Etiquette for for making a Wedding Website

Many modern brides today are spreading the good cheer and keeping their friends and family informed of the happy progression of their engagement by creating their own wedding Web site.

Setting up your own wedding website is easy, and is the most effective way to provide pertinent information related to your wedding. Your guests will never have to wonder what is expected of them because you have defined all the details. If there are any questions, a quick e-mail to you should get them back on track and alert you to make that point clearer on your Web site. This is such an invaluable tool because it provides the ceremony and reception location and timeline. You will be able to suggest travel and hotel accommodations, plus your wedding registry choices will make everything so clear.

Guests of all ages will be reading your wedding Web site, so let me share a few suggestions that will keep you on the etiquette track.

Etiquette for Wedding Websites
1. Write clearly and avoid slang terms may be misunderstood by a different generation.

2. Make sure the Web site represents you as a couple by choosing a design layout that reflects your personalities. Designing it in the color tones you will be using in your wedding is a clever way of hinting at what is to come.

3. Keep it as well organized as possible making it user friendly.

4. Keep it “G-Rated” and simple. Please avoid the temptation to share any intimate details regarding your relationship. Even the first kiss, details of dates, and so on should be left out. Of course, everyone will be interested in the romantic time you met and your proposal. Just try to keep it focused on the nature of your relationship and the pending union.

5. Do not list your Web site on your wedding invitations. The best ways to inform guests of your wedding Web site is by word of mouth, listing it on your save-the-date card, the response card, or map.

6. Electronic RSVPs through your Web site is acceptable; however, it is still necessary to enclose a response card as part of your invitation suite. You may put a line on the bottom of your response cards to make your guests aware of this new option by simply stating: You may also RSVP through our wedding Web site at: http://www.TheSmithNuptuals.com.

7. Avoid putting a huge emphasis on your gift registries. Use tact and discretion when including links to your registry retailers.

8. Wedding Web sites are informative and fun, but you must still send a wedding invitation via snail mail and include all pertinent information related to your wedding as there may be a few guests who are not online.

9. Don’t stop at the wedding. Remember to use your wedding Web site to share the photographs from your honeymoon. Many couples are opting to continue their wedding Web site to keep their extended families up to date with their new married life.

You can create your own fun or luxurious wedding website with this FREE TRIAL

For more great wedding advice please visit our sister sites: Merry Brides Twitters or
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Big-Ticket Items a Choice for Brides' Registries

(MS) - While housewares and kitchen electronics still dominate wedding registries, today's tech-savvy brides-to-be are expanding their gift options and including more big-ticket electronics on registries, too.

Perhaps it's a trend spurred on by a greater influence from grooms-to-be with the registering process, or a reflection of the times: women are no longer kitchen-bound and content simply with blenders and coffee makers. Regardless, trends indicate that everything from flat panel televisions, to home-theater systems to digital and video cameras are popular registry items.

In lieu of this registry evolution, here are some tips for women ready to hit the stores and create wedding registries.

· Register for what you need or want. Many of today's couples have lived independently in their own homes before tying the knot. So it's likely that they have many home essentials already. There's no point in registering for a set of silverware if you already have one. Think about the items that can add to your inventory or specialty effects that you now desire, such as fine china or a video camera to capture your newlywed memories.

· Think multiple registries. You needn't limit yourself to one store. Choose three favorite retailers and register items at each. This gives guests plenty of items to choose from on your wish lists and provides greater flexibility to those who don't live by a specific store or don't have online access for Web shopping. Just be sure not to overlap items between stores, because then you could end up with doubles of things. It's better to choose three distinct retailers, such as a big-box store for linens, a housewares store for small kitchen appliances and cooking essentials, and an electronics center for those techy gifts you'd love to have.

· Register as a couple. It certainly may seem more time-efficient if you go out on your own to register, but involving your spouse in gift selection gives him more of a say in the household choices and future marriage. As registry protocol changes even further, your guy can even choose items that are specifically "guy-zone" items, such as tools and power equipment for the garage. This encourages a balance and both of you can walk away happy.

· Don't get blinded by greed. It's easy to go overboard when you have the store's registry scanner gun in your hand. But firing it at every item on the shelves is certainly not the way to go. Remember, make a list of the items that you really need or want. Have a range of items that are priced at a spectrum so there's something for every guests' budget. Consider avoiding the cheapest or smaller items - a ladle here, a meat thermometer there - because those are things you can certainly pick up on your own.

