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Wedding Planning Checklist For Your Photographer

April 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

wedding photographyAfter the wedding is over, the photos are what would be left to remind you of every beautiful thing that happened that day. It’s a must to hire talented, efficient and reliable photographers who will be able to capture all the significant shots and priceless moments at the right time. But you have to know that even the most talented photographer can make mistakes from time to time. So to avoid any unfortunate missed shots, it would be a good idea to equip him with a photography checklist. Just clarify that it’s only a guide to assist him and that it’s not set in gold so that the list will not hamper his creativity.

The VIP list

These are the people who need to be in the photos. If any of these people have been missed, there would surely be a big issue. Take the time to introduce both your side and your groom’s side to the photographer so he knows who is who.

Bride’s side:
•    Mother of the Bride
•    Father of the Bride
•    Stepmother or Stepfather
•    Grandmothers
•    Grandfathers
•    Sisters
•    Brothers
•    Stepsisters
•    Stepbrothers

Groom’s side:
•    Mother of the Groom
•    Father of the Groom
•    Stepmother or Stepfather
•    Grandmothers
•    Grandfathers
•    Sisters
•    Brothers
•    Stepsisters
•    Stepbrothers

Bridal party:
•    Maid of Honor
•    Best Man
•    Bridesmaids
•    Groomsmen
•    Flower Girl
•    Ring Bearer

Now that we’ve covered the VIP list, let’s go to the standard shots, which have been broken down according to specific event.

Pre-ceremony shoot with the groom

Ideally, these shots can be taken at the groom’s house or wherever he is prepping an hour or two before the ceremony.
•    Solo shot, close up and full length
•    With the mother
•    With the father
•    With both parents
•    With the bestman
•    With the groomsmen
•    With the ringbearer
•    Solo shot while checking the tie or finishing up
•    Candid shots
•    Groom’s apparel including boutonniere, tux, cologne, shoes and so on

Pre-ceremony shoot with the bride

While the bride is getting ready, the photographer can drop by and take photos of her preparation.
•    Solo shot, close up and full length
•    With the mother
•    With the father
•    With both parents
•    With other family members
•    With maid of honor
•    With bridesmaids
•    With flower girls
•    While putting on finishing touches
•    While adjusting garter
•    While putting on the shoes
•    Bridal gown, bouquet, makeup, jewelry and so on

Ceremony

At the ceremony, the photographer can be as trigger-happy as he wants to. But make sure he gets the following shots taken:
•    Ushering of the guests
•    Bride’s arrival
•    Processional (Everyone in the processional should have their own photos)
•    Bride’s walk down the aisle
•    Groom waiting at the altar
•    Giving away of the bride to the groom
•    Wedding party members at the altar
•    Kneeling at the altar
•    Exchange of rings
•    Exchange of vows
•    Teary-eyed guests
•    Candid shots
•    Lighting up of unity candles
•    The kiss
•    Signing of marriage license
•    Couple’s photo with the officiant
•    Couple’s photo with family
•    Recessional
•    In front of the church after ceremony
•    Post-ceremony traditions like throwing of flower petals or rice grains
•    Candid shots outside the church

Reception

At the reception, standard happenings, group shots, and other candid events should be captured by the photographer.
•    Receiving line
•    First dance
•    Wedding cake
•    Cutting of the cake
•    Toasting
•    Couple’s photo with guests
•    Candid shots
•    Food or dessert tables
•    Musicians
•    Décor
•    Reception site
•    Table centerpieces
•    Souvenirs/wedding favors
•    Guest book table

Making sure that everything is covered by the photographer can be easier with a comprehensive list like this.

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Wedding Handkerchiefs are a Sentimental Keepsake for your Family

April 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Tied Bouquet of Something Blue HandkerchiefHave you ever been to a wedding where nobody shed a tear or two? Probably not. As we all know, weddings are momentous occasions that are all about touching moments that do not leave a dry eye in the house. It is no wonder that the wedding handkerchief is deemed as one of the most important accessory that a bride should carry on the day of her wedding. But do you know that aside from simply being a fabric that is intended to wipe away your tears, a wedding handkerchief is actually a sentimental keepsake for most families? This type of handkerchief also comes by the name, the heirloom wedding handkerchief.

Heirloom wedding handkerchiefs originated during the Roman times. At that time, this piece of cloth was soaked in perfume and was used to wipe the face of the bride before the wedding. It was also worn on the shoulders or around the neck to keep the bride smelling good for the rest of the day. This tradition was carried on from Rome to Venice to France. In France, the handkerchief became somewhat a status symbol, as only the royalty and very wealthy people were able to have one.

Here in our country, it was the early farmers who used the handkerchief for a special significance. At that time, tears shed during the wedding day were considered lucky and was said to bring rain for the crops. This also signified that the bride would never cry again during her marriage. Today, the wedding handkerchief carries a wide variety of meaning and sentiments especially those that have to do with your family. Most wedding handkerchiefs have been passed on from one generation to another, making it a very sentimental accessory that may have been worn even by your great great grandmother.

Wedding handkerchiefs of today come in different styles. Some of the most popular are the embroidered ones which can have the names of the bride and groom. Some have a romantic message such as “loving each other till death do us part.” Others have a line with the names and dates of weddings of the couples in the family that have used the wedding handkerchief. All of these sentiments can make your wedding more special and meaningful. Not to mention, you can also use the handkerchief for the “something old” or “something borrowed” tradition. Embroidery is not only for texts and phrases but also for the handkerchief design and patterns.

Whether you use a family wedding handkerchief or you buy your own, you can still pass this as an heirloom to your child, which she can pass down to her own children when the times comes. Weddings are big events not only because a couple is uniting as one but also because these kinds of occasions bring together families and in some instances, even clans. Make sure that you take care of your wedding handkerchief even after the wedding is over because it can hold various sentiments not only for you but for the whole family as well.

Filed Under: Supplies

How to Use Unity Candles in your Beach Wedding Ceremony

April 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Modern Monogram Personalized Unity CandleUnity candle ceremonies have been around since the 1980’s although some say the practice began earlier. It is not a Catholic wedding ritual but it gained popularity and importance in many protestant weddings.  The procedure for most ceremonies is the same where representatives from each family (usually the mothers) will light two taper candles at the start of the wedding ceremony.

After the exchange of rings, the bride and groom will light a pillar candle with the taper candles. The taper candles can stay lit which means the couple will still maintain their individual personalities or they can be extinguished to signify the complete union of the couple’s lives.

There is no set place where to hold this custom but most couples would refrain from doing it outdoors. Of course, one obvious reason is that the weather is so unpredictable that keeping the candles lit when it’s too breezy might draw attention away from the ceremony. If you’re having a beach wedding, the other concern is the heat as the candles can bend or get droopy if the temperature rises high enough.

If you really want to use candles in the unity ceremony of your beach wedding, here are some things you can do:

Check the weather forecast. This is tricky because like most predictions, the weather forecast is subject to change. Then again, it would be nice to have a modicum of preparation so you’ll know if you’re going to need a canopy or move the ceremony indoors altogether at the threat of a storm.

Light the tapers after the ring exchange. It is common for the tapers to be lit at the start of the wedding ceremony but if it is windy, you may also light the candles just before the unity candle ceremony.

Prepare extra lighters. Whatever the forecast is, always bring extra lighters because you can bet it’s going to get windy at the beach. You can also put the unity candle inside a glass hurricane lamp (they come in different sizes and shapes that you can decorate to coordinate with your wedding theme) to make sure that it stays lit.

If you think doing all of that is too much trouble, then you may want to check the following alternatives that also have the same symbolism:

Sand Ceremony – Two containers will hold different colored sand that the bride and groom will each pour into a single container. The colors can be coordinated to match the home décor because the unity sand can also be a decorative keepsake.

Water Ceremony – Two containers will also hold different colored water which when poured into a unity container will produce a third color. Couples can use different colors for a variety of meanings.

Rose Ceremony – The bride and groom will simply exchange roses. This is different from the unity candle ceremony because this is usually done after the couple is pronounced as “husband and wife.”

The great thing about the unity ceremony is that you can select any material and modify them to make everything personalized. There are no stern rules for you to feel restricted. However, choosing between the candle and the other alternatives is not as important as staying true to the promise that the unity ceremony symbolizes.

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The Most Important Wedding Accessory to Hold Your Toiletries (Bridal Purses)

April 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Vertical Band with Crystal Detail Evening BagWith all the stress of planning a wedding, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll have everything you need as you walk down the aisle. This is where bridal purses come in handy. Bridal purses are usually just big enough to hold all of your essentials, but there is a variety of styles to choose from. Purses can also be dyed to match your dress and shoes. Here are a few tips on buying the most important wedding accessory to hold your toiletries.

List down all your essentials

This will include all the makeup that you’ll need for retouching, such as pressed powder, oil control film and lipstick. You will also need a small comb or brush, a tiny bottle of perfume, extra stockings, tissue paper, breath mints and your wallet.

Choose a style

Bridal purses come in a variety of styles. Choose the bridal purse that suits most your wedding dress and your personal style. Make sure that it will easily hold all of your essentials. Here are some types of bridal purses:

  • Clutch - usually no bigger than your wallet, a clutch is just big enough to hold only the most essential items. It has no handle and is usually held or clutched in one’s hand hence the name.
  • Wristlet - a wristlet can be around the same size of a clutch or a little bit bigger. It comes with a looped strap that goes around your wrist.
  • Small handbag - the biggest of bridal purses, a small handbag will definitely hold all of your essential items and then some. You can clutch it by the handle or carry it on your shoulder after the ceremony.

Shop around

Check out types and styles of bridal purses online and in bridal salons. That way you’ll have a good idea of what you need.

Take a picture

Print out the bridal purses that you like and take photographs of the ones you desire. Then hold the pictures against your dress to see if the purse complements it.

Do-it-yourself

If you are handy with a needle and thread, why not make your own purse? You can make exactly what you’ve dreamed of. You’ll also be sure that you purse is one-of-a-kind. There are many websites with instructions on how to make your own bridal purse. You can follow the instructions provided or modify the designs to your own taste.

Check your mother’s closet

Your mother, sister, close friend or female relative may already own the perfect bridal purse. Check with them before you begin your search.

