Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Steps To Plan A Wedding
The first thing you will want to decide is when you want to have the wedding. Depending on where you would like to have the wedding, there may be a better time of the year to have the ceremony. Most weddings are planned about a year in advance, more or less depending on when you want to have it.
You also will want to choose your wedding party, or if you want to have any. You will want to select people who are close to you like friends and family members. They will appreciate that you care so much for them that you want them in the wedding to stand up there with you.
Decide if you would like to have a wedding reception after the ceremony. It doesn't have to immediately after the ceremony, some couples decide to go on their honeymoon first and have the ceremony or party afterward. Once you have decided on the ceremony and reception locations, you will want to book them earlier than later.
After you have planned the major details you can start thinking about some of the minor details. You will have to choose a wedding gown months in advance in case you have to order it, or even get alterations. Check several bridal shops to see a larger selection and to get the best deal on a dress.
You will also want to check into food for your wedding reception, as well as what choice of music you would like for the reception and ceremony. You can choose to have a band, or even rent a DJ for the evening. It all depends on how much money you want to spend on these things.
Send out the invitations to your wedding at least two months in advance, longer if you are planning an out of town wedding. You will have an idea of who will be attending earlier so that you can tell the caterers. You can order invitations, or even make them yourself to save some money.
There are a lot of things to consider when you are planning a wedding. By following the above mentioned steps to plan a wedding, you will have a remarkable event without a lot less stress.
If you want to learn how to shave thousands of dollars off the cost of your wedding, visit http://www.amazingweddingplanning.info today. You actually don't need to spend hundreds of thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars with these secrets for the dream wedding without the nightmare price.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristiana_Jones
Monday, December 29, 2008
HOW TO HIRE THE RIGHT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
It is no surprise that hiring the wedding photographer is a high priority job. You should interview photographers 6 months to a year prior to your wedding day. Popular photographers get book early, so make sure you don’t leave it to the last minute. If you have a Saturday wedding during the peak wedding season, you have a lot of brides to compete with.
Make sure you hire an experienced photographer. You must look at their previous work to see if their style is what you are looking for. Your search is not so much about filtering out the bad and hiring the good. It is more about finding the photographer that has the right style you are looking. It is a matter of taste.
Ask around when searching for a photographer. Recently married friends, neighbors, or coworkers should be able to provide you with a list of potential wedding photographers. Wedding planners should be able to recommend wedding photographers too.
Ask for references, and then check references. Too many people are satisfied with asking and receiving references, but many never actually follow through and check those references. When you call the references, ask about timeliness, professionalism, customer service, or anything that is important to you. Even if you think you have found an experienced photographer with the right style, don’t hire them unless you feel comfortable working with them. You don’t want to spend your wedding day with a person that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Make sure your photographer understands your budget. Agreeing on the budget should be part of early negotiations. Understand what exactly is included in the budget. Ask for negatives, so you are able to have photos made at will. If you don’t own the negatives, you could be taken advantage of down the road.
A written and signed contract should be part of the hiring process. Everything that is important should be part of the contract. A written contract is mutually beneficial; it protects you and the photographer.
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Wedding Favors Beach wedding favors, personalized wedding favors and bridal shower gifts.
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Monday, December 22, 2008
HIRING A WEDDING PLANNER
A Lasting Memory
Friday, December 19, 2008
Make Your Own Personalised Wedding Planner
Keeping all your wedding papers and contacts organized is a must when planning a wedding. There are many computer progams available to help you do this, however, it's kind of hard to carry a computer along with you as you make your rounds visiting locations and meeting with vendors. As well, many people aren't all that comfortable using a computer for such things.
There are also many books and organizers available which you can purchase to help you with this organizing task. You can find these at book and stationary stores, however you can also quickly put together your own wedding planner, personalizing it to suit your needs. Not to mention, you will save yourself some money. With wedding budgets being fairly tight, this is an inexpensive alternative. Here's how you can make your own wedding planner.
