Ideas For Your Perfect Wedding - Wedding Customs in Russia

It is not all relationships that lead to marriage and it is not all marriages that are through a wedding. A perfect wedding is a beautiful way to a beautiful life together. A wedding compels the couple to stick to their vows and remain committed to their marriage no matter how hard the hardships might be. This single day remains marked in our memories as long as the couple lives. The wedding day precedes other great family days. As a young girl I fantasized a lot about my wedding day. How beautiful I would look, how the day would be sunny, the maids, the food. I had a perfect imagination of how it would look like. As a teenage girl, my room was filled with books and magazines which had some tips and ideas of planning a wedding.

I wanted my perfect wedding day to be unique and so gathered information about weddings from different cultures. Ideas from foreign cultures help in making your big day very memorable. Do not use a car use a horse. I want to share my information about what happens during Russian weddings with you and I am sure you will have a wedding with a difference. Weddings in Russia are a mixture of European and American style and they also feature some elements of Russian traditions. A Russian wedding is well played out. It comes out as a play in a theatre where everyone is sure of their role. According to tradition the groom is supposed to go to the brides home and ask for the parents approval or ask for their daughter's hand in marriage.

Some of these traditional practices are becoming extinct. There are few cases where some people exercise the practice of ransoming the bride. Various fun games to tease the groom are organized. This is in an attempt to test the IQ of the groom and gauge his capability. The groom must sing, answer risque questions, reciting a poem and much more. He must shower the organizers with gifts such as money and sweets in order for him to be handed the bride. In Russia there is a tradition that the bride must organize a hen-party where she invites all her friends to help her celebrate her single hood as she says goodbye to it. Nowadays, even men organize a bachelors' party to celebrate as they leave their bachelor's lifestyle. This happens a day before the perfect wedding day.

After the church service, the newly wedded couple goes for a reception in a restaurant, banqueting hall or in a home where they are supposed to be received by the groom's parents. The grooms mother is supposed to give them bread and salt according to Russian traditions. The newly weds then eats the bread in turns. The person who eats the larger part of the bread then automatically becomes the head of the house. This ritual helps a lot in gender equality issues. It offers opportunity to the woman. In other cultures, the man is the head of the house by default. The uniqueness of a Russian wedding is in the "gor'ko". The young couple kisses for as long as it is possible as the guests count numbers from one. The longer the kiss, the stronger their relationship will be. Isn't it a perfect wedding!

Planning a Wedding - Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids and More

Brides from all walks of life have been long pelted with rice when their wedding ceremony is over. Actually, you can get away from this tradition and do something better if you just try to plan every detail of your wedding properly.

It is important to remember that if you are having a maid of honor then you need to remind her that she will be making a toast during the ceremony. You need not to tell her of the things that you expect her to say; just a simple reminder is enough so she could prepare herself properly.

Also, any wedding will not be complete if the father of the bride is not there to walk her daughter into the altar. The father surely have an important role to play hence it is important that he dress himself in a comfortable coat as much as possible. The mother of the bride also has her role to play because if not for her, the bride will not become such a fantastic lady that she is know thus it is important to give her due respect during the whole occasion.

Your wedding day is all about planning. There are a lot of things to consider when you are planning a wedding. When it comes to the details, the first thing to do is to decide about the theme of the party. It is a must to match the theme on the season. It would be too awkward to have a beach-themed wedding at the middle of winter season. If you wish, you can also mix and match your favorite colors to prevent monotonous look.

You wedding gown should be something that will flatter your assets and hide your flaws. If you are afraid to show your tummy then you could use a dress that is sewn to cover the bulging look. Talk to the wedding gown maker so can get the best that will match your body.

Modest wedding dresses are as fashionable and chic just like its contemporary counterpart designs. Brides must wear a wedding gown that epitomizes elegance and modesty. You need not to wear really bold and daring wedding dress for your big day. Your husband to be shall beam with pride upon seeing you on a modest wedding dress.

Plenty of people would rate the actual wedding based on the centerpiece that they saw on the table hence if you wish to make a scene then you better choose a centerpiece that is appropriate to your wedding theme and motif. Back then, this would merely revolve around flowers but these days, it could be almost anything; from candles to candelabras and even chocolate kiss trees!

Indeed, there are various other things that you need to consider about your wedding. You can do almost anything; you just need to ensure that the look that you will be able to make is something that will match your personality and taste.

How to Attend a Wedding: Wedding Gifts and Proper Dress

A wedding is a sacred union in any culture. If you are invited to a wedding, and you feel like there's going to be an issue, don't be scared. Just follow the tips to the different potential problems in this article and everything will be okay.

1. Different religion: It doesn't matter if you're going to a Jewish wedding right after Rosh Hashana or a Muslim wedding, you should be excited to see two people come together to spend the rest of their lives as one. Even if you're attending a religious wedding where you are the outsider, no need to worry - relax and appreciate the customs of the culture.

2. Solo: If you're attending a wedding without a date, don't hold a grudge. Weddings can be vastly expensive, and your boyfriend or girlfriend who you've been dating for five months isn't really that important to the bride and groom. Try to enjoy the wedding and not dwell on how alone you feel. You can talk to the other singles and older folks, try to make some new friends, and enjoy the open bar - but be careful not to enjoy it too much.

3. Wedding gifts: Most brides have a registry accessible online these days. This allows you to see what has been already bought and what the remaining available options are. If you're especially close to the bride or groom, don't feel bad if you can't afford more expensive wedding gifts. Go in with a friend to split something or choose a couple of less expensive items that you know will get a lot of use.

4. Dress: Don't be afraid to look really, really good. You may meet someone you want to impress, and who knows, you could even meet your future spouse.

5. Destination Weddings: If you feel like you can afford it, go. If you can't, you can't. Even if it's your brother who's getting married in Madagascar, he should have taken into account his guests' expenses. Don't feel obliged to go if you don't want to, but if it's meaningful and won't put you into debt, do it!

6. If you can't make it: It's still proper to give a gift if you can't attend a wedding. If you're not close to the couple and can't make it, don't feel bad, just RSVP accordingly. You should have a good excuse if you're going to miss the most important day of the couple's lives. A sick family member or serious prior engagement is understandable.

If any other horrible matrimonial situations occur, don't be afraid. Go with your gut and base your actions on how well you know the bride and groom, social customs, and moral obligation. And if there are problems at the ceremony, try to forget about them and just have fun! People aren't there to see you, anyway; you'll have your own day soon.

