Book a Magical Wedding Entertainer

Book a Magical Wedding Entertainer


A wedding or civil partnership is one of the most special days in two people's lives and a day of celebration shared with family and friends.

The wedding entertainment you choose helps to create and maintain the air of celebration, turning the day into a really memorable event. Entertainment at a wedding or civil partnership has many practical uses as well, such as adding structure to the day and breaking the ice between guests.

A Magician as a Wedding Entertainer

Magic is the ideal form of entertainment for a wedding because it is versatile, flexible and suitable for a mixed family audience. Most


people, young and old, enjoy magic and an experienced wedding entertainer will be able to perform for all ages.

Despite being more popular than ever, a lot of people have only ever seen magic on television. Seeing magic performed 'live' is quite a novelty for most people and will make your wedding day even more special.

Close-Up Magic for Weddings

Close-up magic and illusion is the most versatile and flexible form of magical entertainment. A close-up magician doesn't require any special equipment or facilities such as power or a public address system and will usually carry all his or her props in their pockets. Also, it only takes a few minutes for a professional magician to get ready before they start entertaining.

Compared to many of the things that need organising for a wedding, the close-up magician is easy - tell him the date and time, and leave him to it!

A close-up wedding magician will mingle with guests, either seated at tables or standing in small groups, and spend a few minutes with each group entertaining them with amazing magic. It is a great way to break the ice amongst people who have never met before because they come together while enjoying the entertainment.

It also provides a great talking point, even for those not directly involved in the magic at a particular time. While the magician is entertaining one group, everyone else is wondering about the sounds of astonishment and laughter coming from across the room. And those who have already seen the magician are discussing what they have just witnessed and trying to work out 'just how did he do that?!'

Close-up magic can fit into any part of the big day. There can be times at weddings and civil partnership celebrations when not much is happening, especially for the guests. Close-up magic can fill these lulls and turn them into a highlight. For example:

* When guests are arriving at the reception or waiting in the reception line.

* While the wedding party are being photographed.

* While guests are waiting for the meal to start.

* Between the courses of the meal (especially if there are a lot of guests to cater for).

* While guests are waiting for the buffet.

* Between the daytime and evening functions.

A professional close-up magician will not be too intrusive and will enhance your special day without detracting from it or taking it over.

Cabaret Magic for Weddings

If you want some really special and unusual entertainment, a cabaret magic show is a great option. A cabaret magic show usually fits in best after the wedding breakfast and is a really effective way to start off the evening party.

A cabaret show is a structured magic act lasting anything from 5 minutes to an hour and can incorporate everything from visual magic (objects appearing, disappearing and changing) to mental and psychological magic (mind control and mind reading) depending on the wedding entertainer you choose.

Most modern performers incorporate a lot of humour and audience participation into their magic, which is what really makes a cabaret show entertaining and makes magic stand out from other forms of entertainment. An experienced wedding entertainer will quite often want to get the newly-wed couple involved during the show but will check that this is OK beforehand. A professional magician will be sensitive to your wishes and will not want to embarrass you.

Unlike close-up magic, a cabaret magician usually requires some extra facilities and time to prepare their act. For larger audiences, a cabaret show requires a stage and public address system, which should be provided by most venues. Some magicians can perform a special act for a smaller number of guests, perhaps up to 20, which doesn't need a stage or sound equipment. This type of act can be performed in one room with the audience sat around the magician.

Finding the Right Wedding Entertainer

There are many challenges when organising a one-off occasion like a wedding, especially if you are not used to organising large events. Booking an experienced professional magician will make it much easier. Here are a few pointers:

* Make sure the magician has plenty of experience as a wedding entertainer by checking their previous clients and engagements. Most should be able to provide testimonial or recommendation letters.

* It is very important that that the magician has public liability insurance because they will be closely interacting with your guests.

* Check that the fee you negotiate is fully inclusive and that there are no hidden extras such as VAT or travelling expenses.

* Make sure you obtain a contract or confirmation letter. A contract protects you and makes sure both you and the wedding entertainer are clear about the event.

Most importantly, make sure you are comfortable with the magician by talking to him or her beforehand. An experienced professional will be able to offer wide-ranging advice as they are likely to have been to many more weddings than you!

The style and personality of the entertainer you choose should fit in with your aspirations for your wedding - after all, you are planning for one of the most special and magical days of your life.


by Dan Gifford

Planning Your Wedding Together

Planning Your Wedding Together

Approaching your wedding as a twosome can give you the best results in less time. It is also a fairly good predictor of how the marriage will be. It answers many questions that will be important to the marriage, questions such as:

Who makes the decisions? Are they joint decisions or does one of you always have to have his or her way? Is one of you always right? (This implies that the other is always wrong). Does one of you usually have to agree just to get beyond the impasse and get on with it? Is one of you "The Boss" and the other the "Bossed?" Does that work for you?

Are your management styles compatible? Does one of you micro-manage and one of you use a broad brush approach and does that work for you? Sometimes this is highly effective because the broad brusher generates the creative ideas and the micro-manager can work out the details. It takes both. On the other hand a broad brusher can drive the micro-manager crazy and vice versa.

Are you willing to yield to the expertise of the other? Can you divide up the workload evenly and not second guess each other, but trust that it will be done correctly and on time? What do you do when you have a huge disagreement? Do you have a plan to work things out, to negotiate until you find a common ground of agreement? Does one of you hold a grudge if the decision doesn't always go your way?

How do you handle money? Is one of you "tight-fisted" with money and the other an impulse spender? Can you agree on an amount you can spend independently without consulting the other? What happens if one of you doesn't abide by the agreed upon amount? How do you resolve the issue?

Do you have similar likes and dislikes? Do you find that you almost always pick the same thing, even though you aren't together at the time? Do you, for example, generally like the same colors, music, style? If not, do you know and appreciate what the other one likes? Is it o.k. to like different things? If not, does one of you always have to capitulate or do you find ways to work out who gives in now and who gives in later?

If, as you get closer to the wedding date, you find that you are at each others throats and are playing the "blame game" or the "poor me, the martyr" scenario, it's time to stop and take a good hard look at your relationship. Marriage is made up of multitudinous compromises by each of you. It requires give and take, yes and no, me and you in equal proportions. If the problem is a matter of exhaustion or the "jitters" that's one thing. But if you simply cannot work together, take some time to think it over, even if it means postponing the wedding. Some pre-nuptial counseling may be of help before you proceed.


by Irene Conlan

Be Courteous for a Happy Marriage - and to Save a Troubled One

Be Courteous for a Happy Marriage - and to Save a Troubled One

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, respect is such a big word. It is a big factor in any relationship. It is the foundation of love and trust. Any married couple encountering difficulties in their relationships can simply go back to this fundamental.

To maintain harmony, each of the spouses must manifest respect to the other. Simply be courteous, both in words and in actions.

Most people associate courtesy with etiquette. That is why most people think it is very burdensome. Some people even claim that they want to be laidback in a serious relationship, that there is no need for pretenses or formalities.

However, courtesy


is not all about table manners or social formalities. It is simply an active choice of doing the proper things at the proper time, like displaying gratitude when there is something to be thankful for or expressing sweet words of love.

Say the Magic Word

Do not let politeness be forgotten in the relationship. To be courteous to each other is not difficult. One only has to remember the magic words taught back in the kindergarten days. Here are some phrases that would definitely count.

1. "Please." Requesting for something to be done will sound better if coupled with this simple word.

2. "Thank You." These two words express gratitude for someone who went out of the way to do something special.

3. "You're welcome."

Even in married life, each of the spouses still deserves such sweet and comforting phrases. Their lasting effects are not to be underestimated. These words never go out of style.

Be Courteous in Your Actions

Courtesy can also be extended on many other occasions.

It would be a good thought to return phone calls. Leaving a note behind to simply inform the itinerary or destination for the day will also assure the husband or the wife. Remembering and celebrating anniversaries and birthdays are definitely plus points.

Do not fall out of these habits. Common courtesy is deserved by others. Coupled with the thought of doing such things will definitely make the spouse worthy of respect.

The simplest and most ordinary things done everyday are actually the best things to take note of when trying to improve the marriage. If one aims for more intimacy and openness in the marriage, such simple and intimate ways of communication must be encouraged.


by Joe and Emily Season

Not Just a Destination Wedding

Not Just a Destination Wedding

Many islands in the region have plenty to offer lovebirds who hope to create their dream nuptials or post-party escape. Incredible scenery and balmy breezes make the perfect backdrop for a tropical ceremony, allowing travelers to make their special day into something truly memorable. Of course, there are also a few ways to make a one-of-a-kind wedding by incorporating some distinctly Caribbean aspects.

One fun option that many travelers may not have considered is to add a bit of the local culture to their own ceremony. Though Caribbean wedding traditions are largely Christian, the islands have a history of blending cultural influences, much the same way they have created the fabulous foods and sizzling beats for which the region is known.

African and European traditions fused with traces of native rituals in the tropics. These rituals can be combined into your wedding to give it a hint of culture, whether it's set on the seaside or in a beautifully decorated ballroom.

- Dress like a local: The new wedding attire the bride and groom show tends to be handmade. Outfits here are designed to help them look their best, and store-bought dresses are uncommon.

