Wedding Planning 101 - Part 6

I am going to take a break in all the major planning you have to do while preparing for The Big Day and in this post talk about your Save The Date Cards. If you are not familiar with all the terms - and lets be honest, who is unless you are a paper diva - then I suggest you learn about all the different options you have for paper and printing. I found a nice little tutorial that will get you started at Beau-Coup. They make it pretty easy to figure out what all your paper options are.

Let's start with our Save The Date cards, because pretty much that will be the first paper/printed item you send out once you have set your date. Save the date cards have taken over the standard wedding announcement cards. I love them because you have so many options. There has been a lot of buzz lately on this Epic Save The Date video created by Erin and Jeff. It is totally amazing and creative! I can only imagine what their wedding will be like if it's starting like this!

I found this picture and had to add it! Wow if you are lucky enough to live in Sydney I would check out this photographer for sure! I love her work...and this Save The Date shoot was adorable! It's so awesome to see such creative work! Kudos to you Caspix!

One site I love for Save The Dates is Shutterfly. They are affordable, fast and the best part: they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee! That is pretty amazing - considering that usually on printed items once you buy it, it's yours forever. I have to give a shout out to them for having this policy. Shutterfly has plenty of STD cards to choose from - with or without pictures! They also offer other items to go along with your choice, which ties everything together!

If you want to get crafty on your Save The Date cards you need to head over to my favorite craft site, Etsy!
I found these cute tags that can be used for a DIY project! I can imagine a cute heart circled around your date...

If you want to DIY well then I suggest you check out Paper-Source.com. I can't say enough about this company! They have everything you need to DIY! I used them for a lot of my DIY invitations. They offer some great tutorials and guides like:

• Print at home instructions - a must read for anyone who is going to DIY
• Need to know what size envelope to order - check out this pdf guide
• Save The Date Template
• All kinds of Paper and Envelopes in tons of colors!

If you decide DIY is not an option but you love the work at Paper-Source (like me!) then they do offer printing services. Keep in mind...the folks over here know and love paper and they are very creative and...you guessed it, they are not cheap! I still have to give mad love to them though because they know their stuff!

3 Tips For Making Your Wedding Unique

By Aaron Hu

Weddings are nothing new, since the beginning of mankind we have had some form of a wedding ceremony. There is something very special about two people committing their lives to each other until death. Through the years there have been massive changes in what the ceremony looks like and what it should consist of, often imposing very strict guidelines for what is and isn't appropriate for the wedding. Today however, we are free to do almost anything we want for our ceremony. This opening of doors brings with it a new challenge. You don't want to have the same old boring wedding as everyone else, yours has to be unique.

We all want our wedding to be as special as possible. This can happen by adding a few unconventional elements to your big day. We will look at a few ways you can do this in the next 3 tips.

Wearing white is not a must any more. The modern bride does not have to conform any more with her dress. Just a few years ago, it would have been a scandal had the bride not worn white on her big day. This meant that you were not pure enough to wear it. But the standards for purity have changed, and with it you will no longer be seen as an outcast for wanting a dress that is not snow white. For the traditional bride there is a wide spectrum of whites, off-whites, and ivories to choose from. If you are on the bold side, then the sky if your limit, with designer gowns even showing up in black!

Have fun with your wedding favors. Unique wedding favors are all the rage right now. No one wants that tacky, tulle wrapped, Jordan almond favor anymore. Come on, be honest. Did any one every really like that gift? Your favor can be handmade or store bought, but it must say something to your guests, either about who you are as a couple, something that is special to your relationship, or something special that happened during your dating and engagement. Think outside the box with this. What is important is that your guests can tell you put thought into it.

No more boring wedding cakes, please! With all the cake shows on TV today, we have become used to seeing these amazing, one of a kind cakes. No longer will the cake that your great aunt baked be good enough. There are so many exciting techniques that cake designers use today, making each cake unique and special, completely customized to the couple. Take some time to interview several bakers, tasting their cakes and looking at past wedding cakes they have made. Of course the more ornate you get with the cake, the more expensive it will be. The cake shape has changed from basic round to any shape you can think of. A lot of modern brides will pick different shapes for the tiers of the cake, each with a different flavor. Picking more than one flavor is a great idea for a wedding over 100 people. With more people comes more preferences in taste, so offering a selection can be a nice change from the norm. More than ever, you, as a bride, can have fun creating the perfect, unique, one of a kind wedding that you have always dreamed of.

About the Author:

Aaron Hu has authored on an extensive range of topics related to the wedding industry. If you are looking for unique wedding favors, E-WeddingFavors.com has the biggest selection available. You will also find Wedding Party Favors and much more, all at very affordable prices.

4 Tips For a Budget Conscience Bride

By Aaron Hu

There is nothing cheap about putting together a wedding. What should be one of the best times in your life can be a complete nightmare when you try to balance your budget with your dreams. There is no day in a woman's life that she dreams of more than her wedding. Shouldn't she be able to make it all come true without breaking the bank? That is why I have come up with a few helpful tips on things you can do to save money.

One of the first things I did when I started to plan my wedding was grab a piece of paper, a pen, and my fiance to sit down and brainstorm about all the things we'd love to see and have at our wedding. There was nothing structured about it. We scribbled notes all over the piece of paper.It was just a brainstorm. We wrote down anything and everything that came to mind. About an hour later we took a long look at what we had come up with, really talking about each thing. We broke everything down into 3 groups; things we had to have, things we really wanted, and things that would be fun, but not needed. This helped us to focus on the important things and not waste a bunch of money on things we could do without.

Pick one or two big-ticket items. Ever woman has that part of the wedding that she will spare no expense for. It could be (and usually is) the dress, photographer, DJ, the wedding cake, or any other thing. Decide what these items are for you so that you can plan your budget accordingly. All other areas are where you will cut costs.

If at all possible, having your wedding and reception in the same place is a great way to save a lot of money. There is no reason to pay for two buildings. If you are a member of a church, often you can use the building for free and only pay cleaning costs. If not, finding a venue where you can rent two adjoining rooms will often give you a huge discount on the rental fees. This also saves your out of town guests a lot of hassle and stress trying to find and get to the second location.

Lastly, you'll want to make sure you have wedding favors for all your guests, but these can be really pricey. Instead of looking in stores for your favors, there are a ton of great resources online for really unique wedding favors that won't break the bank. Shopping online for these allows you to be able to compare products and prices, and saves you time and money. You want to make sure that your favor says something about you as a couple and your wedding. If you are having a wedding in December you may want to buy some Christmas bulbs and have your name and wedding date put on them.You would be shocked to see how much you can save by buying a favor like that on line compared to what you would pay in a store.

I really hope I have been able to help you in finding ways to cut some of the cost out of your wedding. I know how tempting it can be to go overboard on such a special day, but you will feel much better afterwords if you can avoid spending your entire life savings. Good luck to you and your future spouse.

About the Author:

Aaron Hu has authored on an extensive range of topics related to the wedding industry. If you are looking for discount wedding favors, E-WeddingFavors.com has the biggest selection available. You will also find Wedding Favors and much more, all at very affordable prices.

Making The Right Choice For Bands Wedding

By Angeline Cogger

Live bands, wedding bands are essentially the same thing as they both play music to an audience. When searching for a band on the internet it may be a good idea to be a bit more specific in your description as to your requirements as there are many types of bands that will suit many different types of occasion.

Since this is your wedding and not the bands wedding, do not be shy about making song requests that may not be in their standard selection of choice. Good bands are generally happy to learn new material as this keeps them on their toes.

How to find a good band is not as hard as you think. The right way, possibly, to go about it would be to start by searching online through one of the search engines like google or yahoo. When using the search engine try typing in something like "bands wedding" or 'wedding band' this should give you a wide variety of choice.