Recycle

Can you use the purse for another occasion? You will save money if you buy a purse that is fit not only for a wedding but also for other events

There are many bridal purses to choose from, but if you follow these tips you’ll be sure to end up with just the right one. Choosing the proper accessory to hold your toiletries ensures that you will walk down the aisle with the bridal purse of your dreams.

Filed Under: Accessories

Top 10 Beach Wedding Ideas for 2012

March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

LOVE Plates SetThe wonderful thing about having a beach wedding is that it gives you freedom to be as creative, whimsical, dreamy, romantic and playful as you can. Find that hard to believe? Take a good look at these top 10 beach wedding ideas for this coming year to find out for yourself.

Wedding Favors

  1. Candy pebble favors – Fill up miniature galvanized pails with sweet candy pebble treats. They look like the real thing that the guests might hesitate for one second to gobble up these candies. It would be a good idea to include a note so guests would know right away that they’re for eating. There are plenty of flavors to choose from but the most popular ones are the chocolate-covered dried fruit.
  2. Miniature give-away – Another wonderful idea for wedding souvenirs would be miniature versions of beach items like the flip flops which can come with magnets at the back or a sailboat that can function as a bag tag.

Whimsical Centerpieces

  1. Aquarium centerpiece – A DIY centerpiece that doesn’t require excellent handy skills. For this, you’ll simply need an aquarium bowl. Pour some sand into it and decorate with seashells and star fish. Put water and add some gold fish.
  2. Beach bucket centerpiece – Get a galvanized pail and paint it with shiny colors. Add buttons, seashells and starfish embellishments on the outer surface. Fill it up with tropical fruits like banana, kiwi, mango, and so on.
  3. Carved pineapple centerpiece – Speaking of tropical fruits, the best one to use as a stand-alone centerpiece would be the pineapple, thanks to its visually striking colors and texture. To turn this into a fabulous centerpiece, carve the inside of the pineapple on one side. Then put a votive or tealight candle inside it and light it up. Voila, an instant pineapple lantern centerpiece!

Seating Cards

  1. Keepsake seashell seating cards – Most people use numbers for the seating arrangement. Think of something more creative like using the names of seashells. Have each seashell represent a table and arrange their seating cards this way. Attach the similar seashell to the corresponding seating card.
  2. Parasol seating card – These tiny umbrellas make spectacular seating assignment cards. Put them in a tray filled with sand.

Wedding Bouquet

  1. Flowers of the ocean – Seashells are fondly called the flowers of the ocean. It would be a nice touch to incorporate shells into your wedding bouquet of tropical pink and yellow orchids.

Ceremony Venue

  1. Bean bag seats – Instead of having the guests sit on chairs, why not have them sit on colorful bean bags during the ceremony? After all, the entire event is as laidback as you want it to be.
  2. Luminaries and petals on the aisle – Use flower petals as stand-in for the carpet on the aisle. On the side, decorate it with luminaries to brighten it up as you walk down.
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Unique Beach Wedding Invitations For the Discerning Bride

February 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Beach Wedding InvitesThe date of your beach wedding is fast approaching and so far, you have the major parts covered. You already found a caterer, finished the guest list, booked the venue, and shopped for wedding gown and accessories. But wait, what about the small things like the invitations? If you’re a smart bride, you know that the big things are not the only ones that matter. If you want a wedding that’s perfect, you must invest time and energy in picking the best designs for your wedding invites. After all, it’s the sneak peek to your wedding! And you need to make the right first impression. So here are unique beach wedding invitations that even a discerning bride would find beautiful.

Island Adventure

Marriage is an adventure in itself. Many couples who have been married for a long time would tell you that it’s truly one dizzying roller coaster ride. Because of this, it would probably be apt to get an Island Adventure invitation design for your wedding. This is not only to reflect the nature of your wedding celebration but also to symbolize what lies ahead in your future with your spouse-to-be. This frivolous sandal-shaped invitation comes with tropical floral and striped accents. When folded, you can see your first names on the front part. On the left, you can put your choice of quote.  There are five sandal strap ribbon colors for you to choose from. To complete this beach-y invitation are tropical themed enclosures.

Show and Tell

Simple but unique and classy—these are what your guests would immediately think when they receive this wedding invitation. It’s a folded paper version of the Adirondack chair that adds playfulness to your wedding celebration. The Adirondack chair has become one of the symbols of a beach wedding as it illustrates the relaxing and laidback nature of these types of celebrations. It also symbolizes how the event is free from pretenses and uptightness of regular weddings held in traditional venues like halls and ballrooms. The details of the invite are to be printed on the middle part of the chair. Your guests would have fun assembling this invite to transform it into a chair.

Swaying Palms

When you hear the words “beach wedding,” what’s the first thing that you see? Most people would say they see a couple exchanging vows on a beach, under some swaying palms. And it’s true, the seaside is always adorned with these beautiful palm trees. That’s why, this invitation design is truly apt for your beach wedding event. This invite is a formal tea-length card with a pair of embossed palm tree design on top. The details are printed with grayish green ink and the inside of the envelope is also covered with this color.

Picture Paradise

The picture paradise invitation showcases bridal elegance. For one, the wording is printed on a translucent paper that is a lay-over on top of a 4×6 photo of you and your beau. See to it that you choose the best and sweetest photo that you have together. The translucent paper and photo will be tucked into a tropical white base card frame that comes with seashell embossed designs on the middle top and two corners at the bottom part.

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Popular Florida Beach Wedding Locations

February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Happy Beach Wedding CoupleFlorida won’t be called the Sunshine State for nothing. As one of the five hottest cities in the United States, it provides a nice warm weather all year round so you can have a grand time in its collection of fabulous beaches. The top ones are enumerated below. These can be the best options if you’re planning a beach wedding in this state.

Delray Beach

A lovely quaint village by the sea, that’s what Delray Beach is known for. It’s situated just north of Boca Raton in Palm Beach County. Every year, thousands of tourists visit this beach, which boasts of a two-mile stretch of white sand perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and of course, saying your I Do’s. After the wedding, you and your groom can take a stroll along the Atlantic Avenue, which is dotted with seafood restaurants, boutiques and other interesting attractions like the Pineapple Grove Arts District.

Clearwater Beach

One of the finest beaches not only in Florida but in the entire country as well, Clearwater Beach lures packs of tourists every year to its broad sandy shores. It spreads along the Pinellas Peninsula on the Gulf Coast, Tampa Bay to the east and Gulf of Mexico to the west. Your wedding guests would never run out of things to do while they’re here. Recreational options include fishing, beach volleyball, diving, parasailing, and dolphin watching.

Naples

The pearly white sands in Naples are not the only attractions in this part of Florida. On one side, you’ll be fascinated with the strong rolling waves. On the other side, you can watch out for your dropping jaw when you catch a glimpse of the glittering mansions of the Millionaire’s Row. It would truly be a one of a kind wedding if you decide to go for this option.

Sanibel Beach

This one is a distinct barrier island that has an east-west designation. It’s also famed for being one of the Shell Islands. It’s a prime spot along the coastline of the state for seashell collection. Just before the wedding, you and your beau can hit the beach with buckets and nets on your hands so you can collect shells of all sizes and shapes to use for decorating your beach wedding reception. If you prefer to have a quiet and peaceful wedding, hold it at Bowman’s Beach.

Atlantic Beach

You’ll get the relaxation of a lifetime when you visit this place. The sugary soft sand, gleaming sunshine and small-town charm make the Atlantic Beach the ideal spot for your exchange of vows. You’ll also love the fact that it’s just a few minutes of drive from Jacksonville, where you can take a day tour or go shopping after the wedding.

Palm Beach

There are over 40 miles of exquisite beaches in Florida but the gem of all is no other than the Palm Beach. This 14-mile long beach houses some of the state’s finest restaurants, shops and hotels. It lies next to the Gulf Stream so you can expect warm blue water and soft breezes. Have your wedding at the beautiful John D. MacArthur State Park.

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Top 10 Destination Wedding Locations

February 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

What would you choose: a big and extravagant wedding near your home with over 500 guests (most of them you barely even know)? Or an intimate one with your closest family and friends in a gorgeous place miles and miles from where you live? If you’re a bride looking for a dreamy and romantic wedding with only very few people to witness it, you’ll probably choose the second option. Now, even if you choose the first one, this list of the most beautiful destination wedding locations around the world might possibly change your mind.

  1. Mauritius, Indian Ocean – If you’re slanted towards having a beach wedding, Mauritius should be on top of your list. This stunning island nation boasts of pristine beaches, crystal clear lagoons and a romantic ambience that you won’t be able to get enough of.
  2. Le Château d’Esclimont, France – Is there anything more romantic than getting married inside a castle? Yes there is! That is if you choose a castle that’s located in the most romantic country in the world. Le Château d’Esclimont can be found just above Paris, the city of love. Its expansive 150 acres of land can be dressed up to be the perfect wedding location for you and your beau.
  3. Cathedral Peak Hotel, Drakensberg, South Africa – One look at this grandiose hotel and your heart will jump with joy. It’s surely one of the best locations in South Africa that would give you nothing short of a gorgeous country style wedding with beauteous views of the mountains and the stone and thatch chapel.
  4. Taj Palace, Pichola Lake, Rajasthan, India – Feel like a princess with a royal wedding in Taj Palace in India. This palace is an architectural wonder with its white marble structure that is seemingly floating in crystal blue water. Here is where you’ll find the Lake Palace, which has been hailed numerous times as one of the world’s most romantic hotels.
  5. Bermuda – The pink sand beaches in Bermuda are like no other. Even though it’s just a few hours of flight from the US, you’d feel like you’re stepping into a paradise from a different dimension when you arrive in this place.
  6. Maui, Hawaii – Many brides dream of having a Hawaiian wedding. And undeniably, one of the best locations here in the sun kissed island of Maui. Out of the thousand beaches in this island, Kapalua Beach stands out. The lovely stretch of sand as well as the magnificent marine life are just few of the many things to love about this place.
  7. Dalhousie Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland – Just thinking about having a Scottish wedding is enough to make your heart skip a beat. What if you’re going to make this dream a reality by tying the knot in the splendid Dalhousie Castle in Edinburgh?
  8. Venice, Italy – The gondolas in Venice have been a popular tourist attraction for many years. But it can also be a wonderful location for your wedding if you want something that’s beyond extraordinary. Say your I do’s while you traverse the fascinating canals of this romantic city.
  9. Mykonos, Greece – This is a part in Greece that’s not all about the ancient ruins. Here is where you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the Paradise Beach. It’s brimming with life and celebration, making it a topnotch location for your destination wedding.
  10. Phuket, Thailand – It’s quite hard to pick a beach in Phuket to hold a destination beach wedding. To make things easier for you, pick Kata Beach located along the west coast. You’ll enjoy the calm waters, peaceful ambience and awe-inspiring views.
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Top 16 Beach Wedding Locations In The World

February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Some brides can only go as far as imagining themselves walking down the sandy aisle on a gorgeous beach. You’re lucky. You get to do it for real. So don’t waste this opportunity and make sure that you choose the best location for your beach wedding. Here are the top 20 options to consider.

