Merry Brides

11/8/06

Beach Wedding Cakes

Looking for beach theme wedding cake ideas?

When it comes to wedding cakes, long gone are the days of following tradition. Since you are considering a beach theme wedding cake, you are obviously not a slave to those traditions. So...let's stray from the "norm" and be adventurous!

One thing to remember...there are no rules! If there are...well, rules are made to be broken. Your beachtheme wedding cake can be anything you want it to be!

What Size?

How many guests are you planning to have? If you have your cake made professionally it can range in price anywhere from $2.00 to $15.00 per slice. A "slice" is normally considered to be 2 ounces or, approximately 4" x 2". The range in price will depend on how much intricate detail you want on it. If the cake you choose is very labor intensive, you can expect higher prices. If you are on a tight budget, keep it simple!

What Shape?

A beach theme wedding cake can be any size, shape or description. Be creative. If you have an idea for your cake, sketch it out on paper and take it to that talented friend, relative or your chosen bakery. If you can imagine it, someone can make it!

Do not limit your thinking to a two or three tier cake. It can be round, square, a sheet cake, a sculpted cake, individual mini cakes, cupcakes or even cookies! Some brides even choose a one or two layer, individual wedding cake on each guest table rather than the traditional large cake at the head table. This is a nice idea because it also serves as the table centerpiece. This eliminates the added expense associated with having a wedding centerpiece at each table!

A couple of things to keep in mind though...

* Since your reception may be on the beach, consider the sun! If you are having a dawn or dusk ceremony, heat from the sun will probably not be a major factor. However, if you are having your wedding midday, consider an "ornamental" cake. By that I mean, not edible with the exception of perhaps the bottom layer if you and the groom plan to cut it. You don't want your creation to melt!

* Consider draping your cake in a decorative manner with tulle to keep the bugs and sand out of it. It would be beautiful yet practical.

* Purchase decorative individual Wedding cake boxes . Put a slice of cake in each box and perhaps tie your wedding program or thank you to the box with a ribbon. Keep them in a cooler until it is time to pass them out to your guests. They will serve as your wedding favor, killing two birds with one stone!

* Make your own beach theme wedding cake! Look inside the next "DuncanHines" cake mix you buy. The instruction for making baking tiered cakes are in there! You can do it. If you can't, I'll bet you know a friend who could! In EVERY town there is a friend or a "friend of a friend" who makes beautiful wedding cakes. It's a hobby for them. They love doing it! Of course they still want to be paid, but not the ridiculous prices that a professional will charge you.

So...go... find that friend!

11/7/06

How to Save Money on Wedding Photography

All brides want that one photograph that perfectly captures their wedding day. But to get it, you have to hire a skilled photographer--and unfortunately, they usually cost several thousand dollars. Here are some tips to cropping your photography budget down to size:

1. Post an ad in the art department at a local college or university for a photographer. You'd be surprised at the talent and skill available--and for a lot less. Just be prepared to assemble your album from the developed photos.

2. Lose the prints and go digital. Many photographers now offer this as an option; so instead of getting proofs/prints you can get your 'photos' on CD. Then check out an online photo editor/developer like Photoworks.com for printed photos. (Photoworks even offers the first 25 prints free for signing up--so you can try it risk free.)

3. Make your own wedding album. Depending on your photographer and the number of photo taken you can save hundreds (or more) by putting together your own album.

4. Reduce the number of hours you'll need a photographer. For example, instead of having the photographer follow you around while you're running to the salon to get your hair done, have your bridesmaids snap those photos.

5. Forego the photographer at your reception and provide disposable cameras for your guests. You'll get a better variety of pictures because the guests will be sure to take some photos of each other--and not just the bride and groom. (Trust me, this is a good thing. You'll get tired of sorting through hundreds of pictures of yourself that all look the same.)

***RECOMMENDED ONLINE PHOTO SITES ***

***Photoworks.com (Click Here!)

***SmugMug.com - Serving up crisp, clear photos - without the side of Spam (Click Here!)

***Print and frame your digital photos at dotPhoto!(Click Here!) Join Free – unlimited photo and video sharing, receive 50 FREE Prints now!

Jessica Bonilla is the owner and editor of http://www.e-wedding-planner.com/ -- the source that makes online wedding planning a lot easier. http://windsor.weddingwindow.com http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://weddingsbyashlee.com http://merrybrides.wordpress.com

11/6/06

You’ve heard the “4 Cs” of smart diamond buying -- cut, color, clarity, and carats. But what about the wedding band? Wedding bands are not the most expensive wedding purchase you will make and you may not spend a lot of time researching your wedding band purchase. But many people end up wearing their wedding band more often and on a day to day basis compared to their engagement ring.

Make an informed decision when purchasing your wedding band.

Plain Wedding Bands

You may want to consider a plain band if you prefer a simple design or are not a big “jewelry person”. As a jeweler, I often get women shopping for their husbands wedding bands who are considering a plain band because their husband “does not like jewelry”. I usually recommend a narrower plain wedding band, such as a white gold or yellow gold 4mm wide band. Although a wider 6mm, 7mm, or 8mm band is standard for most men, someone who does not wear a lot of jewelry may feel more comfortable in a narrow band. (Wedding bands are usually measured in millimeters. A 4mm band is approx. ¼” wide).

If someone is looking for something with a little more of a design, but still wants a simpler band, I may even steer them towards a more subtle design, such as a hammered wedding band. Hammered bands are still understated, but a little more exciting than a traditional plain band.

Design Band

There are many types of design wedding bands to choose from, such as braided wedding bands, hammered design bands, paisley bands, and other unique designs, such as a Celtic wedding band.

The type of design band wedding you choose is a personal choice. There is nothing scientific or practical in selecting a design wedding band other than primarily deciding what type of design you simply like.

The only practical considerations that you may want to make in selecting a wedding band with designs is in understanding that trends come and go and you will be wearing and looking at the design hopefully forever. The other consideration is in deciding whether you will wear your ring on a daily basis and what kind of wear and tear your ring can safely sustain. This usually depends on the type of work or career or regular hobbies.

