DJ or Live Band? How to Decide

You've got all the pros and cons to consider when you're wavering between the horn section and the bubble machine.

Pros of Hiring a DJ

DJs are cheaper.

DJs will play your favorite songs the way you've always heard them, with no surprises.

You can get a much broader range of music from the massive CD collection of a DJ - he/she can switch from a waltz to rockabilly to two-step with no hitches.

Many DJs are adept at "feeling out the crowd" - noticing how your guests respond to certain music, and going with the flow of the party.

DJs have the equipment to fill any size room, filled with any number of guests, with the proper amount of sound.

Cons of Hiring a DJ

When you are hiring a disc jockey, you are at the mercy of a one-man music powerhouse. Be sure you meet with your DJ before you sign anything to make sure his/her performing personality is in line with the vibe of your reception.

DJs are notorious for bringing along enough sound equipment to support Aerosmith at the Garden. If you don't want disco balls and the bubble machine, say so before you write the check.

Pros of Hiring a Band

There is nothing more romantic, contagious, or fun than live music at a wedding.
You can hire a band that specializes in almost any kind of music under the sun and expresses your personalities perfectly. If you and your fiance are swing fans, you can get a band that does nothing but. The same with country, rock, or jazz.
Live music generates an element of elegance and old-world charm that is truly emotional and human.

Cons of Hiring a Band

On the average, bands are more expensive than disc jockeys.

Bands that play a broad range of music that will please every guest are harder to find. Not impossible, but more difficult.

If the band has to travel a lengthy distance to get to your wedding, there will be travel fees to pay for each and every band member.

It's hard to judge what that band will sound like in the site you've chosen - if there will be enough sound, or too much. Be sure the size of the band fits the number of guests attending.

Bands are harder to book than disc jockeys, since most of them perform in two or three different areas. If you find a band that you want, book them now.

Remember to do your homework. With a little effort you should be able to find the perfect music arrangement for your reception.

Need Help? Click Here for "How To Set Your Wedding To Music"

Until Next Time!

Jasmine :)

Source:Jennifer Baumann is editor of Wedding Gazette, the resource for real-world wedding planning that's packed with info on how to plan your budget, how to avoid killing certain family members, exhaustive theme ideas, plus tons of resources on finding favors, necessary accessories, gifts for your groomsmen, and much more. http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

Creating a Wedding Scrapbook

A scrapbook of a wedding is different than a photo album of a wedding. I think a photo album is to showcase the photos taken at the wedding. I think a Scrapbook of a Wedding is to share the story of the days/years leading up to the wedding and then share photos of the event itself.

The following suggestions are just that, suggestions. There is no right or wrong in creating a scrapbook. It is my goal to provide some thought starters to creating a wedding scrapbook.

Consider starting with a few photos of both the bride and the groom as children. Add a few photos of them as teens and then some photos of the couple during the dating process.

During the planning stages, often banquet rooms are looked at, dresses and tuxedos are looked at, and invitations are looked at. Taking a few photos of the various planning days are great additions to the scrapbook. If the bridal shop will allow it, it can be fun to take photos of the bride in each dress she tries on.

When you decide on a banquet room, take a few photos of the room empty. Take a few photos of the building housing the banquet room.
Once a menu is decided on, save a copy of the menu provided by the banquet room. One event I helped with, we actually made the menu ourselves. We wanted guests to know what was being served that night and so we included our self made menu in the scrapbook.

You’ll also want to save one copy of all of the following:
• An invitation
• An R.S.V.P. card
• A place card
• A thank you note
• A copy of the guest list

If you order candy bar wrappers, or any other wedding favor, save one for your scrapbook. If you use a D.J. or a band, save one of their business cards, or one of their brochures, to include in your scrapbook. If you hire any other type of entertainer, again, save a business card or brochure.

As you plan your wedding, it can be fun to journal the days. There will always be mishaps along the way and as you are celebrating your first anniversary, you will laugh over the mishaps and the other notes you took as you planned.

When the R.S.V.P. cards come in, often times folks will write personal messages. Save those. Just like a high school yearbook, it’s fun to go back and read what others wrote, several years later.

And now, the day of the wedding has arrived. It’s time to take those photos that you’ll want for both your wedding photo album and also your wedding scrapbook.

If you need help getting started with ideas, why not check out your local library or book store. To save a little money you can also check out Amazon.com to buy used books. One of my favorite books is called Our Memories. Several other great books are called The Big Idea Book of Wedding Memories and Memory Makers.

Also, search the internet as it is a gold mine for ideas.

Have Fun!

Until Next Time

Jasmine :)


Audrey Okaneko has been scrapbooking for several years. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com, http://windsor.weddingwindow.com/

Reduce Stress With A Wedding Website!

Personal Wedding Websites are becoming a necessity for every wedding for many reasons. Including important information eliminates questions that accompanied weddings in the pre - internet era. The stress reducing effect is as beneficial for the guests as it is for the couple.

Take for example, the gift registry. It is considered inappropriate to tell guests where one is registered in the invitation. This results in many phone calls by guests attempting to discover where the couple's gift registry is located. If the guest is not close to the immediate family, they will not know who to call to find out what stores the couple has selected to receive their gifts. This results in another bowl or serving piece that the couple will have to return the day after the wedding.