  1. Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii – Some of the best beaches in the world can be found in Hawaii and one of these is the Kapalua Bay, which is nestled between two lava points. Its calm waters make it an ideal wedding location.
  2. Whitehaven, Australia – Whitehaven’s stretch of seven kilometers of pristine white sand provides a mouth-watering backdrop for your beach wedding. It also helps that it’s one of the world’s most isolated coasts.
  3. Tulum Beach, Mexico – This is undeniably the finest beach resort in Mexico. It’s not only the beach that would make you go wow but also the awesome vista of the Mayan pyramid.
  4. Mnemba Lodge, Tanzania – Here is where you’ll find the most visually striking beaches in the African continent. The trip here is quite a challenge for you and your wedding guests but its beauty makes every hard commute worth it.
  5. Lanikai Beach, Hawaii – This beach boasts of having one of the clearest waters that you’ll see in your life. It also has the gorgeous views of small islands called Mokuluas.
  6. Kondoi, Coral beach Okinawa, Japan – Japan may not be the first thing on your mind when you say beach but Okinawa actually has some of the most exquisite beaches the world has seen.
  7. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda – Even though Bermuda is going to hit you hard in the pockets, you’ll realize every penny spent would be worth it. It’s certainly the best beach island in the Caribbean.
  8. Anguilla – It won’t be hailed first in the Discovery Channel Travel and Adventure Top 10 World’s Best Beaches of 2005 for nothing. It has everything you need: peace, quiet and jaw-dropping vistas.
  9. Maldives – It’s very rare to find a beach with a combination of modernity, seclusion and beauty. But you’ll find all these in the Maldives beaches.
  10. Fernando De Noronha, Brazil – This one is an archipelago composed of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean.  It’s considered as the most beautiful marine park in the world and is also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
  11. Las Islas Cíes, Galicia, Spain – Just north of Portugal, you’ll find dramatic pristine national park with a crystal clear sea that shelters a calm lagoon within.
  12. Tayrona national park, Colombia – The moment you lay your eyes on this beach, you’ll fall in love with its turquoise waters, bright white sand, and most of all, the scenic views of virgin rainforest cascading down on the mountainside.
  13. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines – Palawan is dubbed as the Philippine’s Last Frontier. And one of the most elegant beaches in this province is in El Nido. The sandy white beaches and towering marble cliffs are more than enough to meet your expectations.
  14. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania – Zanzibar is truly the gem of the east Africa. Out of its 30 marvelous beaches, the best there is would have to be Nungwi located on the northernmost tip of the island.
  15. Sinclair´s Bay, Caithness – This beach is situated between two 16th century castles that make it a beach wedding location like no other.
  16. Aroa, Aitutaki, One Foot Island, Cook Islands – This hidden paradise welcomes you with extraordinary snorkeling and scuba-diving opportunities that you can do after you exchange vows with your groom.

The list doesn’t end here. Explore more of the world’s most beautiful beaches until you find the perfect place to tie the knot.

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Bridal Shower Shopping List

April 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Love Bird Damask Favor BoxA bridal shower is usually the first of many parties the bride and groom will attend after announcing their engagement.  The bridal shower is a descendant of the old fashioned bride’s dowry.

For many centuries, the bride’s family would provide a dowry to entice a man to marry their daughter.  When the family did not provide a dowry due to disapproval of the groom, or due to their poor financial state, the friends of the bride would gather to gift her with items that would create a dowry for her.

In the early to mid 20th century, the custom of bridal showers had themes like a linen shower, a kitchen or a garden shower.  Items for the home were gifted along the lines of the theme, and were to help the bride provide a comfortable home for the couple’s future.  As better transportation became available, more family and friends could attend a bridal shower, and the custom changed to more of a household goods theme.  No one needs 50 sets of towels!

Today, there are many ways in which to have a bridal shower.  Etiquette requires that a gift (or money) is never requested, and bridal registries have become an acceptable method of ‘asking’ for specific items for the couple’s new life together.  Traditionally, the family and bridal party are told of the gift wishes of the couple, and if guests want to know what the couple need or want as a gift, they will inquire of the family and bridal party.

Bridal showers are hosted by the Maid of Honour.  It is the responsibility of the Maid of Honour to organize the mothers and bridesmaids, and to plan the bridal shower.  The mothers of the bride and groom help with the guest list of relatives and close family members who should be invited.  The bridesmaids help to ensure friends of the bride and groom are also included in the guest list.  The cost of the bridal shower is usually paid for by the bridal party, but if there are a lot of family members, the mothers might also choose to chip in with the costs.  Sometimes, if there are many individuals to invite, the mothers might plan their own bridal shower with family members, and the Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids will plan a bridal shower with friends.

Irregardless, there are some basic items that are usually purchased for the bridal shower to decorate the space, and ensure there is a festive air to the event.  This usually includes, but is not limited to:

Bridal Shower Invitations
Bridal Shower Favors
Favor Bags, Boxes and Ribbons
Bridal Shower Games
Tissue bells
Table skirt
Table covers
Ribbon pull bows
Tulle & ribbon bows

Filed Under: Bridal Shower, Supplies, Wedding Planning Checklists

Feel Your Best on Your Wedding Day

April 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Happy Wedding CoupleEveryone wants to look and feel their best, but the stresses of planning a wedding can take its toll on not just the bride and groom, but the whole family.  Consider the benefits of taking a good supplement to balance all those quick, fast meals that leave you feeling, well, blah!

You have TWO options:  eat good food to feel and look great, or take supplements that take the place of eating good food to feel and look great.  When you are pressed for time, these supplements will go a long way to helping your whole family look and feel their best on your wedding day!

DETOX PURE AND SIMPLE

Written by Dr. Don of the It Works! Team

You’ve heard the buzz and seen the promotions for the products, treatments and special fad diets proclaiming to be the best or only way to detoxify your body. You don’t need to make use of heroic cleansing procedures that are painful, difficult or expensive. To healthfully detoxify your body, you simply have to abide by some basic principles. Eat well and drink plenty of pure water. Detoxification takes a lot of nutrition, especially minerals. You’ll find all the minerals and vitamins you need every day with It’s Vital and Greens.

Why Detoxify?

When I consult with folks experiencing a pattern of poor health, I like to tell them about the “health equation.” Good Health = Detoxification + a Balanced Immune System. Whether you live with a chronic condition like arthritis or diabetes, a serious illness like cancer, or you just don’t have the energy and stamina that you used to enjoy, detoxification is your first step to feeling better.

Greens provides you with the nutritional value of more than eight servings of fruits and vegetables in each serving. The blend of 38 bio-active and bio-available herbs and nutrient-rich vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and enzymes helps your body to detoxify and alkalize while balancing your immune system.

Many folks I talk to will say, “Well, I’ve got this illness and that’s just the way it is. There’s nothing I can do about it.” I beg to differ! There’s a lot you can do.

For starters, be intentional about what you put into your body. Clean oil even helps an old car run a little better! But, put a little sugar in the gas tank and it’s all over. Most of us take better care of our cars than we do our bodies! Instead of lubricating our cells with pure water and feeding them the nutrients they crave, we load up on sugary, chemical-laden fast food, convenience foods, and soda pop.

When you rely on these man-made foods for nourishment, not only are you ingesting toxins, you also starve your body of the nutrients it needs to break down and excrete toxins that are already there. On the other hand, whole food nutrition, what I call God-made food, gives you the building blocks your body needs to flush toxins out of your system. It’s Vital supplies your body with all the essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients you need on a daily basis.

Simpler Than Science

Every day researchers are finding new ways that the nutrients in whole foods build our health. You don’t have to wait for their papers to be published! It’s easy.

1)      Drink eight to ten glasses of pure filtered water every day. Water not only hydrates you, it also flushes out the toxins stored in your fat cells, liver and kidney, arteries and colon. Just like that old car will run better after a radiator and transmission flush—so will you!

2)      Eat fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Abolish white bread and pastas from your pantry and opt for 100% whole grains. Fortify yourself with healthy proteins: free range eggs, fish, legumes, and lean grass fed meats.

Eat what you can eat raw—and the rest, cook from scratch. And, unless these foods come from your own garden, supplement with It’s Vital multivitamin/mineral and start your day off with a glass of Greens.

Filed Under: Ideas & Tips, It Works!

My Beach Favors Story – Losing A Few Inches Has Never Been Easier

April 2, 2011 By 1 Comment

I was going to write about this product, and give you all the technical details of it.  But I’ve changed my mind.  Instead, I want to tell you our story here at My Beach Favors.

Katharine, our Customer Service Supervisor at My Beach Favors, tried this product first.  She lost inches—overnight.  You are supposed to wear the wrap for 45 minutes, and lose inches.  But Katharine, well, she likes to do things her way.  So she wore it overnight. She had applied it to her belly area.  FOUR INCHES!  That’s what she lost overnight.  Her pants were baggy!  She was showing us at the next day, at the office.  We were all impressed.  We started asking questions.

Applicator Starter Package

I’ve been overweight my whole life.  I’ve tried it all, seen it all.  OK.  I admit.  I was jaded.  But others in the office started to use the product.  They were losing inches. Katharine started having Wrap Parties—inviting a few people over in the evening to try it out (they pay for the wraps they use).  I decided to come to the party and try it myself.  In 45 minutes I had lost 2 inches on my belly.  AMAZING.  Most ladies at the Wrap Party signed up as a Loyal Customer, but I signed up as a Distributor.  I know a good thing when I see it!