- Consider a long walk down the aisle: Many Caribbean islands include the tradition of the happy couple walking through the town from their respective homes to the church, whose bells are ringing out news of the occasion. The purpose of this is to show off their new wedding attire.

- Pare down the party: In many island traditions, there is no inclusion of a best man or groom's men. Instead the groom waits while the bride's father, and sometimes mother as well, escort her to the altar. A maid or matron of honor position does exist, though she is called "the chief."

- Try tropical toasts: Rum is the liquor of choice throughout the region, and this sugar-based alcohol is often included in punches for the toast. A cake heavily laced with rum and rum-soaked fruits is also common at weddings in the Caribbean.

- Feast on local cuisine: Every island in the Caribbean has its own specialties, whether it's the jerk marinades of Jamaica or the Latin flare of Puerto Rico, you'll find something unique in each location. Of course, seafood is easy to find and hard to resist on nearly every island.

Other traditions may be unique to individual islands. On Bermuda, for example, the wedding cake is topped not by miniature figures but by a tree! Newlyweds plant this tree when they return home, its healthy growth considered an indication of a successful marriage.

Another interesting tradition involves gifts of money granted to the bride and groom at the reception. Different islands include this differently: In Cuba, a particular dance has the bride changing partners around the room, during which time they each present her with money to help with honeymoon expenses; in Puerto Rico, a doll dressed like the bride is given money by the wedding guests.

Though some of these items might not work for your wedding, taking on a few Caribbean traditions may be the perfect way to add a little flair to your ceremony. In fact, these traditions can help you plan an unusual wedding, no matter whether you hold it in the heart of the Caribbean or in your own backyard.


by Jennifer Smith

Ideas for Creating Your Wedding Scrapbook , Here are some tips to help you get going:

Ideas for Creating Your Wedding Scrapbook Here are some tips to help you get going:

-- Figure out the details ahead of time.

Making some decisions as to the theme and color scheme of the album will save you time and money.

First, you'll need to decide whether this album will cover your entire wedding celebration - from engagement through honeymoon - or will you focus on just the wedding day itself? If you decide on the latter, you might want to choose a 6x6 or 8x8 album project for the bridal shower, bachelorette party, honeymoon, etc.

Next, you'll want to choose a color scheme. The most popular choice is to work with your wedding colors.


Consider setting off these wedding colors (or other colors you choose) by pairing them with a classic black or white cardstock background. I love the look of black-on-white in wedding albums. I also love mulberry flowers, ribbons, vellum and fabric. Deep reds and pinks accents are gorgeous, too, for simple embellishments.

Remember that elegance and simplicity tend to go hand in hand. The wedding scrapbooks that stand the test of time are timeless and classic.

You'll also want to look at some simple wedding scrapbook layout samples or sketches of completed albums so you can see what kind of supplies you'll need. At the very least, you'll want to know how many pages the finished album will be before you go to the scrapbook store. The more detailed your plan, the less money you're likely to spend.

-- Go through your photos and memorabilia

For me, scrapbooking is about telling the stories of our lives, so I love to work with the photographs that really tell a story. You'll want to choose only the best and most interesting photographs for your wedding scrapbook album. (The posed portrait-type photos can be framed and sent to family members.) Store the remainder of the photos in a companion photo album. Remember, simple is elegant. It's also a good idea to work with duplicates of your priceless wedding photos. You may find that you want to work with these photos again in the future, and you're certain to feel more of a creative license if you know that the originals and intact and safe.

Memorabilia. I tend to go easy on memorabilia...maybe keeping the majority of it in a memento box along with my companion photo album and scrapbook, because I don't like to detract from the story of the album.

Memorabilia you might want to include (either directly on the page or in a special pocket):

- Wedding and shower invitations - Fabric from your dress or bridesmaid dress - Receipts - Honeymoon plane tickets - Place cards - Bridal registry - Shower gift lists - Napkins

Make a simple checklist of the kinds of things you'd like to include, but trust your inner artist to take the reins and let the story unfold.

-- Don't forget the journaling

The most powerful journaling comes not from the 5 w's (who, what, where, when, and why) - but from the 5 senses. Specific details are more memorable and intriguing than generalities and the best way to vividly remember your wedding day is to focus on each of your senses. What do you remember seeing, hearing, thinking, feeling, tasting? How did you feel as you were standing at the altar? How did your wedding cake taste? What was the weather like? What stands out as the visual symbol of your day?

Ask the wedding party to contribute their thoughts via journaling, too. Ask for specific memories..."the most memorable part of my day was..." Coach guests and members of your bridal party to use their five senses, too.

Another trick that creates more powerful journaling is to start with a blank page and write "I remember" at the top. Now, simply reflect on the day of your wedding and let your hand move across the page. If you get stuck, write "I remember" again and keep writing. Your goal is simply to keep the pen moving across the page, without crossing anything out or stopping to think too much. Aim to complete two to three pages, and you'll be amazed by the flood of memories this technique release - even if your wedding wasn't in the recent past. These methods can create very emotion-filled journaling, so consider keeping private journaling tucked away in journaling pockets.

-- Assembling the Scrapbook

Start the album with a dedication page. Tell why you created the album and a few details on why your wedding was such an important day in your life. It's a good idea, in wedding scrapbooks particularly, to avoid overly trendy design techniques. I've talked to more than one scrapbooker who now regrets cutting her priceless wedding photos into silhouettes or cutesy shapes. A wedding scrapbook is timeless, so - again - simple is most likely better. A simple design also tends to better draw attention to the photos and journaling - your personal love story.

Your wedding scrapbook will be one of the most albums in your home. Enjoy the process of creating it!


by Susie Cortright

The Art Of Gift Giving

The Art Of Gift Giving

Gift ideas depend on the occasion, your intentions and nature of your relationship with the recipient, and also on the recipient's age, lifestyle, interests and cultural background. Whether you are planning a corporate gift or a wedding gift, you should always give some thought to appropriate and meaningful gift ideas, depending on whom you want to give the gift to and for what occasion. Your lifestyle, financial condition and your very own interests and personality can dictate these gift ideas. It will be easier to shop for the gift once you have brainstormed and hit upon some good gift ideas.Funny Funny gift ideas are always a hit and are bound to bring a smile to the face. Funny gift ideas are especially popular amongst children and young friends who always enjoy a good laugh. A quick online search can come up with several funny gift ideas for children such as funny books (jungle books, comics etc.), funny movies (Ice Age, Finding Nemo, Shrek etc), funny games, funny clothing (such as comical one-liners on shirts for babies, children and teenagers) etc.

In today's business world, gifts have become fashionable and commonplace. Corporate gifts are a great way to maintain existing client relationships and to welcome new business clients. Corporate gifts are also a great incentive for increasing sales and motivating employees. By giving corporate gifts you can generate publicity for your company plus tremendous good will among clients or employees and their respective families. Corporate gifts are the company's way of telling its employees that their service and performance are appreciated, and employees in turn feel appreciated by the company and feel that the company cares for their needs.

Some common corporate gifts may include clothing, reward trophies, branded gadgets company holidays etc. for employees. Many corporate gifts come as branded gifts with company logos on them.

Wedding gifts help to convey your best wishes to the newlyweds. In some countries it has become quite popular for couples to set up a wedding registry for wedding gifts at their favorite store where they create a list of household items that they need or prefer, such as china or silverware, crystal, pots and pans etc.


by Sue Jan

Men's Leather Pants and Ladies Leather Skirts

Men's Leather Pants and Ladies Leather Skirts

Men's leather pants fastened on the hips with the help of elastic or by the buttons and in most of the cases belt is used for holding the pant on the hips. These are commonly made of cotton or terry cots material or mixer of both. They are the readymade garments or can be stitched from the cloth. In Scotland, it is also called as trews and in England they are called as trousers.

Characteristics of pants Some of men's leather pants are available with detachable legs and a zip is used to detach it from the waist portion. These leather pants are provided with number of front and back pockets. The other important accessories of the pants are pleats, waistband, fly, leg shape and belt loops.

The plates (wide strips) are provided for comfort and proper fitting. These plates are vertical folds provided near the waist .The waistband are provided for holding the leather pant on to the waist and can be of elastic or attached with buttons. The fly in case of men, is used for urinating and this provision is made with the help of zip or buttons. There are various shapes used for stitching men's leather pants and serve purpose of comfort and fashion. Belt loops are used for fastening the waist in case of loose pants.

Ladies Leather Skirts Ladies skirt is a conical shaped garment used for covering the lower portion of the body up to knee heights. These ladies leather skirts, like men's leather pants, are not divided in two halves. Skirts are mostly of the same color that of the shirt so as to have appearance of single piece attire or garment. It is made from single piece material mostly of cotton, denim and poplin. The various accessories of ladies leather skirts include darts, panels, gores and plates (wide strips). There are two types of ladies leather skirts; one of them is up to knee height and other can be up to the ground level. In some part of the world, the leather skirt has bigger diameter and requires around three meters of cloth. The upper class ladies mostly wear these leather skirts as fashion and symbol of richness.

Ladies leather skirts are suitable for all occasions and are an important part of the ladies wear. Now day's leather skirts are worn during wedding ceremonies as formal wear, which has its various advantages. The main advantages are loose fitting, easy to wear, provides comfort during movements and a unique beautiful look.

