Weddings Diva

Free Information on Easy Bridal Shower Games

2011-02-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

Inject some fun and a change of pace into the bridal shower you are planning with some easy bridal shower games. Coming up with the games may be your challenge. Fortunately, you can turn to a variety of free resources to draw inspiration on some easy bridal shower games that you can put on the agenda for the party. Turn to one or more resources to put together a few games you can use to break up the time of the bridal shower and allow your guests to have enjoy themselves and maybe win some prizes too.

People You Know

No matter how young or old you are, you know people who have hosted or attended a bridal shower. Talk with your friends, family members and co-workers about the games they have played at bridal shower games. Shoot out an email, pick up the phone or tell them in person that you are looking for games to play at a bridal shower. You should have a pen and paper handy so you can write down the details of each game.

Draw from Experience

You too have attended bridal showers and other types of parties where you have played games. Think back to the bridal showers you have attended and remember the games that you played. Do not just limit yourself to bridal showers either. Think of baby showers, birthday parties or other types of party games too. You can always put a wedding slant on a popular party game. For example, if you decide to play charades, then all of the charades can revolve around weddings.

Books

Party planning books are in abundance at book stores and even your local library. Spend some time at both locations looking through these books. In addition to books, both of these venues offer magazines that also touch on party, event and wedding planning. Even when the games are intended for bachelorette parties or another girls night in party, you can use the game as is or give it a bridal theme.

Websites

The Internet is also a primary source for easy bridal shower games. Numerous wedding planning and party planning website devote sections and pages to games. Some sites even provide you with template downloads or instructions you can print in order to put your bridal shower games together. Martha Stewart Weddings, Party 411 and The Knot are but three of the websites that provide you with free and easy bridal shower game ideas.

Activities in Boston for Your Wedding Guests

2010-09-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

It is common for guests to travel some distance by land or air to attend a wedding. If your wedding is taking place in the Boston area, there are many attractions that your guests may wish to visit before or after your ceremony. From historical landmarks to popular museums, Boston has something for all ages.

For Children
For your guests with children, there are a variety of museums that will entertain and amuse. The Boston Children’s Museum is perfect for children aged 0-10 and their families. It is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM (9PM on Fridays). The Museum of Science is another great choice, with IMAX, a planetarium, 3-D Digital Cinema, and various exhibits. It is open daily from 9 AM-7 PM, with films and shows at various times. The New England Aquarium is also a tremendous attraction with more than 7,000 fish and aquatic mammals. It is open daily from 9 AM-5 PM (6 PM on weekends).

History

Boston is an epicenter for historical monuments, landmarks, and other attractions. Boston Common is the oldest park in the nation. Famous people throughout history have given speeches and concerts here. It has been declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark and features an ice-skating pond and Brewer Fountain, a 22-foot tall bronze fountain. The oldest building in downtown Boston, the Paul Revere House, served as the home of the legendary silversmith. The historical site is open from April 15 – October 31, 9:30 AM- 5:15 PM. The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship that is still floating in the world. Guided tours of the famous vessel begin every half hour from 10 AM to 5:30 PM daily.

Arts, Parades, Feasts & Festivals

Although all events in this category are not available every day throughout the year, it is quite likely that one or more events are happening on the week of your wedding. The Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism, & special Events presents many events, as does the Strand Theatre. For more information and a schedule of events during your wedding, visit the City of Boston website.

Nature

On a particularly temperate wedding weekend, the guest that is also a nature lover will appreciate the Arnold Arboretum on the campus of Harvard University. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset and features family activities, events, plant highlights, and 185 species of birds. An adventurous guest will appreciate the world famous Boston Duck Tours, which takes people on a journey over land and sea on a Duck Tours vehicle.

City
For magnificent views of downtown Boston, your guests can visit the Prudential Tower, which boasts a sky high view on the 50th floor. The tower is part of the Prudential Center which features 28 acres of hotels, restaurants, shops, plazas, and covered walkways. Downtown Crossing is a neighborhood full of restaurants, shopping, night-life, and culture in the heart of downtown Boston. The neighborhood also hosts a variety of special events for residents and visitors alike.

Get Married Hits the Newsstand

2010-07-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

The fall issue of Get Married magazine hits the newsstand TODAY!

Join in the fun, and whether you're a bride or a wedding vendor, you have a chance to win some prizes!

SHOP: Pick up your fall issue of Get Married (available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Target, CVS, Kroger, A&P, Waldenbooks, Book World, Hasting, Books-A-Million and more). You can pick up an issue for FREE if you register online at www.getmarried.com.

SNAP: Take the most creative, fun or outlandish shot of the Get Married magazine cover you can dream up!

SHARE: Tweet your favorite picture to @GetMarried (you MUST include #getmarriedcontest AND @GetMarried in your tweet), or post your pic on The Get Married Facebook wall (become a fan of Get Married @ http://www.facebook.com/GetMarriedMedia)

WIN: Vendors can win a FREE listing in Get Married magazine; Brides can win a one-year subscription to Get Married magazine.

GET INSPIRED + GET PLANNING: The fall issue features:

* Bridal trends and this season’s hottest colors to fit every bridal style

* Real wedding stories

* Sultry Beach Getaways: (with a chance to win a honeymoon!)

* Celebrity spotlight: Television personality, Bethenny Frankel and former Miss America Katie Stam

Pick up your fall issue of Get Married and Get Creative because the contest ends on Monday, August 30th.

Get Married: Catch the End of Season 3

2010-06-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

Get Married Season 3 hits the TV with seven new episodes starting on Saturday, July 3rd at 9:30am EST. You can watch these new episodes by tuning into WE TV. The final of the seven episodes airs on Saturday, August 14th. Get Married features real brides facing fun challenges with the show founder and host Stacie Francombe. Stacie guides the brides on the show through wedding planning experiences as they interact with wedding professionals and experts.

Tune in to discover some of the hottest wedding trends and surprising happenings, including a customized father-daughter dance song by Edwin McCain.

It's only three days away! Check out the promo for Get Married’s newest episodes.

Freelance writer at ZSB (Las Vegas, NV)

2010-06-24T05:44:00.000-07:00

Freelance writer at ZSB (Las Vegas, NV)
This company hires writers and then does not pay them for completed work. DO NOT do business with them and expect to get paid! They have owed me $400 for months and keep promising to pay me, but never do.

Luxury Wedding Etiquette

2010-05-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

It is important for all weddings to follow certain rules of etiquette and protocol. This is no different for a luxurious, formal event. Most rules of etiquette are similar regardless of the extravagance of the affair. However, the overall luxury of the occasion heightens the formality of etiquette and protocol.

Payment Due
Traditionally the responsibility for paying for a wedding belongs to the bride’s parents. This includes everything from the bridal wear to the wedding cake. The groom and/or his family are responsible for his clothing, the marriage license and clergy fee, as well as the wedding ring and groomsmen’s gifts. He is also financially responsible for the rehearsal dinner. A formal wedding usually follows the traditional protocol for finances, but often the bride and groom work together to present the elaborate event.

Gift Registry
Registries are created for the convenience of the guests; however it is most acceptable to advertise your registry by word of mouth instead of including cards in invitations. Regardless of the extravagance of the actual wedding, gifts from all price points should be included on the registry. If a guest is unable to attend the wedding, a gift should be sent to the couple before the wedding or within three months of the wedding. Likewise, a thank-you note should be sent within three months.

Invitations
Invitations for a luxurious wedding should also be luxurious. The most formal invitations are usually printed on white, ivory, or ecru paper with black script. A gold or silver border or other simple accents denote formality. They include an outer and an inner envelope, often with a sheet of tissue paper to protect the ink. On a formal invitation, names are written out fully, with no nicknames or shortened names. All of the words in the address, date, time, and year are spelled out fully (i.e. “Avenue” instead of “Ave.” and “Two Thousand Eleven” for “2011”).

Attire
For a luxurious wedding, the bride, groom, and wedding party should wear the most formal clothing. Dresses should reach the floor and tuxedos should include bow ties and vests. For guests attending such a wedding, ladies should wear a formal dress (usually floor length) with formal jewelry and a fancy purse. If it is a religious wedding, shoulders should be covered with a wrap. Avoid wearing white and anything that is too revealing. Gentlemen should wear a well-fitted tuxedo with a bow tie to a formal wedding.

Reception
Typically, a luxurious wedding occurs in the evening and denotes a formal sit-down dinner. The reception will usually begin with a cocktail hour that the guests enjoy while the bride and groom are taking photographs. There is usually a receiving line at most formal receptions. The meal should consist of at least three courses, with full silver service and wait staff. At the most formal occasion, full bar service is provided along with dancing and live orchestral music.

Catholic Wedding Sand Ceremony

2010-05-29T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Sand Ceremony is often compared to the Unity Candle Ceremony. Both are two physical displays of the unifying power of marriage. The unity candle ceremony is quite new to wedding traditions (it originated in Protestant churches about 40 years ago); later in the century, couples searched for ways to complete a unifying act without the use of candles. A sand ceremony can easily replace a unity candle ceremony in a Catholic wedding.

The Facts
In a Sand Ceremony, the bride and the groom each hold a small glass vase full of sand. At a specified time, each takes a turn pouring some of their sand into a larger glass vase. Then they pour in the remaining sand at the same time. The ceremony symbolizes the Biblical concept of two individuals becoming one. A third small vase is often used by the officiant who pours in sand representing God and His omnipresence in the life of the new couple. A sand ceremony can be used in any kind of ceremony, religious or not, but a Catholic sand ceremony will include text spoken by the priest during the pouring. Usually the two (or three) small vases contain different colors of sand, so the resulting larger vase is a beautiful blend of colors. The large vase is kept as a treasured memento of the union.

History
Although it is somewhat difficult to determine from where the sand ceremony originates, it is often thought to have begun in Hawaii, where the bride and groom scoop sand from the beach at their feet into their vases for the ceremony. Some argue that this type of ceremony originated with Native Americans thousands of years ago. Regardless, the sand ceremony is gaining in popularity and received a well-televised boost when it was featured on a wedding spin-off of The Bachelorette in 2003. The sand ceremony holds little or no history in the Catholic Church.

Types
The most commonly known sand ceremony involves sand in two or three smaller vases being poured simultaneously into one larger vase to signify two becoming one. Another option is when couples only use the two small vases and together pour the sand into the wind. In this case the ceremony must be outdoors and the couple should take care to throw it with the wind and not against it. If children are involved in the ceremony, they can pour in a vase of sand also. All of these variations would be religiously acceptable in a Catholic wedding.

Significance
The overall significance of the sand ceremony is the visual imagery of the union of marriage. Often the groom pours part of his sand first, symbolizing the foundation of the marriage. The bride then adds her sand to symbolize her support. When they both pour the remainder of their sand together, the colors mix in harmony and equality. Some couples choose to leave a small amount of sand in their individual vases to signify their individuality. The Catholic wedding ceremony stresses the unity and commitment of marriage; a sand ceremony certainly supports this belief and further symbolizes that the two that have become one can never again be separated.

Considerations
The Sand Ceremony is not a Catholic tradition and therefore is not present in the Catholic Rite of Marriage. Your officiant may decline to include it for this reason. Regulations on the inclusion of procedures not present in the Rite of Marriage differ from parish to parish. Some say that this celebration of unity is somewhat repetitious as the Catholic ceremony already celebrates unity through liturgy, prayer, and the administration of a sacrament.

Wedding Trends: Alternatives to Wedding Cakes

2010-05-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that wedding cakes tend to take center stage as it is a symbol that is prominently displayed at wedding receptions. What you may not have noticed is that many wedding guests do not like wedding cake and so the slices of sugary decadence often end up in the trash. If you’re looking for a couple of ideas to replace or in addition to the wedding cake, here are few to get you started.

The Cupcake Makes a Comeback (with a Twist)

In Miami, one thing I’ve noticed is that couture cupcake bakeries are popping up in all of the different areas of town. These are not your standard Betty Crocker cupcakes either because they come in flavors and designs that almost look and seem too gorgeous to eat (but are as delicious as they look). Cupcakes can also be displayed to simulate cake layers, placed at each place setting or designed into a cupcake buffet table, where guests can choose the flavor they wish. You can just as easily create your own cupcakes (for you DIYers out there) and put them on display. It may be nostalgia of days gone by or something different, but those cupcakes will disappear faster than any slice of wedding cake ever will.

Dessert Buffets

Another option is a wedding buffet or dessert table. Similar to a buffet restaurant, several different dessert options are put on display. Guests can either serve themselves or you can have the wait staff visit guest tables and ask which dessert they prefer. Pies, tarts, cakes, ice cream, cookies and more are but some of the options you may display.

Cookie or Candy Table

You can also pile a table high with platters of cookies or a myriad of dishes filled with different candies. Guests can fill up on the sweet treats after the meal and you can even provide favor boxes or bags for guests to carry out the treats for later.

The Role of a Bridesmaid

2010-05-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

The bridesmaids you choose for your wedding ate typically close family members and friends. The primary role of the bridesmaids is to support the bride in her wedding planning efforts. Tasks may include helping to plan the wedding shower, maintaining a gift list for the bride to write shower thank you notes, assembling wedding invitations, or other tasks the bride requests. In essence, being a bridesmaid is the same as being a good friend!

How to Start a Wedding Hall

2010-04-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

A wedding reception hall can be a fun and lucrative business venture when you carry out the proper amount of planning to start and operate it. Putting some thought into how you’ll run the venue and rent out its space can be the primary determinant in whether or not your reception hall is booked regularly or empty weekend after weekend.

Supplies Needed:
Facility with commercial kitchen
Tables and Chairs
Curtains and wall décor
Brochures

Step One:
Create an atmosphere that is conducive to the elegant and celebratory nature of weddings. Because your facility will be focused on wedding receptions, you should decorate the center in neutral colors with graceful artwork and finishing touches. This center should be functional, but it should also attract the eye of the bride looking for a beautiful venue.

Step Two:
Build relationships with vendors. Find vendors you can outsource to for the details you don’t want to handle yourself. Some vendors include linen companies, party rental companies for tables and chairs, caterers, wait staff, flowers, bridal shops, party stores, etc. In order to build these relationships, make personal visits to the companies to leave information about your wedding reception business. Ask for any brochures or other information they can give you and pledge to pass it along to the brides and grooms with which you come in contact.

Step Three:
Create your rental packages. Put together different reception packages your clients can choose from. You may wish to offer a low, mid and high-level price point package as well as a la carte items customers can choose to add to their packages. Creating packages helps you to showcase what you can offer customers, and it can also help you stay focused on your offering. In a wedding reception center business, you may offer a basic package with just the hall, tables, chairs, and the use of the kitchen. A more all-inclusive package option might be one that includes catering services, linen rentals, an event coordinator, and other party details.

Step Four:
Apply for licensing and operating permits. Contact your city hall to inquire of the necessary permits. These will be unique from state to state and will cover requirements for the facility, food, liquor, and operations. This process may require inspections.

Step Five:
Hire staff. Generally, a wedding reception hall requires a manager, an event planner and one or two sales people. Higher volume reception halls may require more staff than ones with smaller volumes. Decide on what staff members you need to help you run the center effectively and hire them.

