The Lazy Groom’s Survival Guide

lazy groomSo you have found your dream woman and asked for her hand in marriage.  While the two of you are no doubt floating in the clouds; as you step over stacks of bridal magazines strategically placed in every room, you may be wondering what in the world you have gotten yourself into in regards to planning.  All the details of the wedding itself are small beans to most grooms, especially the lazy groom.

Does this mean that you don’t care about your wedding, or about your bride?  Absolutely not.  It simply means that you have the ability to go with the flow and enjoy the day for what it represents, not who it impresses.   There are ways that a lazy groom can make it to the alter unscathed, and with a happy bride at his side.  We will look at just how you can do that here.

Luckily, bridal magazines, books and the internet seem to pay great attention to the wedding duties of just about everyone but the groom himself.  It’s as if the groom, an integral part of this party, is merely along for the ride.  He shows up, looking dapper, on wedding day and they live happily ever after.  It just doesn’t get any easier than this!

However, there can be a glitch when the bride, or one of her trusted bridesmaids, comes up with the idea that the groom would like to miss the big game to go shopping for invitations or taste cake.  One could wonder if women really think men want to do these things, or if they only ask their groom out of guilt for leaving him at home while she handles all of the preparations with her girlfriends.

Here is the one big way the lazy groom can ensure that his time is not eaten up with mundane tasks during the wedding planning stage.  Continue to woo your bride-to-be.  That’s right.  When she feels loved and pampered, you will find you are easily released from many duties that you may otherwise get roped into.

The bride has much on her plate, and she does need to know that you care.  Turn off the TV long enough to listen to your beloved after a long day of shopping, talking and planning.  Support her every decision, and do all that you can to make sure she is not getting stressed out; otherwise, you may wind up with a Bridezilla on your hands.

The one thing you need to remember is to be interested.  While you may not desire to walk the entire wedding district of your town, you can show interest by listening to your bride.  Don’t say “just tell me when and where to show up’.  Don’t EVER say “I don’t care” when asked what you think of an idea or plan.  Find constructive ways to give some amount of input and make your bride feel supported.  Keep her happy, and you’ll make it through.  Comedian Jeff Allen has it right:  “Happy Wife, Happy Life!”

A Beginner’s Guide to Caribbean Destination Weddings

wedding locationMany a happy couple dream of tying the knot in a far-away Caribbean destination; hence the reason for the term “Caribbean destination wedding” in the first place.  Just a decade or so ago, the practice of transporting an entire wedding to a location other than the local church was unheard of; but in today’s society of bigger and better, you can’t go wrong with such an exotic wedding day.

Planning any wedding can be a monumental task, let alone planning a wedding on a Caribbean island.  However, with a little research and a lot of organizing, the bride and groom can choose from a multitude of locations where the sand will be warm under their feet and the ocean breeze will caress their first kiss as husband and wife.

One of the first things to know about Caribbean destination weddings is that there are multiple locations to choose from.  The Caribbean consists of over a dozen islands surrounding the Caribbean Sea.  Choices for wedding locations abound with these numbers.  There is the island of Jamaica, which is a popular choice.  There is also the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and The Cayman Islands.

With so many choices, what might you want to consider when planning a Caribbean destination wedding?

  • Work with professionals.  Especially because your destination is far from home, working with a professional coordinator is an essential part of your wedding going off without a hitch.  Many Caribbean destination weddings are planned through knowledgeable coordinators associated with major resorts.  It takes only a bit of homework to find one you trust.
  • Send invites early.  Because of the travel involved, guests will need to take some time away from work, home and family responsibilities to attend your nuptials.  In order to ensure you’ve given enough time for your guests to plan, sending out a save the date card is recommended.  Typical invitations go out 4 to 6 weeks before the event; therefore, save the dates should go out well before then.
  • Consider the climate.  If you are planning a Caribbean destination wedding, it is wise to know the climate during the time of year, and time of day, you plan to wed.  In some areas, the sun can beat down quite hot; you wouldn’t want to be stuck without some shade for you and your guests if you plan a daytime wedding.
  • Decide what you will pay for.  Oftentimes, guests of a Caribbean destination wedding will cover their own travel fares.  However, it is a nice gesture on your part to make arrangements in terms of accommodations and flights to the extent of finding good packages.  Work with a hotel in your Caribbean location to set aside special rates for your guests, and include that information in your invitations.  Guests will appreciate it.
  • Make sure you know the marriage laws of the island you will be married on.  This is very important, as you don’t want to go through all that planning just to find out our marriage isn’t legal.  Working through a coordinator, you will likely be guided through the process well, but knowing that all islands do not have the same marriage laws will prompt you to be aware and to ask questions on this topic.