Now you have found some bands for hire, how can you tell that they are any good? There some indications that may help you. First, do they have a website or face book or my space account where you can browse any videos or songs of their music?

You may check their past gig listings to find out more about them by talking to their previous clients. If they list their future gigs, you can go see one of them in order to better make up your mind about hiring them.

Many worthwhile bands are willing to work with you. They can customize their set to suit your requirements, even if this means learning some new songs to play for your event. Many worthwhile bands find this refreshingly challenging since it helps them improve their act.

Making the right choice for bands weddings is just as important as the location of the wedding. You want to make sure that the location you choose for your wedding has a live music license. You need to make sure they do so, before paying for the location or the band.

The wedding location will need the accommodations suitable for the bands wedding. For instance, the band will need ample room on the stage as well as in the parking lot. Most bands have heavy equipment they need to load and unload for your wedding band performance.

About the Author:

Expert Angeline Cogger is a writer for the http://www.souldesire.co.uk site. Remember it is not the Bands Wedding it is yours! And your choice will make all the difference to the success of your event. Find out more about ensuring you make the correct choice. More Bands Wedding information from this site.

A Thoughtful Gesture Of Giving Bridesmaid Gifts

By Angel A Wilson

Grand weddings will never go without the bridesmaids. These women are very important to a wedding as they contribute to the success of the occasion. This will surely include one maid or matron of honor and a line-up of bridesmaids depending on the decision and budget of the bride and the groom.

It has been a growing custom for the newly-weds to give away bridesmaid gifts to these girls as a way of appreciation for helping them out during the wedding preparations as well as supporting them till this very day. As you can very well see, these girls are chosen from amongst the closest family and friends of the couple. And they have been there all the time through the years.

Giving away bridesmaids gifts is a proper way to show importance to these girls. And you will never realize that these are valued and treasured as these are gifts given whole heartedly. These can even lead to more intimate and closer ties of friendship. Much as you value your partner's presence, so do you value the friendship that you and these women have built over time.

So the next step to concern you with is choosing the appropriate gifts for these girls. You can begin with simple tokens that are very affordable. It could be something that can be useful during the wedding and even after the celebration. Things like bridal jewelry, tote bags, beauty products or privileges at a spa. Now, these may seem expensive but they are not. As a matter of fact, you can get discounted rates.

There is lots of bridal jewelry offered in regular and online stores. You just need to search for them to pick the right accessory that matches your bridesmaids' dresses. Certainly, outfits are the first priority when it comes to wedding preparations. If you search thoroughly, you will notice that there are lots of stores offering discounts for bridesmaids' necklaces, earrings, bracelets, combs and many more. You can distribute these the day before the wedding.

Another thing you can give is tote bags and beauty products. Women fancy these gifts as these make them look and feel pretty. After the wedding, they will be moving ahead with their regular life and these come in handy. You will certainly find good designs of these products to choose from.

Another option you can consider for your bridesmaids is spa services. Of course, these girls would love to look stunning on this gracious occasion, so giving these privileges for manicure and pedicure as well as make-up would be ideal. Or they could choose to pamper themselves after the day of the wedding by looking and feeling beautiful.

There are many other things you can think of just to show your gratitude to these women, and giving away bridesmaid gifts is one. Just bear in mind that they need not be expensive or very elegant. True friendship begins with giving away simple heartfelt gifts and who knows, these could mean a lifetime cherished bond between you and your bridesmaids.

About the Author:

Weddings are such joyous occasion that everyone participating in the wedding entourage are excited to receive bridesmaid gifts. It helps guests reminisce your joyous events. Or you may want to try bridesmaid totes.

Making Your Wedding Favours Feel Exclusive To You

By Emily Tanner

Wedding favours are such an important part of your reception decor and ambience that it's important to give your choice some due care and attention. When it comes to choosing your wedding favours these days, there are so many products on the market that it's easy to find favours pertinent to you and your partner.

For those of you who are not clear about what a wedding favour is, let us firstly clarify what they are and why they are given. The giving of wedding favours is an ancient tradition and can be traced back to Italians and the French originally. Favours are given to guests as a small token of appreciation to thank guests for their help in the run up to the big day and for attending the wedding day. It is believed by some brides that it is an unnecessary added expense as guests have already received a nice meal, expensive surrounding and are generally well catered to, though it remains an important tradition that doesn't have to be too costly.

There are many ways in which the perfect wedding favours for the perfect couple can be found. For example, if your wedding is having a rustic, rural and organic theme, favours may come in the form of personalized seed-kits, bags of home made sweets or even bunches of dried lavender tied with organza ribbon to match other elements of the wedding.

On the other hand, if your wedding has an elegant and sophisticated edge, favours may come in the form of exquisite hand made chocolates presented in suave favour boxes and finished with foil printed personalized ribbon. For those who wish to achieve this air of sophistication without overspending, these can easily be created more cheaply by giving guests foil wrapped hearts in pretty shaped favour boxes. Plain satin ribbon or plain organza ribbon can be purchased to co-ordinate with your table linen or bridesmaid dresses to complete the look.

On the other hand, your wedding may have a very definite theme, in which case this idea can be embellished in your favours. For example, if your bouquet and wedding invitations carried a red rose theme, then by choosing rose favours your tables will co-ordinate perfectly with the rest of your day. Themed favours come in many forms such as chocolate bars, mint tins, bottle stoppers and candles. Rose motifs could even be iced onto homemade biscuits and presented in cellophane bags; a very personal - yet inexpensive - wedding favour!

Hopefully this will have given you some food for though as to how you can create wedding favours that are unique to you.

About the Author:

Spoil yourself and your guests with treats and wedding favours. Take a look online and explore the different options and find out all about wedding favours at very affordable prices.

A Few Quick Tips For Finding Destination Wedding Photography

By Devin Zuberg

There are some different steps that a person looking for destination wedding photography will need to take that would not be necessary if the wedding were in your home location. Taking a few important steps before you make final arrangements for your photographer will help you to plan your budget more effectively and make plans for a more successful experience.

Deciding on whether or not to hire a local or destination professional can be difficult. However, you will need to plan on extra expenses either way. There are special considerations when you are going to hire a local photographer that may make a significant impact on your budget.

Having a local professional join the wedding party will require that you include all of the travel expenses in your budget. This will include the extra costs for their camera equipment, a room at the location where the wedding will be held, food, and transportation while they are at the location.

If you are going to hire your photographer to travel to the destination, be sure to get insurance to cover them and their equipment during the trip. If the professional is injured while they are on your wedding trip, you will be responsible for the injury. Most cameras and other equipment are very expensive. If they are damaged on the trip, you will also be responsible for that. Having insurance will protect you from being liable for these costs.

Many people assume that their destination wedding planner will know a photographer at the destination, however this is normally not the case. Most planners have a network of individuals they work with that includes caterers, ministers, resorts, etc., but an area that they rarely are involved with is photography. If you are getting married during the peak season for a destination, the resort may not have a photographer on site who can take your photos.

Resorts may have a photographer in-house, but you will not know what the quality of their work is until after your wedding, which will be too late. Before contracting for a resort photographer get the names of some people that have had their weddings shot by the person and contact them. Find out if the photographer was able to give the kind of service that they wanted.

It will be very helpful if you make a detailed list of what kinds of pictures you want the photographer to take and the locations where you want the pictures taken. Meeting with the photographer the day before the event and going over the list and showing them the locations will help them to provide you with better service.

Planning your destination wedding photography will take a little extra effort and planning. But, when you spend the time preparing and getting everything done ahead of time, you will have a more pleasant experience with your wedding photos. In addition, you will have time to add money to your photography budget and will not be alarmed when the costs of your professional services are increased.