To avoid this stressful situation for the couple and the guests, couples can include their wedding website address in the invitation (which is completely acceptable according to all wedding etiquette experts). When guests visit the website to see their story, pictures, details, and other important information, they can easily find direct links to their online registries. Another example of making life easier on the couple and their guests is having the details and maps posted directly on the wedding website where guests can access them anytime worldwide. Without a website, the couple will receive many phone calls about where and when each event is, as well as, "what's the best way to get there". The couple can also avoid including extra notes in the invitation to tell out of town guests where hotel arrangements have been made, if they have a wedding website.

Some guests seem to take their time returning the RSVP card that usually accompanies the invitation. Not many weddings go by without the need to call some guests directly to see whether they are planning to attend or not. Having a wedding website can reduce this pursuit. When guests visit the website to see all kinds of information and pictures they can RSVP at the click of a button.

The benefits of a personal wedding website are plentiful, including sharing pictures and stories with friends and family. Thanks to the advancements in technology, one can create a beautiful website without any knowledge of programming whatsoever.

Wedding Web makes it as easy as filling in forms. Your information is fed into a beautiful design template of your choice. There is a 7 day Free Trial with no credit card required. Creating a website will make life easier for you and your guests and as a bonus you will have a lot of Fun doing it.

To learn more, visit weddings.myevent.com

Until Next Time!
Jasmine

Dressing Your Bridesmaids

For a bride, shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be one of the most difficult aspects of wedding planning. How can the bride find a gown for her maids that will display her own taste, look great on every girl and will fit into the financial picture?

There are so many colors and styles of dresses to choose from. The bridesmaids themselves may vary greatly in size and they want a flatteringly gown that makes them feel good. The bride and her bridesmaids may be in their mid-20’s or older and want a more sophisticated look in the bridesmaids gown. The bride also has the task of choosing a dress that will look good with each girl’s skin tone, hair color and figure.

Choosing the right gown can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. The bride should start the decision process early. It’s ideal to actually place the order for the gowns about four months before the wedding. This will allow time for alterations, shopping for shoes and other accessories and leave time to dye the shoes to match the gown. The bride will find it most helpful to shop with the one bridesmaid whose fashion sense she shares. The ultimate decision about the perfect bridesmaid gown will be the bride’s.

The first step to choosing a bridesmaid gown is to determine the formality, style and fabric of the wedding gown. The bridesmaid dresses shouldn’t overpower or clash with the wedding gown.

For today’s more simple bridal styles, nice detailing in the maids gowns creates a good look for the group. Back accents like straps, halter tops and simple beading are important for ceremony photography. A quality gown of good fabric and construction is necessary for the active bridesmaids who will be walking, dancing or running errands. Who needs to worry about seams splitting apart or buttons falling off during the wedding?

The next step for most brides is choosing the gown color. This can be done by looking at bridesmaid swatches in the bridal shop. Most manufacturers make bridesmaids dresses in anywhere from a few colors to as many as fifty. Choosing the actual color will narrow the choice of gowns to a more manageable number.

The bride must then consider the size ranges and figure types of her maids. Most bridal parties have an average of two full-figured members. If this is the case, many times it’s best to begin choosing a gown style with the larger maids in mind. Some larger girls feel comfortable in spaghetti straps or even strapless gowns, but many would rather have at least a short sleeve or perhaps a shawl. The smaller girls can usually wear any style.

A-line styles look good on most everyone. A two-piece style with a longer top covering the hip bone is another good style. Almost 50% of wedding parties will include a pregnant bridesmaid. Extra fabric can be ordered to create a maternity side panel. A few designers are now creating maternity bridesmaids.

A new marketing trend for bridesmaids is the idea of separates. Most manufactures now feature at least some of their styles in separate tops and skirts. Separates offer some flexibility for the maids as they are able to choose different sizes for the top and skirt and can accommodate many different figures types. The bride can also choose the color and manufacturer of the separates while letting the maids have the freedom to create a style they will be comfortable in.

In these sensitive economic times, many gown manufacturers are adjusting their prices to meet everyone’s financial needs. Many designers have lowered their prices with no reduction in the quality of the garments. This year’s selection of gowns should meet the approval of everyone in the wedding party.

The bride may save time by doing her preliminary shopping online. She can narrow her choices and email styles she likes to her maids. Shopping on the internet may be the most logical choice for some brides when her maids live in different parts of the country.

Online ordering entails the maids obtaining their own measurements and alterations which must be done correctly for the best fit. Be sure to order very early to allow extra time for shipping the gowns.

The bridesmaid look is not complete without shoes and accessories. Shoes are available in many styles in fabrics which can be custom dyed to match the gown. Also popular are the clear vinyl shoes in strappy sandals some with changeable colored ribbon straps. One shoe company is now producing 100% silk shoes with leather soles in colorfast fabrics available in 9 styles in 15 colors that can be special ordered for delivery in about one week.

