Wedding Information

Archive for February, 2010

We’re going to a wedding this weekend - it’s a very good friend of mine from school days. They sent us an e-mail detailing their wedding list info.
Are we the only people in the world who don’t like wedding lists?!
I appreciate that times have changed; people live together before marriage (we did) and so already have the traditional wedding gifts of household items, but I don’t like being told what to get!
To me, it takes away my right to give a personal present to the couple which they will always remember is from me/us.
Therefore, I haven’t even looked at the list…I have gone and bought a little gift which is unique.
We didn’t have a wedding list, and we got loads of great stuff ‘cos people had to think. We got loads of lovely candles, and somebody got us a wicker basket filled with bottles of wine! The vino is long gone but we use the basket all the time. One person’s present was to take us to the airport and bring us back - Wedding lists NO!!

At my wedding we had a registry list, but a lot of people went and bought gifts on their own. I think the list is for those people who don’t want to, or can’t think of what to get you. Most people will not go by the list. We got a lot of unique things as well, and I was happy with the outcome.

I am 24 I am getting married next year I was wondering does anyone no where I can get any wedding planning stuff! You know like wedding guide books, Wedding planner books free anyone help please!

theknot.com, weddingwire.com, the Martha Stewart wedding website, snippetandink.blogspot.com, offbeatbride.com and indiebride.com are very good free websites that are quite helpful with wedding planning.

I didn’t need any magazines or planning books during my engagement. The magazines are basically just advertisements for wedding gowns and useless products. You can easily use a regular binder or a small notebook for keeping track of your lists and plans. Don’t waste your money on these things .. rely on the free websites and use a binder/notebook and a folder to make notes and hold onto your contracts and receipts.

While most of the couple today are thinking of preparing a fortune to spend for one of their most memorable day - wedding, some might find this hard to believe that planning a cheap wedding is quite easy to do. Just like planning for an extravagant wedding celebration, cheap wedding ideas are also great and fun, and can be really unique and creative, too! So if you are one of many couples who opt to have a cheap wedding without compromising what you have desired to be in your special day, consider saving money on your wedding location, reception and decorations.

One way to trim down your wedding expenditures is by planning of having a cheap wedding location. Planning to have this cheap idea is not impossible to do. In fact, you can have your wedding ceremony in a variety of locations that are completely free. A great example could be a local park. Usually, going to a local public parks doesn’t require any fees, and so planning a cheap wedding ceremony there doesn’t give you any cost. They don’t usually require any permits of other fees too. However, just make sure you have double checked it with your local city authorities before anything else.

Beaches are also a free place where you can held your wedding. Other ideas may include: having your wedding at a family member’s home, or having it in your own backyard. If you and your partner loves nature, it may be free or very inexpensive to have your ceremony at a local zoo, nature reserve, or even at flower conservatory also.

Another area where you can save some money is your wedding reception. If you are on a tight budget, you can always go with cheap wedding reception, and believe or not this is not too difficult either. One of the most popular cheap reception is idea is to make a pot luck meal. You can ask each of your guests to bring their own dish. But if you’d rather not ask guests to bring food for your wedding reception, then perhaps asking a few family members to get together and cook food as a wedding gift for you can lighten your burden.

Planning a cheap wedding receptions should also involve choosing cheap location for the reception too. Example, if you’d like to have your wedding ceremony in the gazebo at the park, then perhaps the best reception option could be a barbecue or picnic style in that same park. Another easy and cheap option is of course, having your wedding ceremony in your own home. Then you can have your reception in your home as well, or out in the backyard if the weather agreed.

Wedding decorations are not only fun to deal with, but they can also cut down your wedding expenses.

You don’t have to go without them completely though, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a big amount of dollars, rather you just need to improvise. Example, instead of buying expensive flowers for instance, try decorating with balloons and streamers instead. You may purchase a few spools of pretty ribbon at the nearest craft store or fabric store. Grab few balloons and tie them together using the strips of the ribbon. Also tie the ribbons into bows themselves, then tape the ribbon bows around for decorations by themselves.