In some of the countries, it is a must for the ladies to wear leather skirt rather than the pants or other type of garment. The only disadvantages of the ladies leather skirts are that they have to be cautious while climbing the ladders and they cannot sit by crossing their legs.


by David G. Petten

Destination Weddings and Honeymoons.

Destination Weddings and Honeymoons.

Most resorts and cruise lines offer wedding and honeymoon packages to help keep a destination wedding stress-free and simple. Some offer complimentary services of their on-site wedding consultant to help coordinate the essentials, such as your marriage license, flowers, photographer, wedding cake and the reception. All invited guests should be notified of the required travel documents for the destination chosen. Passports are required for some destinations.

Some of the most popular wedding destination locations are Hawaii, Disneyworld, Jamaica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.


All-inclusive resorts such as Sandals Resorts, Palace Resorts and Couples Resorts are top picks for combing the wedding and honeymoon. Sandals recently announced a partnership with the internationally known event designed and wedding planner Preston Bailey and have created the Preston Bailey Signature "WeddingMoons" at Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Often the all-inclusive resorts will offer a free wedding for couples that stay 7 nights or longer.

With a destination wedding the choices are endless. It is often a longer celebration and typically involves fewer guests due to the costs associated with travel. Destination weddings are usually less stressful, more relaxing and cost less than a traditional wedding. Whatever the destination choice for the wedding and honeymoon, planning ahead, researching, seeking guidance and advice will insure wonderful memories of the "WeddingMoon".


by Judy Wilson

A Guide To Hiring Wedding Professionals

A Guide To Hiring Wedding Professionals

As you will soon discover, there is really no shortage of wedding vendors in any given category. The goal is finding the professional that is right for you, not only with product, service and price, but with personality as well. The search for wedding day vendors can begin in a number of places. Knowing where to look and what to look for will assist you in your search. The following are suggestions as to where you may begin the search for your vendors.

Bridal Shows

The greatest value in bridal shows is the opportunity to meet with a large number of wedding vendors and view many products at one time, in one location. There are many categories of vendors represented at the shows, making it an invaluable tool for doing research and for gathering wedding-related information. When you find vendors you particularly interested in, make a note of it and call soon after the show to book a personal one on one appointment.

Ceremony and Reception Location

The locations you select for your wedding day are quite familiar with particular vendors, and usually have a preferred vendor list. The vendors on this list have worked at that site many times before and are familiar with the logistics and rules of the location.

Friends and Family

You will usually get honest no nonsense answers and opinions regarding products and services when you ask married friends and family members (even co-workers) about their own weddings. Ask them about their vendors, the services they used, what they liked and didn't like, would they hire them again, etc.?

The Internet

The Internet is an easy access, easy to use, anytime resource. You can find a wealth of vendors on the web. Checking out a vendor's web site can give you a good idea of pricing, packages, and type of work they do before making a personal appointment.

Local Bridal Magazines

Using local wedding magazines and directories can at first seem overwhelming, as there are a large number of advertisements in these publications. You can, however, find excellent vendors in the magazines, but it will take some calling around to acquaint yourself with these vendors.

Wedding Planners/Consultants

Wedding consultants have several pre-established relationships with local vendors. If you are working with a consultant, she should be able to provide you with preferred vendor list. However, if you are not working with a consultant, you can still benefit from this knowledge, as most consultants will share their preferred vendor list with you for a fee.

Conclusion

Once you have made your final decisions, you must get a written contract. Call the vendor to confirm the details and ask for a contract to be sent to you. A contract is the best way of ensuring you and the vendor understand what is expected, as it should outline specifics such as dates, times, names, and types of services/products provided. It will also spell out payment plans, refund and cancellation policies. It behooves you to read and understand the contract. Do not assume you have secured a vendor for your wedding day until you have a contract that is signed by you and the vendor. And finally remember, part of getting the most from a vendor's service is also being a good client and providing the vendors with the payments and other requested information in a timely manner.


by Michael Brito

Decorating book and Cake decorating book

Decorating book and Cake decorating book

Decoration Books: Advantages Decorating book contains professional decorating ideas, clear instructions, lavish photographs and easy projects that help you to decorate with ease. Decoration Books assist you to make uniquely decorated house.

There are different types of decoration books available in the market such as cookie decorating book, interior decorating book and so on. One of such types of painting book is Cake decorating book.

Cake Decorating Book is a perfect choice to decorate the cake. This book provides you essential tips, together with illustrated pictures to decorate your birthday cakes,

Christmas cake, wedding cake and party cake. If you want to decorate the cake for any special occasion then you need to purchase a cake decorating book.

Now days you can find huge collection of such books online. This book can help you to decorate your cake in a professional manner. Cake Decorating Books not only help you to decorate your cake but it also helps you to make your cake delicious, which is an added advantage. Cake decorating book, which is offered online, requires no fundamental experience. With the help of cake decorating book you can prepare exclusive decorated pastries or cakes. This book is published in such a way that no one can refrain oneself from making a decorated cake. Each chapter carries new ideas and tips.

It is necessary that one should decorate the cake as it gives a distinct and appealing look that creates the desire to eat it. This cake decorating book is also perfect for beginners, which gives step by step instructions and guidance.


by Isabella Rodrigues

Digital Video Cameras - More Fun Than Ever

Digital Video Cameras - More Fun Than Ever

With so many manufacturers and models available in the digital video market, you may find it confusing trying to choose the perfect one for you. Your choice will, however, depend on the features that you want and how much you are willing to spend.

The most important thing to consider is the format in which your videos will be stored, as the video format determines the video quality. Digital 8 otherwise called D8, Mini-DV, DVD and HDD are the main types of video format that digital cameras offer. Both D8 and Mini-DV are tape-based formats, with the Mini-DV currently offering the highest quality video format to consumers. The DVD format allows direct video recording onto a digital disk, while the HDD type uses internal hard drives where the video is recorded. As the tape format is slowly being phased out by major manufacturers, it is a good idea to invest in disk or hard drive based digital video cameras.

Digital video cameras also come with charged coupled device or CCD imaging sensor. Digital video cameras come with 1-CCD or 3-CCD features. Cameras with 1-CCD suffer from poor video quality, whereas 3-CCD cameras produce much better quality videos. Most professional camcorders use the 3-CCD technology, thus making them more expensive than the other models.

The optical zoom feature of the camcorder lens generally ranges from 10X to 20X. The choice of zoom depends on how close you want to get to the action. Some digital video cameras also allow still photography at various resolutions, and some camcorders offer both video and still photography features. Some digital video camcorders have in-built flash for low-light photography, while some video cameras come with a 'Night Shot' feature. Other popular options include external flashlights, external microphones and external storage devices that can be attached onto the camcorder.

Camcorders with longer battery strength is also recommended. Digital video cameras have battery life ranging from 4 to 8 hours of continuous shooting. However, using the zoom or any external devices reduce the battery strength.

All cameras nowadays come bundled with a digital video editing software. But if you are not satisfied with the one provided, you can always buy a better and more expensive editing software from Adobe or any other reputable brand.

Video camera prices today vary from $500 to $4000, with Sony, JVC and Canon being the more popular brands.


by Sue Jan

Here Comes the Bride, Wearing Victoria Wedding Dress

Here Comes the Bride, Wearing Victoria Wedding Dress

Queen Victoria decided to wear a wedding gown made of white satin, trimmed with white lace and a lace veil, held in place by an orange-blossom wreath. It is in contrast with the traditional silver wedding dress that royals within her family circle are wearing during their wedding ceremonies.

She thought her wedding rites to Prince Albert is simple, and yet what she made is more of a fashion statement and trend as well. The choice of white color as an appropriate wedding dress motif is a great coincidence to its meaning which is virginity, purity of heart, and the innocence of childhood.

And now, many brides prefer wearing Victorian wedding dress for their big event mainly because of its elegant yet simple design. What you will find fascinating about Victorian wedding dress is that it is form fitting (usually takes the shape of the bride’s body); off the shoulder bodice, and full train and skirt which is still a popular style that is worn by many brides nowadays.

Another noticeable feature of a Victorian wedding dress is that it gives the feeling of royalty to the one who wears it, which is characterized by the lovely lace as well as bountiful beadwork of rhinestones and crystals. This wedding dress is also created from the finest materials available and designed to have an extravagant adornment, excellent choice of crystals, delicate yet best beadwork, and meticulous detailing of each of the part of the dress. It makes the bride unleash her beauty and making her feel confident and ravishing while making that walk on the church aisle.

Victorian wedding dresses are available on all body sizes, whether you are size 40 or size 2. Moreover, there are also Victorian gown designs that will match your age as well. Whether you are in your early twenties or in your late forties, there is a Victorian wedding dress that will suit your requirement.

Furthermore, you will feel more glamorous wearing Victorian wedding dress by the right choice of bridal accessories such as diamonds glittering in your hair and a diamond necklace gracing your neck. It will give a subtle effect to your overall look. Add to it a wedding tiara made of different glimmering crystals for enhanced bridal beauty.

The trend is now set at white. You may also take other colors for your bridal gown, but certainly, the trend set by Queen Victoria during her wedding will be the most popular and widely-accepted fashion statement when it comes to wedding dress. Wearing a Victorian wedding dress will not only make you glamorous in front of your groom and your guests, but will also make you feel how it is to be like a queen.

Enjoy your wedding day wearing that Victorian-inspired dress!


