Sparkling Weddings

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

2010-03-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

How to Stay Healthy for your Wedding during the Flu & Cold Season
by Rev. Ann Keeler Evans

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

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

Get vaccinated as soon as possible. As far away from your wedding as you can.

Wash your hands. Maniacally. Use that horrible alcohol-based stuff and get clean. Then put cream on your hands. Repeat.

Use tissues to sneeze and cough into. Cover your mouth. Throw out the tissues immediately.

Talk to your doctor about the supplements you should take to keep your immune system up.

Stop casual hugging, kissing, and hand shaking. Be warm and comfortable, nod and bow instead.

Eat well. Eat things that keep your system strong. I know you're trying to loose weight for the wedding. Being thin and missing your wedding, not fun.

Sleep well. (see that thing about stress). But just make the time for sleep. And stop working at least a half-hour before bedtime so you CAN sleep. Keep changing those sheets and pillowcases so that the germs go away.

Let go of perfectionism. Do what you can. Do it well. Give up obsessing on work, home, wedding being perfect.

Ugh. Consider an Intimacy Fast. If you have two comfortable beds, think about sleeping separately that last week. No sense spreading this back and forth.

Give up the alcohol. It actually sucks sleep away from you. And doesn't do much for that dewy fresh skin.

Lastly, if you get sick, go to bed and stay there. Call the doctor, whine and plead for help. Find friends to deliver your favorite hot and sour soup to your door step. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Do what the doctor tells you. Last minute details will be fine, even if you can't obsess over them.

All your vendors have had weddings before. Give up control, let them make decisions. You focus on getting well so you can have a wonderful wedding. Whatever's happening is just going to be a great story 10 years from now. Breathe in, breathe out, through your mouth if you must!

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

Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet Book: How a Doctor and His Cookie Helped 500,000 People Lose Weight Fast Great book!!

Fun Sites !!!!

Easy, fun, Design own wedding site at Wedding Window

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

Book your Romantic Travel on Expedia.com!

Wedding Links ~~

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/

http://weddingsuccess.blogspot.com

There's a lot more info to help you create the wedding ceremony of your dreams, the wedding vows of your heart and the marriage of a lifetime over on my website: http://annkeelerevans.org And to help you create the wedding vows that will become the blueprint for your incredible, happily and healthily ever-after marriage, I'd like to invite you to sign up to receive 2 free wedding vow templates: http://annkeelerevans.org/weddings/free

Go on! I dare you, be happy together!
The Rev. Ann Keeler Evans, The Wedding Priestess - helping you move from "I do" to happily and healthily ever after!

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

Wedding Party Favors in the East

2010-03-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

By Aaron Y. Hu

Asian Wedding Favors - These specially crafted gifts recall the beauty and elegance of the Far East.

In the eastern part of the world, where the Asian countries are located, weddings are also a very significant event, just like in the West. When a wedding in the family has been announced, family, friends and colleagues become very excited. The first thing they do is to congratulate the couple.

Next, they go forward and ask if there is any way in which they can help the couple with the wedding plans. Sometimes, a rich aunt or uncle steps forward and offers to pay for the couple's wedding reception. Though this is not done often, there are times when it has happened.

Asians as a people and race are known to be accommodating. In view of this, wedding plans are made in respect of elders, especially the parents of the bride and groom. It is quite common for the Father of the Bride to pay for the wedding, but as times have changed and society has progressed, the couple to be married usually saves up for their big day and pays their way through the entire occasion.

In Malaysia for example, Malay weddings are a great time for rejoicing and many are invited to this joyful occasion. Muslim is the official religion of the Malays in Malaysia and the wedding ceremony is held following Muslim rites.

Once the religious aspects of the celebration are over, the families of the bride and groom usually have a great feast for their neighbors, friends and family.
Since the climate is warm and sunny all year round, garden parties during the day and night are quite common. The couple would have chosen a theme color they like and this color can be seen in the bride and groom's attire, bridal bouquets and decorations.

Today, couples seem to enjoy choosing pastel colors as a theme. Lavender or lilac, pastel green and blue are common choices. However, the color gold is reserved for royalty.

Pink would be the bride's choice, yet it is not chosen often as the bridegroom would not look good in a traditional pink outfit!

In terms of wedding party favors, after a traditional Malay wedding, one can expect to return home with a boiled egg that is wrapped elegantly in little satin or lace pouches.

The egg is seen as a symbol of fertility and when the couple shares it with their guests, it symbolizes the fact that the couple hopes to have a fruitful life together and want their guests to wish the same for them.

An interesting aspect about wedding guest favors among the Malays is that the couple usually prepares more than enough egg tokens. This is because some families are very big and very often it is not enough to give eight family members just one token. Hence, you will find the favors being prepared in large quantities and amazingly, every one of them will be given away.

Besides Malay weddings, Indian, Chinese and other weddings are a common feature in Malaysia. At traditional Indian weddings, guests can expect rich and tasty Indian sweets as favors. Chinese couples however believe in giving their guests Oriental bookmarks, cherry blossom photo frames and personalized chopsticks which can actually be used for a meal.

Now that you know about the different types of favors that are given at certain Asian weddings, you will know what to expect if you happen to attend one of these events.

How about designing your own wedding website? Fun and easy!!

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

Fall Bridal Accessories

2010-03-03T05:17:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

Helpful Sites~

   Design your own website at Wedding Window

http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/

                        http://betleebridals.blogspot.com/

http://sunshinetravel.blogspot.com/

Find out more about the author in:
Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting.
Indoor bike trainer.

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

Dazzling New Trends in Bridal Jewelry

2010-02-26T06:09:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Favorite Sites~~

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

http://weddingsuccess.blogspot.com

http://mysweetheartforever.blogspot.com

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

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

How Many Bridal Accessories Should You Wear?

2010-02-23T18:31:00.000-08:00

Choosing the accessories for your wedding gown can be a fine line. On the one hand, you want to look as elegant as possible, but on the other hand, you don't want to look overdone. The question is how many bridal accessories should you wear to achieve the perfect look for your wedding?

The short answer to the question is, it depends. In fact the level to which a bride should accessorize will depend on several factors ~
The formality of the wedding,
the details on her gown,
her hairdo,
and her own personal style will all play a role in making the determination.

A good starting point is to think about how the accessories will look in photographs; if it seems like they will disappear, then more is needed, either in numbers or in the drama of the pieces.

Also keep in mind that old adage: if you look in the mirror and one thing jumps out and yells, remove it. This will help you to have balance.

For a formal wedding, typically the gown is more dramatic and the embellishments lavish. Therefore, the accessories need to have a strong presence just so as not to get lost. If you were having a black tie wedding and wearing a bridal gown with heavy silver embroidery, you would generally want to wear a bridal tiara, a Swarovski crystal jewelry set including earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet (or two!), and a veil, possibly with additional embellishment. This may sound like a lot, but anything less is likely to look underdone.

When you are planning to wear a full compliment of bridal accessories, you can keep the look in check by choosing one stand out piece to build your jewelry suite around. In other words, if you have found a fabulous crown covered in sparkling crystals and rhinestones, let that be the focal point of your accessories.

Do not add a three layer choker, a two inch wide rhinestone bracelet, and a jumbo pair of crystal chandelier earrings~~ that would be way too much and would end up looking like a costume.

However, if you took that same sparkly crown and added in a pair of Swarovski crystal bridal earrings with a short drop, a crystal necklace with only one row, and a tin cup style crystal bracelet, the effect would be stunning.

More casual weddings call for a lighter touch with accessories. That may not mean any fewer pieces, just jewelry that is simpler in design.

Let's say that you were planning a beach wedding. The full crown that is perfect for a cathedral would be totally out of place on a sandy beach. A pearl and crystal headband, though, would look wonderful and would also keep your hair from blowing in your face.

To coordinate with your bridal headband, you could either layer in beach theme jewelry, or simple bridal jewelry sets with freshwater pearls and hints of crystal accents. The finished look will be just right: enough for a bride, yet also fresh and easy enough for a beach.

A veil, by the way, is never too much for a bride as long as the length and details of it are in proportion to the gown and the setting.

Accessories are a critical part of the bridal ensemble. Without jewelry and a headpiece, the bride just does not look finished. The right bridal accessories will not only bring out the best in your wedding gown, but will also highlight your own best features to perfection.

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

Exquisite Bridal Tiaras With Crystals (10049)

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/

Let us know if you need assistance in any area of planning your wedding.Take advantage of Bridget's experience helping clients select jewelry and accessories. Swarovski bridal earrings can be delicate, glamorous, or modern - there is always a style that is perfect for any wedding.

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

To Glove or Not to Glove

2010-02-23T16:45:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fingerless Gloves

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

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

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Helpful Sites

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

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

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

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

Source ~Copied from Bridal Fashion Mall

Sterling Silver is the Great Gift for all Occasions

2010-02-14T15:43:00.000-08:00

=Br

Sterling Silver Marcasite & Garnet Glass Heart Pendant, 18"

Celtic Tree of Life Art Symbol with Sun and Moon Sterling Silver Pendant with 18"

Necklace

Gold, platinum, diamonds, and even cubic zircon seem to get the bulk of the attention from jewelry buyers, but one precious metal remains a strong gift idea for just about any occasion. Sterling silver, the most robust of all silvers is a gift that looks great, has enduring value, and can be worn with just about anything.

If you're looking for a special gift to give, you'll want to consider sterling silver jewelry. Let's take a look at various occasions where a silver ring, necklace, earrings, pendant or bracelet makes for an excellent choice amongst a broad selection of gift giving ideas:

Mother's Day - What mother doesn't love jewelry? Necklaces, pendants, earrings, rings, and bracelets can all be fashioned from silver making for an elegant, yet affordable gift for mom. Many young mothers prize silver hope earrings, while silver dangling earrings complement the ears of young and old alike. Silver cuff rings evoke a 1960s era look - in vogue today - while silver chokers and necklaces are additional timeless classics that can be enjoyed for many years to come.

You're Grad - No matter whether someone you love is graduating from middle school, high school, or college, a gift to mark that special event is in order. Shower her with a whimsical sterling silver butterfly pendant or choose a pair of "Back to Nature" shell earrings from Hot Diamonds. Fashioned by leading designers, the cutting-edge Hot Diamonds line is considered to be amongst the trendiest styles of our day, just what your fashion conscious grad would love!

Father's Day - Guys shouldn't be left out when it comes to sterling silver, with many manly gifts available to give to your Dad. Hot Diamonds has an entire silver jewelry line devoted to serving men, including rings, bangles, pendants, and cuff links. Wide, Masculine looking jewelry that allows him to express his ruggedness and individuality.

Birthdays - What should you give your daughter, mother, wife or sister on her birthday? Sterling silver jewelry is a "I can't go wrong with this gift" that she'll treasure for years to come. Mix and match earrings and necklaces or choose a silver pendant that she'll treasure and pass down as a family heirloom. An inscribed silver ring can be a significant gift to help mark an important milestone, including a "Sweet Sixteen" event.

Religious Holidays - Christmas, Hanukkah, and other holidays of religious significance are often marked by the giving of sterling silver jewelry. A pair of silver Hanukkah earrings or a silver ring for Christmas is always a welcome gift, statement making presents keeping with the spirit of these important holidays.

Perhaps the most attractive feature about sterling silvery jewelry for the gift giver is its price - unlike some other metals which continue to rise and fall sharply, silver is stable and will hold its value over the long run, and giving you more choices to consider for that special occasion.

http://galaxyjewelry.zlio.net

Circular Silver Bling Bling Cuff Links

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Bryan Peter offers you helpful tips on Diamond engagement rings Platinum engagement rings, loose diamonds and specializes in giving latest diamond education. Our company is a leading diamond and jewelry store offering all unique products. For more tips on buying engagement rings and jewelry and please visit: Loose Diamonds or contact author at: brayan.peter@gmail.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expertayan_Peter

Charm Bracelets with Pearls

2010-02-08T16:48:00.001-08:00

Pearls are known to be the birthstone of those born in the month of June. Pearls symbolize purity, modesty, and chastity. It is usually worn in solemn and formal occasions such as weddings, formal dinners, and balls. But in some countries, wearing pearls on your wedding day is like you are asking for bad luck in your marriage. They say, if the bride wears pearl jewelry, she will be crying in her married life. The same is also said if you receive pearl jewelry as a gift.

The two said perceptions of pearls may be quite of distant nature. But just the same, pearls will always be fashionable regardless of season and occasion. The simple, versatile, and sophisticated appeal of pearls are very effective in any attire one may choose to wear.

Pearls may be made into different types of jewelry. And one of the favorite worn jewelry is the bracelet. There are so many bracelets in the market that are made of pearls. You could always find one be it in your local jewelry store or in the online shops. But every chance you can get to see a pearl bracelet, make sure you know which one is an imitation and which one isn't.
Imitations may be identified because their surface is easily tattered. You may also encounter cultured pearls which are very expensive. Culturing of pearls is delicate and tasking for the people who do it. That way, they can assure the people that the pearls will be of good quality.

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Getting Married? Visit~ Weddings by Ashlee Wonderful ideas for saving money on your wedding!!

Kate is a mother of two and is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. For more information on pearl bracelets, I recommend you visit the website Bracelets.Com and choose from their huge selection of charm bracelets!

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

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Throwing a Bridal Shower for the Young and Old ~ Easy Boredom-free Ideas

2010-02-03T05:31:00.001-08:00

Love-Themed Shower Bingo

The truth is that if you’re a woman, there’s a good chance that at one point or another you have been invited to a bridal shower that left you scratching your head or ready to gnaw off your arm just to get out of the room. Remember the dreaded bridal shower game of dressing up one or more of the ladies in the room with a mock wedding dress made from toilet paper?