Elegant Ways to Throw a Cheap Wedding - Weddings on a Budget

Are you worried that you'll have to choose between having an elegant wedding or a wedding you can afford? There's no reason to choose. There are definitely elegant ways to throw a cheap wedding. With a bit of careful planning, you can have the wedding you always dreamed about at a price that you can afford.

They key to having an elegant wedding on a budget is to look at the things that often cost the most in a wedding and find ways to make them less expensive. In some cases, you will be able to cut the costs dramatically.

Here are some of the biggest wedding money-suckers:
Food or catering. This is usually the largest expense for most couples that are getting married, but you can certainly decrease the costs by making good choices. Have your wedding during the off-season (usually October through March) and caterers will offer a discount. Choose a buffet over a sit-down meal. Or time your wedding so that there is no meal at the reception-simply offer hors d'oeuvres or desserts.

Reception location ambiance. You may think that by holding your reception someplace cheap, like the local public hall, you can cut the costs dramatically. However, consider how much money you will have to spend to decorate the place to look "weddingy". Instead, you may want to choose a nice restaurant, which will already be decorated for you.

Church decorations. If you're having your wedding at a church, you can easily spend much money on the decorations. However, you can save money if you plan your wedding during a time that the church is already decorated, such as Easter or Christmas time. Alternatively, you can hold your ceremony outdoors and rely on the beauty of nature to create the perfect scene.

The dress. Wedding dresses can cost thousands of dollars, but there are ways to save on dresses as well. Try to keep an open mind about dresses. If you have your heart set on one particular dress, you can end up paying a lot of money. Instead, shop around for a dress that fits your personality and your budget. You may also opt to have a seamstress recreate a dress that you know that you like if the original is too expensive.

Flowers. Flowers are another ridiculously huge expense that you can almost eliminate. Rather than use large arrangements, opt for a single flower. This looks elegant and doesn't cost a fortune.

How to Plan a Cheap Wedding - Wedding Advice

Paying for a wedding can be very costly. Even if both sides of the family split the bill it can get into the tens of thousands of dollars very easily. There are things that you can do to lower the cost of your wedding and still have a great festive time.

First you can save money by doing the flowers yourself. You should find a wholesale flower company in your town and get everything from them so that you will save over getting an expensive florist. There are many arrangement's you can find online that will help you with a style to choose.

Next when selecting a wedding dress you need to check eBay and some second hand store because most used wedding dresses are like new. Think about it you buy a brand new wedding dress and wear it once so the people who are selling there expensive dress have worn it one time and it is like new.

Finally you should consider having a buffet style dinner because it will save you a lot of money over a fancy caterer and in many cases the food form a caterer is not so good. Choose something form your favorite restaurant because many people will enjoy the food more.

Remember that there are many things that you can do to save money on a wedding. You need to spend the extra time searching for good deals so that you will not go over budget. You can still have a fantastic wedding even if you are trying to save when planning.

Guest Guide For Weddings - Wedding Planning Tips

Now that you are about to get married you will inevitably have to send guests invitations. And you cannot have specific planning for inviting guests put in place. Here's where the need arises for a guest guide for wedding.

This might help in averting possible problems. No web site can provide a full lists of pro & cons of wedding problems. If you are planning to create a website informing your upcoming wedding and to celebrate this moment with friends & family then you could also have a page create where in guest etiquette are defined.

The Bride Guide to Guests
There are times when you can be found wanting. Your guests and who your guests may bring along. Everyone got a definitive budget and list of invitees that can be accommodated. If you permit all guests to bring in their guest then your budget can be over drawn. Only if some guests are busy and cannot reach in time then should you make room for someone else from your finance side to attend. But make sure the cancellations are confirmed and then only are new ones invited.

While delivering the invitation it is vital that specific names are used to call the guests, for instance you & your guest or then your finance and you if you would the second person to accompany the invitee. Thinking about kids? Kids can be classified as infants, toddlers or teenagers.

If the reception is taking place during evening times then young ones would be better off staying at home. If there are more kids you shall be required to make appropriate arrangements. Take kids only if invited. Mention the dress code on the invitation menu itself, if formals are requested then mention the same and if casuals then too make it clear.

Ensure that the gifts received are stored at a safe location away from the hustle & bustle of the crowds. Some of the gifts can be expensive while others fragile so these measures will ensure safety.

By taking the steps mentioned here you will find it much easier to maintain a healthy & prosperous guest relations.

The Guest Guide
You are requested not to be a appalling guest for the host. In the invitation forwarded to you the invitees will be clearly mentioned and if your children are uninvited then it is stated not to bring them along to the wedding reception. And asking the bride about the same will make her feel somewhat awkward. If you still have doubts it is advisable to inquire before hand rather making a jerk out of yourself by showing up with 4 kids at a reception for adults only.

Avoid taking any photos of the ceremonies, later on these photos could be asked for. RSVP should be address appropriately. Your response should be timely, saying yes or no. By dong this you will ensure that you are not hampering their wedding plans. Under any circumstance if you cannot present in person then make arrangements send a gift.

It not necessary that you carry the gift with you to the wedding what can be done is either you have the gift delivered via parcel or registry before or immediately after the occasion. A saving bond or check would be just fine as well.

If you are as alert as for important things and keep good communication then be rested assured that you will never find yourself in a fix and this is why a guest guide for wedding can be very handy.

Summer Garden Weddings - Wedding Bells Amidst Beautiful Flowers

Blushing June brides usually want some things even more than some exotic fairy tale summer wedding in the garden surrounded by family, friends, and all the beautiful flowers. One may find many ways to create and plan beautiful summer garden wedding which most brides usually dream about if they are willing to take risks of the weather whim in order to make the dream come true. It is true that the gods may dare to call forth rain on weddings of beautiful June brides

One would not only need to account the scope and size of summer gardens which are question during the plan of a wedding but even the access to interior spots suitable for wedding; in case things go wrong or Mother Nature allowing few stray drops of rain on the parade. The factor of rain makes the brides to plan for the arrangements of tents for the fateful day. It would protect all those who would attend and also the ceremony.