A Caribbean destination wedding can be an affair you will remember forever.  Getting through red tape is a cinch when you are prepared with the right questions and carry the right tools.  Enjoy!

Source: Nina Lampe is a blogger for MyBeachFavors.com and she loves all things weddings, blogging, article writing, talking with brides and helping them prepare their wedding.

Wedding Ideas According To Different Seasons

There is a variety of exciting wedding ideas to appeal to every type of couple. Gone are the days of a traditional wedding being the only choice because eclectic ideas are becoming the “new” tradition. As couples seek to express themselves, unusual ideas show off unique personalities and preferences.

Of course, traditional, elegant wedding ideas are still very popular. A Cinderella bride may choose to arrive at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage. The theme will have a fantasy feeling from yards of tulle transformed into creative bows and embellishments. Often country clubs with rolling lawns or a luxurious restaurant are venues chosen for a princess wedding. A fairy tale castle cake topper sits regally atop the multi-tiered wedding cake, waiting for the bride and groom to cut it with an elegant cake serving set.

Many celebrities are choosing destination weddings in exotic tropical locations. More couples are planning information, intimate weddings in the Caribbean, Hawaii and other famous warm weather beach areas. The gathering is smaller and the couple can be informal and relaxed, exchanging vows with the sun overhead and the sand between their toes. Wedding ideas for destination marriages include starfish and seashells on all the accessories to bring the beach to every aspect of the day. Give out goodies in mini beach bags as favors for the all the guests.

Wedding ideas are also based on the different seasons. Each season has its own beauty, which is captured by using similarly themed decorations and accessories. Autumn is a lovely tie to have a wedding with a backdrop of colorful leaves. The weather is still pleasant and often couples can get great deals on fall weddings. Autumn splendor accents featuring fall leaves express the essence of the season.

Spring weddings celebrate your new love during the season of new life. The flowers, warmer weather and possibility of summer have everyone in a happy mood. Your spring wedding can include a butterfly release after you exchange your vows. Live butterflies are released into the spring afternoon. Have a garden reception with butterfly decorations and accents. From your toasting set to your cake topper, butterflies should embellish all the decorative elements of your wedding day for a uniform theme.

Winter weddings have a magic all their own with the icy weather, possibility of snowfall and holiday season. Create a winter wonderland with snowflake accessories. Hang snowflakes from the ceiling at the reception. Using a toasting set with snowflakes for a wintry mood. Have the reception at a ski lodge or manor house where guests can look out the window at the snowy ground. Create a comforting ambiance with luminaries at the reception tables and a fireplace with a real fire burning.

Flowers are part of most wedding ideas. Calla lilies are traditional blooms used in weddings along with roses and orchids. Use silk flowers to create lasting centerpieces and bouquets without any fragrance to irritate sensitive people.

Other ideas include your favorite styles and music. A western wedding is a fun way to bring guests of all ages together. Give out cowboy hats to everyone to get them in the spirit of a country wedding. Have a square dance caller to get the crowd moving. Fill glass cylinders shaped like Western boots with candies, nuts and mints on all the reception tables. Use a western themed guest book with a fancy pen for your guests to sign.

Ethnic wedding ideas express heritage or simply décor you and your groom appreciate. A Celtic wedding brings the joy of this lively heritage to any reception. Include Celtic themed accessories for an upbeat feeling. An Oriental theme is both exotic and romantic. Give fans out to your guests and display place cards in silver plated fortune cookies to create an Asian atmosphere.

There are literally hundreds of different ideas to choose from. Discuss your thoughts with your groom, family, maid of honor and friends to see which ones sound the best. Review websites and read magazines to get new wedding ideas. Create fresh ideas of your own for a very original day based on your own unique theme.