Or perhaps you are more familiar with the embarrassing questionnaire that the guests were to fill out, only then to have to stand up and read answers to questions you wouldn’t even spell out in the Sunday confessional. Perhaps it is for this reason that bridal showers have become a bit of a bad reputation, and why so many invitees are sending their regrets and a gift certificate. Fortunately there is a movement underfoot to breathe some new life into the borderline dead radition of the bridal shower that has so many women roll their eyes at the thought of actually attending.

The times of embarrassing games and activities are coming to an end and instead new and improved activities ensure that the bride still receives her shower, guests still bring lots of presents to help the new couple start out their life together in style, and games are still being played – but with new twists! Follow these easy tips and you too will be able to throw a bridal shower for a young or more seasoned bride with easy boredom-free ideas!

Decide on a theme and run with it. Just because presents are involved, this should not make everything else about the occasion melt into the background. Instead, you may wish to contact your local jewelry sales lady, candle gal, or make up aficionado and see if their companies offer some kind of party package. Most of them do, and this will go a long way to allow the girls to sample some make up, try on some jewelry, and sniff the soothing smells of sweet candle wax.

You may want to serve some finger foods so that nobody will be stuck in the kitchen, and everyone will be able to participate. Maybe a student masseuse could be hired for a couple of hours to give foot massages or a student cosmetologist for manicures and pedicures. Food should be kept simple if at all possible. Nobody should be in the kitchen cooking, heating up, or assembling, while at the same time a mess for the hostess should be avoided altogether. A good idea is the potluck, or if you have the funds, have some finger foods catered.

Gourmet cheeses and crackers, some wine, canapes, petit fours, crab cakes and grilled vegetable foccacias make for a wonderful spread that is easily put together and does not require much in terms of reheating. Advice is a big part of the party. Especially if the bride is walking down the isle for the first time, many well-meaning ladies have oodles of ideas and tips on how to keep the marriage blissful. Usually a book is sent around to capture those pearls of wisdom, but how about trying a new twist? Instead of putting together a book, why not have each guest write out their advice on a piece of parchment paper and then affix it to a bottle of wine. Both the wine and the advice can then be enjoyed together by the married couple and make for great conversation starters.

If the bride or groom happen to be teetotalers why not Taste the Purest Tea on the Planet - Shop Numi Organic Tea and the paper can easily be affixed to chocolate bars or any other food or drink item the

couple will be able to enjoy together. So go ahead and allow yourself to enjoy the celebration of the bridal shower again. Revel in the changes, and allow your ideas to roam free, and no longer feel the obligation to follow in the footsteps of boring old games that are long past their prime. Have fun with the shower and during the shower! The bride will thank you for years to come for the thoughtful afternoon or evening you put together for her.

Great Wedding Sites!! Well-worth Visiting~~

http://sunshinetravel.blog.com/, http://betteswedding.livejournal.com/,

http://weddingideas.blogspot.com/,

Your own bridal website Easy and fun ~ why not try a free trial now??

The Bridal Shower Center offers great ideas for making the most out of your next bridal shower, with informative articles from a variety of authors and tips for great bridal shower gifts.

Posted in Bridal Showers,

How to Plan the Ultimate Christmas Wedding

2010-01-27T15:37:00.000-08:00

There is nothing more romantic than a Christmas wedding. What a wonderful time of year; the snow (depending on where you live), the decorations, and the soothing soft glow of candles. The holiday season just seems magical and filled with love, hope, and peace.

Here are some ideas you may wish to consider incorporating when planning your wedding.

- Consider having musicians play Christmas carols as your prelude music. Or maybe have a children's caroling choir either singing before the service in the aisles or between the tables at the reception. The children could also hand out the ceremony programs (wrapped in holiday ribbons) as the guests arrive.

- Use lots of red ribbon and Christmas greens with pine cones for a natural touch. Rather than the normal flower arrangements use Poinsettias which are the Christmas flower.

- Nothing says romance more than candles. Plan on adding some for a warm cozy ambiance your guests will enjoy

- For an unique presentation print Christmas song sheets on parchment paper and tie with red velvet ribbons for each guest..

- For a cute idea at your reception leave a small wreath tied with a Christmas ribbon at each place setting.

- Decorate with a Christmas tree in the corner. Have some ornaments printed with your names and wedding date for the tree. If your budget allows, consider having an ornament for each guest to take from the tree as they they leave the reception.

- Why not dress your bridesmaids in black velvet tops and plaid Christmas skirts.

- Add some sparkle to your flower bouquets with silver bells or ornaments.

- For a special touch add gold with red accents to bouquets and any center pieces.

- For a cute centerpiece why not use small pine trees individually decorated with tiny Christmas decorations. Or for the budget minded bride you could wrap different sized "presents" stacked and tied up with Christmas ribbons.

- For a dreamy feeling drape white lights and garland around posts or in front of the cake table, or maybe the head table to give off a warm glow.

- Instead of a bridal bouquet carry a white muff. If you want to add color, pin silk poinsettias on the muff.

- To warm your guests and to make them feel welcome at the reception serve mulled cider and maybe add Christmas cookies to the dessert table.

These are just a few ideas on how to plan a Christmas wedding; with a little imagination the possibilities are endless to make your wedding as unique as you are.

Jasmine MacDonald is the editor of Fun Weddings and Merry Brides which will provide you with daily ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget.Ashlee can also help you design your very own wedding website to keep your friends and family updated about your wedding plans. Check out a Free Trial offer at Wedding Window Click here

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

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

Tips on Caring for Your Hair to Keep it Healthy & Dandruff-free

2010-01-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

One of the first things you look at when meeting a new person is their hair, along with their face. If the hair is disheveled and not nice and shiny, the first 30 seconds of initial impression might be quite negative. If you are at a job interview!! Meeting new important people!! Or walking down the aisle as a Bride!

That is why caring for your hair is so important to keep it healthy at all times. Even if your face is not particularly attractive, by having a nice, shiny and well kept hair, your personal appearance can be improved greatly.

However not everybody finds it easy to care for their hair because this takes time out of the usual things they are doing. One option is to visit regularly the hair salons so your hair gets the right treatment from a hair specialist. Even if you don't do it regularly, at least every 3 months a good hair treatment by a professional is a must.

Also you need to know what haircuts go well with your face. Don't follow the crowd aimlessly and get a haircut that is fashionable today. If your face is roundish and the latest trend focuses on haircuts suitable for longish faces, you might end up getting something worse than you started out with in the first place. At the professional hair salons a specialist can guide you through the various options that you have so you know which haircuts you can choose from safely.

Another problem that people are regularly dealing with is dandruff. This is quite irritating when you have it and if your dandruff is extensive, it might be difficult to get rid of it. However there are some remedies that you can use in order to minimize and control the dandruff issue. Here are just some of the home remedies that people successfully recommended as having treated their dandruff with.

Massage a mix of one teaspoon of lemon juice with two-three teaspoons of white vinegar in your scalp. Wait about 10 minutes after which you can wash off the mix with a good quality shampoo.

Also you can mix vinegar with regular water at a ratio of 2 teaspoons of vinegar to 5 teaspoons of water. Massage this on your scalp prior to going to bed. The next morning use a good quality shampoo to wash your hair.

Do not aimlessly use any hair dryer to dry your hair. There are good hair dryers and there are those that actually destroy your hair follicles, making your hair prone to breaking, splitting and even getting dandruff.

You need a good hair dryer that uses negative ions and tourmaline to fast dry your hair and leave it healthy, shiny and silky in place. The negative ions in the modern hair dryers break down the moisture into tiny droplets which are easily absorbed by the hair shaft. Using a good hair dryer you will get a shinier, fuller and softer hair, which also gets more manageable, while at the same time preserving the natural oils in your hair to keep your hair healthy and dandruff free.

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

2010-01-16T15:42:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Figure out which wedding expenditures really enhance your values. If there are those that don't, can you eliminate them? Because even if you can afford them, you don't have to have them.

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

4. Consider small rituals within your wedding ceremony that emphasize the values that will be at the heart of your marriage. Are you nature lovers? Hold your wedding in your community park along the local river rather than at a prestigious venue. History Buffs? Consider a Landmark Building or Site. Conservationists? The local zoos all have spaces available and today, they are some of the leaders in conservation.

5. Consider activities during the reception that will help your community become better acquainted. Play a game, learn a dance, make wishes for the bride and groom. All of these allow the community to see one another more clearly.

6. Consider a charitable activity that aligns with your values before the wedding. Clean up a park or repair a house for a senior. Then do it next year as an anniversary celebration, either in your town or someone else's.

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

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Wondering How to Plan a Wedding During this Recession Period

2010-01-12T12:17:00.000-08:00

A wedding is a very special occasion in everyone's life. This one-time divine occasion must be celebrated at its best. Celebrations will be great if you have a great sum of money to spend. Unfortunately, things have changed a lot these days. In fact many people are finding it very hard to survive the worst economic conditions around the planet. Planning a wedding during this period will be a challenging task to accomplish. With all the wedding planning magazines and advices from your friends you will feel worried because of the very limited budget that you have. Thankfully there are a few ways which can make your wedding party grand but within your small budget.

Let me tell you in the start of the article itself that this article is not going to explain the wedding items that can be avoided and cut short the wedding costs. This article is all about some of wedding items that will be friendly to your wallet and will be appealing in the gathering. Just keep on reading to discover them.

No Alternative For Cheap Wedding Favors

The tradition of giving out wedding favors during the wedding reception has been around us for quite a long period of time. Thankfully these wedding favors come with very cheap price tags that anyone can afford.

However, there are many articles which are spread on the internet who convince you to create wedding favors on your own. They claim to be cheaper than buying the wedding favors. The real fact is that creating wedding favors on your own will cost much more than buying them and they cannot match the quality and beauty of the cheap wedding favors available in the stores. Moreover, if you plan to make wedding favors by yourself, it will eat up much of your precious time. So it is always better to buy cheap wedding favors from the stores. This will save your money and precious time.

Buying Wedding Items In Bulk

You can claim huge discounts in anything when bought in a bulk. Things aren't very different in the case of the wedding items. Plan and calculate the number of people who will be likely to attend the wedding occasion. Once you get the rough figures about the number of people attending the wedding ceremony, you can start purchasing the wedding items as a bulk. With the bad market conditions around, the wedding item suppliers will welcome you with open hands and will warp you with discounts.

Making The Decorations With Old Used Items

Decoration of the wedding venue is a challenging task when it comes to a budget point of view. Remember the fact that the decorating items are just for one day and night. You should make use of the old decorating items available in your for decorating the wedding venue. The old items can be the decorating lights and items that you bought for Christmas and other occasions.

Plan the wedding based on the above mentioned tips and save a great deal of money. Happy married life!

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The Gift of Jewelry ~ Finding just the Right Piece

2010-01-12T05:02:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010-01-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

Bridal Tiara - Bride Accessories

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

Style

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

Cost

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

Headpiece Style Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ideas for Decorating a Wedding

2010-01-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

Bridal Centerpiece Each

A cozy wedding theme is very attractive for marriages, and the theme of autumn is always a hit. The colors of autumn are in themselves very warm and rich. If the wedding is to be held in the fall, then it will be much easier if it was concrete, because the very nature offers varied elements like leaves, tree branches and fruits that can be used in the decoration, making it cheaper.

The brown, yellow and red are the predominant colors in this topic. The most beautiful decorations can be made from simple ingredients. Ideally, people use satin fabrics such as organza, brown colors superimposed on the base for the decoration of the tables. This material always gives a luxurious and cozy feel in any environment.

Among the ideas to decorate a wedding, the tables have an important place. It is advisable to have a center of yellow roses, red roses, orange and some people use lilly flowers too. This center can be complemented with original seasonal fruits such as apples or grapes and can also be decorated using leaves, twigs of trees, mosses and berries. Everything is a matter of personal taste, creativity and imagination. You can also use candles of various sizes and natural colors to create a welcoming atmosphere. If the wedding is held in summer, the blue theme is one of the ideas to decorate a wedding most recurrent. This is so because the color itself conveys a feeling of freshness.

The different shades of blue and white are used in all the furnishings. It is advisable to use clear glass plates, to create an environment as a possible glacier.

The main elements are the windows, flowers in white and light blue satin. For the centers of the tables may be made floral made with layers of blue and white flowers, good possibility hydrangeas are abundant in summer and have white and lilac shades very harmonious. This environment should be complemented with delicate small white candles and white satin ribbons and baby blue, that can be placed on chairs, on napkins, candles or even at the table. Do not forget that when choosing a topic, you must apply it to all the wedding cake, the bouquet of the bride, groom and flower decoration of the ceremony space.

Roses and candles are one of the ideas to decorate a wedding in a more romantic way that is without doubt the combination of roses and candles. This type of issue is the choice for wedding ceremonies and parties. However, if your wedding is not like the others, choose to design tables varied candles, make a small cascade of candles, from the highest to the smallest, and complemental wrapping around tiny roses, in a base of petals of roses. The hue of pale pink roses should be to create a subtle fabric should be translucent, preferably transparent fabrics, romantic, discreet embroidered wedding to remember the past.

Winter Textures is for a wedding in winter, the best idea to decorate a wedding is a golden amber color, which should always be lit with the glow of candles in the same tone. Candles can be decorated with translucent sheets and gold filigree, and centerpieces should be formed by large bouquets of flowers with warm colors such as yellow, amber and orange.

The fabric must be heavy, amber or brown with golden textures, and not to mention the low-plate in shades of gold and cups in yellow glass. Each guest will have a small bouquet in miniature, equal to the center and to be placed on her right side (opposite the bowls). This decoration makes a delicious feast and creates both a warm and pleasant intimacy. If you like a centerpiece with flowers, you can replace the candle trio of geometric shapes, while maintaining small individual sectors.