By Michael Louis

Unique Wedding Favors Series: Personalized Cosmopolitan and Margarita Cocktail Mixes

Unique Wedding Favors Series: Personalized Cosmopolitan and Margarita Cocktail Mixes

Packaged margarita and cosmopolitan mixes, sealed in white glossy packaging and printed with beautiful pastel imagery make for a wonderful sensory favor idea. Dry packaged cocktail mixes seal in a freshness and flavor that is unparallel to liquid mixes that require preservatives with distinctive aftertastes to stay fresh. Foil sealed dry mixes give your guests a succulent, fresh taste up until your one-year anniversary.

Try including an elegantly printed scroll with the history of the mixed drink to add dimension and significance to your wedding favor. The history and combinations of mixed drinks are very often symbolic of marriage itself. The margarita, originally concocted in Mexico, combines the course and fiery spirit of tequila made from the blue agave plant with sweet fruit juice to create a perfect union of tasteful pleasure.

Mixed drinks, cocktails, and martinis have a rich social and cultural significance throughout time and culture. Cocktails have long been the focal point of social affairs and the martini culture is on the rise again among young adults. The cosmopolitan is a stylish and modern martini served in a cocktail glass made from vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice. When your guests take home this delectable drink mix favor, they can relive the pleasure, fun, and carefree enjoyment of your wedding all over again. Customize the packaging on your cocktail mix favors with your own message and with a color scheme compliments your wedding theme. Whether an elegant floral design with your message etched in flowing calligraphy or a fun and whimsical illustration, choose a packaging that reminds your guests of the colors and feel of your union before they even take their first delectable sip.

When choosing party favors, pick favor gifts that evoke as many sensory joys as possible. Give back to the guests who shower you with gifts, love, and laughter with a delicious mixed drink that they can take home and enjoy at their own leisure while reminiscing about your special day.


by Christine Harrell

Wedding Thank You Cards

Wedding Thank You Cards

Wedding thank you cards express thanks to the guests who made the occasion an auspicious and memorable one. It is a way of expressing gratitude and sincere wishes to the friends and relatives for attending the wedding as well as for their thoughtful wishes and gifts.

Generally, the cards are smaller in size and are available as pre-printed or blank inside. On the blank ones, the couple can write or print a note of thanks in the blank space. Some people send handmade cards in order to add a personal touch to the thank you being sent. People even send thank you cards with the wedding photo attached to very special persons who might want a copy of it.

Usually, wedding thank you cards are sent within a period of three months after the marriage. Electronic wedding thank you cards are very much in vogue today. These cards save the labor of card hunting in retail outlets, mailing the cards, and all the related hassles. Moreover, speedy delivery is guaranteed. However, as some may strongly feel, electronic cards cannot give that feeling of warmth and proximity assured by printed cards.

Wedding thank you cards are one of the most appropriate ways to convey thanks to all those who attended the function including host and hostesses of bridal shower, engagement party, and rehearsal dinner. There are a number of wedding shops that sell these cards, but they can also be ordered online.


By Eric Morris

Wedding loans: Spend lavishly for that great day

Wedding loans: Spend lavishly for that great day

A recent research from Alliance and Leicester, one of the UK's major financial services group shows that almost one-in-five UK residents will need to borrow in order to meet their marriage expenses. The figures issued by the Bank shows that the cost of an average wedding is now more than £17,000, a rise of 13 per cent from £15,000 last year.

The research also revealed that many Brits who are engaged were under-estimating the potential cost of the event by as much as 155 per cent. Many were under the wrong impression that their wedding will cost £6,650 on an average. So, make it sure that you have enough finance available to you before you decide to enter an altogether new phase in your life.

Wedding loans can be secured or unsecured depending upon the fact that whether collateral is required or not when availing such loans. Secured wedding loans require collateral whereas unsecured wedding loans do not. Depending upon your individual requirement and circumstances, you can choose an appropriate wedding loan.

If you need quick and small loan amount, you should go for unsecured wedding loans. On the other hand, a big loan requirement at low rate of interest can be taken care of by availing secured wedding loans.


by David

How To Cut Your Wedding Catering Bill Cost Don’t order more food than you need.

How To Cut Your Wedding Catering Bill Cost
Don’t order more food than you need.

Most couples want to order an extra tray or two of hors d’oeuvres in case extra guests show up. This is fine (and usually a smart idea), but you should still make sure that you’re not order more appetizers than you actually need; use your discretion based on the guest list. For instance, if you know a number of your guests are vegetarian, you may not need to order as many appetizers with meat. Also, ordering two or three types of hors d’oeuvres will help to reduce your catering bill. If you buy more of the same dish, you can usually save money with most catering


companies—different kinds of foods will increase the bill, so it’s important to keep it classy but simple at the wedding—even when it comes to food.

Caterers will also try to encourage you to spend more than you may need to on the actual meal as well. You may not need a five course meal if you’ve already purchased three types of appetizers and a salad, or three extra desserts if you already have a pretty large wedding cake. The time of day that you hold your wedding will give you a good indication of how much food to serve; if you’re having the ceremony in the afternoon or early evening, you may want to serve more food.

Pay attention to the types of foods you order.

There are some foods that are always going to be expensive, even if you only order small amounts. So, since you have to order a considerable amount of food, ordering dishes that aren’t so costly will help you to keep your catering bill reasonable. Certain seafood, like shrimp, lobster and salmon will definitely make your catering bill higher, so if you have to have them, try to use them as only one of the course choices for dinner, or purchase these foods as appetizers to save on costs.

Have food stations.

Food stations are a unique way to serve a variety of foods at your wedding reception, and you can be sure that everyone will find something they like to eat. This way, you won’t have to worry about people changing their minds about their meal choices once they arrive at the reception. A food station with different types of pasta is usually a hit with most guests, and can be very economical. You can also include food stations with other types of the ethnic foods, such as Mexican or Indian fare, to celebrate the cultures of the people who will be attending your wedding, or to acknowledge your backgrounds.

You may also be able to cut your catering bill by not requesting an elaborate setup for your food stations and tables. Using a single color for tablecloths, usually white, will cut down on labor costs. To add more color to your reception decorations, you may want to add elaborate centerpieces, so that you can spend as much as you need to on the meals for the reception. To get menu ideas and more pricing information, log on to sites like www.weddingsutra.com and www.foreverwed.com.


By Michael Ferrell

Beach Wedding Favor Ideas

Beach Wedding Favor Ideas

Choosing your wedding favors is never an easy task, but when it comes to selecting beach wedding favors, it can be even more daunting. It is important to shop for your beach wedding favors as early in the season as possible, or even shop for them after the beach season is over for your upcoming wedding. Because so many brides are now having beach or destination weddings, the demand for beach wedding favors peaks between the months of January through June. Although many suppliers and vendors attempt to keep stock on these items, the demand usually exceeds the supply during these critical months.


So if your planning on ordering beach wedding favors, it is imperative you order your favors as early as possible to ensure your favors are in stock.

So now that you know when to order your beach or destination wedding favors, the question is what should you select for your guests? Chances are you'll want you're guests to remember your fun filled, romantic sea side event. Choosing a favor which reflects your own personal style and taste while preserving the unique tropical flair of your event is of utmost importance.

Some popular beach theme wedding favor ideas are:

* Beach Themed Candles

* Adirondack Chairs

* Flip Flop Candles or Place Card Frames

* Shell Themed Cookie Cutters, Coasters, or Bookmarks

* Palm Tree Candles or Place Card Holders

* Dolphin Bottle Openers or Stoppers

* Tropical Themed Cocktail Mixes

* Luggage Tags

* Mini Beach Pails / Buckets filled with Candy

Some unique beach wedding favor ideas are:

* Flip Flops in beachy - tropical colors for each guest

* Personalized beach towels

* Personalized umbrellas

* A beach tote filled with sunscreen, bug repellant, lip block, and after sun lotion

* Rum cakes or Mini Rum Bottles

* Starfish cookies or chocolates

* Caribbean Hot Sauces - some can be personalized

* A bath bucket filled with a natural sponge, soaps, and sea salts

* Saltwater taffy

* CD of island inspired music

* Jordan almonds wrapped in a half shell

* Beach Balls / Frisbees / Kites in your wedding colors

* Goldfish in tiny bowls

* Floral leis

Wherever your wedding is being held, no matter what your budget or style, there are so many beach wedding favors and ideas to select from. Your only limit is your imagination!


By Erica Tevis

Figurine - An Art Form

Figurine - An Art Form

Although it is not exactly known as to why man made figurines, it is sure that in one way it was the graduation from the cave paintings and sketches perhaps out of artistic interests or because of awe and wonder for the supernatural powers that he could perceive. Figurines in the modern day are more a form of art than anything else.

Figurines were used for a variety of purposes. While some were used to serve as deities in religious and ceremonial occasions, some of the figurines depict special purposes. This means that a woman gifted with figurine of "pregnant Venus" implied wishing successful fertility.


Since figurines are mainly female figures, so they make great gifts in wedding and other rituals. The figurines are also meant to amuse children who spend their time playing with them. Some of the figurines also serve as jewelry for women.

Different Faces of Modern Figurines In the present day art form, copper, glass, plastic, wood and even rubber are used in making figurines. In the recent history, figurines are adopted for playing board games such as chess. Players use differently colored figurines while playing the war game as in chess. Each piece in the game is a figurative replica of its live model.