Wedding Favors That Are Uniquely Creative

With online resources, it is easy to find gifts that are a product of true creativity. Review online retailers and forums to check out the latest ideas for creative wedding items. It is more difficult to find creative supplies at local retailers because many of your guests may have already seen them or even used them for their own celebrations. Shopping online gives you unlimited place to find the most unique keepsakes for your guests.

Your guests will appreciate the effort you make to find creative wedding favors. Instead of receiving the same favors they got at the last wedding, your token of appreciation will stand out as special. Your guests will feel your gratitude when you give out special, novelty, and creative favors to remember the day.

Favors should match your wedding theme in a unique way. Your wedding favors may be useful, elegant, and whimsical or personalized depending on your preferences.

These keepsakes will continually remind guests of your big day. Imagine how excited your guests will be to receive “A-Peel to My Heart” stainless steel peelers as wedding favors. Whenever they peel potatoes or vegetables in the kitchen, they will think of you. Another unusual, practical item is a “Have a Ball” stainless steel melon baller. As guests prepare for their own future parties by making melon balls, they will remember your wedding party like it was yesterday. Your guests will be able to time their meals perfectly with “Love is Brewing” teapot timers in classic retro gift boxes.

Besides kitchen tools, there are other creative wedding favors that fit in perfectly at your guests’ homes after the reception. Your guests will proudly display and use “Apple of My Eye” ceramic salt and pepper shakers on their dining or kitchen tables. “Spread the Love” signature spreaders make serving wine and cheese easy. Palm-tree cookies cutters in beach themed gift boxes are perfect for waterfront weddings and make adorable cookies when you guests get home.

Think unique when you choose favors for a beach ceremony. Your guests will smile when they see margarita glass gel candles in their own tropical tiki hut gift boxes near each place setting. Flip flop photo frames with flower accents add a bit of humor to your gifts celebrating nautical nuptials.

Your guests enjoy receiving wedding favors they can use right away. “The Cosmopolitan” monogrammed 5-piece manicure set is personalized and comes in handy to take care of broken nails on the go. Guests can take notes and exchange their latest contact information when you give out “Love Notes” sticky notes in their own nostalgic dispenser gift boxes with dainty heart charms. Add a touch of tradition with “Write from the Heart” calla lily pens in gift boxes.

Candles can be creative favors when you choose unusual shapes and designs. Imagine how delighted your guests will be to receive “Sweet Treats” glass sundae candles in ice cream parlor gift boxes at a warm summer wedding. Capture the cake cutting ceremony at your reception forever with “Buttercream Dreams” cake candles on porcelain pedestal cake plates. Express the sentiment of your special day simply with “L-O-V-E” engraved and scented votive candles.

You can also make your own affordable favors creatively by using decorative bags and boxes. Give your guests treats such as hard candies, nuts or chocolate in themed wedding favor boxes and bags. “Enchanted Carriage” favor boxes are fabulous for a Cinderella princess wedding theme. For Vegas weddings, “Lucky In Love” dice favor boxes with imprinted ribbons turn the tiniest treasures into a jackpot for your guests. Let your guests know how you feel about their attendance with “Welcome To Our Wedding” personalized wedding bags with white satin ribbons handles.

Creative wedding favors make your big day more fun and memorable for everyone.

Bridal Accessories That Are Elegant And Yet Affordable

Unless you happen to be Steve Martin’s daughter in the movie Father of the Bride, and you have Martin Short to over-organize every aspect of your wedding right down to the wedding supplies, you are probably doing the wedding planning yourself, with the help of your mother, maid of honor and close friends.

Most couples want personalized items and wedding supplies that are tasteful and yet affordable. Plan ahead, compare offering and prices and finding affordable wedding items that match your wedding theme and are of high quality are easy to find.

Of course, there are wedding supply necessities that you need to add to your shopping list. These include a ring bearer pillow and flower girl basket for the little ones in your wedding party. Finding a matching pillow and basket set is a good idea if the two children will be walking down the aisle together or be standing side by side at the alter.