Matching wrist or elbow gloves offers a sophisticated look. A simple rhinestone or pearl necklace and earring set will enhance the look of your maids.

With all the choices in bridesmaid gowns available today, every member of the wedding party should be happy with the final results and will spend the wedding day celebrating with the bride and her groom.

I found the cutest book online called 101 Uses for a Bridesmaid Dress which I thought might be a cute gift to give to your bridesmaids. (Simply click on the red link above to check it out).

Happy Shopping

Until Next Time!
Jasmine :)



bio = Roanna Rose has owned a full service bridal shop for more than 20 years. : www.tjformal.com/tips.htm, www.funweddings.blogspot.com, http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

Keeping Your Wedding Guests Happy

We've all been to "one of those weddings". The kind where you need to amuse yourself between the ceremony and the reception because they're hours apart or you find yourself stuck in a receiving line that never ends. To keep friends and family happy rather than gritting their teeth in frustration, here are some tips for brides and grooms to consider during the wedding planning stages.

Have Your Wedding Pictures Taken Before The Ceremony.
Many couples want to hold to the old-fashioned "the groom shouldn't see the bride before the ceremony" tradition. However, it's also important to consider just how long picture taking can actually be. Guests can be left waiting anywhere from one to three hours between the ceremony and reception. Not only will your guests find it frustrating, you will also have many guests showing up late to the reception... or not at all!

Be considerate of friends and family concerning their time. Remember, some of them may have to pay for babysitters and can't afford to spend an entire day attending a wedding and reception. Plan on having your wedding photos done before the ceremony when everyone in the wedding party is looking fresh. This will allow you to move smoothly from the ceremony to the reception with only a short travel time in between (assuming the reception is being held in a different location). Your wedding guests will be very appreciative.

Forget The Receiving Line
Traditionally, the bride, groom and wedding party stand in a receiving line so that guests can wish them well. Consider dropping this custom if you have invited a lot of guests to your ceremony. It is very time consuming and most people don't even know a good portion of the wedding party. As well, you'll always have "chatters" that will hold the line up, causing the guests behind them to become impatient. Most people really only want to congratulate the bride and groom and move on. If you insist on a receiving line, keep it minimal. Have only the bride, groom and parents receive the guests, rather than the entire wedding party.

Consider The Day Of The Week And The Times Of Your Ceremony And Reception
If your wedding is being held on a Friday or Saturday, then this usually doesn’t cause much of a problem. However, if your wedding is being held on a Sunday evening or a weekday, keep in mind that people have to get up to go to work the next day. Tight timing is important here if you are including a dinner and dance reception. It would be best if the ceremony and the reception are being held in one location to cut out travel time. Have your photos done before the wedding as well. The ceremony should be as short as possible and then move smoothly into the reception area for dinner. Rather than starting your dance at 9pm as is usually the custom, plan it for an earlier time, such as 7:30 or 8pm.

Cash Bar Or Not?
Cash bars have become more common place lately.
There are usually two reasons for this...
a) the cost can be tremendous and
b) wedding guests can easily drink too much if it's free liquor.

This is a touchy area for most bridal couples and their guests. Family and friends expect drinks to be free as part of the reception. As a couple, including the cost of liquor should be a part of your wedding budget.

On the other hand, if guests have to pay for their drinks, they tend to drink a lot less and it may help curb someone from trying to drive home drunk. Free flowing drinks can also cause other problems such as disorderly drunkenness where guests are dancing on the tables or possible fights breaking out.

So whether to have a cash bar or a free bar is something the bride and groom will have to carefully consider. A possible solution to this is to include one or two bottles of wine per dinner table and have a cash bar during the dance.

Do All The Speeches Early
As the evening progresses, people tend to drink more. It would be best to ask anyone who is to give a speech or toast to keep their drinking to a minimum (or not to drink at all) until they have presented their speech and to do so early into the reception. Once people get drinking, their tongues tend to get looser and they may say things that are not appropriate during their speech if they have consumed too much liquor.

Try Not to Split Up Your Wedding Attendants And Their Spouses/Dates At The Reception
It can be very awkward not only for your attendants, but especially for their spouse and/or date to be seated separately. It's really not necessary to have a head table for the wedding party. Consider having two or three tables at the front of the room to hold the wedding party and their respective partners. If you do want to include a head table, consider placing another table close to the front and seating your attendant's partners at that table together.

Click Here for some great Wedding planning resources to help you create your dream wedding!

Until Next Time!

Jasmine

About the Author:Rose Smith owns Wedding Themes and More where you can find a wealth of ideas and articles covering wedding theme planning. For more tips on planning and budgeting for a wedding, visit us at: Wedding Resources Read more articles by: Rose Smith http://funweddings.blogspot.com

Gift Ideas for Your Wedding Party

Choosing gifts for the wedding attendants who are serving as bridesmaids and ushers at your wedding is always a chore. It can be especially difficult with the size of wedding parties today. Personalized gifts always fit the bill. They make a lasting impression when you go to the trouble to monogram or engrave something especially for the recipient. Personalizing always makes you feel special.