Do you work with your hands a lot? Do you do construction work or do you have an office job that is not taxing on your hands? In purchasing a design band, if you are planning to wear your ring to a job that is physically demanding you may want to consider a hammered design band or a similarly rugged design that can withstand wear and tear. You may want to stay away from a braided wedding band, for example, if you are a police officer and want to wear your ring on the job! If you are “outdoorsy” and rugged, you may want a more wedding band with less design that could get damaged.

Keep in mind these are extreme cases. Most braided wedding bands are tougher than they appear and will be fine under most conditions. And if not, they can easily be repaired (we offer a one year warranty and inexpensive repair service after the warranty period). Out of the thousands of braided wedding bands we have sold, not even 1% have been returned for repair and often only by people who are tough on their jewelry.

Design Band or Designer Name Brand

Most wedding bands that are on the market today are actually not designer name brand rings, yet they are, in my opinion, the same quality as most designer name brand rings. The difference with a designer name brand and a generic version is mainly the price. Most design bands range between $300-$350. However, if paying 2-3 times more is not a significant difference to you, you may want to consider a name brand simply for the security or status that the name you purchase may give you. In shopping for a wedding band, whether it is a designer name or not, make sure you understand your wedding or jewelry store’s policies, warranties, and guarantees. Often, the generic brand will offer you the same security, quality, and warranties. So why spend the extra?

Yellow Gold, White Gold, or Two-Tone

This too is mostly a personal choice, but there are a few things to consider in selecting your wedding bands’ color or metal type.

White gold is often more suitable for those who are not normally big jewelry wearers. White gold is also somewhat more contemporary, although trends suggest that yellow gold may be coming back strong into fashion. Ultimately, whether you choose yellow or white gold should depend on your personal preference, rather than following any trend, since trends come and go and you plan to wear your ring forever!

You may also want to consider two-tone gold. Two-tone wedding rings are an excellent compromise between subtle and rich tones and they serve one additional purpose that people tend to overlook.

Two-tone wedding bands give you the flexibility of both yellow and white gold colors so that you can match a variety of other jewelry with your wedding jewelry. If you buy a white gold wedding band, all of your future jewelry purchases will tend to be white gold. Wearing yellow gold or two-tone with your white gold ring may clash. The same can be said of pure yellow gold. But with a two-tone wedding band, you can wear an all yellow gold bracelet or watch, for example, and interchange jewelry and colors. This adds great versatility to your jewelry line-up.

Price Benchmarks

Use the below benchmarks to assess if your selected jeweler is charging you too much or if their prices are reasonable.

Expect to spend between $100-$150 for a plain, traditional wedding band.

Expect to spend approx. $300 for a standard, but high quality design wedding band.

Expect to spend between $600-$800 for a designer name brand.

Remember, you may not want to dish out the additional cost for a designer name brand when you can find virtually the same ring without the “name”. Above all, this should be a choice that you make yourself or with your spouse. Forget about trends and think long-term. $300 over 50 years of your life is less than a penny a day! Don’t get caught up too much in the price. Opt for the ring that you really want. You plan to wear your ring forever.

*** Fun Sites ***

Tremendous savings on quality jewelry from the experienced designers at Harris Michael Jewelry! (Click Here!)

Contributing Author Afshin Yaghtin graduated as an English major at UCLA and furthered his education at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth with a M.A. in postmodern American literature before starting his own business at http://wedding-band-ring.com/. http://merrybrides.wordpress.com/ http://funweddings.blogspot.com/ http://funweddings.blog.com/ http://funweddings.blog.com/ http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com/ http://windsor.weddingwindow.com/ http://www.fun.createswebsite.com/

11/5/06

Something Old, Something New - Why We Do What We Do - Wedding Traditions

Whether you’re having a large traditional church wedding or a small intimate ceremony, chances are you are going to follow one or more wedding traditions that have been handed down through the ages. Have you ever wondered where these traditions originated and why we do what we do? Here are just a few examples of American wedding traditions:

* One of the most popular wedding phrases is “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue.” This comes from an Old English rhyme and is a superstition to ward off evil spirits. Today traditional brides feature one item from each category in their ensemble. The objects are essentially good-luck charms while each “something” has special significance.

* Something Old - symbolizes the continuity of transition from two single people to a married couple.’

* Something New - represents a transition to adulthood upon marriage.

* Something Borrowed - represents something that had been borrowed from a happily married couple, hoping that their good fortune would be shared.

* Something Blue - symbolizes purity, constancy and fidelity.

* Traditionally, wedding ceremonies end with the couple exchanging wedding rings. The circular ring, with no beginning and no end, symbolizes everlasting love. Americans put the wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand because of the ancient Greek belief that a vein in this finger ran directly to the heart.

* The traditional wedding kiss seals the couple’s union in front of friends and family. Since Roman times, a kiss has been used to bind a legal agreement or seal a betrothal.

* It was also believed in Medieval times that when two people kissed, a part of their souls were left inside the other during the exchange of breath, and that was also symbolic of the union of two people.

* We call it a “toast” when we drink to someone because of an old French custom in which a piece of bread was put in the bottom of the wine cup for flavor. Partygoers would drink and pass the cup until it reached the person being toasted, then he would drain it--crouton and all.

* The garter toss is thought to be an early English custom that evolved from "flinging the stocking." Guests would follow the couple to their bedroom on their wedding night, steal their stockings while they were "distracted," then fling them at the couple. It was thought that the first person to hit either the bride or the groom on the head would be the next to marry. Later, brides tossed a garter at the wedding reception, but then the custom changed to the groom's removing the garter himself and tossing it to his male guests because brides were often forced to fight off drunken male guests who tried to remove the garter themselves! In some Midwestern states, garters are auctioned off rather than tossed.