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Recommended Links
Pfaltzgraff Gift Registry

Wedding Registries at lnt.com

Royal Doulton Bridal & Gift Registry

Cooking.com Wedding Registry
Bridal Boutique Wedding Registry

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Additional Wedding Advice:

MerryBrides
Fun Weddings
Great Wedding Advice
Sparkling WeddingsCreate Your Own Wedding Website- Great way to keep your guests updated on your wedding!

A Very "Unfavorable" Trend in Wedding Favors!

By: Linda Ellison

If you do any type of shopping for wedding favors these days, you may notice that the "hottest" new items out there include sachets, lip balms, guest soaps, bath salts, and items like these. So what's wrong with that? What's the "unfavorable" trend that's developing in today's wedding favors? Simply put, these favors are ignoring probably a good half of your wedding guests, namely, the men!

Ask yourself, what man will appreciate receiving a pack of bath salts or lip balm? Probably very few. They may turn around and re-gift these items to some special lady in their life, and you may be thinking that there's nothing wrong with that, but in reality, there is something wrong with wedding favors that ignore the tastes of half your guests.

The entire purpose of wedding favors is to express your appreciation to your guests for sharing in your special day. While you may think of your wedding as being all about you and your groom, don't forget that your guests got all dressed up, paid a babysitter, got a gift for you, drove some distance, and sat through a lot of speeches from relatives that they don't know just to help you celebrate this day. This doesn't mean that attending your wedding is some type of chore for them; chances are they're very happy to do all those things, but expressing your appreciation for their efforts is only appropriate. That's why you give out wedding favors - to show them that you do appreciate everything they've done to make your special day all the more special.

So why ignore half of those guests with a gift that's not appropriate for them? Certainly you don't appreciate your male guests any less than the women that attended, so you would do well to find wedding favors that can be appreciated and used by everyone that's there.

And what's really disappointing about choosing wedding favors that are so gender specific is that these days, a bride has unlimited options when it comes to favors. There's really no reason that she can't find wedding favors that everyone will love.

If you happen to see some wedding favors that you absolutely love and must have, but know are just too "girly" for everyone in attendance, consider purchasing a small amount to give to your bridesmaids and flower girls as a special gift to them. This way you can share these special items but still not alienate half the guests at your wedding!


Recommended Wedding Favor Sites:

Original and stylish Vegas themed favors - perfect for a Vegas wedding or to add pizzazz to your reception.

Personalized Wedding Favors & Unique Keepsakes by HansonEllis

Beverly Clark Winter Themed Favors

Shop the entire line of Unique Wedding Favors by Kate Aspen at MyWeddingFavors.com!

Additional Wedding Advice

http://merrybrides.blog.com
http://merrybrides.livejournal.com
http://funweddings.blogspot.ocm
http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com


Article by:
Linda Ellison is a freelance writer who specializes in trends and lifestyles. Her previously published fiction works, including the Dana Ford Mystery Series, have been on bookshelves nationwide. Visit www.FavorsAndWraps.com to read more about the latest trends in wedding favors.

7 Tips For A Great First Dance

By Mike Staff



You don't have to be on "Dancing with the Stars" to enjoy your first dance together as husband and wife. Use these tips...

1. Choose a meaningful song. Select a song you both love and one that keeps an easy beat, especially if you're beginning dancers. When your song lasts longer than the usual three minutes, ask your DJ to fade the ending. Remember: frazzled dancers don't dazzle.

2. Take a couple of dance lessons. Group lessons can be intimidating, but private lessons remove the pressure of dancing for an audience. Your instructor will teach you according to your ability level. With private instruction, beginners can quickly master the basics with confidence. Dancing, like music, lifts the spirit and is so much more enjoyable when shared with your significant other.

3. Decide who leads and who follows. Gender no longer has anything to do with your decision. Choose the pattern that makes you comfortable. There's nothing wrong with following a simple lead. The object of dancing is to enjoy the dance! Being able to follow the leader creates confidence in the follower and makes a more pleasurable dance for the leader, too. If you're feeling brave and brassy, create a dance that switches leads once or twice during the routine.

