Wedding Articles

Planning The Wedding - Tips For Success by Adriana Noton

Everyone knows weddings are fun. And everyone who has ever helped to plan a wedding can attest to what kind of nightmares poor wedding plans can cause. But, planning the wedding doesn't need to become a nightmare if done properly.
What is vital in planning any wedding is to allot a reasonable amount of time for the size of the festivities. In other words, if you want to hire a caterer who has his own reality TV show, and you want a gown designed by Vera Wang, plan on 12 ' 18 months at a minimum, not to mention you must plan for the exorbitant costs.

The dress can be a problem all by itself. Too many women tend to design their wedding dresses in their heads, and then try to find the exact one. Weeks and months of dress shopping frequently end up in tears and utter disappointment. In today's world not many people have this kind of time and many brides are therefore looking for options. These options include renting a dress, buying a used one, or just foregoing the official wedding dress altogether and choosing cocktail attire. Let the bridesmaids do the same thing.

No one can make all the necessary wedding plans all alone. You need help. You need to have at least a few people to rely on. Delegate! If you're into micromanaging everything, technology can help. Smart phones can show you pictures of flowers, videos of churches and halls, and even photos of wedding cakes. Let someone else do the legwork and you can still make the final decision.

For invitations, save time and money by doing your own. These aren't cheap home made reproductions; these are beautiful high end pieces. Kits can be found online and in local stores. Do yourself a favor and forget those little RSVP cards that no one uses anyway. Give people an email address they can respond to. What may have raised eyebrows a few years ago is considered industry standard and acceptable today.

If you have happen to not be a fan of those old fashioned and boring and usually inedible sit down dinners, too often interrupted by photos and music and other distractions, save yourself a small fortune and opt for something much more fun and enjoyable. Wines, cheeses, sushi, finger sandwiches and dips can be much easier, and people can eat whenever they want. Cut down on liquor expenses by setting a cappuccino bar with pastries, too.

This is perfect for a late afternoon wedding, especially a less than formal event. Any of these choices can be quite elegant and very memorable.

Don't forget to check on your transportation a few days ahead. Whether you are using limos or depending on friends, double check addresses, times, routes and even talk about parking availability in larger cities for friends driving in.

Also important ' tell people to leave the gifts behind, or at least send them to your home. You aren't going to open them there anyway! Don't make other people figure out how to pack them up and get them to you later on.

About the Author
Professional wedding planners strive to make all Toronto weddings momentous and unforgettable. Their extensive services include hiring a Toronto wedding photographer, booking the banquet hall Toronto, and ordering the Toronto wedding cakes.

Outdoor Weddings - Alice In Wonderland Wedding Theme

Author: Denise Sanger

August 4 2008

Are you a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland? Then this is thewedding theme for you!

The invitation you receive has a small round circle on the back,it's of dark blue and has white printed on it, the words ofcourse say "Open Me" in nice readable script. Who wouldn't opensuch a delightful little message that's addressed to you? Whenyou open the envelope a very fun, colorful invitation isrevealed. The wedding invitation is of blues, yellows, greensand pinks, all together in gentle, whimsical pastels.

By thesounds of it, you have been invited to wedding and tea, so wear your best attire with a splash of color. The wedding date has arrive, it's an outdoor wedding on a nicespring day, being held outside in the garden with vast amountsof flowers, lush green grass, and water fountains. You followthe signs that say "This Way" and "That Way" to the area thatthe wedding is being held. As you arrive you notice green, blue,pink, and yellow paper lanterns. The seats are basic, withlittle signs saying "Sit Here" or "Sit on Me" hanging off fromthe side.

This is surely a curious wedding! Everything has an opinion on what it wants you to do. Playing cards are spread everywhere, at random and even someextra flowers from the garden that Alice stumbles upon. A littlegirl dressed in a light blue dress, with a little white sasharound her middle and a headband skips down the aisle, droppingflowers with every skip. Before she is fully down the aisle, thebridesmaids and groomsmen start to walk down the aisle ascouples. The dresses of the bridesmaids are the same gentlepastel colors as the invitation, except for one who must havebeen the Maid of Honor, the men in tux with ties that match the bridesmaid they are walking with. One of the groomsmen, the bestman, appears to have a rather large hat- a formal Mad Hatter.

Finally the bride walks down the aisle, she's stunning in afairytale dress with her hair done with flowers. The groom iswearing a stunning tailed tux, white button up shirt with a darkred vest, and a black tie as he waits for his bride to arrive.They are certainly the King and Queen of hearts, since the bridehas a bunch of dark red roses and the groom has a single redrose pinned to his coat. As the wedding ceremony ends, the party is just starting.

