Planning Your Memorable Wedding
April 29, 2009
You have finally said, “Yes.” This is the start of your life as a couple. And prior to that much-awaited big day, you, both the bride and groom have so many decisions to make and wedding-related tasks to complete.
Preparing for your wedding day need not be stressful. On the other had, it should be fun and memorable. And to do this, start off by putting together a wedding timetable.
A short list of wedding-related tasks as well as a rough estimate of when the activities should be done follows. It presents tips and guidelines to keep you organized and help you think of all the matters that you must take into consideration in the course of planning for your big day. Of course, these are mere suggestions. All activities and schedule are still up to the couple to decide on depending on their priorities.
At the Time of the Engagement
- You must tell your parents the happy news as soon as possible that is if they don’t already know. If you were having an engagement party, it would be good to keep your close friends and relatives in the know, too.
- An organizer would be best to have in handy. This will help you keep track of all the appointments, payments and other wedding-related activities that you must attend to.
- Have your engagement photo taken. This would be nice to have as a keepsake of this wonderful occasion.
6 to 12 Months In Advance Before the Big Day
- The couple should have already picked and decided on the wedding date. Do the reservation for the venue where the ceremony and reception is to be held.
- Set an appointment with the wedding officiant.
- Establish a budget for the wedding, and try as much as possible to stick to it.
- Prepare a wedding guest list. You wouldn’t want to leave somebody uninvited unintentionally.
- Look around for a photographer, florists, musicians, and a caterer. Obtain estimates for these services.
- Register at the bridal gift registry.
- Pick a wedding dress and accessories to go with it. If you are having a seamstress make you one, this is the time to have it arranged. Several fittings may be required for this.
- For the bride, select your bridesmaids. Set a date for ordering dresses for them.
4 to 6 Months In Advance Before the Big Day
- Have the invitations, stationeries, and thank you notes ordered.
- The photographer, florist, musician, and caterer should have already been chosen. Go over details with each of these services to make sure that everything is as agreed upon.
- For the groom, select attire.
- Honeymoon reservations should be made already at this point.
- Confirm the delivery of the bridal gown.
2 Months In Advance Before the Big Day
- Plan your rehearsal dinner.
- If you are having out-of-town attendants, arrange for their lodging.
- Make an appointment with your chosen photographer for the shooting of the bridal portrait.
- Order the wedding cake.
1 Month In Advance Before the Big Day
- The couple should decide on a wedding band set.
- Mail the invitations.
- Check the apparel for the wedding party.
- The couple attends showers.
2 Weeks Before the Wedding.
- It is time to apply for marriage license and attend to other legal matters, especially for the bride - name and address changes on bank accounts and other official documents.
- Plan a wedding hairstyle and make-up with your stylist.
- Check with the caterer and the reception venue for last minute changes.
1 Week Before the Wedding
- Do your honeymoon packing.
- Wrap gifts for the groom and attendants.
- Schedule the wedding rehearsal.
- Remind the wedding party of the exact time and place for the occasion.
On Wedding Day
- Take breakfast! Fainting on the aisle wouldn’t be cool.
- Have your hair and make-up done.
- Shake off all your wedding details worries and enjoy your day.
First Impressions Lasts Choose Your Wedding Invitations Properly
October 21, 2008
How to choose your wedding invitation:
1. Set a budget and be creative. As well as there are beautiful expanssive invitations, there are also inexpenssive but equally beautiful ones in the market. You just got to be creative and know where to look.
2. Decide on a theme and color motif for your wedding. Your invitation should suggest the theme or the color motif of your wedding.
3. Do your guest list so that you will know how many invitations to order.
4. Select a style that reflects your personality as well as it should give an idea of the wedding that you are planning.
5. Begin as early as eight months before the wedding. This means that you will have plenty of time paying attention to perfect the wording, and should something goes wrong, you will have ample time to revise it and make sure that it is the way you want it before sending them out.
6. Before you order your invitations, make sure that all of your wedding details such as the date, time and place of the ceremony and reception are already confirmed.
7. Asking help from professionals on the look and style of your invitation will help you pull your ideas together for a more beautiful outcome.
8. With regards to the proper wording and etiquette, a professional should be consulted to make sure that everything in the invitation is properly placed.
9. Order more invitations than the amount that you really need. This will give you a few extras in case you miss anyone out.