Today, figurines made of plastic and porcelain are popular for their adoptability to molding easily than stone which needs to be carved as the only form of making them and glass, although is best suited for molding, is rather used in making transparent figurines.

Unlike the ancient times you can find figurines of all types and subjects to suit your needs and the ambience of your home and offices. It may not surprise you to find figurines made especially for occasions like for example, the Valentine's Day or the Christmas Day. The most attractive and much in demand figurines belong to wildlife and floral designs.

Figurine Collecting Hobby Internet has made life simpler for figurine collectors. Locating an interesting figurine over the net has a second advantage that you can purchase online. You can find specialist shops for themed figurines like Hummels, a very popular one whose value has always appreciated.

Normally Curio cabinets made of wood and glass are used for showcasing figurines, otherwise depending on your home's décor and size of the figurines they can be displayed on table tops and corner tables too.

If it was a mixed feeling of awe and respect in addition to artistic inclination that gave birth to figurines but what takes it to a higher plane of merchandising is the awareness created by the Internet era.


by NamSing Then

Smart Wedding Planning - A Quick Guide to Saving Money on Your Wedding Day

Smart Wedding Planning - A Quick Guide to Saving Money on Your Wedding Day

It's a fact. The wedding industry is huge, and anything with the word "wedding" attached to it is likely to mean "expensive".

So is it feasible to hire a photographer who doesn't necessarily focus on weddings, or a band that wouldn't be found in your local bridal magazine? Absolutely!

To get started on this road less traveled, begin by asking recently-wed family, friends or colleagues for any good wedding leads. Perhaps they'll know of a fabulous bakery that was less expensive than all the larger ones in the area. Or an art student who just graduated from college and is looking for work as a calligrapher.


Maybe there's a friend of a friend who's an aspiring photographer and would be able to capture fantastic wedding photos for you on your big day.

Next, move your research online and check out the local wedding chat boards in your area at TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com. Look for posts like "Rave Reviews" and "Highly Recommended" - and be sure to also take note of any vendors that received negative reviews from other brides and grooms. Another excellent free resource is Craigslist.com. Musicians, photographers and other artists post their services regularly here in areas across the country. If you see a post that catches your eye, just send a quick email to the poster to get more information, or submit your own ad describing exactly what you're looking for.

Finally, head to Amazon.com or your local book store and buy at least one good wedding planning book. This will be your trusty reference book and will help you know just which questions to ask, so that you can make an informed decision about a particular wedding vendor. For example, knowing the various costs that are typically associated with catering will allow you to ask for only the items you NEED, and avoid paying for anything you don't. In fact, knowing a bit about each type of wedding service vendor - caterers, musicians, DJs, etc. - will actually help save you money no matter which vendors you talk to, "professional" or not.

With a little outside the box thinking and basic knowledge about the "biz", you're on your way to pulling together a fantastic wedding day that may just cost you less than you think!


By Allison Campbell

A Rose Is Not Just Another Flower

A Rose Is Not Just Another Flower

There is no doubt about it. A rose is one of the most beautiful of all God's creations. That being said, there is also a widely held belief that roses are difficult to grow. When in fact, they are actually quite easy to grow and far less demanding then most people think.

In addition to being beautiful, the rose is a very versatile flower. It is the flower most often used in wedding bouquets and delivered on Valentines day. A single rose can say "I love you" in a way that no other flower can do.

Most roses bloom all summer long. They love the sunshine and to be watered at root level. They do not like water on the flower itself. And to retaliate, the buds won't bloom and the full flowers will develop ugly spots. So no high-shooting sprinklers please.

A rose is beautiful all by itself or grouped with other flowers. Place a single rose in a bud vase with a sprig of fern or baby's breath in the guest or powder room to let your guests know how glad you are they are there.

Todays roses come in a large variety of colors, both solid and some mixed. There are white, yellow, various shades of pink and red, lavender and even roses which appear to be black.

The white rose is most often the flower of choice for weddings due to white being the color of purity. Yellow roses are good for impersonal gifts. Because a yellow rose is a symbol of friendship and trust, they are a good choice for friends, co-workers, secretaries and teachers. A pink or lavender rose is a good choice for family members such as mothers aunts, and grandmothers. While the red rose brings with it the connotation of a deeper love between a man and a woman.

If you have some rose bushes in your garden, you probably already know the importance of dead heading your roses in order to promote new growth. But wait, don't just toss those spent flowers into the recycle bin! Instead, strip the flower head of the remaining petals and place them in a colander. Leave the colander in the sun and "stir" the petals every few days. When completely dry, store the petals in a paper bag.

By the end of summer you should have enough petals to fill several bowls to place throughout the house. By mixing in a few drops of fragrant oil, you can continue to enjoy your roses several more months. In fact, your own home- grown potpourri will be well-accepted when received as Christmas gifts. Looking for more rose resources?


by Liz Norman

Setting A Good Wedding Budget

Setting A Good Wedding Budget

Weddings are a big business, and if you go the traditional route by hiring a wedding planner, you can soon see the costs of your wedding spiraling out of control. While I'm not saying that you should not hire a wedding expert, they can be a huge help in planning and organizing your big day, you should do a little research on your own and come to the planning table with a strict budget in mind. And when costs seem too high, do not be afraid to offer some cost-saving ideas of your own. After all, it's your wedding and your wallet.

The wedding reception is where you will spend the bulk of your wedding budget, almost 50% of it in fact. So, this is an area that you should pay particularly close attention to. Most of the money spent for a reception is spent on alcoholic beverages and the reception meal. You should shop carefully and keep your budget in mind when choosing caterers and meal menus. If you are still having a hard time meeting your budget, you may have to eliminate alcoholic beverages or cut your guest count to put your bottom line back in the black.

The bridal gown is also an area where a lot of money can be spent. Go to the bridal gown store with an idea of what you are willing to spend on the perfect dress. Browse the discount rack first before you start looking through the catalogues, you may be surprised by what you find. Also start shopping well in advance of the big day. A dress that is too expensive today can be marked down in the future, but you can't take advantage of markdowns if you wait till the last minute to find your wedding gown.

When setting up your budget you also need to factor in the cost of photography/videography, music, flowers, invitations and other expenses which can quickly add up. Keep in mind that while a wedding budget has a strict bottom line, there is plenty of room to splurge on the more expensive band if you are going to cut costs somewhere else. So, instead of keeping each aspect of your wedding day perfectly in line, focus more on what the whole day is going to cost you and wiggle and adjust until you are comfortable with what you are spending.


By Rose Lenk

Top Wedding Trends for 2006

Top Wedding Trends for 2006

While traditional white is not likely to be surpassed in popularity, there are some other interesting and tasteful color options that have really taken off. This year, the color purple is the color to beat. From lavender to eggplant, purple is one of those colors that are both timelessly rich and elegant. This year, it is being used in everything from bridesmaids' dresses to cocktail napkins. Lilac is a wonderful choice of color for a summertime wedding, no matter where you decide to use it.

While flowers come in a veritable rainbow of colors, more and more people are using dyed flower arrangements in their weddings. More often than not, this is done to accentuate the choices of color used in the clothing of those in the wedding party. Some of the most popular wedding flowers for 2006 include gardenias, lilies, orchids, and daisies. Another popular trend we have noted is the use of wild flowers that have a fresh-cut look.

As far as wedding cakes are concerned, we are starting to see a lot of people trying to tie their cake style into the theme of their wedding. For instance, a springtime wedding cake might be topped off with edible flower petals. We are also starting to see many couples straying away from the traditional bride-and-groom cake toppers, and opting instead for monogrammed letters or sugar sculptures. The average cake size continues to be in the four-to-five tier range.

Regarding the actual wedding ceremony, we have witnessed an increasing number of couples exchange vows while facing their guests. More and more, couples are also writing their own vows. We are seeing more children directly involved in the wedding, too. While every couple wants their special day to be unique and memorable, these are just some of the ways in which couples are personalizing their wedding ceremonies in 2006.


by Samantha Taylor

A Brief History of Wedding Hairstyles

A Brief History of Wedding Hairstyles

From ancient times to the present, women have used various wedding hairstyles to look not only their best, but to preserve the look of elegance and awe for everyone attending the celebration of their wedding. In Rome, women would dye their hair, normally a golden red, wear hair extension to give them longer, fuller, and thicker hair, wear their hair up with jeweled hairpins, and wear it down and curled in ringlets. So, no matter where you look throughout history you will find that many of the wedding hairstyles whether they are long hairstyles, short hairstyles, hair extension or worn long and styled beautifully each one compliments the style of wedding gown the bride has chosen.

Today, women look to movie stars for their glamorous wedding hairstyles. Each and every year, some celebrity is seen during their wedding on television or in the popular magazines showing off their wedding gown and the wedding hairstyle they chose for this special occasion. This is what is considered to be in the in-style theme of the year.

If you go back to the roaring 20's you will see that many stars wore their hair in a bob style and if you notice many wedding hairstyles were this short hairstyle. However, some women would of course prefer longer hairstyles or wearing their hair in an up-do.

Royalty in Europe also sets the stage when it comes to wedding hairstyles. Princess Dianna had a short wedding hairstyle and any place you looked for a few years many women were styling their wedding hairstyles in the same fashion.

