10/07/2007 by admin.

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30/06/2007 by admin.

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23/04/2007 by admin.

:arrow:   With any planned event, there is bound to be a few pitfalls to avoid and common mistakes that are made by the most organized of individuals. This is especially true when it comes to planning and executing a wedding, which is often the first time for many. It doesn’t matter if the wrong floral arrangements are ordered by error or cosmetic blunders are made on the big day, knowing the most common mistakes will help the engaged better plan their special moment in time.

Budget

For some, sky is the limit when it comes to planning a wedding, but when the final bills come rolling in, engaged couples might be in for more than they expected. Knowing that spending for a wedding can easily get out of control is a good reason to budget your big day. It is best to enter the event organization with a set financial plan allotted before any major plans are made. This means that following the budget is very important and will ensure better financial results.

Communication

It is important to clearly communicate your wishes for your wedding when ordering accessories and making vital arrangements. This is a significant part of getting what you want for your money and making sure you are the happiest on your big day. Wedding professionals who receive the most concrete details and orders will be able to deliver the best to their clients. For instance, telling the caterer what you specifically want and do not want on the menu (including ingredients) will make sure you are happy with the food served at the reception.

Photographer

To make sure you will have the best memories to look back on regarding your wedding day, the photographer you hire will play an important role. Some of the best results come when the photographer works with an assistant. If you want your photos to highlight the most important aspects of your special day, relying on family and friends for your snapshots is a no-no. You never know what you will get. Before signing a contract for a professional, you should always check their previous work.

Wedding Registry

Some people create wedding registries that far exceed the budget of some of their guests. It is suggested to provide a wide range of suggested merchandise that individuals may give newlyweds. When you provide a variety of price options for your guests, they will not feel put-out when it comes to choosing a gift. Some couples also fair well when making suggestions for gifts that could be given by groups of people who pitch in a bit of money towards a larger item.

Sample Important Aspects of the Wedding

Don’t be surprised on the day of your reception when the grilled duck is too salty or the chicken sautéed in mushrooms is too heavy. Before your wedding day, you should sample an assortment of food plates that a potential caterer may offer. This way, you can give the OK on the meals offered during the reception. The same goes for flowers – ask the florist to showcase what the wedding centerpieces and decorations will look like for the wedding before making any final decisions.

Beauty Woes

Looking your best at your wedding is one of the most important aspects of the big day. Before taking that walk down the aisle, you don’t want any cosmetic disasters to strike. It is highly suggested that you stay away from a new haircut, dye job, tanning, or chemical peel close to the wedding date. You never know when damage to your skin or hair may occur with not enough time to recover.

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23/04/2007 by admin.

:arrow:   Parents play an important role when it comes to the planning and execution of a wedding and for some brides, a little too much. Over the years, the mother-of-the-bride held very different responsibilities from the duties of today, as more and more couples are becoming independent from their parents. Depending on the economic and living situation of the married-couple-to-be, a mother-of-the-bride could face extreme involvement or have very few things to worry about.

Financial Obligations?

Tradition has significantly changed, where the cost of the wedding and reception is no longer attached to the parents of the bride. Throughout time, the modern bride has reached a level of financial security where she no longer needs the help of her parents to pay for a wedding. The cost of a wedding may also be split between the engaged couple or both sets of parents.

Support

As mother-of-the-bride, she should provide her daughter with unlimited mental and emotional support. Weddings are quite stressful and many unexpected problems could arise, whether the caterer is being difficult or the dressmaker has made a blunder on the bridesmaids’ dresses. This is also a common time where arguments arise at the most random times because the upcoming event often breeds tension (for even the most put-together and organized weddings). A mother-of-the-bride should make this moment in time memorable and may have to often remind her daughter how special this time in her life is.

Post Engagement

When preparations are in the beginning stages, it is important to set up a meeting between the engaged couple and the groom’s family. This is the time to get acquainted with the rest of the family (if it already hasn’t happened), as well as discuss the particulars, such as future plans and who is paying for what. A tentative budget should be set up. Some mother-of-the-brides will host and finance an engagement party for the engaged couple.

Before the Wedding

Choosing suitable attire for the wedding day should be completed and sometimes even coordinated with the mother of the groom. Custom usually states that the mother-of-the-bride should select her dress first, and that the groom’s mother should choose a different, yet complimentary style and color. The mother-of-the-bride may contact the local newspaper and place a formal engagement announcement. When the time comes for her daughter to select a bridal gown and accessories, the mother often accompanies her on this special day.