One must consider clothing too, for the summer garden wedding. The idea of some formal attire for this wedding may look beautiful and also appealing but you should ensure to carefully consider reality of potentially higher temperatures which may be compounded with humidity and such effects staying upon the air, make up, the trappings which go along with some formal attire and also tuxedos. This may be little too hot for the comfort concerned as you are confronted with bright sunny summer afternoon. Look for the clothing with care and prepare for fans on hand if the members of bride or groom's party are overheated.

A reason for most brides to elect having a garden wedding in summer is because they may be less formal than being a little more. This would mean that concessions could be made in most places when it about formality and summer atmosphere and entire wedding could be more relaxed and a fun occasion than some sober ceremony which many try making it to be.

Consequently, another good thing about the summer garden wedding is using flowers from the same garden where you are planning to get married. This way the bouquet may be created. It would no doubt provide lots of bright and beautiful choices allowing the party getting blended with appropriate natural surroundings. This would also help the budget-conscious brides saving the extra money as it comes towards the cost of weddings.

An important thing that is considered while planning summer weddings in the garden is the comfort of your guests. You must plan for places where guests could cool off making sure there are quite many drinks flowing which would keep them from the very possibility of dehydrating. Ample number of bottled water upon ice is a great plan for weddings in summer or a summer garden wedding. Ensure plenty of water for keeping the bridal party, the groom and the groomsmen well hydrated before and after the real occurrence of ceremony.

A final bit of counseling for the summer garden wedding is taking time and literally sitting back smelling the roses and many other flowers which may be present. A part of beauty in the garden wedding is all about the myriad of fragrances which are filling in the air. One must take time to enjoy smaller things like this which make the day very special for happy couples and all others who share such special events.

Planning Your Perfect Wedding - Wedding Planners Already Know How to Plan Your Perfect Wedding

Wedding planning can be daunting. Going to the library or bookstore is equally daunting -- there are sections on wedding planning, not just shelves. What do you do first? Do you pick your venue, plan your budget, find a celebrant, what? What comes first?

Why not consider investing in a preliminary conversation with a wedding planner? I'm not talking about a free consult. That's a look at how you and the planner might work together. You may want one of them later, once you decide whether or not you want to use a planner. But long before you do that, I'm suggesting that find a professional to help you get your tasks lined up, your priorities sorted, and your questions to research all discovered. Here's the deal:


This is how they make their living. You don't have to re-invent the wheel, they've been spinning it for years.
They know what the trends are and what the options are.
They know what works, can figure out what might work and what is a surefire misfire.
They have a network of vendors who work well with them. Most wedding planners have options between top of the line and fabulous up-and-coming vendors (who are usually less expensive).
They know what questions you want to ask of your venue and vendors if you want to try something or someone new.
They all have a pretty good sense of style and will be able to steer you toward bridal clothing that will work for you. (and isn't it working for you that it's all about!)
They know what the timing is. They know when to start the guest list and when to write your wedding vows.

You may not be able to afford to work with a WP, or you may not want to. But whatever you do in the long run, why not find someone to get you jump started into planning the wedding you want. Just remember to put some time in your schedule for dreaming about the marriage you want to have so that you can keep your focus as you work on your wedding. Write your wedding vows early and keep reading them during the planning process. Focusing on your Love and getting a professional's help with the details might just make your planning for a happy marriage that much easier!

Planning Your Perfect Wedding - Wedding Planners Have Resources For Achieving Your Perfect Wedding

Congratulations, you're engaged. And now you're ready to plan your fabulous wedding.

My constant advice is start first by planning your marriage. And then you'll be ready to figure out what you want to include in your wedding ceremony, wedding vows and wedding reception.

One of the things you find out when you build the platform for your marriage before you plan your wedding is what you value. That allows you to explore traditions and ceremonies that will help your community understand your values. You can certainly do your own research about traditions. You can create new ceremonies that will honor and support the task you're undertaking with your commitments and your marriage. You can also look to a professional for support.

One of the best things about Wedding Planners is that they're resourceful. Because they've been helping people create the weddings of their dreams, they know where to go to get the help you need to have the wedding ceremony and the reception you've got your heart set on. Wondering about Ukranian Peace Breads for weddings? Your WP will know how to help you find a baker who either has made them already or is willing to attempt a pretty darned close facsimile! They know the people who do traditional ceremonies and those who write ceremonies for the couple. They know the vegan chefs and the caterers who use organics and recyclables. On their Rolodex they have photographers who do straight color and those who do black and white documentary style shooting.

If you aren't interested in using a Wedding Planner or Bridal Consultant to help you plan your whole wedding, you might want to find someone to consult with on a particular topic or on your vendor choices. An hour of time with a professional with a rolodex can save you lots of planning.

What You Need For a Jewish Wedding - Wedding Kipas and More

Marriage is a wonderful ceremony commemorating the union of two individuals. There are many ways you can celebrate, from the lavish to the austere, but there are a few things no Jewish wedding should be without.

1. Gold wedding rings: Rings have long been a symbol of fidelity and love. There are often Hebrew Scipture inscriptions on the inside of the rings. Gold represents completeness without any flaw. The ring does not represent the amount of money a couple has, but instead symbolizes their devotion for one another. Since gold is rare, but not as rare as a diamond, the gold ring is a sign of practicality, and demonstrates a Jew's ability to provide a nice ring for his wife.

2. Badeken: Because the couple has not seen each other for a week, there is much excitement beforehand. The veiling of the kallah by the chatan symbolizes the chastity and modesty of the betrothed. Moreover, it demonstrates that, although the bride may be beautiful, her spiritual beauty is more important. This custom traces back to Rebecca covering her face before marrying Isaac.

3. Chupah talit: You will need a Jewish wedding canopy, under which the ceremony will take place. This is symbolic of the new home the couple will share. Open on all sides in the same way that Abraham and Sarah had their home to welcome people, the chupah talit's placement indoors or out depends on preferred tradition.

4. Ketubah: You need a wedding contract. This will be read in Aramaic. The chatan is responsible for providing his wife with food, shelter and clothing, and being attentive to her emotional needs. It is signed by two witnesses and is the property of the kallah. Because it is so important, it is usually framed in art, and later displayed in the home, where she will have access to it throughout the marriage. After the ketubah is read, the marriage moves into the second part, the Nissuin (the marriage itself) as distinct and separate from the Kiddushin, the betrothal.