Step Six:
Have an open house. Since you have the party space and some of the other details for throwing a party, a great way to showcase your reception hall is to throw an open house party. Invite potential customers and potential referral sources to an open house party where they can preview the wedding reception hall and enjoy some refreshments, dancing and more. Advertise your open house through local newspapers, online city events calendars, and through the vendors with whom you have already spoken. Make sure your reception center is well-furnished and looks impeccable for the big day.

Step Seven:
Advertise. Contact bridal magazines and websites to ask about advertising space. Research local bridal shows and plan to host a booths at the events. Print full-color brochures with pictures of your reception hall to give to vendors, prospective clients, churches, bridal shops, and rental centers. Contact your local newspaper and ask for an interview about your newly opening hall.

Tips:
During the wedding off season (January, February, and March are the least popular wedding months), you may consider reaching out to other rental clients in order to fill your calendar. Corporate events, reunions, or other large gatherings will bring in cash while you build excitement for the coming wedding season.

Brazil Marriage License Requirements: Getting Hitched Out of Country

2010-04-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

Weddings in Brazil reflect a mix of ancient traditions and current legal requirements. Brazil’s national history is a blend of mingling nations, including the influences of the indigenous peoples, the different African cultures, and the European colonists. As a result, Brazilian weddings are rich in customs and rituals. At the same time, the weddings must follow certain rules in order to be considered legal and official. These rules are not difficult, however, and preparing all of the right documents within the required time frame can ensure a pleasant wedding in Brazil.

Documents

Non-residents of Brazil who plan to get married in Brazil need to be sure to bring with them some important documents: birth certificate (original with the raised seal, or a notarized copy), proof of being single (evidence of legal search among marriage records or proof of divorce finalization), passport and visa and copies of each, records search to find out if bride or groom has been convicted of crimes, and application to marry. All of these documents must be filed before the marriage license approval process can begin.

Time

Acquiring a marriage license in Brazil does require a certain time commitment. Unlike in some countries, where a marriage license only has to be approved a couple of days before the ceremony, marriage licenses in Brazil can take up to thirty days for full approval. Once the license is approved, however, couples in Brazil have as long as three months to be officially married in a wedding ceremony. (If the couple is not married within those three months, they will need to apply for a new license.)

Registration

Registering a marriage in Brazil can also take some time, but once the license has been approved the registration process can be the most enjoyable. In Brazil, couples must be married within the state of their residency (which would be filed on the application documents). An official at the Civil Registry Office performs the ceremony and completes all of the required paperwork. Bear in mind that religious ceremonies in Brazil are optional and have no legal authority. (Couples may have a religious ceremony in addition to the civil ceremony, but they cannot substitute a religious ceremony for a civil ceremony.) Couples getting married in Brazil should be sure to find out if the Civil Registry Office limits marriages to certain days; in Minas Gerias, for instance, civil ceremonies are typically performed on Fridays but not on any other day.

DIY Wedding Invitations with Computer Software

2010-04-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

Designing your own wedding invitations can be a great option for personalizing a wedding. There is a range of excellent invitation software currently available that makes creating wedding invitations well within the reach of virtually every budget and design preference. For those who prefer to make invitations with a personal touch–or to save money by avoiding the cost of pre-printed invitations–DIY wedding invitation software is an excellent way to go. With a little time and a few supplies, you will be on your way to creating the perfect invitations for the wedding of your dreams.

Step 1

Select the brand of software that you would like to use for the wedding invitations. Several invitation software companies offer packages that include wedding invitation software. The packages offer templates that are appropriate for wedding (and even wedding shower) invitations. Additionally, there are wedding invitation templates available through free online software, so if you are looking to save money, the free templates can be a great option.

Step 2

Choose a template for the wedding invitation, or design your own from scratch. Any software that you select will provide a range of templates, from romantic and traditional to playful and unconventional. The template for the wedding invitation should suit the couple or the overall theme of the wedding.

Step 3

Purchase the paper that you plan to use for the invitations. Wedding invitation paper can range from basic card paper to the costlier vellum paper. The style of the invitation will help you choose the most appropriate paper. Bear in mind that a more traditional invitation will require a finer paper, such as vellum, while a more contemporary invitation might only need a simple card paper.

Step 4

Purchase any accessories that will go with the invitations. Standard invitation accessories include ribbon, raffia, and transparent overlay paper. Some wedding invitations have no accessories, of course. The accessories will depend largely on the template that is used and on the style of the invitation.

Step 5

Design the invitations, and print them out. A laser printer is usually the best option because there is less danger of the ink smudging, but a standard printer will do as long as you give the invitations time to dry. Print off a few trial-run invitations before printing the full number. The samples will give you the opportunity to make sure the invitations look the way you want and have no errors in them.

Tips

Wedding invitations are typically white or ivory, but you are not limited to these shades. The invitation should reflect the couple and the event, so feel free to create an invitation in any color that is most appropriate. Just bear in mind that darker colors do not lend themselves to clear print, so consider a lighter overlay to ensure that guests can read the invitation details clearly.

Don’t forget the envelopes. Envelopes are usually included with pre-printed invitation packages, but if you are printing your own, be sure to purchase the envelopes and to calculate them into the overall cost.

Free Wedding Song Download

2010-04-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

Singer, Edwin McCain is sharing his latest song exclusively with Get Married! Edwin is no stranger to weddings. Dubbed the modern day "wedding singer" Edwin is best known for crowd favorites "I'll Be" (voted the best wedding song ever written) and "I Could Not Ask For More."

Don't miss your opportunity for a TWO WEEK FREE DOWNLOAD of McCain's latest masterpiece, "Walk With You," a moving melody written for fathers and daughters. From now until April 21, you can find McCain's free download exclusively on GetMarried.com. http://www.getmarried.com/edwin-mccain-download/

Wedding Venues or Honeymoon Accommodations: The Best Hotel Chains

2010-04-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

For planning a wedding ceremony or reception or choosing a honeymoon destination, a chain hotel can be an excellent option. Granted, a chain might not offer quite the same local touch of a small boutique hotel, but the chains do represent brand consistency that can be appealing in unfamiliar locations. And hotel chains understand this, so they strive to provide guests exactly what they expect to find in the recognized hotel name. With the gradual expansion of chain hotels around the world, you are sure to find a name that you trust. So, whether you plan to visit Dallas or Dublin, Boston or Budapest, check out the hotel chains that are available for you there.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts owns more than fifty hotel properties that span twenty-two different countries, and the chain is constantly expanding in the U.S. and around the world. Additionally, the various Four Seasons hotels have been the recipient of numerous hotel awards, and the Las Vegas location was most recently a recipient of TripAdvisor’s 2010 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Beyond this, the Four Seasons location in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Palm Beach, Kailua-Kona (Big Island, Hawaii), Maui, Chicago, Boston, New York, and Jackson Hole (Wyoming), among others, have all received the prestigious AAA Five-Diamond ranking for 2010. The Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts boasts more consistent AAA Five-Diamond rankings than any other hotel chain worldwide.

Marriott Family of Hotels

Marriott has more or less cornered every part of the hotel and resort market with its extensive family of hotels. The company offers its flagship Marriott (or sometimes J.W. Marriott) hotels for travelers who need luxury, but it also owns such familiar hotel chains as the Fairfield Inn & Suites, the Residence Inn & Suites, the Courtyard Hotel. What is more, the various segments of the Marriott company have received numerous awards for overall quality and customer service. In March of 2010, Marriott was a recipient of TripAdvisor’s 2010 Reader’s Choice Awards, and in January of 2010, Marriott was recognized as one of only thirteen companies to receive an “All Star” rating from Fortune magazine. Marriott has also received honors as one of the “Greenest” companies in the U.S. and has been awarded Elite Marketing Awards from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International.

Hampton Inn & Suites

Hampton Inn & Suites is officially a division of Hilton Hotels and features almost 1800 locations in all fifty states, as well as Puerto Rico, all of the Canadian provinces, and parts the U.K. The Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards named Hampton Inn & Suites “the best mid-priced hotel” for five years running (and most recently in January of 2010), and the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International awarded Hampton Inn with a Gold, Silver, and Bronze Adrian Awards in February of 2010. Within the Hampton chain, the top 5% of Hampton Inn & Suites locations have received the Lighthouse Award for quality and guest satisfaction, and numerous locations have received the Hilton family of hotels Connie Award, given to locations that represent “the best of the best” for Hilton.

Decorations Ideas for a South Indian Wedding

2010-04-08T06:46:00.000-07:00

If a bride or groom has South Indian roots, they may want this reflected in their wedding, whether it takes place in India or elsewhere. Traditional Indian decor is bold in color and design, with richness and elegance. If you’re throwing a South Indian wedding, you may be looking for ideas from which to draw inspiration.

Mandap

Traditionally, Indian ceremonies take place at a mandap, which is an important symbolic element you'll want to incorporate into a traditional South Indian ritual. Find deep gold and red fabric colors for more of a traditional look or coordinate fabric colors to match your overall wedding theme. Real or artificial flowers can adorn the canopy. Marigolds, roses, and jasmine are commonly used for this purpose. The pillars can be wrapped with floral garlands or silk drapes in coordinating colors. Usually there is a brightly colored carpet at the floor of the mandap, and strings of lights, lanterns or candles can be used for illumination. The mandap can also include wall hangings and decorative artifacts. Don't forget the ornate chairs that often resemble thrones for you and your groom to sit on under the mandap.

Kalash and Thali

Kalash and Thali are symbols of shagun, or luck. Kalash is a pot usually made of brass, but may be found in silver as well. The pot contains a coconut surrounded by fresh mango leaves. Painting is done in beautiful ethnic designs on the exterior of the pot; stickers with Indian designs can be used for the same purpose. A Thali is a plate made of silver or brass. Banana leaves cover the plate, with a diya (clay lamp) in the center. The diya is then surrounded with colorful flowers. Both the Kalash and the Thali can make gorgeous ethnic centerpieces.

Car

Like in America, the vehicle that will take the new couple away is often decorated for the Indian wedding. However, the decorations used for this purpose are much different. Typically flowers are using to adorn the car. Fresh, bright flowers are placed on the hood and artificial garlands drape over the car. Other accessories used to decorate the car can include: mirrors, bows, threads, artifacts, tissues and bandhani (dyed cotton or silk fabric).

Chicago Wedding Cruise Ideas

2010-04-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Chicago, Illinois borders the southwestern edge of Lake Michigan and includes the Chicago River and Calumet River. Known for the Great Fire of 1871, the starting point of Historic Route 66 and for its gangster bad guys such as Al Capone, Chicago is a multicultural and diverse city with a rich history. A variety of dinner cruises are available to enjoy the sights of the city while dining on board a yacht or boat and make great options for rehearsal dinner parties, wedding receptions or simply a wedding activity for fun.

Odyssey Chicago

The Odyssey Chicago dinner cruise was rated "the best skyline in America" by Travel and Leisure magazine. Dinner cruise guests are invited on board, loading at the Navy Pier, and are served appetizers, entrees and desserts that are prepared fresh daily by the on-board chef. Diners can view the skyline of Chicago while dining at their tables, dancing to the live music aboard the ship or sitting and relaxing on the outside deck. The boat cruises along the Chicago lakefront and offers guests views of the Museum Campus and Evanston. Individual and group tickets are sold, so you can dine aboard to celebrate a special occasion or just because. The boat holds up to 600 passengers.

Odyssey Chicago
Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
866-305-2469
odysseycruises.com

Spirit of Chicago

Spirit of Chicago offers guests a buffet dinner aboard one of their ships. Guests can enjoy the downtown Chicago skyline as the boat skirts the lakefront area. Cabaret-style seating promotes mixing and mingling with the other guests aboard the ship. Individual tickets and group tickets are available. Along with appetizers, a grand buffet dinner, and beverages, guests are entertained with some of the top DJs in the greater Chicago area.

Spirit of Chicago
Navy Pier
Chicago, IL 60611
866-273-2469
spiritofchicago.com

Mystic Blue Full Moon Dinner Cruise

Private tables are assigned as guests board the Mystic Blue Full Moon Dinner Cruise. The cruise offers a full dinner buffet and live music entertainment as it sets sail. The cruise takes the guests along the lakefront for views of the Chicago city skyline and at time sets sail as far north as Evanston. The boat holds up to 500 passengers.

Mystic Blue Full Moon Dinner Cruise
Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-321-7600
mysticbluecruises.com/Chicago

Etiquette for a Rehearsal Dinner at a Destination Wedding

2010-04-06T18:29:00.000-07:00

A rehearsal dinner is an intimate meal for the immediate family members of the bride and groom and for members of the wedding party. A destination wedding, however, can add a layer of etiquette complexity. Usually small and relaxing, you may have to settle for a bigger-than-normal dining experience—to make guests who fly in, possibly from very long distances, feel welcome. Applying etiquette rules to a rehearsal dinner for a destination wedding requires thoughtful consideration of everyone involved.

The Facts

Traditional wedding etiquette makes the groom’s family responsible for the rehearsal dinner. Additionally, traditional wedding etiquette includes only the immediate family and the members of the wedding party. This means that the bride and her family should not add people outside of this group to this special dinner without first consulting the groom’s family. At the same time, the groom’s family should remember that a distant great-aunt of the bride who took the time to come to the wedding probably deserves a seat at the rehearsal dinner.

Geography

Geography plays an important part in rehearsal dinner etiquette for a destination wedding. If the destination for the wedding is outside the United States, or even in Hawaii, the bride and groom should “go the extra mile” for their guests. So, the groom’s family should consider including extra guests at the rehearsal dinner to make them feel welcome.

Size

Destination weddings tend to be smaller, for the simple reason that fewer people can travel to the location. If the wedding does not have more than 40 or 50 people attending, it might be possible to include everyone in the rehearsal dinner. In fact, for destination weddings, the rehearsal dinner can easily be a relaxing experience, a “night before” party, so that everyone is ready for the wedding the next day. No, the rehearsal dinner may not be traditional, but as the wedding itself is not necessarily traditional, there is no reason not to bend the rules a little.

Considerations

Because destination weddings are more challenging for everyone—from the bride and the groom to the guests that attend—the rules for the rehearsal dinner sometimes change. For instance, the bride and the groom might offer to host the dinner instead of the groom’s parents, as a way to thank everyone for coming to the wedding. At the same time, the bride and the groom should not assume this responsibility without first discussing it with the groom’s family to avoid unintentionally insulting anyone.

Expert Insights

Whatever the decision is about the rehearsal dinner, the primary focus should be on relaxation and on making everyone feel welcome. Traveling to a distant location for the wedding is already difficult; add to this challenge that guests might feel awkward not knowing what to do while they wait for the wedding (particularly if the wedding is outside the U.S.), and hospitality is the key. The best decision might be for the groom’s family to arrange a small pre-wedding party or invite every guest to the rehearsal dinner.

How to Start a Wedding Consultant Business

2010-03-02T13:23:00.000-08:00

If you love planning magnificent events and enjoy the romance and flair of a wedding, becoming a bridal consultant may be a perfect career choice. A bridal consultant sees to the needs of a bride from the beginning of the planning process until the married couple rides off into the sunset. In order to start your own bridal consultant business, there are many things to learn.