Some suggestions for ushers are money clip , key chains, Swiss army knives, leather shave kit, leather wallets, small travel duffels, pocket knives, leather or a wood valet, for a man’s dresser, watch boxes, and pens. Of course, there are always the ever popular flask and cigar accessories. Some other suggestions are lighters, business card cases, journals, binoculars, travel clocks, and portfolios. All of these gifts lend themselves beautifully to monogramming or engraving.

For the ladies there are Jewelry Boxes, trinket boxes, clocks, manicure cases, pens, Silver Compact , Picture frames and albums, key chains and Business Card Cases . If you are thinking of earrings or another type of jewelry, it can always be presented in a personalized jewel or trinket box.

You will also have a maid of honor and a best man. Their gifts can be chosen in the same vein as your purchase for the users and the bridesmaids. Generally, you spend a little more for their gift because they are a very close relative or friend. They are also the person who assists you throughout the wedding and will usually host a shower and a bachelor party. You can get them the same gift as the others in your wedding party, just add something else to the gift to indicate that they are special. You can also purchase in the same category, just a more expensive version.

Often, gifts are also chosen for the parents of the bride and groom. Personalized clocks are a special remembrance of your appreciation of all they have done for you.

Another nice thought is to make up albums for the grandparents and great grandparents. You can purchase a simple leather album and have that personalized. Then you can fill it with proofs of photos your friends have taken at the affair. It tells them that you are thinking of them and that they are also special to you.

And last but not least, remember each other. Nothing says “you are my very special someone” as presenting them with a gift on the day of the wedding. It shows you were a thinking of them and will be a nice surprise.

If you do not have time to shop around for your bridal party gifts you might want to check out some of the online resources listed below:

Personalized Bridesmaids Gifts

Personalized Father Gifts

Personalized Groomsmen Gifts

Personalized Mother Gifts

Remember not to stress yourself out over the perfect gift. Your Bridal party are your best friends and family so no matter what the gift, it will be cherished because it came from YOU.

Until Next Time!

Jasmine :)

Author: Maxine Greco has worked in luggage and travel industry for over 35 years. She is now currently at Village Luggage & Gifts Source: ArticleTrader.com
http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

11 Fun Wedding Themes That Can Save Your Thousands

Looking to save money on your wedding reception? Instead of relentlessly paring down your guest list or compromising in other areas, why not think about using a low-cost theme for your special day? A wedding that fits into a particular theme is often more relaxed than your typical reception. And, since there's less pressure to spend exorbitant sums on extras you simply don't need, they can often save you a bundle.

Reception themes allow people to get creative with their celebration and express themselves. People often choose to base their themes on hobbies, personal interests, and dreams. Choosing to go with something like a beach theme, a Mexican fiesta, or a toga party (for a really wild example) is simple -- and the food is cheap and easy. Take a look at some more themes to lessen the cost of your reception.

* Roman theme: The choices with the Roman theme vary. Togas are almost always a part of the festivities. Serving fresh fruits like grapes and apples not only provides a healthy alternative to more traditional fare, it's also in keeping with the typical Roman diet. Serving fresh rotisseries meats or cold cuts are great with this theme as well. You can generally serve beer and wine for this theme, and you can decorate with wreathes, garland, candles and anything else in the Roman fashion.

* Fairy Wonderland: To go with this theme, you could use fairies wings, have sheer fabrics draped around you, decorate with baby's breath, moss, and serve fine breads and appetizers. This theme really lets the bride bring her childhood dreams to life.

* Ethnic traditions: This theme requires that you choose specialty foods and decorations from the ethnicity of your choice. For example, should you choose a Scottish theme, you would listen to bagpipes, dress in the Scottish fashion and do all things Scottish.

* Mexican fiesta: This fun theme can have you hitting a pinata, serving popular Mexican dishes, utilizing things like Santa Fe decorative blankets for the walls, and many other things. You can play mariachi music or Spanish guitars for this theme.

* Arabian Nights: For this theme you can fill your reception hall with beautiful linens and let your bridal party have costumes should they wish to. You can also serve Middle-Eastern foods or appetizers, pita bread, etc. This theme is very versatile and fun.

* Greek Mythology: This theme can be geared toward a particular Greek saga or, more popularly, guests can each come dressed as a particular Greek hero of their choice. Greek foods like fresh fruits, wine, and other edibles of ancient Greece can be offered.

* Hawaiian: You can use your imagination to create any Hawaiian fantasy that you wish. You can give out fresh leis or artificial ones as wedding favors. You can serve fresh tropical island fruits such as pineapples, and serve those cute tropical drinks with decorative umbrellas - basically, wherever your mind takes you.

* Disney: There are so many popular Disney characters that we all remember from our childhood that this theme opens up a world of possibilities. You can choose to focus on a particular character, or simply take the entire world of Disney and use it as your theme.

* The Wild West: This theme can be as fun as you want. You can set up your reception area to look like an old saloon and have dancers give a tame burlesque show. This theme also allows you to serve easy-to-create entrees like meatloaf, all the way up to more expensive fare, such as steaks. As long as you stick with your theme (i.e. leave out the shrimp cocktail) you can have a great time.

