Sunday, August 10, 2008

Destinations for Weddings Around the World

By Greg Hansward


For those who are planning a destination wedding, you will want to consider that there are a lot of reasons for you to find yourself overwhelmed with decisions. You will find that there are tons of websites online that you will want to consider helping you plan the out of town event of the year. You will need to look at these sites so that you can outline some of the plans that you need to take care of and also help you organize the stress and expenses of the wedding.You will find that the price of the wedding will include traveling arrangements, wedding parities, and also the wedding itself. You will not be able to think and visualize the wedding of your dreams. For some people, you may want to consider the destination wedding as a new way to elope. You will be able to fly you two to some corner of the world and have a beautiful and personal wedding without having to deal with the guests and the hotel reservations.All you will have to do is just make the legal arrangements and then make the trip arrangements. Once you are there you will have a commitment ceremony and you will be able to have the wedding of your dreams without having to focus on the troubles and stress of planning.

However, keep in mind that even the best ideas and the best destinations have some issues. You will want to keep in mind that there are some couples who feel that the destination has to have some personal or romantic meaning to them, however, you don?t always have to have the dreamy, romantic wedding, but you could have a wedding that is fun. You will find that when you are picking a destination, you will need to consider that the destination needs to be exactly what you are looking for. You need to make sure that you keep your options open. You don?t have to go somewhere fancy or somewhere that you have never been. When you make plans going somewhere that you have idolized without proper research you are simply heading for a disaster.

When it comes to destination weddings you will find that there are some do?s and some don?ts. You will need to consider that romance is the one thing that you need to keep in mind about the destination, however, don?t forget the basics. You will need to make sure that you sign the contracts, keep on top of the arrangements, and also gain your marriage license on time. Keep in mind that when it comes to the marriage license a lot of people end up forgetting it and then the marriage isn?t even legal. Don?t allow your wedding to be a disaster by forgetting the marriage license.

A lot of people also assume that their close family and friends will come. Discuss your option to go away for the wedding with your family. You will need to keep in mind that this could cause some family drama and if you really would like to avoid the drama, then you need to be open to other opinions and express your feelings for the wedding. Keep in mind that it is your wedding, but your family is always going to be a part of your life.

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Saturday, August 9, 2008

Save Big With a Used Wedding Dress

By Gary Pearson


If you don't want to shell out a lot of money for your wedding dress, you are not alone. I saved a lot of money on my dress by buying something that was deeply discounted because it was a year off-season. If you can't find something you like this way, then you might want to consider looking at used wedding dresses. Before you dismiss the idea, remember that many women do this when they use their mother's or their grandmother's wedding dress for their wedding day. I know getting a stranger's dress is not the same thing, but the principle is the same.

Buying a used wedding dress doesn't always mean buying one that was worn. There are many shops that specialize in reselling unsold stock from other stores for big savings. Or perhaps someone will sell a dress for a ceremony that never happened, in which case they want to get rid of the dress fast and cheap. You never know until you start looking.

A good place to start your search for the perfect used wedding dress is Ebay. Here you can find thousands of dresses in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Make sure the dress you want has measurements as close to yours as possible, so alterations are minimal. You may also want to check out local classifieds and second hand stores, although you won't get as much variety as you would online.

One extra expense you may find that you have with used wedding dresses is cleaning. No matter what you do, you want to have the dress cleaned, even if the previous owner claims to have had it done. You will also still have to pay for alterations, but these shouldn't be too bad. It still beats paying a thousand for a dress you can get for 200.

If you are really lucky, you will find a dress that fits perfectly, but this is a rarity. Most bridal stores will do alterations for you if you make an appointment, even if you didn't get your dress through them. Make sure you call ahead to find out though. If they can't, they may be able to refer you to someone who can.

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Planning a Beach Wedding the Right Way

By Ken Morris


When it comes to planning your beach wedding the right way, make Mother Nature your guest of honor!

Imagine the beach! It is the perfect backdrop to the quintessential romantic wedding. Yet to do it right, Mother Nature will need to be taken into consideration first and foremost. As one of the main factors in this equation which cannot be controlled, she may throw you some curve balls which, if you are well prepared, should not bother you in the least.

The weather of course is the primary adversarial force when it comes to beach weddings. The wise couple will peruse the weather history of the beach they are considering and then estimate the likelihood that on their chosen date the weather may be cooperative rather than fickle. Obviously, common sense will dictate that an East Coast beach wedding should not be set during hurricane season while a West Coast beach wedding should not be set during the fall and winter months when it is notoriously rainy, even in sunny Southern California!

Next is a study of the tide schedules. Serious fishermen will carry them as a staple in their tackle boxes, but enterprising couples intending to celebrate their vows on the beach of their choice will be wise to know when the tide comes in. Nothing is worse than having the minister or other officiator rushing through the vows in an effort to make it to the reception dry-footed!