Chocolate Fantasy, what you did not think that among the ideas to decorate a wedding could be a factor as succulent? Who does not like chocolate? Why not pay tribute to your wedding day? You can give your guest chocolates of all kinds, accompanied by champagne or white chocolate martinis. As a creative base can use a golden box of chocolates.

It is imperative that the center tables are made with flowers and a touch of creativity is always the best recipe for success. Therefore, you can choose fabrics and gold satin fabric overlay individual gold textured reddish tones. Between everyone, you can put cardboard boxes with large ties golden brown, and the loop arrangement with an exquisite white chocolate, decorated with pine-cones, berries and nuts. It is important to create a coherent, so the cake must be chocolate.

Enhance the color gray, to highlight an object, flowers or a person, the base color will always be gray. The gray is a mixture of all other colors and therefore, all the colors come out when placed on enhanced gray. If you want colorful floral centers or other objects to be colorful, or bring a focus to the bride with her dress in place of the party, the ideal is to place a gray cloth on the tables and around it. Gray, contrary to what one may think, is a very elegant color.

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1st Steps for the Newly Engaged

2010-01-03T13:38:00.001-08:00

The holidays are a prime season for new engagements. If you were one of the lucky ones who has recently become engaged, you are probably wondering where to begin. With the holidays behind us, it is time to hit the ground running. Use this simple guide to the first steps for the newly engaged to get you started.

The very first thing to do is share the news of your engagement with those special people in your life. Notice that I did not say share the word with every person you have ever met. Naturally, you will be very excited and will also want to show off your fabulous new ring (your very first piece of bridal jewelry!), but it pays to be a little careful about when you tell everyone and his brother that you are getting married. Why? Because there will be many people who assume when you tell them you are engaged that they will be invited to your wedding.

It can be a good idea to get a general idea of the size of your guest list so that you can manage expectations graciously. Of course, if you plan to have a huge wedding and invite everyone you know, there is no problem, but if you might want to have a small wedding, it can be a very good idea to casually mention that around the time you announce your engagement. That way, your casual acquaintances will not be surprised later to find out that they are not on the guest list.

Getting a sense of the size and shape of your wedding budget is the next step. You will really need to have some concept of what you can afford to spend before you make decisions about everything from the number of guests to the venue to the bridal gown, veil, and jewelry. Once you have spoken to all the people who might assist with the wedding and worked out a basic budget, you can begin to prioritize between style and size. Some couples prefer to pick an elegant location and then invite as many as they can afford to host in that space, whereas others will opt to invite as many guests as possible and then find a venue that will allow them to afford all of their guests.

Making a detailed guest list is the next big step. You need a firm maximum head count before you can even consider booking a venue for your wedding. Many families will start by making a list of everyone they might possibly wish to invite and then whittling it down to a reasonable size. In other instances, it might work better to set a firm number, say 150 guests, and then allocate a portion of the total to the bride's parents, one to the groom's parents, and the final third to the bride and groom for friends. Just be sure to keep the divisions equal, with no extra weight given to whomever is footing the bill.

With your guest list set, it is time to start visiting wedding venues! This can be a lot of fun; do you want the opulent ballroom, the romantic garden, the classic club, or the eclectic alternative venue? At this point in the planning stages, your options are wide open. Once you select a venue which is available on your desired wedding date and within your budget, you can move onto the other planning stages. The style of your venue will help you to determine everything from centerpieces to the wedding gown and bridal jewelry to the formality of the invitations. Then you will really be able to get into details, and sail into the New Year with your wedding planning well under way!

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7 Ways to Save on Wedding Cakes

2009-12-27T15:55:00.000-08:00

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Your wedding cake...the ultimate wedding reception centerpiece. It should be eye-catching and fabulous. (tasty too!) And just like every other aspect of your wedding day - costs can creep skyward. But don't let a tight budget stand between you and the ultimate wedding cake. Size and design are the two main determinants in wedding cake cost. Creative brides can play with these elements to create a confection that is super-fab....and kind to your catering tab. Have your cake (and eat it too) with these budget saving tips:

Cut that Guest List -
As with all cost-per-person aspects of your wedding, narrowing down your guest list will result in significant wedding cake savings. Less mouths to feed = less slices; you get the idea. And any cake cutting fee, typically charged on a per slice bases as well, will also be reduced.

Hip to be Square -
A cake square in shape yields more slices than one that is round with the same dimensions. So go square - and make a deliciously modern statement!

Go Natural -
Hand-constructed gum paste or sugar paste flowers can quickly rack up your wedding cake cost. Substitute these costly adornments with fresh fruits and flowers - an inexpensive option that is equally stunning.

Keep It Simple -
While intricate, over-the-top cakes evoke the ultimate in wedding day opulence, today's shift towards modern minimalism can foray into the world of cake design. The result is always chic - never a budget breaker. Lose the ornate adornments and infinite skyward-stretching tiers, and opt for a clean design with an impeccably smooth surface. Add simple details such as a Swiss dot pattern or wide ribbon around the base. Stick to one flavor, as multiple flavors will increase the bottom line.

One Stop Shopping -
If your wedding reception facility offers an onsite caterer, employ their services for your confection as well, and save on delivery and service fees. You will also ward off chances for a transportation mishap - a headache you surely want to avoid on the big day! Many reception sites offer a wedding cake as part of their package deal, so be sure to inquire when scouting reception sites.

"Dummy Cakes" -
Fancy a towering and dramatic wedding cake but don't want to shell out the extra cash? Instead of paying for extra layers, ask your baker to create faux layers consisting of iced Styrofoam. Trust us - your guests will never be the wiser; it will be our little secret.

Outside the Proverbial Cake Pan -
Of-the-moment brides are breaking with tradition and forgoing the cake all together - presenting instead pies or pastries on tiered platters as the centerpieces of their wedding receptions. Depending on your selection, this can be an uber-chic way to save. Dare we say it, even doughnuts are in vogue - having been spotted at some of the poshest black tie events!

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Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete Weddings and Wedding Planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, photo galleries, checklists, and expert advice to walk brides through every step of the wedding planning process. View the complete sitemap to find everything you need to plan your wedding.

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What to do When the Family Bullies

2009-12-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why do I recommend this check-in with yourself?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See this occaision as challenge an opportunity to acquire strength.

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

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

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

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www.weddingsbyashlee.com

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Terrie Schauer
http://warriorqueenproject.blogspot.com

Writer, kick-boxer, peaceful warrior.

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Where to Sell Gold Jewelry? The Best & Worst Places to Sell Gold Jewelry

2009-12-23T14:46:00.000-08:00

Fan shape half moon golden earrings

Want to know where to sell gold jewelry? If you want to sell gold jewelry you don't want to sell for less than your jewelry is worth, and valuing the diamonds or other features can be difficult. There are lots of places that offer to buy your jewelry but very few will actually give you the value you deserve, so be sure to follow these tips before you settle for less than you deserve.

Selling Jewelry Happens

There are many reasons you might want to sell your gold jewelry. The most common occurrence is that you have suffered through a divorce and are ready to sell your wedding ring and other jewelry. It's an unfortunate time with many emotions, but you shouldn't add to your burden by taking the wrong steps and selling your gold jewelry for less than it is worth. Both your diamonds and your gold has an intrinsic value that should not be discounted.

Know What Your Jewelry Is Worth

You ought to learn your jewelries true value before you enter into any negotiations for sale. The diamonds and gold should be appraised by a professional gemologist to give you a true indication of its value. Your diamond might be worth quite a bit more than you think, or it could be worth quite a bit less. It is absolutely crucial to get a trusted jewelers opinion before you sell your jewelry.

Jewelry stores and pawn shops are not the place you want to inquire about your jewelries worth. You should seek an independent opinion. Don't forget that a jewelry store can possibly be the buyer of your gold jewelry and it is not in their interest to give you a proper valuation of your pieces worth. Their opinion of what your jewelry is worth will be a factor based on retail price that they can get for it and also a deduction for their profit.

Use A Trusted Appraisal Service

There is no substitute for using a trusted company to find the true value of your diamond and jewelry. The jewelry industry, unfortunately, is filled with a variety of quotes, appraisals, and certifications that do not accurately represent the true market value of your jewelry. With the price of gold what it is today and the intrinsic value of diamonds you should not sell yourself short, but first seek the professional council of a trusted and certified gemologist when you want to sell gold jewelry.

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Makeup Mistakes that Brides Make

2009-12-23T05:14:00.001-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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2009-12-14T15:59:00.001-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Wedding Menu Ideas for Every Season

2009-12-11T12:54:00.000-08:00

Let your wedding catering take a cue from the seasons with our favorite menu ideas for every season…

Spring Wedding Menu Ideas
Summon the taste of spring with light flavors and delicate textures…

In Season - serve a main dish featuring ham or lamb

Fresh produce – round out the meal with a bounty of fresh fruits and young vegetables like baby carrots, baby asparagus and new potatoes

Elegant sides – serve mini quiches or update traditional deviled eggs by adding salmon or crabmeat

Bar favorites – a spring menu seems to call for champagne. Mix up a batch of mimosas for a morning wedding, or create a festive champagne cocktail.

Summer Wedding Menu Ideas

Use your summer menu to invoke warmth, sunshine and fun…

Serve lighter fare – think fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables like berries, watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, and corn, seafood and lean poultry like chicken. Between courses, serve a light sorbet.

Spark up the grill - serve traditional picnic and grill fare like barbeque, burgers and potato salad

Head to the tropics - feature tropical signature cocktails like margaritas, sangria, or mojitos.

Fall Wedding Menu Ideas

Bring out the rich and comforting tastes of autumn…

Traditional favorites – you cannot go wrong with seasonal standbys: turkey, red potatoes, corn bread dressing, green beans, and honey glazed carrots.

Family style – re-create a traditional thanksgiving feast by incorporating your family recipes into your wedding menu and serving the meal family style (if your guest list is small).

Hearty proteins - Choose a hearty meat that will pair with heavier side dishes – turkey, roasted quail, rib roast

Keep it elegant – you can serve traditional fare in sophisticated, creative ways – present soup or veggie puree in mini shot classes or hallowed out gourds, or warm apple cider in glass mugs with cinnamon sticks.

Winter Wedding Menu Ideas

Warm up to a decadent winter menu with these cool ideas to reflect the season…

Hearty dishes – serve heartier fare in sophisticated, creative ways – such as colorful butternut squash puree or warm pumpkin soup in ramekins or shot glasses.

Wintery beverages – warm guests with eggnog, spiced wine or mixed coffee drinks.
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Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a complete Weddings, Wedding Planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, photo galleries, checklists, and expert advice to walk brides through every step of the wedding planning process. Brides can request wedding vendor quotes from top vendors across the country.

Festive Jewelry for Holiday Wedding

2009-12-09T04:42:00.000-08:00

Get into the spirit of a holiday wedding with festive jewelry! Special earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with a holiday twist are the perfect way to set the stage for a Christmastime wedding. Unique jewelry with a holiday theme is ideal for everyone from the bride to the bridesmaids to the flower girl; read on for suggestions on how to pick the perfect pieces for your wedding.

Let's face it, there is just something magical about a Christmas wedding. Everyone is in the spirit of the season, and will be feeling especially cheerful as you tie the knot this December. Special holiday inspired bridal jewelry is a wonderful way to embrace the joy of the holidays as a part of your wedding celebration.

One fantastic idea for holiday wedding jewelry is pieces which have been handcrafted with Swarovski crystal snowflakes. The carefully shaped crystals twinkle and glimmer, just like a frosty winter day. They are perfect for anyone in the wedding party (or for the wedding guest looking for a festive pair of earrings to complete her outfit for the big event). The Swarovski snowflakes are so intricate and beautiful that they look best in a simple design, such as on a pendant or as the main decorative element on a pair of drop earrings. They make fabulous bridesmaid jewelry gifts, and are also wonderful for the bride and the mothers of the bride and groom. Best of all, you will be able to enjoy a set of Swarovski crystal snowflake jewelry all winter long.

If you are planning a true Christmas theme wedding, complete with poinsettias, holly, amaryllis, and evergreen boughs, you will want equally traditional holiday themed jewelry. A marvelous idea is Swarovski crystal earrings which are handcrafted to look like tiny perfect Christmas trees! They are absolutely unique, and will be a real conversation starter. Green crystals are layered to form a "tree", and then finished off with a crystal trunk and a red "star" topper. These precious earrings make ideal gifts of jewelry for a bridesmaid, junior bridesmaid, or an older flower girl. They would be spectacular with red or green bridesmaid dresses.

Everyone loves a snowman, and that is another fun motif for winter wedding jewelry. Little snowman earrings are great for a wedding in any winter month, not just December. They are handcrafted in either Swarovski crystals or pearls, complete with black crystal "top hats". Unique snowman earrings are not only wonderful for the wedding party, but they also make sweet thank you gifts for anyone involved in your weddingal shop owner to your wedding coordinator.

If your wedding is close to New Year's Eve, a very sparkly all crystal look is gorgeous. Bridal jewelry sets which are created with dazzling Swarovski crystals will help you to celebrate your New Year wedding in high style. Especially fabulous are long drop crystal earrings with a teardrop shaped crystal topped with a ruffle of round crystals; they look amazing with a bridal gown with a ruffle detail. Have fun choosing festive jewelry for your winter wedding. These special pieces will help to make your entire wedding party get into the spirit of your holiday wedding. Best of all, holiday theme jewelry can be enjoyed over and over each holiday season.

Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids and flowergirl jewelry ~ Disney Jewelry and Gifts On Sale! Shop JewelryLand.com Now. Festive earrings and necklaces make fantastic bridesmaid or flowergirl jewelry gifts.

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Men's Charging Station and Jewelry Boxes

2009-12-08T04:03:00.000-08:00

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Men have a similar habit; they carry their most important belongings with them everywhere they go, their wallet, change, cell phone, MP3 player, watch, jewelry and other items. These items are often lost or misplaced easily because they are tossed haphazardly onto the counter or dresser at the end of each day.
There is a great way to solve this dilemma.