5. Kiddush cups: Drinking before and after a blessing is an important ritual and the first cup accompanies the wedding blessings. Once the rabbi finishes reciting, the couple drinks from the cup. The Kiddushin is associated with the sanctification of Shabbat and festival days, here it pertains to the sanctification of man and woman.

6. Wedding glass: Everyone knows that a wedding glass needs to be broken at a Jewish wedding. This is a symbolic reminder of the destruction of the temple, and it identifies the couple with the Jewish people.

Although specific customs such as when the wedding glass is broken and the alone time the newly married couple has together in the yichud differ according to Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish practices, the marriage ceremony is a time to rejoice. There is dancing and feasting and people pay homage to the newly married couple. The marriage ceremony is a time to appreciate the love two people share and to hope that their love lasts as long as they do.

Is There A Wedding Planner in Your Budget?

The cost of today's average wedding has gotten so high, you might think that the application of the word "budget" doesn't apply.

Of course you'd be wrong.

Whether you're spending $3,000 (far below average, even in the least expensive areas of the U.S., but I know several people who've done it quite successfully) or you're spending $30,000 (only a bit about the average cost of a wedding today, so average means plenty of people spend more), you still need a budget.

A budget isn't necessarily an attempt to spend less. It's a plan for where you'll spend the money you do spend, regardless of the amount.

I hope you're among the lucky few who can afford to spare no expense when planning the wedding of your dreams. On the other hand, I know some fairly wealthy people, and I don't know anyone who didn't angst to a certain extent over the cost of their wedding.

Most people simply can't afford or just would rather not to empty their savings and run up their credit for their wedding. Weddings have this somewhat scary habit of being rapidly followed by even MORE expensive things to spend your hard-earned money on, more permanent things, like buying a house and having a baby (or 2).

Trickier still is the fact that many brides (the traditional planners of weddings) are marrying a bit later in life, when they're well ensconced in a career and don't have their weekdays free for interviewing wedding vendors and sampling cake.

Do Wedding Planners Cost or Save?

Of course professional wedding planners have to be paid, so in that way they obviously cost you. However an argument can be made (and is made, both by wedding planners themselves and by brides who've been happy with their professional planners) that having a professional wedding planner can save you money in other areas. An experienced wedding planner is involved in several weddings each year. This means that they'll have ongoing relationships with certain wedding vendors, and it behooves those vendors to cut the wedding planner a break on prices, so that she'll continue to use their services at all of the weddings she's involved with.

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Not that it affects your budget, but it also behooves wedding vendors to keep wedding planners happy with the service the vendor provides. As an individual, you're not likely to see these vendors again after you finish your wedding (at least not for a good long while, preferably not ever). A wedding planner, on the other hand, will see these vendors again and again; she's a repeat customer for them.

Vendors will, of course, value a repeat customer more than a one -time customer. They will convey this value with financial breaks and extra-good service. If push comes to shove, they may convey it by giving a wedding planner something (such as service on a popular date or that includes a hand-to-find item) that they have to take away from an individual bride. I know a bride who was promised a wedding venue for a specific date and then a week later the venue canceled on her, because they had a "repeat customer" who wanted that date and was willing to pay extra. My friend was not given the opportunity to pay extra or to outbid the repeat customer. She just lost the date.

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If you find a wedding planner with a great reputation (with both brides and local vendors), you may get the best of everything: A wedding planner who can easily get you top-notch vendors and negotiate powerful bargains.

Even with a terrific wedding planner in your employ, you should still do your own research and talk to your planner with a strict budget in mind. If the planner can't control costs adequately, it's always your responsibility to offer cost-saving ideas of your own. If your wedding planner doesn't stick to your budget, then she's the one who did a poor job, but it's still you who are out the money. The extra cost doesn't come out of the planner's pocket!

Still, no wedding planner is likely to save you more than she charges you. Hiring a wedding planner will result in higher financial wedding costs for you. The area in which an excellent planner will certainly save you, however, is in time. You'll need to invest far fewer hours toward organizing and ensuring the details of your wedding if you hire a wedding planner than if you don't.

The question for you to answer is whether you have more time or more money to invest in your wedding. Only you can answer that.

What's The Cost

Wedding planners can charge you in any of three ways:

o A percentage of the total cost of your wedding

o An hourly charge

o A flat fee per specific services

Although it's the least common, I recommend looking for vendors who use the last of those options. The problem with the percentage charge is that it creates an incredible conflict of interest for the planner. In essence, the more your wedding costs you, the more the planner gets paid. That's the opposite of how it should work, in my opinion! Most planners are ethical, and they live and die by recommendations, so they're unlikely to triple your expenses just to increase their cut, but at some level of consciousness, it's just not encouraging them to watch every penny in the way that I, personally, would like. If you're working with a planner who charges a percentage (15% is typical), talk about paying them a percentage of your budgeted wedding costs (rather than actual costs), plus a percentage of any amount they can come in under budget. Essentially offer them a bonus for coming in under budget. This will somewhat offset the innate conflict of interest in the percentage-based payment structure.

An hourly fee at least solves the problem that the percentage fee causes, but it causes an analogous problem with time. When a wedding planner (or any vendor) charges you by the hour, they lose their incentive to move fast, and you have very little control over this. Since you're not doing the work, it's tough for you to say exactly how long it should take. If you're working with a wedding planner who charges by the hour, set a maximum number (or range) of hours you'll pay for, while making sure that the planner agrees that the maximum you set is an adequate amount of time to plan your entire wedding.

Planners who charge a flat fee for each specific service they provide give you great flexibility. You don't have to hire them to plan every part of your wedding. If you want them to handle the venue and catering, while you hire your cousin's band and have your mom make your dress, you have lots of flexibility in paying for just the services you need, but no others. Also, by charging a flat fee per service, the planner maintains all normal (and desirable) goals to get the work done quickly and inexpensively. They don't get paid more for failing at one of those goals, as they do with the other payment methods.

Unfortunately, planners dislike this payment structure because they fear that there will be something unusually difficult about your wedding, and they'll have to eat the cost of dealing with it. Particularly wedding planners who are new to the field feel uncomfortable trying to predict ahead of time how much time and effort it will take to provide the services you require. If you propose the use of this payment structure to a wedding planner who normally charges differently, make it clear that you're aware of this concern and find it reasonable. Discuss the fact that you're willing to accept add-on charges (probably by the hour) if an unusual situation, beyond the planner's control, occurs. As with all types of wedding planners, be sure to ask to speak to references, and talk to these brides-who-have-gone-before-you about exactly what the wedding planner did and didn't do for each service she provided.