Materials Needed:
1 three-ring binder 10 to 12 tab pagesLined loose-leaf paper10 to 12 clear, top-loading plastic protector sheets1 to 2 clear, press-on laminating sheets (for the front & back covers)Photos, lace, ribbons - whatever decorations you desire to dress up the front coverWhite or tacky glue
How To Put It Together
1. After choosing your photos and other decorative mementos for your planning book, work out a pleasing arrangement on the front cover. You may also wish to use scrapbook paper to help you with the design. There are many beautiful papers available for this purpose and can be found at any craft store. Once you have your arrangement set, glue the pieces to the cover. Apply the laminating sheet over the top. Move your hand from the center out to the edges to push out any air bubbles and smooth out the sheet.
2. Taking your tab pages, label each one with the following labels:
Calendar - create your own wedding countdown sheet or print one off from the Internet. Insert the countdown calendar in this location and check off each item as you complete each of the steps.
Budget - keep your budget sheet here with estimated costs, actual costs, who's paying for each item
Invitations & Thank You's - printing, guest list, postage, etc.
Flowers - all flowers for both the reception and the ceremony, including bouquets
Clothing - wedding dress, headpiece and veil, accessories, groom's attire, attendant's attire & accessories
Wedding Ceremony - ceremony location, officiant, musicians, soloist, decorations, wedding programs, etc.
Photography/Videography - engagement photos, wedding photos, newspaper announcements, albums, videotaping, etc.
Reception - location rental, table setup, plates & cutlery, decorations, entertainment, wedding favors, labor, etc.
Wedding Cake - wedding cake, groom's cake, cake topper, cake knife and server, etc.
Food and Beverages - all food and beverages, serving tables, how it's to be served, etc.
Honeymoon - transportation, accommodations, entertainment, clothing, etc.
Miscellaneous - all the other stuff: transportation to and from wedding/reception, marriage license, blood tests, rehearsal dinner, gifts for attendants, any other expenses
3. Place your tabbed sheets into the binder. Place your budget worksheet under the budget section. Add several sheets of loose-leaf paper to all the other sections for making notes. You should copy the related budget information on the first paper sheet of each section for quick reference. Use the note paper to write down names, dates, meeting times, phone numbers, addresses and any other related information to that section. If you receive business cards (which you will), tape them to the pages.
4. Place a plastic protector sheet in each section as well. You will use these to hold contracts, receipts, price lists, pictures, clippings, brochures, and other related category information. Not only will you be able to quickly get your hands on a piece of needed correspondence or a receipt, you will also have a collection of mementos that can be used later for putting together a wedding scrapbook.
About the Author:
Rose Smith operates several wedding sites, including First Step Wedding Crafts. Save money by crafting your own wedding invitations, accessories, cakes, decorations and favors. Visit us today to find resources on the best wedding crafts and instructions. http://www.FirstStepWeddings.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rose_Smith
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Preserving Wedding Memories For Years To Come
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Aside from taking photos, you can order a professional video of your wedding. Although these can be expensive, they are well worth the investment. Like the photos, the video captures every special moment of your celebration from the ceremony to the reception.If you choose to take pictures at your wedding, you can create a memory book. These scrap books are an excellent method of preserving these memories because you can always look back to this special day. These scrap books may also contain your photos from your honeymoon.You can also purchase a guest book to help you remember who celebrated your big day with you. Guest books can be signed before the ceremony, or you can use the guest book at the reception, where people often have more time to leave personal messages. Some guest book kits come with a kit for storage, as well as drawer where you can keep a copy of your invitation, special wedding pictures, or your marriage license. When looking for a guest book or a photo album, make sure you find one that is acid free. Acid is what makes pages turn yellow and brittle with age, so by choosing an acid free guest book instead, yours can stay as preserved as possible. As for your invitation, if you do not store it with your guest book, consider getting it framed. Small wedding-related displays in your home look beautiful and help you remember how you felt that day.Preserving your wedding dress is also important. There are a number of ways to preserve your wedding dress, but it starts with making sure the garment is clean. Do not try to do this yourself, even if you have a very casual wedding dress. In fact, you should not even take your wedding dress to your regular dry cleaner. Look for a dry cleaner with experience in dealing with wedding dresses, and take it there right away – do not wait until you get back from your honeymoon. If you are leaving right away, this duty may fall to the mother of the bride or the maid of honor. After the dress is clean, you can have it preserved in a box, either sealed or not. You can also have the dress carefully cut and turned into pillows, wall hangings, or other decorative pieces. What is most important is that you do not just throw the dress in the back of your closet and forget about it. Do not forget to preserve items from your honeymoon. Many couples do not think about it, but ten or twenty years down the road, you may wish you had those ticket stubs, itineraries, pictures, postcards, and other items from your honeymoon. Here is a good idea, while on vacation, keep a special pocket or bag where you store items that you want to save. At the end of each day, put the items you have in that pocket or bag so that they are not scattered when you get home or, worse, accidentally thrown away. Today, your wedding day might be clear in your mind. For many couples, those memories of the day may last forever, but it is always nice to have beautiful reminders of your big day. Do not overlook preservation just because you feel like you do not need it to remember your wedding right now. You will thank yourself in the future that you have taken the time to preserve your memories today.