Men's jewelry boxes will store jewelry and watches that are not being worn daily while men's charging stations hold and organize their daily needed items. A charger is a dresser or tabletop station that has slots for coins, watches, jewelry and for cell phones and MP3 players. These organizers are designed to hold all needed items and to provide a station from which cell phones and electronics can charge overnight. There are several charger designs available online and in department stores one of the best designs on the market is the Amelia Charging Station. This charger has three sections for charging electronics, a section for rings, an earring holder, and it has a travel compartment that can be removed for traveling organization purposes.

Charging stations are a great way to keep all of your necessary items in one organized area. There will be no more wild early morning searches for keys or cell phone when you utilize a charger station that holds all of these personal items. The last minute calls to work to apologize that you are running late never have to happen again.

This one station can easy hold a wallet, keys, rings, earring, watch, cell phone, MP3 player and money. This is a great idea for teenage boys as well. Help your son train himself to put the daily essentials in one spot daily. Teenage boys especially enjoy utilizing the one area to charge each of their gadgets.

These charging stations are such great tools for organization that wives you have purchased them for their husbands and have instead found themselves purchasing one for other areas of the home so that it can hold their extra gadgets daily as well.

A charging station is a great addition to the traditional men's jewelry box that remains as a steadfast in the bedroom. Most men find that they enjoy having a charger on their desk, in their bedroom and even in the living room. A great looking charger looks good in any décor and can be placed anywhere in the home that is convenient.

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5 Things to Consider when Choosing Your Reception Space

2009-12-06T03:59:00.001-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jasmine MacDonald is the editor of Merry Brides which will provide you with daily ideas and tips to help you plan the perfect wedding while staying within your budget. Jasmine can also help you design your very own wedding website to keep your friends and family updated about your wedding plans. Check out a Free Trial offer at Wedding Window

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Gracious Ways to Manage a Wedding "B" List

2009-12-01T14:19:00.000-08:00

It is a fact of life: when you are planning a wedding, you can rarely invite everyone that you would like to. Either the budget is too small, the venue is too tight, or your family is just too big. One way that some couples handle this dilemma is by grouping their wedding guest lists into "A"s and "B"s.

In a nutshell, the "A" list is the group of people that you will definitely be inviting to your wedding. This group usually includes your immediate family, attendants, close friends, and the random people that your parents insist on inviting to your wedding because they are paying for it. The "B" list will typically be people that you would like to have, space permitting. "B" lists are generally populated by people such as more recently acquired friends, old college chums you haven't seen in a while, and your co-workers.

The way to create the "A" list is to add up everyone that you must have at your wedding, and then keep going with names from your extended circle until you have hit the limit of either your venue or budget. Do this as if every single person on the list will actually be coming (which of course, they won't). In other words, if your venue can only seat 110 people, then your list should have exactly 110 names on it - and don't forget to include the bride and groom in this head count! You know have your "A" list.

Anyone who did not make the initial cut is now officially on your "B" list. Okay, so far, so good. As the R.s.v.p.s start to roll in from the first set of invitations, you can invite one person from the "B" list for each declined invitation. From here on in, things can get a little trickier. The wedding invitations need to be sent out to the "A" list well in advance of your wedding date, usually at least 8 weeks, but sometimes even more. Where it gets dicey is that you have to finagle responses from all of the guests on your "A" list much earlier than usual - four weeks before the wedding at the minimum. If people ask why you need to have your answers so early, blame the caterer; whatever you do, never let on that you have a "B" list waiting in the wings.

Let me repeat: no one should know about the "B" list (though some may suspect, based on the timing of the invitations). It is not improper or poor etiquette to have an "A" list and a "B" list, however it would be terrible if any of the "B" listers were made to feel like they were your second choice guests. This means that when you are sending out the invitations, you must do so based in part on the social and familial circles of your invitees. You can't invite your friend Sally eight weeks before the wedding, but send out a last minute invite to her sister Margaret. If people are going to talk, put them both on either the "A" or "B" list together to avoid hurt feelings.

Some people find the idea of two separate guest lists to be highly offensive. If you feel this way, then there are a few other paths that you can take. One of the nicest things that a couple can do is to scale back on the luxury of the wedding to be able to include everyone who is near and dear to them. Maybe you have to have your reception in a mid-range hotel instead of a ritzy private club, but in the end, you may find that who you have at your wedding is more important than where you have it.

Other couples will find other cost-cutting solutions to be able to expand their guest list. For instance, you can have a brunch instead of a sit-down evening reception. Another way to cut expenses is to order your bridesmaid jewelry sets online. You can find truly beautiful handcrafted bridesmaid jewelry sets made from Swarovksi crystals and freshwater pearls - they will look like a splurge, but can actually be very affordable bridesmaid gifts. Some other things that you can order online to save on costs include wine (depending on the laws of your state), invitations, and wedding jewelry for the bride.

Whether you decide to have a two part guest list, or simply to cut your expenses so you can expand your guest list, the key is to be gracious. If you do have an "A" and a "B" list, be careful to keep that piece of information private. As long as you make all of your guests feel welcome and wanted, your wedding is sure to be a fabulous success.

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Choose the Best Wedding Function Venues to Make it even More Memorable!

2009-11-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

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You as a host whenever you organize an event your aim is to make it a memorable one. Thus you give your best and take care of all the minute details right from the food & furniture to the lights and the venue that you choose. If you are planning a wedding, then your first goal should be to choose from the best wedding function venues.

The importance of venues is also high if there is a corporate event being planned. For instance, the corporate New Year events are huge investments. In this case the hotels and resorts are the more preferred locations.

The corporate events normally involve a lot of people. If the organisation is huge then the number of employees will be more as well. In this case outdoor locations are the best option. Thus hotels and resorts are the more preferred options. If occasion is of hosting the corporate New Year events then apart from food and beverage, the guests will also be interested in dancing. Thus you will need a huge space like a big hall or a well maintained garden or a lawn.

Thus you can have everything arranged at one venue. The resorts and the hotels can also accommodate the out station guests who have traveled all the way especially for the event. If the event is held at the hotel and the resorts then it will also cater to the different likes and dislikes of the guests. If among the guests there are people who like to dance then they will have access to it. Again there are some people who would like to sit and relax and enjoy the food and be a spectator of the fun on the floor then they can enjoy that as well. All kind of interested can be accommodated with ease in such a case.

Usually corporate New Year events are a big occasion for the company. The event is not only held to welcome the New Year but to also reward the deserving employees within the establishment. Thus the company would also need space to build a stage to hold the function. This space can easily be provided by the big hotels and the resorts.

The option of choosing wedding function venues is equally important. It is important that when you are choosing a venue for wedding you will not only have to keep your budget in mind but also the number of guests expected to attend the wedding. If there is large number of people expected then you should choose for outdoor location like the beaches, gardens, party lawns etc. But if the number of guests expected are not more then hundred or hundred fifty then you can opt for a church. There many churches which not only provides you with a reception area but also with dance floors.

Thus depending on the number of people expected you can choose wedding function venues and venues for corporate events.

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How to Choose Bridal Jewelry for the Bridal Party

2009-11-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

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Taking the time and effort to choose just the right pieces of jewelry for your bridal party is not only the perfect way to show your true appreciation for sharing in your most important day, but it will also give your attendants a rather special memento to treasure and remember always.

The very first thing you'll want to consider in your quest for finding beautiful jewelry for your bridal party is whether or not the pieces will be given solely as a token of your appreciation, or if you expect the attendants to wear their gifts for the ceremony. If you'll want all of the pieces worn during the wedding and reception, then you'll want to ensure they'll match or complement the overall theme or formality of the event as well as the dresses you've chosen.

As the bride, you'll also have to decide if you want each of the attendants pieces to match exactly, or if you'd rather coordinating pieces but each with subtle differences that make them uniquely their own. A perfect example of unique but matching jewelry for the bridal party would be crystal necklaces in different but complementary colors, or necklaces of all the same crystal but in a different design, or pearls of varying sizes and designs. Cultured pearls will always be a timeless choice for wedding jewelry that exude a sense of classiness as well as romance.

Another good choice for your bridal attendant's jewelry is white or clear cubic zirconium (CZ) as it offers all of the sparkle and glamour of diamonds, but without the hefty price tag to match. And, gold and sterling silver will both always work well with any colors, style, or theme of wedding. If your wedding colors are burgundy or red, you may want to consider choosing gems such as garnets or rubies or reddish Swarovski crystals, or if peach and beige are dominant in your color scheme, choose opals, clear crystals, or any gem with a neutral, understated hue.

Yet another option to consider when choosing jewelry for your bridal party is to select pieces that everyone will be able to wear again for other occasions, unless they're intended to be held onto as keepsakes after the wedding, of course. Necklaces are always a good choice for bridal party jewelry as the varying lengths available will fit everyone and regardless of hair length or styles, the necklace will be easy to see during the wedding, but do keep in mind the neckline of the gowns you and your bridesmaids will be wearing.

When choosing earrings be sure to find out in advance who has pierced ears and who will need the clip-on style. Also, when buying bracelets for your attendants, you'll want to be sure you know what size to select for each person. In essence, the jewelry you choose for your bridal party should match your own sense of style as well as the formality of the ceremony, and also complement the attendant's attire.

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Denise Sanger is the owner of My-Wedding-Jewelry.com which has a diverse catalog of Bridal Jewelry and Bridal Party Jewelry for all the important people in your life along with a library of party planning resources. We are located in Sunny North Florida.

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

Specialty Wedding Bands

2009-11-24T07:23:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays !!!

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough. Oprey Winfrey

Ever since I saw the specially designed wedding ring, Will Smith's character gives to his new bride on Independence Day, with two diamond encrusted dolphins. I've always thought that it would be a great thing to give my wife something special, something that very few other people would have as a wedding ring.

What I ended up buying her was a ring with five rows of 10 diamonds each. It cost enough, but what was special about it is that there were no other rings like it. Well, they were close; there were many rings with 3 or 4 rows, but a woman has to have long fingers to be able to pull off 5 rows, which my wife has. To this day, we've never seen anyone else with a ring like hers, which means it's still a very special style.

Many brides end up with diamond rings with one large raised diamond, which is nice enough, but fairly common. These days, designers of wedding rings are putting together both traditional and non-traditional rings for their customers, giving a diversity of choice for everyone to make.

Even designers such as, of all companies, Disney, are getting into the game. Disney recently came out with six wedding ring designs based on some of the characters in their movies. The designs are named for Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Ariel, and Belle. There wasn't much attempt to match up the rings to what these brides wore in the movies, since there wasn't that much attention given in the movies. Still, the rings range from one that looks pretty traditional to one that has three segments on it, with the middle one having the largest diamond and the two on the side matching each other. They range in price from around $3,500 to $5,200, which is well within range of the average price of wedding rings.

Rings can be channel set as well as being open, but it takes some time and dedication to decide to buy a ring that doesn't conform to the norm. These days, some wedding rings have other stones in them that can make a ring stand out from the norm. Something else that's growing are people looking for rings that might be a throwback to the past, such as rings old Hollywood stars might have worn, or rings that might come from European history.

In any case, it comes down to two things. One, having an eye for something different that still maintains its elegance. Two, price. If you can afford it, you can have it, even if you have to have one put together. It doesn't cost as much as you might think, especially in a weakening economy. Jewelers are ready to make good deals with you; give it a shot. Your bride is worth it.

Get her what she really wants! Shop SuperJeweler.com today!!!

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

Other helpful sites ~

http://betleebridals.blogspot.com/
http://weddingsuccess.blogspot.com/

Can a Justice of the Peace Marry You? ~ Not in Australia

2009-10-21T03:50:00.000-07:00

In Australia a Justice of the Peace is a volunteer, a member of the community who plays a vital role in the administration of justice and who receives no remuneration for that.

A JP can witness signatures on statutory declarations, certify that copies of documents are a true and accurate copy of the original, can issue summonses and police search warrants. A JP is one of the short list of categories of people who can witness a bride and groom's signatures on the Notice of Intended Marriage, the document which, in Australia, a couple is required to lodge with their marriage celebrant (wedding officiant) or clergy person a minimum of a clear month before the wedding can take place. This document serves the same purpose as the marriage license required in many other countries.

All marriage celebrants and clergy authorised to perform marriages (not all clergy are licensed to perform marriages) can also witness your signatures on the Notice. Generally speaking an Australian JP will be asked to witness the signatures where the couple is making arrangements for a destination wedding at a distance and it is therefore not possible or convenient to meet with their chosen celebrant for this purpose.

What a JP can't do, is perform the actual marriage ceremony.

There are a number of reasons for this.

History and tradition - marriage ceremonies historically have been performed only be people authorised under the Marriage Act, including clergy, marriage officers attached to each Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, and, since 1973, Civil Marriage Celebrants appointed by the Australian Attorney General

In Australia marriage falls under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth because the Marriage Act is a Federal Act. Justices of the Peace, however, are appointed by each State.

Your civil marriage celebrant can witness statutory declarations relating to your marriage, and, indeed is required to witness the Declarations required to be made on the back of the official marriage certificate in which you declare that you are free to marry.

Hints by Ashlee ~~ * Don't run up your credit cards to pay for your wedding. Wedding loans have better interest rates. And you don't want to start your married life with lots of bills!!

*At the airport tip the porter $ 1-2 per bag when you check-in at the curb or have bags taken to check-in for you.

* For great-looking shimmering lips, apply sparkling eye shadow over your lipstick to create a new shiny shade ~~ absolutely free!!

Informative Wedding Sites~~

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

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

Need a wedding website? Visit Wedding Window now!!

Jennifer Cram is a Marriage Celebrant authorised by the Australian Government to perform marriages throughout Australia.