Step One:
Become an expert. Many Bridal Consultants worked within the wedding industry (bridal shop, flowers, and reception venues) before becoming a consultant, so they already have first-hand knowledge. Whether you are seasoned in the wedding world or you are new to it, it is important to know all of the quality vendors in your area. Build relationships with them by visiting their businesses and asking questions. Establish a network of your most trusted suppliers. The more business you send to your favorite vendors, the better service (and prices) they are likely to provide. Develop a database full of all wedding-related providers so that you can offer multiple suggestions to your bridal clients.

Step Two:
Study up on wedding trends, etiquette, and creative ideas. Read magazines and websites and attend bridal shows to remain up-to-date on your advice. Attend other weddings to add to your file of ideas and record any mistakes or problems that you can avoid or overcome in your own business.

Step Three:
Develop your people skills. Bridal Consultants must deal with hundreds of details and thousands of emotions to carry off an impeccable wedding celebration. Therefore, they must be skilled in dealing with people, offering solutions to problems, and navigating potential pitfalls. Overall they must work well under pressure.

Step Four:
Become an adept money manager. With an average wedding costing $20,000 or more, it is highly important for a new businessperson to be skilled at managing, and stretching, the bride’s budget. Using your newfound people skills, you will negotiate for the best prices and make a low-budget wedding look like that of an heiress. As a business owner, the bridal consultant must also be able to manage one’s own business finances.

Step Five:
Set your rates and plan your income. Most wedding coordinators make 10 to 15 percent of the wedding budget, but some operate on an hourly rate. An average wedding would take about 35 hours of coordinating. The wedding business is seasonal, so your main income will be earned from May through October. Many bridal consultants offer other party-planning services during the slow wedding months.

Step Six:
Build your portfolio with clients from successful weddings. Add letters of reference, pictures, and include all of the vendors used and decisions made. This will aid you in developing future events, but it will also prove your abilities to future clients.

Romantic Honeymoons in the Bahamas

2010-02-16T06:44:00.000-08:00

Few places can be quite as romantic as the Bahamas, and particularly for newlyweds enjoying their honeymoon. What is more, there is no shortage of hotel and resort options for romantic couples to choose from. The Bahamas teams not only with natural beauty but also with a range of accommodations spread out across its 29 islands and 661 cays. Choosing the right romantic honeymoon getaway is only a matter of deciding where to stay and what type of hotel or resort to enjoy. With a little research, you and your new spouse will be on your way to enjoying a honeymoon in a place that might just have been made for romantic getaways.

Kamalame Cay

An all-inclusive resort on a private island just off the island of Andros, Kamalame Cay is set on 96 acres and offers visitors three miles of Bahamas beaches to enjoy. The resort offers guests a range of room options, from cottage suites to a four-bedroom private villa. Each villa and suite is also privately set on the island and within easy distance of the beach. The resort staff will also book guests on one or more of the many activities, including snorkeling, fishing, and diving. Guests can also request a private tour or an eco tour of the island. Romantic couples may arrange for a dinner for two, located right on the beach and with a private chef.

Kamalame Cay
Staniard Creek, Andros
The Bahamas
876-632-3213
www.kamalame.co.uk

One & Only Ocean Club

Located on 35 acres, the One & Only Club was once the destination of world-famous jet-setters. The resort style has a West Indian influence, and the hotel includes more than 100 guestrooms. Guests may choose from traditional rooms, as well as beachfront suites, and all guestrooms provide a private terrace or balcony. The resort amenities include a restaurant with Bahamanian influences on the menu and a spa where guests may indulge in holistic treatments. There is a beachfront golf course on site for guests who are also golf enthusiasts. The One & Only Ocean Club also provides a free shuttle to Atlantis for those guests who would like to enjoy the marina, spa, or casino there.

One & Only Ocean Club
P.O. Box N 477
Paradise Island
The Bahamas
242-363-2501
www.oneandonlyresorts.com

Green Turtle Club

The Green Turtle Club claims to offer guests unparalleled beach access on an island that is only about 3 miles long. What is more, this particular resort is situated to provide guests with beach access on both sides of the island – the Atlantic, as well as the Caribbean. The resort was constructed in 1964, and it retains a style that features a British Colonial influence. Accommodations include standard rooms, as well as villas. The resort will also arrange weddings for guests who would like to be married on site. The Green Turtle Club is located near a town that dates back to the 18th century, so guests may hop on one of the resort golf carts and drive into town to explore the local shops.

Green Turtle Club
Green Turtle Cay, Abaco
The Bahamas Out Islands
242-365-4271
www.greenturtleclub.com

How to Create an Orchid Wedding Bouquet

2010-02-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

The delicate and graceful orchid can be a perfect flower for a wedding bouquet. What is more, because the orchid is such a noticeable and beautiful flower, you do not need a large arrangement of them for the bouquet to stand out. When assembling an orchid wedding bouquet, simplicity is best, and the more you feature the flowers, the lovelier the bouquet will be. Adding one other type of flower can set off the orchids even more beautifully, and a few small accessories can create a memorable bouquet that matches your wedding theme. With a few simple steps, you will be on your way to holding the perfect orchid wedding bouquet.

Supplies Needed

Orchids, in one color or a couple of colors
Other flower of your choice (white or colored roses, crocosmia, etc.)
Floral wire
Floral tape
Jewel accessories (small pearls or colored gems)
Hot glue gun with glue sticks
Ribbon

Instructions

Step 1: Gather together the orchids and any other flowers that you plan to use for the bouquet. Check all of the flowers for wilted petals, and remove any petals and leaves that are spent. Clean off anywhere from eight to ten inches of the stem to remove any small leaves or extra stem pieces. The lower portion of the stem is what you will hold, so try out the space to make sure you have enough stem.

Step 2: Begin arranging the orchids and any other flowers as you want them to appear in the bouquet. Alternate orchids and other flowers, or just place each orchid in the right spot so that the bouquet is rounded in shape and looks exactly like you want.

Step 3: Attach any jewel accessories to the floral wire by hot gluing them down. Be sure the floral wire is about the same length as the flower stems, or even a little shorter, so that it does not stick out below the stems. Depending on the size of the bouquet and the number of flowers that you use, you may have anywhere from three to ten jewel accessories in the bouquet.

Step 4: Insert the wired jewels into the bouquet, placing them so that they are visible in the arrangement but do not overwhelm the flowers. The jewel accessories should highlight the beauty of the orchids and other flowers without taking over the bouquet.

Step 5: Gather the arrangement together, and wrap the stems with floral wire to secure it. The floral wire will function as a type of “collar” to hold the flowers together, but be sure that you do not place the wire too close to the base of the flower itself. Instead, add the wire about an inch below the flower heads to give the flowers a little room to bend just slightly.

Step 6: Wrap the floral wire with floral tape to secure the entire arrangement, and then cover the floral tape with ribbon. Gently hot glue the ribbon down as you secure it around the stems. If you like, hot glue one or more small jewels to the stem for an added touch.

Tips and Warnings

One option for securing any wedding bouquet is also to use a tussy mussy. A tussy mussy can be purchased at most craft supply stores and will provide a ready-made holder for the flowers. Some will even provide an extra stand so that you can display the bouquet during the reception.

Keeping Track of Wedding Vendor Contact Information

2010-02-11T06:37:00.000-08:00

Is your list of wedding vendor information getting out of hand? When you’re planning a wedding you always need to keep the contact information readily available. Luckily for the modern bride, the days of keeping track of vendor information in large books are over. The advent of the spreadsheet and even planning and organizational programs has made it possible to input the necessary data and then update it with little trouble. Keeping track of your vendor contact information is now just a matter of finding the right software and making sure all of your vendors make it into the system.

Step 1: Gather the list of vendor information and decide what you need to maintain within the spreadsheet program or vendor organization software. Some businesses will only need to keep track of the basic contact details, such as company name, address, and so forth. Other businesses will need to include extra information that will be useful when it comes time to contact the company. Take the time to think about what you need to include in the program.

Step 2: Select the program that you want to use. Basic spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel allow you to build your contact information from scratch and include as many or as few details as you need. A purchasable vendor organization program will already include a variety of options, from the basics of contact details to a variety of vendor-related specifics that might be necessary to know when working with a vendor. Fortunately, the purchasable software will also allow you to select among the available options so that the categories you do not need can be hidden or deactivated.

Step 3: Begin adding the contact information that you want to include. As you add the information, check to make sure that you understand how to find records in the event that you need to update them or access them.

Tips and Warnings

For those familiar with its features, Microsoft Excel can be an excellent program that enables a business to keep track of exactly what it need in terms of vendor contact information. For those who have never worked with the program before, however, it can be somewhat confusing and not always user-friendly. If you are unfamiliar with Excel, the ready-made software might be a better choice.

New Ways to Repurpose Old Engagement Rings

2010-02-09T12:41:00.000-08:00

Because an engagement ring has such significant emotional value, it can be difficult to determine what to do with one that you are no longer using. In some cases, a former fiancé will ask for the ring back, but if the ex-fiancé is willing to leave the ring in your possession, you are left with a piece of jewelry that you will likely not want to wear.

For those who have old engagement rings from marriages that ended in divorce or death, the rings can be difficult to get rid of, because they might have sentimental value for widows or for the children. Fortunately, there are several options for giving old engagement rings a new purpose, and those who do not wish to wear the rings – whatever the reason – can still find something to do with them.

Selling Old Rings

Obviously, the easiest way to remove an unused engagement ring from your possession is to look into selling it. Unfortunately, engagement rings can be a bit like cars when it comes to resale: they begin losing value the moment they leave the jewelry store. In some cases, a jeweler will take a ring back with a receipt, but this is only if it was purchased fairly recently (and if the ring does not have an inscription). If the ring was purchased some time back, your only real choice for selling the ring is to find a jeweler who is willing to make you an offer for it. Call around to local jewelry stores and explain your situation. Inquire about whether or not, they will give you an estimate on buying the ring. Bear in mind that few grooms-to-be will want to purchase a used ring, so the jeweler will likely have to sell the ring for a reduced price or reset and repurpose it.

Resetting Old Rings

Another option for using an old engagement ring is simply recycling it. If the ring has a stone on it that you do not mind keeping, consider taking the ring to a jeweler and find out if the stone (or stones) can be removed and placed in a necklace or bracelet. This is a good option for those who have an engagement ring from a previous marriage but are now wearing a ring from a current marriage. For instance, a widow can honor her late spouse by resetting the diamond from the previous engagement ring while still wearing the current engagement-wedding ring combination on her hand.

Donating Old Rings

Donating an old engagement ring to charity might sound like a waste of perfectly good money, but if the ring no longer has sentimental value to you – and it is just sitting in a drawer or safe somewhere – you can still use the value of the ring as a tax write-off and provide someone else with the chance to put the ring to good use. Before donating an old engagement ring, be sure to contact the charitable organization that you would like to give it to, since many of them have policies on items that they will and will not take. Once you have confirmed that they will accept the ring, drop it off and be sure to get a donation receipt for it.

Managing the Children in the Wedding Party

2010-02-04T14:10:00.000-08:00

Nothing may be more precious or more meaningful than having adorable flower girls and ring bearers in your wedding. Children, however, present some challenges of their own that you may want to keep in mind for your wedding day event.

• Try to stick with children between the ages of five and seven because they’re a bit easier to manage, keep quiet and keep still during the ceremony. They’re also less likely to be afraid of the guest crowd and break into tears
• The parents of the children in the wedding typically pay for the child’s attire
• The bride pays for and provides the flower girl basket and flowers and the ring pillow
• After the children walk down the aisle, have their parents take them to their seat (generally best to sit the parents of the kids near the front)

Choosing Members of the Wedding Party

2010-02-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

For some weddings, the meaning of choosing attendants is lost. When you choose the groomsmen and the bridesmaids, it should be about choosing special people that you want to stand as witnesses for your very special day. It’s not about making all of the cousins on your mother’s side of the family part of the wedding just because that’s the way it is.

Remember, the more people you have in the wedding party, the more people you have to worry about for gifts and on the day of the wedding. It’s not to say that you should have a small wedding party either. You should choose to have the size wedding party you want to have – be it big or small – because you’ve chosen wisely.

One more thing, the modern bride doesn’t even have to choose the same number of bridesmaids as her groom chooses groomsmen either. It’s perfectly acceptable to have a disproportionate number. The only rule in choosing your wedding party is that there aren’t any rules at all.

How to Get Your Wedding Bands Engraved

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

Many couples choose to have an inscription engraved on the inside of their wedding bands as a memento of the special occasion. One of the items you can engrave is your names. Most couples also add the date of the wedding, if it fits. If you have decided to engrave names in your wedding bands, here are the steps you need to take to get it done.

Decide how the inscription will read. You may choose to engrave your own name on your own wedding band and your husband’s name on his wedding band. You may choose to engrave his name on your band and vice versa. Your other option is to engrave both of your name. however you decide, figure out precisely how you want to names to read.

Find a jeweler or engraving company. Ask the jeweler where you’re buying your wedding bands if they offer an engraving service or ask if they can refer you to an engraving service. Once you find a company to engrave the rings, schedule an appointment to discuss the details such as cost, possible problems, etc.
Discuss options with the engraver. While most professional engravers can easily engrave your rings, things can go wrong. When you schedule a meeting with the engraver, be sure to ask all of the questions you have such as what happens if the ring is damaged during the engraving process or if the engraver makes a mistake?

Show and ask for samples. Bring engraving samples you like to the meeting with your engraver to show them how you want your engravings to look. Also, ask them for samples of their engraving work so you can judge the quality of their work with your own eyes.
Choose hand or machine engraving. If your rings have very intricate design features, you may have to opt for hand engraving over machine engraving. Otherwise, you should be able to have the names engraved by a machine, which tends to be less time intensive and cost less money.

Inspect the engraving. Ask for the engraver to provide a proof of what the engraving will look like before they start working on your rings. Once you approve the proof and go to pick your rings up from the engraver, make sure you carefully review the engravings to make sure that your names are spelled correctly and that it looks the same or similar to the proof you approved.

New Look for Bridesmaids

2010-01-30T17:41:00.000-08:00

Centuries ago, bridesmaids worse dresses that were similar in style, fashion and color as the bride. With a belief that evil spirits (or at least forbidding family members) may kidnap the bride to keep her from marrying the groom, wearing dresses that were basically the same prevented the evil spirits from recognizing the bride.

Somewhere along the way, bridesmaid dresses went to the other side of the spectrum, where brides wore white gowns and bridesmaids wore dresses in a rainbow of colors. At times, bridesmaid dresses were downright hideous with ruffles, hoop skirts and the like. It was almost as if the bride were punishing her friends or trying to make them look really bad in an effort to make the bride look really great.

Modern times have created sophisticated styles and colors for bridesmaid dresses. Brides have even come around to letting their bridesmaids choose their own dress so that each girl chooses a dress they like and one that flatters individual figures, shapes and sizes. Many bridesmaid dresses today are even multi-purpose and stylish enough to wear again to other events.

The Clash of Wedding Invitation Traditions with Technology

2010-01-30T16:36:00.000-08:00

Wedding traditions stem back from the beginning of time. Computers and printers in the home are much newer to the wedding scene. From creating their own wedding invitations at home to addressing envelopes with a computer font that looks strikingly similar to calligraphy, does technology help brides or is does it cause a clash between modern times and wedding traditions? Experts and brides alike seem to agree that technology helps them carry out wedding traditions more effectively than ever before – and at time much more cost effectively as well.

