make sure that what you serve is of good quality and that they taste good. Go over the menu with the head chef and ask him for suggestions. Not only that this will give you great ideas, it will form a bond between you and the chef. Keep in mind that when planning your wedding, it pays to be in good terms with most of the staff.

7. Photos and Videos
Talk to the personnel and clarify what you want done. Sometimes, they just do things their own way and the couple ends up with really crappy results. Professionals are your best bet and they understand the need of planning your wedding to perfection.

8. Attendants
List all the people you want to have as your attendants and notify them as soon as possible. Just because you're marrying doesn't mean that the world will stop spinning and watch you in all your splendor. Take into consideration that people may have to rearrange their schedules to make it to your big day. Yes, planning your wedding take tremendous effort not only on you but on your attendants too.

9. Showers
No wedding is complete without showers. Since the bride is busy planning her wedding, this duty might fall into the hands of the mothers or the maid of honor.

10. Wedding speeches
In the midst of planning your wedding, take time to stop and list all you want to say on the day of your wedding. An impromptu speech is sincere, yes, but you might feel put out that you neglected to put emphasis on some people that really helped you a lot.

11. Maps
If your venue is in an area that is not so widely known, a map will be very useful. It will lessen the guests' aggravation on not finding the place and asking for directions.

12. Nitty Gritty Details
These are often overlooked in the chaos that is called "Planning your wedding". These are the little things that you might forget like having your gown cleaned and pressed ( if it's an heirloom), wobbling in your high heeled wedding shoes, delivery of gifts, your honeymoon itinerary, gifts and thank you cards. Try listing all of them and have someone look into them for you.