4. Learn a couple of exciting steps. A pre-planned (choreographed) dip or a twirl makes a splashy statement without the tricky toe work of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. These moves are not only easy, but they offer impressive photo opportunities for still shots and videographers. When you look at them in the future, your photos will take you back to these moments with pride and a satisfied chuckle.

5. Plan your entrance and your exit. Will you clasp hands and kiss before you begin your dance? Will you sashay in from the left and leave to the right? Whatever you decide, be sure to tell your camera operators where and in what direction you will start and finish your dance, as well as any choreographed moves you plan to make. That way, they can prepare to capture the moment in its best light and with the correct angle.

6. Familiarize yourselves with the dance floor. Check out the floor you will dance on. Make sure you know its dimensions. Some styles of dancing (like Foxtrot) require a bigger space. Other styles like nightclub two step don't require much space. Have a good idea of the size and shape your wedding reception dance floor will be so that you can practice and get used to dancing in that amount of space.

7. Practice, practice, practice. Practice on a busy dance floor in a public place. You can also practice at home, of course, (preferably in front of a large, floor-length mirror), but you also need the experience of dancing in front of an audience. Practice your routine at least a couple of times per week, for several weeks, until your feet seem to move without much help from your mind. Concentrate on having fun during your first dance, and your guests will jump to join you on the dance floor.


Recommened Fun Links

Share the details of your wedding through a Wedding Website.


Additional Wedding Planning Advice:
http://funweddings.blog.com, http://merrybrides.livejournal.com, http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

Mike Staff is the owner of Mike Staff Productions http://www.mikestaff.com/ an award winning Wedding DJ, Entertainment and Videography Company located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. Mike is also a well known Detroit radio personality, having spent over 14 years on-the-air at one of Detroit's most popular music stations, 101-FM WRIF.

© Copyright 2007. Mike Staff Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Staff

Wedding Day Meal Options

Wedding Day Meal Options

(MS) - One of the biggest decisions a couple has to make when planning a wedding concerns how to feed the guests. This boils down to two choices: a sit down meal or a buffet style serving. Each has their ups and downs, and which route to take typically depends on a number of factors.

· Degree of formality: Formal weddings often call for a sit-down meal, as it's generally viewed as more elegant. But this doesn't exclude the buffet- style option from formal weddings. At more laid back, but still formal, weddings a buffet-style meal is perfectly acceptable. For weddings that aren't as formal, it's generally best (and less expensive) to offer a buffet style meal.

· The guest list: The global nature of the world today means friends and family are spread out more than ever. The guest lists at many weddings are increasingly looking like a United Nations summit, with attendees coming from all over the map. If a wedding guest list features many guests who have flown or traveled from afar, it might be more appropriate to offer a more relaxed, sit down meal.

The age of guests should be considered as well before deciding on a meal option. If there will be lots of elderly people or even guests with young children, it's probably easier on them to offer a sit down meal. For weddings that boast a particularly young guest list, a buffet style might encourage more mingling and allow those guests to meet one another a lot easier than a sit down meal would.

· Budget: Buffet-style meals are generally less expensive, but this isn't always the case. Some think a sit-down meal will cost more because a wait staff is required to serve the food and drinks. While this is true to an extent, buffet-style meals still require a staff on hand to replace food that has run out. In addition, the time of day of the reception plays a role as well. For example, a buffet-style lunch will not be nearly as expensive as a buffet-style dinner. In general, though, a buffet at a wedding is almost always more budget-friendly than a sit down, typically costing far less per plate.

· Flexibility: Guest lists are often unique, with each guest having particular preferences when it comes to food. This makes buffets an especially attractive option. Sit down meals can be very limiting, which won't bode well for picky eaters. A buffet, however, offers many selections, and chances are even the pickiest of eaters will find something they can devour.

Recommended Reading

Wedding Menus

Addition Wedding Planning Advice
http://merrybrides.livejournal.com
http://funweddings.blog.com
http://windsor.weddingwindow.com
http://weddingsbyashlee.blogspot.com

Planning An Interfaith Marriage

(MS) - While a person's wedding day is a time for celebration, as any bride and groom know, the day itself and the months leading up to the big event can be stressful.