Save-the-Date

A save-the-date is a courteous way of announcing to out-of-town guests that they better start making their travel arrangement because your wedding is six months to a year from now. With self-publishing sites such as Picaboo, Snapfish and Kodak, brides can upload their favorite photo of the happy couple, turn it into a postcard, magnet or coffee mug and send it out to invited guests. Even a simple save-the-date card can be created online or with desktop publishing software, stuffed in a computer-addressed envelope and dropped in the mail.

Thank You Cards

While it is acceptable to create thank you cards or to address mailing envelopes on a computer, thank you notes still need to be handwritten. Include a personal note, mentioning the gift received and sign it with both of your names. Running the same printed message through your computer printer, complete with computer printed names is very impersonal, Hand written thank you notes are one tradition you want to stick to using.

Labels

It’s not a recommendation to use mailing labels to address your wedding invitations, thank you cards or any other wedding stationary. If you do, however, decide to use labels use clear mailing labels for printing so they are less noticeable when you slap them on the envelope.

How to Tie a Box Knot on a Bridesmaid Dress

2010-01-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

When your bridesmaid dresses have a waist sash or tie of some sort, you can choose to tie the ribbon or material in several different ways. One option is to do a box tie, which is also known as a box knot. It is easier to do a box tie on someone else than to try to do it on your dress, so you may want to assign someone to tie all of the bridesmaid dresses rather than leave it to each individual girl.

Align each piece of ribbon or material. Pull the ribbon or material to be tied so that it lines up to an equal length on each side.

Cross over. Take the right side of the ribbon or material and cross it over the top of the left side of the ribbon or material.

Create loops and weave. Take the end of the piece of ribbon that is now on the bottom and pull it up and over the right of the top piece.

Repeat the opposite to create loop and weave. Take the end of the top piece of ribbon and pull it under and through the loop. Pull it over the top piece and under the left piece of the ribbon.

Secure the knot. Take the right side and pull it down and through the right loop so that it is a bit loose. When passing through the loop, the end should go under and then over. Repeat this step with the left side except the end should go over and then under when going through the loop.

Tips
This type of know should only be used as decoration rather than in effort to secure someone or something.

How to Make Handkerchiefs for the Mother of the Bride

2010-01-24T13:46:00.000-08:00

Delicate handkerchiefs are a traditional gift for a bride to present to her mother as well as other members of her bridal party. Although this time-honored custom is not always continued today, monogrammed or delicately embroidered hankies are still a lovely way to honor the bride’s mother and give her something beautiful to dry her happy tears on your wedding day. With a few common sewing tools, you can whip up this easy project in no time.

Things You’ll Need

1. Linen or sheer cotton fabric (preferably white or ivory)
2. Measuring tool Scissors or rotary cutter
3. Iron
4. Pins
5.Sewing machine with matching thread
6. Water soluble fabric marker
7. Embroidery needle and thread

Step 1: Cut out your pre-washed and ironed linen or cotton fabric to measure 12 x 12 inches. Linen is a more traditional handkerchief material, although a delicate and sheer cotton can be used instead if you find linen difficult to work with.

Step 2: Fold down and iron each edge ¼-inch. Repeat this step to create another ¼-inch fold, and secure with pins. This will ensure that there are no raw edges on either side of the handkerchief when you are done.

Step 3: Use your sewing machine to sew a straight or zigzag stitch along the edge of the fold you created. You might prefer instead to use a more decorative stitch depending on what your machine is capable of and the style you want for the hankie. The thread for the edge should typically match the ivory or white material you are working with, but a pastel blue or even one of your wedding colors can be equally appropriate.

Step 4: Using your fabric marker, draw the letter, word, or even phrase that you want to embroider on the hankie. Traditionally, this should appear on one of the corners so it is visible when folded. Your mother’s first initial will make a pretty monogram. The word “mother” or the phrase “mother or the bride” spelled out is even more special but will take a little more time to complete. You might even decide to include the wedding date.

Step 5: Thread the embroidery needle with the embroidery thread, preferably in a color that matches or coordinates with the thread along the edges, and stitch out the monogram, phrase, etc. that you have drawn out.

Step 6: Lightly wet over where you have embroidered to remove the ink markings. Once dry, run a warm iron over the completed handkerchief, and fold to where the embroidery shows in the corner.

Tips

As you sew down the folded edges, make sure that the fabric at the corners does not hang over. This might require you to fold under the corner edges before you sew.

Instead of a monogram, word, phrase, or wedding date, a bridal handkerchief can alternately be embroidered with a pretty flower or other simple design depending on your mother’s style and your embroidering skills.

If the thought of hand embroidery is too intimidating or you simply don’t have time, complete the hankie and take it to an embroidery shop to have it done.

Get Married Magazine Hits Newsstands

2010-01-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

ATLANTA, January 19, 2010 - In the midst of prime engagement season, Get Married magazine hits newsstands nationwide, filling the void for brides seeking a fresh voice in bridal trends and shopping. For brides who have yet to experience the new shopping and wedding trend guide, Get Married — a tri-media wedding lifestyle resource — is offering a single free issue of Get Married magazine as a one-time special offer.

The January issue highlights 2010's best bridal trends, while giving brides an interactive guide for wedding shopping. With URLs featured alongside every product and as the first bridal publication to use Microsoft Tag, Get Married magazine enables brides to instantly shop and explore its vast selection of stylish wedding products. In an effort to streamline brides' shopping experience, nearly 80 percent of the magazine products are available in its online wedding shop (shop.getmarried.com), including free samples of wedding invitations.

“Get Married magazine keeps it real for brides. With an all-things-possible attitude and a down-to-earth point of view, the magazine showcases a diverse selection of unique ‘real bride' stories while offering accessibility to its trendy and affordable wedding product assortment,” said Stacie Francombe, CEO and founder of Get Married Media. “We not only offer brides the latest bridal trends, we let them know exactly where to buy the very things that inspire them.”

In addition to gorgeous real brides' weddings, the January issue of Get Married magazine showcases celebrity brides and star wedding experts who offer insight into what's hot in bridal fashion, designs and food:

· Celebrity brides Khloe Kardashian and Melissa Rycroft discuss the latest trends and what's hot in bridal

· Monique Lhullier, wedding dress and décor designer, talks about details behind her design process

· Wolfgang Puck, world-renowned chef, shares the wedding catering trends for 2010

· Sylvia Weinstock, wedding cake guru, offers a twist on the traditional wedding cake

· Celebrity wedding and event designer Marcy Blum offers tips on rehearsal dinner toasts

Continuing in Get Married magazine's tradition of being the only magazine to use real, celebrity wedding designers on the cover, the current issue includes an enchanting tablescape design by Tony Conway, wedding planner and owner of A Legendary Event. Conway, who designed the Precious premiere party for Tyler Perry and Oprah and has worked with Sir Elton John and Jane Fonda, was given a box of products and only four days to put together the ethereal cover design. International photo mastermind Alex Martinez shot the cover.

Where to find Get Married magazine

· On newsstands in select locations: Barnes & Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks, Book World, Hasting, Books-A-Million, additional independent bookstores

· Free first issue: Brides can receive a single issue of Get Married magazine FREE by signing up online for this special one-time offer at www.getmarried.com/register/

· Free online flipper: For this current issue, the free online flipper provides brides an interactive experience by hyperlinking all product features to a site of purchase (www.getmarried.com/magazine)

· Annual subscriptions (4 issues): Available for $14.96 (www.getmarried.com/magazine)

Additional inspirations that brides will see in the new issue of Get Married magazine include: a runway bridal fashion report, budget-savvy favors and gifts, groomsman and bridesmaid gifts, registry ideas, a deconstruction of DIY projects, super-cool save-the-dates and wedding invitations, destination hotspots, enter-to-win giveaways, local resources of wedding vendors, selection of best-loved wedding blogs, and more.

About Get Married Media

Get Married Media is a national, integrated tri-media wedding planning resource that reaches passionate brides on TV (WE tv Saturdays at 9:30am et/pt), online (www.GetMarried.com) and in print (Get Married magazine). Get Married connects brides with local and national wedding vendors and industry experts through entertainment and news.

Get Married magazine (circ. 300,000) - the new shopping and trend guide for the savvy bride - moves beyond the traditional ways of delivering a bridal publication - from the newest interactive technology and latest trends in bridal shopping and style to a colorful, fresh voice in the wedding genre. The first issue is FREE in single copy (www.getmarried.com/magazine) or bulk (magazine@getmarried.com).

Closely integrated with the TV show and Get Married magazine, the online portal at http://wedding.getmarried.com/ offers brides an interactive experience, including a wedding shop that sells wedding accessories and products as seen in the magazine, as well as a wedding blog (bloggerbrides.com), video segments from the show, articles, image galleries and wedding planning tools.

Get Married Seeks Real Brides For National Wedding Program

2010-01-12T05:23:00.000-08:00

Casting call for brides-to-be to appear on Get Married’s show on WE tv

Get Married’s national wedding program is looking for passionate brides to appear on its television show. Throughout the half-hour program which airs every Saturday at 9:30am ET/PT on WE tv, host Stacie Francombe—Get Married’s CEO and founder—helps brides identify and match their personality with their unique bridal style. Brides are guided through an array of bridal experiences and participate in inspiring challenges with wedding professionals and experts.

Interested brides-to-be are encouraged to apply by visiting www.getmarried.com/omg where additional details are posted. Brides across the country could be saying “OMG! I’m going to be on TV!”

“Get Married’s show is all about the bride. By incorporating real brides in every episode we make a connection with our audience, showing them that every wedding element is attainable regardless of your style,” said Stacie Francombe, CEO and founder of Get Married Media. “Get Married’s show helps brides create the ultimate wedding that reflects their unique and personal style.”

Get Married’s television show on WE tv, a women-centric network dedicated to the wedding genre, is among an audience of brides seeking bright, innovative ideas and inspirations. Available in nearly 74 million homes, WE tv is the premier source for women looking to satisfy their curiosity with fascinating, original stories and entertaining content. The series will also simulcast to an additional three million on Wedding Central, a 24/7 multiplatform, interactive programming service devoted to weddings, dating and romance.

About Get Married Media
Get Married Media, a national, integrated tri-media wedding planning resource that reaches passionate brides on TV (WE tv Saturdays at 9:30am et/pt), online (www.GetMarried.com) and in print (Get Married magazine). Get Married connects brides with local and national wedding vendors and industry experts through entertainment and news.

Get Married magazine (circ. 300,000) - the new shopping and trend guide for the savvy bride - moves beyond the traditional ways of delivering a bridal publication - from the newest interactive technology and latest trends in bridal shopping and style to a colorful, fresh voice in the wedding genre. The first issue is FREE in single copy (www.getmarried.com/magazine) or bulk (magazine@getmarried.com).

Closely integrated with the TV show and Get Married magazine, the online portal at http://wedding.getmarried.com/ offers brides an interactive experience, including a wedding shop that sells wedding invitations, wedding favors, accessories and products as seen in the magazine, as well as a wedding blog (bloggerbrides.com), video segments from the show, articles, image galleries and wedding planning tools.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T10:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays

2010-01-01T05:56:00.000-08:00

Top Wedding Supplies May Surprise You

2009-12-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

When you think of wedding supplies, many different types of materials and items probably come to mind. A recent stroll on several wedding forums brought some surprising results at some of the top trends in wedding supplies.

So, here they are, some of the top supplies brides are seeking for their wedding:

1. Feathers
2. Curly willow
3. Crystals

Yes, sometimes things make you go hmmmmmmmm.

Wedding Invitation Tip

2009-12-15T04:02:00.000-08:00

Wedding invitations and stationary can be an expensive investment. Shopping online can help to curb some of the sting, but the drawback is that you can't touch and feel the invitation and its counterparts like you can in the store. Most, if not all, online invitation companies provide invitation samples. For about $1 and possibly a small mailing fee, the invitation company sends out a sample for you to touch and feel in the comfort of your own home. It's worth the couple of bucks to make sure it's the right invitation before you place your order. It can save you from hating the invitations when they come in and having to replace a whole new order.

Do you think wedding planners are useful?

2009-12-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

Many brides sit on the fence when it comes to choosing whether or not to work with a wedding planner. Whether you're a bride, a wedding planner or other wedding professional, here's your chance to chime in and let your opinion be know.

Leave a comment or response to the question:

Do you think wedding planners are useful?

Personalized Wedding Poems Make Great Toasts

2009-12-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

Every bride wants her wedding to be different and unique. Every bride wants the best man or the maid of honor to give a magnificent toast at the reception. Maybe you're the best man or maid of honor and you're nervous about what you're going to say when it's your turn to stand in front of all the wedding guests and say something profound.

The Poem Lady, Jill Starishevsky, may be able to help you with your wedding speech woes.

Jill offers an innovative writing service, which helps brides, grooms or groomsmen and bridesmaids write personalized poems as an expression of their relationship with the newly married couple. Jill obtains all of the personal details from the client and turns it into a heartfelt, funny or serious poem--all according to the speech givers needs and wants.

The poems Jill writes are not limited to the wedding reception. Poems can also be used for showers, engagement parties or any events related to the upcoming nuptials. The poems can also be turned into momentous keepsakes.

For example, one bridesmaid shrunk the poem down and put it in a plexi-glass frame with a magnet on the back. She then glued a red wooden heart to the corner of the frame and gave them out at the shower as favors for the guests, after the poem was read aloud to the bride-to-be.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

How to Create Wedding Invitations Online

2009-11-25T08:41:00.000-08:00

Things You'll Need

* Wedding details: who, what, when, where and why
* Electronic version of photo of the couple
* Access to self-publishing site

No matter what your wedding theme is, the primary focus of the wedding and the invitation is the couple themselves. You can create professional looking wedding invitations online with a photo of the couple as the main focal point of the invitation. Using a self-publishing site and your favorite photo can be a fun and cost effective way to create your wedding invitations online.

Step 1. Choose a self-publishing site. There are numerous Websites (i.e., Picaboo, Kodak, Snapfish) that allow you to upload your photos and turn them into invitations. Before you start working on your invitation online, log into or create an account so you can save your work online while you finish the creation.

Step 2. Pick the invitation style. The online publishing sites allow you to customize the look of your invitation by choosing a flat or foldover card style. You can then upload the photo you want to use on the front of the invitation, choose the border or design style to match your wedding.

Step 3. Choose photo paper. Pick the type of paper you want your wedding invitations to be printed. Since you’re using a photo, you have the choice of glossy or matte style photo paper.

Step 4. Add text. Add text to the front of the invitation as the layout permits. This can include your name and the wedding date.

Step 5. Design the back or inside. Move to the back of a flat invitation or the inside right panel of a foldover card by “flipping” or scrolling. Upload photos and add the wedding verse, including personal information (who, what, when, where and why) as allowed by the invitation design layout you’ve chosen.

Step 6. Choose quantity. Choose how many photo wedding invitations you need to print and submit your order online.

How to Make a Cupcake Stand Display

2009-11-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

Throwing a party or celebration may come down to the presentation. If you're serving cupcakes instead of a cake, you can create your own cupcake display. Not only will it present your cupcakes in style, but your guests may think you hired a professional to set it up.