She may also assist in the selection of the bridesmaids’ dresses; help establish a guest list; select and order invitations; and choose thank-you cards. Once the invitations arrive, she might help with the addressing and sending out. When the RSVPs start to arrive, the mother-of-the-bride may keep track of acceptances and refusals. The seating plan may also fall under the responsibilities of the mother-of-the-bride. When it comes to the bridal shower, she may host and pay for bridal shower.

Ceremony Preparations

The mother-of-the-bride should dress early so she may offer help to the bride and her bridesmaids. This is especially helpful if any last minute emergencies should arise. Her daughter may start to show signs of anxiousness, nervousness and doubts. Her mother should offer moral support and calm her fears, while helping to get her dressed for the walk down the aisle. In her purse, the mother-of-the-bride should carry tissues, makeup, dental flow, hairpins, and any other knick-knack accessories that a bride may need at the last minute.

Since the excitement of a wedding day may have the bride’s mind elsewhere, the mother-of-the-bride should think ahead of time and gather keepsakes she may forget to save after the exchange of vows. This may include bringing home candles, flowers, and extra programs.

Reception

Sometimes, a mother-of-the-bride will act as a host when the reception kicks off. She is also usually the last to leave. As the guests begin to shuffle home, she may collect the gifts, deal with leftovers and other random items, as well as salvage the cake topper.

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01/04/2007 by admin.

:arrow:   Planning your wedding doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming and it really shouldn’t be as this is the most important day of your life. With so many details and things to take care of it’s easy to understand just how stressful weddings can be, but only if you allow them to be. Follow these five quick tips to make wedding planning simple, free of stress, and most of all, enjoyable.

1. Plan, plan, and then plan some more

You can never be too organized or have too many lists when it comes to planning your wedding. With so many details to remember, it’s impossible to keep track of everything and keep yourself sane at the same time. The smart bride-to-be will start planning her wedding right after she says “Yes!” in order to have a stress-free, enjoyable time preparing for the most important day of her life.

2. Set your budget in stone

A strict budget is the only way to ensure couples aren’t spending more than they should on their big day. After all, who wants to start out their lives together under a mountain of debt? Couples should sit down and decide how much they can realistically afford once they’ve determined if their families are contributing to the costs. Create a worksheet, the more detailed the better, and list who is paying for what and what the estimated, and then actual costs will be.

3. Bargain shop

Once your budget is in place you’ll soon realize how all of the expenses of a wedding can quickly add up to staggering amounts. However, by doing a little bargain shopping and even some dickering with merchants, you can be sure to get the very best deals possible. Saving money without sacrificing quality is the goal here. Word of mouth is an excellent way of finding reliable vendors such as caterers, photographers and bands or disc jockeys. Ask for references or samples and equally as important, get everything in writing.

4. Delegate

It would be impossible for any one person to plan an entire wedding on their own, so finding others that will offer their assistance is imperative for keeping levels of stress at a minimum. Choose those people that will offer reassurance and guidance as well as allow you to remain in constant control of planning the wedding. The idea is to reduce stress and make things easier for you, not create drama or conflict.

5. Pamper yourself

There are many new brides whose weddings were ruined or completely forgotten simply because she didn’t take care of herself beforehand. Sleep is of the utmost important and should be your first priority the day before your wedding. Lack of sleep, stress, nerves, alcohol, and more than likely, an empty stomach all conspire to spell disaster on your wedding day.

It’s important to set aside some personal time for yourself during the months of planning the wedding to recoup and relax. Walking, swimming, yoga and even meditation are all great ways to keep stress in check and stay healthy. Exercise is excellent for relieving tension and also to help get in shape for the wedding at the same time!

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01/04/2007 by admin.

:arrow:   A standard engagement lasts nearly a year. Usually, the church or locations of the ceremony and reception hall are the first things that are reserved. This is usually followed closely by the purchase of the wedding dress. Some of the smaller details are reserved for later such as the florist, DJ, transportation arrangements, invitations, and many other items needed for your wedding day. These are typically things that can happen more quickly, so they don’t have to be ordered immediately; however, you shouldn’t wait too long for these either. All aspects of the wedding day are important and need to be given their due time for completion.

It is amazing what they can do with flowers these days. Flowers can be placed at the end of the rows of seating during the ceremony. They can be put on display enhancing the space where you’ll be standing. They are, of course, used for your bouquet and those of your bridesmaids and they can even be used to decorate your cake and tables at your reception. When given close consideration, they will bring a unifying effect to the entire event from start to finish. Florists will work with you to help you decide what will be the best choices that will work with you and work within your budget.