A Loyal Customer means you get the wraps at about 1/2 price from retail, and you commit to receiving 3 auto ship orders.  You are a member for life, and don’t ever have to do anything with the company again if you don’t want to.  Dave, a fellow in our office, signed up as a Loyal Customer.  He wanted to try these wraps on other parts of his body, and thought with 3 orders (4 per box) it would give him enough wraps to do his entire body—neck/chin, upper arms, belly, love handles, inner and outer thighs.  You have to wait 72 hours between applying the wraps to give your body a rest from detoxifying and working while it assimilates all the natural herbs in the wrap.  That will take him through the 3 months of autoship.

I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT!!  Every single person at this Wrap Party became either a Loyal Customer or a Distributor.  I could see Katharine was making money on this, and I wanted in.  After all, I own this website, and I am a wedding planner, and I know lots of brides who want the little bulging skin above their strapless dress GONE before the wedding day.

I became a Distributor, which means I can make money from people who buy the product from me or through me.  I have a business, and this made sense to me.  I am looking at Katharine (who is also a Distributor), and she cannot keep enough stock of her product to meet the business coming her way.  Friends are telling friends, and she doing one Wrap Party after another.

FITworks Starter Package

I have to say I really like the products they have.  Along with the wraps, which are really called the Ultimate Body Applicator, they have a variety of other products.  They have the Body Slimming products which includes the Ultimate Body Applicator and the Defining Gel (use together for best results), Skin Care products, Supplements, and for those who want to lose weight there is Fit Works.

I LOVE the Defining Gel—you use it with the Ultimate Body Applicator.  Being a little older, it is making my skin feel young again!  Firmer.  Smoother.  Oh, this is definitely an amazing thing. The saggy bits are going away.  I met someone new the other day and they thought I was much younger than I am.  I am giving the credit to these products!

Not everyone cares about saving a few dollars, and becoming a Loyal Customer or a Distributor.  For those people, retail is the way to go.  You can get more information on these products here, or you can visit our It Works! retail store here.

All the staff at My Beach Favors is looking pretty good these days (we are ALL using the products), and a few of us are making some nice money on the side.  I just wanted to share with you our story here at My Beach Favors, and invite you to check it out.  Enjoy your wedding!

Filed Under: Beach Wedding Expert Advice, Best Blog Posts In Weddings, Fashion, Ideas & Tips, Planning, Wedding Planning Checklists

Popular Cala Lily Themed Decorations

April 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

candle wedding favorsCala Lilies are considered by many to be the perfect wedding flower.  Graceful and elegant, it enhances the beauty of any bride.  They have a wonderful scent, and can fill a room with the ‘perfume of the gods’.

Filed Under: Accessories, Beach Decoration, Wedding Decorations, Wedding Flowers

Personalized Handkerchiefs are the Perfect Gift for the Mothers of the Bride and Groom

June 7, 2010 By 1 Comment

personalized wedding handkerchiefsWhen you first told your parents that you are getting married, you know your mother shed a tear or two. It is not any different with your groom’s mom, whom you know loves her son oh-so-dearly too. You know that your mother’s and your groom’s mom’s tears are tears of joy because they know that you two love each other so much and that you want to spend the rest of your lives together.

Mothers can get very emotional during wedding celebrations, especially if it is their children that are getting married. Aside from being emotional, you can also expect them to be very involved with the planning and preparations because they want their children’s exchange of vows be momentous and unforgettable.

Even before the wedding would take place, you and your groom decide that it is only right that you bequeath both your mothers with special gifts that would express your gratitude for them, not only for helping in the wedding but more importantly, for nurturing you and raising you up.

One great idea to give to your loving mothers are personalized wedding handkerchiefs, which reflect elegance and nostalgia that they would surely love and appreciate. These hankies come pretty handy too, because they would probably need these whenever tears would well up in their eyes during touching moments of the wedding.

Custom details like monograms, embroidery and patterned embellishments make the personalized wedding handkerchiefs very beautiful and sophisticated. They can actually make crying look classy! Personalize these gifts by having the names of your mothers embroidered on the handkerchief. You can add in decorative elements that they love. For example, if your groom’s mom adore flowers, floral patterns would be best. For your mother who is into leaves and foliage design, a handkerchief that have this would be very much appreciated.

You can take the personalization a notch higher by including a personal short message for your mothers about how much you love them and how much they mean to you. The details of these gifts would surely make them extra special. If you are excited to buy these gifts for your moms, check out these options so that it would be easier for you to make a choice.

  1. Grape Vine Handkerchief – This lovely handkerchief features embroidery of a bundle of grapes and a leaf pattern.
  2. Tied Bouquet of Something Blue Handkerchief – This one comes with an embroidered bunch of blue and white flowers tied with a blue bow.
  3. Delicate Crocheted Border Handkerchief – A hanky that has one of its corners adorned with a delicate crocheted border.
  4. Mixed Bouquet Handkerchief – This one carries a mixed bouquet of flowers neatly embroidered on one corner of the handkerchief.
  5. Lily of the Valley Handkerchief – This handkerchief presents an intricate embroidered design of a bunch of lilies with wedding rings.

Mothers love to receive gifts from their children. Even since you were a kid, your mom would be delighted at the simplest of gifts you gave her. Now that you are getting married, both your mother and your groom’s mom would be delighted with these special personalized handkerchief gifts you intend to give to them.

Filed Under: Accessories, Ideas & Tips, Supplies Tagged With:

Honeymoon Ideas for the Adventurous Couple

January 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Adventurous Honeymoons

Adventurous Honeymoons

Who said a honeymoon should just be about relaxation and romance? For the adventurous couple, a honeymoon is also a great opportunity to try something new and different, something that would rush their adrenaline and give them the exhilarating feeling that they would not find elsewhere. Here are some great ideas that would satisfy your own cravings for an adventurous honeymoon that you would never forget.

Roadtrip!

Do you want something exciting for your honeymoon? Hop on to your car and rev the engine! If you want a spontaneous adventure, there is no better way to do it than to hit the road. Although a road trip sounds like something that only college people do to escape their parents or pressures from school, this kind of trip can also be a fantastic honeymoon getaway. You can plan to have a road trip to Madagascar for some nature adventure or see the most exquisite sights of the Himalayas by traveling from Lhasa, Tibet to Katmandu, Nepal.

Adventurous Trips

Adventurous Trips

The Sky is the Limit

For a couple who is always up for an adventure, a simple day at the beach can be turned into something more exciting by going for extreme water sports and activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, and wake boarding. You can also try out something more exhilarating like bungee jumping or sky diving. Remember, when adventure is in your blood, the sky is your only limit!

Surf’s Up

Taking surfing lessons can truly make your beach honeymoon exciting and wonderful. Learning how to surf is not that difficult if you have the knack for being one with the waves, if you have the determination, and if you have the guts to pull it off. Most private surfing lessons start at around $50.

Underwater Discovery

Another way to make your beach honeymoon stay more exciting is to dive into the clear waters of the sea. Yes, the clear turquoise seawater is already majestic but wait until you see the wondrous nature’s gifts underneath! Do some scuba diving in St. Croix so you can enjoy and explore the largest living coral reef located in the Caribbean. You can also do some unforgettable scuba diving activity in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, an underwater marine sanctuary in the Philippines and one of the best coral reefs in Asia.

Hike and Climb

Speaking of Asia, you can also make your way to the top of Mt. Fuji in Tokyo, which would give you a spectacular view of the sunrise and would let you peek into the interesting and colorful Japanese culture. You can also do a ruin hike in Angkor Wat, Cambodia so you can explore 12th century ruins of Hindu towers, sculptures, and temples.

Chillin’ Snow Sports

If you are having a winter wedding, then head off to the Swiss Alps so you can spend your honeymoon staring at the magnificent views of these hills. But of course, being the adventurous couple that you are, you probably will not be satisfied with simply staring. You can partake in some of the most thrilling snow sports such as ski boarding, skiing, and so many more.

Adventurous couples have so many choices on honeymoons that can surely appease their craving for adventure. These are great ideas that would certainly make your honeymoon something that you, your spouse, and all the people who would hear your story, would never forget!

Filed Under: Honeymoon, Ideas & Tips Tagged With: ,

Must Have List for your Beach Wedding Ceremony

January 19, 2010 By 1 Comment

Flower Girl

Whenever you would attend beach weddings before, you cannot help but wish that it were you walking down the aisle barefoot on the sand, holding a bouquet of luscious summer blooms in your hands. Now that the time has come for you to tie the knot, you cannot be happier that you and your future spouse decided to hold this occasion at your favorite place. But before you go on with the planning and preparation, it would be great to get a hold of this handy checklist that you must have for your beach wedding ceremony.

Ceremony officiant

The first item in the checklist is the ceremony officiant. Finding a ceremony officiant is not that hard these days. However, you have to remember that you cannot have a Catholic wedding at any place other than a Catholic church so this means you cannot have a Catholic priest officiate for your beach wedding reception.

Altar and aisle decorations

These include pew bows, arches, candles, flowers, backdrop, and other items to enhance the appearance of the altar and the aisle. You can also line up the aisle with tea light candles and sprinkle petals of red roses in lieu of the red carpet.

Items for the ceremony

Depending on what type of ceremony you will be having, you will need various items for the ceremonial rites. This may include but are not limited to unity candles, candleholders, flower girl baskets, Christian bible, ring pillows, and so many more. Lighting candles can be tricky in windy conditions like that in the beach. Having a candle wind protector may be the solution to this.

Wedding Rings

Wedding rings

Of course, you cannot forget about the rings, which would be the symbol of your exchange of love and commitment to each other. Buying wedding rings are ideally done months before the wedding ceremony to ensure that you find the perfect bands that would forever be a representation of your endearing love.

Photographer and Videographer

The wedding ceremony is one of the most vital parts of the whole event that you should be able to capture in both film and still. Find a reliable wedding photojournalist who would be able to capture priceless moments when you take the vow and an expert videographer who can cover the whole event efficiently.

Entourage

The list of the entourage should be finalized months before the wedding day. There should also be a rehearsal for the processional so that the entourage would know what to do during the actual day.

Musicians

Music is an important ingredient in the wedding ceremony that creates mood and tone. This is why, it is essential that you find the right musician (band, choir, or singer) whose voice/s can move the guests and give romance to the event.

Bouquet

You cannot walk down the aisle without a bouquet, of course. For a beach wedding, summer flowers such as roses, gerber daisies, calla lilies, and orchids are very popular.