She is based in Brisbane Queensland Australia where she specialises in creating and performing one of a kind weddings, commitments and other ceremonies.

For more information http://www.jennifercram.com.au Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Top 5 Gifts for the Adventurous Groomsmen

2009-10-19T10:28:00.001-07:00

One of the best ways in which you can show your gratitude for your groomsmen is by means of giving them a gift. You can choose to either give it to them before the wedding, during the wedding reception, or even after the whole thing is over to make the gift more special for them to receive. As your wedding may be something that happens to you only once in a lifetime, it would be best to extend that to your guests as well as to your entourage.

When it comes to giving groomsmen gifts, it would be easier for you to come up with one if the guys that you have invited are adventurous. You can think of different creative ways in which you can give them a gift and also items which you think they will really get to appreciate. So if you are still thinking about some great gift ideas for your adventurous groomsmen, here are some items you might want to consider getting for them:

1. Shades - You never know where the guys might want to hit it off. But for someone who lives and breathes an outdoorsy lifestyle, an adventurous guy would surely find perfect use for a new pair of shades. This makes it easier for you to also think about packaging because shades usually come in creative containers which would no longer need and special packaging.

2. Visor or cap - This is another functional item that your groomsmen would surely appreciate. You can either choose between giving them a visor which can shade their eyes from direct sunlight or a cap so that it can also protect them on rainy weather. Just to be on the safe side it would be best to identify what sport the guy you will give it to plays. This way you can identify if a visor will suit them or a cap will be a better choice.

3. Beltbag - An adventurous guy would find his hands full of equipment or any type of accessory that would be used for his activities. So it would really help to have a beltbag wrapped around his waist so that he can easily get the other items he needs. This can also be a safer way for them to handle their personal belongings while engaging in their chosen activity.

4. Socks - You might also want to give them some heavy duty socks to help them perform their activities much better. Guys who are into active lifestyles would often find themselves wearing rubber shoes and as such they would need socks that would help them feel comfortable especially as they wear closed shoes for such a long time.

5. Water bottle - An active guy would need a container to fill in with water or any other liquid that can replenish the ones he lost. You can buy this in bulk so that you can get them for a cheaper cost. Just make sure that you get a trusted water bottle brand so that it can really last for a very long time and can be used for heavy duty activities.

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Harrison Fray is has a lifelong passion with weddings and relationship matters. He can help you decide on the best groomsmen gifts cheaply and with classic style. Harrison also can help on picking the right personalized groomsmen gifts. Stop by Go Wedding Gifts to see what Harrison recommends.

http://weddingsuccess.blogspot.com/

http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/

Wedding Window

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

Story from a Wedding Singer

2009-10-19T03:33:00.001-07:00

Wedding Sheet Music at Sheet Music Plus. Music for your ceremony and reception, traditional or modern. Shop now!

I am a wedding singer, but not the type you might be thinking about. I am not Adam Sandler, and I don't sing with a band. I sing with either a piano or an organ, because I sing in the church, during the wedding ceremony.

I don't work all the time, which is fine. I don't advertise, but I get a lot of work. People hear my voice and recommend me to others, and that's how I get my gigs. I feel good about that because it shows that people appreciate what I can bring to their wedding. Like everything else, there are misconceptions about those of us who sing in churches. Some are minor, some not so minor. Let's talk about the minor things first.

We are not necessarily religious. I'm not religious at all. I've sung at probably 100 or more churches over the years, but I don't go to church all that regularly. If it weren't for weddings or funerals, I would never be in a church. I've always sung inside, and I've rarely used a microphone. I don't have a plethora of songs in my repertoire that I can just pull out for people to listen to, though I do have some. Everyone's tastes are different, so I'd rather the people give me an indication of what they want to hear.

There really is no one standard for songs to be sung in a wedding, just how you style it. I've sang wedding songs that were rock songs, but changed up so that it was appropriate for the wedding. I've altered lyrics somewhat so they would be appropriate also. Not a single couple has ever noticed when I've changed a lyric, though I'm sure someone in the congregation probably has. Couples almost never listen to what you're singing, but there are always critics in the congregation; to date, they've been very nice to me.

The major misconception is that all I do is just sing a song, therefore I don't need to be paid all that well. People tend to miss the fact that I'm a professional, and that means I practice and rehearse a lot. Every single song gets at least 3 to 5 hours of rehearsal. If I have to play the piano during the ceremony, tack at least another hour onto that. Even songs I've performed before I have to practice. The real life of a musician is that the bulk of the work is done in practice, just like it is in sports.

And music isn't my full time profession, which means I use a lot of my personal, down time to practice whenever I have a wedding coming up. I do weddings because I want to get paid, but also it allows me to really belt out a song, because churches sound wonderful, and I get a kick out of it. But I still want to get paid, and deserve it because of the time I put into it. No one ever comes away short changed.

So, the next time you've been to a wedding and the singer has performed well, go up and thank that person, and let them know you appreciated their talent. There's a lot of bad singers out there; praise the good ones.

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

How to Find Great Deals on Platinum Engagement Rings

2009-10-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Platinum engagement rings look gorgeous on anyone's hand and those who are about to propose know this fact. That is why shopping for a platinum style engagement ring is on the mind of many men who are searching for that one perfect ring for their future fiancé to wear on her hand. With that said, many individuals these days are on a tight budget and spending a great deal of money on an engagement ring may not be possible for most. Therefore, searching for a great deal is an ideal notion and one which appeals to many men. The following will provide some details on how to find great deals on an engagement ring comprised of platinum.

When searching for platinum engagement rings, the first place to look so that you may find a great deal on this item is at your local jewelry store. Shop the sales counter at the store and also ask the jewelry store sales associate which platinum rings are on sale and how you can get the best deal on a ring of this type. See if there are any financing opportunities if you were planning to put the item on a store credit card such as no interest for a certain period of time or a certain amount of money off of the price of the purchase. However, if you were not planning to open up a new credit card with the company and had other means of paying for the ring then perhaps credit card incentives of this type would not be worthwhile.

You can also ask the jewelry store which you are shopping at, whether it is a large retail store or a small jewelry boutique, what types of sales they are offering at the moment. Since platinum rings, especially those with diamonds in them, can be pricey, shopping for a ring which is on sale at the moment is a worthwhile venture. If you are going to propose around the time of a certain holiday you may be able to find great holiday sales going on which will get you exactly what you want in a platinum ring and be affordable all at the same time.

Those who like to shop for items and gifts online may find that purchasing a diamond engagement ring made of platinum over the World Wide Web is a good choice. Not only does this way of shopping provide convenience to the man who is going to propose but it can also yield great deals as well. Many online retailers stock these and with a little bit of searching around on the Internet you are sure to find some favorable price tags attached to the rings.

So when you are ready to make a marriage proposal you should have no problem obtain this type of ring for a good price. Platinum engagement rings are sure to put a smile on the face of all the women who receive such a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Marriage plans in the near future??

Wedding and Engagement Rings

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

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

2009-10-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

Fun Sites !!!!

Easy, fun, Design own wedding site at Wedding Window

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

Book your Romantic Travel on Expedia.com!

Wedding Links ~~

http://betteswedding.livejournal.com

www.weddingsbyashlee.com

There's a lot more info to help you create the wedding ceremony of your dreams, the wedding vows of your heart and the marriage of a lifetime over on my website: http://annkeelerevans.org And to help you create the wedding vows that will become the blueprint for your incredible, happily and healthily ever-after marriage, I'd like to invite you to sign up to receive 2 free wedding vow templates: http://annkeelerevans.org/weddings/free

Go on! I dare you, be happy together!

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

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

5 Ways to Make Your Guests a Meaningful Part of Your Wedding Ceremony

2009-10-02T09:30:00.000-07:00

Getting Your Wedding Guests to Vow to Support Your Marriage
By Nina Callaway, About.com

Wedding ceremony is an important part of your wedding. As this is a most special day of everyone's life, each of us wants wedding ceremony to be unique and memorable. There are different aspects of wedding ceremony that need to address properly to make this event a special one.

When you start planning your wedding ceremony, the first thing to do is decide what type of wedding ceremony you opt for because you have to plan everything according to the theme ~ like wedding decoration, wedding location, food, wedding singers etc. If you are going for traditional wedding ceremony, then you have to follow certain procedures. You should consult with church authority regarding your wedding ceremony. However, if you have an informal or causal wedding ceremony, you are more flexible in deciding procedures. But regarding legal procedures, you are not excused. You need to present documents such as address proof, birth certificate and marriage license.

Next you have to decide location, date and time of wedding ceremony. For traditional or religious marriage you need to book a location in advance specially in wedding season. In non religious wedding ceremony, though you get hall easily but judges are busy. So call them well in advance.

Wedding ceremony is very special day for both bride and groom. On most important day of your life you want to look most attractive and beautiful. You should already get prepared for the wedding dress, make-up and hairstyle of bride etc according to the theme. Book all the things in advance in the marriage season especially.

Finally you need plan for your wedding vows. Wedding ceremony decorations, wedding ceremony songs, wedding ceremony reading, wedding ceremony program are other different elements of wedding ceremony. Reception held after wedding ceremony is most enjoyable.

With proper planning and execution, you can make your wedding ceremony a memorable event which you will remember forthe rest of your life.

Helpful wedding sites~~

Win a Free Wedding Dress

Find the perfect Wedding Invitation at InvitationBox.com

Save 15% on all Halloween Cards and Halloween Party Invitations at Cardstore.com - use coupon code SPOOKY

http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com/
http://bettteswedding.livejournal.com/
http://mysweetheartforever.blogspot.com/

Italian-Themed Wedding

2009-09-30T12:02:00.001-07:00

Whether you and your fiancé are of Italian heritage or want to try something unique a theme for your wedding, then you may want to consider an Italian wedding theme. An Italian-inspired wedding is more than just any other wedding theme. Food is the heart of the celebration, which can have as many as fourteen dishes.

When planning an Italian wedding theme, you can slightly pare down about five to seven courses. Usually, beef or chicken is served as the main dish although you may substitute them with Italian sausage or pork. Serve an array of side dishes such antipasto, cheese, pasta, vegetables and seafood. Have Italian bread and fresh fruits like kiwi, sweet pineapples, grapes and strawberries as well. Moreover, you can pile a table high with Italian cookies or have sweet, delectable treats such as fried dough drizzled with powdered sugar. These treats are said to bring prosperity to the wedding couple.

An Italian-style wedding cake usually has several layers with figures of the bride and groom on top of the cake. It is best served with Italian coffee. Don't forget to serve plenty of Italian wine too. Merlot and Chianti are excellent wine picks.

Music sets a great mood for your Italian-inspired wedding. Play to the tune of Italian opera singers beginning the reception and during dinner. Then, when it is time to dance, switch to upbeat Italian music.

When choosing a location, a quaint church or a historic mansion would be an excellent choice. You can also hold your wedding ceremony in a lush garden or overlooking acres of grapes. And since Italians are predominantly Roman Catholics, a mass is usually observed.

Also, a white Italian-silk wedding gown with a train is traditionally worn by the bride to represent purity. You may, however, go for an ivory gown, but you should probably stick with any of these colors. Also, a white tulle veil is important for the Italian wedding ceremony too. This is traditionally worn to cover the bride's face until it is the groom's moment to kiss her. In addition, the bride should have a tiny satin bag handy during the wedding rites. This is where she will stash the money that her guests will hand her.

Of course, no Italian wedding is ever complete without giving away small tokens to guests. You can hand out colorful candy almonds in small tulle wrappers and tied with satin ribbons. Also known as confetti, this traditional Italian treat is a great way to let your guests to cherish your beautiful Italian-inspired wedding.

Fun Deals

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http://www.weddingthemeideas.net/italian_wedding_theme.html

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

Want to Have Low`Budget Wedding Reception ~ Here are some Low Budget Ideas to Achieve It

2009-09-23T04:58:00.001-07:00

The most expensive part of your wedding would be the reception, and if you lower the cost of your wedding reception, this will allow you to pay less for your entire wedding.

One idea that can make your reception save some cash is the wedding reception location. You can either have it for free or you can pay thousands of dollars for it. How you can have it for free is by having your reception in your own backyard or a friend's backyard - whatever works that can save you money. This will not cost you a cent and you can decorate the place yourself without anyone telling you what you can or can't do.

Also, food can cost you a lot when having a wedding. And if a low budget wedding reception is what you want, you can either choose to call all the catering services and choose the one that will not charge you too much or you can do the coordination yourself and ask your friends and family to help you with the cooking. This will definitely help in cutting down on the costs and if you do your grocery form your local store, you might have a chance of getting a discount.

When choosing for your decorations - you do not necessarily have to have the most expensive ones. You can just get your decorations from a dollar store which will make it cheaper for you.

If you know where to buy and where to look, you will be able to have a low budget wedding reception. When planning to have a low cost wedding, you need not have to be an expert on this; you just need to know where you can shop to find the cheapest deal you can.

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Bibi Riyasat is a wedding specialist who can help you in planning the perfect wedding. She writes for the popular website MyBeautifulWeddingTips.Com. For honest tips and advice on wedding planning on a budget, check out the website and get your FREE report now!

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

Cleaning Your Diamond ~ Keep the Brillance!!

2009-09-21T08:11:00.001-07:00

Life can be hard on your jewelry, dirt and grime builds up spoils the gleam of your diamonds, even stored away dust and atmospheric particles conspire to make your diamonds dull.

Cleaning your diamonds will restore them to their full, sparkling brilliance, getting rid of the oils, dirt, hand lotion and everything else. Diamonds are made to shine.

Cleaning your diamonds is not hard work and a little effort will keep them shining like new. Think of the windows in your house, they shine when the light can pass through them, it's the same for diamonds. All it requires is a little love on your part.

Using a fine soft brush and some soapy water you can keep the brilliance alive. Make a bowl of warm water and washing up liquid and soak your jewelry for a short time. This will soften the ingrained dirt and make it easier to remove from the tiny crevices.