Such stress is often heightened for couples in which each person is from a different religious background. Whereas such couples used to be rare, studies continue to show that interfaith marriages are on the rise. In the 2001 American Religious Identification Survery, nearly 25 percent of all couples responding were in Interfaith marriages.

Interfaith couples need to do extra work with respect to their wedding day, taking care of certain matters that, for couples of the same faith, needn't be discussed. For interfaith couples, the following tips should help ease the stress of the big day.

· Determine what's most important: Despite being raised in a particular faith, many adults either don't regularly attend religious ceremonies or consider themselves as practicing a particular religion. In fact, a 2005 survey titled "Atheism: Contemporary Rates and Patterns," found that 39 percent of Americans considered themselves either agnostics (claiming no belief or disbelief in God) or atheists (claiming disbelief in God). For interfaith couples about to get married, it's important to truly consider one's beliefs. Bride and groom should examine how meaningul their faith is to them, and what they can live with or without in a wedding ceremony.

· Attend a service, be it a wedding or weekly service, from each faith: Knowledge is a great mediator when deciding how to conduct an interfaith ceremony. Learn as much as possible about each other's faith and traditions. Attending a service or ceremony might even open your eyes to an element of your partner's faith that you find appealing and might want to include in the ceremony. In addition, knowing about a partner's faith will help you better understand their thought process when planning the ceremony.

· Consider two ceremonies: Sometimes one or both persons decide their faith is very important so that they insist on a traditional ceremony being performed. This isn't all that uncommon, and can appease the families of both people getting married, as couples won't run the risk of leaving something important out of the ceremony.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Celebrating Interfaith Marriages: Creating Your Jewish/Christian Ceremony

Joining Hands and Hearts: Interfaith, Intercultural Wedding Celebrations--A Practical Guide for Couples

Wedding Dresses - How to Shop for your Wedding Dress

Author: Cori Locklin

You have done the research. You're an expert on ballgown silhouettes and sweetheart necklines. Now the time has finally arrived wedding dress shopping day! But like the rest of the wedding planning process, shopping for a wedding dress is slightly more complex than shopping for your basic pair of slacks. Know what to expect before you hit the stores! First, you must decide where you are going to shop; here are the most common options:

Independently Owned Full Service Bridal Shops

These stores offer a full range of services for the bride and the wedding party, with designers and prices ranging from moderate to high-end. While off-the-rack is possible, these stores typically special-order wedding gowns for brides and attendants, so you should be prepared to wait a few months for your gown to arrive. You will mostly likely be able to purchase all of your bridal accessories, such as shoes, veils, undergarments and jewelry, and an in-store seamstress will consult with you on custom alterations.

Couture Bridal Shops

Couture bridal shops represent a subsection of independently owned full service bridal shops. Offering the same range of services, they carry exclusive designer labels at higher-end prices. These bridal boutiques are usually found in major cities.

Department Stores

Department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman and JC Penny offer wedding gowns, while others such as Lord & Taylor and Hecht's only offer bridesmaid dresses. These gowns are usually bought off-the-rack; however, your wedding dress may be specially ordered from another store if your size is not in stock. Most of these stores offer in-house alterations.

Discount Bridal Outlets

Discount bridal outlets offer a mix of discontinued national brands and privately labeled merchandise at reduced prices. While you will not find the same level of service found at privately owned bridal shops, you may be able to find the designer wedding dress of your dreams at an affordable price. Dresses are bought off-the-rack, so you may take the gown home the day your purchase it. Since these stores typically do not offer on-site alterations, make sure you can find a trusted seamstress.

Nationwide Bridal Chain Stores

Bridal chain stores manufacture, import, and sell their own private label wedding gowns. While the style selection is more limited than in other types of stores, the prices are usually lower. Be prepared for a lower level of service and little sales assistance, but the ability to buy off the rack at a reasonable price can be a good option for short engagements.

Custom Gown Designers

For a one-of-a-kind wedding gown, you can collaborate with a custom gown designer to specially create a wedding dress just for you. You can find such gown designers in most major cities. Be sure to select a designer whose vision you appreciate and trust.

What to expect once you're in the shop:

� Make an appointment, and, if possible, try to shop during a weekday. You will receive more attentive service if your sales associate can dedicate his/her time especially for you.