Beach wedding checklists are basically the same as those for general weddings but with a little twist in some aspects, since this is an outdoor event where there are more things to check and consider.

Filed Under: Ideas & Tips, Wedding Ceremony Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Some of the Best Beach Wedding Locations in Florida

January 16, 2010 By 3 Comments

This place known as the “sunshine state” because of its generally warm climate has become a top beach wedding destination in the world. Florida, which is located in the southeastern region of the United States, boasts of its long stretches of beaches, spectacular coastlines, and great beach activities like surfing and boating. This state has always been a top tourist destination but over the years, couples have begun flocking to this place to exchange vows and tie the knot. If you are planning to hold your beach wedding here, here are some of the best beach wedding locations you can consider.

Captiva Island

Captiva Island can truly captivate anyone who visits this place. The soothing tropical atmosphere coupled with the crystal turquoise waters, you would love every bit and piece of thing that this island has to offer. It can be the best backdrop to your romantic Florida beach wedding.

Marco Island

Nestled at the northern tip of the Ten Thousand Island in the Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island is as romantic as romantic can get. The virgin white beaches, breathtaking sunset, and tranquil ambiance makes this a popular destination for couples who want nothing but the most romantic type of wedding.

Daytona Beach

Locals and tourists fondly call this beach, “the world’s most famous beach.” This is the beach you would want to go to if you want life and excitement for your wedding day. Daytona is always bustling with people, automobiles, activities, and many things to do. You can ride the waves, get a tan, or party with people before or after you exchange I do’s with your loved one.

Fort Walton Beach

If there is one thing that Fort Walton Beach would do to you, it is that it would enchant you with its sparkling gulf waters, wonderful warm breeze, and emerald green waters. It is not called the “Emerald Coast” of Florida for nothing. Having your wedding here would be like having a paradise wedding of the year.

Panama City

You will be allured with Panama City Beach’s sugary white coastline and emerald green water. This is another wonderful destination in Florida that would provide the perfect setting for your big day.

Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral

Pretty sandy beaches and a pier full of life with lots of activities such as fishing, dancing, dining, socializing, and so many more—these are what people love about Cocoa beach and Cape Canaveral. Cocoa beach is in fact dubbed as the “Jewel of the Space Coast” which would provide your wedding with a relaxed and romantic ambiance that would prepare you for your new life together as husband and wife.

Clearwater Florida

The vast array of beautiful white beaches all over Clearwater Florida make it a top wedding beach destination of all time. It is also a wonderful place to hold your wedding. Not to mention, there are plenty of choice when it comes to hotels so booking for yourselves or for guests will be a cinch.

These choices are only some of the best beaches in Florida. Explore your options and have fun on your wedding day! You would surely have a grand time.

Filed Under: Best Beaches, Destinations, Ideas & Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

How to Find a Casual But Fancy Beach Wedding Dress on the Internet

January 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

Beach Wedding CoupleEven before you have met your special someone, you already had a penchant for beach weddings. In fact, the beach has always been your favorite place. When you feel stressed out with work, you go to the beach to relax and unwind. When you want to have fun, you meet with your friends at the beach to swim and get some tan. The beach has become your sanctuary.

You knew that when you get married, the only place you want to have your wedding is in this place. Lucky enough, you and your groom share the same fondness for beach weddings. Right now, you are preparing for the big day but there is still one thing missing, the beach wedding dress. To help you get started, here are some vital pointers for buying a beach wedding dress online.

Tip # 1 – Find a trustworthy and secure online store

In order to have a safe and fun online shopping activity, you must first find a reputable and secure online store that sells quality and sophisticated beach wedding dresses. Examining the store’s website would be a good way to start. The website is the forefront of online businesses. It should be clean, professional, and easy to use. If you do not like the design of the website, you probably would not like the designs of their dress. Also, you need to ensure that the store has a secure encryption system that would protect your credit card information from hackers during your purchase.

Tip # 2 – Contact past customers

Getting in touch with former clients would give you an idea how an online store works. You would find out if past customers were satisfied with the dresses they have bought and the services of the store.

Tip # 3 – Read and understand everything

Most online stores have terms and conditions as well as policies that you must first read and understand before purchasing. Never click the “I agree with your terms and conditions” without reading them first.

Tip # 4 – Don’t buy the first thing you see

Just because you have limited time does not mean that you should buy the first thing that you see on the online market. To ensure that you find the perfect dress, browse through different options until you can find the one that you really like.

Tip # 5 – Make sure the dress fits

Of course, you have to ensure that the dress you buy is something that would fit not only in terms of size but also your style, taste and preference. Make sure too that the wedding dress is something that you would be comfortable to wear. Check the fabric of the dress and see if it is something that could be worn in warm and sunny weather.

Finding a casual but fancy beach wedding dress is not at all difficult if you do it online. Even if you do not have so much time to go shopping, you can still be able to browse through a wide array of options.

Filed Under: Ideas & Tips, Wedding Dresses Tagged With: , , , ,

How to Hire a Truly Entertaining Live Band for your Wedding Reception

January 12, 2010 By 1 Comment

Live Music at Wedding Reception

Music is probably the only thing in weddings that you cannot see or touch and yet it can make such a powerful impact on the overall event. In fact, the right choice in music can spell the difference between one that guests would dismiss as “just another wedding reception” and one that would truly captivate their attention and make them remember the big day for a very long time. This is why, it is imperative that couples do take the time to look for and hire live music bands that truly know the words, “awesome” and “entertaining.”

Here are some tips on how to do just that.

  • Collect your options. Get recommendations from family and friends who have recently gotten married or attended weddings. Attend bridal shows where many wedding bands would showcase their musical talents. Try to remember the weddings you have attended before. If you remember any one in particular that had a musical band that you truly loved, contact the bride, and get the band’s contact details. Make a list and call up as many as you can.
  • Request audio or video samples from the bands you are considering to hire. Be sure to consider the band’s musical style, if this is something that both you and your spouse-to-be would like. Think about the event as well and make sure that their music suits this. This is a good way to narrow down the options.
  • Call up your top three choices and hear them play live. This is important as audio and video samples may differ from actual performances. This is also a good way to gauge the band’s personality and see if they are the type that would have rapport with the audience. As you know, a good musical band should be able to give life to the event. They should be fun and exciting to be able to draw the crowd into the cheerful celebration. You do not want to hire a band that would bore your guests.
  • Talk to the band manager. Discuss matters such as schedule, list of songs, and price. Make sure that the band you hire is very well in your budget range. Overspending is not a good idea, since there are many bands out there that can sing and play exceptionally for a lower cost. Before signing any contract, read and understand everything to avoid problems in the future.

More Tips

  • Check the reception venue to ensure that it can accommodate the band’s equipment.
  • Choose a band that has played in weddings before.
  • Make sure that the band would arrive at the reception venue on time.
  • Ask the band to dress up accordingly to the event.
  • Pick a band that would be open to suggestions.

A good musical band is one of those things that can make or break your wedding event. After all, these people would provide ambient music and entertainment throughout the reception. For this reason, it is a big must that you pay attention to all the tips mentioned above so you can ensure that you hire a truly entertaining band that would be worth your time and money.

Filed Under: Ideas & Tips, Music Tagged With: , , ,

Honeymoon Ideas on a Shoestring Budget

October 17, 2009 By 1 Comment

HOT AIR BALOON HONEYMOON RIDE

HOT AIR BALOON HONEYMOON RIDE

Honeymoon is all about fun and romance—taking tours, eating out, doing activities, and experiencing life out there with your new spouse. If only honeymoons are free, you would probably go to every dream destination that you have but since this activity can be quite costly, you are faced with the dilemma on how to have an enjoyable and sweet honeymoon with a shoestring budget. To help you with this, here are some wonderful and practical honeymoon ideas that would let you have the time of your life without requiring you to break the bank.

Last Minute

Last minute trips are always more affordable than long-term planned ones. If you were spontaneous and exciting, wait until the wedding is over before you start organizing the trip and you would find many great deals on last minute offerings from online travel agencies and hotels.

Road Trip

Who said you need to fly to have a wonderful honeymoon vacation? Hop into your car and hit the road! This country is known for amazing landscapes and breathtaking scenery, you would surely have a grand time sightseeing and experiencing what other states have to offer. Just do not forget to bring a map, sufficient cash, and some plans as well.

Camping

If you and your spouse are nature lovers, there would be no better way to spend your honeymoon than cuddling up inside a warm comfortable tent surrounded by the nature’s wondrous gifts. This is an exciting, inexpensive and enjoyable way to go on a honeymoon.

Home Sweet Home

It is not required by the law that couples should somewhere for their honeymoon. If you feel that a trip is just too expensive for you, consider having your honeymoon at home. There are various ways of creating a romantic ambience in your house and make the event special. You can have dinner candlelight, relaxing warm bath, backyard camping activity, or a food feast for just the two of you.

Honeymoon Couple

Honeymoon Couple

Fly Off Season

Off peak season is a great time to go on a honeymoon vacation because hotel rates, airfare, and vacation tours are a lot less expensive. Moreover, you can take advantage of your frequent flyer miles, hotel points, hotel discounts, and so many more to further save money on your honeymoon trip. Now, if you do not want to risk going on a gloomy weather, consider going during the shoulder season, which is in between the high and low season. During this time, prices are reasonable and the weather is still fine.

Honeymoon Registry

Posh accommodation, high-end tours, and relaxing vacation activities—all of these you can enjoy if you sign up for a honeymoon registry! This has become a popular trend among couples especially those who already have sufficient household items and do not need another set of chinaware. But of course, since your guests are going to pay for your honeymoon expenses, you have to choose hotels, tours, and airfare that are reasonably priced so you would not burden them too much financially.

Affordable Honeymoon Destinations

Mexico, Las Vegas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Florida, Hawaii, Bahamas, Canada, Philippines, and Belize are just some of the many options on affordable honeymoon destinations. Study intensively about these places so you would have an idea which one would be most suitable to you and your spouse.

Aruba

Aruba

More Quick Tips

  1. Set your budget. Determine how much you can afford. Allocate the budget into all the necessary aspects of the honeymoon and stick with this budget plan!
  2. Go for inclusive. Sometimes, you can save more money if you choose all-inclusive resorts. But still, study packages and compare costs so you can make a smart decision.
  3. Keep your eyes peeled for discounts. Online sites frequently offer discounts on airfare, hotels, and car rentals.
  4. Take advantage of moneymaking traditions. If family traditions encourage money dance, money tree or money hat, use a part of the funds you have collected for the honeymoon. Save the rest for other more important things like house, car, and so on.
  5. Bring your food. Food can be expensive when you are on vacation. Packing snacks and drinks can save you a lot of money.