Whilst the diamonds are submerged use a soft brush to gently clean away any soiling, rub gently in all directions and for rings make sure to clean around the back of the stone if it is an open mount. If the diamonds are to dirty to clean in this way then you can make mixture of ammonia and water 1:1 solution to soak the diamonds for about twenty minutes, this should loosen even the toughest grime.

If you do not like the idea of mixing your own solution many jewelry stores will sell a specialist cleaning solution for your diamonds. If you do purchase such a kit then make sure it is for diamonds and read and adhere to the instructions fully. Follow any safety precautions to the letter and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

A twenty first century answer to cleaning your diamonds is to use an ultra sonic cleaning machine. This machine utilises sonic vibrations to literally shake the grime off. These machines work in different ways so always read the instructions.

Now that you have brilliant, dazzling diamonds again keep them clean by carefully rubbing them with a lint free cloth like a spectacles cloth and when you are not wearing them store them in airtight box to keep the dust out.

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Scott Davies is a retired business man with a special interest in diamonds and jewelry. Find out how to buy a cheap diamond ring

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

Musicians for Your Wedding Reception

2009-09-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is the band available on your wedding date and time?

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

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

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

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

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Ashlee Williams is the editor of Weddings by Ashlee, an online wedding site that helps YOU, the BRIDE to plan and create the "wedding of your dreams"!! Be sure to visit her sister site ~
Great ideas at Betlee Bridals

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

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Let's Hear It for the Wedding Chocolate Flavors

2009-09-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

Wedding Theme Chocolate Square Favors - Tub of 150

Belgian chocolate is one of the best chocolates in the world. But then again it doesn't have to be belgium chocolate to create a mouth- watering effect to those people who crave for sweets. Wedding Chocolates are simply a quality choice as a wedding favor.

But then, chocolates are not just a token given to someone special on a special event. Chocolate wedding favors have become one of the greatest items a couple could use in their wedding as a favor If it is going to be your own wedding, perhaps you might as well consider this option.

It's just to show that a wedding favor is not anymore particular to a home décor but it can now also be a usable or an edible thing. Intimacy and passion comes to mind when talking chocolates.

Perhaps it is the reason why they have been used as one of the options in the line up of wedding favors. And to make wedding chocolate favor more suitable for a wedding, different molds have been created to shape the chocolate into designs that would suit any type of wedding. Of course there are other tastes available as well in mint, dark, or white chocolate, and these can be appropriately matched with a particular shape of wedding chocolate favors.

Wedding chocolate favors can fit a royal wedding theme, an outdoor wedding, or Disney-type topic wedding. A chocolate favour lollipop can take about any shape or designs that could fit a wedding celebration. Those heart-shaped chocolate favors that have a design in the middle are the simplest design that you can have.

You can also use an oval, round, or rectangular forms since they are wide enough to make more patterns in the middle of the chocolate. Some of the more unique shapes in the wedding chocolates design world would be wedding gown, tuxedo, bride and groom image, flowers such as rose and calla lily, birds such as swan and dove, castle, wedding bell, wedding cake, and even elegant fans.

Furthermore, these chocolaty designs can also be modified a bit and use them as a wedding chocolate cake topper or centerpiece. You can add some more accessories to your chocolate favors.

A colorful mini stick and a ribbon can turn your favor lolly into a more amazing wedding favor. But Then, you can also give those chocolate wedding favors a personal touch if you want to. Individualized chocolate favors are also more inviting because your guest will see that you have put some extra effort into creating them

Looking for the best wedding favor can be alot of fun as you and your partner can do together. When you pick out the chocolates as your wedding favor, rest assured that you and your spouse will share that sweet moment; designing your wedding motif together..
(ArticlesBase ID #842248

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Wedding hint ~ To cut costs serve only 1 entree. 2 meal options means 2 lines of servers plus 2 chiefs.

Tips for Your Wedding Reception Meal on a Budget

2009-09-10T04:44:00.000-07:00

Planning the meal for your wedding reception can be one of the greatest expenses you are likely to encounter. With the following tips for your reception meal for your wedding on a budget, you should be able to significantly reduce the cost of the food budget.

To plan for your reception meal for a wedding on a budget, try to keep your guest list to a reasonable number. You'll need to keep this optimal number (assuming that EVERYONE you invite will be in attendance) in mind as you look for a venue for the food for your wedding reception meal. Make sure you have a definite attended count at least 2 weeks before the reception so you can negotiate price if you have less attending than you thought.

First, shop around to see what kinds of services are offered based on the type of place you choose to hold your reception. Halls which offer individual service by a wait staff will always prove to be higher in cost than a family-style buffet line offered by other venues. The additional money goes to pay the salaries of anyone else who is necessary to provide service.

There is the possibility that the cost of less expensive food includes the pay for a few people who will stand with the food offered on the buffet line and serve it as your guests go by with plates in hand to get their meals. In some rare instances, the only server who will actually stand with the food will be someone who will dispense measured portions of whatever meat may be offered to insure that everyone there gets a serving.

Get an estimation of what the cost would be per person, depending on what fare is offered. Be aware that the more exotic the fare, the higher the cost will be, especially if there is a choice of two or three meats offered. At a family-style affair, you are likely to get one meat choice, some sort of starch, either in the form of a pasta dish or mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls or other bread, green salad with a simple dressing, and a choice of water, coffee or tea to drink. In some instances, the pasta dish (usually shells or ziti with some sort of marinara sauce) will contain meat as a component.

Dessert will more than likely be the wedding cake, although in some instances ice cream or sorbet can be included. If an alcoholic beverage like champagne for toasts allowed and offered, there is the possibility that it will have to be provided by the bridal party.

Some venues not only allow alcoholic beverages, but will offer bartending services. In this case, you need to try and determine whether it is worth the expense to offer open bar services (usually including some sort of soft drinks for non-drinkers) or whether you should make it the type of service where guests have to pay for any drink they want. Be aware that open bars can run upwards of $500 and could go as high as $2500 depending on the number of guests you expect to have served.

As a final tip for your wedding reception meal for a wedding on a budget, consider having finger foods, especially if your wedding is scheduled for the morning or early afternoon. The choice of small sandwiches and items like cookies or pastries is a much lighter fare that will sit better, especially if guests have already had breakfast or lunch.

This sort of item will cost far less than a traditional reception sit-down meal. You may also find that if you have family or friends can help provide the lighter foods, you will need minimal staff at the hall. In this instance you can also serve the wedding cake at the end, and can bring in a punch or other assorted beverages (be they alcoholic or non-alcoholic) that can go in and on paper dishes and cups that you provide.

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Ashlee hint ~ Be careful of the caterer charging you for cake cutting fees. These fees can cost you up to $3.00 per guest. Don't get socked with this rip-off fee!!

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

10 Great Gifts for Ring Bearer to Show Your Appreciation

2009-09-07T04:29:00.001-07:00

10 Great Gifts for Ring Bearers to Show Your Appreciation
May 26, 2009 by Christol Weber

Buying gifts for ring bearers can be tricky. But if you have an open line of communication with someone who knows the child's likes and dislikes, it will be a lot easier to find personalized wedding gifts for ring bearers . Don't be afraid to ask questions. Keep in mind that gifts should always be age appropriate, and are something that will meet the approval of their primary caregiver. You wouldn't want to insult a 'big boy' with a baby gift, nor would you want to frustrate a younger child with a gift that is beyond their comprehension.

Here are ten great all-around wedding gifts for ring bearers of different ages that I have found.

All-around ring bearer gifts

1. Ring bearer piggy banks, or personalized piggy banks are a great wedding gift for ring bearers. Indulge this important young man with a special gift to keep his money in, and as an added bonus you could put in a few dollars to start him off right.

2. Don't let this young man forget how important he is by buying him a personalized ring bearer jersey.

3. Books are great for all kids, but "10 Cool things about ring bearers" is a nice gift that is sure to make this young man feel special.

4. All kids need things to put their stuff in. Personalized duffle bags are a great ring bearer gift.

5. Stainless steel harmonicas make exciting wedding gifts for boys who are musically inclined.

6. Does your little ring bearer like baseball? Surprise him with a 17" Engraved Rawlings baseball bat.

All of the above gifts can be found at BrideStuff's online store, and are all less than $30.

Check out Advantage Bridal for more of these great personalized ring bearer gifts listed below.

7. A personalized sports alarm clock is sure to get your little ring bearer off to a great start in the morning.

8. All kids need back packs. Personalized back packs are a nice gift because your ring bearer can use it at school and show it off to his friends.

9. Help your ring bearer keep the sun out of his eyes with a personalized base ball cap.

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Additional wedding advice

Weddings by Ashlee , Wedding Window ,
http://betleebridals.blogspot.com

TIP ~ For vendor fees don't forget to factor in sales tax and a gratuity which generally ranges between 16 & 20%. These fees will be increase your costs. Beware!!

The Importance of Cheap Makeup

2009-09-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

Many people think you have to spend so much money on makeup, but that simply isn't true anymore. There are so many sites on the internet selling cheap make up. But there is a myth attached to cheap make up. People think that by not spending a lot of money on make up that they are forfeiting quality and possibly putting their skin at risk. Again, this is not true either, as there are top make up brands all over the internet.

While most women want to wear makeup and look good, in these troublesome economic times, it is not always possible to buy the latest make up or in fact a makeup that is actually right for you. Cheap make up is a necessity for most of us that don't have a disposable income as there isn't the money for things that are not an absolute necessity.

Trying to look attractive may not be an absolute necessity but it is very important for a lot of people. This fact is evident by the amount of money that is spent each year on beauty products and procedures.

Most people may not be able to continue to spend as much money on the beauty routines and maintenance as they have done in the past but that doesn't mean that it has to be given up all together. It just means approaching it in a different way!

For instance, buying make up on the internet is the better option when looking for new products. This is because shops online can keep their prices so low as they buy bulk across Europe, negotiate good retail prices as a result, and then pass this onto the customer. Voucher codes and cashback sites are also a very competitive and effective way of buying cheap make up as there are discounts or money back to be had on top of the already marked down prices.

The only disadvantage to buying make up from the internet is that you can't try before you buy. That can simply be overcome by visiting big department stores and shops and trying what you like and seeing what suits your skin colour and tone, noting down the name and the reference number and then finding cheap make up on the net later. I personally have saved hundreds of dollars this way.

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Wondering How to Plan a Wedding During this Recession Period

2009-08-31T07:53:00.001-07:00

A wedding is a very special occasion in everyone's life. This one-time divine occasion must be celebrated at its best. Celebrations will be great if you have a great sum of money to spend. Unfortunately, things have changed a lot these days. In fact many people are finding it very hard to survive the worst economic conditions around the planet. Planning a wedding during this period will be a challenging task to accomplish. With all the wedding planning magazines and advices from your friends you will feel worried because of the very limited budget that you have. Thankfully there are a few ways which can make your wedding party grand but within your small budget. Let me tell you in the start of the article itself that this article is not going to explain the wedding items that can be avoided and cut short the wedding costs. This article is all about some of wedding items that will be friendly to your wallet and will be appealing in the gathering. Just keep on reading to discover them.

No Alternative For Cheap Wedding Favors

The tradition of giving out wedding favors during the wedding reception has been around us for quite a long period of time. Thankfully these wedding favors come with very cheap price tags that anyone can afford. However, there are many articles which are spread on the internet who convince you to create wedding favors on your own. They claim to be cheaper than buying the wedding favors. The real fact is that creating wedding favors on your own will costs much more than buying them and they cannot match the quality and beauty of the cheap wedding favors available in the stores. Moreover, if you plan to make wedding favors by yourself, it will eat up much of your precious time. So it is always better to buy cheap wedding favors from the stores. This will save your money and precious time.

Buying Wedding Items In Bulk

You can claim huge discounts in anything when bought in a bulk. Things aren't very different in the case of the wedding items. Plan and calculate the number of people who will be likely to attend the wedding occasion. Once you get the rough figures about the number of people attending the wedding ceremony, you can start purchasing the wedding items as a bulk. With the bad market conditions around, the wedding item suppliers will welcome you with open hands and will warp you with discounts.

Making The Decorations With Old Used Items

Decoration of the wedding venue is a challenging task when it comes to a budget point of view. Remember the fact that the decorating items are just for one day and night. You should make use of the old decorating items available in your for decorating the wedding venue. The old items can be the decorating lights and items that you bought for Christmas and other occasions.

Plan the wedding based on the above mentioned tips and save a great deal of money. Happy married life!

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Tip~~ To cut costs, serve only 1 entree ~ 2 Meal options means 2 lines of servers and 2 chiefs

Bridal and Formal Shoes

The author of this article is an expert in wedding planning. With vast experience, she has planned many great weddings within tight budgets. She knows the importance of cheap wedding favors in planning a great wedding. When it comes to the best cheap wedding favors, she recommends http://www.favors-n-gifts.com.

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

http://www.weddingsbyashlee.com/

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Wedding on a Budget ~ 7 tips for Really Big Savings!!

2009-08-26T03:54:00.000-07:00

by Sean T. Saunders

It doesn't matter what it is, you have to be looking for a way to save money. Weddings on a budget can be great, but if you don't plan properly nor use a few unique money saving ideas, you will never come in under your budget. Having said that, if you'd like to get a jump start on planning a wedding on a budget, follow the 7 tips below.

Basic Tips For Successful Weddings on a Budget...

1. Set a Realistic Budget: This is a very important step, as it will ensure you are realistic with your goals and expectations. Talk with your partner about the money you can get together for the wedding. If the bride and groom's family are also helping to pay the bill, then discuss who will be in charge of paying for each aspect of the wedding. Knowing what you're working with is a key first step.