* NASCAR: This theme has a world of possibilities. You can decorate with checkered flags and checkered flag streamers, toy cars, or painted numbers of the different cars and drivers. If you would like, you can decorate with a particular driver motif. The best part about this theme is that it is very casual and you can serve regular foods like pizza, large submarine sandwiches, hamburgers and even chips and nachos; pretty much any food that you want. In general this relaxed type of theme applies to all sports-related themes. This theme is great for receptions where lots of sports fans will be attending. You can also opt to watch a race on a large TV during the party.

* Movies: Popular movie themes like the Matrix and Lord of the Rings can be a lot of fun for receptions when the bride and groom are movie buffs. Decorations will be based on what the general movie symbolizes. For example, if you chose the Matrix, you would use computer data charts and sheets, computers, dress in all black, etc. You could serve appetizers rather than entrees for this type of theme as well. Playing the movie during your reception is a cool idea for background scenery.

When it comes to themes, the possibilities are endless. Coming up with them can be much of the fun. After you have chosen your theme, you can brainstorm ideas to expand upon it for the decorations, food, activities and more.

I found a couple of great sites on the web you might want to check out (Simply Click on the highlighted links below:

Unique Wedding Invitations (Certainly not your standard wedding invitations!)

Everything for your wedding at WeddingSolutions.com

Don't be afraid to use your imagination. It's your wedding anything goes. The more outrageous your wedding is, the more memorable it will be.

Until Next Time!
Jasmine :)



About the author: Chris Simeral is the creator of The Ultimate Wedding Vow Toolkit, the wedding-coordinator-approved home-study course for couples personalizing or renewing their wedding vows. Sign up for the free wedding vow mini-course at http://www.weddingvowtoolkit.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

Essential planning tips and ideas for a beach wedding.

Planning the finite details of your beach wedding includes, strategic placing of lighting if necessary, arranging the food and tables, decorations that compliment a beach setting, and music selections as well as where to place the speakers.

Lighting for a beach wedding and reception can be tricky.
Think about what type of lighting will be needed, and where you will be placing your lights.
If you need a power source for your lighting, consider how and where the cords will be placed.

Candles, torches and battery powered twinkle lights are all beach friendly. Depending on the time of day and weather extra lighting may not be necessary. Candles are a practical choice provided they are in a glass container to block the wind.

Food and table arrangements for a beach wedding
If you don't have proper refrigeration-plan a menu that can be transported in coolers and prepared on site. BBQs work well - they are usually OK on public beaches and a variety of foods can easily be prepared. Avoid mayonnaise based dressings and try to prepare food close to when it will be consumed. A Hawaiian style pig roast or a clam bake are great ways to get your guests mingling and enjoying a day at the beach.

In keeping with a beach theme - serve easy to eat foods - try to avoid foods that will need a knife and fork. Why not cook meat and vegetables on individual skewers and a offer side dishes that are easy to pick up and go - stuffed mushrooms, raw vegetables, and salads.

If your wedding cake will be on display, wrap it up in clear cellophane - looks beautiful and keeps the sand and bugs off.

If you are planning to have your guests sit down at tables and chairs for dinner, rent a portable floor -it can also do double duty as a dance floor.

Decoration ideas for a beach wedding
Extend the beach theme to your menu and table arrangements. Serving food inside seashells is a nice beachy touch and very practical too - they won't break! Use place cards that won't blow away - names printed on shells with a marker, keep the theme going.

Centerpieces made from drift wood, local flowers, even bowls with plastic goldfish are inexpensive and easy to transport. Sand castles are a natural choice for a seaside wedding, To build your own sand castles use white glue and sand, a variety of molds and lots of drying time.

Use buckets filled with pebbles or sand to weigh down vases and candles.

Music for a beach wedding.
If you are planning music for the ceremony and reception of your beach wedding - consider music that compliments the setting and be aware of noise violations on public beaches. Heavy metal may not sound the same when competing with the seagulls and the ocean.

Steel drums are a welcome sound conjuring up warm, tropical memories. Finding a local steel drum band will be a real coup and a sure way to get everyone up dancing.

Plan on having a microphone for the ceremony and announcements. Beaches can be very noisy places and you may not be overheard above the sound of the waves, airplanes or nosy spectators.

Last but not least....Remember to have fun no matter what happens. Any little annoyances on your wedding day will be great memories in the years to come.

Until Next Time!
Jasmine :)

Resources: http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

Planning a Beach Wedding

The Pros & Cons of Beach Weddings

Beach weddings are popular but they do present "special issues". Failing to consider these ahead of time could leave you unpleasantly surprised on your wedding day!

There is certainly nothing that should dissuade you from your vision of a beautiful seaside ceremony. As a matter of fact, there are many benefits.

Just know the issues and plan for them. Your wedding day will be a wonderful and joyous event! The "Pros"

* A beach wedding can be much cheaper than a traditional wedding. Who in this day and age can't afford to save money? It is said that the average budget for a wedding these days is between $20,000 to $30,000! That is an enormous and unnecessary financial burden to be faced with!

Don't start off married life enslaved by your wedding day debts. If you have that kind of money to spend, fine, but if not, don't go there! Be practical and remember, the day is what you, your loved ones and your friends make of it...not how much you spent on it!