Whatever budget honeymoon idea you choose, at the end of the day, what would matter is the fact that you are spending this wonderful moment with the love of your life. Have fun!

Filed Under: Honeymoon, Ideas & Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Meal Ideas for your Beach Wedding Reception

October 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
SEAFOOD SALAT

SEAFOOD SALAT

You must have noticed once in a while that when you are at the beach, eating is so pleasurable that even those foods you normally eat at home are a lot more delectable when eaten by the beach side? The relaxing ambiance of the beach and the wonderful scent of the ocean surely have an appetizing appeal. Because of this, you do not have much to worry about serving the most expensive and extravagant kinds of food that would satisfy your guests.

But of course, you would still want to serve foods that are scrumptious and delightful so that they would have a grand time during your special day. To help you, here are some lip-smacking ideas to consider for your beach wedding reception.

Grilled seafood and barbecues are the staple food at the beach. You can choose among a wide variety of seafood such as crabs, fish, shrimps, lobsters, squids, and so on. Just remember that there are many ways to cook these delectable items other than grilling. If you want something a little exotic and if most of your guests are on the daring side, you can include seaweeds, shells, oysters, and other edible sea creatures.

SEAFOOD For Your Beach Wedding

SEAFOOD For Your Beach Wedding

Now, since seafood is not loved by everyone, you can include safe choices like barbecues, grilled burgers, grilled sausages, and grilled hotdogs. Aside from the main courses, you also have to think of the appetizers and the desserts. Sushi, a popular Japanese dish, would be a nice addition to your set of beach meals. It would even be superb if you can have a sushi chef for people to see the sushi being made.

For the desserts, have tropical fruits arranged in wicker baskets, lined up along the buffet table. The color and variety of the fruits can also be a nice way to decorate the table. Popsicles, smoothies, or sorbet cones are also ideal for dessert and beverages.

Other terrific suggestions for beach meals include:

  1. Tuna, cheese and onion wrapped in pita bread
  2. Shanghai rolls with a sweet chili dip
  3. Vegetables grilled in skewers
  4. Roasted tomatoes and garlic aioli
  5. Tapas like squid calamari or shrimp tempura
  6. Smoked bacon with curried honey
  7. Roasted chicken
  8. Shrimp mango salad
  9. Shrimps with tomato or mango salsa
  10. Nachos with beef, cheese, tomato salsa, garlic sauce and white onions
  11. Cheesy garlic mushrooms
  12. Crabcakes
  13. Fruit cocktails or fruit salad
  14. Tropic fruits on skewers
SEAFOOD PASTA

SEAFOOD PASTA

Serving Food Beach-Style

The way you serve the food will also play a role in completing the beach meals. You can have the caterer serve food in bamboo or basket types of serving trays instead of the usual food warmers. If you want to take it a notch higher, instead of having guests eat on plates, they can eat on banana leaves. Do not forget to incorporate the beach theme in the napkins, tablecloths, table centerpieces and cups.

All these foods are so delicious that it makes you want to start eating them right away. Your guests would surely have a splendid time during your beach reception with all these delectable food feasts you intend to prepare for them.

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How to Have a Destination Wedding on a Shoestring Budget

September 19, 2009 By 1 Comment

dreamstime_9270702Modern brides want to have a wedding that is beyond the ordinary and traditional. This probably explains why destination weddings have drastically increased in popularity over the recent years. Getting married in a beautiful far-flung destination can surely be a memorable event not only for the couple but for the guests as well.

Now, if you are thinking about the cost, it is important to note that destination weddings are not that expensive when compared to traditional weddings. In fact, if you are resourceful, inventive, and creative enough, you can have the beach wedding of the year with a shoestring budget. How? Here are a couple of strategies on how to do just that.

Pick an off-season wedding date

When planning for a destination wedding, one of the factors that would affect the budget is the date of the event. Remember, during peak season, airfare and hotel accommodations cost a lot more than during off-peak. Saving money will be easier if you do not get married during the weekend or a holiday. If you are going to hold the wedding in a winter destination, consider doing it during spring or summer.

dreamstime_4320132Minimize the number of guests

Keeping the party small and intimate will not only result in an easier-to-manage wedding event but also less expenses. Limit the guest list to your family and closest friends so that you will have maximum savings not only on the airfare and hotel accommodations but also with wedding favors, catering, and invitations.

Save the gifts

To save on the costs of shipping gifts from the venue of the destination wedding to your home, be sure to inform your guests that you would be receiving gifts at a welcome party to be held in your home. A better and more practical alternative to this would be to ask guests that instead of buying you a wedding gift, you would appreciate it if they use the money for the airfare. This way, they can bequeath you with the gift of their presence.

Ask for discounts, group rates or wedding packages

With the growing popularity of destination weddings, many destination spots are now offering wedding packages, discounts, and group rates. For example, if you are bringing 50 people to a hotel in the Bahamas, you may be able to get as much as 15 to 20 percent discount on their accommodation.

Whether you are a big or small party, do not hesitate to negotiate with hotels and vendors. If they do not want to give out a discount, you may ask for upgrades or freebies for you and your guests. For instance, you may get a free night, a honeymoon treat, or an upgrade from a standard accommodation to a fabulous suite.

dreamstime_3203718Cut Down on Other Wedding Expenses

Below are general means on how to minimize the wedding budget, which are applicable whether you are having a destination wedding or not.

Flowers

  1. Use flowers in season.
  2. Opt for balloons.
  3. Buy from wholesalers.

Wedding Gown

  1. Shop for your wedding gown online.
  2. Wear your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding gown.
  3. Rent your wedding dress.
  4. Wear a cocktail or summer dress. (This is especially ideal for a beach destination wedding.)

Invitation and Favors

  1. Do it yourself. Print your own invitations or create your own wedding favors.

dreamstime_9863313Wedding Cake

  1. Choose a smaller cake with less number of layers or tiers.
  2. Go for a delectable and inexpensive tower of wedding cupcakes.

Wedding Rings

  1. Choose white gold, yellow gold or silver instead of platinum or titanium.
  2. Prefer others gemstones (rubies, sapphires, emeralds) over diamonds.

It is true that destination weddings are beautiful and special but of course, wherever you may choose to wed, at the end of the day, what truly matters is not the price tag of the event but the love and devotion that you and your spouse vowed to share for the rest of your lives.

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Destinations Weddings in the Sun – Tips and Ideas

September 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment
ARUBA

ARUBA

Destination weddings have a romantic, magical allure that the entire wedding party is sure to enjoy. After all, what could be more romantic and fun than a destination wedding right next to a pink sandy beach? The party begins just seconds after the wedding.

There is something bewitching about getting married away from your home town. Sure, you can have a wedding in Canada, in February (brrrr…), or you can go to Jamaica! (hm… let me see now…) But before you start to research weekend wedding locations for a destination wedding or commit to a deposit, it’s a good idea to weigh all of the factors.

Travel agents tell us that destination weddings have grown in popularity at an amazing rate. The majority of weekend weddings are fairly small with a couple of people invited up to twenty. Larger destination weddings are currently on the rise due to families and friends traveling together.

Hawaii remains the number one spot for destinations, with Jamaica, Las Vegas, Mexico, Disneyworld and the Bahamas also being favorites. Resort weddings at these locations usually proves to be cost effective.

YACHTS AT THE ATLANTIS IN THE BAHAMAS

YACHTS AT THE ATLANTIS IN THE BAHAMAS

Most brides are known to think that you spend all that money and planning for one day with a traditional wedding and it’s over so fast you don’t get to talk to everyone.

A destination wedding is an opportunity for friends and family to spend quality time with each other. As soon as the guests arrive, a cocktail party is a good way for everyone to get to know each other before the wedding takes place.

Prices for destination weddings can vary greatly, from free to thousands of dollars. But most are in the $500 to $3,000 range.

There are a few things to remember when planning a destination wedding.

For instance, “different countries have different regulations for getting married”. In Mexico, for example, you have to be in the country for four days before you can get married. And have a backup plan in case it rains. Most hotels will move you into a meeting room or ballroom in case of bad weather.

Have a Hurricane free Destination Wedding

While a destination wedding seems like the smartest thing if you ‘re looking for alternative winter wedding ideas, the majority of destination weddings and honeymoons still take place during the summer months. The temptation to head to the Caribbean for a destination wedding is always high. Unfortunately, June through November is also the peak season for encountering a destination wedding destroying hurricane.

So what precautions can you take to ensure you can have a hurricane free destination wedding? There are always your basic Caribbean ABC’s which are Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao of the Dutch Antilles. These three islands are generally not considered to be located in the high risk hurricane zone.

And here is an additional hot tip: There are great deals to be found during the summer months (low season). You can find a week in Aruba from August 1 through October 30 for around $650 at some of the better hotels. This cost is per person and often includes air travel from some of the larger cities as an added perk.

Curacao offers European style architecture, beautiful beaches, good art and great food with packages for about the same price.

Also reasonably priced during the low season months, Bonaire offers an abundance of activities for all of the wedding destination guests such as a vibrant night life, world class restaurants and scuba diving. Biking and car rentals are available for spending time in the tranquil natural preservations areas for which Bonaire is known for.

The Island of Magarita which is located off the coast of Venezuela is also extremely low hurricane risk for those seeking a wedding destination spot.

Airlines May Help With Destination Weddings

Check with different airlines to see if they are currently offering discounts for destination weddings. If you are taking 10 or more relatives and friends on a destination wedding trip, ask for a discount. 10 or more seems to be the magic number for getting 10% to 50% off on airline tickets for wedding parties. Many airlines offer special extras for the bride and groom such as upgrade coupons, discounts for car rentals, and free movies. Of course the complimentary glass of champagne is usually included if you tell the flight attendant you are off to a destination wedding.

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Top 10 Beach Wedding Destination Locations for 2010

September 17, 2009 By 3 Comments

Many a bride has dreamed of her very own beach wedding.  Because weddings come is a wide range of budgets, we are going to explore the top 10 beach wedding destinations for the upcoming wedding season.  If you have always wanted your wedding to take place at the beach, perhaps you will find something within this list that will suit you to a tee.