Keep in mind that just because a particular wedding planner usually charges clients a certain way, doesn't mean they can't get paid by another method. Most wedding planners are freelance agents, who can define their own rules for how they get paid. Perhaps they've always charged percentages in the past, but that doesn't mean they couldn't agree to get paid a flat fee for specific services for your wedding, if that's the only way you're willing to pay. Of course you must be aware that this also means that they can walk away and not take you as a client, if they really don't want to accept the payment structure you're interested in.

Negotiate with a wedding planner just as you would with any other vendor. Remember that you're hiring them. They are your hired help. If you don't like their terms, you can find a different wedding planner to contract with. You're the one holding all the cards. Play them.

(c) All Rights Reserved -- Debbie MacGuffie

How To Plan a Wedding: Wedding Photography Tips

"Memories Are Forever." This is a famous adage and indeed, it is true. Every occasion ends and the best way to capture this moment are through photographs.

Let me discuss some helpful tips on how you can find the best photographer for your wedding.

Hiring A Wedding Photographer
If you aim to have the best service, all you need to do is to hire a professional wedding photographer or at least someone who has been covering weddings for a long period of time. Below are some of the things you need to know:
Ask for credentials and some samples of his/her work. This is essential for you to be able to assess if the photographer you are about to hire is responsible enough and knows enough about this task. Ask how long has he/she been a photographer? How many weddings has he/she covered? Ask him/her about the time of his arrival and how long will he/she be staying to take pictures. Ask about when you will get the finish products. Will it take about a week or so? Ask if he/she also do video coverage or if he/she knows a person whom you can hire. Videos are also a good reminders of how happy you and your guests were during the wedding. Ask about the packages he/she offers. What will you get? How about the albums? How much will you still pay if you will need more copies of each photographs? Will you get to keep the negatives? Ask about refunds. If for instance, the photographer was not able to take pictures of your wedding, will you get a refund? Ask about his/her back-up plan. Make sure that he/she has other equipment to use in case there is an emergency. Will he/she still be able to take pictures if his/her camera gets broken?

Wedding Photography Tips
Once you have chosen the wedding photographer for your wedding, it is now time to talk about certain issues. You must tell him/her about the details of you wedding (theme, location, etc.) so he/she can make the necessary changes and plan. Most couples don't have ideas about angles and photography so you will really need to ask your chosen photographer about these things. You can also give suggestions. It should always be a two-way street and maintain an open communication with him/her. It is best to visit the wedding venue with the photographer before the day of your wedding. This will help him/her get familiar with the place. An experienced photographer always carries extra films and/or memory cards with him/her. You have to make sure that he/she does just in case you want more pictures taken.

Keep in mind that the success of a wedding or any other occasion is not the wedding photographer's responsibility alone. You and your fianc? should always check everything before and during the event. You can also look for more information about wedding photography in the internet or ask people you know about ideas and opinions.

Steps For Planning a Wedding - Wedding Planner

There is no easy shortcut to planning any wedding. There are so many decisions to make and things to organize, the task can get a little overwhelming, if you don't know where to start. If you can't afford to hire a wedding planner, the next best thing is to buy a great wedding planning guide that will help you plan your wedding, just like a professional but without the hefty price tag.

Steps For Planning A Wedding

You first have to set a realistic budget. If you are paying for the entire wedding yourselves, you will need to work out how much you can afford to pay for your wedding. Then work out a savings plan for the months leading up to your wedding, to ensure that you will be able to meet your budget.

If your parents are contributing to the wedding financially in some way, you need to get them to tell you how much they are willing to spend. You will also need to ask them how they are going to pay, either upfront or in payments. It's important you know what to expect, so that you don't find yourselves owing money, but not having the funds in time to make the necessary payments.

Pre-Wedding Plans

Before you can even begin the planning process, you need to do a little research. A fun exercise is to collect as much information, including brochures and pictures, of all the things you would like included in your wedding. As part of this task, you should also collect quotes from the various suppliers, to get an idea of how much these things will cost.

Choosing a theme and a color scheme for your wedding, will give you a reference point to help you focus on what things you need to look for, that will fit in with your choices. Doing as much of the preparation work beforehand will help you to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the amount of planning you have to do, especially when all the emotional turmoil sets in during the planning process. After all, the last thing you need is to be stressed out when planning one of the most important day's of your life.

The Ceremony

A traditional wedding is usually held in a church, however these days more couples are choosing alternative options. Some lovely choices include the beach or a riverside ceremony, if being by the water appeals to you. The botanic gardens or a local park is also a great setting for the warmer months. You may need to obtain a permit from your local council beforehand, to get permission to use public facilities. Another option would be to combine the ceremony and the reception at the one venue.

The Venue

Make sure to shop around to get the best value for your money. There are many options open to you in regard to what style of reception will fit in with your theme, and what type of menu will compliment your choice. An important tip is, don't pick just one option and then risk being disappointed if it works out to not be suitable or doesn't fit within your allocated budget.

Bridal Attire

The second biggest expense is usually the bridal attire. Check out the discount bridal stores for bargains on everything including your dress, veil, shoes, gloves etc. You don't always have to go for a traditional wedding dress, you could look at places that sell evening gowns for something a little different and unique to you.

Wedding Accessories

Once you have organized the basic elements of your wedding, you can then begin to plan for the other important details such as the cake, flowers, photographer, invitations etc. It is in the small details that can lead to derailing the best of plans. Therefore, you need to keep a close eye on every part of your itinerary so that you don't forget anything. When it's something as important as a wedding, it's important that you personally double check every detail and not leave the responsibility to someone else.

Planning Colors for Your Wedding: Wedding Dresses, Flowers, and More

Dreaming about your wedding is one thing; planning it is another. From wedding dresses to cakes and tuxedos to flowers - every aspect of your wedding must be carefully planned to "fall in place" on the big day! If you've been to one wedding or several, you probably realize the importance of wedding colors. Everything about the wedding is planned according the colors the bride chooses. So, here's a quick guide to help you plan your wedding colors.