Other ways where you can save money on your wedding is to purchase cheap wedding favors, inexpensive bridesmaids gifts, and discount groomsmen gifts. Giving wedding gifts to your guests and attendants doesn’t give you any reason to overspend your budget. After all, it is not the cost that is being valued, rather the thought behind it.

Janet R.
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/cheap-wedding-ideas-saving-money-on-location-reception-and-decorations-673444.html

Preparing for a wedding is always a time of great joy and also great stress.  This article includes some tips that would apply to preparing for a marriage anywhere in the world, but is specifically about getting married in Spain, as the Spanish culture, bureaucracy and weather make certain preparations different than elsewhere.

If you plan on having the full legal marriage ceremony in Spain, then be aware that different regions of Spain have different legal requirements and for some being a Spanish resident is necessary.  Itâ??s not Las Vegas and a quick legal ceremony is therefore not an option, so ensure that the actual legal ceremony and the church or wedding venue fit with your desires and your faith.

Again, for a full legal wedding, the bureaucracy can be substantial and it normally takes a few months to obtain all the necessary documents you need from different authorities.  This is an area where a wedding organiser can help, particularly if you donâ??t speak Spanish.

Before you make a firm decision on where and when to marry, itâ??s therefore best to research different options and the first decision is perhaps to marry in Spain, or to have the legal ceremony in your native country and have the non-legal wedding ceremony in Spain.

If you have the opportunity to visit both the wedding venue and the accommodation in advance (preferably without announcing your intentions first, so you get a more objective view), then this is certainly a good idea.  If not, then see what other people recommend and find as much information out as possible through the internet or other sources.

The most important thing is that you agree with each other.  If you and your partner have different faiths, then itâ??s possible to create a ceremony that is respectful of both your faiths, be they religious, spiritual, humanist, alternative or if one or both of you are of no faith.

Particularly if a large group are staying in the same hotel, itâ??s worth trying to negotiate a discounted rate if someone mentions that theyâ??re part of your group, or perhaps some other offer for your party.

Many people can be involved in creating a marriage ceremony â?? florists, caterers, entertainers, etc.  If you can afford it, then hiring a Spanish speaking wedding organiser can make this go more smoothly and only you to enjoy yourselves more and fret less about the details.  Whether you decide to co-ordinate everything yourself, or pay someone else to co-ordinate things, itâ??s best to get everything in writing from suppliers â?? how much will be supplied, when, etc., as this reduces the likelihood that things will go wrong at the last minute, and also adds clarity to the process.

If you feel that you need to make a lot of final plans before you can be absolutely sure of the venue, you can always send out save the date invites, with a full invite sent later, as this allows guests more time to arrange leave from work, find good flights and organise a hotel and car hire, etc.

In this day and age, itâ??s quite common to create a wedding website where you publish the most important details of your big day.  Make sure you add photos to the website after the honeymoon, for those who couldnâ??t be there.

For winter weddings that youâ??re holding outside, make sure you have a contingency plan if it rains.  Equally important for summer weddings, you need to take into consideration that Spain can get very hot â?? particularly during the day in August.  If youâ??re having a summer wedding, then I would recommend starting the wedding proceedings in the late afternoon or evening, when itâ??s cooler, making sure that thereâ??s plenty of water for everyone and if possible a source of shade.

Alcohol also quickly dehydrates people and while it is accepted as a normal part of most marriage ceremonies, it may be best not to offer too much alcohol too early in the proceedings, but wait until the evening party, so your guests donâ??t dehydrate during the hottest part of the day.

When choosing the bride and groomâ??s outfits, youâ??d be wise to choose one that will keep you cool enough in the summer, or warm enough in the winter.

If a guest offers to sing or play an instrument at your wedding, then it might be worth making sure that they can play or sing well before you say â??yesâ?? â?? this is your special day, so be willing to say â??noâ?? to any suggestions that youâ??re not comfortable with or that donâ??t fit your desires.  If, however, you ask guests to sing or give a speech, check that theyâ??re confident enough to talk or sing in front of the assembly.