10. When giving the shop your wording, it is best that you give it to them typewritten, so they can clearly read it.
11. Do it with style. Be creative and try to combine materials to achieve your own personal touch.
Invitation Etiquette
1. When the ceremony and the reception will be held at different locations, you can enclose a reception card along with your invitation. The reception card should also be provided with an envelope and contain specific information about the reception.
2. Do not address envelopes as Mr. and Mrs. William Cooper and Family. This is not proper. The names of children under eighteen years old should be included in the invitation, while children over eighteen should be sent their own invitation.
3. You can use casual names such as Uncle Henry and Aunt Beth or Grandma to relatives that are close to you, in addressing the inner envelope as this will show how much you mean to them, even if you are planning a formal event.
4. Mail your invitation six to eight weeks before your wedding date. If however, your wedding date is set on a holiday season or you are inviting a lot of guests that are from out of State, you should mail the invitations sooner to give them ample time to plan and make hotel reservations and organize their schedule.
5. Position the word black tie in the lower right hand corner of the invitation if you are planning for a formal wedding so that your guests can dress accordingly.
Donts when placing invitation wordings:
1. Dont use nicknames. Always use the first, middle, and last name. Some people do not want their middle names included in the invitation; dont use initials, simply do not include their middle names.
2. Dont make abbreviations. Only Mr., Mrs., or Dr. can be abbreviated. All other titles should be written completely.
3. Dont abbreviate dates, addresses and time.
4. Dont write the word and as &.
Invitation assembly:
1. Place the invitation inside the large envelope along with its protective tissue and make certain that the invitation is facing you.
2. Place in the reception invitation on top of the invitation, also facing you.
3. Position the response card in, and leaning within the flap of the response envelope, which is facing down.
4. The last to go in are the directions or map which guides the guests.
5. When addressing the outer envelope, it is best that you use calligraphy.
6. For added touch, choose a postage stamp that well compliments the general appearance of your invitation.
7. If possible, bring your invitations to the post office and ask that they be hand cancelled, to avoid unattractive marks or scratches that a machine cancelling can cause.
7 Steps in Planning the Perfect Wedding Hairstyle
September 12, 2008
In China, the typical hairstyle of a married woman is tied up in a bun. Such style is done in most Chinese brides in a ritual: a woman who has had a successful family life, is asked to help in dressing up the bride’s hair. While setting the brides hair up, the good luck woman speaks of good fortune for the bride and her upcoming married life.
In the US, preparing the brides hairstyle is also becoming a ritual, as it plays an important part in her overall look. Much preparation has to go into the brides dress, and so should her crowning glory, the hair. Follow this simple guide on how to plan for the perfect wedding hairstyle.
Weeks before your wedding day choose a hairdresser that will make your do at the wedding. Find a hairdresser that is recommended by someone you know and trust; someone that they had a good experience with.
1. Establish a good rapport with the hairdresser. You should be comfortable in discussing with him or her on the style and look you want. Some hairdressers insist on some do that they dreamed would be made for them. Be firm in telling him or her what you want and dont want.
2. Discuss in length the shape of your face in relation to the hairstyle that he or she proposes. Try the following styles:
-Up dos signify elegance and this is what most brides want.
-Tired of the bun? Achieve the same polished look with braids instead. From cornrows to French twists, there are numerous interesting ways to set your hair in place.
-Letting your hair down, especially of the mid-length can emanate romance. Flip the edges out for a little retro look.
-Short hair can be spruced up with color highlights or shiny curls.
3. Ask to schedule a practice session to mock-up the intended hair do for your wedding day. You may need to pay extra for this mock-up session, but its worth the buck to ensure you look lovely during your wedding.
4. Part of the mock-up is for you to carry the hairstyle. Check side and rear views for how the hairstyle looks and make sure it is made to your liking. You are the center of attention on the wedding day, so you should be beautiful 360 degrees!
5. Walk around the salon with your hairstyle. Try to bob your head abit or do other head movements that you think will happen on wedding day. Make sure your hairstyle withstands all the head activity and that you and your scalp will be comfortable for hours.
6. Now, traditionally, they say it is bad luck to try on your wedding dress before the wedding day. But you need to be sure that your hairstyle matches the gown. Dont worry; you can still approximate the look by using other dresses. Look for a dress that has the same collar style as your wedding dress. Then put on something that approximates the same lines of your wedding gown. View yourself on the mirror, and imagine yourself in white does the hairstyle match?