About the Author:

Looking to find the best deal on destination wedding photography, then visit www.sierrablancophoto.com to find the best advice on hiring a destination wedding photographer.

Wedding Favor Trends For Next Year

By Dan Mezalone

Planning on tying the knot this year? A new year means new ideas for wedding favors . This year promises to be full of both traditional and modern weddings, and ideas for wedding favors will be needed for both types. Knowing what's in style before you organize your wedding can help you choose the best favors for your wedding.

An old favorite, wedding box favors are making a comeback. Wedding box favors are versatile and inexpensive favors that work well for all types of weddings. Their gift-box appearance resembles a tiny present, which is exactly what they become when filled with candy or almonds.

Bigger than ever is the personalization of labels on bottles of water, wine, oil, and vinegar for a unusual wedding favor idea. Nothing makes a wedding favor more special and memorable than your wedding date or name on your guests' favors. These also are very useful wedding favors.

If alcohol is sure to be a part of your wedding reception, make sure your guests do not go home without their own individual shot glasses. Festive and conveniently priced, shot glasses make great keepsake wedding favors.

Nothing says elegance more than scented candles at a wedding. Send your guests home with refined wedding favors in the form of beautiful candles. Candlesticks in brass candle holders make a beautiful presentation on reception tables.

Great for preserving wedding memories are picture frames. Since standard size frames are often costly when many are purchased, wedding favor frames are smaller. Picture frame favors are encrusted with a variety of things such as seashells, autumn leaves, and flowers.

In recent years, mix CD's have burst onto the scene as a wedding favor. If you have a computer, a music collection, and a few blank compact disks, you can easily make these wedding favors from home. Hand out your favorite tunes, or get a feel for your guests' taste in music for a unique wedding favor idea.

If you plan to get married in the months of fall or winter, consider bags of coffee or tea for wedding favors. Put the bags in coffee mugs and you have a chic favor. These wedding favors are great because your guests will be able to brew up something delicious and remember how much fun they had at your wedding.

Stylish and classy, are toasting flutes for wedding favors. Look for these in sets of two for your guests to take home and use at their own discretion. Items that can be used long after your wedding are the best ideas as they are meaningful ways to thank your guests.

Whatever style of wedding you are planning to have, make sure you choose two or more wedding favors that match your decorations, colors, and other wedding supplies. Wedding favors are supposed to thank your guests for their attendance and support, and should be chosen with that in mind. Simply imagine what you would like to receive as a wedding favor, and you will be sure to choose the right ones.

About the Author:

If you are planning a low budget wedding or otherwise prefer to do things by yourselves you might want to read this article about homemade wedding favors. There are some great ideas in there.

How To Create The Perfect Wedding Table Decorations

By Emily Tanner

When choosing your wedding table decorations and wedding accessories, it is worth taking the time to get the look right. You want your guests to be bowled over when they enter your reception room because your tables ooze stylish and coordinated design.

To ensure your tables ooze style, you need to go back to basics and create a mood board. This can be a scrap book, a corkboard or just a sheet of paper on which you record all your wedding style ideas. Make this your platform for swatches of bridesmaids dress material, wedding invitation samples, pictures of bouquets, colours you wish to incorporate and even words to describe the theme of your day; e.g. rural, rustic, casual or romantic, suave, decadent. Once you have started putting ideas to paper, some general trends should prevail which will provide the inspiration you require for creating wedding table decorations with impact.

The next point to consider is when and where your event will be taking place. If your event is taking place in a country pub in high summer, your inspiration can be taken from summer blooms, garden lanterns, bunting and gingham. Alternatively, if you are marrying in a stately home in the winter, your inspiration will be taken from regal gold tones, marble statues, cozy hearths and deep purple velvet. In order for your wedding accessories to coordinate successfully with your surroundings, you must consider the season and your venue carefully. If you are permitted, it might be worth taking a photograph of your venue and including it in your mood board.

Your ideas should be coming together nicely now, so you can start to consider which colour palette you should have. To achieve maximum impact, your table decorations, wedding favors and table accessories need to be in the right tone and shade. Having a spring wedding? Use the seasonal greens, soft pinks & bright daffodil yellows as your starting point. If your event is taking place in the summer, be inspired by hot tropical pinks and splashes of acid orange. Choose Christmas gold and red if marrying in the winter or cozy coppers, vibrant orange and chocolate browns if marrying in Autumn months.

Lastly, once you have completed your mood board it's time to start shopping! You will need to set one table up exactly as it will be on the wedding day to see how it is going to look. Remember to include place card holders, wedding favors, ribbon for napkin ties, ribbon swatches you may be using elsewhere, balloons, chair ties, table confetti or table gems, table trivia and other decorative items. It would also be worth purchasing just one or two blooms that will be used in your table centerpiece to give you an overall feel. This is a good time to take a picture too so that you can show your venue, planner or bridesmaids exactly how you want your tables set on the day.

We trust that this article has helped you appreciate the importance of wedding table decorations and has given you some ideas about how you can achieve stunning wedding reception tables. And remember to take your inspiration from your venue and the time of year to ensure you create the perfect wedding table decorations.

About the Author:

Make your tables sparkle with some wedding table decorations. Make your guests feel special, visit www.chloebeck.co.uk to view your favours, gifts, party decorations and accessories, experience great service and super fast delivery on all wedding table decorations and other essentials needed for your party or wedding day.

Wedding Planning 101 - Part 5

Holy cow! I think this wedding planning thing is turning into a mini-novel. I am feeling a little overwhelmed for the brides out there and seriously wondering how I ever pulled off my own wedding! The truth is...a lot of experience made it easy for me and I had a great group of people that helped me. My wish for everyone out there planning is that you have a wonderful support group - weddings are stressful. It's ok to admit it. I mean you are only getting ready to change your entire life AND plan the biggest party you will ever have. So, pretty much we are now about mid-way through the planning process! If you have missed any of the steps check the following blog posts again:


Wedding Planning 101 - Part 1
Wedding Planning 101 - Part 2
Wedding Planning 101 - Part 3
Wedding Planning 101 - Part 4

Now would be a good time to trim that guest list! We are at the stage where we are going to be ordering our invitations and these can get costly - depending on where you order from and the quantity you need! This is also the time to finalize your choice of wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses. Wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses take at least 12 weeks to special order. You have to make sure you add in time for alterations as well so, giving yourself 14 - 16 weeks would be great! Your registry should be all finished - you are going to have a bridal shower soon and you need to be ready! There are a lot of little loose ends to tie up now too...

• The wedding cake should be ordered
• Since your dress is on order you need to find your headpiece, jewelry, undergarments, and accessories
• Decide where you are renting the tuxes for the males in the party - one great idea here is to remember those out of town! Choose a tux shop that is in multiple cities - might make it easier on the guys!
• Choose favors - there are so many options these days! I have highlighted some ideas for wedding favors in another blog post - check them out here. This area of the blog will just keep growing and growing because there are so many ideas for favors! Favors are a great way to personalize your day!
• Time to decide on a honeymoon!
• Purchase a wedding present for your groom - and hope he uses it! I say this because I bought my husband an ipod...which is currently (and has been) sitting in its box on top of the closet! But, I really shouldn't talk...it's next to the wedding gifts he bought me too :)
• Order the following items: cake topper - I blogged about some comical cake toppers here, place cards (or make your own), toasting glasses, and other decorations for the wedding or reception - guest book, pen, picture frame (if you are having your guests sign one)
• Finally the last thing to do at this time...make wedding day appointments for hair and makeup - which I hope you already had a trial with someone!