* Probably the most familiar religious wedding tradition is the lighting of the Unity Candle where two symbolic flames become one. When the Unity Candle is lit by the wedding couple, it symbolizes the merger of two lives into one. When the Unity Candle is lit by a member of the couple’s families (in many cases the mothers of the bride and groom), it symbolizes the forming of two families as well as the unity of the couple in marriage.

Whether you’re planning a large or small wedding, traditional or non-traditional, you’ll probably be affected by at least one of these traditions and now you’ll know why we do what we do!

***FUN SITE***

Create a lasting memento with fine wines personalized for your wedding day.
Personalized wines for weddings.- Click Here!

Karen Gupton is the owner of Exquisite Bridal Accessories, a leading seller of wedding accessories. ttp://wwww.exquisitebridal.cathysexpress.com for toasting glasses, garters, unity candles and much more. http://www.americasbridalshop.com. http://funweddings.blog.com http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com http://merrybrides.wordpress.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com http://fun.createswebsites.com

11/3/06

Eloping Gift Etiquette

If you are planning to elope do not register for gifts. When you elope, you have decided to give up the piles of gifts you would have received at a traditional wedding. Well meaning friends and family will probably send you gifts, but they should not be expected.

http://merrybrides.wordpress.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com http://funweddings.blog.com

Wedding Day Hair Styles - A Top Ten Checklist

The big day is fast approaching, and the energy of the moment sweeps you up. But does it carry your hair along too? Use the following checklist to ensure your wedding day hair is everything you dream it will be:

1. Which stylist? Make bookings for consultations with more than one stylist well in advance and decide on the one you feel most comfortable with. You should be able to express your likes and dislikes without feeling awkward.

2. Long hair, shoulder length, or short hair? It is important to consult with your stylist well in advance and make a decision. Long hair obviously gives the stylist much freedom for creativity but a skilled stylist can also work well with medium and short styles. Be sure to choose a length that fits with your personality and style.

3. Have your hair compliment your wedding dress. This can be done by both style and accessories. Smooth, straight hair and pinned up curls are often paired up with smooth satin gowns, whereas a tulle dress often goes well with soft curls.

4. Take into consideration your silhouette. If it's along horizontal lines such as with a wide dress, you'll want to stick with that look for your hair as well. The same goes for a vertical profile.

5. You'll be spending a lot of time at the salon picking out the perfect hairstyle, so it's best to be prepared. Be sure to wash your hair the night before your consultation, and try to have some pictures of styles you'd like to try out.

6. Take a picture of your wedding dress along to your stylist. This will greatly help the process along. Also take your veil with you, and let the stylist know what kind of wedding you are having: formal, informal, evening, daytime. Alternatively, consult with your stylist before deciding on your headpiece.

7. If you are interested in a new cut or color to your hair, don't wait until right before your wedding. Make the changes during the initial consultation with the stylist, so that you don't have any unpleasant surprises down the road.

8. After you have decided on your style, make sure you walk around with it. Your wedding day will be a long one and you certainly don't want an uncomfortable hair do causing irritation!

9. Your veil length will have some influence on your choice of hairstyle. Normally, the veil is longer than the hair. It is often secured in back swept hair (for up dos) and it's important to make sure the style can hold the veil in place.

10. What accessories are you going to wear? You will already (hopefully!) have your headpiece picked out. Flowers, pins, and beads can be used to add an extra sparkle to your hair, and you can and should coordinate them with the rest of your jewelry.

It may sound like choosing a bridal hair style is a strenuous activity, but the care and preparation is simply to make sure your wedding day is the best it can be.

Following this ten point checklist will ensure your wedding day hair style is a delight, not a disaster!

____________________________________

***FUN SITE***

Buy MAC, Lancome, Clinique, YSL, Chanel and more name brands at discount prices at Makeup.com Discount. - Click Here!

___________________________________

Sponsors
http://www.bodyfaq.com/WeddingHair
Mike Jones is a writer and webmaster with over 10 years experience. His articles are carefully researched and presented in an easy read style so the busy person can gain maximum practical benefit in minimum time. Click here for a good example of his work: http://www.about-goal-setting.com http://funweddings.blog.com http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://merrybrides.wordpress.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com www.fun.createswebsites.com

11/2/06

Got the Pre-wedding Jitters?

Information for the Bride

You’re in the last month before the wedding. What seemed fairly simple in the beginning has now morphed into what looks like an insurrmountable, out-of-control list of things to do. You thought you were organized and now it seems there are a million details still to be conquered, accomplished, put in order. (Emphasis here is on the word “seems.” Remember this.) From your point of view it may seem that:

No one is helping
No one understands
There’s too much to do
It costs too much
There’s not enough time
And: Where is HE and why isn’t he helping more?
This may move into:

Maybe this is a mistake
Maybe I should call the whole thing off
Maybe I just thought I loved him
Information For the Groom

Things were going pretty well. You nodded your approval at which invitations she picked out, made a list of friends and family you wanted to invite and even addressed a few.You went with her to choose the venue, select a minister, pick a D.J. or live muisic, taste cake and look at flowers. You were fitted for the tux and shoes and you’ve planned the honeymoon. Now you just need to know when and where to show up. In the meantime you can sit back, watch the game and leave the details to the women.

You begin to notice, however, that your beautiful bride-to-be is getting bossier and more short-tempered every day. She doesn’t say much but her mood seems to be getting darker and she looks at you like you’re from another planet. And you begin to wonder:

What’s the problem here?

Is this who she really is?
Is this what it will be like after we’re married?
This thing is getting way out of hand.
And this begins to deteriorate into:

This is not what I bargained for.
Maybe I’m not ready to get married.
Maybe she’s not the right one for me.
If it gets to this STOP, LOOK, LISTEN!
This is a time of tremendous stress for each of you. Your whole life is about to change and somewhere inside you, regardless of how much you love each other and how long you’ve been together, an alarm goes off. Change of this magnitude often creates fear and fear causes all kinds of disruption. Every tiny detail is magnified. Emotions are running like a raging river and cannot (seemingly) be contained.