Check out the step-by-step instructions now

How to Write Wedding Wishes

2009-11-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Wedding cards are the perfect place to communicate your personal congratulations and words of best wishes to a newly married or soon-to-be married couple. Sometimes, though, the right sentiments can seem difficult to convey. If you find yourself stumped for what to write, here are a few steps to help get you started.

Read the full story

Techniques for Party Napkin Favors

2009-11-10T13:14:00.000-08:00

For any party with food or drink, napkins are a necessity. Some party hosts opt for disposable napkins while others utilize cloth ones. While it may seem as if a napkin is simply a napkin, there are some ways you can turn this useful item into a party favor for your guests.

Coordinate with Theme

Disposable and cloth napkins come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles. Visit your local party store or speak with a linen rental company to find out about the patterns and colors they carry. For example, a jungle theme party may have leopard or zebra print napkins. Guests may want to take home an unused sample for their scrapbooks or memory books as a party favor.

You can draw inspiration from perusing party sites online. Parents.com covered a story on Napkins with a Twist on how you can dress up your table and your napkins with daisies, butterflies and starfish to name a few. View some photos for inspirational design ideas.

Personalize

Disposable napkins can be imprinted with the names of the hosts or the reason for the party, along with the date. These make great party favors for those who collect memorabilia of special occasions such as weddings, Sweet 16s and anniversaries. You can order custom imprinted napkins at local stationary and party stores or on a variety of online party stores such as www.foryourparty.com or www.napkinspersonalized.com.

Another way to turn your useful napkins into party favors is to buy linen napkins embroidered with the reason for your party and the date, initials or your guests' names. If you have your guests' names embroidered on the napkins, you triple their use: a napkin, a party favor and a place card. If emroidery is your hobby, you can make the napkins yourself (see http://www.embroideryarts.com/project/napkins1.html for a sample). Specialty gifts stores typically offer personalized linen napkins or you can order online from sites such as http://www.classictablelinen.com/custom_embroidery or http://www.pomegranateinc.com/embroidery.html.
.Napkin Holders

Whether you use cloth napkins or paper napkins, napkin holders are fun and festive party favors. Napkin holders also serve a dual duty if you decorate them to match your party theme and give them as gifts your guests can take home with them. Coordinating napkin holders with your theme is easy to do with a full range of napkin rings available in department stores and online. For example, a tropical wedding event may have palm tree napkin rings to coordinate with small palm tree centerpieces and Key West green bridesmaid dresses.

You can also make your own napkin rings to ensure the design fits your theme. You can even turn it into a small napkin ring craft party with family, friends or your bridal party. For ideas and templates on how to make your own napkin rings, visit http://familycrafts.about.com/od/birthdaypartyprintables/a/printbirthnprin.htm.

Decorate Bridal Gift Boxes

2009-11-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a suggestion on how you can personalize and decorate gift boxes for your bridal party gifts.

Check it out now

How to Make a Wedding Trellis

2009-11-04T05:25:00.000-08:00

Nothing is more romantic than a floral festooned bridal trellis. For brides on a budget, building your own wedding trellis will add to the memorable occasion. With a little planning ahead, you can wrap your trellis in fragrant flowers and create a timeless altar backdrop for exchanging vows.

Supplies

1 4’x8’ Sheet of lattice
2 4” x 4” x 8’ Posts
1 8’ 2 x 4
Nails
Hammer
Saw
Measuring tape
Paint or Stain
Spray paint (optional)

Step 1.

Cut the 2 x 4 into four 2’ pieces. Make a triangle at the base of each of the posts by nailing one of the 2’ sections to the bottom edge of the post. Making a 45 degree angle, nail the other 2’ piece to the post. You should now be able to stand your post upright. Repeat the same process for the second post.

Step 2.

Space the two upright posts 4’ apart. Nail the lattice to the posts making sure that they are level and even on both sides.

Step 3.

Carefully apply stain or paint with a paintbrush. If using white paint, be sure to carefully brush all of the open areas of the lattice. Another option is to use a brush to paint the posts and spray paint for the lattice work.

Step 4.

Move the bridal trellis into the appropriate place. You will need to allow enough time for your plant material to mature.

Step 5.

Once the bridal trellis is in place, surround the base with assorted plant material to cover the stands at the back. Either plant the chosen material or use potted plants for a more portable setting. Timing is essential; so, planning ahead for this feature will insure that your bridal trellis is covered in floral material. Allow enough time for the plant material to begin attaching to the trellis. Hint: Several varieties of climbing roses can fill a trellis in a growing season. Check with your local nursery for the best options.

Options:

Another option is artificial plant material. This allows for portability in case weather changes your outdoor wedding plans. By choosing artificial plants and flowers you can also wait until closer to the wedding to build and decorate your bridal trellis.

Wedding Insurance: Is it on Your Wedding Checklist?

2009-10-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

You insure your home and you insure your car. Should you also insure your wedding? It’s not a common line item you’ll find on a wedding checklist or in your wedding planner, but maybe it should be. Insurance covers the unforeseen and unexpected events and weddings are events where things can and do go wrong. Some thief walks off with your entire gift table? Wedding insurance covers it. Your bridesmaid steps on your dress at a fitting and you hear a big rip as you walk toward the mirror to admire it? Wedding insurance covers it. Before you dismiss wedding insurance from your wedding planning needs, here’s what you need to know to make an educated decision on whether or not it’s for you.

Wedding Insurance 101

Wedding insurance protects you from unforeseen circumstances that have an ill-effect on your wedding. It covers any money you’ve spent or a loss you incur from the unknown circumstances that can happen leading up to and during the wedding.

The best way to illustrate how wedding insurance can work to your advantage is with examples of things that can and do happen.

• You’re flying off to your destination wedding in Aruba. Your husband-to-be checks his tuxedo in his suitcase. You arrive in Aruba and when the baggage belt for your flight stops, your groom’s luggage is nowhere to be found. That’s right. His suitcase is lost and his wedding tuxedo is lost right along with it. Wedding insurance covers the replacement cost of the lost tuxedo and covers the expense of finding a new outfit for the groom in Aruba.

• You have booked your dream wedding venue for your reception. After nine months of planning, your wedding day is three short months away. Your mom comes into town for a visit and you decide to go by the venue to show her around. When you stroll up to the front door and pull on it, it’s locked. That’s when you notice a huge “Gone out of Business” sign on the front door. Wedding insurance covers the loss of the deposit money you’ve paid to this venue and covers the cost of finding a new one.

• On the way to the reception venue, the van delivering your wedding cake gets rear-ended in a traffic accident. Needless to say, your cake is smashed to smithereens. The sugary creation took three days for the bakery to make and assemble. A substitute dessert can be supplied but what about the $750 you spent on the cake? Wedding insurance covers it.

This is simply a sample of some of the realistic disasters that can cause a financial loss. These are but a few of the scenarios covered when you have wedding insurance.

The Cost of Wedding Insurance

Wedding insurance works similar to other types of insurance you carry. There is a basic wedding insurance policy, which typically covers vendor deposits, presents, wedding rings (not engagement), photos, videos and attire. This basic policy can cost anywhere from $150 to $550—varying according to the amount of coverage you choose. As is the case with almost any policy, the higher your amount of coverage, the more the policy costs and vice versa. For accidental coverage, also known as general liability insurance, you’ll pay in the neighborhood of $185 for a $1,000,000 policy. Considering that a wedding typically costs tens of thousands of dollars, this seems like a small price to pay for coverage and peace of mind on one of the biggest days of your life.

How to Know if You Need Wedding Insurance

Most wedding venues and vendors carry insurance, so do your homework before you buy wedding insurance and ask each of your wedding vendors if they carry insurance and how much it covers. It is within your right to ask for a copy of their policy so you have in writing precisely what it covers rather than go by what the vendor says. Having this information helps you see what is already covered and what may not be covered. Rather than buy a wedding insurance policy that overlaps with what is already covered by your vendors, you only need to consider wedding insurance for what isn’t covered.

The What, When and Where of Wedding Insurance

There are some restrictions and limitations with wedding insurance and there is typically a deductible. Some of what is covered by wedding insurance is the venue, weather conditions, vendors that don’t show up or provide the product or service you paid for, an illness or injury to the bride or groom, postponement because of military duty or corporate employment relocation. Some of the items that may not be covered include wedding cancellation by the bride or groom, jewelry and the engagement ring.

Policy Riders

There are riders you can add as supplements to your base insurance policy. These riders provide added coverage for specific circumstances that may arise. Coverage types include gifts, photography, videography, attire, personal liability, medical and the honeymoon.

Getting wedding insurance when disaster has struck is too late. It’s the same as trying to obtain a hurricane insurance policy after your house has been destroyed by a hurricane. It’s not going to happen. Obtain your wedding insurance policy in the beginning stages of planning—if you can. Check with the wedding insurance provider to see how far in advance it requires you to obtain a policy. Then you’ll have added peace of mind that you’re covered if something goes wrong.

Wedding in the Tropics

2009-10-27T12:37:00.000-07:00

If a tropical wedding destination is what you have in mind, there are plenty of options around the world to choose from. From small domestic islands to foreign lands, you can choose a wedding venue that fits your tropical theme. There are some factors you need to consider before booking and planning your wedding destination in the tropics.

Location and Travel

Unless you live in a tropical destination then you and your wedding guests will have to travel to the wedding destination. For you and your groom, you'll probably need to go once or twice before the wedding to take care of the planning details and at least a few days before the wedding date. With the expense of traveling, you may wish to consider how far away the tropical wedding location is and what difficulties your guests may run into getting there such as obtaining a passport and applying for a Visa to visit the country.

Guest List

Some wedding venues in tropical destinations can accommodate hundreds of guests for a sit down meal. Others, however, are located on small islands and may only be able to accommodate small wedding ceremonies and receptions. You either need to make sure that the number of guests works with the venue you choose or scale your guest list according to the amount of guests your venue can comfortably hold.

Attire

Weddings in the tropics also have to take the weather into consideration when choosing attire. While a traditional wedding gown may be fine for a church wedding in your hometown, this type of gown may be too hot for a warm climate. The same holds true for dressing your groom and groomsmen in tuxedos. Loose fitting attire in cool fabrics such as linen and light cotton may be better suited for tropical climates. Also, outdoor weddings require some thought to the bridal attire. You may want to avoid wearing a long veil or dress that is blown by the breeze, but rather choose attire that is wind friendly so it doesn't get in your way when you're walking down the aisle or saying your vows.

Decor

Often times, weddings in the tropics are held in an outdoor setting such as on the beach. In these scenarios, you may not have to worry about adding decorations because you have the backdrop of the ocean or swaying palm trees. There are needs such seating, outdoor friendly centerpieces and linens, lighting (for evening weddings) and linens that don't blow away in the breeze that is different than holding a traditional wedding ceremony and reception.

Marriage License Requirements

Whether you're getting married in a U.S. tropical location or a foreign location or island, you need to find out what the marriage license requirements are for the state or country where you'll be married. For U.S. destinations, you can contact the county clerk's office for the county where the ceremony will take place. For foreign destinations, contact the embassy for the country where the wedding is scheduled to find out what you need to do to apply for a marriage license. Depending on the requirements, you may need to arrive at the destination in advance to have blood tests, supply the appropriate documentation (photo I.D.s, divorce decrees, death certificates for previous spouses, etc.) and pay the marriage license fee.

Diamonds Made from Hair

2009-10-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

What could be more personal than a diamond made from your or your finance's DNA? I found this article very interesting and thought you may find it interesting too.

Check out Creating a Diamond from Love by DNA2Diamonds.

Wedding Sweepstakes

2009-10-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Contests are a great way to win the wedding of your dreams. The more contests you enter, the more chance you have of actually winning. Wedding vendors tend to run contests to win products and services you need for your wedding. Nothing is more exciting than winning, so take a few minutes to enter a wedding contest now.

Bimini Bay Resort and Marina offers an authentic and private setting for all types of weddings, whether it is intimate or a grand affair. Nestled on the tip of North Bimini on miles of pristine beach, the destination is private, exclusive and convenient to get to, the ideal backdrop for couples looking for the perfect wedding spot. Beautiful suites and villas are exceptionally designed with romance in mind and plenty of amenities are available for family and friends including water sports, spa services and island adventures. The resort is easily accessible by a 25-minute plane jaunt or 1.5 hour boat ride from South Florida.

Be Married... On Us prize package includes:

* Wedding Ceremony and Officiant
* 4 Hours of Open Bar (beer and wine only)
* 5 unlimited butler passed hors d'oeuvres for the cocktail hour
* Sit Down Dinner
* Wedding Cake Compliments of Ana Paz
* Curtis Smith Destination Wedding Package
* Bimini Bay Resort Meet and Greet at the Airport for all Wedding Guests

(Max. of 20 people)

Enter now for your chance to win!

How to Create a Table That Looks Like a Wedding Cake

2009-10-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Next to the bride and groom, the wedding cake becomes the focal point of the celebration and it is important that it goes through careful planning and execution. The aspects of the planning and execution must not only be focused on the wedding cake as it is equally essential that you also take into account the style and decoration of your wedding cake table. A great way to enhance and highlight the design elements of your wedding cake is to create a table that resembles a wedding cake.

Step 1

Use white tablecloth as the initial cover layer of your wedding cake table. Top this with a sheet of nylon tulle in cream or white to add texture to the surface to help blend with your wedding cake.

Step 2

Prepare the tulle. Make sure that the length of the tulle is about twice the length of the outside circumference of your wedding cake table. The tulle will serve as an accent to the edges of the tabletop and will help to complement and highlight the basic elements of the wedding cake. It represents the design feature of a wedding cake that typically separates the different layers of the cake.

Step 3

Place the wire ribbon on top of the tulle. About every 12 inches wrap the wire ribbon (or pinch it) around the tulle so that it attaches to the tulle. Because the ribbon has wire in it, you can manipulate the ribbon to create an accent similar to a decorative dot of frosting, frosting flower or other wedding cake decoration on the layers of the cake.

Step 4

Spread the rose petals on the tulle. Using the gel or liquid glue, attach the petals to the tulle. The rose petals act as decoration. If you wedding cake has flower decorations, adding flower petals to your wedding cake table decor aligns the theme of your table with the cake. The rose petals can also simply be an accent to dress up the decor. If you have jewel accents or other types of decorations on your wedding cake, then you can substitute the rose petals for another decoration.

Step 5

Attach the tulle that is decorated with the wire ribbon and flower (or other) accents along the edges of the tabletop using straight pins. You can pin the tulle to the white tablecloth covering the table to secure it in place. Use the tulle to create a drape along the sides of the wedding cake table to mimic the design of a wedding cake.

Step 6

Create ribbon bows. Using additional wire ribbon create bows. Use the gel or liquid glue to attach the bows to the tulle. You may wish to place the bows about every 12 inches where the drape of the tulle meets the cake table.