Choose the Right Colors for Your Wedding Dresses
Many brides use their favorite colors for their wedding dresses - pink, red, fuchsia, burgundy, plum, mauve, purple, or blue. But before you choose colors, see if you can't find some photos of various weddings from the past. Look at a variety of color patterns and combinations before making your choice. You might find colors that you like much better than your usual favorites.

Consider how the colors of your wedding dresses will look with other colorful items once it is all put together for the big wedding day. The bridesmaid dresses will be matched with flowers, tuxedos, mother of the bride dresses, flower girl dresses, accessories, and even the reception decor.

Wedding Dresses with a Touch of Color
A growing trend is to add a touch of color to the bride's wedding gown. This is perfect for the bride who wants more than the traditional wedding gown. Some brides have color sprinkled throughout their wedding gown with embroidery. The gorgeous embroidery patterns come to life on the wedding dress when color highlights are added. These are usually available in a variety of colors painted on an ivory white wedding gown.

Test Wedding Color Combinations
Don't be afraid to match unusual colors before making your choice. Some color combinations might surprise you. For example, not many would choose bright peach, bright yellow and white, but these are actually beautiful when coordinated together in wedding flower arrangements with yellow dresses! Try out a variety of combinations to find the right wedding colors for you.

Choose Colors that Complement You
It's your special day. Choose colors that complement your hair and skin tone. You'll want colors that make you look wonderful on your wedding day. If you normally look great in red, then you'll probably look fantastic amidst red decor and red bridesmaid dresses. Maybe you can even add some red embroidery colors to your wedding gown. Whatever color suits you should work fine for the wedding.

Other Considerations
Other things to consider before choosing your wedding colors include the colors of the church or building where the wedding will be held as well as the reception hall, the types of flowers available for that time of year (if using real ones), and the availability of wedding dresses in those colors.

Once you choose colors for your wedding dresses and flowers, you're ready to start planning the wedding. To save time, you can find a wide variety of wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and even prom dresses online. Be sure to choose the colors you love. After all, it is your special day!

Planning a Wedding - Wedding Planning Tips

From the moment that you say yes to your beloved's proposal and maybe even before then, the planning of your up coming nuptials begins. What kind of dress will you wear, who will be your bridesmaids and maid of honor, and the flowers, but first of all you must decide on a venue. Will you and beau wed indoors our outdoors? Is a church of some sort in the works or will you have a more laid back ceremony? Regardless of whether you have your ceremony indoors our out that's not the only location you'll need to decide on. It's usually easier on your guests and the wedding party to pick a location where you can have the ceremony and reception at the same place.

Let's answer some of the easier questions first. If you decide on an outdoor wedding, check out your local parks, gardens, and lakes. You'd be surprised how many options you have with very reasonable prices. The only downside to outdoor weddings is that they can often be very small venues, suitable only for the ceremony. If you wish to do the ceremony and reception in the same location it's important to lay out the design of everything to get the best use of space.

Indoor weddings provide you with a few more options and a lot more control over the details of it all. Hotels have banquet halls they will rent out for weddings and you can do it all in one room or at least the same overall location. Make sure to ask all the right questions when investigating any venue because some places will have restrictions on food and drinks, as well as the maximum capacity.

A church wedding is one of the most beautiful scenes. Cathedral ceilings, stained glass windows, and gold adorned pieces make the perfect back drop for a traditional ceremony. Bigger churches will have a banquet hall available to hold your reception in as well. There are pros and cons to any decision, but the logical thing to do is weigh them all out and see which positives out way the negatives. Having your wedding in a church chapel takes a lot of the guess work out of some of the decorating, but it can also limit the bride to be who is a little on the controlling side.

With the endless possibilities out there the best way to approach it all is with a calm open mind. Do your research and enlist the help of your partner and family. It's always a good idea to get opinions from the ones you love, especially if you are feeling particularly haggard and overwhelmed. This is one of the most important days of your life

Inevitable Part of a Wedding - Wedding Cake

The cake has been part of weddings for many years and over the years it has turned out to be an inseparable part of every wedding. No wedding is complete without a cake, in fact it has become as important as the wedding ring. The cake finds a very prominent place in every Christian wedding. Anyone, however rich or poor doesn't plan to wed without a cake.

Over the years the wedding cake has evolved according to the changes in society. It was not a cake in the weddings initially. The wedding cake has a very rich history behind it. Its introduction in wedding dates back to the Roman Empire, though it was in a different form. During those days loaf of bread was used instead of a cake. As time progressed the cake took over from the bread and has stayed till date.

The wedding cake has a purpose to serve other than just being eaten by the guests. It is a tool used by the society to symbolically make the newlywed couples take a vow to fulfill duties that each have for the other. In the ceremony the couple cut the cake together, this is to symbolize that from now on they are to handle every task together. Each of them has equal part to play in making their married life a happy one. Next they feed cake to each other. This signifies their obligation towards the other. Even the decoration of the cake carries a special meaning. Invariably the cake in wedding come with a model of a couple placed over the topmost layer. This figure stands for the togetherness of the couple. Now that they are married they are meant to be together for the rest of their lifetime.

With time the wedding cake has taken various forms and shapes. It also varies depending on which part of the globe is the wedding taking place. For instance in some European countries the fruit cake has been the traditional wedding cake. Over the years the fruit cake has paved way to cakes of other flavors. Now the choice of the flavor depends on the couple. In a few weddings one may find cup cakes. There are two basic reasons why cup cake is preferred. The first being that it is less harsh on the budget and the second being that a cup cake is easier to serve.

The cake has been part of the wedding for so many years because it successfully adapts to the changing demands of the society as it evolves through the passage of time. The cake offers a lot of room for the baker to experiment. The bakers always have something new to offer with the cake. This is yet another reason for the inseparability of the cake and wedding reception. The flexibility of the cake has helped it to retain its position that it enjoys in a wedding and it will continue to do so for years to come.

How to Relieve Stress at a Stay at Home Wedding - Wedding Planning

So you've decided to get married at home. Often couples will choose to have the ceremony and reception at home. This atmosphere is meant to keep the wedding personal and "easy". It's easy to assume that the decision to have the wedding at home will eliminate a lot of stress. There are however several things that the wedding planner needs to think about ahead of time. Most of these depend greatly on the number of guest expected to attend

1. WEATHER is the number one issue when planning a wedding outside. You always need to rent a large tent when planning an outdoor event of this importance! If the weather is hot and sunny, you will need shade. If the weather is rainy, you will need to keep everyone dry. The number and size of tent(s) depends on how many guest are coming and if you want the wedding party to have their own. Unless, you have a very nice area where guest can be protected, always plan on renting a tent.