A DJ is often necessary for the after-dinner dancing at the reception. This person will work with you to help you decide what music will be and will not be played during the evening. They will be responsible for the music that graces yours and your wedding party’s entrance. They will also be responsible for the music that is played during dinner, after dinner, during the standard reception events, and during dancing. Working closely with this person will insure that you get just the music you want and nothing you don’t want.

Transportation is another important decision. You must decide if you will be hiring a limousine or having someone drive you or driving yourself. If you hire someone, that will, of course, add expense to an already expensive day. If you’re looking for ways to cut costs, asking someone to drive or driving yourself will be the way to go. If cost is not a problem; however, a nice limousine that can drive you wherever you want to go is pretty remarkable.

Everyone enjoys a wedding cake. They are gorgeous to look at and usually pretty tasty. A wedding cake is indeed a showpiece. Everyone usually glances it over as they are making their way to their seats at the reception. Everyone also watches as you and your new spouse give each other a taste; some messy, others neat and clean. Pictures are taken of the cake before it is disassembled and eaten to preserve the memory of the artwork on such a cake on such a day. Interviewing bakers and taste testing cakes can be some pretty wonderful research. You get to try a variety of cakes with a variety of fillings and frostings. Not bad for an afternoon of research.

These are all some of the finer details in the planning of your wedding. There are several businesses to try out, but a fit will be made and your day will be beautiful. The fine details contribute greatly to the wonderful day that will be your wedding day.

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01/04/2007 by admin.

:arrow:   Whether you’re having a simple, intimate affair or an extravagant gala, one thing remains the same; a wedding needs careful, proper planning in order to go as smoothly as possible. Many couples easily feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of details that are involved with planning their wedding, which makes preparing for one of life’s most exciting events stressful rather than enjoyable.

Planning a year in advance is the best guarantee that everything will go as smoothly as possible when the wedding finally does arrive. The following guide outlines all that should be done six months to a year prior to the big day so that planning your wedding is fun and exciting, instead of frustrating and overwhelming.

As early as possible, couples should make the first basic decision as to what kind of wedding they would like to have. Will this be an informal affair, a sophisticated bash or somewhere in the middle? This may depend on a number of things such as the amount of money available to spend and the date and time of day the wedding will take place.

In regards to your budget, discuss who will take care of what and also, what the respective parties are able to pay. Once the budget is in place, you can then begin planning the rest of the wedding around it. Some brides opt for a wedding consultant or coordinator to take care of all the essential planning aspects, while others choose to take care of everything themselves and save money in the process.

Twelve months prior to the big day is also when couples should reserve both the wedding and the reception locations. Arrangements should be made with the officiator of the ceremony during this time as well. The members of the bridal party should be selected along with beginning the search for the perfect wedding dress. In addition to the ever-important dress, brides should select their veil and all of their accessories such as undergarments and shoes. If desired, the couple should also have their photo taken for newspaper announcements at this time.

Now it’s time to discuss the guest list and decide on the exact number of people that you are able to accommodate. It’s important to set guidelines for the list ahead of time and strictly stick to them while deciding who to invite. In many cases, the guest list can be divided into thirds with the bride’s family allowed one third of the guests, the groom’s family another, and, of course, the final third for the bride and groom.

If necessary, it’s also a good idea to arrange vacation time from work for the honeymoon many months in advance to avoid any conflicts. Traditionally, the groom is responsible for making all of the honeymoon arrangements and reservations but many couples choose to plan the details together.

Finally, buy a binder, some folders, or a wedding planner to keep all of your receipts, contracts, and notes all in one safe place. It’s also helpful to devise some sort of record-keeping system to help keep track of invitations, gifts, thank you notes, and all of the other minute details that may be overlooked in the excitement of planning your wedding.

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25/03/2007 by admin.

:arrow:   Church organists everywhere are gritting their teeth as they prepare to pound out “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Evergreen” somewhere around two million times this wedding season. About 2.5 million couples tie the knot each year, and many don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing the music for their big day.

For the ceremony, do they choose classical or pop? Organist or ensemble? Soloist or choir? Vocals or instrumentals? For the reception, do they opt for a band or a disc jockey? Popular music or tried-and-true favorites?

In degree of difficulty, choosing wedding music is somewhere between picking flowers and designing a cake. Some people may have a particular type of sound in mind when they are first planning their wedding march music. It’s just unfamiliar territory for most people.

It depends on the length of your step, the way you want to walk, the vision you have of yourself as you come down the aisle and the number of people who will be with you. You then choose the music to correspond to that vision.

Music is one of the most important parts of both the wedding and reception. Music helps create the atmosphere. Special songs will make the wedding uniquely your own. Keep in mind the type of guests attending, the budget you have to work with, and any restrictions of the church or reception site.