So what do you do?

If you’ve been together for a number of years, you know how the other functions, and you know you love them and have made a commitment to become partners in every sense of the word. When you had a clear mind, you knew this is what you wanted. If this is not the case, then take a serious look about what you’re doing so there is not an impasse on wedding day when one of you chooses not to show up.

You know you want to continue and so:

Bride - talk to the love of your life. Tell him how you feel. Make it clear what you need him to do. He is not unwilling (generally). He just doesn’t know how to help and thinks the best thing to do is just stay out of the way. Tell him you love him and need him. Tell him what you want and need. He doesn’t intuit this. You have to tell him.

Groom - listen to her without judgment and without barking orders. Ask her how you can help. Ask her for specific instructions on how she wants it done and what the deadline is. If you do this, you may find that she relaxes and realizes that, actually, there isn’t that much for you do to do. The most important thing for you to do is

Stay calm
Reassure her that you love her more than anything and that
all you want is to be married to her.
To Both of You
If every tiny detail isn’t perfect, your wedding will still be wonderful because it’s about how much you love each other and not about the tiny details.

It’s about you. Your guests will notice the love, not the color of the napkins. The guests will notice the radiance and be pleased that the flowers are nice and the music good.

Your guests will notice the look in your eyes when you see each other and really won’t care if the bridesmaids didn’t have matching shoes or perfect hairdos.

Take some time to be with each other. Just the two of you. DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE WEDDING OR WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE DURING THIS TIME. Talk about anything else. Talk about how much you love each other and how special the other is. As they say in sports, “Keep your eyes on the prize.” Soon it will all be over and you can settle into building a wonderful marriage.

Keep your Family and Friends updated on your wedding Plans with your very own website

Free Trial Offer - Click Here!

Sponsor

Irene Conlan has a masters degree in nursing, a doctoral degree in metaphysics, is a certified hypnotherapist and an ordained minister. She practices holistic hypnotherapy and officiates at weddings in Scottsdale, Az and the Phoenix metropolitan area.Irene can be found at:http://www.thepowerzone.com/(Hypnotherapy Downloads)http://www.yourscottsdalewedding.com/http://your-scottsdale-wedding.com/ Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irene_Conlan http://merrybrides.wordpress.com/ http://funweddingd.blog.com/ http://funweddings.blogspot.com

11/1/06

How to Choose a Wedding Theme

If you’re getting married, you have a lot of decisions to make. Flowers, favors, food, music, the venue, the guest list, the clothes…it all needs to mesh into a coherent whole to make a perfect wedding. If you’re overwhelmed with all the choices, you should think about what you want the overarching theme of your wedding to be. Once chosen, a theme is a powerful tool to help you narrow down your choices. Here are a few tips on how to choose the perfect wedding theme.

Simply the season. This is the easiest way to pick a theme for your wedding: what season will it take place in? The season makes a big contribution to what colors you’ll use, what favors are appropriate—even the food. Fall weddings tend to use natural earth tones and fall colors—reds, golds, and yellows. Favors and decorations center around a foliage theme. Winter weddings use sparkling white as well as dark greens and deep reds, and for decorations you’ll often see evergreen and snowflakes. Spring and summer weddings generally use pastels and copious amounts of flowers.

Celebrate the holiday. Does your wedding take place near a holiday? Christmas, Halloween, Easter, the 4th of July, and Valentine’s Day weddings are all popular themes. If your wedding is near the bride or groom’s birthday, it might be fun to have a birthday-themed wedding—with slumber-party favors and ice cream at the reception.

A passion you share. Do you and your fiancé love to play golf together? Did you meet at a Star Trek convention? Are you wine connoisseurs or devoted baseball fans or nature-lovers? The best themes have to do with a love that the couple shares, or possibly a link to how they met. Brainstorm with your loved one about things you share a passion for that might translate into a fun and creative wedding theme.

A period in history. Are you both fascinated by medieval history, Celtic jewelry, Regency splendor, or Victorian romance? If there’s a period in history you both love—or maybe one that one of you loves and the other doesn’t mind—it might translate into a perfect wedding theme. Some couples try to make their food, dress, and entertainment as close to the period as possible—while some just use it to inform the decorations and add the perfect ambience to the wedding.

A heritage wedding. Is he Scottish? Is she Korean? If one (or both) of you has a strong sense of heritage, there’s no better way to personalize your wedding than to incorporate it. Scottish weddings complete with bagpipes and kilts are a fun and popular choice—as are elegant Asian weddings, German brew fests, or weddings with a Native American or even an African tone.

A special location. Weddings at interesting locations add a distinctive spin to the typical ceremony. Beach weddings and outdoor weddings are obvious choices. Some couples get married on sailboats, in airplanes, or in hot-air balloons. Others choose a historical location or building, or a public garden for their ceremony.

A personality fit. Are the two of you hopeless romantics? Adventure-lovers? Kids at heart? Think about your personality as a couple. What really tugs at your heartstrings, makes you smile, or gets your blood pumping? Personality-themed weddings can center on fairy tale romance, bungee-jumping adventure, or nostalgia for childhood. The better your wedding fits your personality as a couple, the more memorable it will be.

Planning a wedding doesn’t have to be complex. Give some thought to your theme. Once you’ve picked the right theme for your wedding, the rest of the details should fall right into place.

Fun Site

The Bridal Necessities: Everything you need to know about bridal underpinnings - Click Here!

Sponsors: By: Fine Wedding Favors http://www.articledashboard.com/ David McCoy
Wedding Favors Fine Wedding Favors provides a large selection of unique wedding favors, bridal shower gifts and wedding accessories. http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://funweddings.blog.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com www.fun.createswebsites.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

10/31/06

How To Plan Your Wedding Ceremony Music

Not all songs are created equal. The type of wedding ceremony music that you choose will be quite different from the wedding reception music. There is also the consideration on the type of wedding you will be having - whether it is a traditional religious ceremony or a less formal occasion, such as a garden wedding or beach wedding. In this article, we are going to be looking at music choices that would fit into a more formal and religious atmosphere.