Not all that often considered but a big part of the marine setting are bugs and little sand crabs. Although the latter do not really chomp down too hard, the aforementioned bugs can be a nuisance that sometimes takes on Biblical proportions! Whether you are dealing with those that descend onto the drying seaweed which is washed ashore or the mosquitoes which seem to come out of nowhere but may have your wedding party running for cover, knowing the setting ahead of time will allow you to wisely choose the right beach ? or any portion therefore ? for your marriage celebration.

As you choose the time of the event, remember that the outgoing tide carries a scent of refreshing, while a tide that has gone a long time ago will have left behind rotting seaweed which ? after four hours in the glaring sun ? will not add a lot of sweet scents to your celebration. Pick your time accordingly; once again, the tide schedules will be a tremendous help! You will also want to take this into account when contemplating your picture poses and backgrounds.

Next on the list of beach related items to tick off your check list are the amenities. Granted, there is precious little you will need other than your mate and an officiator, but your guests may appreciate the availability of bathrooms while those wearing high heels might like a concrete slab or something even to stand on ? sand is murder for those wearing heels!

In addition to the foregoing, keep in mind that a public beach is, well, public! You may have a Frisbee flying through your nuptials or listen to the wailing child who got wet when she thought she could escape the waves! Onlookers may stop to watch, and unless you do not mind the publicity, then a public beach is not a good choice.

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Thursday, August 7, 2008

Planning A Simple Wedding, While Making It Memorable

By Robbie Claus


The planning of a simple wedding is becoming popular by today's society. More young brides and grooms are having untraditional simple weddings in lieu of the lavish wedding parties that perhaps the mother of the bride had. But this doesn't mean they are giving up stylish, elegant affairs. Simple weddings will still be remembered for many years by the wedding guests and bridal party.

The wedding reception has become the single most expensive part of the event, allowing the bride and groom to come up with innovative and less traditional types of places to have their wedding. Fabulous weddings can be had at beaches, parks and even in your own backyard. Some of the more memorable wedding events I have been to have been at locations that have selected from a romantic place in the hearts of the bride and groom.

The wedding I attended at our local bowling alley was absolutely memorable. The groom proposed to the bride there and that made it even more special. The wedding invitations and wedding decorations were all done in bowling motif. The groomsmen had on rented tuxedos with bowling shoes. The mother of the bride wore a spectacular dress decorated with a bowling theme. Even the wedding cake had the bowling theme. This simple but imaginative wedding was extraordinary.

Another simple wedding that I won't ever forget is the one I attended in San Diego, California. This was in a state park that overlooked the beach. The wedding while being simple was also quite exquisite and refined. The bride wore a gorgeous dress that shimmered in the sunshine and we all enjoyed the ocean breezes. The bridal party and wedding guests toasted with champagne and wine that was local to the area.

One more idea for planning a simple wedding is right in your own backyard. The bride can then take her time and get the whole family to help out with the wedding decorations.

When planning a simple wedding, it is imperative to voice your desires to the entire family. This will block any pressures to the bride from people wanting her to go into huge debt to have an extravagant wedding that she doesn't want. The bride and groom's wishes are paramount and providing their desires are agreed upon then that is all that counts. If they desire to keep the wedding as simple as they can then it is perfectly alright to follow your emotions and try to get everyone involved in making your dream wedding come true.

Simple wedding planning can allow your creativity to flow when it comes to picking out wedding invitations and wedding attire. Flower arrangements and wedding decorations can be personalized and still be simple.

If desired you could consult a wedding planner to assist with the wedding plans providing they know your style and desire to keep it simple, yet unforgettable.

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Monday, August 4, 2008

Wedding Planner Guide: For Your Outstanding Wedding

By Roberta Claus


A wedding planner guide is essential to help take the stress out of planning your wedding. Every bride wants her special day to go as smooth as silk but let's face it, unexpected things happen sometimes. There are a huge amount of details that go into every wedding-big or small.

I remember going to a friend's wedding and the groom had come back to the table and started frantically going through his gift envelopes. He was absolutely livid and unprepared, this being his first and only wedding, when he found out he had to pay tips to the Maitre De, the wait staff and other vendors. He thought this would all be included in the cost of the reception. But instead he had to dip into his honeymoon budget and grease a few palms.

Today's bride and groom are, for the most part, young and have no experience when they enter into a first marriage. For my friend, it was appalling that he had spent so much money on his wedding reception and it didn't even include everything. He certainly would have benefited by using a wedding planner guide that told him to get all his contracts in writing and know precisely what is included.