Here are some tips and guidelines for your wedding regarding music selection

Prelude to the Ceremony: These should be quiet, contemplative pieces that start about a half hour before the ceremony. Some suggestions are: “Theme from ‘Chariots of Fire,’ ” Vangelis; “Largo,” the New World Symphony, Dvorak; “The Wedding Song,” Peter, Paul and Mary.

Ceremony Processional: This should be an instrumental with a good regular beat to walk to. Once the attendants have reached their positions, the music changes for the bride’s entrance. Suggestions: “Trumpet Voluntary,” Clarke; “Wedding March,” Mozart; “Bridal Chorus,” Wagner.

During the Ceremony: These selections should have an air of sacredness to them, mindful of the gravity of the occasion. Suggestions: “Ave Maria,” Schubert; “Joy of Man’s Desiring,” Bach; “The Lord’s Prayer,” Malotte.

Recessional: This should be upbeat with a quick tempo. Suggestions: “Wedding March,” Mendelssohn; “Trumpet Tune,” Purcell; “Ode to Joy,” Beethoven.

Be creative and have something beautiful, appropriate, and unusual, but don’t try to make a band perform unusual music that they don’t know how to do. Make sure to audition them first. It’s very important not to take them sight unseen and sound unheard.

Finally, go hear the group, band or soloist perform before signing any contracts. Also, be sure to go over song choices with them before the wedding, making a list of what you want them to play or not to play. You must hear them do something, see the way they dress, hear the way they play and know that they will do what you would like them to do.

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25/03/2007 by admin.

:arrow:   Though eloping is much cheaper and more hassle-free, it lacks the trimmings that make traditional weddings memorable. So, whether you’re getting married for the first time or celebrating your golden wedding anniversary, here are some tips for a truly orderly and beautiful occasion.

1. Prepare at least six months ahead of time. Not only are you able to secure the reception locations (hotels and churches) you want, this gives you time to save money in case you and your spouse-to-be are footing the bill. Your favorite priest or minister must also be informed early.

2. Make a budget. How much are you or your family willing to spend for the wedding? Whatever your resources, it’s just a question of fitting in everyone and everything into it. Call for the prices of hotels, food, cakes, music, flowers, photography and video services, gowns and tuxedos (for the wedding attendants) and the honeymoon. Add up the prices for a ballpark estimate of the final cost. If it’s beyond your budget, then start whittling down your guest list, the number of wedding attendants and other accoutrements.

3. Choose wedding participants who are dependable. You don’t want a ring-bearer who can hardly walk yet, or a bridesmaid who has gained 100 pounds since the bridal fittings and will not fit into the gown you just ordered! What about a niece who is in charge of the seating arrangements but doesn’t show up until dinner’s over? Such things can irritate everyone during the ceremony.

4. Fittings and practices are a must. Better to risk that old superstition about fitting your own gown bringing bad luck than to walk down the aisle with your dress falling off your shoulders or cutting off your circulation. Similarly, rehearsals for the wedding entourage are necessary so that each member knows what he or she is expected to do throughout the whole ceremony. The choir, especially if they are all children, should also be rehearsed. This sort of preparation gives you an overall sense of how the ceremony will go.

5. You and your future spouse can have special readings for the ceremony. Find out each other’s favorite passages and have relatives or friends with clear voices deliver them. Registering your wedding in department stores and choosing wedding favors are also activities that both of you should do.

6. Go to several make-up artists and hair stylists before choosing one. Try different hair styles and make-up. See which one makes you look absolutely beautiful.

7. Have your wedding photos taken before the wedding ceremony takes place. These pictures will look more candid and natural because your hair is still intact, your lipstick not smeared and you don’t have hundreds of other eyes staring at you.

8. Type out a schedule for important members of your wedding party, jotting down the following information: dates to remember (rehearsal dates, bridal showers, fittings, etc.), roles and responsibilities of each one before and during the wedding and timing sequence.

9. While it is normal to get excited and stressed out, drop everything on the eve of the wedding and have a good night’s sleep. If the wedding planning isn’t done by then, there is nothing you can do about it. You must look fresh on your wedding day. No bags around the eyes. It’s not a time to cry, either!

10. Send “Thank you” notes or small favors to everyone who helped make your wedding a very special day. Don’t forget your parents. They need to be reminded that they haven’t lost a child, they’ve gained another one (and maybe grandchildren, too)!

In the end, some things may not work out as planned. Don’t worry about it. Your guests will probably not notice the mistakes. It is not enough to ruin your day. Besides, you can make it up on your silver wedding anniversary!

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