What Type Of Music Is Needed For Each Segment

In a traditional ceremony arrangement, low-key instrumental music is usually played and begins about a half hour before the ceremony begins. This is called the Prelude. Most times, if you don't have any real choices in songs, the organist will play the typical wedding selections that other bride's and groom's have used. If you wish to pick your own Prelude songs, a few of the more popular choices are:

* Canon in D by Pachelbel
* Air From Water Music by Handel
* Ave Maria by Bach
* Greensleeves by David Chamberlain
* Waltz (from Sleeping Beauty) by Tchaikovsky
* We've Only Just Begun by The Carpenters
* Tonight I Celebrate My Love (For You) by Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack
* Breathless by Kenny G

You will then need to choose what music you would prefer for your Processional (as you walk down the aisle). Some brides will elect to have traditional instrumental music such as Canon in D, Ave Maria, and of course the tune that everyone knows: The Wedding March (Here Comes The Bride). However, more and more of today's brides are chosing tunes from popular song artists. Here is a short list of Processional songs that tend to be favorites:

* Power Of Love by Celine Dion
* What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Kenny G
* Endless Love by Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross
* Grow Old With Me by Mary Chapin Carpenter
* Look At You Girl by Chris Ledoux
* From This Moment On by Shania Twain
* Because you Loved me by Celine Dion
* Only Time by Enya
* This I Swear by Nick Lachey
* Nadia's Theme by Barry De Vorzon and Perry Botkin, Jr.

During the ceremony itself, there will be breaks when you will need to provide solos, hymns or instrumental music, such as when you are signing the register. Some common pieces sung by soloists are:

* Wedding (There Is Love) by Stookey
* Ave Maria by Schubert
* Evergreen by Barbra Streisand
* One Hand, One Heart (West Side Story) by Bernstein and Sondheim
* Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler on the Roof) by Harnick and Bock
* Ode to Joy by Bethoven

Finally the ceremony ends and the bride and groom turn to leave to the sounds of the Recessional. Here you will want a vibrant, joyous song or instrumental to play. You may choose from classical music or the more popular pop songs of today. A few examples are:

* Wedding March from a Midsummer Night's Dream by Mendelssohn
* Overture from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart
* Bridal March by Hollins
* Ode to Joy by Beethoven
* Nothings Going To Stop Us Now by Jefferson Starship
* Beautiful Day by U2
* Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
* Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis

Tips For Planning Your Music Selections

Before you select any music, soloists or instrumentalists, you will need to get the answers to certain questions as follows:

1) Speak with your clergy member to find out if the religious venue you are considering provides an organist and/or choir. What other types of musicians are allowed and can he/she recommend anyone? Are other types of musicians allowed such as a harpist, flutist, guitarist, etc.? Can he/she recommend any soloists?

2) You will also need to determine if there are any restrictions on the types of songs and music played during the ceremony. In a very strict, religious church, you may be prohibited from playing any non-religious songs.

3) If the church or synagogue provides an organist or other instrumentalist, what is the fee that is charged for using them? What if you wish to use a friend or a particular organist rather than the one provided, are you allowed to substitute?

4) Determine what type of mood you want for your ceremony. Some couples want a more serious, solemn service, while other couples want a fun-filled, vibrant atmosphere. This will help you in your selection of wedding music, as well as deteriming the best soloist and musicians to hire.

5) If you have any friends or family members that are gifted musicians, you may want to consider asking them to provide the songs and music. It will provide an added personal touch to your ceremony. Be sure to thank them by presenting them with a small gift. In some cases, you may need to hire them just as you would any other professional musician, but it is usually much less expensive to do so.

6) Once you determine what music and songs you will be using, make sure all soloists and musicians have a copy of the music list along with when they are to be sung/played. If any of the songs or music are new to your performers, make sure you provide sheet music and give it to them early so they can prepare.

7) Purchase tapes and CD's of wedding music to listen to. This will help make your choices much easier.

As you can see, there are quite a few details to resolve when planning out your wedding ceremony music. The above song suggestions are the ones more traditionally chosen. However, there are alway new popular songs by song artists that can also be wonderful choices for a wedding ceremony. Keep your ears open for them. Hopefully, the above guidelines should give you a good start toward picking the perfect music that will personalize your own wedding.

Sponsors:
Copyright 2006. Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you plan your perfect theme wedding. Visit our site at: http://www.wedthemes.com for more tips about wedding music and bridal songs. Be sure to also check out our Wedthemes Wedding Gazette Blog at: http://wedthemes.blogspot.com. http://funweddings.blog.com http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://weddingsbyashlee.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com www.fun.createswebsites.com www.merrybrides.com

10/30/06

Brides - Dreading His Bachelor Party? Here's How To Deal...

So you just overheard your man’s buddies brainstorming the dreaded bachelor party….ugh. There’s nothing like the vision of a beer-goggled groom-to-be ogling scantily clad women named after inanimate objects that makes even the most grounded woman shudder in her stilettos. It’s no wonder why the traditional bachelor party isn’t high on a bride-to-be’s list of exciting wedding-related milestones. Here’s the reality: No, you can’t throw a tantrum to halt the festivities, but you can take a few steps to make sure your guy’s final send off doesn’t leave you wanting to off your guy.

Here are five tips to help you deal with his bachelor party:

Plan Ahead

Try to talk your guy and his friends out of planning the bachelor party the night – or weekend-before the wedding. An event well in advance of the big day will give the guys ample time to recover and ensure his bachelor party doesn’t land on your list of final wedding worries

Two Can Play

Why should you sit home and knit while he’s partying with his friends? You’re saying goodbye to your single self too, you know. Even if your traditional bachelorette bash doesn’t fall on the same night, make sure you’re sufficiently distracted by your own good time to worry about his.