While itâ??s traditional for the bride to be a little late, itâ??s best not to be too late.  For the wedding itself, ideally arrive a day or two before and allow time for delays.  This also helps both the bride and groom to be more relaxed.

Your marriage ceremony, whether in Spain or anywhere in the world, will be a day of great joy.  Itâ??s also only natural to be nervous, so while much of this article encourages consideration of your guests, remember that this day is for the two of you.  Be willing to ask for what you want and what you need and may your day be blessed with happiness and love.

Rev. Andrew Hunter
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/wedding-ceremonies-in-spain-750907.html

My sister loves parties. She is a having a big 40th in a few weeks. I asked her what she wanted as a present and she said she will send me a "wish list". She emailed a word document and it had some big items on it like outdoor furniture and settings, tickets to expensive concerts and doona sets etc. She had on a few smaller items like beautican vouchers but nothing on the list was under $50. It seemed more like a wedding list. Do you think it was a bit rude? I will be putting in with my family to get an item, however her friends have been instructed to email me wanting to know what she wants and I will send them the list. I feel a bit embaressed to do this. Do you think she is being greedy?

thats pretty rude and greedy, she should be happy with whatever she gets, birthday wish lists are for little kids, not grown women, talk to your sister about adding some more affordable items on the list

With all of the celebration surrounding your wedding, it is easy to get a little sidetracked. Choosing your favorite flowers, favorite songs and favorite foods can create a self centered mindset. When it comes time to choose the wedding favors it is time to shift your mindset to the guests. Many brides strive to find that perfect â??somethingâ? that will be both impressive and memorable. This can be a tall order, but choosing a unique and different wedding favor helps to ensure that your guests will remember your wedding day for some time to come. So, how to choose wedding favors that will make you stand out?

Coordinate with your theme - One way to pick wedding favors that stand out is to choose something which ties in with your wedding theme. If you are hosting a spring wedding, consider flower bulbs; a winter affair? Holiday ornaments. By complementing your theme and choosing a gift that goes along with the wedding, you show creativity, thoughtfulness and a sense of style. The favors can even serve as part of your reception decorations or table centerpieces.

Shop early; do not wait until the last minute - If you put off shopping for favors until right before your wedding, you may be disappointed with what you find. Finding the perfect favor is just as important as choosing the right flowers or food, and you should allocate time to find exactly what you want. By starting early, you will also leave yourself enough time to personalize your favors if that is an available option. Some favor ideas require assembly, so be sure to leave enough time (or get enough help!) to have all the favors ready by your wedding day.

Consider all your options - It is not so much what you choose as how the item is finished and presented. For example, you may want the most unusual and fantastic wedding favor ever, but with a budget that really can only afford â??mintsâ?, you might have to get creative. Do not take any option off the table. Chocolates, mints and other edibles can be great favors especially if you dress them up in colorful gift boxes or sheer gift bags with ribbons and personalized tags. It is easy to get sidetracked when you are planning a wedding. With so many things to concentrate on, the perfect favor may be far down on your list. But you can find special and personal wedding favors in all price ranges if you take the time to look.

Ask for advice - With all of the planning and stress surrounding a wedding, it can be difficult to make any decisions, let alone a good decision. In fact, you may be tired of being constantly asked to make choices about every detail of the wedding. Because it is easy to be overwhelmed by the decision making process, it makes sense to solicit advice. Whether you ask your fiancé, your mom, your bridesmaids, or a trusted wedding consultant, seek out an opinion on the wedding favors that you are considering. After you have looked at so many choices, it may be hard to remain objective when determining what is actually a special or unique idea versus what is just another trinket. Once you have narrowed down your list of potential favors, ask someone you trust to help make the final decision.