2. Create a "What We Want" List: Everything you (and your husband) want at the wedding will need to be put on this list, down to the last detail. No matter how trivial or inconsequential the detail may seem, make sure it is on this list. Another way to think of it -- if it's not on the list, it's not in the wedding!

3. Prioritize the List: Take the list you created above and start numbering it from crucially important to can-be-sacrificed-if-necessary. This prioritization will help you to focus on the truly important aspects of the wedding and, if need be, sacrifice the smaller aspects so that the wedding can live on.

4 Specific Tips to Save When Planning Weddings on a Budget...

1. Do NOT Have a Sit Down Meal. With servers, specialty orders, custom food requests, etc. this choice will be a financial catastrophe that will destroy your wedding budget entirely. That said, you're far better of going with the buffet style reception. A buffet will allow you to save money by offering inexpensive, easily prepared food as well as please guests with a greater variety of food options.

2. Tone Down the Fancy-Schmancy. You don't have to have super expensive decorations for your wedding to be classy and memorable. In fact, with a few carefully chosen cheap wedding accessories, you can easily give everything a touch of elegance all the while staying within the budget.

3. Drop the Open Bar Idea. Kill it, dump it, drown it, and then forget it. An open bar is too expensive and will encourage people to get way more drunk than you, or they, would like. Instead, buy the beverages -- nonalcoholic drinks, beer, champagne, and wine -- in bulk. For even greater savings, serve the beverages yourself or put a friend in charge.

4. Dress For Less. The wedding attire can be quite expensive -- which, as you can guess, is NO good for weddings on a budget. That said, start thinking more frugally. Rather than buying a dress you'll only wear for ONE day, consider the possibility of renting. If you don't like the idea of renting, think about buying second hand wedding dresses or even used inexpensive wedding dresses instead.

When it comes to planning weddings on a budget, these 7 tips are sure to lighten the financial load. If they aren't enough, well, you'll just have to find a wedding planning website that offers more tips and unique money saving ideas.

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For more detailed information about how to save a great deal of money while planning weddings on a budget, try visiting http://www.Dream-Weddings-on-a-Budget.com, one of the most popular and informative wedding planning websites on the web.

A New Take on Tradition - Veils

2009-08-19T12:55:00.001-07:00

A New Take on Tradition - Veils

For those brides who wish to have a traditional wedding but who want to move away from traditional styles, there are many ways to have one without the other, with a creative approach that can turn traditions into new modern versions of themselves. And no where is this better seen than in the tradition of wearing a veil.

While the ethereal traditional look of a veil, may appeal to some brides, often the long, cumbersome and awkwardness of the veil, or the symbolism that is attached to it, may have brides looking for an elegant alternative such as a shorter demi-veil or no veil at all.

One such alternative to the veil is the tiara. Not only a perfect accessory that can make a bride feel like a princess on her special day, a tiara or other piece of hair jewellery can often offer the best of both worlds, by allowing a small less-cumbersome veil to be clipped onto the back of it.

Similar to this idea, is the idea of using strings of crystals or pearls woven throughout the hair, or attached to combs placed strategically. A wonderful yet simple alternative that can add to the overall richness and elegance of the bride's wedding day style.

Rural brides, or those who love to ride, may find their perfect alternative to a veil in the form of a bridal cowboy hat. Available in many different colors, some styles will have flowers or patterns embedded on the hat, or come with a veil attachment that attaches to the hat's band. Not only can this serve as a part of your wedding accessories, but once the veil is removed, it can also be worn long past the wedding day itself.

Other alternatives to bridal veils include large silk or real single bloom flowers, or even feathers strategically pinned into the hair, or the return of the large wide-brimmed hats that can offer protection from the sun for the outdoor bride.

Creating a traditional wedding does not mean you must accept all aspects of those traditions. With a little creativity you can offer a new take on tradition and personalize all of your accessories.

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Additional wedding sites with great ideas!!

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©2009 Weddingstar Inc.

Christmas-themed Weddings

2009-08-16T06:04:00.000-07:00

CHRISTMAS-THEMED WEDDINGS

The Christmas season brings alive a childlike anticipation in many people, whether they are young or old. Christmas is a magical, meaningful time, not only do Christians celebrate the birth of their savior, but it is a time when friends and family gather to make memories. A Christmas inspired wedding incorporates the splendor of the winter season and also brings the warmth of the holiday to all aspects of the day. With Christmas so popular in many retail stores, brides are not limited by traditional wedding vendors, as they can complete much of their shopping in non-traditional methods. Here are some ideas to bring the beauty of Christmas to your wedding.

The Ceremony

Decorating your ceremony location for a Christmas theme can be easy. If you are holding the ceremony in a church, most likely their altar flowers will coordinate with the season. Check with your priest or minister, to find out what decorations the location will have on display that day, many will have trees and/or wreaths decorating the church. For pew bows, pick colors of the season – red, white, green.

Have your flower girl dressed in red, and toss red, white or green leaves, or a combination of the colors. Dress up your unity candle ceremony with red tapers, a red candle, or a white candle with red and green accents. Alternatively, you can perform a sand unity ceremony with the season’s colors.

The Reception

Think of your reception location as a giant room in your home that you are decorating for Christmas. Table linens can be in the traditional Christmas colors, and accents can either be in your choice of gold or silver – or even both, remember the song silver and gold?

Centerpieces can be fun to design! You can have mini trees all decorated – ornaments included. Put under the tree your favors – wrapped as mini presents. You could do a traditional floral arrangement with reds and greens as well. Or fill a bowl or vase with ornaments in reds and greens. Another idea is to create a village – one piece on each table, with lights and animation. Tape a small present box under one chair at each table to see who gets to take the centerpiece home with them.

Your wedding cake could be in the shape of presents, or could be the traditional white cake with red and green accents. Your signature drinks of the evening – white, cranberry and green apple martinis!

Christmas Wedding Favors

Edible favors are very popular and what is more Christmas-y than these red, white and green, Eat, Drink and Be Merry Wedding Favor boxes which include snow capped chocolates? The boxes are wrapped in red satin ribbon and are finished with a holiday martini label with the quote “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry-ied”.

Snow globes are also a very traditional decoration of the season and also make unique Christmas wedding favors. A traditional wedding favor for Christmas weddings are ornaments, there are many places where you can engrave ornaments or add your picture or special message to them.

If you would like to give a more standard seasonal favor which will appeal to everyone, give out snowflake inspired wedding favors, which will be used by everyone no matter which holiday they celebrate.

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Wedding Instructions for Makeup & Contact Lenses

2009-07-28T09:51:00.001-07:00

Wedding Instructions for Make-up + Contact Lenses
courtesy of LensShopper

This article discusses the common problem contact lens wearers face when managing their lenses while applying make up. Eye infections and damaged lenses are frequent incidents that could happen on any day, and your wedding day is no exception. Since it is in our interest to keep your wedding day perfect, here are a couple of eye care tips to add to your list.

Assuming you wear contact lenses on a daily basis and will do so on your wedding day, there are some special rules you will have to follow. Just in case the stress and million other things you have to think about clouds your memory, here is a quick reminder.

Do not sleep with your contacts. Unless you are wearing daily disposables, contact lenses need to re-moisturize in special lens solution every day. If you forget to place them in the solution, the contacts will dry up overnight, which means that they could stick to the cornea, and inevitably cause damage to eye.

Do not let anyone else wear your contacts. This may seem a bit unnecessary to stress, but it is actually the most common cause for eye infections.

When removing the contact lenses at night, remember to keep them in the special contact lens container, submerged in the solution. Never use water or any other alternative liquid.

If you have never worn contacts, you should schedule an appointment with an eye doctor, who will give you a prescription. The optician will instruct you thoroughly on how to insert, remove and take care of them. Schedule these appointments well in advance to make sure you will be able to handle them in the right way before the big day. It can take one or two months for your eyes to get used to contacts.

Applying make-up can easily become a cause for eye discomfort. Make sure to insert your contact lenses before applying make up. If someone else is fixing you up, ask them to be careful when applying eye liner and eye shadow. Contact lenses are extremely sensitive and may not only be damaged if cosmetic chemicals enter the eye, they may also cause damage to the eye itself.

Try to avoid any contact between the lens and the make up: close your eyes when applying blusher or other powder products. If the make up sticks to the lenses, they could be damaged or cause irritation. The same rule applies when using hair spray or fragrances. It would not be nice to go to the altar with red eyes.

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Article Author:
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Prayer before the Reception Meal

2009-07-23T07:22:00.001-07:00

Beginning the meal with grace is a wonderful way to begin your reception meal. You might ask a grandfather or one of the fathers to say the prayer. They will probably be honored to be asked. The prayer can be short and simple. He might thank the Lord for the two of you and for His presence with you that day, ask God's blessing on your future together, then bless the food. It doesn't have to be long as long as it is sincere.

Also there are various prayers that you can recite, we've included some examples below:

~Heavenly Father, we ask you to bless this food and those who prepared it and those who will serve it. We also ask your blessing on Bride and Groom who have come to you this day to unite themselves to you in love and sacrament, and upon their families. In Jesus' love.... Amen.

~For good food and those who prepare it, for good friends with whom to share it, we thank you Lord. and for the love which N and N have for each other, we thank you .... Amen

~Most Holy, Righteous and everywhere present God, our Father who art in Heaven, we ask thy blessing upon this food. Bless the hearts and hands that provide the same. And when it is ours to pass from time to eternity, own us and crown us heirs to Thy kingdom. These favors and blessings we ask in the name of Christ, our Great Redeemer. Amen.

~For sumptuous food and tender roast,
For the invitation from our gracious host;
For [bride's name] who [bridegroom's name] loves the most;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit Amen

~Give us grateful hearts, O Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Source: 1928 Book of Common Prayer)

~Bless O Lord this food {these gifts} to our use and us to thy loving service; and keep us ever mindful of the needs of others. Amen.

~Bless, O Lord, this food for thy use, and make us ever mindful of the wants and needs of others. Amen

~Bless O Lord, this food to our use,
And us to thy loving service;
And make us ever mindful of the needs of others,
For Jesus' sake. Amen.

~Bless this food to our use, and us to thy service, and make us ever mindful of the needs of others. Amen.

~For the bounty laid before us, may the Lord make us thankful, and ever mindful of the needs of others. Amen

~Let us lift our eyes toward the sanctuary of heaven and bless the Lord. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Thy commandments and brought forth this food from the earth. (+)Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Best wishes to you.

Glenna Tooman, ForeverWed.com Wedding Consultant
Memory Makers Event Planning LLC
www.memorable-events.com
Copied from ForeverWed.com newletter

Budgeting For Your Special Wedding Day

2009-07-11T07:51:00.001-07:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Do-it-Yourself Gown Preservation

2009-07-04T09:13:00.001-07:00

Funny Pictures

The First thing you might want to ask is: "Why would I ever want to try and clean my own wedding gown?" You probably noticed that the wear tag says "Dry Clean Only". So if you're thinking of doing your own cleaning, isn't that taking an awfully big risk.? Do you want to take the chance of damaging or destroying your cherished gown?

Probably the number one reason of trying to clean your own wedding gown would be to save money. Everyone wants to save money....so let's examine this situation a little further.

Read your fabric labels carefully. If your wedding dress is silk or a silk blend then don't attempt to clean it yourself. If your gown and the lining are polyester then it is actually possible to do your own gown cleaning.

But before you start the process you should also consider: Does the dress have beads on it? Are they sewn on or glued on? Does the dress have sequins? Are they sewn or glued on? You would need to be extra careful if the wedding gown is beaded or with sequins.

Ok, you still want to proceed!

Take special care around the hem of the gown. You'll need to use a detergent mix, or even "oxiclean" made into a paste. Gently scrub the dirty hem. Pay special attention also to the neckline and "arm pits" of the wedding gown. These areas also become more soiled than other areas.

Examine the gown carefully for any other spots. Some wines will not leave a stain but should be scrubbed as well. Cake, food or natural oils from your hands can also leave areas that need attention.

If you are going to use a washing machine instead of hand washing, turn the wedding dress inside out before placing in the washer.

If you have a large capacity front loading washer then place the wedding gown inside and wash on the gentle cycle.

If you have a top load waster be extra careful. The washing action tends to twist your gown up considerably.

Something else to consider before you start this whole process: are you going to try and press the gown yourself or have it professionally steamed/pressed after you clean it. Hand pressing with an iron is tedious and can damage - even scorch the fabric and it can melt the sequins.

If you are going to have your wedding dress professionally steamed/pressed check before hand to see what they will charge. Sometimes your local dry cleaner will charge nearly as much for steaming and pressing as they do for their whole service. (see the article on local dry cleaning compared to professional Wedding Gown Preservation).

To actually save money, time and stress you should consider having your wedding gown professionally cleaned and preserved.

Several companies provide a complete kit to make it easy for you. The wedding gown preservation kit will contain everything you need. It will contain a shipping bag and box, a customer invoice, sealing tape and complete instructions. You'll need to place your dress in the plastic bag, the invoice in the bag, the dress/invoice/bag into the box. Seal up the box with the sealing tape provided and place the pre-paid shipping label on the box. Everything is pre-paid so all you need to do is take the completed package to any UPS/Fed Ex. Store.

Your dress will be shipped to you (no extra cost) to any address in the US (whatever address you have placed on the invoice).

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Help Choosing the Most Popular Wedding Music

2009-06-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

Help Choosing The Most Popular Wedding Music
By: Phillip Dye

Weddings nearly always have music involved in some way or another - from the traditional wedding march to the more contemporary music played at receptions. For the ceremony itself, unique choices are taking over for the norm ("Canon in D", "Trumpet Voluntary").

For the reception, couples often choose songs that are meaningful to them, such as one that was playing on their first date, as well as those that are great for dancing and entertaining wedding guests. This article will look at choosing wedding songs, forms of music and the most popular songs.