Hawaii

1.  Hawaii is a dream land full of wonderful beach wedding locations.  However, the Hawaiian beach destination that has a great reputation for wedding bliss is Kapalua Bay.  This gorgeous coastal area is located between two lava points, which turns the shore into a crescent shaped heaven.  The surf that laps the shore is serene and smooth; perfect for a romantic wedding ceremony.  The best time of day to schedule a Kapalua Bay wedding is at sunset, of course.

2.  In Southwest Florida are the hidden treasures of Sanibel and Captiva Islands.  Located off the coast just west of Fort Myers, these two islands offer the most romantically serene beach wedding locations in the area.  The island of Sanibel is a mere 12 miles long and just 3 miles across.  Captiva Island spans only four miles long and a half mile wide.  The average temperature in the area is 75 F, which is perfect wedding weather all year round!   For the ultimate in seaside romance, exchange vows at the Captiva Chapel by the Sea.

3.  Coronado, California and the world renowned Hotel del Coronado have hosted countless weddings throughout the years.  Just a short jaunt from downtown San Diego, the island boasts warm sandy beaches and glorious sunsets that never fail to draw crowd.  Of all the beach wedding locations around, this is an all-time fan favorite.

JAMAICA ROPE JUMPING

JAMAICA ROPE JUMPING

4.  Jamaica beach weddings are being planned more and more often.  Having a wedding ceremony in Jamaica not only gives you the opportunity to experience something truly special with your new spouse and all of your family and friends; it also gives you plenty of options.  This tropical place is not only affordable but also very versatile.  This is a beach wedding destination that will also play host to your honeymoon and a vacation spot for all of your guests.

5. According to Conde Nast Traveler, Turks and Caicos is simply one of the  “Best Tropical Beaches in the World”.  The beaches of Turks and Caicos surround acres of secluded nature, and are home to friendly people, making this an ideal beach wedding location.  The average temperature is 85-95 from June to October and 80-84 from November to May, which means that it’s always a good time for a Turks and Caicos wedding.

6. Ocracoke Island is part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and boasts almost 16 miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches.  This island, which is accessible by ferry, private boat, or plane, is located at the southernmost tip of the Outer Banks.  Because under 1000 people call Ocracoke Island home, this is the ideal location for those who really want to get away from it all!

7.  Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a favorite vacation spot for beach lovers and golfers alike.  Perhaps it is this combination that makes this serene area an ideal location for a beach wedding.  Before and after the wedding day, guests can stay in town to enjoy the mild climate, beautiful shoreline, and naturally romantic settings found all over.  Because of the quaint charm of the area, it also makes an ideal honeymoon location for the ultimate romantic.

COSTA RICA CHURCH IN ALAJUELA

COSTA RICA CHURCH IN ALAJUELA

8.  Because almost two thirds of the borders of Costa Rica are sun-filled coastline, happy couples have plenty of beach wedding locations to choose from.  Costa Rica is a budding tourist destination, with tropical temperatures and beautiful scenery.  The area is full of romantic wedding locations, but also replete with activities to keep you busy throughout your honeymoon!  Some of the activities newly marrieds can engage in, besides being blissfully happy, are Surfing, cruises, zip line tours, canopy tours, scuba diving and white water rafting.

9.  The Bahamas is home to countless beach wedding locations.  First and foremost, there is the Atlantis resort in Nassau.  This resort alone has numerous venues from which to choose, and also comes complete with a team to help you plan your perfect day.  If you desire something more quaint and personal than a large resort, resorts such as Compass Point offers a smaller venue for up to 100 guests and is seen as a top vacation spot.

10. The Cayman Islands have long been a favorite vacation spot for lover, but this group of islands also offers unique beach wedding venues that are sophisticated in their one of a kind natural setting.  Couples can choose from beach weddings, or venues such as chapels or churches or even posh resorts.  If romance is what you seek, and you know it is, the Cayman Island certainly delivers.

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Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations for Winter Brides

September 5, 2009 By 3 Comments

Many couples prefer to get married during the summer or spring season. However, tying the knot during the cold wintertime can mean having a romantic and cozy winter honeymoon that will surely be a memorable experience for you and your loved one.

These days, finding winter honeymoon destinations is not difficult as there are various options to choose from. To help you narrow down your choices is for you and your partner to decide what kind of winter honeymoon you want to have.

Do you want to go to a place where it is cold and snowy and you can do various winter activities? Or do you want to go somewhere tropical where you can escape the chill of snow from home? If you find it hard to decide between the two, look at this list of the top 10 honeymoon destinations that offer either a winter getaway or a tropical retreat.

  1. Alaska – Enjoy a winter cruise while staring at the spectacular scene of icebergs and glaciers at Alaska. This place, which is home to the biggest mountains in North America, offers a wide variety of winter activities that you and your spouse can enjoy. You can go snowboarding, skiing, skating, play hockey, or view the winter wildlife.
  2. Switzerland – With the snow-capped mountains and picturesque scenes of village as your backdrop, you would surely have a romantic time in this country. You can go to Kandersteg and go cross-country skiing with your beloved or go visit St. Moritz and have a taste of the world-renowned coffee with shots of schnapps called après-ski café fertig.
  3. winter-bridesAustria – In Austria, the Alpine town of Kitzbühel is a great venue for skiing with its marvelous cross-country trails and downhill slopes. Aside from this, you can enjoy going to chalets that have fireplaces perfect for sweet cuddling.
  4. Italy – This place has always belonged to the list of top honeymoon destinations in the world at anytime of the year. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, you and your beloved will be able to enjoy the fine things in life like great food, excellent wine and fantastic slopes that are ideal even for amateur skiers.
  5. New Zealand – A romantic honeymoon is what you will surely get in a country known for its breathtaking mountain scene and landscape, abundant wildlife forest, spectacular glacial mountains, and beautiful clear lakes. Skiing, rafting, and even bungee jumping are available for couples who want to take their vacation to an extreme level.
  6. Canada – Canada is another wonderful country that has much to offer during the wintertime. In Vancouver for example, you can ski with delight and enjoy the wide array of choices on restaurants, hotels, and night out spots. Quebec, meanwhile, offers a stay in the unique Ice Hotel, which can truly complete your romantic winter honeymoon.
  7. Colorado – Many say that Colorado has some of the best ski slopes in the world. This is also where the famous rugged Rocky Mountains reside, something that you and your partner will definitely enjoy.
  8. bahamas-bridesFlorida – Now if you are looking for something warm and you want to escape the chill of the winter, one good destination for you is Florida, home to wonderful beaches and tourist spots like the Palm Beach, Amelia Island, Ft. Lauderdale, Gulf Coast, St. Pete, and Florida Keys.
  9. Bahamas – For the ultimate romantic tropical destination, you would have to visit the Bahamas. With its pristine white sand beaches, marvelous blue ocean, and tranquil ambience, you and your spouse will surely have the time of your life in this place.
  10. Hawaii – Soak up some sun and bathe in the clear waters of Hawaii for a tropical retreat for your winter honeymoon vacation. The weather is not the only thing warm here but also the welcome of the people from this place.

Finding winter honeymoon destinations is not at all difficult especially if you know what kind of honeymoon you and your spouse wants to have and what kind of activities you want to do. In the end, it would all boil down to personal choice.

Filed Under: Honeymoon, Ideas & Tips Tagged With: ,

Uncomfortable Bridal Shoes Can Ruin Your Big Day

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

bridal-shoes

Some brides are not aware that there is a factor more important than style when it comes to choosing bridal shoes. They do not realize this until their big day comes and they can hardly walk because of the pain their uncomfortable shoes are giving them.

It is true that comfort is not something that many brides consider when shopping for a pair of bridal shoes but this is definitely important and should never be overlooked. After all, if a bride is going to wear a long gown, nobody will see how beautiful or stunning her shoes are but the comfort it will give her is priceless.

These bits and pieces of information will help you have a comfortable pair to wear during your special day.

Comfort is King.

Make sure you keep this in mind when shopping for shoes. This means that you should never buy shoes without fitting them. Try on different pairs and try walking while wearing each pair. If you feel a pair is making it hard for you to walk in a gracious manner, skip this, and go on to the next one. Never buy bridal shoes without fitting them even though the shoes are the same size as your feet.

To Heel or Not to Heel

When picking a heel height, choose the one that you typically wear on a daily basis. Going for a higher heel may mean discomfort during your special day. Now, if you are not a high heels girl, ditch the heels, go for flats or lower heels that can look just as elegant. You can also opt to wear shoes with wide, broad, or wedge heels that are more comfortable than stiletto heels. Just make sure that your wedding gown complements your choice of pair.

Comfort = Confidence

Being comfortable is also about being confident. If you are not confident about your shoe choice, you would probably not feel comfortable either. For example, if you dislike showing off your toes, then stay away from open-toe shoes.

High Quality: Always a Priority

If you are looking for comfort, your best bet is to rely on high quality brands made of top quality materials such as silk, satin, or leather which are usually easy on the feet. Just do not forget that the fabric and texture of your shoes should match or complement that of your wedding gown.

Shopping Online?

If you are going to shop online, fit the shoes as soon as they arrive. Order in advance, so you will have enough time for return and replacement.

Break them in!

No matter how busy you are, never wait until the big day before you wear the shoes. Wear them a couple of weeks before the wedding. Strut them around the house everyday for one to two hours to break them in.

If you want to ruin your big special day, the best way to do is to don a pair of uncomfortable bridal shoes that will give you sore toes, painful soles and make you unable to walk graciously down the aisle. Otherwise, make sure you exert extra time and effort in finding shoes that are not only beautiful and stylish but also comfortable.

Source: This article was submitted by Nina Lampe from Favors4DestinationWeddings.com. She loves to help brides and grooms plan their wedding and in particular giving them advice with beach wedding decor.

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Traditional Music Choices for the Wedding Ceremony

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

With the special day fast approaching and last minute decisions are being made, you find out in horror that neither you or your partner has yet made a choice on what songs to play during the wedding ceremony.

Music, as you very well know, is one of the most important aspects in any wedding. Not only does it create the mood, it also evokes inner sentiments and expresses emotions that you and your spouse-to-be have.

beach-music

Good news is there is no need to panic. This is especially true if you want traditional music for your wedding day, as there is a long list of tried and tested traditional wedding songs that are truly beautiful and meaningful.

