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

Preserving Wedding Memories For Years To Come

Your wedding day may very well be the biggest day of your life, and for many, it is second only to the days their children were born. Preserving those wedding day memories may not seem like a big deal right now because that day is still fresh in your mind, but as the years wear on, those memories may start to fade. By taking steps to preserve the special moments of the day, you can enjoy these memories for the rest of your life. The first step for preserving your wedding memories is to take pictures. Any type of camera works great for a wedding and it allows you to capture every special moment. Wedding photography is important to many couples and there are several options to consider when taking these pictures. The first option available is to bring your own camera and ask a family member to take the photos. Another option is to hire a professional photographer. A photographer can capture every moment from the ceremony to the reception. If there is extra time between these events, you can gather at a local park for pictures with the bridal party. Regardless of how many pictures you order, making sure that they are preserved correctly. Always handle pictures by their edges, as the natural oils on your hands could cause smudging, fading, and discoloration.
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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

Traditionally, bridesmaids are the bride's attendants and would include her sisters and close friends. For those lucky brides, they already know who their bridesmaids are going to be even before the guy proposed, however for some, choosing their bridesmaids can be a hair-splitting decision. Bridesmaids have a lot of responsibilities and obligations, which makes their role a pivotal. They have to understand that they were picked for a significant reason, and that is they were chosen not only because they are the few girl friends who are very close to the bride's heart, but also she knows that they are the ones whom she can really count on to.
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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!

Western Wedding Round-Up

Transform your special day into a legendary western wedding! If you have a thing for cowboys, horses and everything country, then you'll want to check out this complete western theme wedding planner. From super cost-saving advice to detailed ideas on decorating, entertainment, menus and more, you'll find everything you need in the Wild West Wedding Roundup e-book to ensure your wedding is a yipee yahooing success. Check the link below for further details:

://www.tinyurl.com/6008gh

How To Create A Beautifull Medieval Wedding

Have the fairy tale wedding of your dreams! Receive a wealth of information to help you plan a wonderful Medieval theme wedding when you order the ebook How To Create a Beautiful Medieval Wedding। This guide if filled with wonderfully creative suggestions to make your Medieval wedding planning easy and enjoyable. For further details check the link below:

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Wedding Invitation Tips And Advice.

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.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:

://www.tinyurl.com/6008gh।

PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL WEDDING

Planning a Successful Wedding.by: nozze dunoneIf you decided to have a traditional church wedding then your order of wedding service will normally run something like this. Firstly you will usually meet with your local church minister and discuss the different options for your order of wedding service. An order of wedding service might include just the words of the hymns, or just the major parts of the service. This helps your guests to follow the order of wedding service proceedings so they know what is happening and save them from having to refer to hymn books (particularly if they are not religious people) during the service. On your Wedding Day the ushers should generally be the first to arrive so that they can give out orders of service to arriving guests and then show people to their seats. The groom and his best man should also arrive early to ensure they arrive in plenty of time to allow for their photos to be taken before the service. The bridesmaids will then arrive and should wait outside for the bride. If in a church, the bells start to ring and the bride and her father generally arrive a few minutes before the service to allow for photographs taken and for the chief bridesmaid to have a chance to arrange the dress and train and organise the other bridesmaids for entry into the wedding service. When the bride reaches the front the groom and best man should take their places on the bride's right. The bride then hands her bouquet to her chief bridesmaid to her left. After the entrance of the bride, there is usually a hymn, followed by readings and an address from the minister. The vows are taken and then the best man passes the rings to the groom or he can give them to the minister on the face of the prayer book and he will offer them to the bride and groom. The minister may then say a prayer and the congregation may sing a hymn, followed by a final blessing. The bride and groom follow the minister to go and sign the register, usually followed by their parents and the bridesmaids and best man. While the register is being signed and witnessed by two adults, a choir may sing or the organist may play some music. When the formalities are finished, the bridal procession leaves the church as follows: bride and groom, small attendants, chief bridesmaid and best man, bride's mother with groom's father and then groom's mother with bride's father. The order of service will run quickly and usually runs far smoother than anyone expects when they are first putting the order of service together. About the author:nozze dunone is the owner of M Marriage which is a premier resource for marriage information. for more information, go to http://www.mmarriage.com/