Set a realistic budget - When you finally find something that you love, and want to give as your wedding favor, it is important that you make sure it fits into your budget. The price of these wedding favors adds up quickly depending on how many people you are expecting. Set a total dollar amount before you begin shopping for wedding favors, and divide that number by the number of favors you plan to buy. Be sure to subtract on any charges for personalization, taxes and shipping from your total budget, or you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when you place your final order. This lets you know how much you can spend on each favor. Once you have this number, stick to it. It is difficult to do when you see the perfect gift, and it is only 75 cents more than your set price. But multiply that 75 cents by 250 guests and you will see how quickly you can blow your budget. Once you have determined what your maximum price per favor is, do not shop outside of that price range.

The last step, finally, is to relax. Shopping for the perfect wedding favors can be extremely stressful. Of course we want the people we care about to like what we give them, it is human nature. But in the big picture, the wedding favors are only one part of a special day. Do not let a tight budget or other set back keep you from enjoying your wedding day. You can stand out with personalized wedding favors no matter your budget.

Arianna Jordan
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/stand-out-with-personalized-wedding-favors-695111.html

If you’re in the midst of some serious Philadelphia wedding planning, keep reading for five great tips that are full of local resources sure to make your wedding planning experience simple and enjoyable.

Tour a Wedding Show or Bride Expo

Bride expos or wedding shows are a great way to evaluate multiple wedding suppliers and vendors in one spot and in one day. So, instead of calling around to different vendors or hitting the Philadelphia streets, you can simply spend a day at the bridal fair.

]The biggest company currently hosting bridal shows in Philadelphia is Bridal Event (bridalevent.com). They host events all over Pennsylvania and New Jersey and are known for large-scale bridal shows with hundreds of vendors. You can check their website for upcoming shows in the Philadelphia area.

Plan for Your Photographer

Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love, and wedding photo opportunities are everywhere. Whether you want to take your shots at the infamous LOVE statue or beautiful city hall, Philadelphia is a city that’s brimming with history, tradition and romantic settings. However, remember to arrange your photo permits before you start shooting.

For example, to take pictures at the Longwood Gardens you need to fill out a permission slip, pay admission for each member of your wedding party and adhere to a strict no tripods and no lights rule. Other areas in the city, like Fairmount Park, also require permits, so plan ahead.

Get Online

Sometimes Philadelphia wedding planning can be overwhelming, so why not blow off some steam venting with other brides or doing your planning and shopping online. You can try a national site like One Wed (onewed.com) or something local such as PA Brides (pabrides.com) to find vendors or just inspiration.

Websites that offer forums or message boards are a great way to get referrals from other brides, bounce ideas around and find inspiration from these same people in the Philadelphia area.

Hire a Local Planner

Of course the “city of brotherly love” is home to piles of well-qualified wedding planners. So, if you need someone to take over the whole process or just a one-hour consultation to help with budgeting or other plans, check the yellow pages or the websites listed above for a recommended, local planner. Popular companies include The Wedding Factor, Megan Kennedy Events and I Do Wedding Consulting.

Check Out Philadelphia Wedding Magazine

Though only a quarterly publication, Philadelphia Wedding magazine is a great local resource that not only includes pertinent local articles but also advertisements for local vendors and service providers.

So, rather than waste your time on national publications that don’t offer the local information you need, use this local publication as your Philadelphia wedding planning guidebook.

The city of Philadelphia is a spectacular location in which to celebrate the most exciting day of your life. Even if you and your guests are from out of town, there is beautiful scenery, historical significance, and a lot to take in - even well after your wedding ceremony.

Trevor Price
http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/high-priority-arrangement-strategies-for-your-wedding-in-philadelphia-681778.html

Im getting married and i am writing my invitations out. Im not going to do a big wedding list or go into a store and do one as i feel a bit cheeky asking for presents, i dont know y i just do lol. So instead ive decided to ask those who would like to give a gift to please give us money towards our honeymoon, so what I am going to do is add a small slip of paper in with the invitation stating that if people would like to give a gift please give money for our honeymoon, but I dont know how to word it. I dont want them to sound rude and begging for money and i dont want to make people feel like they have to give but I want to let them know that thats what we would like if they want to give a present but I dont know how to word it nicely. I would appreciate it if anyone could help me out with wording them, thank u very much x

There is no right way to word this. It would be like going to someone’s house and saying "If you feel like giving me something to eat, I’m very fond of roast beef and potatoes." You’re supposed to wait until someone offers you something, not bring up the topic yourself.