2. The issue of PARKING is the first obstacle to address. A parking plan should be arranged so neighbors aren't bothered. If the wedding will occur in an area where there is a nearby parking lot, it would be wise to get permission for use of the lot. If using the street, make sure that guest with disabilities have space reserved. It's a good idea to have someone be in charge of parking and helping guest comfortable walk to the ceremony. If distance is inevitable, let guest know ahead of time that someone will shuttle them to the wedding from a predetermined location.

3. SEATING is usually not too hard to address. More often than not, you can ask your local fire department or church to borrow folding chairs. You should not expect guest to stand.

4. FOOD is an important part of celebrating a wedding at home. It really depends on how casual the event will be on how you will plan the food. Remember that it is however a lot of work that usually needs constant attention to. It's not a good idea to leave the homeowner in charge of food because they will miss out on the festivities. Hiring a catering company or individual would be a better idea.

5. CLOTHING. The bride and groom should not dress too formal since you have to think about things like heat, walking on uneven terrain, and dirt. The wedding invitations should state casual attire so guests know how to dress. You should not expect children to stay in long sleeves and tights for very long either if it is a warm day.

6. Another item that should not be overlooked is the MUSIC. Make sure that you have a separated covered area for the DJ where there are adequate outlets.

7. Know where the BRIDE and GROOM PREPARATION AREAS will be ahead of time. This is especially important if they do not want to see each other prior to the ceremony.

8. CLEAN UP. If you've hired a caterer, it should be in their contract to clean as much as possible especially the kitchen area. A family member should be assigned for the clean up tasks so the bride, groom or parents aren't burdened with it.

If these steps are planned and carried out, the backyard family wedding should be an enjoyable and joyous day.

Planning Your Perfect Wedding - Wedding Planners Know What to Ask When Planning Your Perfect Wedding

Wedding planning often brings fears and problems shooting to the surface. Sibling rivalries, family splits, choices between friends, and oh, yeah, money! During the incredible stress you and your partner may find yourself fighting about all sorts of things you had no idea were issues. Yuck.

One of the ways to surface some of those issues is working with a wedding planning professional. Your wedding planner has seen this all before. They know a lot of the wedding pitfalls and are going to help you through them before you blindly crash into them. Preparedness and prevention do a lot to make things run more smoothly.

Your WP knows the hard questions that come up because your WP has helped couples not just plan weddings but navigate the personal and familial issues that show up.
Your WP will have good solutions (or management) for some of these problems because they've helped other brides and grooms deal with the issues.
Your WP is resourceful and they're invested in handling issues well. If there's something that you want to do or run into, they're going to want to figure it out because they'll use it again. Your problems are part of their profit and ongoing business development.
Because your WP has dealt with problems before, they're going to be planning ahead. They don't want you fussing and fuming at parents, attendants or your beloved. They want you to have a wonderful time planning your wedding.
Your WP knows the flow of the planning process. They're going to get you working on the things that will get you through to the wedding you're . They know when you need to start working on the wedding ceremony and when it's time to work on flowers. You're not going to get to the end and say, "oh wow, why didn't my bridal consultant tell me I should think about wedding vows," because your bridal consultant knows that wedding ceremonies need wedding vows so that you can be married at the end of your wedding ceremony. They know you need a dress, and flowers, and tuxes and food at the reception.
Your WP loves doing this. This is a chosen profession. So while you're agonizing over details that you didn't know you'd agreed to when one of you offered and the other said yes, he or she is willing to help, because they think weddings and wedding planning are special and wonderful.

It's always a good idea when you do something to have experts who are passionate about their work on your team. If you find you can't afford a wedding planner and don't want to cut back on something else to get one, choose the books that are written by people who do this every day. They're going to have the pragmatic advice you need to get you from "I'd love to marry you" to the end of your fabulous wedding reception (and even through the thank you notes!). Do everything you can to give yourself support through this process! And when you're done, you'll have developed processes for working on hard questions. Not a marriage around that can't use that support!

How To Plan Your Wedding- Wedding Planning Made Easy

Did you know that wedding planners charge 10-15% of the total cost of your wedding- so why not do it yourself but at a much cheaper price! Wedding planning is certainly one of the most difficult things any person will do during their lives. Wedding planning is an art and a lot harder than it looks, so don't run ! Planning your own wedding is a serious business, but can be so much fun. Wedding planning is a highly complex process, as it includes choosing the decorations, flowers, cake, venue, invitations, cars and much more. Wedding planning is very exciting, but it's also extremely stressful. The hottest trend in wedding planning is going green. Here is an example : The bride chose a gown that could be worn again to parties, the groom organized guest car pools in hybrid vehicles, and the couple picked an outdoor Japanese garden over a big, energy-sucking reception hall. This is an option you may well want to consider.

Planning The Reception
Once the ceremony is over it is time to eat, drink and be merry. Finding a stunning unique wedding reception location is one aspect of your wedding theme. Since the wedding reception generally follows the theme established throughout the ceremony, invites etc, it is usually best to plan for the wedding and reception to follow the same general themed format, although this is not written in. Who sits where at your reception including alternative seating arrangements for the top table that is helpful for complicated families. Find out the benefits of booking a professional toastmaster to oversee the smooth running of your wedding reception.

Brides and Grooms
As brides- and grooms-to-be, you are often busy with dual careers, but you want your wedding to be uniquely personal and are determined not to spend an arm and a leg as your budget has a limit!. In the link below, you will learn everything you need to know for the bride, groom, best man, father of the bride or even bridesmaid, what their duties are and how they can best help you organise your big day. You will have to decide if you want bachelor's and bachelorette's parties, the cake, the attire for the groom, groomsmen, bride and bridesmaids.

How To Plan Your Wedding
You can save time and money by deciding to do it yourself but you will need a plan and the article below will indicate how and what you need to do to plan your wedding in an easy and less stressful way.

Planning Your Perfect Wedding - Wedding Planners Are Your Mom Away From Home at Your Perfect Wedding

Planning and executing a wedding is a big job! Traditionally mothers of the bride and groom have taken responsibilities for many of the small details. But today, many of those moms don't live where you live or have incredibly busy lives or are just bad at this stuff, which limits how much they can participate. Maybe you don't have a mom or maybe you've chosen to do this yourself. If any of these are true for you, Wedding Planners can be a great addition to your wedding planning process!