The last thing any bride or groom wants to happen is a disaster on their wedding day. Photographers who omit family members from their pictures or worse yet, they don't show up at all.

That's why it is so important to stay organized when you are planning one of the most important days of your life. Imagine the heartache of not having pictures to look back on your wedding day.

A timeline of what you will need to do is critical in your wedding planning. The further away your date is the better off you will be. A year off is a good place to start your planning. However, if you don't have that much time you might think about contacting a wedding planner or wedding consultant to help out.

Weddings are a big money making business, but you don't need to beg, borrow and steal to pay for them. When you determine your budget and choose a date that is at least a year away then you can start shaving off your current bills by eating at home more.

Networking with other brides can help save money too. They can sometimes help you find good sales as all brides love to talk to other brides. Bargaining is best when you have several brides working together. And stick to your wedding planner guide to assist keeping you on track.

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Sunday, August 3, 2008

Ideas For A Chic Wedding

By Kathy Milligan


Every bride and groom wants their special day to be unforgettable. For this reason, no expense is spared in finding the perfect dress for the bride, the best venue, finest food, quality flowers and music. Sometimes though it is the smallest of things that will make the wedding truly unforgettable.

At your chosen reception venue, your coordinator will discuss color schemes with you for your tables. Unless you have a color in mind, they will often advise you go with either white or cream tablecloths and napkins, as these are neutral colors. Most brides today do have an idea for their own color schemes. It may be possible that the venue may supply the bride's color, but in the event that that is not possible, table linen can be rented in all shades from a seperate source. By ensuring that the tablecloths and napkins match, you will create a definite air of elegance to the reception hall. One thing that most people wouldn't notice, but will if it is there, is to add chair covers. They can be in either a matching or complimentary color and will definitely tie in the whole room in with the rest of the wedding color scheme.

If it is a traditional wedding, then most likely there will be water goblets on every table. Consider adding a lemon wheel to each glass. This is not an expensive addition, but it looks like it is. Along the same lines, consider adding a strawberry to all glasses for the champagne toast. This costs slightly more than the lemon wheel but it looks and tastes beautiful. Guests will be impressed with the amount of thought put into the small details of the wedding planning.

The food has to be the best part of the wedding reception. Everybody looks forward to savoring the delicious delights that grace the tables. Welcome your guests with a pre dinner cocktail hour. Usually you will find a variety of spirits and mixers served but why not greet the guests with a margarita fountain. A small pasta station is becoming quite a popular addition to the cocktail hour. A small table with just a couple of different pastas and sauces is a great way to keep hunger pangs at bay before the wedding feast. Once the main meal is over, rather than serving individual cofees, consider a coffee buffet with different types of coffee on offer. Again these are not too expensive items to add, but your guests will remember them.

The best way to create and memorable and stylish wedding is to set the stage with special extras. Whether it is tying the color scheme with rented table linen and chair covers, the fruit added to the glassware or offering the drinks fountain, pasta station or coffee buffet. Any one or all of these suggestions will add style to your wedding.

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Planning A Wedding On A Small Budget Without Giving Up Your Dream

By Roberta Claus


Planning a wedding on a small budget these days can be a truly daunting task on the newly engaged couple. Thoughts of how to have the perfect wedding day without breaking the bank will soon follow the marriage proposal. Thinking of scaling down the costs while still letting the bride have the type of wedding day she has dreamt about all her life do not usually go hand in hand.

Wedding costs can quickly get out of hand when the bride and groom to be begin to envision their perfect wedding day. With some creative thinking and budget saving ideas it doesn't have to cost you and arm and leg or force you to take out a huge loan.

There are some incredible ways of cutting your wedding budget, including your wedding invitations, flower arrangements, the reception and yes, even the most important investment-your wedding dress. Vendors hear the word wedding and immediately over charge you based on the word wedding. You can cut these costs without giving up on those things that matter most to you.

When and where to having your wedding reception will also trickle down to all the other purchases involved such as catering costs and floral arrangements. The wedding reception is probably your costliest piece of the pie so if you start thinking about places that aren't strictly used for weddings then you will be able to slash a huge amount of your budget. And time of year and day also play a part in costs. Another savings would be to really think about if you need a wedding planner to do the work for you. It's your wedding so why not enjoy the planning.

Another way of cutting costs is the purchase of your wedding dress. As the bride, you have already envisioned your perfect wedding dress. One idea is to find a trusted local seamstress who can create the dress from your description. Then you cut out the cost of brand names, alteration and delivery charges. Maybe the mother of the bride has been saving her dress to pass on and you can then just get it altered or updated to suit you.

There are different ways of planning a wedding while sticking to your budget without making it look like you even had a budget. Planning a wedding with communication between the bride and groom and families are key to staying on top of the wedding costs.

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