Essential Wedding Supplies

By Angel A Wilson

The wedding day is one of the most awaited and memorable days in any couple's life. It may be the happiest day that you would want to cherish forever. This is when finally, you will be with the one you love. You would want this one special day to run smoothly and perfectly. In order to do so, everything should be planned carefully. A memorable wedding needs adequate time to plan, making sure all factors and elements are being considered. It includes your guests, your budget, the venue, bridal gown and tuxedos and the necessary wedding supplies.

These elements are like pieces in a puzzle. If you leave one out, the picture would not be completed. It is basically the same for your wedding. So, grab your pen and papers and list the wedding supplies that you will need for your special day.

A first wedding essential is your wedding invitation. Wedding invitation is your visual statement that you are getting married and you would want them to be there. Moreover, it tells you the formality and theme of the said occasion. The font, the style, the stationary that you used - all of these contributes to the message you would want to tell your guests. Keep in mind that it is a wedding etiquette that you give your guests printed invitations rather than inviting them through email, phone calls, text message or an e-card.

Guests Book- A guest book serves as your list of who were guests on your wedding day. It will be your guide when preparing your thank you cards, which is another important wedding supply. You can choose the traditional name - contact number, or you may add a little spice to it by personalizing it, and letting your guests sign their messages and wishes for you.

Table Decorations- You may coordinate with the reception venue to provide you the table linens, napkins and the decorations that suits your theme. There are also specialist companies who offer complete table dressing sets. Each set may include seating cards, party poppers, colored napkins and table confetti.

Fourth, the venue should look attractive to lift the mood of everyone. Your names and the date should be the main object of the design. You can also have your pictures displayed as it tells the story of your love. The place can be decorated with balloons or flowers. If it is during the evening, night lighting effects could greatly enhance the place.

Cake Boxes- Traditionally, guests are allowed to take a piece of cake with them so you might as well put cake boxes on your list. You can also send pieces of cake to those who were not able to make it to your wedding day.

Wedding Favors. Wedding favors are essentially important, for this is your way of saying thank you to your guests. There are basically three wedding favors you should prepare. The first two sets are for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. You would want to show them your appreciation for taking care of you during the entire wedding stage , from the planning of the wedding ceremony itself. Also, you would want to give tokens to those who spent their time with you on this special day.

If you need help with the wedding supplies, you can always ask advice from a wedding specialist or a wedding planner. They can give you great ideas on how to make the occasion an exceptional one. If wedding planners are too costly for you, you can always check online. The Internet can provide you with the necessary information you need, from the list, designs, styles and prices.

About the Author:

Wedding supplies are things you need for your wedding like favors, bridesmaid totes and groomsmen gifts. They make your items for give away complete by making your guests talk positively about your wedding. It is a good thing to keep good memories of your wedding.

10 Tips For Giving Great Wedding Favors

By Aaron Hu

There are so many things to do when you are getting married. It can be overwhelming to even the most organized of brides. You have to set the date, secure where the wedding and the reception will be held, get your dress, pick the members of your parties, interview the photographer, caterer, and reception entertainment, and this is just the beginning to the almost endless list of responsibilities when planning your wedding. One part of your big day that a lot of brides sadly overlook, or wait till the last minute to think about, is the wedding guest favors and the wedding party favors. It is important that you show your thanks to each guest for coming and each member of your party for playing a role in your special day. Let us look at 10 great ideas for favors, 5 for your guests and 5 for the members of your party

You will first want to decide how you will give out your favors to your guests. Will they be unisex with each person getting one? Will you have different gifts for men and women, or will you give family favors? Here are 5 great ideas for favors. If you want to give each person the same gift, you will want something that both men and women will like. You could go with a nice metal bookmark. These can be inexpensive yet nice, and can include your name and wedding date. Candles are another favor that works well for men and women; try picking a scent or color that matches your wedding theme.

If you would like to give different favors to men and women you will want to make sure you have plenty of each on hand so that either sex doesn't end up with a favor for the opposite. Men will really like a bottle stopper for their fine wines and liquors. Woman will fall in love with miniature manicure sets. Lastly, if you would rather give a slightly larger favor, one per family, then I would suggest giving your guests a really nice set of glass or crystal coasters.

When you think about giving favors to your wedding party you want to make them a lot more personalized than the favors you give to the guests. Often it is really smart to give each person a different gift to suit his or her own personality. Here are 5 favors that your wedding party will thank you for. Let us start with the ladies. One of the best ideas I've come across, and one I used for my wedding, is to give each lady a piece of jewelry that she can wear during the wedding. It Could be a pretty bracelet, earrings, or a necklace. You just want to make sure you buy them something nice, not a piece that will turn green. Pearls are a great option for this. What about a monogrammed cosmetic or toiletry bag? What lady in your party wouldn't love her own special cosmetic or toiletry bag? Lastly for the ladies, a gift certificate to a local spa or salon would be a very nice way to say thanks. For the men I would highly recommend cufflinks, possibly something they can wear for the wedding. A gift that most men will love is monogrammed beer glasses.

It is important to remember that no matter how small or large your budget is, you need to give a favor in thanks to all who attend your wedding. Spending time picking out favors that will be liked by the guests shows that you really care about them and are truly happy they came to help you celebrate your new life.

About the Author:

Aaron Hu has authored on an extensive range of topics related to the wedding industry. If you are looking for unique wedding favors, E-WeddingFavors.com has the biggest selection available. You will also find Unique Wedding Favors and much more, all at very affordable prices.

Planning The Wedding - Important Steps

By Adriana Noton

Everyone knows weddings are fun. And everyone who has ever helped to plan a wedding can attest to what kind of nightmares poor wedding plans can cause. But, planning the wedding doesn't need to become a nightmare if done properly.

Of course, trying to cram plans into a tiny time frame just doesn't work well. Arranging a reception for 200 people in two weeks is all but impossible if you expect all the bells and whistles to be perfectly in place. One of the most important factors, therefore, in planning any wedding is to make sure the time frame matches the type of wedding.

If you are hoping to get married in Paris, invite over 200 guests, and have your gown designed by Vera Wang, you're looking at more than a year, working every day on the details. If you are just hoping to have a few people meet you in Vegas so you can get married by Elvis, even a nice wedding can be arranged in a week.

One of the most time consuming aspects is choosing the dress. Women spend weeks and weeks looking for that perfect dress. If this isn't something you have time for, and perhaps aren't even interested in, rent one! This is a fast upcoming business aimed solely at women who realize how cost effective this is. One fitting, one payment, and you can wait till a week before the wedding. Bridesmaids? Have them do the same thing.

Delegation is the key to success, no matter what the size of the wedding is. Find friends and family whom you can trust, and have them manage one entire process from start to finish. Tell them exactly what you want and let them handle it. With smart phones that can handle video, photos, voice notes, web browsing, and text and messages, you can be kept up to date with what's happening.

If you happen to not be a fan of those old fashioned and boring and usually inedible sit down dinners, too often interrupted by photos and music and other distractions, save yourself a small fortune and opt for something much more fun and enjoyable. Wines, cheeses, sushi, finger sandwiches and dips can be much easier, and people can eat whenever they want. Cut down on liquor expenses by setting a cappuccino bar with pastries, too.

This is perfect for a late afternoon wedding, especially a less than formal event. Any of these choices can be quite elegant and very memorable.

Double check last minute details 48 hours ahead. If you are hiring a limo service, go over addresses, times, destinations, and pricing. Get cell phone numbers for the drivers if possible. If you are relying on friends and family, make certain that cars are equipped to handle the number of passengers assigned.

Finally, ask everyone to send gifts rather than bringing them to the reception. This way you won't need to rely on people to gather them and cart them to your home later on.

About the Author:

Professional wedding planners strive to make all weddings momentous and unforgettable. Their extensive services include hiring a Toronto wedding photographer, booking the banquet hall Toronto, and ordering the Toronto wedding cakes. Let your wedding mark the start of a long and blissful married life!