Choosing Wedding Songs

A wedding is often one of the best days of the couples individual lives, and therefore thoughtful songs and meaningful lyrics are often favored. Here are some ideas for choosing the best songs.

First, don't be afraid to ask your friends for assistance. One of the most helpful ideas would be for you to take pen and paper and survey those you know. Ask them which songs they remember most from weddings they have attended.

The reason for this is simple. If someone remembers a song from a wedding, then this means they probably liked it. And by definition, this means the song was memorable.

Also, don't be afraid to ask professional wedding planners for their opinion about good songs. And would you like one other unique suggestion? Call up a local radio station that plays lots of romantic songs and ask the Djs if they have any ideas.

Forms of Music

Often, the type of music depends on budget. Luckily, the ways in which songs are presented are many and varied. For the ceremony, some of these are:

A single vocalist with their own instrument or backup music

A vocalist without backup
Multiple musicians with traditional instruments
For the reception and dance, music is usually presented differently, using:

A four or five-piece band (e.g., guitar, piano, bass, drums, and a vocalist)
DJs Often, band members and DJs also perform other responsibilities such as acting as MC (Master of Ceremonies).

Remember that unconventional is not typically good for the main part of the wedding ceremony. People expect to have something somber, something bordering on majestic during the wedding ceremony.

This is not the time to experiment with styles. Save the experimentation for the wedding reception, where it will be more appreciated.

This doesn't mean you have to use the same songs that everyone else does. It just means to be careful in the style of songs that you include. You probably want to avoid offbeat or humorous during the actual ceremony, for instance.

The Most Popular Songs

Here are some of the most popular wedding songs:
"The Wedding Song (There Is Love)," written by Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul & Mary)
"Endless Love"
"Leather and Lace"
"Evergreen"
"Unforgettable"
"We've Only Just Begun."
There are even songwriters who solely write wedding music!

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Tags: arts-and-entertainment, music, wedding songs, weddings, bridal showers

Crystal Wedding Bouquets & Boutonnieres vs. Flowers

2009-06-28T17:17:00.001-07:00

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Swarovski crystal bouquets and boutonnieres are the ideal way to do something that is different and incredibly beautiful on your big day. They provide a perfect way to extend the theme of crystals or pearls that are in your dress and jewelry throughout your entire wedding party and decor.

The benefits of choosing crystals over flowers for you wedding day are endless. In my personal opinion, the number one reason to choose a crystal bouquet is the sheer impact of the sparkle that will catch your guests eyes as you walk around the corner. The first thing that you do is not only shine, but you will twinkle. The bouquets will fill rooms with rainbows if they are in natural sunlight and are unbelievably sparkly and bright even in candle light.

I have learned recently that not all women are head-over-heels for flowers. If you happen to be one of these, whether it is due to allergies or simply personal preference, don’t worry because you have an alternative to traditional bouquets and boutonnieres. You can choose crystals for your entire party or you can decide to set yourselves apart from the rest and just you and your groom can carry and wear them, this is up to you.

Another benefit of crystal bouquets and boutonnieres is that that they can be shipped very easily. Since destination weddings are very popular these days, you don’t have to worry about not being able to meet with a local florist before your wedding date. You can purchase your bouquets months ahead of time and take them with you.

Preservation of floral arrangements can be very pricey if you decide to pay someone to do it for you, yet very tedious and frustrating if you try to do it yourself. With Swarovski crystal bouquets and boutonnieres you don’t have to deal with any of it, the arrangements will look exactly the same as they did on your wedding day eternally, and you don’t have to do a thing. When you think about it, they are heirlooms from the day they are purchased.

The arrangements can also be customized to coordinate with your color scheme by using any of the myriads of colors, or combination of colors, that you have to choose from in Swarovski crystals and pearls. You can also match the colors of the ribbons to your bridal party’s dresses and tuxedos, the possibilities are endless.

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Wedding Customs and Superstitions

2009-06-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

WEDDING CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS
There are many customs and superstitions associated with weddings

Proposals
In the past when the marriage proposal was a more formal procedure

Surnames
It was thought unlucky for a woman to marry a man whose surname began with the same letter as hers The sentiment was summarized in the following rhyme:

To change the name and not the letter
Is to change for the worst and not the better
The bride should not practice writing her new name before the wedding. This is thought to bring bad luck by tempting fate.

Choosing the Day
Although most weddings now take place on a Saturday it was considered unlucky in the past

Something Old, Something Blue ...
The rhyme originated in Victorian times although some of customs referred in it are much older

The Wedding Dress
It is thought unlucky for the bride to make her own wedding dress

Dress Colour
Most brides today marry in white which symbolises maidenhood

The veil was originally worn by Roman brides. It was thought that it would disguise the bride and therefore outwit malevolent spirits

Flowers have always been used for decoration at weddings

On the Way to the Wedding
When the bride is ready to leave the house for the wedding ceremony a last look in the mirror will bring her good luck

Bridesmaids were dressed in a similar way to the bride for the same reason as the origin of veil

The Couple's First Purchase
It is said that the first partner who buys a new item after the wedding will be the dominant one

The Wedding Cake
Cutting the wedding cake is now part of the ritual celebrations at the reception.

Confetti
Confetti is Italian for sweets which in Italy are thrown over the couple as they emerge from the Church

Shoes
In the past there have been a number of customs involving shoes

Bouquet
After the reception the bride throws her bouquet back over her shoulder

Crossing the Threshold
It is traditional for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold when they enter their home for the first time

The Best Man
It is the best man's duty to protect the groom from bad luck

The Honeymoon
The term "honeymoon" is thought to originate from the times when a man captured his bride

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Matrimonial Jewelry

2009-06-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

While everyone thinks about wedding rings, there is always more jewelry at any wedding than those two, simple bands. Whether it's the bride or the groom, care should be taken in selecting the right accessories, and the correct amount of them, to keep the taste and decor of the ceremony.

First and foremost, attention should be paid to the wedding rings. These will be the focus of all other decisions. What metal are the wedding rings made of? If they're simple gold, then other accessories such as the bride's ear rings or the groom's watch, should also be gold, or at the very least gold plated. If on the other hand the rings are of a darker metal, such as black tungsten carbide or titanium, than other accessories should contrast well with that metal, such as onyx or obsidian stones set in silver.

It should also go without saying that the dress and suit of the bride and groom should reflect their choices of jewelry. For instance, if a groom has a dark wedding band, then a black suit is ideal. If a bride also has a dark band, then her dress shouldn't be pure white. Adding a layer of dark trim to a white dress would provide the proper contrast to make the ring work well with her attire, however. The same goes for the groom, in that if his wedding band is a lighter color, then a darker suit should be broken up by lighter colors to add contrast. A white gold or silver ring would be set off by a white vest with a black suit, perhaps a dark tie with a silver pin, using a second piece of jewelry to add an extra touch to the ensemble.

Which pieces of jewelry will be worn at a wedding, and by whom, has an impact on the entire ceremony, and they should be carefully thought out.

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Good luck!

Weddingm Gift Baskets

2009-06-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

Large Wedding Wishes Gift Basket

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

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

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

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

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Multi-Ethnic, Multi-Cultural and Inter-Racial Weddings

2009-06-14T05:45:00.001-07:00

Western Style Toast

MULTI-ETHNIC, MULTI-CULTURAL & INTER-RACIAL WEDDINGS IS DISCUSSED.

You won't find this topic on many of the other 'mainstream' wedding websites. This is why we are covering it here. You see, we are not out to be just another wedding website. This is a website run by true, veteran wedding professionals. And as such, we will be offering up all of our advice based on our real world experience in the wedding market!

In this melting pot that we call the USA, our home, many people from all walks of life meet and ultimately fall in love. Through the years, many couples have been faced with the challenge of not only blending multiple traditions into their new household, but have been increasingly pressured, interested and excited (pick one or all that fits you), to blend these traditions, handed down by generations prior, into their wedding day.

One such couple, Crystal and Jatin, recently had a wedding where they blended not only 2 but at the very least 4 (and maybe more that they didn't share with us) of these traditions to please themsevles, as well as their Parents and Grand Parents. Jatin is a first generation, American born Indian living in the Bay Area. Crystal is an American Born Chinese-Filipino who also lives in the Bay Area. When all was said and done, their wedding was a perfect blend of all the traditions
that their combined families cherished.
The Wedding day began with the traditional BARAT prior to the Hindu Ceremony.

To make the wedding day run smoother, they chose one location for all of the festivities. This would also enable all involved to be able to relax and recharge before each of the numerous festivities. In all, the wedding spanned a time frame of more than 15 hours.

The Wedding day began with the traditional ceremony called a BARAT, in which the groom rides a horse to the traditional Hindu ceremony. Drums and chants, along with dynamic dancing from all make this a most memorable occasion. Once at the ceremony site, other traditions, which include coconut and fire, take place.

The BARAT

Following the BARAT, the traditional Hindu Ceremony
takes place inside the Mondop

The MONDOP

The Traditional Ceremony, as usual, took place inside the Mondop. This 90 minute ceremony includes a multitide of traditions with many of them referring to Fire, Ice and the Planet Earth.

After all of the Hindu traditions were observed, there was a break so that the couple, family and guests could gear up for the Christian Ceremony, which took place outside at the same location, under a Gazebo.

After the morning Hindu Ceremonial Traditions, the afternoon began with the Christian Ceremony.

Christian Ceremony

After two ceremonies, the couple scheduled a time to go off with their wedding photographer to take pictures at an off-site location.

After which, they rested yet again, to gear up for the reception. The reception, with a guest count of upwards of 1000 people, was held at the same location, and mixed ALL elements of their combined cultures including, Eastern and Western wedding traditions, including Traditional Hindu dancing, a traditional Chinese Lion Dance and Western style toasts, dancing and cake cutting. In all, the BRIDE CHANGED 4 TIMES!

The Reception for 1000 guests blended elements from the traditions of India,
Christian and Chinese culture with the Bride changing her Dress 4 times throughout the Day!

Chinese Lion Dance

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The Best Wedding Diets

2009-06-11T05:15:00.001-07:00

Is it the panic setting in with your big day fast approaching that's got you hunting desperately for wedding diets?

After all, this is the one day in your life you must look your absolute best. Think of the photos and video that will be around for the rest of your life - a permanent record that should be a source of pride, but which could turn out to be an embarrassing reminder of the flabby bride or chunky groom.

(And it's not just the happy couple: bridesmaids, the best man and groomsmen must also shape up. And let's not forget family and friends).

If you're a bride-to-be, perhaps it's the ever-expanding dress size; for the groom maybe it's the suit that's going to require some expert tailoring to accommodate a growing waistline.

Or maybe it's the naked truth you see in the bathroom mirror: You've just gotta lose that surplus weight - and fast!

Well, there's still time to get in your best wedding shape thanks to several best-selling Internet diet programs.

There are three in particular that will get the job done quickly: The Diet Solution, Strip That Fat and Fat Loss For Idiots. However, I'd encourage you to check out others, too, before you decide which one you're comfortable with.

As with all dieting, I always advise people to choose programs that encourage healthy eating. Whatever you do, avoid "miracle" diet pills or extreme protein or carb diets that can play havoc with you metabolism

If you're really in a hurry - like the wedding is in 10 days - you could try a variation on "the lemonade diet" with an inner-cleansing program like Master Cleanse Secrets. This is the method Beyonce Knowles told Oprah Winfrey helped her lose 20 pounds for her starring role in the hit film Dreamgirls.

While this program is fast, it's tough. But Master Cleanse Secrets offers tips on staying healthy on a liquid diet as you shed those unwanted pounds.

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Wedding Cake Topperrs ~ A Guide

2009-06-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

Long long time ago, there was a princess. Or, to be exact, a baker's daughter who was going to be married, but wanted to see the symbol of her love and a perfect piece of art that would add to the wedding and make all other baker's daughters green-eyed.

The father thought and though and thought and finally came up with the idea. He made up two small figurines of a bride and groom and put them on the top of a wedding cake. Daughter was furious, but everyone else liked the idea. And that's how these special cake toppers for weddings were invented.

Nobody can really tell if it is a fiction or a story (which indicates that it is fiction, after all), but the fact is that the wedding cake toppers have been one of traditional symbols of married couples. The fact they were placed above the cake let everyone to see how the bride and groom look like (or want to look like, if you remember Shrek, you know what I'm talking about) and remind everyone that these two people are the most important that day.

Wedding cake toppers can be made in a wide variety of designs and styles - the couples are now able to choose the topper they think would fit the best in their vision of their future marriage.

While wedding cake toppers might be an excellent idea, you can still spoil it by not following the tips below:

1. Do not buy wedding cake toppers made of plastics, especially the cheap ones.

The point is that the wedding cake topper simply has to be as exceptional as you can get, maybe even more than your wedding cake. That's why the mass-produced toppers just won't do the trick. Handmade ones usually cost more than you think is reasonable, but they will change your wedding cake into something wonderful that will make your wedding a truly wonderful event.

2. Be creative.

It is a good idea to prepare the wedding along with the wedding cake and cake toppers as all personalized, not mass-produced items. The point is that this will add a lot to the romance and glamour imbued in the wedding itself.

Do not feel constrained with all the traditional ideas of how the cake toppers should look like. There are many new designs available and don't forget that you might also have your own ideas. Don't be afraid, just use them!

3. Parents´ wedding cake topper

Here's something for those who want to creative, but lack the budget: use your parents cake topper... of course if only it is still available. As toppers are often stored as souvenirs, there is a good chance that at least one of them is still somewhere near.

Keep in mind that wedding cake toppers are not just another add on to a cake, but a real emblem representing the love between husband and wife.

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About the Author
Ex-wedding planner assistant reveals how anyone getting married can save a lot of money. The free website uncovers several wedding ideas secrets: www.wedding-ideas-and-vows.com

Now sit back and enjoy your day!!