During the 60's in the US, it was the long hairstyles that made it in the wedding scene. Many wore long hairstyles or hair extensions and the used flowers and beaded headbands to compliment their wedding gown. Since, several weddings during the 1960's were performed outdoors, the mood was more casual and comfortable, so more casual wedding hairstyles were seen.

Today, to learn what wedding hairstyle is in fashion, you can turn to television, but as the majority of women are concerned, they want to look glamorous, stunning, and have a wedding gown and wedding hairstyle that will be remembered.

Long hairstyles throughout history have been the favorite of most brides, because it adds sophistication and elegance to a wedding ceremony and reception accordingly. However, you can always search through different bridal magazines throughout the years to learn just how popular each wedding hairstyle has been from long hairstyles, to short hairstyles, to hair extensions and how each one has complimented the bride and her wedding dress or wedding gown.


by Natalie Aranda

Give the Perfect Wedding Anniversary Gift for Your Wife

Give the Perfect Wedding Anniversary Gift for Your Wife

The last time you forgot about your anniversary, you took your wife to a fast food restaurant because the entire fine dining restaurant in town was full. You probably even slept on the couch and your wife never said a word to you for a full week just because you forgot about your wedding anniversary.

Now you think everything is prepared, you double check your checklist, you made a reservation to the finest restaurant in town, you hired a singer to serenade for your wife, and you hired a stretched limousine to take you and your wife to the restaurant and back home.

You may think you’re not forgetting


anything anymore. You may think everything will be perfect and your wife will be very happy. However, as with all anniversaries, you may neglect to think about the one very important thing to make it very special. You wonder what, and then you remembered that your wife have been giving you hints about something she wants weeks or even a month before your anniversary. You forgot about her wedding anniversary gift.

Wedding anniversary gifts are one of the most important things you should never forget about to give your wife. This will make her very happy and make the day very special. However, you have to give her something that she will truly appreciate and will never forget for a long time.

You have to listen to what your wife is saying weeks or even a month before your wedding anniversary. This is where she will usually give you hints about what she wants for the wedding anniversary. In case she does not give you hints, you may want to buy her something that she really likes, like something for her hobby or even beauty products for her body, like massage devices and bath products.

How about giving her treats like chocolates, or instead of going to the restaurant, you can cook her a romantic dinner while you treat her and her friend for an all day pampering in the spa, complete with baths, massages and beauty treatments. After she goes home from the spa, everything will be ready. A romantic candlelit dinner right in your own home with you cooking for her can be the perfect gift for your wife. Just make sure that you know how to cook or it the dinner will be a disaster.

If you want something on the expensive side, you can give her jewelry. Although this may cost you your three months salary, she will truly appreciate it.

Or, how about a one week vacation cruise on an exotic island where both of you can relax and spend the entire week on a romantic getaway. This is a great gift where you can spend quality time with your wife for a whole week.

If you really don’t know what to give her or her hints are really hard to guess, you can always ask her friends about what she wants. This is a great way to know what gift she wants for your wedding anniversary.

Always remember that whatever gifts you give her, what matters is the way you give it to her. Be a little creative to really make your gift, whatever it is, remembered for a long time.


By Michael Louis

Invitations to the Most Important Day of Your Life - The Choices, Wording and Proper Etiquette

Invitations to the Most Important Day of Your Life - The Choices, Wording and Proper Etiquette

1. Names and titles should be spelled out. The only exceptions are Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Jr.

2. Write out all dates and times in the invitation. The numbers in addresses need not be spelled out, although streets should be. Include the state if the city is not well known.

3. Never under any circumstances, include information regarding your gift registry or desire for monetary gifts. All information regarding gift preference should be passed along by word of mouth. Today, however, it has become acceptable to declare "no gifts" or in lieu of a gift to make a donation to a specified charity.

4. Put response cards and stamped pre-addressed envelopes inside the invitation with any other enclosures. Place this in the inner envelope, and put the inner envelope in the outer one, so that it faces the back flap.

5. Do not seal the inner envelope. Address it simply to "Mr. and Mrs. Jones". Do not use first names, except in the case of children. Even then, they should be listed on a second line underneath their parents' names.

6. Envelopes should be addressed in black ink and never typed. Do not abbreviate names or addresses and include the return address centered on the back, near the top.

7. Mail invitations six to eight weeks before the wedding.

8. Mail announcements on the day of the wedding (or soon after) if you are sending out announcements.

Inserting Invitations 1. Insert invitation into the inner envelope along with enclosure card, reply card and any other enclosures. Always remember the front (printed side) of the invitation faces the back side of the envelope, fold down. The tissue that is placed over lettering to prevent smudging may be discarded or left in place.

2. Place the unsealed inner envelope into the outer envelope. The front (addressed side) of the inner envelope faces the back flap of the outer envelope.

Helpful Hints Since most couples do not know a great deal about the process of inviting guests, they are encouraged to keep a few other things in mind: 1. Order invitations four to six months before the wedding. Make sure all details are secured before ordering (i.e. location, date, time).

2. Find a store where the staff will spend enough time with their customers. Deal with people who know what they are doing. Not all people who sell invitations are professionals who know proper etiquette and wording.

3. Get everything - invitations, envelopes, announcements and any supplements - at the same time. Be sure to have an accurate guest count. Order extra invitations and envelopes, because extra orders later will mean extra costs.

4. To save headaches later, you may want to choose programs, thank-yous, printed napkins, place cards and other related items now.

5. Proofread the order form carefully before signing it. Printers will not usually correct mistakes unless you pay for them.

6. Mail invitations six weeks before the wedding (eight weeks if most of the guests are out-of-state or it is a holiday weekend).

7. After the invitations are sent, responses begin arriving immediately. Devise a system to keep track of replies. An alphabetized checklist, index cards, ledger or home computer are all easy ways to keep track of who has and has not responded (keep in mind that statistics show you should only expect a 75 to 80 percent return).


by Rebecca Sherman

Hair Extension Safety and Care Tips

Hair Extension Safety and Care Tips

The way that hair extensions are applied is very important. It does not hurt! There is a track made with your own hair by creating a same braid. Then the hair extensions are actually sewn to your own hair track. This track commonly called a corn-row by hair stylists runs horizontally around the back of your head. These tracks are done in the middle of the scalp where no one will be able to see them.

For all prom hairstyles and wedding hairstyles, the crown area of your hair will cover the top track. According to how many wefts you decide on will be how many tracks you will need for the long hairstyles. Also according to how much hair you need to create the wedding hairstyles or prom hairstyles will determine how many tracks you need. After the hair stylist has created the tracks, the human hair extensions or hair extensions of your chose will be sewn to the tracks. Then the hair will be blended into your own hair. The hair extensions will now be treated like your own hair.

To care for your hair extensions you should treat it exactly like you do your normal hair. However, if you could not grow long hair previous for all those long hairstyles you desired you might not have been caring for your hair for new hair growth. Here are a few tips to help you care for your hair extensions so you can always have the long and glamorous hair you deserve for all the prom hairstyles or any long hairstyle you choose.

You should always wash, condition and moisturize your hair, including your human hair extension every 2 to 3 days. Your hair extensions will not receive the natural scalp oils so you will need to add moisturizing to your routine. If you do not remember to moisturize your hair extensions, they will become brittle which can cause them to break easily, leaving you with ratty and split ends.

Remember, hair extensions will not grow back! If you get them too hot with the blow dryer, curling iron, etc., you can burn the hair and damage your beautiful hair extensions and this will not help with any wedding hairstyles or prom hairstyles you had planned.

Plan to visit your hair stylist in around 6 to 8 weeks. They will have to remove the wefts and check the hair extensions for any build up from the shampoo or other products you have used. Then it will be necessary for the braids to be redone and the same wefts attached again as your hair grows about 1 to 1 ½ inches in that time period.


by Natalie Aranda

How To Have The Wedding Of Your Dreams

How To Have The Wedding Of Your Dreams

Now that the event is in the planning stages are you going to have it inside a lavishing church? How about on the beach, as the sun sets over the lapping waves of the ocean?

Lapping waves sound so romantic don't they? Sunsets, what could be better?

Here are some simple things to think about when choosing your wedding location and whether or not those lapping waves could be a blissful romantic soul soother or a nightmare in the making.

First, think about choosing the site of your ceremony. The beauty of the ocean or a river path needs little embellishment. When planning an outdoor wedding, let the location speak for it's self. And remember that Mother Nature speaks loudly so make sure an outdoor wedding is exactly what you want by using these questions in your decision-making lists.

THE PLACE: * Is the place you are looking at free of other events on the date you want? * Are all permits and papers easy to access, do you need special permissions for large parties? * Will the space where the chairs will be placed in loose sinking sand or is the beach full of storm debris? * Do you have a long flowing gown in mind? Would a church floor be better then a lawn, for the dry-cleaning bill afterward? * Does my area have storms in the month I want my wedding? If so, should I have the ceremony inside or rent a tent? * Does both families agree on style like casual, religious or traditional wedding? * If you have a particularly long ceremony think about if you want guests to be prepared to wait to use the restroom (if on a beach, or be prepared to rent extra facilities.

Once you have an idea of the area you want your wedding to be performed in you can add the type of building you want it to be in, by using this list of things to think about.