Go Co-Ed

Co-ed showers are fast becoming the norm; bachelor and bachelorette parties are following suit. This is a great idea, especially if you and your man share a close circle of male and female friends. Even if your co-ed party does get a little wild – you’ll both feel much more comfortable knowing that you’re together - and can keep an eye on each other.

Talk it Over

Don’t be afraid to express any of your concerns to your fiancé. You may find that your worries are unfounded. Believe it or not, modern bachelor parties don’t always involve sweaty lap dances with buxom blondes named Barbi. Just as many consist of fishing, hiking and wine tasting. Your guy may even feel pressured by his buddies to partake in traditional debauchery, and he might welcome your dialogue to the contrary. Regardless – remember that you cannot force him to forgo the party (he’ll resent you if you try), so be open to listening and talking about his bachelor party plans.

Have a Little Faith

Even if your man’s crew goes the traditional g-string route, most bachelor parties really are innocent fun. If your guy cares about you and loves you, he won’t commit any transgressions. And if you find that you simply cannot trust him around a few scantily clad women – you may need to investigate whether this guy is even worth marrying in the first place.

Remember ladies, his bachelor party isn't the end of the world. And if he seems just a little starry eyed at the concept of a night in a strip club – give him a little lap dance of your own. That's sure to return his focus to you!

_________________________________________

*** Plan the Bachelorette Party Your Friends Will Not Forget***

If you want a package focused on giving you and your friends the Vegas experience of your lives, then look no further. This specially designed Vegas Bachelorette party package will ensure that you have a Bachelorette Party you will remember forever!

Ultimate Bachelorette Party Package (Click Here!)

_________________________________________

For a complete guide to Wedding Planning, visit www.Elegala.com, your ultimate wedding resource. http://www.articledashboard.com http://funweddings.blogspot.com http://funweddings.blog.com Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine (and a recent bride!). Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding services, along with planning tips, photo galleries and checklists to keep brides in-the-know on today's wedding trends and styles. www.weddingsbyashlee.blog.com

10/24/06

Wedding Receiving Line Etiquette-Greeting Your Guests with Style

Click Here for Great Deals on Name Band Cosmetics

Even though it’s a great tradition with a long history, some couples choose not to greet their guests in a receiving line fearing that this might take too long. Frank Gregoli, a top New York party planner says realistically, one should allow 30 minutes for every 100 people in the line.

If this time allotment fits within your plans and you’d like to be certain that you personally welcome and thank each of your guests, read on.

Know the Basics

Being familiar with the basics of what a receiving line is all about will immediately help you to feel comfortable with this elegant formality.

Exactly when and where the receiving line is formed is really based upon your particular situation. In general, people like to form their line either in the vestibule right after the ceremony or at the entrance to the reception
area.

With the exception of the groom, this is really a lady’s affair. Here’s the lineup: first in line is the bride’s mother, followed by the bride, the groom and, next to him, his mother.

Dads, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and children in the wedding party generally are not a part of the receiving line. If for some reason you choose to include any of these people, keep in mind that every person you add will cause the line to proceed slower.

Short and Sweet

Once everyone is in position, the rule should be to keep greetings brief yet warm and sincere. This will avoid a bottleneck. If there is time before your wedding day, review your list of guests with the groom and parents. A little homework never hurts.

Since your mother and you are the first in line, it’s expected that relatives and friends of his side of the family will introduce themselves to each of you. As your relatives and friends proceed, you should introduce them to the groom and his mother.

Include the Pleasantries

Consider adding a few pleasantries if your receiving line will not be in a house of worship. This will liven up everyone’s mood, get conversations going, and make waiting in line easier for your guests. For instance, you could:
Include music—Have the band or your dj positioned close enough so that
there is music in the background. Plan ahead though. You don’t want to
have to take time to make these arrangements at the last moment. Pass
the tray—Ask your caterer to set hors d’oeuvres and champagne on a
table nearby or have a waiter offer these on a tray.

Receiving Guests Like a Pro

There are always instances where, for one reason or another, a person’s name is not ready to roll off your tongue. You can handle these moments as if you’ve been in receiving lines all your life by saying something like: "I’m so glad you came. (Groom’s name) and I hope you’ll have a wonderful time." Or you could say, "It’s great to see you again. Please say hello to my husband, (Groom’s name)." Or "Thank you so much for coming. (Groom’s name) and I feel lucky to be with so many good friends."

_______________________________________

***FUN SITES***

Why not pamper yourself with a Personal Spa Body Wrap - Click Here!

______________________________________

10/23/06

Planning a Rehearsal Dinner

Tremendous savings on quality jewelry from the experienced designers at Harris Michael Jewelry!-Click Here

The great thing about a Rehearsal Dinner is that there are no set rules. Depending on your personality and budget you can create any type of dinner party you want.

Traditionally the Rehearsal Dinner is hosted by the groom's parents. But it is now becoming more common for the bride and groom to host their own dinner.

If you are throwing your own party, here are some ideas you might want to consider.

Formal Party A formal Dinner is nice if you are having a small party for twenty people or less. You can host the party at your favorite resturant. Usually you allow your guests to order off the menu.

Pizza Party This is a fun idea for groups who want a very casual party. The party can be hosted at a friends home or at your favorite pizza parlor. A pizza party is a great way to relax your guests before the formal wedding.

Pot Luck Dinner If you are low on cash, a potluck dinner is a great idea. Ask your in-town guests to bring their favorite food and host a party at your home (or friends house). Be sure to organize in advance what your guests will bring. You would not want to end up with five plates of ham sandwiches and no desserts. A potluck dinner is a great way for friends and family to spend time together without going into debt.

Recommended Sites

Decorate your Rehearsal Dinner with Romantic Flowers - Click Here!

Or Decorate with Candles

Sponsors http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com http://funweddings.blog.com http://funweddings.wordpress.com http://windsor.weddingwindow.com

10/20/06

Determine Your Wedding Budget

Free Trial Offer - Click Here!