* A beach wedding can be a casual affair. It allows everyone to relax. Your guests can dress comfortably and affordably. Often brides-to-be are unaware of the financial strain they place on their wedding attendants and guests. Not everyone can afford to buy that wedding outfit.

* The wedding ceremony and reception can all be held right there on the beach. No need to travel to different locations. This is very convenient for everyone. Hey, even the kids can have fun at a beach wedding!

* A beach wedding allows you to involve everyone in the activities. Guests are not restricted to sitting quietly in their seats. They can actually be a part of the celebration!

* Beach weddings don't always require a permit. If you are having a small ceremony and do not require a section of the beach to be blocked off...just do it! Simple yet lovely!

* A beach wedding is a modern and refreshing change from the "stodgy" traditional wedding. It allows your creativity and personality to shine through.

* There is no "right" or "wrong way" to plan a beach front wedding. It can be large, small, romantic, whimsical or even downright goofy! You can pay big bucks and hire everything out, or, you can be cheap and make everything yourself. The choice is completely yours!

The "Cons"

* The most important thing to remember when planning a beach wedding is that "Mother Nature" rules! Depending on her mood, she can brighten your day or rain on your parade! When planning your celebration, be sure to plan an "alternate location" should the old girl be cranky that day!

* The beach is usually a bit breezy so take that into consideration when picking your location. Try to choose a "cove" on the beach that is protected from direct winds.

* Be sure to check with local authorities regarding any permits needed to use the beach. This should only be necessary if you are having a large gathering and you want to block off a portion of the beach exclusively for you and your guests. Ask to be sure though.

* Check on the "Beach Rules". Ask questions. Can you have candles on the beach? Can you play music into the night? How late can you stay? Is there an area nearby for open fires should you choose to barbeque?

* Speaking of food...don't forget about the seagulls! They are notorious beggars and thieves. You can expect them to attend your beach wedding, uninvited! As long as you keep food covered and don't feed them, they will stay on the sidelines.

* Remember the tides. You definitely do not want to be surprised by the quick and unanticipated arrival of high tide!

* On the beach, there will be bugs and sunshine! Make sure you consider the comfort of your guests. Bring sunscreen and insect repellant for those who did not remember to bring their own.

* Chairs may sink in the sand if you do not rent flooring to place under them. However, if you are planning a "beach blanket" reception, you will not need chairs. Remember your elderly guests though. Plan for their safety and comfort. You will need to provide them with chairs and beach umbrellas to protect them from the elements. Beach weddings are absolutely beautiful but nature does provide an element of uncertainty. Careful planning on your part will eliminate most of them.

Just remember... If every hair is not in place due to the ocean breezes or a seagull drops off his "wedding gift" a little to close to the punch bowl... These are not flaws or imperfections in your day. They are "memories"! Cherish them and have fun!

If you need to make travel plans, there are some great online resources you might wnat to check out. One company called Party Pop will actually help you plan your entire wedding including travel plans. If you want to check them out simply Click Here

Another idea you might want to check out is to create your very own Wedding Website. That way you can keep your friends and family updated on your wedding plans.

Don't worry you do not need to be a computer geek. There is a great site called Windsor Weddings which will make you a website with only a few clicks. Simply answer a few questions and your wedding site will be online within 15 minutes. It will cost you only $49 dollars for a 17 page site. You can easily update your site and add your pictures. Best of all they offer a Free Seven Day Trail so you have notheing to lose. If you want to check it out Click Here

Another great online wedding resouce you might want to check out is:
Destination Weddings - A Bride's guide for planning a destination beach wedding. Suggestions and ideas for Hawaiian & Beach Wedding Dresses, Favors, Invitations, Destinations & more.

Until Next Time!
Jasmine :)


About the Author: Cindy English is the publisher of Beach-Wedding-Themes.com where you will find ideas for beach wedding themes full of fun, fantasy and romance. Discover new places to shop and things to make at: http://www.beach-wedding-themes.com/
email: beachwed@beach-wedding-themes.com
Source: ArticleTrader.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

Keep Your Sanity While Planning Your Wedding!

Six Paths to Bridal Sanity

If your brain is buzzing in a thousand different directions, take a moment, breathe, and try some of these quick ways to chill out.

Breathe
Sit on the floor in a warm room, cross-legged, and place your hands, palm-side up, on your knees. Imagine a string connected to your spinal cord that goes out the top of your head, and lifts your upper body toward the ceiling. Close your eyes.

Soak
Line the bathroom counter with your favorite smelly candles. Run a hot bath, and put some soothing soft music.

Click here to discover the power of aromatherapy

Click Here for FragranceNet.com's Candle Collection

Laugh
Do something small with your fiancee that has nothing to do with the wedding. Rent a movie, or give each other a foot massage. Talk.

Daydream
Engage your hands in a mindless activity. Chop food you're preparing to cook, stuff invitations in envelopes, wash the dishes.

Exercise
Billy Crystal says he always does 20 pushups the minute before he goes on stage, because it dispells his anxiety. Sweat out your stress with a favorite physical activity.