Step 7

Place the wedding cake. Once your wedding cake table is decorated, the wedding cake can be placed in the center of the table. If you want to add additional decorations to the top of the table, you can scatter flower petals, position mini cakes that resemble the main wedding cake or sprinkle confetti around the cake.
Skill

* Moderately Challenging

Things You'll Need

* Mini wedding cakes
* Round Table
* Tablecloth
* Tulle (color or white)
* Lace ribbon
* Wired ribbon
* Twine wire covered with white cloth
* Gel or liquid glue
* Rose petals
* Straight pins

Tips

* Observe proportions when deciding on the ideal size and shape of your wedding cake table. Use one that will not overwhelm but instead, highlight the strong elements of your wedding cake.
* You can use edible rose petals to decorate and accentuate your wedding cake as well as your table.
* Discuss how the cake will look with the bakery so you can create a wedding cake table to accentuates the cake rather than overwhelm it.

Save on Ceremony Decorations

2009-10-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

Whether you're having your wedding ceremony at the church or in an outside garden, there are ways you can decorate without breaking the bank. Two ideas to help you achieve both goals are:

1. Forgo the altar arrangements. With the bride, groom, bridal party and the entire wedding party standing at the altar you do not necessarily need altar arrangements. With altar arrangements usually running a couple hundred dollars each, this is one way to cut back on your flower bill.

2. If you really feel your church aisle needs some help, you can always add ribbon bows to the pew or use chiffon fabric to run along the aisle on the inside of the pews. No matter how long your church aisle is it probably isn't going to add up to the $400 you'd spend on a couple of altar arrangements.

There are some exceptions to the rule, but generally churches and wedding ceremony locations are ornate enough on their own. Cutting back on your wedding ceremony decorations can help you save hundreds of dollars that you can use to pay for something else or keep in your pocket!

Create a Wedding Savings Account

2009-10-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

Trying to figure out where to squeeze extra money out of your already tight finances to pay for your wedding can be tough. One easy way to save little by little is to setup a savings account and a direct deposit from your paycheck on every payday. The percentage you choose to save is up to you, but whatever the percentage, have it directly deposited from your checking account (where you deposit your check) into your wedding savings account automatically.

Let's say you save 10% from each paycheck. If you get paid $1,000 per week, this is $100. If you save for your wedding over a six-month period using this method, then you'll have saved $2,400 in no time. If both you and your groom do this, you'll save double the amount. Obviously, the more you can save the faster it will accumulate. If you have a full year or more to save for your wedding, your savings can add up to almost $10,000 using this calculation with both of you saving. This is quite a chunk of money to apply toward your wedding.

Signature Wedding Drink

2009-09-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

One way to save on the bar bill at your wedding reception is to serve a signature drink to wedding guests instead. The signature drink can be made ahead of time and since you know exactly what ingredients are required to make the drinks, you can limit the bar tab of an open bar from ringing up.

The Frozen Slushy

Ingredients:

2 cups white sugar
7 cups water
4 tea bags
2 cups boiling water
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate (12 fl oz.)
1 can frozen orange juice concentrate (12 fl oz.)
2 cups vodka

Pour water into a large saucepan and bring it to a boil. Add sugar and stir until it's dissolved. Then set aside and let it cool. Place teabags in 2 cups of boiling water and allow it to soak to the desired strength. In a large bowl, mix sugar water mixture, tea, lemonade and orange juice concentrate. Stir in vodka. Place mixture in freezer overnight. When ready to scoop some of the mixture into a tall glass and pour any clear, carbonated beverage over it (Sprite, 7Up, Sierra Mist, Ginger Ale, etc.).

How to Effectively Put Your Gift Registry Together

2009-09-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

When you're a bride or groom registering for wedding gifts, it's more than receiving gifts. It's more about receiving the gifts you need and want to get your new household up and running. There are a few steps you can take to make sure that your wedding registry helps to cover all of your bases.

1. Include the groom, but monitor his use of the gun. Some grooms may shuffle their feet at the thought of spending hours wandering through a store picking out wedding gifts. This is until they get the scanning gun in hand and realize how fun it can be. Just make sure you monitor what he's scanning so you don't wind up with items you don't need or want.

2. Include a wide range of prices. In order to accommodate the budgets of all of your guests, be sure to include a range of prices on your registry. It's fine to choose a few expensive gifts because some individuals will buy the items while groups may pitch in to buy these higher ticket items as well.

3. Approach it from the need angle. Keep the items you already own in mind when you head out to register. You want to register for items that you need. Try not to double up on items. If you own a complete set of everyday dishes, then you may not need to register for another set. It's nice to get new things but register according to what you need.

Wedding registries can be fun to put together. It's also a great way for you and your groom to spend some quality time planning out how you're going to put your new household together. Approach your wedding registry with a plan and it'll be a very effective way to get the wedding gifts you need and want.

Are You a Do-it-yourself Bride?

2009-09-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

If you are a crafty or do-it-yourself bride, then you have to check out the website Save on Crafts. There is an entire section devoted to weddings. Not only can pick up some great ideas to put every single aspect of your wedding together, but Save on Crafts also provides you with the resources to buy the supplies you need to DIY.

AARP.org Health Discovery: Long Marriage Linked to Good Health

2009-09-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Read the Full Article Now

5 Ways to Make Your Wedding Eco-friendly

2009-09-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

Getting married does not require you to throw caution to the wind and throw the environment under the proverbial bus. Instead there are measures that you can take to turn your wedding into an eco-friendly celebration.

1. Tighten up the guest list. Travel for weddings can really wreak havoc on the environment. It can also deplete your wedding budget. Keep you guest list tight by only including close friends and family members rather than everyone you know. Not only does it cut down on the amount of emissions it takes for guests to get to your wedding, but with less guests you'll have less food, need less space and less energy to heat, cool and light the venue.

2. Do it in the great outdoors. Another way you cut down on energy use such as heating, cooling and lighting is to throw your wedding ceremony and reception in the great outdoors. There are plenty of beautiful outdoor venues such as parks and gardens that make perfect natural backdrops for your wedding event.

3. Use natural light. Even if you have an indoor ceremony or reception, plan the time of your even to use the natural might of the sun. You can save a great deal of energy by using light from outside rather than turning on lights in the church and the reception venue.

4. Double up on the use of venues. Instead of booking one venue for your ceremony and another for your reception, combine the two venues into one. Many churches have reception space you can use and most hotels and wedding halls have plenty of space to hold the ceremony and reception in the same place.

5. Plan an organic menu. Turn to local farmers to gather the ingredients for your wedding meal. This helps to support local farmers but it also cuts down on transportation costs and emissions when your food is brought in from out of the state or even out of the country.

Wedding Bouquet Tips

2009-09-03T18:25:00.001-07:00

Kevin Jonas Wedding Details

2009-09-01T17:18:00.001-07:00

Can You Wear White to a Wedding if You're Not the Bride?

2009-08-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Somewhere along the line, it was marked down in the rule book of weddings that only the bride can wear white to the wedding. There seem to be similar "rules" about wearing black or red (unless it's a Chinese wedding). The best way to deal with the question is to ask the bride!

Some brides don't care what color your outfit is as long as you join the festivities. Some brides aren't even wearing white, so what do they care if you do. If you're a family member or friend of the groom or don't have direct contact with the bride, then have someone who knows her ask her for you.

If all else fails on getting an answer directly from the source, then don't wear white, black or red.

Expert Wedding Make-up Advice

2009-08-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

The Latest in Wedding Trends: Hollywood Set Venues

2009-08-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

Get Married: The First Bridal Magazine to Use Microsoft Tag

2009-08-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

Last week, the new national wedding magazine--Get Married magazine--announced it will be the first bridal magazine to offer the innovative Microsoft Tag technology. Microsoft Tag gives readers instant access to videos, websites, photos and information from a cell phone and directly from the pages of the magazine.

The Get Married magazine first issue is due out in October 2009.

Brides that wish to receive a free copy of the print magazine when it debuts can sign up at GetMarried.com.

Create Favor Trees

2009-08-11T13:03:00.001-07:00

GetMarried.com recently featured an idea that I thought was worth sharing with all of you. It suggested using favor trees to display your favor bags and even to use as decorations for tables.

It's relatively easy to do. All you have to do is buy or make your own trees with branches and a pot. You can hang organza favor bags from the branches of the trees and place them on the gift table, cake table or use them as centerpieces on your guest tables.

If you'd rather not use organza or other favor gift bags, you can tie ribbons to your favors and use the ribbon to hang the favors on the trees.

How to Avoid Common Wedding Mistakes

2009-08-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

Watch the Video Now

Managing Marital Finances

2009-08-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

Watch the Video Now

Godiva Does Wedding Favors

2009-07-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

If you love chocolate, then you're going to love the new couture chocolate wedding favors by Godiva. They even have chocolates shaped like wedding cakes, hearts and starfish. How cute is that?

To check out the full line of wedding chocolate and truffle options, visit the wedding favor section.

Ever After Wedding Market

2009-07-22T05:18:00.001-07:00

I love handmade and handcrafted items because usually each piece is very unique. As an only child I have a thing for having something that nobody else has (It must stem from not having to share when I was a kid.). Brides get the only child syndrome when they're planning their wedding and it carries over to the their wedding day. It seems only natural that they be queen for the day.

That's why I wanted to share a site that has a wedding section offering handmade goods. No, it's not Etsy either--although it has beautiful wedding stuff too. The Ever After area of 1000 Markets features all of the wedding items and products you can think of or want. The best part is that they are all handmade--and many are one-of-a-kind or can be customized.

My favorite find: a silk and mohair wrap that boosts your energy too (see above)! This Silk Wonderment with Halite by On Slender Threads serves a dual purpose and whoever wears it will look great too!

No matter what you're looking for to make your wedding day complete, take a stroll through Ever After on 1000 Markets before you run out to buy any manufactured goods. You may find the wedding item of your dreams that nobody but you can possess!

How Potted Plants Can Fit in Your Reception

2009-07-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

When I was a wedding planner, a few moons ago, I would walk into some of the reception rooms my brides were considering and I would see the tears well up in their eyes. Stains on walls and ceilings or ugly panels covering electric switches and other items simply don't lend themselves well to wedding decor. There was also the problem for small weddings where the size of the room was going to swallow up the amount of guests in the room.

An easy and very cost-effective solution to all of these issues is the wondrous potted tree. Potted trees and plants, especially the ones with small twinkling white lights are great backdrops, stain covers and space fillers for a wedding. It's also a relatively inexpensive decoration that you can rent from your florist or from tree and plant rental services. These services (and florists) deliver, setup and pick-up the trees as part of the fee.

It's also environmentally friendly to use potted trees. So if you're looking for something to cover an ugly spot, fill some space or add some ambiance to your reception room, rent a potted tree!

Options in Wedding Bands

2009-07-14T05:37:00.000-07:00

Wedding bands are a very old symbol of the union between couples; they have been used for centuries and today are one of the most important, unique and creative pieces of jewelry anyone can own. This means that people planning a wedding can look forward to shopping for (or even designing their own) wedding bands.

While some people like to stick with traditional and “simple” designs such as plain bands of precious metals, just as many are choosing bands that coordinate with their engagement jewelry, or make some sort of statement of personal style.

Consider that many consumers are now opting for wedding bands with diamonds and precious stones. They are also looking to unusual metals like tungsten, titanium and even stainless steel. These unusual metals are usually selected for their scratch-free finishes, long-wearing durability and interesting and appealing appearance.

Wedding bands are usually identified by their location on the ring finger of the left hand, but today they can be as ornate, decorative or personalized as the couple desires. The most important thing to remember about shopping for, or designing, jewelry is to make certain that enough time is allowed for them to be ready on the day of the wedding.

Many people have weddings that require a great deal of advance planning, and quite often the proper amount of time for getting the right wedding bands is overlooked. It is important to note that choosing the right linens, flowers, food, music and everything else is very important, but a wedding band is the one thing from a wedding day that will be seen, worn and remembered forever. Making sure that enough time for browsing and shopping, customizing or designing, and receiving and fitting the bands is a scheduling priority will allow for the best choices and options to occur.

Win a Wedding Package in Antigua

2009-07-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's because I won a prize in a contest myself recently, but I feel the urge to share another contest with you this week. Contests are a great way to win your way to the wedding of your dreams. The more contests you enter, the more chance you have of actually winning! Wedding vendors love to run contests and as a bride, you should love to enter them. I'm here to tell you that real people win, so here is one for you to enter today.

Win an Ultimate Caribbean Wedding Package in Antigua
To have and to hold memories forever...

Your wedding day and honeymoon mark the beginning of your new life together. Why not create a celebration that is everything you've always dreamed it would be? Enjoy your ceremony in our wedding gazebo while listening to the waves caress the shore, or feel the white powdery sand between your toes as you say "I do" on the beach. Our wedding coordinators will ensure every detail is arranged to perfection. Galley Bay Resort & Spa is an intimate Caribbean hideaway with a refined, unpretentious ambiance. The stunning beachfront location combines an all-inclusive value with an idyllic setting for a romantic getaway.

Prize package includes:
6 night accommodations for two at Galley Bay Resort; a wedding package which includes a wedding coordinator, registrar's cost and ceremony, site decorated with flowers, bouquet of flowers for the bride, boutonniere for the groom, wedding cake, champagne and all taxes and gratuities.

Enter to win

Destination Weddings: Get Married on Us Sweepstakes

2009-07-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

OK, Ladies, I love a good contest. Contests are a great way to win your way to the wedding of your dreams. The more contests you enter, the more chance you have of actually winning! Wedding vendors love to run contests and as a bride, you should love to enter them. I'm here to tell you that real people win, so here is one for you to enter today.

Bimini Bay Resort and Marina offers an authentic and private setting for all types of weddings, whether it is intimate or a grand affair. Nestled on the tip of North Bimini on miles of pristine beach, the destination is private, exclusive and convenient to get to, the ideal backdrop for couples looking for the perfect wedding spot. Beautiful suites and villas are exceptionally designed with romance in mind and plenty of amenities are available for family and friends including water sports, spa services and island adventures. The resort is easily accessible by a 25-minute plane jaunt or 1.5 hour boat ride from South Florida.

Be Married... On Us prize package includes:

* Wedding Ceremony and Officiant
* 4 Hours of Open Bar (beer and wine only)
* 5 unlimited butler passed hors d'oeuvres for the cocktail hour
* Sit Down Dinner
* Wedding Cake Compliments of Ana Paz
* Curtis Smith Destination Wedding Package
* Bimini Bay Resort Meet and Greet at the Airport for all Wedding Guests

(Max. of 20 people)

Enter now for your chance to win!

Perfect Favors for Destination Weddings

2009-07-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

Having a destination wedding? Make sure your guests travel with class! Give them these sophisticated luggage tags complete with a beautifully engraved heart. These luggage tags not only serve as the perfect favor for your guests but they can double as place card holders. You may choose to insert each guest's name and table number in the window. Sleek and stylish, the luggage tags come with a black leather strap and arrive boxed with a pre-tied organza bow, ready for giving. Measure 1" x 3.5".

BULK PRICING:
$3.75 each for less than 24 favors
$3.35 each for 24 to 47 favors
$2.75 each for 48 to 95 favors
$2.50 each for 96 or more favors!

Please Note: Bulk-pricing discounts are reflected at checkout.

Engraved Heart Luggage Tag Favor

101 Ways to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Wedding without Giving Up What You Want

2009-07-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

You want the wedding of your dreams--all brides do! Tough times mean you have to scale back a little on your wedding expenses. This doesn't mean you should have to give up your dreams though.