First and for most congratulations on your engagement!! You are about to embark on a journey of a lifetime, but before you start planning a wedding you must decide on a budget. Wedding budgets are very important; they allow you to decide on the total amount you will spend and how much you are allowed in each category. By setting your budget you also make decisions such as theme of your wedding, formality, location and size.

I understand you just got engaged and money is the last thing that you want to think about but trust me it is crucial that you set your budget before you start spending money. Start with an amount of what you believe you can afford to spend on your wedding. Do this before you sign one contract or write a single check. If you are not careful the wedding will plan you and your wedding will end up costing two to three times more than you expected.

It is easy to get out of control with the wedding “adrenaline” rushing through you. You get engaged, you tell your family and decisions begin happening before you have established a foundation, your budget. You want to make sure your wedding is how you always dreamed so in order to guarantee that, start with a solid budget.

Here is a budget guideline to help you plan that dream wedding. Referenced from PremierWeddingPlanning.com

Reception 50% of total budget
Bridal Attire 10% of total budget
Photography/Videography 10% of total budget
Flowers/Decorations 10% of total budget
Music 5% of total budget
Transportation 5% of total budget
Invitations 4% of total budget
Misc. 6% of total budget

Here is an example cost breakdown of an average $20, 000 wedding:

Reception $10, 000
Bridal Attire $2,000
Photography/Videography $2,000
Flowers/Decorations $2,000
Music $1,000
Transportation $1,000
Invitations $800
Misc. $1,200

This is just a guideline, every wedding is unique and there are no set of rules. It all depends on the couples preferences and priorities. Some couples may want to spend more on the reception and less on the ceremony or more on bridal attire and modify the floral budget. The variations are endless.

The average bride and groom these days are older and more career established resulting in 70% of all weddings today being paid by the couple themselves entirely. If your parents are paying for the wedding or contributing now is the time to discuss budgets and limits. Be realistic and appreciative. If you wish to have a wedding that goes above and beyond what your parents are willing to expense then compromise. You can cut corners without sacrificing quality. By choosing the time of year when costs are lower, by choosing an affordable venue site, finding vendors with special wedding packages, or having a smaller wedding party.

If you are paying for your own wedding then you should have a good idea of what you can realistically afford. If your budget is limited then you need to decide your priority vs. cost. You can have a large guest lest with a causal wedding or a small guest list with a big, fancy wedding, you get to decide!

If you would like a simple budget calculator worksheet like the one above go to Premier Planner at PremierWeddingPlanning.com. It is a FREE online wedding planner with a fantastic wedding budget notebook. You can save it right there and have your very own wedding planner organizer online for Free! By logging in you can use all the wedding planning services it offers including, budget calculator, guest list, seating chart, email reminders, RSVP online, wedding planning calendar and much more.

Good luck with your budget planning and congratulations on marrying your best friend!

FUN SITE

Make your Dreams a Reality - Huge Discounts on Bridal Gowns (Click Here!)

www.fun.createswebsites.com Please visit our Sponsors :http://www.articledashboard.com/ www.PremierWeddingPlanning.com http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com www.funweddings.wordpress.com www.funweddings.blogspot.com

10/18/06

The style of your wedding determines the type of invitation you choose. For a formal wedding the invitation is usually on white paper with black printing. For less informal weddings, you can have it any way you wish ~ pastel paper to beads to lace matching the bride's gown. It's your choice!!

The following is a short list of lingo for printing invitations.

Blind Embossing: Blind embossing is a printing method where an image is pressed into paper resulting in a raised design.

Bright White: This shade is the ultimate in white, very crisp, pure and bright!

Deckle Edge: An uneven, feathery edge on a piece of paper is called a deckle edge. This edge is most commonly found on parchment invitations;

Die-Cutting: The process of using sharp metal rules to cut shapes and designs into paper. Die-cutting includes cutout shapes and sculpted edges.

Embossing: is a type of printing which uses ink or foil on the raised area to add drama and dimension.

Foil Stamping: is achieved when colored foil is hot-stamped onto paper such as napkins.

French-Fold: A sheet of paper folded twice to create a four-paneled invitation .

Liners: This term refers to the decorative paper used to line the inside of an inner envelope or a single envelope.

Panel: A panel is the center section of your invitation .

Parchment: Translucent paper made to look like original parchment.

Pearlize: A process that applies a luminous pearl-like finish to part of an invitation.

Short-Fold: A short-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded once, not exactly in half, forming an invitation with a short front panel and longer back panel.

Tri-Fold: A tri-fold is created when a sheet of paper is folded twice to form a three-paneled invitation.

Vellum: Vellum is a paper with a rich, smooth finish paper.

White: This shade is a soft white, like wedding gowns. It is a delicate hue.

____________________________________

***Recommended Sites***

Create the custom wedding invitations of your dreams.- Click Here! Personalize your invitation online, view the preview, and order it on the spot!

Create your own wedding website! Click Here for a Free Trial Offer!

___________________________________

Sponsors: http://www.fun.createswebsite.com/ http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com/
http://funweddings.blogspot.com/ http://funweddings.blog.com http://www.windsor.weddingwindow.com/ http://funweddings.wordpress.com/

10/17/06

Preserve Your Bridal Bouquet for a Lifetime

Just as you preserve a wedding gown, preserve a bridal bouquet.

Wedding-day memories are preserved in a photo album and maybe a video. Your wedding dress is preserved in a box. Don't forget to add your bridal bouquet to the list. You spent a lot of time and money to ensure the floral arrangements were perfect. Keep that memory alive by having your bouquet professionally preserved.

There are three bouquet-preservation methods. They are:

1. Silica gel: It's a quick-drying mode where flowers are immersed in a sand-like silicon substance.

2. Pressing: Selected blooms are pressed and flattened with a flower press and then framed.

3. Freeze-dry: Flowers are sprayed with a starch and then "baked" in a freeze-dryer. This is the only preservation method where flowers don't need a protective covering. Plus it will give you the most realistic looking shapes and colors of flowers.