If you live in So Cal - Check out this bridal show!

There are so many bridal shows in so cal that I wouldn't normally blog about them but, I got an email today from Premier Bridal Shows and they are hosting a bridal show at the Nixon Library and all proceeds are going to the Make a Wish foundation. Not only is the Nixon Library an awesome place to visit...I think all brides should attend a bridal show just to check out all the vendors! I have a soft spot for charities too...and anything that benefits children is certainly worth passing on!

February 21, 2010
Nixon Library
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA
11 am - 4 pm

http://www.ocbridalshows.com/

Wedding Planning 101 - Part 4

We left off on the Wedding Planning series with shopping for your bridal gown! I hope that any brides out there, who haven't yet found their gown, has had at least one shopping experience at a full service bridal salon! I have found a couple of sites online - and seriously have to throw out a word of caution right now! Two sites: Peridress.com and Usabridalretailer.com are companies in China who make replica dresses. They steal photos from manufacturers websites and post them on their sites with cheap prices. What it looks like to an online consumer is that you are getting THAT dress. The truth is, you are not! Please keep in mind that old say "If it's too good to be true, it usually is!" I think there are quite a few online stores that are reputable and you can easily do your homework if those sites are authorized to order the dress you want, from the manufacturer you have chosen. I just have to urge anyone who might come across this blog to PLEASE use caution - especially when you are ordering an item that is shipping from China, direct from a manufacturer.
 ::::jumping off my soapbox::::

Ok, so let's get back to our wedding plans! While you were at the bridal salon I hope your bridesmaids were able to find a dress, you checked out veils, headpieces, shoes, undergarments...boy there are a lot of things you need for just one day!

I think it's time for some FUN though! You need to get out there with your husband-to-be and REGISTER! We all know how much men love to shop! I guess there are some men who actually would like to do this - but when I was engaged I couldn't get my fiance to walk through a department store shopping for towels, sheets, candle holders or kitchen appliances. That was pretty much left up to me...and I had a great time. I think you should register at two places - minimum - and I also think you need to add a variety of items. I remember having a cow when I tagged a $300 pan set but, I did get it as a gift and I use them every night!

I know one of the things people really want to register for is money. I am one of those people who are not offended by that! Weddings cost a lot of money, many people are living on their own and have their needs met on those items and honestly, let's face it...cash is king! Everyone has different opinions on this topic and they almost always will. If it is something that might cause you more stress - because everyone will share their opinion on it - add it as an option! I love that they also have honeymoon registries. Just make sure if you go with one of these sites they do not take a fee! You can even set up your own online registry - thanks to sites like PayPal - they have a Gift option you can use now and you are not charged a fee on the transaction.

Bridal Shower Favors Made By You

By Aaron Hu

It is very expensive to hold a perfect bridal shower, and to make sure that everything is good and beautiful. Wedding shower favors are an important part of this ceremony. If you do not want your budget to overrun, you have to come up with favor ideas that are cheap as well as thoughtful. This article lists some unique bridal shower favor ideas that would rock your party and make it a memorable one.

Manicure bags It is a simple and unique idea, and makes a great shower favor. You can buy a pretty sachet bag, and put a few manicure items in it. You can add tiny nail polish bottles in the bag. It is advisable to purchase nail polish of the same color as the theme of the shower. You can also add a small bottle of nail polish remover and emery board to each sachet. Add some cotton balls to the bag, and your cute bridal shower favor will be ready. This favor would not be heavy on your pocket, and would cost about $5 per guest. This is a unique idea and reflects your creativity and imagination.

Antique tea cups This is a great idea for bridal shower favors, because it gives the impression that you have spent a lot of money, while actually you have not! You can simply buy beautiful antique china cups at thrift stores and flea markets for about $1 or under! Generally these cups would be a bit dirty, or covered with dust. You can clean them by using mild detergent or mild bleach solution. You can shine them up by rubbing them with a cotton cloth. These will look like expensive antique teacups and add class to your bridal shower. To add more charm to the cups, you can place little bags of candy in the cups, or small bags of potpourri. You can also make them look cute, by attaching a name tag to the handle of the cup with a small string.

Picture frames: Picture frames are used to hold on to precious memories, and thus make excellent wedding shower favors. You can easily get pretty picture frames for $1. It is better to add your picture to the frame before giving. To make it more beautiful, you can give silver frames with black and white photographs, or golden frames with sepia photographs of the bride and groom. You can also attach a card with details such as names of the bride and groom, and wedding date etc. This is an excellent favor idea, as your guests can place this frame in their living room, and can always remember you.

Cool favors You can think outside the box and give untraditional bridal shower favors that your guests can really enjoy. For example, you can give them a gift certificate of a big store. Although this will not be easy on your pocketbook, your guests will definitely love this favor. They can shop at the store and buy just what they desire. Another different idea is to give them tickets to an amusement park. This will make a really cool shower idea that your guests will really enjoy.

These were a few of the bridal shower favor ideas that you can use and make your shower more special and more memorable, both for you and your guests.

About the Author:

Aaron Hu has authored on an extensive range of topics related to the wedding industry. If you are looking for bridal shower gifts, E-WeddingFavors.com has the biggest selection available. You will also find Wedding Party Favors and much more, all at very affordable prices.

What Are The Most Well-Liked Types Of Wedding Cake Toppers?

By Candace Michaels

One of the biggest aspects to getting married is planning the entire wedding. There are many things that you will need to take care of and choosing your wedding cake is going to be one of them. One of the most important parts of the wedding cake is the cake topper. If you are not sure what you might like, take a look at these top wedding cake toppers as well as great tips on what to look for.

Your cake is going to be the core that everything will need to tie into. The cake topper that you initially choose will need to be a reflection on your style and the theme of the wedding. Due to the technology that we have today, there are plenty of great choices that you will have at your fingertips. The main thing that you need to do is take your time to ensure that you get exactly what you are looking for.

Those that are sticking to the traditional wedding will need to look at the traditional bride and groom wedding cake toppers. The bride and groom will have the traditional dress and there are little features and poses that you can look for. The bride and groom can be dancing or even kissing on top of your cake!

There is always a reason standing behind why two people have chosen one another to spend their lives with. The things that the two of you have in common can easily be displayed on top of that wedding cake. You can choose items such as baseball themes, motorcycle themes or even classic cars!

Some couples even choose to take it one step further and make the entire top of the cake an adorable love scene. This of course can be created with the use to elaborately designed accessories that you can look into as well. These accessories will be found right where the other wedding cake toppers are found. For example you can make the top of the cake shine with edible glitter or gems!

Customized wedding cake toppers are all the rage for couples within the younger generation. This is where you can design the bride and groom to look exactly like the two of you or specialize colors and clothing. Take a look online and make sure that you have pictures and descriptions to provide to your online designer. This will allow you to get your topper just in the nick of time.

As you can see, you have plenty of options in terms of wedding cake toppers! This part of the wedding planning should be fairly simple and can be done over the internet with the right website. Take a look around today and start choosing the proper toppers and accessories for your cake!

About the Author:

In order to find the best wedding cake or wedding altogether, you should think about purchasing your supplies from The Wedding Printer. On the Web The Wedding Printer can help you find that perfect wedding cake toppers and wedding favors for your wedding.

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Seeing Red! Beautiful Red Wedding Dresses!

The sun has been missing for a week in Southern California...and cabin fever is starting to set in! I seriously need a pick-me-up! Something to brighten these dark, cloud filled days. I have also had Valentine's Day on my mind - who couldn't? In every store you went in right after Christmas they had valentine items already on display! It reminded me of a dress that I fell in love with years ago. I am not sure about this but, to my knowledge, it was the very 1st mainstream red wedding dress to hit the market...it was a BEAUTIFUL silk gown made by English designer Ian Stuart. It was nicknamed "Valentine" for obvious reasons! It was a stunning gown in person (I had it in my store and actually sold a few of them to bold brides!). Ian Stuart set the bar though...