You can throw the wedding you want and save while doing it!

As a former wedding planner, this guide reveals 101 of my insider secrets. You'll learn how you can save on every aspect of your wedding from beginning to end. It even provides you with the resources you can turn to save, save, save.

101 Ways to Save includes money saving tips for:

*Invitations
*Wedding attire
*Venues
*Flowers
*Food & Beverages
*Centerpieces
*Decorations
*Favors
*Wedding Cakes
*Photographers & Videographers
*The honeymoon
*And more!

Don't give up the wedding of your dreams. Learn the ways you can get what want without blowing your budget.

What would it mean for your wedding budget if you could shave thousands of dollars off your budget? It may mean the difference between having a wedding and having the wedding you've always wanted. You can scour the Internet for hours and you won't find these money saving tips all in one place anywhere else--especially not at this low and affordable cost.

These 101 secrets can be yours for only $10.95.

Order your copy now

Beating the Heat at Your Summer Wedding

2009-06-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

Since we are in the midst of the summer wedding season and already starting to sweat, if you have a summer wedding planned later in the summer, it may be even hotter. The last thing you want is for your guests to pass out from the heat. So if you've planned a summer wedding bash, here are a couple of unique ways to cool your guests down even when the party is getting hot.

5 ways to keep your guests cool at a summer wedding

1. Hand held fans. Consider placing a hand held fan on each of your guests' seats. You can make your own personalized fans with a craft stick and card stock or buy in bulk from online stores such as Memories of a Lifetime, where you can buy a dozen folding fans for as little as $2.79.

2. Mister machines. It's a little bit of a more expensive route than folding fans, but you can also rent mister machines to keep your wedding guests cool and refreshed. The venue where you're holding your wedding may have them available or you can call a local party rental company to rent some misters for the day.

3. Serve signature lemonades. Have waiters standing at the beginning of the outdoor wedding aisle to hand out a signature lemonade drink to each of your guests. As the guests sip on the lemonade, it helps to keep them hydrated and refreshed--offering less of a chance to pass out.

4. Personalized water bottles. There are a multitude of personalized water bottles you can choose from to serve at your outdoor wedding. This is a great way to keep your guests hydrated with your own personal flair.

5. Pick a pre- or post-hot time. Another option is to schedule your wedding for a time before the day heats up or after the heat is over for the day. Sunrise, early morning and sunset weddings are optimal times for outdoor weddings to begin so as to avoid the problems that heat can bring.

The summer season can be a great time to host your wedding. It can also be a disastrous time if you don't pay attention to the details. The heat can wreak havoc on your special day, so if you're planning a summer outdoor wedding, be sure you plan a way to keep your guests cool even as the party and the fun heats up.

Cutting Back Does Not Mean Giving Up a Honeymoon of Your Dreams

2009-06-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

Many newlyweds are choosing to travel closer to home for their honeymoon. Some are choosing more domestic locales to leave less of a carbon footprint on the environment, while others are trying to make less of a dent in their bank accounts. After all of the tough times that planning a wedding brings, a nice and relaxing honeymoon, where you can spend time with your new spouse is in order.

From the east coast to the west, here are the top 5 U.S. honeymoon destinations for you to check out:

1. Get cozy in Alaska. Beautiful scenery and natural wonders you can't find anywhere else in the U.S. can be found in Alaska. There are numerous cabins and bed and breakfasts close to cities such as Juneau or more remote locations to choose from.

2. Hit the wine country in California. Napa Valley holds some of the most beautiful vineyards in the country. Nothing emanates romance like a stroll through the vineyards or a stay in a gorgeous room with a vineyard view while sipping some of the tastiest wine in the country.

3. Island life in the Florida Keys. From Islamorada all the way south to Key West, the Florida Keys offer the true tropical lifestyle. Enjoy scrumptious conch chowder or charter a sailboat to hit the ocean. Whatever your pleasure, you can find fun in the sun in the tropical Florida Keys.

4. Find a quaint way of life in Nantucket. Go whaling, enjoy the beautiful beaches or stroll the quaint streets of Nantucket. It's beautiful, small and romantic rolled up in one great place.

5. Walk it off in Charleston. Charleston is entrenched in history and charm. The best part is you can walk almost everywhere you go which makes it a romantic, educational and healthy honeymoon all rolled in one great city.

Do a little research and you'll find a ton of hidden jewels where you can honeymoon. Many in your own backyard. There are great U.S. honeymoon destinations where you can have a great time without emptying your bank account.

In a Same Sex Wedding, Which Side do the Guests Sit On?

2009-06-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

In a traditional wedding between a bride and a groom, wedding guests of the bride typically sit on the left side of the aisle and guests of the groom on the right. In our changing modern world, what happens when you have a commitment ceremony where there is a same sex couple tying the knot?

There are a couple of different options for gay wedding hosts. First, you can assign your guests to sit on one side of the aisle or another. For example, place a sign on one side side that says, "John's Guests," and another sign on the other side that says, "Beau's Guests." You can also put this information in the wedding program to let guests know where to sit.

More often than not, guests can choose which side to sit on. There is no right or wrong side so guests simply file into the seats that they choose. Most guests will try to keep a balance so that one side of the aisle isn't full while the other side is empty.

These same "rules" apply to different sex weddings. Tradition says where guests should be seated, but there are no hard and fast rules that say this is how you have to do things. Let your guests know that there is open seating at the ceremony and they can sit wherever they want.

Wedding Day

2009-06-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

If you're a regular reader then you read my post telling the creators and watchers of Hitched or Ditched to get a grip. Another new wedding reality show, Wedding Day, is making its debut tonight at 8 pm EST on TNT.

Each episode throws a wedding of the couple's dream because they have overcome some huge obstacle in life. Tonight's episode features a couple where the woman was in a horrific car accident but she persevered and takes her walk down the aisle tonight.

It seems like this show may be bittersweet because they have to overcome heartache and pain in order to get the wedding of their dreams. Get out the tissues ladies and gentleman and tune in to TNT at 8 pm EST tonight to see how it goes. Come back tomorrow and tell us what you think.

Summer Brings a Whole New Menu of Wedding Food Options

2009-06-11T06:21:00.000-07:00

Summer is a season that almost everyone on the planet enjoys. It probably explains why June brides are more common than November ones. Since summer has just begun we have a whole season in front of us to enjoy the wedding season and the opportunity to celebrate all of the delicious food summer brings.

Whether you're throwing a formal summer wedding, a backyard celebration or a sizzling beach wedding, there are foods a plenty that you can add to your wedding menu.

Food Options for Your Summer Wedding

* Fresh fruits such as watermelon and berries
* Fresh vegetables such as corn (on or off the cob)
* Refresh your guests and cleanse their palette in between courses with sorbets
* Fresh seafood including lobster and oysters
* BBQ
* Traditional picnic foods

Celebrate the summer season by serving summer foods your guests will love as part of your wedding menu. No matter how fancy or casual your wedding is there are summer foods that fit right into your plan. Besides, it's delicious!

The Cupcake Makes a Comeback...But it's Not Just Any Cupcake

2009-06-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

Maybe you remember baking them with your mom or grandma when you were a kid. Maybe you have a fond memory of biting into its sweet frosting and crumbly cake bottom. Whatever your memory or experience with them, chances are you've bitten into a cupcake once or twice in your life.

This sweet treat is making a new debut and it has nothing to do with childhood memories in the kitchen.

Couture cupcakes are making their way into the hearts of brides all around the country--pushing wedding cakes to the side. Don't be fooled into thinking that these mini treats are any less beautifully decorated than fondant cakes or butter cream creations. In this deduction you'd be sadly mistaken. Ornately decorated and in flavors to tempt any sweet tooth, these delicious creations are scene setters for almost any wedding celebration--and at a much more affordable price in some cases than a wedding cake.

Case in point is Cupcakes Nouveau located in Coral Gables, Florida. Owned and operated by two women entrepreneurs, their cupcake creations range from downright adorable (and tasty) to tres chic (and delicious). And at pricing ranging from $1-$2.50 for each piece of art it brings affordability to the wedding dessert table without breaking the bank or the sacrifice of elegance or beauty.

Instead of getting your cake on at your wedding, consider getting your cupcake on. It's an adorable way to add a sweet dash to your sweetest day ever!

Hitched or Ditched: Ladies & Gentleman, It's Time to Get a Grip

2009-06-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

If you aren't familiar with the CW's latest show, Hitched or Ditched, it features couples who are in long-term relationships but haven't taken the step into the marital bliss zone. Someone who knows the couple recommends them for the show and then the couple reveals their relationship to the world, including why they have yet to take the plunge.

By the end of the episode, the couple reveals whether they are going to tie the knot or bring their relationship to an end.

Hmmmm.....interesting or devastating approach to getting hitched?

With divorce rates already at an all time high, why would you want to increase your chances for divorce by pressuring or giving your significant other an ultimatum? I have never understood the marriage ultimatum. Why would you want someone to marry you because you said marry me or it's over? Don't you want someone to marry you because they love you and they WANT to marry you? And if you are going to take the ultimatum route, why would you want to do it on national television where you can share your pain and embarrassment with all to see?

Hitched or Ditched. I say get a grip! The same applies to those giving the ultimatum to their significant other. Think long and hard before you say marry me or else. If you pressure someone into marrying you, will you wonder if it's the only reason they married you? Is that really going to provide you with a happy and healthy marriage?

Wedding Statistics & Top 10 Wedding Favors

2009-06-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

One in every 64 Americans will tie the knot this year.

The average wedding costs $22,000

The U.S wedding industry is a $72 billion dollar a year business

46,000 weddings will take each weekend across America

The #1 ranked wedding favor site on the Internet, according to Google and Yahoo is My Wedding Favors. You'll find high quality and unique wedding favors that portray your personality (or that of your groom).

Here are my top 10 favorites (and some of the best sellers):

1.
Palm Tree Favor Box with multidimensional detail (set of 24)

2.
Hugs & Kisses from Mr. & Mrs. Personalized and Scented Soaps

3.
A Slice of Love Pizza Cutter

4.
Personalized Shot Glass

5.
Sea Breeze Beach Glass Photo Coasters

6.
Personalized Custom Design Wedding Cake Cookies

7.
"LOVE GROWS" Plantable Wildflower Favors-Heart (Set of 12)

8.
"Seasoned with Love" Heart-shaped Salt and Pepper Shakers"

9.
"Love Beyond Measure" Spoons in Personality Box (25 styles/colors available) (Set of 4)

10.
"Love Beyond Measure" Measuring Tape Keychain in Sheer Organza Bag

Get Married Fans Get Ready for the New Magazine Launch

2009-05-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

Good things come in threes. This must be the logic behind Get Married's latest edition to their dynamic duo--a glossy new magazine to complement their hit TV show and very resourceful and information packed website.

That's right ladies, if you're a fan of the weekly show hosted by world-renowned event planner Colin Cowie (sigh--you have to love Colin) on the Lifetime Network then you're going to love the magazine. Colin covers everything weddings providing tips and advice for planning your dream day and sharing the latest and greatest in wedding trends.

Since you're the savviest of brides, you've experienced the power of the Get Married website and love it so much you have it saved to your favorites, right? (wink, wink) Now you'll be able to flip through the glossy pages of the Get Married magazine that combines articles, tips, advice and wedding trends with wedding shopping resources. Everyone knows that wedding planning and shopping go hand in hand, but Get Married is one of the only wedding planning resources to put these items together in one source. The best part of all is the first few issues are absolutely FREE!

The first issue is due out in October. Ready to claim your first few issue? Send an email to Magazine@GetMarried.com.

Wedding Music: Love on the Sheets

2009-05-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Music plays a major role in every wedding ceremony and reception. From the time guests enter the church to the time the bride and groom walk down the aisle for the first time as man and wife, music is playing in the background. It doesn't stop at the ceremony, but continues to trickle throughout the reception--again from beginning to end.

Whether you're the bride searching for the sheet music for your favorite love song or the pianist that needs the sheet music, Sheet Music Plus offers over 545,000 music titles to choose from. They offer a variety of sheet music for various instruments. If you're searching for the sheet music for your perfect wedding song or for a client, Sheet Music Plus has what you're looking for.

Wedding Shoes to Die for

2009-05-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

Most women love shoes and brides are no exception to this rule. On your wedding day, it's not all about the looks though. The comfort of the shoes is key for you and all of your bridesmaids.

I know what you're thinking--comfy shoes aren't that attractive. Well, I have some great news for you! Designer Shoes is a girl and a bride's dream because they offer beautiful designer shoes at drastically reduced prices.

Can you say shoelicious? Even if you can't, get your fingers and computer mouse moving to their online store to save up to 70% off of designer shoes.

Wedding Candy to Fit Your Theme

2009-05-19T06:26:00.000-07:00

Whether you're building a candy buffet for your wedding guests or using it for wedding favors, the kind of candy you can use has almost endless possibilities. Whether it's a color theme or a sentimentality such as "kisses" you can find candy that complements your wedding decor.

Pink is the new black. Pink is a beautiful accent color for weddings. There are dozens of candies that come in pink, which makes it easy to choose a flavor of candy for your wedding. Pink Jordan almonds, pink jelly beans and yummy pink sixlets are just the tip of the iceberg. Offer fun sweet and sour pink lip candy or relive the 80s with pink rock candy sticks.

White wedding day. White is still one of the most popular wedding colors, so why shouldn't your wedding candy fit right in on the popularity contest. Fill beautiful dishes with heart shaped white hearts or serve rock candy sticks with their coffee as a fun sugar substitute.

Serve up some fun. Candy puts a smile on almost everyone's face (except maybe the dentists in the crowd). Arrange a buffet of fun candy such as candy sticks in a variety of flavors--bubble gum, orange and cream, sour apple, butter rum or cotton candy. Fill dishes with sentimental heart shaped chocolate candies and watch the bowls empty as guests enjoy an after dinner treat.

These are but a few ideas of what kind of candy you can use as part of your wedding celebration. The possibilities are almost endless. Think about your favorite candy and why it's your favorite. Think of ways you can incorporate it into your wedding--be it as favors, a candy buffet or in addition to the cake. It'll make your wedding even sweeter.

Vegas and Vegas Style Weddings with Flair

2009-05-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

With many brides cutting down on their wedding budget, Las Vegas has seen an increase in their already booming wedding business. Some brides are still throwing stylish and elegant weddings, but relocating it to desert city. Then there are other brides and grooms that simply love everything Las Vegas has to offer so they plan lavish wedding ceremonies and receptions there.

Even those brides staying close to home, but who want to host a Las Vegas theme wedding, or at least sprinkle some of their favorite gambling icons into their wedding, there is great news for you! There are a multitude of creative and unique wedding favors, accessories and decorations to help you pull it off. My Wedding Favors is just one of the online companies offering original and stylish Vegas themed favors that are perfect for a Vegas wedding or to add pizazz to your reception. Memories of a Lifetime also offers a full line of Casino items to help you add flair to your theme wedding.

If you're going to throw a Vegas or casino theme wedding, pull it off with flair and style. Get some ideas on how you can weave the theme throughout your wedding ceremony and reception--and do it with style.