If you do your RSVP by phone, when people call then most of them will ask what sort of gift the couple would most appreciate. You and your helpers should be prepared with a response that seems to offer them several options, and not narrow their options down to cash. "They collect antique coins, they drink Courvoisier, their decor is forest green and white, and they welcome contributions to the honeymoon fund" works well. A few people will give you coins, cognac, or curios, but most will get the hint and give cash. Notice I said a response that SEEMS to offer options, rather than one that actually offers any good options other than cash. Etiquette is tricky and twisted, not straight forward and frank.

I hope this was helpful. Congrats and best wishes.

Wedding planning is an intensive process, and it usually requires plenty of help. Whether sampling cakes, choosing flowers or providing moral support on the big day, the wedding party in an integral part of the success of any wedding. Wedding tradition dictates that you present the members of your wedding party with a gift, as a token of appreciation for their participation in your big day.

Although it is expected that you will present all the members of your wedding party with a gift, there is no reason to blow your budget doing so. Make a list of all the members of your wedding party, including the flower girl, ring bearer and any other helpers such as guest book attendants. Once you know how many people that you are shopping for, it is easier to come up with a budget. Let the groom shop for the ring bearer and groomsmen, and the bride shop for the bridesmaids and flower girl if you like, but both the bride and groom should participate in choosing the gifts for each set of parents.

It is clear that there is no gift that can adequately express your appreciation for the help provided by an efficient and organized best man or maid of honor. You certainly do not want to insult them by gifting them with a token that appears cheap, or like an afterthought. This is, however, an expensive and stressful time in your life, and every choice can seem overwhelming. So, what are some popular gifts for members of the wedding party?

Gifts for the bridal party: Your bridal party has a lot of responsibility and probably some expense when it comes to buying dresses, planning the shower, and other wedding responsibilities. While you are making yourself crazy planning every last detail, your bridesmaids are keeping you from going over the edge. It is important to give each member bridal party a gift that shows them how much you appreciate what they have done for you over the months leading up to your wedding day.

If it is in the budget, jewelry is always nice, but it is not necessary. Totes, spa kits, personalized tee shirts or tank tops or a nice key chain are all special gifts for the members of your bridal party. You may want to provide a special gift for your maid of honor. If so, this can be done privately.

What about the flower girl? The flower girl is easy to buy for. Most little girls love the idea of being in a wedding, and are easily pleased. A necklace, doll, or personalized tote bag are all gifts that the flower girl may cherish.

Gifts for the groomsmen: There are many choices available when shopping for your groomsmen. What direction you go really depends on your relationship with these guys as well as your budget. If your relationship is casual and your budget is tight, gifts such as beer mugs or pocket knives are nice gift ideas. If you have a long standing relationship with these men and can fit it into the budget, a gift such as monogrammed cuff links or some type of electronic device is a nice way to show your appreciation. Again, the groom may wish to provide a little extra for the best man, but that gift can be exchanged in private.

What about the ring bearer? The ring bearer certainly deserves a special gift. Piggy banks, candy jars or a personalized football all make gifts that your ring bearer is sure to enjoy.

Shopping for the parents: It is a nice gesture to present your parents with a gift that expresses your thanks for the job that they did raising you, and their support on your wedding day. Your parents, of course, love you and do not want you to break your budget buying them a gift, but it is possible to keep an eye on your budget while shopping for your parents.

Photograph frames, including digital frames that allow your parents to display a rotating group of pictures, a vase, handkerchiefs and cigars are all popular gifts for the parents of the wedding couple. This is probably the first opportunity that you have to present a gift to your parents from you and your new spouse, so it can be an emotional occasion. Take your time shopping so that you can choose a fitting gift.