Meditate and Give Thanks
Begin each day with gratitude. Problems and worries disintegrate when you take a few minutes to be thankful for what you have.

When it comes to harnessing your mind's energy in preparation for your wedding, use it, don't lose it!

Until Next Time!
Jasmine :)

http://windsor.weddingwindow.com/

Planning Your Out-Of-Town Wedding

With destination weddings on the rise, it is becoming more and more important for couples to have a means for informing their guests of their upcoming wedding plans as well as provide recommendations for out-of-town guests.

Wedding websites allow your guests one-stop shopping when it comes time for them to arrange their travel plans as well as other details. You can be as specific as you wish and link your website directly to the hotel reservation pages that you would like to recommend to your guests.
You will find that having a website is not only a time-saver but a budget-saver as well. The multiple mailings that can sometimes become necessary to communicate with your guests can easily eat up a good portion of any wedding budget. Allowing your guests to RSVP online will also cut down on your wedding expenses. No need for RSVP cards! However, you can always order just enough for those guests who may not be web savvy.

Destination weddings have definitely become a way for couples to express their style in a less traditional way. If you choose to have your wedding in a destination location, try to make it a fun experience for you and your fiancé as well as for your guests.

Destination Wedding Tips

1. Location, Location, Location. When selecting a location, choose one that appeals to your tastes and wedding style. Keep in mind, however, that because it won't be as easy as going down the street to the local church to attend your wedding, you'll have to assume that your guest list may be smaller. You'll need to get a good sense about the number of attendees you wish to have before selecting your event facility so you can be confident that it will be appropriate for the crowd.

2. Less is More. Destination weddings can be expensive not only for those getting married, but also for those attending. Try to be mindful of that when selecting your wedding site so those who are closest to you can afford to attend. Consider having your wedding during the off-season so costs will be lower. Traditionally, accommodation expenses are covered for the bridesmaids by the bride's family and for the groomsmen by the groom's family. All other guests should be responsible for their own expenses. Most hotels will work with you to offer group discounts.

3. Assist your Guests. You may know the location that you will be flying off to for your dream wedding like the back of your hand, but most of your guests will not. Your Wedding website can be a tool to help you educate your guests about the area, local attractions, accommodation ideas, the weather and directions. Making their job easier will only amount in a larger turnout at your wedding. Use your website to remind them of the things they may not consider such as a passport if required for your chosen location.

A great online resource for your starting your very own wedding website is Windsor Weddings. They have a great free trial offer you might want to check out. Don't worry about being an internet wizard. They will provide you with everything you need to make your very own professional looking site.

When planning your wedding, don't forget to have HAVE FUN!!!!

Until Next Time!
Jasmine :)


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WEDDING RECEPTION TOASTS ~ FREE SAMPLES

Wedding toasts are a great way to wish the new couple well, but it can be hard to get it just right if you’ve never done it before. If you feel a lot of emotion about the union, it may be even more difficult to get the toast just right. Keeping it simple really helps, as well as keeping it short. Remember that a toast is simply a way to let the new couple know that you are excited for them, and that you were happy that they made you a part of their day. The more you try to put into a toast the more complicated it can be, so don’t try to pack too much into the toast.

SAMPLES

Below is a very simple toast that you can use regardless of how well you know both of the bride and the groom. This is also a great way to make a toast when you really want to wish the couple well but you aren’t too sure what to say!

“First, I wanted to say congratulations to Bill and Nancy! I am so happy for the both of you and I know that today is the first day of what will be a very long marriage. I also want to thank the two of you for inviting me and making me a part of your big day. I know that there will be many more celebrations of your love and your marriage in the future!”

Below is a more intimate toast that you will find works well for close friends and family and will help you convey a bit more personal emotion.

“Congratulations, you two! I know that everyone is saying great things to you, but I had to get up and really express how happy I am for you. I know that both of you have been looking forward to this day for quite awhile, and I have to say that it couldn’t have been more beautiful. I know that you have a lot of great plans for the future and I can’t wait to sit back and watch them unfold for you. Congratulations, Bill and Nancy!”

As you can see, you can keep it really simple or you can add a bit more personalization to a toast. Usually a toast is just a few minutes long, so you don’t need to get into long stories or convoluted hopes for the new couple. Instead, keep things short and sweet but be sure to convey your happiness for the new couple. If you don’t know the personalities of both the bride and the groom well, keep humor limited and clean, just so that you are sure you don’t offend anyone.

________________________________________

***Fun Sites***

Before I end this blog I want to tell you about a great site you might want to check out. They offer beautiful designer quality gowns for 75% off the regular price. Simply click on the highlighted link below to check them out!

Wedding Dress Discount

Another cool site you might want to check out will allow you to make your own wedding website. Simply click on the link below
Create your very own wedding website!

_____________________________________________

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
Written by James Nardel, expert author at www.EasyWeddingToasts.com. For more information on wedding toasts and wedding speeches and toasting tips visit www.easyweddingtoasts.com

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 John
or
Mr. 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 Guest
or
Miss 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.

* 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 for example, 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.

Below is a list of some of my favorite wedding websites you might want to check out. Please click on any of the links below for some great ideas.