Wedding Candy Buffets

2009-05-13T02:01:00.000-07:00

Do you know what is the number one item that is thrown in the garbage after a wedding is over? No, it's not the gift wrap from the presents (although that probably comes in a close second). It's wedding cake. Personally, it's my favorite part of a wedding, but many wedding guests do not like wedding cake, or do not like the flavor of wedding cake the bride and groom has chosen. Dessert bars can be expensive too, but candy bars are affordable and wedding guests loves them.

Go to wholesale warehouses such as Costco, BJs or Sam's Club and stock up on a variety of candies. Buy or rent pretty punch bowls and spoons to display the candy in. Guests can scoop out as much or as little of their favorites candies to munch on after dinner or the meal is served. Place cellophane candy bags on the candy buffet with cut ribbons so guests can take their favorites candy treats home with them too. Or bag up the left overs for you and your groom to munch on during your honeymoon travels.

I can almost guarantee no candy will wind up in the trash, but sadly a lot of wedding cake does!

Get Your Wedding Planning Efforts Organized

2009-05-12T01:27:00.000-07:00

There are hundreds of minute details that go into planning a wedding. Some details are more important than others, but the first wedding task you need to tackle when planning your wedding is to get organized.

Get organized and then plan

Planning a wedding isn't any different from other major projects. Whether you're planning a vacation or writing a research paper, the first thing you have to do is organize the project into doable tasks. After you get organized, it's imperative that you stay organized. It makes your wedding planning experience more enjoyable and allows you get everything you need to get done completed.

There are a variety of ways you can organize wedding planning. There are wedding planners for sale in your local bookstores and online. These books contain checklists, pockets to store items and everything you need to know about planning a wedding. Each chapter covers a specific area of the wedding and walks you through what you need to do to cover this area of planning your wedding. Wedding planners range in pricing from $27.95 to $100. Some cost even more.

There are also websites online where you can take care of every detail of your wedding from building a wedding website for guests to follow to a complete set of wedding planning tools (all at your fingertips). Wedding Tracker by The Knot offers bridal couples a premium wedding website package that includes:

* Choice of 30+ customizable designs, including HTML and Flash templates
* Personal .com address (i.e. stephanandnicole.com)
* Gift registries upload – all gift registries on one page
* Events calendar with accommodations info
* Upload photos, music and video
* Advanced planning tools including a guest list manager, seating chart, gift tracker, task checklists and more

You can even test the site out before committing to using it for all of your planning needs. Start your Wedding Tracker free trial today!
.

There are also free resources where you can build your own wedding website. These free sites do not offer as comprehensive of a package of planning tools as the paid versions, but sites such as MyWedding.com do offer you:

* Designer website templates
* Blog
* Online RSVP system
* Online gift registry
* The ability to send group emails

And last, but not least, you can create your own wedding planner. Buy a big three ring binder, sheet protectors, business card holders for binders, and a plastic pencil case for binders. Use the dividers to separate your notebook into sections that represent each aspect of the wedding.

Sample sections include:

• Budget
• Guest List
• Churches/Ceremony Locations
• Reception Venues/Locations
• Food/Beverages
• Invitations/Wedding Stationary
• Attire (Dress, Tuxedos, Bridesmaid Dresses)
• Decorations
• Flowers
• Linens
• Favors
• Photographer
• Videographer
• Wedding Contacts
• Wedding Vows
• Music
• Honeymoon
• Entertainment (Non-music)
• Transportation
• Calendar

Use the sheet protectors to hold pictures of items and ideas, swatches of fabrics and ribbons you like. Use the business card holders to store the business cards of wedding vendors you meet or want to schedule an appointment with. Place pens, pencils and highlighters in the pencil case so you'll always have a writing instrument handy when you take your wedding notebook along with you. You can create your own spreadsheets and checklists.

Whether you buy a pre-made wedding planner, use an online website as a resource, or create your own wedding notebook, the key to getting through the wedding planning process with your sanity is to get organized and stay that way.

101 Ways to Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Wedding without Giving Up What You Want

2009-05-07T05:13:00.000-07:00

Vintage & Economical Weddings Are Back in Style

2009-05-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

A return to simpler times has made its way into planning weddings. Thousands of brides are planning weddings that mimic the 20s, 50s or 70s rather than the 21st century. This vintage era planning does not mean they are giving up on beauty or style. It is about paying homage the the environment and dealing with the turmoil of our current economic times.

Vintage wedding gowns

One of the biggest ways brides are mimicking these period style weddings is with their wedding gowns and veils. Brides are shopping vintage stores and consignment shops to uncover treasures such as birdcage veils and feathery caps. Dress styles from these bygone eras are also making a comeback. Some brides are donning their mother's or grandmother's dresses, while others are having the dresses designed to look like a 20s, 50s or 70s style gown.

Sustainable flowers
Flowers play a vital role in the wedding ceremony and reception. There are meanings behind each and every flower used in a wedding. For brides doing their part to save the environment, millions of sustainable flowers are used in wedding ceremonies around the world.

Smaller and more intimate affairs
The size of wedding celebrations has shrunk back in time as well. Brides and grooms are throwing smaller and more intimate affairs than have been seen in recent years. Bigger isn't always better, so brides and grooms are focusing more on the quality of their relationships with their guests rather than how many wedding guests they can fit in a room.

Some brides are creating an experience for their guests that fit in with their era theme. Brides crafting their wedding on the 1920s are ordering props for their guests such as long pearl strands and feather boas for the women and fedoras for the men. Photographers are capturing the dress up and offering guests sepia colored photos in frames as favors.

Themes are always a great way to plan a wedding. The recent trend of planning a vintage wedding is in full swing. It's about stepping back into a simpler time in the 20s, 50s or 70s and taking your guests back with you to create an experience they'll never forget.

Old Wedding Traditions Are Being Replaced

2009-04-30T14:40:00.000-07:00

It has been happening little by little over the years, but it seems to be in full bloom as we speak. Maybe it's the economy and budgetary restrictions, but more and more brides are opting for smaller and more intimate affairs than weddings of the past. Maybe it isn't about the money at all because they're still spending money on their weddings but they are redirecting the funds.

Instead of paying to wine and dine 200 weddings guests, brides are planning destination weddings and picking up the tab for their small bridal parties. Grooms and their groomsmen are heading off for a long guy's weekend for the bachelor party while the bachelorette and her gal pals are heading out for a long weekend girl's getaway of their own.

Private homes and unique venues are replacing the grandiose churches and hotel ballrooms of the past. Las Vegas has seen an increase in the number of brides and grooms they send down the aisle. Some are at the chapels, but some of these weddings are luxurious affairs, but smaller and more intimate.

It may no longer be in style to have your mother or grandmother's wedding. It means that you have the freedom to make your own traditions, or honor the traditions you choose to adopt into your wedding ceremony and reception. It is your wedding, so put your own spin on it.

Gray is the New White

2009-04-28T05:45:00.000-07:00

The latest in the wedding industry seems to be that gray is replacing white in the color scheme. Gray adds a very classy look and feel to your nuptials. As the bride, you aren't required to wear it, but gray on your bridesmaids with hot pink accessories or pearl accessories creates a breathtaking look.

You can carry the color scheme throughout your wedding, so it doesn't have to stop with the dresses. And with varying shades of gray to choose from, you can find the hue that creates the look you're searching for. Start with your wedding rings. If you're planning on platinum or white gold rings, these make great accessories for the bride and groom using gray as their wedding color.

From invitations to favors and decor, you can weave the gray color scheme from one detail of your wedding to another. It's an elegant and stylish color that works with a variety of accent colors. If you're looking for the a new shade for your wedding, gray may be the answer you've been looking for.

Top 3 Romantic Gifts for Lovers

2009-04-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

While being married has a lot to do with the emotional relationship you share, there is also a physical aspect of being married that has to be attended to. Romantic Gifts is an online retailer that offers romantic gifts for lovers.

If you're looking for some items to add spice to your wedding night, or want to buy a thoughtful gift for a wedding shower or bachelorette party, this one-stop retailer offers such a variety, you're sure to find what you're looking for. You may even find something, you didn't know you needed until you see it online.

Top 3 Romantic Gifts for Lovers

"The Fantasy Suite Gift Set"
From the beautiful packaging to the delights it contains, The Fantasy Suite Gift is sure to add to any special occasion. This is a great gift to send to the honeymoon suite. From two silk robes to massage oils and more, the kit contains everything required for a romantic night in.

"A Romantic Gifts Favorite - Chrome Bedroom Dice"
Fun and games are sure to add some spice and excitement to a romantic evening or honeymoon. Each roll of the dice brings a new surprise and new set of instructions.

"Remind Your Partner How Much You Love Them"
This set of postcards allows you to write love notes in style. When you slide a postcard in your spouse's lunch in his underwear drawer, you'll remind him how much you love him.

A lot goes in to making a relationship and marriage work. Don't forget about the romantic side of your relationship. Whether it's for your honeymoon or for some alone time when taking a break from planning the wedding, keep the romance flame lit in your relationship with Romantic Gifts.

Trade in the DJ or Band Expense: iPod Your Wedding

2009-04-21T05:27:00.000-07:00

Times are tough, and if you need to cut back on your wedding expenses, one of the areas you can make a cut in is your entertainment. Not only does using your iPod save you money, but it also ensures you hear all of your favorite songs. You can even play them in the order you want.

Using your iPod for your wedding music is perfect for small intimate weddings. You can buy a small sound system to hook your iPod to in order to project the music. Or check with your venue to see what options they have available.

Wedding Dress with a Cause

2009-04-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

Whether you're looking for a way to be environmentally friendly when shopping for a wedding dress, or give while you're getting, the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation can help. This foundation grants wishes and creates unique experiences for breast cancer patients.

How do they fund the cause?

They sell brand new and gently used designer gowns.

Check the website for events and locations held around the country. Tickets to preview the gowns cost anywhere from $25-$35. The site also lists participating shops offering sales that donate a portion of the proceeds to Making Memories.

Another way you can participate in this cause? Donate your wedding gown after your wedding. Double your involvement by buying your dress from Making Memories and donating it again after the wedding.

How else can you wear the designer wedding gown of your dreams and join in the fight against breast cancer simultaneously? Visit www.Making Memories.org for more information, events, and gowns.

Webcasting Your Wedding

2009-04-14T06:39:00.000-07:00

You've heard of webcasts for business meetings. It cuts down on travel expenses and allows everyone to partake in the meeting activities. Apparently, webcasting has made its way to weddings!

A few companies and a handful of videographers are providing wedding webcasting services to their clients. This allows couples to elope but still include their wedding guests in the event. The difference is the wedding guests enjoy the wedding in the comfort of their own homes or offices.

This is a great idea for relatives and friends who can't afford to travel or can't make it to the wedding for some other reason--illness or having to work. It's also a great way to throw an environmentally friendly wedding because it cuts down on the travel emissions, food production, and more.

One company that handles destination weddings in the Destin, Florida area is www.LiveVows.com. They'll either handle the webcast for you or provide the raw wedding footage on DVD, which you can then share with your virtual guests. Another company that handles various locations is www.WebCastMyWedding.net. You can either handle the webcast yourself for a fraction of the cost, or they'll send a company representative to handle the webcast for you--for a higher price than if you handle it yourself.

Several Vegas wedding chapels also offer the webcasting service, which takes the pressure off couples who choose to elope, but still want to share their special day with friends and family. And it may just be a great way to keep those relatives at bay that you don't want to have to deal with anyway!

The Top 5 Areas of Your Wedding with the Most Green Impact

2009-04-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

When it comes to going green for your wedding, every little bit counts, but if you're wondering which areas of your wedding impact the environment the most, you've come to the right place. If you can green only certain aspects of your wedding, pick the five biggest areas to focus on.

1. Consumerism. Just because it's green doesn't mean you have to buy it. So if you don't need, don't buy it--even if it is green.

2. Amount of guests. The smaller the affair, the smaller the impact on the environment. Along with your budget, the environment is another reason to only invite the guests you truly want to be there.

3. The location. The closer the wedding location to your wedding guests, the better. Some guests will need to travel no matter where the wedding is held, but central locations limit the amount of emissions from car, air, rail, and bus travel.

4. Food & beverage. Go organic as much as possible when it comes to your food and beverages. Use foods from local growers, etc.

5. Vendors. Choose vendors that provide the products and services that emit the least amount of emissions, so buy from local providers, or providers that are as close to your wedding location as possible.

You may not be able to change every single aspect of your wedding to make it environmentally friendly. If you're looking to make the least amount of impact with your wedding celebration, then tackle the areas of your wedding that make the biggest impact. It'll make the celebration even more festive and leave less of a mark on the environment while having it.

3 Ways to Tell if Your Wedding Is Green or a Green Wannabe

2009-04-02T17:23:00.000-07:00

You're planning a green wedding and you're shopping for green vendors and products. The problem? You're having a hard time separating the real green vendors and products from the wannabes. Here are three easy ways to weed the fakers out.

1. Read the labels. Look for organic endorsements such as USDA Organic, LEED, and Fair Trade Certified.

2. Do your homework. Use websites such as www.safecosmetics.com, www.ftc.com, and www.coopamerica.org to research environmental practices of various companies and products. These watchdog agencies call out the fakers and point out the "genuines."

3. Ask the right questions. What are your environmental practices? Where does this come from? What do you do with the garbage? Do you recycle? Who are your local farmers? Are your workers native to the area?

A few simple steps on your part can help you separate the tried and true green vendors from those jumping on the bandwagon.

7 Ways to Make Your Wedding Greener

2009-03-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

Weddings are a very important celebration--for the bride, groom, friends, and family members. Who would think that such a happy celebration could wreak havoc on the environment? Unfortunately, if you don't make conscious green choices, a wedding can be bad for the environment.

So here are seven ways you can make your wedding just a little bit more eco-friendly.

1. Pick a central location for your wedding ceremony and reception so that the amount of wedding guests who have to travel long distances are kept to a minimum.

2. Save some trees by choosing invitations made from recycled paper or paper alternatives. You can even choose environmentally friendly inks.

3. Go for a gently used gown instead of buying brand new. Wear a dress that a friend or family member has worn before you, or shop second hand stores, thrift stores, and consignment shops.

4. Register for a cause. Have guests donate to your favorite organization, or register with companies that donate a percentage of your bought gifts to an organization.

5. Choose PC flowers--politically correct flowers that are not grown or harvested by exploited workers.

6. Choose local and seasonal foods for your menu. Try to avoid foods grown with dangerous pesticides.

7. Wedding favors should serve a purpose beyond your wedding day. Plastic doodads that wind up in the trash are not eco-friendly.

If you're interested in leaving a smaller carbon footprint behind from your wedding celebration, follow these seven guidelines and your footprint will shrink.

Doing Away with Wedding Traditions

2009-03-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's the economy, or maybe it's a desire to be unique, but the new wedding trend is to be as un-traditional as possible. No longer do brides have to learn their wedding etiquette and follow all of the wedding "rules." Now you can create a wedding ceremony and reception that is truly about you and your groom. Ceremonies and receptions that fit your personalities is what today's wedding is all about.

It's not to say that traditional weddings aren't still taking place because they are. It's an emerging trend, however, to make your wedding more about you want rather than what is considered tradition.

Happy planning!