To give you an idea, here are some songs that you can play during the significant parts of the wedding ceremony.

Prelude: Arrival of Guests

Before the processional begins, while guests are arriving and finding their seats, classical prelude music can fill the air to set the mood and tone, and to provide a pleasant atmosphere while people wait for the couple’s arrival.

Some of the song choices for this part of the wedding include All the Way (Frank Sinatra with Celine Dion), Arabesque No. 1 (Debussy), Arioso (Bach), Clair De Lune (Debussy), Melody in F (Rubinstein), Moonlight Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto (Beethoven), Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Major (Chopin), Wedding Day At Troldhaugen (Grieg), and One Hand One Heart.

Processional: As the Bride Walks Down the Aisle

One of the focal points of the whole wedding event is when the bride walks down the aisle. Look around and you will see that this dramatic walk can send tears to the eyes of the parents, the groom, and the guests.

When you say traditional, Here Comes the Bride or the Bridal Chorus (Wagner) will be the first thing that would come into your mind. But if you want to play something else, here are some your choices:

Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach

Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke

Ode to Joy by Beethoven

Hymne by Vangelis

Ballade Pour Adeline by Richard Clayderman

Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar

The Wedding Ceremony

Popular traditional hymns played during the actual wedding ceremony include Praise My Soul the King of Heaven, Now Thank We All Our God, Love Divine All Loves Excelling, Ave Maria (Franz Schubert), The Prayer (Foster & Bayer Sager), Praise to the Lord the Almighty, The Wedding Song (Stookey), and Amazing Grace.

The Recessional

Choosing the recessional music usually takes a shorter time than picking the song for the processional. But you should still devote time to select the music to be played while the guests exit or while they move on to the reception area.

During this part of the event, the musicians can play Vivaldi’s Four Seasons (Spring or Autumn), Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach), Hornpipe (Allegro Maestoso from Water Music), Rondeau (Mouret), Wedding March (Felix Mendelssohn), Canon in F (The O’Neill Brothers), Finale from Water Music (G.F. Handel) or Trumpet Tune (Henry Purcell).

This is the moment that you have waited for all your life—the beginning of a lifetime of journey with your beloved. Make the event even more special and memorable by picking the right songs to play.

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5 Tips To Sell Your Wedding Dress Quickly And Profitably

August 24, 2009 By 1 Comment

sellingdressWhether you are a bride who wants to clear out some room in the closet, or you are a retail outlet needing to unload outdated inventory, selling a wedding dress is something that can easily be done in a way that can put a little green in your pocket.  All you need is some know-how in regards to where and how to sell.

Online re-sale sites such as eBay are a great resource when it comes to selling any personal item you no longer use.  However, buyers are still hesitant to hop on board without much consideration.  This will be especially true when the buyer is looking for a dress for her own special day.  For this reason, it is important that you know every detail of the wedding dress you are selling.

Description is key; so you should give as much description as possible.   List all of the special features of the dress; where it is fitted and where it drapes; what the fabric is and what it feels like; buttons, zippers, hems, and so on.  If this is a wedding dress that features lace, you need to adequately describe what kind of lace it is.  Lace comes in many types:  chantilly, alencon, venise and battenburg are a few.  While showing an image of the lace on your wedding dress can be helpful, getting the most money for the dress will occur when you can describe its value through details such as this.   If you are not sure what kind of lace is on your dress, you might try to look it up on the internet or visit the  bridal shop where you purchased your dress and ask them.

Be honest about the condition of the dress.  Nothing is more upsetting to a buyer than to feel they have been lied to.  If there are any spots or tears on the wedding dress you are selling, you need to disclose it in your listing or advertisement.  It doesn’t matter how big or small the imperfection is; be honest about it and address it up front.  Show a picture of it, even.  You also must disclose if the dress has been worn.

Take pictures of the wedding dress you wish to sell.  If possible, do so on a mannequin or a model, so the buyer can get a good idea of how the dress looks when it is on.  This will allow her to envision how it may look on her.  While a buyer wants to see the dress on a body, she may not want to see all of you.  It is best to take pictures that show only the body, not the face.  Also, your pictures will be on the internet where everyone can see, so you may not want your face to be shown.

List all measurements of the dress clearly and accurately.  If you have taken measurements while the garment lies flat, state that.  If you have measured the wedding dress all the way around, state the measurements that way.  For instance, you can state waist as being “15 across, flat”, or “30 waist”.

When it comes to pricing the wedding dress you are selling, know that you will not get back the full price that you paid.  Although it was only once, the dress has been worn and therefore is considered used; it’s that simple.  A good rule of thumb when it comes to pricing a wedding dress to sell is to ask for half of what you paid for it.  This is closest to the wholesale price of the dress.   Remember, if you sell a wedding dress online, you will have to pay for shipping, which can range from $10-$25.  Instead of trying to calculate shipping, when you don’t even know where you may ship to, it is simpler to just add about $20 to the price of the dress and offer free shipping.

Selling a wedding dress can be an experience that benefits you as well as a bride-to-be.  Following these tips, you should be able to see a quick and profitable sale of your wedding dress.

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12 Ideas of Hairstyles for the Elegant Bride

August 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

bridal updosThe bride is always the most beautiful woman in any wedding event. She is the focal point of the ceremony, which is why she needs to be able to choose a hairstyle that is both beautiful and elegant at the same time.

If you are a bride, you probably know that finding a wedding hairstyle is not that easy as there are so many factors to consider. Some of these factors include shape of the face, wedding gown, theme of wedding, wedding jewelry, and the bride’s personal style. All these things affect the bride’s decision on what kind of hairstyle to don on her wedding day.

There are many variations and possibilities on wedding hairstyles that even those with short hair have many styles they can choose from. Here are 12 elegant ideas for wedding hairstyles that you can consider.

1. Classic Bun Updo

In this classic hairstyle, the hair is pulled into a neat and compact bun at the back part of the head without any hair sticking out. It can be low on the neck, on the middle part, or high on the crown of the head. This gives the traditional look that can make any bride look stunning.

2. Sophisticated French Twist

The hair is swept to the back part of the head and twisted and secured with hairpins. This type of hairstyle speaks of beauty, elegance and timelessness, making this one of the most popular choices on wedding hairstyles.

3. Playful Braids

French braids, twisted braids, or large braids—whatever type of braids you choose and whether you form it into a bun or hang it loosely from your head, the end result is the same. You will get an elegant and yet playful look that many brides want to go for.

4. Side Swept Hair

In this type of wedding hairstyle, the hair is neatly swept to one side to form a roll or bun.

5. Curly Long Locks

Long hair curled and hung loosely on the shoulders of the bride look elegant and sexy.

6. Bun with Accessories

Pulling the hair into a perfect bun and topping the crown with a tiara or securing the bun with a flower is another great hairstyle idea to consider.

7. Combed Short Hair

Who said, brides could only sport long hair? Short hair neatly combed can look just as elegant and beautiful. It is also practical and easy to fix.

8. Sexy Loose Large Waves

Loose large waves look stunning and sexy. Brides with this type of hairstyle appear confident and eye-catching.

9. Half Updo

Classy and elegant, the half updo has half of the hair pulled up into a bun at the back of the head while the lower half is curled or hung loosely on the shoulders.

10.  Ballet Bun with Curly Side Strands

A compact bun with curly strands on the side of the face is both elegant and exciting.

11.  Simple Ponytail

For simple brides who do not like the fussiness of elaborate hairstyles can go for simple but sophisticated ponytails.

12.  Bun or Ponytail with Wispy Bangs

Modern but at the same time elegant, a bun or ponytail with wispy bangs in the perfect choice for trendy and chic brides.

With the right choice on wedding hairstyle, the bride can truly exude sophistication and exquisiteness that will amaze the guests and wow the groom.

Filed Under: Bridal Hair, Fashion, Hairstyles, Ideas & Tips

How to Become a Bridezilla

August 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

bridalstressWhen faced with the love of a lifetime on bended knee before her, every woman is at her sweetest, most sincere self. But very soon, as the planning get under way, the time comes when a bride-to-be has the choice to remain calm and serene or to become frantic and demanding. Think this couldn’t happen? Were it not something that is actually commonplace, we would not be treated to the entertainment of the hit TV series “Bridezilla”.

Just what does it mean to be a Bridezilla? According to Wikepedia, it is simply a generic term for a difficult bride. If you have never seen the show Bridezillas, you may have a difficult time imagining just how difficult a blushing bride can be. Most of us couldn’t see ourselves doing some of the horrific things brides featured on Bridezillas do, but there may just as many who think filling the shoes of a Bridezilla may be exciting and exhilarating. So let’s look at how you can become a Bridezilla and put your friends and family through an experience they will certainly never forget.

• Make the entire wedding all about you. YOU are the bride, after all, and therefore entitled to special treatment from the day of your engagement to the day you say “I Do”. So why should anyone, including the groom, the bridesmaid, even your mother, have any input whatsoever? Do not allow opinions from the groom regarding the wedding cake, the honeymoon, or the tux he will wear. Nobody will notice him anyway.

• Master the tantrum. If you do not have the ability to rival a two year old with your own tantrum, then you are not ready to be a Bridezilla. Tantrum throwing is the way a Bridezilla gets what she wants. Be louder than everyone else in the room and you will be heard. Waive your hands around at the same time and you’re sure to be the center of attention – a true Bridezilla treat.

• Spend time each and every day, sometimes multiple time a day, checking your registry to see what has been purchased. And when you see the high dollar items hanging around the list too long, consider sending out an email to all of your friends and family reminding them that you are entitled to receive everything you have registered for. Perhaps telling them that any gift MUST be purchased off the registry will qualify you as a Bridezilla.

• Dictate to everyone involved in the wedding precisely how you want things done. This includes demanding specific grooming from your bridal party as well as specifying to the professionals you have hired to handle your special day exactly how to do their jobs. I mean, just because they are professionals who do this all the time doesn’t mean they really know what they are doing any better than you do, right?

In the end, a Bridezilla can lurk behind the bright eyes of any bride-to-be. The types of behaviors that put you into Bridezilla category are far too numerous to list in one short article, but could make up a book the size of an Encyclopedia. If you really want to seek Bridezilla status, it isn’t very difficult. Just keep in mind that the wedding you ruin will be your own.

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