By: Lisa Parker1
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about family events such as weddings, often focusing on specific aspects of a wedding such as thewww.theamericanwedding.com">wedding invitations.
Giving The Best Bridesmaids Gift For Your Dear Friends
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It is a wedding tradition to give thanks to the bridesmaids by means of giving bridesmaids gifts. Bridesmaids gifts should be given to make the girls feel happy and appreciated, therefore it is always best to choose gifts that are really perfect for their tastes. However, finding the perfect gifts for these ladies to accurately express your appreciation and all they have shared with you can be very challenging. For some brides, uniform gifts are an easy and quick choice, but others would love giving individual gifts to their bridesmaids. Unique bridesmaids gifts, however, are always a nice choice and don't have to be expensive or elaborated to be appreciated. Consider to choose items that each of your bridesmaids will enjoy.Many brides would tend to give jewelry pieces to their bridesmaids at the bridal shower party or other useful things their bridesmaids can use on the wedding day. This alone can already make a gift for bridesmaid, or you can add a bit of excitement by including an extra gift. Some great ideas for your bridesmaids include, personalized picture frames or photo albums, bath and body or spa products, candles or any combination of these in gift baskets.Another outside-the-box gift idea is to give a service oriented gift. You can pay your bridesmaids to enjoy a day at the spa or beauty saloon. Obviously, this idea can be quite expensive, but try to consider hiring a home spa host that is much more affordable. You can find one in your area by searching the Internet. Alternatively, you can give gift certificates as well.Lastly, you may also want to consider personalized bridesmaids gifts. These are very popular nowadays. There are a wide variety of personalized items that can make a unique bridesmaids gift, ranging from personalized bridesmaids jewelry pieces, t-shirts, cosmetic items to handbags and other bridesmaids apparel. Try searching online for more wider and and affordable selection. Why not give a personalized jewelry pieces that they can wear even after your wedding day? Or perhaps, personalized cosmetic bags, robes, or tote bags with their individual name or initials that are a really nice touch? Personalized journals, planners, or business card holders can also add a sophisticated touch if your bridesmaids is primarily composed of busy yet organized ladies. There are a thousands of great choices that awaits you, keep an eye to those that are of high-quality and useful, and always remember to choose wisely!
By: Jnet Verra
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Jnet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics. If you're looking for gifts for wedding, visit the website Mybridesmaidsgifts.com and choose from their products. Shop for gifts bridesmaids online!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Western Wedding Round-Up
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How To Create A Beautifull Medieval Wedding
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Wedding Invitation Tips And Advice.
* If children will also be included as guests, you can choose to write out their individual names on the addressed envelopes or put “and family”. For example:
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson, Cathy and JohnorMr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson and Family
* If the children are older teenagers (say 16 years of age or older), you may wish to send them an individual invitation, just like you would an adult.