 This dress can probably still be found today if you searched hard enough on the net! It even came with the matching choker! Thinking of this dress brought me back to another dress - in RED. This one is a little different though - and not mainstream at all.

This delectable, sweet candy dress was made with 1000 Lindt chocolate balls! This dress was called the Lindor Dress and debuted in December of 2007! When I remembered this dress it brought a HUGE smile to my face! Mmmmm...

While thinking about this post I stumbled across a few things I also felt I needed to share! I found the most amazing photographer - Rosie Parsons. Oh why, oh why do you have to live across the pond? I seriously fell in love with her work! You have to check out her blog! Lovely!! And look at this photo she shot of this gorgeous red tea length gown:

These days almost every wedding designer out there has a red dress in their line. They are amazing, striking wedding gowns that only the bold would wear! I love them all. Back in the day that lovely Ian Stuart gown would set you back about $1800.

Here are some other options from Bonny that are between $800 - $1150...

 

This dress is by Maggie Sottero. I have seen various prices on the net for it but I just loved the color and the tulle.

 

And if you plan on being a Red Hot Bride...well then of course you must check out this fab website that is dedicated to just red wedding gowns! Warning: If you were just THINKING of red and you go to this site - you will leave with your mind 100% made up! It's awesome!

A Fresh Look for Your Wedding: Beach Flowers

By Chris Hwang

It doesn't matter whether you are planning a beach theme for your indoor ceremony or you are having an actual beach wedding, beach flowers are a must. You have endless types of flowers to choose from, and they come in colors, shapes and sizes to suit everyone's taste and budget. All you need to do is invest a little planning time, and you can treat yourself and your wedding guests to a beautiful display of flowers without spending more than you can afford.

Try these strategies and tips to create a beautiful floral beach theme without draining your bank account:

Decide which types of floral arrangements you want

First you need to decide the number and type of flower arrangements you need for your wedding. Beach ceremonies can include loads of flowers or none at all. Traditional weddings normally include the following: Floral arches, a wedding bouquet, a bouquet for the bride, a basket of flowers for the flower girl, corsages for the bridesmaids, boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, and floral arrangements for reception tables. Some couples include corsages or boutonnieres for close relatives who attend the wedding. Beach flowers are also often used to create an aisle or path leading to the ceremony.

Tip: You'll need fewer flowers for a beach wedding because you will be surrounded by the natural beauty of the setting. If you have a limited budget, you can get by with flowers for the bride and groom only. Replace the bride's bouquet and groom's boutonniere with colorful Hawaiian-style leis to enhance the beach theme.

Budget

The average couple spends $2000 for flowers for their wedding. Beach flowers don't need to cost that much, unless you choose to splurge.

Add up all the flower arrangements you need. Decide whether you want tropical flowers, non tropicals, or some of both. When you have this information you are ready to ask florists about their charges and you'll be able to pin down your budget.

Interview Potential Florists

Unless you have experience arranging flowers, this job is best left to the professionals. Ask wedding planners, hotels or other recently married couples in the area to recommend florists. Try to identify at least three potential florists. Meet with each florist in person. If this is not possible, interview them by telephone.

Tip: Ask each florist the questions below to narrow your search and identify the one that's perfect for your wedding:

What services do you provide for weddings? Do you include your design services in the flowers' cost? Have you designed floral arrangements specifically for beach weddings before? If so, can you show me some examples? Are there any additional charges on top of the cost of the flowers themselves, such as delivery or setup? How much lead time do you need for my order? Instead of an estimate, is a firm price quote possible?

Compare answers and quoted prices. Choose the florist who provides the most satisfactory answers to your questions AND offers a reasonable price in comparison to their competition.

Some other ideas to save money:

Buy flowers grown in the area

Stick with flowers that are indigenous to the area where you'll be getting married. Locally grown flowers do not have to be refrigerated and shipped which means that florists typically sell them for a lower price. This lets you achieve a sumptuous look for your wedding with a smaller budget.

Inform your florist about your wedding's color palate, including the color of your decorations, the bride's dress and the clothing the groom and the wedding party will wear. Your florist will be able to recommend local flowers that are ideal for your wedding theme.

Use your flowers twice

You can cut your floral costs by using the same flower arrangements at your reception as well as the ceremony. Some advance planning will let your florist or a few close friends quickly move the flowers from the ceremony's location to the site of your reception.

Use flowers that have strong, waxy blooms if you choose to use your flowers this way. Flowers like antherium, heliconia, calla lilies and orchids can withstand heat better and will continue to have a fresh appearance for the ceremony, the reception and a few days longer.

Plants and greenery can supplement blossoms

Because potted plants and local greenery are less expensive than cut flowers, instruct your florist to use them generously in your flower arrangements. Palm fronds, for example, are beautiful, readily available, and add a dramatic touch to your wedding. Beach flowers will cost even less if you can find some local greenery on your own.

You can also make your floral budget go further if you use potted plants such as smaller orchids, tillandsia and African violets and give them out to guests as wedding favors.

About the Author:

BeachWeddingMagic is devoted to helping soon-to-be-married couples create their own magical on beach wedding. Visit BeachWeddingMagic.com for expert how to's on wedding beach flowers, decorations, flowers, clothing and much more.

New Wedding Decor Tips

By Judith J. Conway

The choice of weddings for different folks varies. While some people wish to have a gala affair, there are others who like to keep it simple and sweet with a normal venue and limited guests. Regardless of what type of wedding you plan for yourself, marriage decoration is something that you just can't miss out on.

Wedding decorations consist of decorations for the entire venue with keen attention to particular details, such as decoration of the entrance, the walkways, the tables, the walls, the ceilings, the food as well as the wedding favors. This decorating can involve a lot of effort, and while some people prefer to do them on their own to give them a personal touch, others like to have them done by professional decorators or expert wedding planners.

Whether you choose to take care of the wedding decor yourself or have a professional do it, make sure that your spouse to be approves of the decorations. Try to keep your wedding decoration as beautiful and elegant as possible. Stick to the premise of 'less is more'. Overboard wedding decorations do not help anyway, and can only be too distracting.

Many couples wish to decorate their wedding around a theme, such as a medieval wedding, a spring wedding, a Renaissance wedding, as per their categorical tastes and likings. Select your theme, and if you do not wish to opt for a particular theme, just select a specific color and do your wedding decorations using it.

To come to details, focus on the table and chair settings for the overall feel of the ambiance of the wedding. Go for the standard, simple look and use colored tablecloths. Use a spread of table centerpieces, such as flower bouquets, enormous sandstones or small pebbles immersed in water. Put covers on chairs and tie them at the back to make them look lovely. Also, take proper care of the lighting agreements as they can transform the locale into a magical place. Other important elements can include smart curtains, water fountains and potted plants. Balloons can also add a touch of fun to the celebrations, especially those floating from the ceilings. In addition, ribbons trailing down can add to the special effects.

The wedding Decoration top priority, however, should be in reflecting the motive of the event, in this case, the union of the lovers. You should ensure that it does so. If you cannot find any specific accessories which focus solely on the love quotient, do not be concerned. At the end of the day, it's going to be the special glitter in your eyes which will tell the world what you feel and why you're there.

About the Author:

To know more about Wedding Flowers and Wedding Decorations visit : http://www.weddingflowersforyou.com

3 Mishaps and Derek to My Rescue

By Aaron Hu

Sometimes I wonder just how I am ever going to get through all of our wedding preparations let alone our actual wedding day. The last several days it seems like most everything I do or our wedding planner does slides down the slippery slope and causes us more and more frustration and re-doing. I keep asking myself, "why me ..." over and over ... and guess what ... I don't have an answer.