The bottom line is, wedding party gift ideas are not limited to bracelets and key chains (although todayâ??s fashionable selections still make these nice gifts!) In addition to travel bags and totes, there is a wide variety of t-shirts, sweat shirts, hats and other â??bridal gearâ? for both girls and guys, even for your pets. The sky is the limit when it comes to showing your appreciation to the friends and loved ones who such a big part of this special event in your life.

Arianna Jordan
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/popular-ideas-for-wedding-party-gifts-693560.html

Wedding favors are a customary way to show your appreciation for those who come to your wedding to support you on your special day. Remember, everyone attending the ceremony and reception has taken time out to celebrate the day with you, perhaps traveling and staying in a hotel overnight or for an extended weekend. It is important that you take the time to choose a thoughtful favor as these small gifts double as a â??thank youâ? as well as serve as a lasting memento of your special occasion. Choosing a memorable and personalized wedding favor is one of the most important parts of planning your wedding, and often one of the most overlooked.

There are many choices available in wedding favors. Some wedding favors are designed to go with a particular theme, while others are practical gifts that your guests will use over and over. Whatever you choose, you should pick something that will provide meaning to your guests. With so many different people at a wedding it can be hard to narrow down your choice in wedding favors.

Themed Favors: If your wedding has a theme, it makes sense to carry that theme over into the favors. A beach wedding is one example of this. If you are getting married on the beach, there are many favors that you can choose from. Photo frames and albums decorated with seashells or starfish are a popular choice, as are candles decorated in the same way. For an autumn wedding, you can find cookie cutters shaped like leaves as well as candles in autumn colors. Flowers your thing? Continue the floral theme with candles shaped like roses, or scented in enticing floral scents.

Sweet Treats: Everyone likes an edible favor. It eliminates the problem of what your guest should do with the favor; they savor it and then it is gone. Edible favors are available in a variety of forms. Chocolates, mints, and lollipops can all be personalized with the Wedding information on the label for a special favor. Mints are available in small tins or individually wrapped.

Take Home Treats: Chocolates and mints are not the only edibles available as wedding favors. Personalized packets of coffee and tea are a popular choice as well. One edible favor idea you probably have not thought of are mini honey pots with personalized labels and real honey inside. Also margarita and cosmopolitan drink mix packets are an inexpensive and fun option.

Totes: Tote bags make a great choice for a destination wedding. Whether you are headed for the Smokey Mountains or the sea shore, handing out tote bags for wedding favors not only provides your guests with a memory of your special day, but also gives them something in which to carry everything they accumulate on the trip.

Cleaning Gear: Not for the house or car, but for your guests. Shower gels and soaps are a great wedding favor, can be personalized easily, and are both decorative and practical. Tiny soaps in a miniature wooden crate or small plastic bathtubs provide a sweet gift for your guests.

Eco-friendly: Many young people today are concerned about the environment and you do not have to sacrifice conservation when choosing wedding favors. New, green choices include â??bloomingâ? bookmarks or ornaments made of all-natural fiber paper containing seeds you can plant; just stick the favor in a pot of dirt and add water! Similarly, seed packets come in attractive, earth-friendly envelopes and can be personalized with a message of your choice.

Bottle stoppers and corkscrews are another popular favor idea that is as useful as they are decorative. These gift items come in heart shapes, butterflies, leaves, fruit, flowers, seashells, and more.

These are just some of the many wedding favors that you can give to your guests. Make sure that you have enough favors on hand for everybody. If you are having a reception with a formal sit down dinner, you can be reasonably sure that your RSVP rate will be fairly accurate. But for a more casual wedding and reception with a somewhat open guest list, it can be a difficult balancing act between having enough favors and having too many. If your favors are not personalized, talk to the sales person where you decide to purchase your favors and determine their return policy. If items are returnable, you can place as many favors as you think you may need, and then return any remainder after the wedding.

No matter what type of wedding favors you choose for your guests, you can be sure that they will notice and appreciate the effort. Whether you choose something that is practical, something they will eat, or something they will pack away with their invitation for future memories, a personal wedding favor is an important part of the wedding celebration.

Arianna Jordan
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/suggestions-for-personalized-wedding-favors-694598.html