7. On the eve of the wedding, get a head massage, on second thought, get a whole body massage! This relaxes your body, opens your pores and freshens up your skin.
Gets yourself ready for your momentous event: plan for your wedding day hairstyle and achieve the perfect wedding day look!
Wedding Planning Choosing the Gown
June 29, 2008
The dress is always the highlight of all wedding fantasies and make-believes. Ever since their youth, people will most often dream of a beautiful princess-bride in a snowy white, ethereal wedding dress of stunning beauty. It comes as no surprise that choosing the perfect wedding dress for your wedding will prove to be one of the most challenging and exciting part of planning your wedding.
Marriage is ideally an once-in-a-lifetime event. There isnt much leeway to practice or make mistakes. So to make the brides entrance down the carpet perfect and memorable, one must take great pains to ensure that everything is done correctly down to every little detail on the wedding dress.
From watching fantasy-like weddings on TV, or reading about them in books and magazines, or hearing about them from other people, many brides-to-be form an image in their minds of the kind of wedding dress they would like to wear on their wedding. Many people take a watch and learn stance as they formulate, plan and dream up their ideal wedding dress.
If your time has come, and you are shopping for the perfect dress to make your wedding dreams come true, then you have come to the right place. Here are a few tips to help you get over the wedding dress hump will less sweat.
1. The Dress Comes First
Although it may go both ways, the theme of your dress should follow your desired theme or vice versa. Some couples choose a theme before choosing a gown, and in effect, they make the gown fit the theme they have chosen. But for some people, the choice of gown comes first, and the theme of the wedding follows the gowns theme. So if the gown that catches the brides fancy is ultra beaded and formal, then the wedding may tend to be more formal. If the bride chooses a less formal dress, then the wedding may follow a less formal route.
2. Dont Overwhelm Yourself with Choices
Yes, it may be tempting to try every gown that comes your way. But what if you find yourself buried under a pile of 20 or so gowns you think you really like and cant make a decision? That sort of scenario will prove to be a terrible headache not to mention a great source of stress.
To avoid this, try making decisions in stages. You could try an American Idol style way of choosing a gown. You could vote off the least liked one and then reevaluate the remaining gowns.
Another method is trying 5 gowns and then choosing two of the best. These champions will be pit against 5 more new gowns. Continue the tournament until you get to the perfect gown.
It may become tempting to say, Aw, but that other gown might have been better. Try to make sure you make your final decision among 5 gowns. If you end up with too many to choose from you may get overwhelmed and end up choosing an inferior gown, or choosing the perfect gown but forever asking yourself whether you made the right decision or not.
Choose Wisely
And choose a wise companion; take along one or two of your closest friends or confidants who know a thing or two about wedding dresses and style. Their advice will come in handy when choosing a gown. Also, make sure you check the durability and quality of the gown, the material and the accessories. You dont want your gown falling apart on you during the ceremonies.
How to Select the Perfect Wedding Dress
June 16, 2008
One of the most important decisions a woman will make before she gets married is to select her perfect wedding dress. This is something that every little girl dreams of during her childhood. But don’t let the hype and the pressure of years and years of anticipation cloud your judgement. After all, the dress is just a dress, and should never be bigger than the occasion.
One of the things brides-to-be have to consider when buying a dress is the comfort level of the wedding dress. Sure it’s nice to look like a princess on your wedding day, but if the dress causes you extreme discomfort; or cuts off your circulation, then it’s not really worth it. The dress might even cause you to faint. Imagine what a nightmare that would be!
The wedding dress selection process usually starts months before the wedding. It’s advisable for brides-to-be to look through the pages of wedding magazines, or to visit wedding shops. Just to give them an idea of the different types of styles of wedding dresses that are available.
Brides-to-be also have to consider their body types. It’s important to get a wedding dress that looks good on you! You might have to try plenty of wedding dresses before you find that one dress that is perfect for you.
If you have set aside an extensive budget for your wedding dress. Then you can always go for a designer dress. The most famous name nowadays when it comes to bridal fashion is Vera Wang. She is known for her luxurious detailing, craftsmanship, and hand beading. Her clients for her wedding line include: Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Uma Thurman and Mariah Carey, just to name a few.
But if you don’t have that much money to spare then you can always choose other options. There are a number of places where you can get your wedding dress that won’t cost you a fortune. In addition to the more traditional bridal shops, wedding dresses are also available in: thrift shops, discount stores, online, and even eBay.