Our wedding planner was constantly telling me not to worry. It will all work out, you'll see. Well, how can you tell a bride-in-waiting not to worry. Worrying is probably inherent in all engaged women. I can't speak for their male counterparts, but for us ... take it from me ... it's in our nature. There's no escaping it. The good news about it though is that with all the second guessing, questioning, complications, and on and on ... we manage and usually do so very well in the end. I think more often than not we subconsciously create some of our own obstacles maybe out of fear, uncertainty ... all that and then some. And why not, we are planning, be it with or without a professional planner, the most glorious day of our life and the future it holds for us.

Worry ... why should I be worried if the printer made a typo on our invitations? Not just any forgivable typo ... they put in the wrong day. Why should I be worried if the caterer we hired sent me a suggested menu that was anything but what we had discussed when we met? Why should I be worried if my wedding dress, which I had designed, would only be finished the day before my wedding? And that is only one day's worth of "don't worry" slip-ups. Was I being too testy, too tightly wound, just too too? I needed a truly good bar of rich truffeled chocolate; and that was another thing the caterer neglected to put on the desert menu ... lightly whipped chocolate parfait with ever-so tiny bits of chocolate and nougat with a sprinkling of crushed walnuts.

Fortunately the doorbell rang and I got distracted from my worry thoughts. It was Derek, my fiance. He knew every nuanced look on my face and knew what to do about it. His eyes twinkled, he smiled slightly, and I simply melted into his open arms. I silently prayed that this was what it would always be like, especially when I felt like I was floundering and momentarily insecure.

We went into the family room, sat down, and I started rambling on about what was happening. He listened patiently; made himself look concerned, sighed with me, held my hand, and stoically let me rant on until I ran out of breath. Gradually we talked about all the mishaps of my day, and he finessed his reasoning as to how I might/should deal with what happened and how he knew I could and would take advantage of the mistakes and make them work in my favor.

He was right, of course. I wasn't thrilled with the print style of the invitation so it was the perfect opportunity to have it changed. I had thought about some changes in the menu but didn't want the caterer to think I was being indecisive and constantly nagging him. Now I could with subtlety and right on my side, tell him that I wanted a somewhat new menu. And my dress ... I decided I wanted a sheer veil with baby pearls so that would justify the emotional delay for me.

I felt better. And on top of all that, I finally thought of the wedding favors I would have. They would be fun and unique ones. I was going to have a one and a half inch parfait glass filled with baby glass pearls for the women and an equal sized satin top hat and slightly smaller glass cane attached to it for the men. Different, don't you think?

I was getting over the stress of the day, and I would sleep well tonight, thanks to Derek and my creative thinking.

About the Author:

Aaron Hu has authored on an extensive range of topics related to the wedding industry. If you are looking for unique wedding favors, E-WeddingFavors.com has the biggest selection available. You will also find Wedding Party Favors and much more, all at very affordable prices.

Wedding Planning 101 - Part 3

Yesterday, I posted part 2 of my personal wedding planning handbook...I am really making this all up based upon my own experience of planning a wedding - and working with 100's of brides when I owned my shop! You would be amazed at how a bridal store owner (well, an owner that works really closely with their customers) can become a new best friend to a bride! I think, because brides are really looking for someone to HELP them and someone who isn't focusing on them their own personal agenda. This was the part I really loved about having my shop - helping brides! I can't even begin to count the number of invitations I received to be a guest at weddings (talk about "always a bridesmaid"...I was more like the "always a guest..."!) but...we are getting off topic here! What I am trying to stress at this point is we are not at very crucial point in wedding planning where you, the bride, seriously need support and help!! It's time to start dress shopping!!

There are literally thousands of wedding dresses to choose from! I have my own personal opinions on dresses - I don't think you have to spend $1000's of dollars on a dress. It is ONE day...and it is ONE dress. Plus, you have a budget to stick to - remember? It doesn't stop at just the dress! You have to factor in: alterations, special undergarments, shoes, slip, veil, jewelry....! Some people may have a huge budget and the price tag doesn't matter (lucky you!). I think some brides may get sticker shock when they first start looking. I also think that a lot of people want to find a bargain (or a discount) once they find the dress and this is ok. Who doesn't try to find the best price - whatever it is you are shopping for? I know I am a total bargain shopper, no matter what I am buying and a wedding dress shouldn't be any different! I am basing this post on THE DRESS at this point because I think there is a lot to cover on this aspect of your wedding.

My advice at this point: keep an open mind! Try on different styles because you will walk in with an idea of a dress you want and you might just end up with something totally different! I NEVER thought I would wear a strapless gown...but I did!

Ask about package deals. They really can save you money! Some bridal shops partner with other vendors or offer discounts on all kinds of other things you are going to need.

Ask about discounts. The old saying "the answer is no until you ask" is so true! Don't be afraid to ask if they are having any upcoming sales or specials. Ask if they price match - there are a lot of online retailers who offer dresses at a lower cost. Online discount sites are able to do this because you are not using their store, employee time, getting your dress steamed, storing it, etc. You are basically getting a gown in a box. Some stores might offer this same level of service.

Choose wisely when taking people with you. Once again you are going to run into everyone having their own opinion! Your mom is going to have a totally different view on which dress is the best and so will your best friend! YOU will know when the dress is right. You are going to be the one wearing it and you are going to be the one looking back at the pictures for the rest of your life! Go with your instinct! Listen to opinions, if you can, but the ultimate decision is yours!

I could go on and on about this topic - and over time we will get more in depth about dresses, dress shopping and other issues when it comes to bridal gowns. But for now, you have some tools to make appointments and get out there! Oh...and after dress shopping...now would be a great time to get out to lunch with your mom, future MIL and bridesmaids. Tell them how much you appreciate all of them (even if you are frustrated with them! haha).

Wedding Venues in New York

By Jackie McConner

It has been an established fact that weddings are among the most important events in a person's life. Because of this, it is understandable why people exert their effort in order to find the finest wedding venue. A lot of choices are presented in terms of these venues such as wedding venues NYC. The positive news about these wedding venues NYC is that there are a number of them that would be of considerable interest to clients.

The Broad Street Ballroom is one of the options offered by wedding venues NYC. Found right at the heart of New York's business district, it is considered ideal for any kind of event. It can handle 300 to 600 persons and offers high quality sound systems that are perfect for the wedding event especially if there are lots of guests.

The Puck Building is another wedding venues NYC. It offers a huge space which has two ball rooms, the first being the Grand Ballroom which can accommodate about a thousand guests. The other room is called the Skylight Room which can manage 250 guests and has open interiors.

The Central Park Boathouse is a very relaxing place where a couple can hold their wedding. This venue will give the couple and the guests a place where they can look at the Central Park Lake together, and even take advantage of the Loeb Boathouse Restaurant where they can do cocktail receptions that can accommodate up to 60 guests.

The 21 Club is another of the wedding venues NYC options which offers ten dining rooms which can welcome around 400 people with an elegant townhouse setting. It has a Secret Wine Cellar Room which is a well-sought after place by many for dining events.

And if you want to have a different themed wedding, you may want to ask the buildings if they can offer you their rooftop in order to do your rooftop wedding New York. A lot of these venues know that you may want to have a unique wedding, so they may allow you to hold your rooftop wedding New York.

The good thing about a rooftop wedding New York is that you can do a lot of things in terms of holding your wedding, such as getting a food theme together with the sound that you like. What you need to do are to chose the things that you would like to make your wedding enjoyable.