It's best to make bouquet-preservation arrangements before the wedding. Ask to see samples of the preservationist's work so you can get an idea of how your flowers will look. Inquire about prices. Costs vary but it will always be less expensive to preserve a few blooms instead of the full bouquet.

The fresher and healthier the flowers, the prettier they will look preserved. Consider leaving your actual bouquet in a safe place during the reception. Have the caterer store it in the refrigerator or stick the stems of a hand-tied bouquet in water. Then, at the ceremony, toss another bouquet instead. These steps will ensure that the flowers will be in their most pristine state come preservation time.

Ask if the preservationist can pick up the flowers the day of your wedding or the very next day. If you can't do it yourself, give the bouquet to a trusted bridesmaid who can bring it to the preservationist for you or mail it to one that's further away.

Your bouquet can become a decorative keepsake in your home. Put it in a glass or acrylic dome and mount it on a wall. Choose a tabletop frame style that can adorn your living room table. Perhaps you can have your wedding invitation, program or vows framed alongside the arrangement. However you display it, preservation methods will let you enjoy your bridal flowers for a lifetime.

_____________________________________

***FUN PRODUCT ***

We call this the Wedding Bouquet Terrarium because it has transformed many wedding bouquets into a keepsake that has warmed many hearts.

The Wedding Bouquet Terrarium (Click Here!)

_____________________________________

Create your Personal Wedding Website - Free Trial Click Here!

Our sponsors:

HTTP://WINDSOR.WEDDINGWINDOW.COM HTTP://FUNWEDDINGS.WORDPRESS.COM HTTP://WEDDINGSBYASHLEE.COM www.fun.createswebsites.com HTTP://FUNWEDDINGS.BLOG.COM

10/14/06

Tips for Choosing Great Flower Girl Dresses

If you're planning a wedding, you may be tempted to just buy a cute white dress for your flower girl, and have her carry a bouquet that matches yours. After all, she's just a kid, right? And if she looks adorable, the guests will be pleasantly pleased.

Well there's a bit more to it than that. Let's first take a quick look at the flower girl tradition.

Starting with the middle ages, flower girls were assigned a special job; to walk down the wedding aisle ahead of the bride and groom and spread grain (not flowers) in order to pave the way for a new beginnings, fertility and happiness in the marriage.

Today's flowers girls usually carry rose petals, and while they aren't believed to have special powers that will grant the new couple a harmonious relationship, they do tend to set the tone for a wedding.

Think about the last wedding you attended. If the flower girls came out in formal dark colored dresses, you quickly understood that the wedding would have a formal tone. On the other hand, if they came out in wispy flower girl dresses with roses laced into their hair, you knew that you would experience a more whimsical wedding.

In other words, the flower girls are generally the first part of the wedding party to walk down the isle, and because of that, they will make a strong first impression on your guests.

How will you dress your flower girls?

Here are some flower girl dress ideas for the most popular wedding themes around:

Cinderella Wedding theme:
If you are planning a Cinderella wedding theme, then extravagance and beauty should be a part of everything. And since your flower girls will be the first to appear, they need to set the tone boldly. For this theme, you should have more than one flower girl-three or four would be ideal-and then dress them spectacularly. Choose frilly white dresses with huge skirts and satin bows. You can tie in some of your wedding colors by adding fresh pale pink, yellow or blue flowers to their hair. In addition, they should wear satin ballerina slippers. Have them carry baskets decorated to match their dresses and throw tons of soft rose petals along the isle.

Beach Wedding Theme
Depending on the type of beach wedding that you want, you will have various choices with your flower girl dresses. If you want a romantic beach wedding, then put your flower girls in soft pastel tones or white, and use lots of fresh flowers-both in their hair and for them to throw. The flower girl wedding dresses can be shorter than in a formal wedding, and appropriate sandals would set the tone nicely. Instead of a basket, they could carry a pastel painted beach bucket filled to the rim with wildflowers to scatter along the isle.

If you have a stronger, more colorful beach wedding planned, why not have some fun with the flower girl dresses? Putting them in typical beach dresses to match your wedding décor would immediately let the wedding guests know that your wedding will be fun and adventurous.

Roaring 20's Wedding
Imagine a black and white wedding, wing tips shoes and ostrich feathers. That's the idea behind a roaring 20 wedding theme, and as you can imagine, a precious frilly flower girl dress simply won't fit the bill. With this type of gutsy wedding, you will have to get imaginative with them. Why not dress your flower girls in white satin flapper girl dresses, with bands around their hair and beads around the hemline? With this type of dress, you will certainly hear ooh and ahs from the crowd!

Garden Party Wedding
If you dream of an outdoor wedding surrounded by blooming flowers and ivy-laced arches, then your flower girl dresses should take on an entirely different style. White, off-white or pale pastel linen would be an ideal choice. In addition, a beautiful soft cotton dress with a muted flower pattern would be lovely, tied with a large solid satin bow in the back. Add lace up satin sandals and an armful of colorful tulips, and your guests won't be likely to forget your flower girls for some time to come.

As you can see, your flower girl dresses will set the mood of your entire event. Don't just automatically dress your flower girls in the typical dress, but instead get creative. What is the first thing you want your guest to see?

______________________________________

Fun Products

FOR YOUR FLOWER GIRL(S)

I'm in the Wedding, Too: A Complete Guide for Flower Girls and Junior Bridesmaids (Click Here!)

Wedding Flowergirl Baskets : Simplicity Collection Flower Girl Basket (CLICK HERE!)

Beach Wedding Flower Girl Basket in Ivory Satin (CLICK HERE!)
___________________________

Some wedding sites: http://weddingsbyashlee.blog.com, http://funweddings.blog.com http://funweddings.wordpress.com http://www.flowergirldressesjoy.com to quickly find flower girl dresses online including some great online bargains.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Branka_Ilech