* If you don’t wish to include children at the ceremony, do not include their names or “and family” on the outside of the envelope. It’s suggested you add “Sorry, but children are not invited”, “adults only” or something similar somewhere on the invitation to make it clear. If you wish to include them at the reception, but not at the ceremony, you could note this information on the response card…or on the invitation itself at the bottom in some fashion.
* When issuing invitations to a guest who is single, it is polite to put “and Guest” on the outside of the envelope so that they have the option to bring along a companion. For example:
Mr. Ralph Jones and GuestorMiss Sarah Campbell and Guest
* Be forewarned. Usually 7% to 10% of the guests who respond with a yes will not actually attend the wedding. In addition, 20% to 30% won’t make it to the reception. This can wreak havoc when budgeting for a sit down dinner. You may want to consider a buffet style dinner instead.
* In some cases, you’ll want to invite people to the ceremony, but not the reception or vice versa. If so, then you will need two sets of invitations printed. One that includes reception information and one that doesn’t.
* If you don’t receive a reply from some guests by your reply date, do not hesitate to call them. It is important that you know how many are attending so you budget accordingly.
* If you decide to order invitations, be sure to do so at least 4 to 6 weeks before they are scheduled to be mailed. If you plan on mailing your invitations around the 15th of March, order them between February 1st and 15th.
* Double, even triple check everything before it gets printed. This includes invitations, response cards, envelopes, wedding programs, etc. whether you’re doing them yourself or your having them professionally printed. Check for spelling errors especially.
* Always order extra invitation envelopes and response card envelopes. There will inevitably be a few mistakes when addressing these and you’ll want to have a few extras on hand.
* You should mail your invitations at least 6 weeks before the wedding date and indicate that you would like a response at least 3 weeks before the wedding date. So if your wedding date is July 1st, mail your invitations by May 15th and ask that they respond by June 7th. This will give guests time to receive their invitations and reply by mail, which in turn, gives you time to firm up catering plans, seating arrangements, etc.
* If your wedding is going to actually be held on a beach or other outdoor area, be sure that you let your guests know this, so they can dress appropriately.For further details check the link below:
http:You're well into planning your wedding and have finally decided on the design of your wedding invitation. The wording has been chosen and the guest list is well on its way to completion. Here are some additional wedding invitation tips and advice that you should also be aware of.
* If children will also be included as guests, you can choose to write out their individual names on the addressed envelopes or put “and family”. For example:
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson, Cathy and JohnorMr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson and Family
* If the children are older teenagers (say 16 years of age or older), you may wish to send them an individual invitation, just like you would an adult.
* If you don’t wish to include children at the ceremony, do not include their names or “and family” on the outside of the envelope. It’s suggested you add “Sorry, but children are not invited”, “adults only” or something similar somewhere on the invitation to make it clear. If you wish to include them at the reception, but not at the ceremony, you could note this information on the response card…or on the invitation itself at the bottom in some fashion.
* When issuing invitations to a guest who is single, it is polite to put “and Guest” on the outside of the envelope so that they have the option to bring along a companion. For example:
Mr. Ralph Jones and GuestorMiss Sarah Campbell and Guest
* Be forewarned. Usually 7% to 10% of the guests who respond with a yes will not actually attend the wedding. In addition, 20% to 30% won’t make it to the reception. This can wreak havoc when budgeting for a sit down dinner. You may want to consider a buffet style dinner instead.
* In some cases, you’ll want to invite people to the ceremony, but not the reception or vice versa. If so, then you will need two sets of invitations printed. One that includes reception information and one that doesn’t.
* If you don’t receive a reply from some guests by your reply date, do not hesitate to call them. It is important that you know how many are attending so you budget accordingly.
* If you decide to order invitations, be sure to do so at least 4 to 6 weeks before they are scheduled to be mailed. If you plan on mailing your invitations around the 15th of March, order them between February 1st and 15th.
* Double, even triple check everything before it gets printed. This includes invitations, response cards, envelopes, wedding programs, etc. whether you’re doing them yourself or your having them professionally printed. Check for spelling errors especially.
* Always order extra invitation envelopes and response card envelopes. There will inevitably be a few mistakes when addressing these and you’ll want to have a few extras on hand.