Here are some ways that they can help everyone feel as if they're participating toward making this the wedding of your dreams.


When Moms (and Dads) live far away, most WP are very skilled at involving Moms in the planning process - to the extent that you and they want them to be involved. The internet is a huge help in this as people can get a good picture of what they're involved with. This is a great way for people to stay current, when they're feeling sad about not being there to do more. And who knows, if there are issues between you and one or more of the moms, they may be able to help you use your wedding so ease the strain.
Your wedding planner can direct the planning process and get you organized and right on task. This is a process where it's very easy to get obsessed about your cocktail napkins and forget about your wedding celebrant, wedding ceremony and wedding vows. Your friendly WP has a tickler file and will bug you about the next important decision you have to make. This is a godsend.
Some WPs will take on some of the step-by-step work to implement your decisions.
Wedding planners can stand in for Mom and Dad and remind you of wedding etiquette.
While wedding planners, have plenty of good suggestions, they have no vested interest in which favor exactly you choose, because they'll do another wedding and someone will choose that favor. They're neutral.
Wedding planners are also neutral between their brides and grooms. They work for both of you. They want both of you involved in your wedding and thrilled with the outcome. The more you're involved in making decisions and doing the work to make the wedding work, the greater the investment you are putting into your marriage. That's why you're doing this... a great wedding is gravy: the great marriage is the protein!

Finding the right wedding consultant to work with you might take some research and some interviewing. You want them to be a good match. But once you've got the right one in your corner, you're ready to go! Now go work on your wedding vows and the wedding ceremony, because they're the most important marriage planning you will do.

The "Un-Wedding" Wedding

Getting married is as popular as ever these days, but no so the traditional wedding. It seems like more and more couples are opting for celebrations which are as unique as they are and which have more in common with a great party than a typical wedding reception. Take a look at the trend for fresh and fun "un-wedding" weddings.

What truly sets an "un-wedding" reception apart from its more traditional counterpart is attitude. An un-wedding celebration is rarely formal, never stuffy, and a lot of fun. The emphasis is on throwing a party which promises a great time to friends and family, full of delicious foods, wonderful wine or cocktails, and relaxed conversation. This style of wedding celebration can take place at a traditional venue, but may also be somewhere other than the standard club or hotel.

Restaurants are a great venue for an un-wedding reception. A party in a restaurant is going to feel more like a great big dinner party than a standard wedding reception. And by choosing your favorite restaurant, you can be sure that the food will be utterly fantastic, a far cry from the usual chicken or beef entrees served at most receptions. The bride and groom can choose relaxed attire, rather than a heavy looking tuxedo and ornate ballgown. A modern silk organza gown with a black ribbon trim and handcrafted bridal jewelry would be tres chic.

Keep the decor informal and interesting. If it fits the room, a few long tables will feel more family friendly than many small ones. A great look for the table decorations would be a long runner over a simple tablecloth with a variety of decorative elements loosely arranged to tumble down the length of the table. A mixture of flickering votive candles, fresh seasonal fruit, and flowers in short vases will suit the restaurant venue perfectly. One word of caution: not all restaurant venues have room for a dance floor, so decide if that is important to you, and select your restaurant accordingly.

Unusual settings are also popular for un-weddings. Why not select an interesting site like an aquarium or a trendy art gallery for your reception? The space itself will be so visually engaging that you will need to do very little in the way of decorations. Plan your menu to suit the space. At an art gallery, stations featuring contemporary and unique cuisine would be ideal for dinner. Naturally seafood would be appropriate for a wedding in an aquarium.

When working with an off-beat venue, choose your colors to suit the locale. Watery blues and greens would look wonderful for an aquarium, for instance. At a site like a gallery which will have a lot to look at on the walls, a restrained color palette like white and charcoal would blend well. This color combination is one of the most popular for weddings this year for everything from bridesmaid dresses to invitations to handcrafted bridal jewelry. Charcoal dupioni tablecloths with a bit of shimmer and texture can be topped with tall clear cylinders filled with a modern flower like white allium.

An un-wedding reception can take place anywhere that strikes your fancy. It could be an airplane hangar, a city loft, or an antique carousel. When you do away with tradition, your wedding can be anything that your heart desires and your mind can envision.

Weddings - Wedding Plan - Wedding Planner Tools - Ten Essential Tips

Getting Married? Congratulations! You just set the date for the most important day in your life. Your wedding day. Imagine...It is your wedding day. Your very own wedding day! It will be fun.

Here are ten essential steps that will make the preparation fun too.

1. Keep within your financial limits. Budget your wedding. You do not want to start your married life in debt. If you are organized have a plan and are creative, whatever your budget, a "wedding to remember" will be yours.
2. Now Visualize. That's right, visualize. Close your eyes and look at the tasks at hand. The list may SEEM overwhelming but it isn't.
3.Don't try to do everything all at once. Start by gathering information. Use the Net to gather ideas from around the world. Make an extensive list of "things you LIKE", "things you WANT" and "things you MUST HAVE" (see the difference?)
4. Now you are ready to make a Top Ten (or top eleven or twelve) list.
5. Break your list it into small manageable portions that you can successfully accomplish. Use categories like... Before the wedding - During the wedding - After the wedding.
6. Now use sub categories. Include ideas for related events such as, showers, receptions, and honeymoon.
7. It is YOUR wedding. It reflects YOU. No one should dictate to you what to do and how to do it. You may seek advice, ideas and wisdom but in the end each final decision is yours.
8. What this means is don't be shy! Accept assistance when offered and solicit involvement, help and ideas from those you believe will be an asset.
9.Add your personal touches. For example; if you have children you may consider making them an important part of your wedding.
10. Pick a few aspects of your wedding and make them personalized. A personal touch makes a wedding meaningful to the bridal couple, their attendants, family and all invited guests.

In summary, your wedding is a serious moment for declaring your love and commitment to each other. Make your wedding truly a one-of-a-kind event. Fill it with cherished moments and keepsakes.

Whether you choose a favorite theme, a special setting or an intimate gathering of friends and loved ones, enjoy the journey. Perhaps, the memories and keepsakes may stay with you forever. Treasure them! And may you have a Happy, Happy day!