Create your own Wedding Website!

Discount Wedding Gowns At Stylish Bridal

Everything for your wedding at WeddingSolutions.com

Source: 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. Article Source:

Writing Your Wedding Vows

William Shakespeare you're not. The only thing you've ever written is a grocery list, but now you're getting married and you'd really like to write your own wedding vows. You could use some pointers.

If you are thinking about writing your own vows, be sure that your religion, church, or officiate will allow you to do so. Once you have approval, give yourself plenty of time to write your vows. Jot down movie lines, song lyrics or poetry that you like. Think about what made you fall in love with the person and what your dreams are for the future together. Recount a special story or memory about the time you have spent together. Take all of your notes and sit down and compose a draft.

Try to keep your vows simple. That way, you can remember them easily when the time comes. Be positive and avoid cliches. Consult a book of wedding vows, if needed. After you have composed an initial draft, read it to several friends or family members and get their feedback. Give a copy of your vows to your future spouse and make sure that what you have written is in accord with what they have written. Make changes as needed and double-check with the officiate that what you have written is appropriate.

Once you have polished your vows, practice reciting them. Can you say them without crying? A few tears are appropriate, but a teary outburst will make reciting them difficult and could prove to be embarrassing. Invite some friends over and recite your vows to them. Speak slowly and clearly and make sure that they can understand you. Practice your delivery again and again, but don't rely solely on your memory. Carry a copy of your vows with you and don't be afraid to refer to it at the ceremony if needed. There is no shame in being nervous and forgetting your vows.

Writing vows can be difficult. fortunately, there are numerous wedding books out there to help you. Don't be afraid to use them. So, you aren't William Shakespeare, but then again, the person you're marrying isn't Shakespeare either, are they?

If you need help writing your vows, Click here to check out some great books!

Until Next Time!
Jasmine

http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com
Source Bridal Guide~Turley Publications

CREATING YOUR OWN WEDDING WEBSITE

I came across a great idea which I think might be of some interest to you. Why not create your own Wedding website?

Having a personal wedding website can be a true time-saver for both engaged couples and invited guests. Planning even the simplest wedding can involve a great deal of correspondence. With that in mind, having a custom wedding website can be the key to a stress-free experience.

Keep your friends, family and bridal party informed by posting all of your wedding details from accommodation ideas and directions to online RSVP and gift registry information. Not only are you able to upload an unlimited number of personal photos, but you can also customize your website even more by naming your web pages anything you wish. You can allow your wedding party to correspond with you through web pages specifically designated for that purpose.

Don't worry you do not have to be a computer pro to set up your site. There is a great online company called Wedding Windows
that will set up a complete website for you. This is the same company Star Jones used to set up her wedding website. (You can see her site by clicking the link below!)

Right now this company is offering a great Free Trial Website. If you would like to check it out, simply click the link below.

CLICK HERE FOR A 7 DAY FREE TRIAL WEDDING WEBSITE!

Until Next Time!
Arianna




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CHOOSING A WEDDING DRESS TO FLATTER YOUR FIGURE

Choosing a wedding gown is one of the most fun tasks for the bride-to-be. Ooohing and Ahhing over gorgeous dresses is possibly the most exciting part of getting prepared for your wedding day. But deciding just which dress you want to be remembered in (for the rest of your life!) is the hard part.

The following tips will help you make the process of selecting a dress a pleasant experience.

Picking a wedding Dress Style to Flatter your figure

There are six basic wedding dress silhouette categories:

A-Line
An A-Line or Princess Shape dress has fitted vertical seams running from the shoulders down to the flared shirt, creating an “A” shape.The A-Line shape can be created from a variety of fabrics including lace, satin and chiffon

• Best for: brides with small waists and those wanting to hide broad hips and large thighs.
  

Empire
A high waistline and seam just underneath the bust.

• Best for: small busted brides and creating height for petite brides.
  

Ball Gown
Traditional wedding dress with a fitted bodice and a floor-length skirt. Usually worn in a more formal setting such as a church.

• Best for: brides with slim waistlines, and great for hiding full hips.
  

Sheath
Straight –line, fitted dress from the shoulders to the ankles.

• Best for: tall slim brides.
  

Mermaid
A narrow fitted dress designed to show off a brides curves, with the bottom flaring out like that of a mermaid.

• Best for: tall slim brides, and creating height for petite brides.
  

Strapless
Wedding dress without any straps.

• Best for: curvaceous brides wanting to draw particular attention to their face and arms.
  

You look beautiful just the way you are! Don’t plan on purchasing a wedding gown two sizes smaller because you intend to be ten pounds thinner by your wedding day. It’s a really good idea to order the gown in your size. If you do shed a few pounds, great! Just remember: It’s a lot cheaper to take a gown in than to have it let out an inch here and an inch there.

I found a great online store which I thought might be of some interest to you. They offer beautiful designer quality gowns for 75% off the regular price. Simply click on the red highlighted link below to check them out!

Wedding Dress Discount

Until Next Time!

Jasmine :)

source: www.foxsatellite.com, windsor.weddingwindow.com