TYPE OF TENT OR BUILDING: * Will it be a frame tent or a tent with center poles and ropes on the outside to secure it? Will the area hold tent stakes? * Should you rent a church or community center because a large portion of your family are elderly and cannot walk well on sand or winding paths? * Does your local park have the perfect place like a gazebo or arbor free of charge to local residents? * Open air means wind, bugs, and birds.

You now have some basic ideas about the place of your special ceremony and type of building, tent or open area you may enjoy. You might want to think about how large a wedding party that space can hold. HOW MUCH SPACE YOU NEED: * The number of people attending the wedding determines size of your area. * Style of wedding. Will it be a formal or casual style? * Size of the band or do you have a recording for processional music? * Size and shape of chairs or bench for setting guests and number of aisles required. You might have a difficult time hauling a tent or canopy with aisle runner, kneeling benches, candelabras, a wedding arch and other accessories to a small-secluded beach or riverside. If this were a concern for you it would be better to hire a professional rental company that can help you coordinate all the extra details that must be imported for an outdoor event.

An outdoor wedding can be the most wondrous of occasions and hold a place in your heart and memory forever. With a little forethought and planning your day can go off without any hitches and I hope these hints about what to think about when planning your event helps you on the way.

My last suggestion would be to talk to your local wedding specialists before jumping in feet first. Good Luck and congratulations on your up coming wedding and God Bless. QUOTE "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness." - Henry David Thoreau


by John Savage

Wedding Days: Love's in Bloom - Anyone Seen the Flowers?

Wedding Days: Love's in Bloom - Anyone Seen the Flowers?

A big item on the wedding planning list is the flowers for the church, the wedding party and the reception. It that goes wrong, it can be a real disaster. Many problems can arise in this area, such as flowers not being delivered on time, not fresh, or not the flowers the bride ordered. Just imagine if your perfectly orchestrated color scheme is ruined because the wrong colored flowers arrived. Just try sending them back or getting new ones in time. Besides the ambiance of the wedding being ruined, there is now an upset bride. Taking certain precautions may avoid this disaster.

The first detail to


be attended to is the color scheme you are choosing . Be sure to be decide this well advance, or you will guarantee yoursel a headache.You will usually base the colors of the flowers on the colors of the bridesmaids' dresses, so decide on that before you start to look at flowers. Stick to your color scheme and then pick flowers in that color scheme. Be definite about the color. Some flowers are available in just about every colors, while others are limited. Don't try to pick a specific type of flower, it may not work with that color scheme, just start with the color. Bring swatches and be ready to complement rather than match. Before that first crucial meeting with the florist, certain steps will prepare you.

Even though, nowadays, many flowers are available all year long, you need to take the season of your wedding into account when you are choosing your flowers. There is a certain charm added to the wedding if the flowers suit the season. Sunflowers in the middle of winter may not convey the tone you want, plus out of season flowers arel probably be more expensive. Formal church weddings need more sophisticated arrangements than a wedding on the beach, so you need to consider the type of wedding you're planning.

When you are planning the budget for your flowers, keep your total wedding budget in mind. A rule of thumb is to spend ten to fifteen percent of your total wedding budget on the flowers. Spending more than that will cause you to skimp on other more important items. Discuss your budget and its limitations honestly with your florist at the very beginning. He can work with you to explore different ideas that will make your day perfect and still keep this lovely part of your wedding in budget.

You also have to consider the size of the bouquets for both you and your bridesmaids,the shade of your gown, if you are going to have an additional bouquet to toss, and the temperature of the season, if you will be outdoors for any lenghth of time. (Many flowers react badly to very cold temperatures.) And as if that is not enough to worry about, you need to worry about pollen that may stain your gown. (For example, lilies should have stamens removed because of this problem.) Be flexible, and make sure you take the advice of your florist.He wants your day to be perfect too.


By Peter Carnater

Seven Marriage Myths You Can't Afford to Ignore

Seven Marriage Myths You Can't Afford to Ignore

Why should you be concerned if this is the case? Because what you aren't aware of can blindside you down the marital road, that's why. Life throws in enough surprises on its own, so you don't want to be caught off guard unnecessarily.

Review Your Assumptions for a Reality Check

The following misguided assumptions can get you into trouble in your marriage:

1. You should always feel loving toward your spouse.

It's not realistic to think that you'll always have loving feelings toward your spouse. There are occasions when Lee and I are upset with each other and we don't like each other very much. We may have to make an effort to remind ourselves of the other person's positive traits.

At those times, we know that underneath all of our upset feelings we still love each other, but the predominant feelings we're experiencing are anger and hurt. And it's difficult to feel loving when you're frustrated, feeling resentful, or harboring anger toward your spouse.

That's when it's vitally important to clear the air as soon as possible so you can be in harmony with your spouse and get those loving feelings back.

2. Love should consistently feel the same way.

Feelings vary in intensity over time. It's just not possible to experience forever the ecstatic feelings that can be there when a relationship is new and you've just fallen in love. At that time, every sensation is ultra intense and heightened.

But the feelings associated with the initial or honeymoon period of every relationship eventually change. Love deepens and grows in different ways.

Of course, there are still wonderful highs, but there are other feelings in the cycle of love that you also experience--a rhythmic waning and waxing of desire, the enjoyment of companionship, and the comfortableness of knowing someone well and sharing a history together. Love has many faces and produces a variety of feelings during a marriage.

3. Your spouse should just "know" what you need without you having to tell him or her.

It's not unusual to feel that if your spouse really loved you, he or she would somehow be aware of your needs and desires without having to ask you. But in reality, most of us do rather poorly when we try to second guess someone else or try to "read their mind."

This particular assumption leads to many hurt feelings in a marriage. "He should have known that I wouldn't want to celebrate my birthday with his family." Or "She should have known that all I wanted from her was a little understanding and sympathy."

When this happens, spouses often erroneously conclude that their spouse must not love them or they would have been more tuned in to their wishes and needs. But the responsibility to let your spouse know what you need and want ultimately rests on you. Give your partner feedback and clues so he or she can have the information needed to make different choices.

4. If you really love each other, keeping a loving relationship shouldn't take much work.

I've heard this or statements similar to this numerous times. But the sobering reality is that relationships always take a lot of work.

It's a challenge to keep the communication channels clear of debris and residue from disagreements. It takes time and effort to follow up by checking with the other person to be sure that things aren't building up under the surface and that everything is truly okay now.

This process can be compared to housecleaning. You can clean the house one week, but by the next week it needs cleaning again. It's a constant cycle--the same is true in a marriage relationship. What you ignore doesn't just go away; it stays right where it is, waiting for more dust or debris to collect on top of it.

5. Being married lets you off the hook in the romance department and sets you up in the sex department.

This assumption has tripped many spouses up. As a counselor, many times I've heard the statement, "But I thought now that we're married, I didn't have to do all of that romantic stuff I used to do."

Often this is said when the marriage problems are already serious and the marriage is in crisis. It just makes good sense to take the offensive and make the effort to find ways to be romantic throughout your marriage. If you do, you'll be accumulating those "good will" bank deposits or "brownie points" that Lee likes to talk about.

And as for thinking that marriage assures you of unlimited great sex without any extra effort on your part, that's a fantasy. Emotional intimacy sets the stage for great sex and depends on good communication, plus a host of other qualities such as sensitivity and empathy, all of which take work.

6. Your spouse will speak up and tell you if he or she is unhappy in the marriage.

This is an assumption which has been the undoing of many marriages. The reality is that numerous spouses are uncomfortable with anger and are afraid that expressing it will damage the relationship. So they try to bury their feelings and pretend that everything is okay.

It pays to be observant and pay attention to your spouse's tone of voice and non-verbal communication. It also pays to learn to disagree without attacking each other and to be respectful even when you don't understand how your spouse could possibly have such odd ideas.

When you create a safe environment for discussing your real feelings, you increase the likelihood that your spouse will gain the courage to share from the heart with you. You can help this process by taking the lead in making yourself vulnerable by sharing your real feelings in a respectful way.

7. The commitment expressed in your wedding vows is enough to sustain your relationship.

The commitment you made to your spouse and marriage on your wedding day was certainly important--and it counts for a lot. But it's not enough.

It's all-too-easy to treat the marriage commitment as a one-time thing, when the reality is that a satisfying, healthy relationship requires daily commitment--over and over again, day by day. It's similar to what individuals do who are successful in 12-step programs for sobriety--they recommit to their sobriety each day.

The recovering alcoholic may say, "Just for today, I'm sober, with God's help." The spouse with a successful marriage makes a daily commitment, also, even if it's unspoken--"Today I will honor my marriage and be the best supportive partner I can be." It's that level of daily dedication and commitment that makes the difference in marriages that make it and those that don't.


by Nancy J. Wasson, Ph.D

Special Occasions: Planning Your Wedding Party

Special Occasions: Planning Your Wedding Party

To get you started on planning your wedding party, here are a few tips for you to consider. Besides, only happens once in your life, so why not make it the best occasion?

First thing’s first, when planning a wedding party, you should be realistic. What this means is that you should be able to determine all the things involved, especially the cost. Some people go to any lengths and spend a lot of money on their wedding just to make their dreams come true and ended up spending a lot of money and still unhappy with it.

Here’s some advice - you don’t need to get into debt just to throw a great party.