Nowadays, you can find ring bearer pillows and flower girl baskets in a wide variety of themes from funky camouflage and seaside allure to romantic western and traditional white satin. You might also want a tuxedo façade or fancy wedding bow for the pet in your family! Ceremony wedding supplies can always be personalized to your taste or with your choice of sentiment.

Speaking of personalization, remember to order your reception napkins, place cards, favor tags, and gift ribbons early. Personalized ribbons have become a very popular choice and a very small keepsake that family members can take home. You can wrap the wedding favor in your personalized ribbon or maybe roll up your wedding program and tie it with your special ribbon.

Another smart idea is to punch a small hole in the corner of the table place card and attach a personalized ribbon, tied in a sweet bow. It really dresses up the place card and allows each guest at your wedding the opportunity to not only take home something that is personalized, but with their name on it also!

Wedding favors are also a must have wedding supply that can be made fun by using color or theme, or can be personalized. Everyone that attends a wedding loves to take home a little something that is personalized with the bride and groom name and date of wedding on it.

Traditionally, it used to be a pack of matches or a slice of fruitcake wrapped in a personalized mini doily. However, matches are no longer considered socially acceptable and fruitcake has increasingly fallen out of favor over the years.

Heart shaped mints in a cute little container are popular, wedding playing cards are a great favor gift, as are paper photo frames that are personalized. Essentially, use your imagination… depending upon how many guests you are having, you should be spending no more than $3 a person on wedding favor supplies.

The exception to this rule is if you are having a very small, intimate wedding affair with just a handful of guest and you want to make sure each person gets a very special gift to take home.

Unity candles and the newer sand unity sets are very popular in the modern wedding ceremony. These sets can be traditional and elegant, or more contemporary to match your wedding ambiance. The importance of a unity ceremony is to signify the joining of two families and has become a very popular North American tradition, especially for second weddings where children from a previous marriage are being included in the ceremony.

Unity candles are almost always white and can be personalized with your names, vows or special sentiment. Unity sand sets come in colors and in a mini set for families who are all participating in the ceremony.

Of course, depending on your choice of wedding ceremony and reception venues, your list of wedding supplies could be the same or different as those mentioned in this article.

Some brides have relatively short shopping lists, while other brides have endless lists of wedding accessories they must source out and purchase before the big day.

Almost anything you can imagine is attainable, and most anything can be personalized or customized for your big day. Wedding supplies do not have to blow your budget. If you shop early, be discerning and know what you are looking for, you should be able to keep your wedding items budget in check.

Beach Wedding Ideas in Case the Exotic isn’t possible

It is difficult to go wrong when you choose the beach as the setting for your wedding, cocktail party or reception. In many places, you still can use a public beach for your event and all you have to do is get a permit. Beaches provide ambiance, elegance and pristine beauty just about wherever they are located.

Most of us think of a beach as bordering an ocean. That, however, ignores the majority of the country that does not have access to the ocean. Beaches in Iowa, Michigan or Ontario, for instance, are much different than beaches you find in Florida, British Columbia or California.

So how can you set come up with beach wedding ideas if the only beach available to you is your local watering hole’s tiny strip of sand. Luckily, any beach setting provides ample environment to make your day very special. With the beach, bigger or brighter does not always equal better.

You also can relay the beach theme to your guests by selectively choosing place cards, favors and table settings that remind people of the beach. Starfish background favor cards in aqua blue will set the theme as will Foot Prints in the sand mini favor gift tags/confetti cards. Another idea that will be well used and put you in the minds of your guests long after the wedding day is the starfish wine stopper, which you can give guests as a favor.

Another idea is to hold your reception outdoors and offer an array of beach related foods. Lobster tails and baked clams is one idea as are offering an array of buffet style salads. You also could offer them beach themed cocktails as well as traditional non alcoholic drinks such as iced tea or lemonade. Remember, if you do opt for messier foods, like clams or lobster, give them a place to change into more casual wear after the ceremony or emphasize in your invitations that more casual wear is preferred due to the beach environment and the reception.

Beach wedding ideas are limitless. Using the sand, sea (or lake, river or pond) and sky as your backdrop will put everyone in a mood that reflects the clean environment and vitality of the outdoors. By using a little creativity and appreciating your natural surroundings, you can make any beach setting perfect and memorable whether your beach is on an ocean or next to a pond.