� Consider bringing the lingerie that you will wear at the wedding. This will help you determine exactly how the wedding dress will look and feel on the big day.

� Bring someone with you whose opinion you respect and trust, but avoid bringing an entire brigade of "experts." Too many opinions will distract you.

� Many bridal boutiques will not simply allow you to browse through the selection of wedding dresses; rather they will bring gowns to you one at a time. At these boutiques, a sales associate will sit down with you to discuss your style and will bring you dresses that reflect your vision.

� That said, allow them to bring you many styles. While you may have an idea of what you want, you never know what looks best on your body style until you try it.

� Most likely, you will not try on dresses in your actual size. Stores typically carry sample sizes (8-10), and the sales associate will pin it to your body.

� Remember that you will have to be fitted - up to 3 times - before your wedding dress fits perfectly. If the store has an in-house seamstress, ask for an alterations estimate.

� Wedding dresses tend to run small, so be prepared to order a size that is larger than you normally wear.

� Go with your gut! If you need to be convinced that a wedding dress looks good on you, it's probably not "the one."

� If there is a specific feature you want changed, you can usually request it. Keep in mind that any design changes will increase the cost of the wedding gown.

� When determining the cost of your wedding dress, remember to factor in the cost for the veil, which can run up to $500 and beyond, and other accessories such as shoes, headpiece etc.

� Sleep on it. Most stores have a no return policy, so you need to be sure before making your final decision.

� Once you have found "the dress" and made your final decision, you will usually pay a 50% deposit on the dress.

� Afterwards - the store will take your measurements to order size - don't be tempted to order one too small in hopes of losing weight.

� Remember that the dress usually takes a few months to be made, so make sure you leave enough time for alterations.

My Favorite Wedding Resouces:

Create your own Wedding Website!

Buy Bridal Lingerie at HerRoom.com

Wedding Dress Discount- Learn how you can get 75% off your wedding dress.

More Great Wedding Advice articles
Merry Brides
Ultimate Brides
Fun Weddings
Weddings by Ashlee


For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit http://www.elegala.com/, your ultimate wedding planning resource.


This article is free for republishing Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_63129_41.html
Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine (and a recent bride!). Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering a comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and their recommended vendors, along with planning articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries. http://www.elegala.com

Second Marriage Showers

By: Trish Burrell


Second marriage showers have become a growing trend. Most of us know couples who have been married before. A bridal shower is planned to celebrate a new love and an upcoming marriage, so it's appropriate to have one.

Second marriage showers involve many of the same bridal shower ideas as for a first marriage. Answering some of the questions you may have about second wedding showers will help:

Who hosts the shower?
The maid of honor and/or bridesmaids typically host the bridal shower. It may, however, be given by any close friend. Second marriage showers are often couples showers. If this is the case, get the groomsmen involved.

Who is to be invited?
It is best to ask the future bride (and groom, if a couples shower), for a guest list. It is proper to send a bridal shower invitation only to those who will be invited to the wedding.

When should the party be given?
Four to six weeks before the wedding is a good choice.

Where should the second wedding shower take place?
Often less traditional, they can be held at a home, hall or favorite local bar/restaurant of the couple.

How about decorations?
Second marriage showers are often casual. They might have a theme, such as a luau, or western party, with decorations to match. Keeping things simple and fun, will add to your party's success.

What about games?
Choosing games that are related to the theme, is a good option.

Are gifts given?
This depends on the couples age, and financial position. Some couples are young and still need many of the basics. Older, well established.couples, may request that guests make a donation to a charity. If this is their wish, state it in the invitation. The bridal party may still want to do something special for the couple.

A final thought:
Second marriages often involve children from a previous marriage. Involve them in your plans, no matter what the age. This will help contibute to a successful second bridal shower.

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Useful Links:

1. Wedding Supplies and Favors
   


2. Delicious edible wedding favors - Guaranteed low prices!
   


3. Getting Married? Click here for Candles
   

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© Copyright Trish Burrell, All Rights Reserved . This article may be reprinted, with all information, authors bio, and hyperlinks intact. Source: http://www.wedding-wisdom.com . Trish Burrell is founder of Bridal Shower Ideas For You. Visit this informational site on all areas of bridal shower planning, at www.bridal-shower-ideas-for-you.com