If you are buying on eBay, make sure the measurements of the wedding dress is included in the description. Also, the condition of the dress must be looked into. Check for feedback regarding that person’s account, just to make sure that you are dealing with a credible dealer.
But if a traditional wedding is the theme you have in mind, then you might want to go for a vintage dress, in keeping with this theme. When buying a vintage dress, beware of discoloration, or stains on the dress. These might not come off so easily. Investigate the fabric of the dress, stretch it out to check for weakening, or tearing of the cloth.
Try to buy a vintage dress that is made before the 1900’s. Fabrics have a tendency to deteriorate, and weaken over time. Extraordinarily old vintage dresses might look romantic, but they might not be ideal for use.
If you really have your heart set on a specific design, but you find that that dress is too old to use, or too expensive, then you can always go for a reproduction wedding dress.
Many stores specialize on reproduction dresses. They design wedding dresses based on specific themes, or eras. Some specialty wedding shops also focus on designing knock-off wedding dresses, inspired by designer wedding gowns. The huge difference being, that these wedding gowns are retailed for the fraction of the amount.
There are so many ways a future bride can go about in search for her dream wedding dress. Searching for a wedding dress should be exciting and fun. So make sure you have plenty of time in your hands before the big day, so this process doesn’t become stressful, and wearisome. Instead a prelude to the happiness of the special occasion which is to become your wedding.
The most heavily populated city in Nevada, Las Vegas is
January 23, 2008
The most heavily populated city in Nevada, Las Vegas is considered not only as a major vacation and shopping destination but also the center of gambling in the United States. Although it is often called Sin City because of legalized gambling and prostitution, availability of alcoholic beverages, and various forms and degrees of adult entertainment, its glamorous and enchanting image has made it a popular setting in the movies and television programs.
Dubbed as “The Entertainment Capital of the World,” Las Vegas is not only known for its tourist attractions, but also for its infamous ‘Las Vegas Weddings’.
Las Vegas is by far the most popular destination-wedding spot in the United States (and perhaps the world). About 120,000 weddings are held in Las Vegas every year, and it is a perfect place for couples (especially celebrities) who want to get married in a quick and different (or unusual) way.
A lot of couples prefer to have a Las Vegas wedding because of the following advantages:
It is affordable. Las Vegas weddings cost less than traditional wedding ceremonies.
It can be held on short notice. Most chapels in Las Vegas allow couples to book for their wedding right away - others even accommodate walk-ins!
It is convenient. Hotels in Las Vegas usually have their own wedding chapels, with a wedding coordinator that takes in charge of all the preparations - from the flowers and music to the officiant and the souvenirs - and can get in touch with the couple on the phone or even online.
It is fun. Las Vegas weddings offer couples with a fun and amusing way to get married - even with an Elvis impersonator as their officiant!
It allows couples to start their honeymoon early. After the wedding, there is no need for couples to board a plane and head out of town - Las Vegas is a great honeymoon destination in itself!
Are you (and your partner) thinking of having a Las Vegas wedding? Below is a step-by-step guide that will help you get married in Las Vegas:
1. Set a wedding date.
2. Decide on a Las Vegas wedding chapel (check out the chapels in casino-hotels).
3. Speak to a wedding coordinator to know about the information on wedding packages.
4. Book for the date and time of the ceremony that you desire.
5. Make plane and hotel reservations for your friends and families who will come over (and for you if you are not yet in Las Vegas).
6. Make reservations for a festive lunch or dinner (don’t forget the wedding cake!)
7. Obtain a marriage license at the Clark County courthouse at least a day before your wedding.
8. Slip away after the ceremony and the celebration.
Aside from these guidelines, below are the things that you also need to consider when getting married in Las Vegas:
The holidays. Watch out for ‘peak seasons’ that result to busy wedding days, such as Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve.
The weather. An extremely hot weather in Las Vegas can be uncomfortable when you are in a tuxedo or a heavy gown (not to mention your makeup and the icing on your wedding cake).
The dress. There are a number of places in Las Vegas where you can rent wedding dresses for that ’spur-of-the-moment’ weddings.
The legalities. Make sure that you meet the legal requirements and that you are issued a marriage license before you hold the wedding ceremony.
Now you are ready for the wild and wacky experience of a Las Vegas wedding. Just remember that the most important thing is to recite your vows from the heart, and live them all throuh your marriage. All the best!