So if you would like to have a rooftop wedding New York, or any other theme for that matter, there is a venue suitable for you. You just have to come up with the theme of your interest to get the perfect venue for you.

About the Author:

As you look at wedding venues in NYC, there are a number of factors to consider including price, scheduling, and size. One of the most unique options includes a rooftop wedding in New York.

Well Known Designer Wedding Shoes

By Danny Ricks

As a bride, you want all elements of your wedding to be at their best. From the wedding dress and accessories down to the bridal shoes, everything should be perfect. In choosing the perfect pair of shoes, there are several things you need to consider, comfort being the most critical element, and of course, the style matters. It is what people see and definitely notice. And if you are one of those brides who are willing to spend more just to have the best in the world, you may want to wear designer wedding shoes to match your perfectly made wedding dress.

Designer wedding shoes are considered the cream of the crop of all bridal shoes. They are basically the most unique, beautiful and stylish wedding shoes created by famous and talented designers. They are relatively costly as compared to others. Among these designer wedding shoes, there are some that are really expensive and some are quite reasonable. Some of the top picks are listed below.

Diane Hassall Wedding Shoes. This collection of bridal shoes are skillfully handcrafted using genuine silks and soft leather. Diane Hassall takes comfort passionately, making sure that all of her designed wedding shoes are comfortable. Aside from the expensive materials used, what makes them more special is that each pair is created with such attention to details, making them some of the most exquisite wedding shoes out there.

Benjamin Adams Wedding Shoes. This collection of shoes is known for using white sequins and sparkling Swarovki crystals. These ornaments are carefully crafted in classic ivory satin to produce delicate, luxurious design. Benjamin Adams also uses high quality soft leather to give the bride the best comfort she deserves.

Liz Rene Wedding Shoes. Not all designer wedding shoes should be expensive. There are those that you can buy at a reasonable price, one of which is the bridal shoe collection of Liz Rene. The shoes are made form dyeable silk satin, and pure leather soles to ensure comfort. Each shoe is delicately designed, giving it a stylish and luxurious look.

Else Wedding Shoes. The Else Wedding Shoes are elegantly designed especially for the young at heart bride. Its contemporary designs range from embellished sandals, high platform sandals and peep to t-bars. Else Wedding Shoes offers high quality elegance at an affordable price.

Kate Spade Designer Bridal Shoes. Kate Spade is well-known for endless and everlasting design. These bridal shoes are made in Italy, and are created using silk satin that comes in traditional white or any other color. What makes them popular to most brides is the uniqueness of designs and styles.

Diane Lynn Designer Wedding Shoes. Made from genuine pure silk satin and soft leather, this shoe collection is elegantly designed using several luxurious ornaments. This includes jewels, beaded straps and even rhinestones. Each piece of these luxurious accessories are delicately placed to make beautifully crafted shoes.

Stuart Weitzman Wedding Shoes. Stuart Weitzman is one of the most popular designers of bridal shoes because of fine classic, yet bold designs. With various styles that range from high platforms to classy peep toe, it is not difficult to find that most suitable pair of shoes.

About the Author:

Weddings are such joyous occasion that everyone participating in the wedding entourage are excited to wear designer wedding shoes. It helps display their lovely toes that makes them appear stunning on this big day. Or you may want to try ivory wedding shoes.

Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

By Keith Banks

There is a tradition in which bridesmaids remain with the bride to help her. They help her to make the wedding day a perfect day. Bridesmaids play the role of friends, confidants, advisers and cake tasters throughout the months leading up to the wedding day.

They assist the bride with every task up to the bouquet toss where the new Mr. and Mrs. Bid farewell. At the time of the wedding, it is proper to say thank you to the bridesmaids in appreciation of their help. Because of this, they get different beautiful gifts.

You can opt for two types of gifts; traditional gifts and non-traditional gifts. You can opt to monogram the names of the bridesmaids on the accessory like necklace, purse, etc. You can also monogram the initial letter of the name of the bridesmaids. Handmade items are also nice gifts. A knitted scarf or a blanket is a good option. You can also give high quality wine bottles or lotions and other makeup accessories.

A pearl necklace or bracelet is also a good option. You can give a good jewelry piece which the bridesmaid can wear at the time of wedding. A photo frame is also a beautiful gift which you can give after the wedding with the picture of the bride with the bridesmaids. It makes and elegant reminder of the distinctive day.

Also a concert ticket or a sport event ticket is a good option. You can also give a drama ticket or a ballet show ticket. Check for the gifts on the internet. Check on Google about the sites that work in this field. These sites can give you many different ideas. You can also select the gifts by categories like Jewelry, cameras, table decorations, etc.

Also if you shop from the internet for the bridesmaids gifts, you will get it at your doorsteps. So just search and find the site and just by a click of your mouse, you will get the product at your home in just 24 hours. Not only this, you will also get great discounts. These discounts are more than the market discounts and the quality is also good.

Here are some ideas of the different gifts that you can give to bridesmaids. Breast cancer ribbon merchandise, monogrammed acrylic merchandise, business card cases and business card holders, desk accessories, bridal hair pins and hair combs, bridesmaids leather gifts, key chains and key rings, picture frames and photo albums, jewelry boxes, compact mirrors, personalized compact mirror, embroidered and personalized gifts, fashion designer handbags, celebrity inspired bags, bridal handbags and evening purses, sterling gifts, maid of honor gifts, personalizes cosmetic bags, etc.

A token of thanks is the greatest gift and appreciation that you can give to the bridesmaids. The latest trend of the gifts for bridesmaids is the bridesmaids' gown. Choose a dress that is both beautiful and fits your budget.

About the Author:

Weddings are such joyous occasion that everyone participating in the wedding entourage are excited to receive bridesmaid gift. It helps guests reminisce your joyous events. Or you may want to try cool groomsmen gifts.

Wedding Planning 101 - Part 2

We left off with you have a date night with no wedding talk...did you do it?? So, let's jump back into what our next steps should be with wedding planning. You have taken care of the 1st 5 important steps...and now we get to start in with some of the (hopefully) fun details of planning the biggest day of your life! You have your date set, a deposit on the venue, your guest list has been started and most likely you have been listening to people giving you all kinds of advice - hey now...that's not what I am doing!! haha. I am just giving you some tools...

• I would suggest, at this part of the planning, if you are going to do engagement photos now is the time! Decide if you are going to go casual (a photographer friend) or professional. The person you have do your engagement photos doesn't have to be booked to do your wedding - but it is a great time to scope out the person's work! Engagement photos will be used to...
• Get your Save The Dates cards ready! There are so many choices for Save The Date cards and I will have to make a separate post about them, because I have quite a few useful links! Some people may ask "Do I even need to do this?" Well, the simple answer is NO. But, they are nice to have - especially if you have people coming from out of town or if your are planning your wedding around a time when people might have a lot going on (summer time...holidays, etc). Plus, it's a pretty nice way to let the entire world know about your wedding!
• Have you narrowed down who your bridal party will be? This is probably a perfect time to do this because you are going to need some reliable help with the rest of the planning parts of a wedding! Once again, get ready to have people telling you who you just HAVE to have as part of your wedding party. This is another fun process that might get you back to eloping. You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but come on...the truth is you can only have so many people standing next to you. My suggestion is to always keep the people who you know love and support you - no matter what - and those people who you know will honor your vows you will soon be taking. 
• Now, on we go to details, details, details! You need to choose your wedding theme - or at least wedding colors. You have MANY choices out there! 
• If you have chosen a place to get married where a package is given - and today quite a few venues offer this - from catering, florist options and cakes. Your work is a little less complicated. You still need to pick all these things out to personalize you day but...you don't have to go through the work of interviewing tons of vendors! I am basing this little helpful post assuming you have a venue that has a list of preferred vendors you have to work with.