Your guests are there to have fun and see you on your big day and not to see the ornaments. They will probably not notice the ornaments anyway when you are there in the room. What you need in your wedding isn’t all those things, but you just have to enjoy your day with your family and friends.

Wedding parties are supposed to be fun. So, you shouldn’t have to make your wedding party very extravagant. You should just make it fun. Hire a band for your wedding party that can throw in a couple of jokes for the guests and will let guests participate by singing.

You should also make sure that the seating arrangements assigned to someone that they will be comfortable with. If you want your wedding to stay organized and at the same time save money, you can hire a wedding party planner. These people will know about your needs and you can tell them the details of your dream wedding party.

Party planners will take care of everything, you just have to sit back and relax while they take care of the party. They will plan everything from the cake, the reception and they can even take care of the food.

All you have to do is tell the party planner about your budget. They will be able to give you the best party possible according to your budget.

You would really want to hire a party planner for your wedding party because you will never handle all the stress involved in the party. All you have to do is check up on the party planner once in a while. This is to make sure that everything is going smoothly.

Make your wedding party so much fun that the guests, your new husband and especially you will have fun. Make it enjoyable and also consider the kids who will be at the party.

Don’t forget to give your guests a little memorabilia to remember the party. It is one of the things that they will truly appreciate and will really thank you for a great gift. They will also appreciate the party and the way they had a great time with it.

Always remember that your wedding party need not be too expensive. All you need is a little creativity in order for your guests to have fun and really enjoy your big day.


By Michael Louis

Key West Weddings

Key West Weddings

Imagine getting married under a tropical sunset on the beach or aboard a sailboat. If you dive, you can charter a boat and take your vows underwater. There are several dive charter companies that will arrange the ceremony for you. A very popular spot is near Christ of the Deep. The statue of Christ lifting his arms to the heavens from beneath the waves is truly beautiful. Other popular spots include the Chapel By The Sea, Heritage House Museum/Robert Frost Cottage, The Gardens Hotel, Hemingway Home, Gecko’s Garden and the Hog’s Breath Writers Room.

Many places offer wedding packages that include the ceremony and reception, photography and music. A marriage license will cost around $88.50, no blood test is required, and there is no waiting period. This makes it a good spot for those who have not been able to plan very far in advance for their wedding. Make sure you do your hotel research before you go. See to it that there is enough room in one hotel for your wedding party. You may have to put down a deposit ahead of time to reserve the rooms.


By Marcus Peterson

Candy and Edible Wedding Favor Ideas

Candy and Edible Wedding Favor Ideas

Don't underestimate the importance of wedding favors. They are the universal symbol of gratitude that the newly married couple extends to their guests. It is one of the most traditional aspects of the wedding - dating back many, many hundreds of years - extending thanks to your guests for sharing in your special day. Think about all the weddings you have attended, how would you feel if you did not receive a little "thank you" token of appreciation? The problem is, most guests expect favors - despite what some newer wedding articles might try to make you believe.

Your favors need not be expensive to convey a simple thank you. All your favors should do is be functional - something practical that people can use. How many times have you received a thank you gift only to place it on a shelf, or worse yet, tossed it in the trash, because you just did not know what to do with it. Unfortunately, some couples put very little thought into their wedding favors. Often it seems, that wedding favors are cast aside and treated as a last minute idea - leaving the puzzled wedding guests to scratch their heads and say, "What is this?”

Don't fall into the category of silly unconventional favors! Give your guests something that serves a purpose. Why not edible wedding favors? Most people love a sweet treat, and if it can be consumed - it most likely will be used! From simple to gourmet, edibles including candy, chocolates, cookies, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, honey and mints, will satisfy the most discriminating wedding guest - and are available in price ranges to fit any bridal budget.Some tips to keep in mind when deciding on edible or candy wedding favors:

* Chocolates need extra care, from shipping with ice packs during the summer months, to storage both in your home before the reception and at the catering facility for your reception. You don't want melted favors!

* Allergies: some people are allergic to chocolate, some people peanuts, others can't have sugar. You may want to offer two different types of favors, and have your wait staff distribute them, stating they have sugar free options available. (Also good for the low-carb dieter who may want to indulge!)

* Hard candies and mints make excellent choices, as they do not melt.

* Jellybeans are loved by both children and adults alike. With so many colors and flavors available you can even match them to your wedding colors!

* Don't forget about drinks as edible wedding favors. Coffee, cappuccino, tea, hot cocoa, cocktail mixes, honey - all are items which can be consumed and used. They require no refrigeration, are relatively inexpensive, can be personalized, and go wonderfully with a little edible treat!

* Cookies and miniature cakes - a small package of cookies (maybe even with a cookie cutter attached?) or a miniature cake they can take home - make delicious treats!

* Jordan almonds are a traditional and lovely token of gratitude.

Whatever you decide to give as an edible wedding favor you can be sure it will not leave your guests wondering what to do with them. You wedding favors will not go to waste; they will be enjoyed! You can decorate them as you please in pretty packaging - sure to match your wedding decor. It's the idea that your gift to your guests counts the most; that you took the time to think of them. If the wedding favor you give comes from the heart, it will leave a lasting impression and memory on your guests.


By Erica Tevis

Wedding Photography - 6 Shots you Need in Your Photo Album

Wedding Photography - 6 Shots you Need in Your Photo Album

The Big Day This is the day you have been carefully planning for months, and a lot of preparation is involved. Have your wedding photographer on hand as you primp and the excitement steadily builds. These behind-the scenes-shots at the salon, your parents' house or dressing room will record the nervous joy and anticipation. This is the day; your wedding photography should capture the poignancy of these special moments. Black and white film works perfectly here.

The Dress You may only wear it once, but this gorgeous compilation of silk and lace is a work of art. Your wedding photographer should capture the masterpiece in all its glory. The perfect way to reveal its essence is to photograph it in its element. Hanging in a window in the dressing room with the sunlight pouring in, your dress will reveal its natural beauty.

Mom and Dad - Letting Go Your wedding is an emotional day for your parents. They feel a mixture of pride, joy and sadness. Their little girl/boy is all grown up and entering a new stage in life. Capture these emotions and conflicting feelings during the wedding ceremony and throughout the day. Especially make sure your photographer takes a shot of each of them as they focus on you during the ceremony. Even though you won't be watching them as you exchange "I Dos;" these precious images will capture the full force of their emotions.

Just Married On this busy day, there may be only a few moments when the two of you can steal away and spend time together. But just after you are pronounced "man and wife," the two of you will just have each other. Married at last! Your wedding photographer should not miss those first few moments as a married couple. Try to give yourself a few minutes alone after the ceremony to relax and reflect the significance of the occasion. You will cherish these photos in your wedding album.

Candid Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Your girlfriends. You have laughed together and cried together and shared the gauntlet of emotions together. The images from your wedding day should reflect that special bond that only the best of girlfriends can share. While the line of bridesmaids is a good shot to have in your album, you should capture some more creative photography shots for your photo album. Make sure some of your shots reveal the vibrant personalities of you and your girls. Have your photographer capture the giggles, the private whispers and the carefree hugs and exclamations, for this is the true essence of your friendships. And don't forget the boys; get some creative shots of the groomsmen too!

Away into The Sunset Get a parting shot of the two of you walking towards your "ever after." One of my favorite versions of this shot: the two of you photographed from a distance, looking towards the horizon. Your new life starts here; the sky is the limit!


By Cori Locklin

Choosing Your Wedding Dress.

Choosing Your Wedding Dress.

The truth is, every single body type has an inherent beauty that can only be accentuated and flattered with the right choice of wedding dress. Your body is structured according to the ways that nature felt it was best suited, and you should neither hide nor feel embarrassed about this fact when you are looking for you dress. It will be difficult, while in the process of shopping, to hear the terms you have applied so often to yourself while looking in the mirror used by employees at the boutique when you are searching for your dress, and the only way to avoid this is to be comfortable with who

you are. With that said, you will want to feel as gorgeous as possible in your wedding gown, and we all have small imperfections that we will want hidden on our most important day.

Whatever your body shape may be, do not try and fool yourself into thinking it is something else. You are going to be on display on your wedding day, and choosing a dress that you wished fit you perfectly would be an incredible mistake. No matter what your body type, you will look beautiful on your special day if you choose a dress style that conforms to your body type.

It should also be mentioned that very few people actually lose weight in the time leading up to your wedding. The planning can take such a heavy toll in terms of stress and energy that dieting is simply a bad decision- many brides believe that they can spread the loss out over time, but the fact is that, as with any diet, commitment will be a problem. You may end up blowing the diet and then actually gaining weight as your body tries to compensate. Short term diets in the months before the wedding are a terrible idea, as you will need to maintain your energy levels as the tasks begin piling up. There is also the added fact that you are going to be attending several parties with excellent food, and you probably will not be able to summon the will power to stay away from it.

It is best, therefore, if you are honest with yourself when choosing your wedding dress. Don't choose a dress that will look its best on you after you lose eight or ten pounds. This may seem like a small amount, but the fact is even these numbers are hard to reach when you are trying to lose weight. It is best not to take the chance.

If you do lose weight, good for you. Wedding dress adjustments are much easier made to fit a bride who has lost some weight than they would be for one who has not managed to do as she had hoped. Do not factor weight loss in when you are shopping for your dress.


by Porche Reingold