* You should mail your invitations at least 6 weeks before the wedding date and indicate that you would like a response at least 3 weeks before the wedding date. So if your wedding date is July 1st, mail your invitations by May 15th and ask that they respond by June 7th. This will give guests time to receive their invitations and reply by mail, which in turn, gives you time to firm up catering plans, seating arrangements, etc.
* If your wedding is going to actually be held on a beach or other outdoor area, be sure that you let your guests know this, so they can dress appropriately.courtesy ofof the link below
Rose Smith has been providing helpful information on wedding planning for many years. For wedding theme ideas, articles and resources, visit her website Wedding Themes and More at http://www.wedthemes.com. Visit Wedding Planning Guides for a full range of wedding planning books at http://www.wedding-planning-guides.com
WEDDING INVITATION TIPS AND ADVICE.
Planning a wedding can be a stressful event. The last thing you need is to be ripped-off by an unscrupulous wedding vendor or planner. Here are a few tips to help avoid this problem.
Make Your Wedding Arrangements and Bookings As Far In Advance As Possible
Most facilities, vendors, and planners can be booked more than a year in advance. If possible, take advantage of this window of opportunity. Should something go wrong, it will provide you with more time to make alternate arrangements. Also, be aware that some vendors will actually charge you more if you order or book things at the last minute.
Shop Around and Deal With Trustworthy People
Before booking anything you should shop around and get an idea of current prices for each category of your wedding. Don't just hire the first caterer you meet with. Ask around with family, friends, co-workers, etc. and get their recommendations about services they may have used. If you want to be extra safe in this regard, you could also call your local Better Business Bureau. They can provide you with any problem information they may have received regarding a particular company.
Get Everything in Writing
It would seem obvious to do this, but a lot of couples tend to go on "faith" of what a vendor says, then are shocked with the vendor doesn't follow through. Get everything, down to the smallest detail, in writing and be sure both you and the vendor agree on all points before signing any contract. Include exact descriptions, such as if you are ordering flowers: how may bouquets, the exact type and color of the flowers, etc.
Be Aware of The Fine Print
Read any contracts over very carefully. Pay particular attention to their cancellation policy. You want to make sure it includes a provision for a refund of the deposit if you cancel or change your wedding date by a certain time period before your wedding. Of course, reasonably, you would not get a deposit back if you cancelled two days before the wedding. Be sure to also include a written statement on the contract that you will not pay for services and will expect a complete refund on any deposits if the company does not deliver exactly as specified in the contract. A reputable company will respect this clause.
Regarding Photographers/Videographers and DJ's
When booking these services with a company, often you may wish to have a particular photographer/videographer and DJ for your wedding because you have seen their work or heard their play style and really like it. Make sure this is detailed on the contract with the person's name. Again, also include the clause that if that particular person is substituted, you will not pay for the service and will receive a refund on all deposits.
This happened at our wedding with the DJ. The one we were told was coming and who knew how our ceremony music was laid out did not show up, and the substitute DJ that showed had no idea how the wedding service was to proceed with the music. There was a mess up with some songs during the ceremony and we had no recourse, as we didn't include that provision in the contract. So be aware of this. Don't pay for a last minute substitute (unless you were thoroughly happy with their service).For more detailed information visit the link below:
PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL WEDDING
Saturday, December 13, 2008
WEDDING PLANS
INFORMATIONS AVAILABLE on This blog...
Your dreams of having a successful WEDDING is my desire for users of This blog.However,a lot depends on having a successful WEDDING.Top most on the list are informations that can actualise your dreams of a grand WEDDING.We are in the information age,hence you can not afford to be left behind।
I have seen a lot of would be couples who without adequate knowledge vis-a-vis information messed up their WEDDING plans because preparation was shoddy।
Yours can be a reference point of a successfully planned and executed WEDDING program or ceremony.on This blog articles will be posted regular on how to go about your WEDDING plans।
TO YOUR SUCCESS।
SOLOMON LAWRENCE।
://www.WEDDING-made-easy.blogspot.com/weddingplans.htm