You,and the rest of the guests, are ushered to a different part of the garden where there are tents and dance floors set up. A bandis already playing on a mini-stage. The place is covered withlittle colorful lanterns and vases spilling with flowers. On thetables, which are covered by different colors following the samepattern as before, are Las Vegas Wedding Poker Place CardHolders with a name on each one. Two of a Kind Playing CardFavors are also on the tables, along with tea cups that say"Drink Me" on a card and a bunch of cupcakes and cookies thatsay "Eat Me" on the platter.

As the guests eat and drink, theynotice Seed Wedding Favors 'Love Grows' under their cups- alovely addition for the garden wedding and the perfect partyfavor. This is one tea party that the real Mad Hatter will want to goto! Everyone enjoys the games, food, drinks, and music until thenight comes up- and even then those lovely colored paperlanterns extend the party away. Surely, this wedding is one thatyou will never forget and for Alice in Wonderland fans, awedding theme your guests will long remember.

Professional wedding planners strive to make all Toronto weddings momentous and unforgettable. Their extensive services include hiring a Toronto wedding photographer, booking the banquet hall Toronto, and ordering the Toronto wedding cakes.

How To Plan A Theme Wedding

Rene Fletcher
How To Plan A Theme Wedding

Creating a theme wedding is one of the hottest trends around
right now. Incorporating a design or monogram throughout your
wedding day can add special flair and personality to an event. A
theme is such a unique way for the bride and groom to express
their creative sides to everyone attending their wedding. The
most important thing is that you choose something that
meaningful to you and your fiance'.

Choosing A Theme

Thinking about the exact feel for your wedding day can be a
great place to start when deciding on a theme. What feeling do
you want your guests to experience? Is your event formal or
informal? What interests you? These are some of the questions
you can ask yourself when trying to determine your theme.

A monogram, which usually intertwines the bride and grooms
initials, can be fun and easily incorporated to the wedding.
Monograms are adaptable to everything because depending on which
font you use, it can give the feel you are going for, from
formal to casual.

If a monogram may not be what you are looking for, think about
your hobbies, interests, favorite cities, sports teams or
symbols. A vine of grapes can be a beautiful accent to certain
wedding items. For a French flair, a fleur-de-lis can be used
for a symbolic theme. Love the RedSox? Then use that as the
accent of your day. You can also look on the internet to get
ideas from other brides.

Using Your Theme

The thing that truely sets the tone of the wedding usually
begins with the wedding invitation. This is where you can begin
using your theme. A watermark of your design can be used as a
background for your inviation or you can have the theme running
along the top or side of your invite. Get creative because this
is a great place to start.

Other areas to use your theme are the ceremony and reception.
From the aisle runner, to the unity candle, to your bouquet,
this can be added in a suble way. At the reception, the cake
table, bridesmaids attire, and decorations are other ideas to
utilize the theme you have chosen.

You can also incorporate more than one theme. A monogram can be
used in conjunction with a design or symbol. This leaves room
for diversity and not tying yourself down to just one thing.

Have fun when choosing and using your theme. It's the one and
only day where you truly get to show off your creativity.

About the author:
Rene Fletcher is the President of Sales & Marketing for
http://www.fleurdelisfashions.com as well as the sites
webmaster. She was also a recent bride who planned and organized
her entire 500 guest wedding herself.

Writing And Delivering A WeTitle: Writing And Delivering A Wedding Speech

Author: Kathleen Terrana

In order to write a perfect wedding speech, it's a good idea to
make notes about experiences you enjoyed with the bride, groom
or both. Talk to brothers, sisters and friends to gather
humorous or tender anecdotes to share with the guests. Speak
from the heart, and keep your speech less then 5 minutes. Run
the speech by a family member or friend and avoid crude or
offensive material.

Traditionally, the bride's father is the first to make a speech.
He will want to welcome the guests, thank them for coming to
celebrate the wedding of his daughter, tell them about his love
for her, tell them about his respect for his new son-in-law, and
make a toast to the bride and groom. His speech is usually
followed by the speech of the groom's father, the groom, and the
best man. The best man is the official spokesman for the bridal
party and will thank the bride and groom on behalf of the
bridesmaids and groomsmen. He will talk about the groom's life,
including tasteful jokes and anecdotes about his boyhood or
college. He might mention that the bride and groom met on a
blind date or have known each other all their lives. He will
propose a toast to the newlyweds and read any telegrams or cards
from people unable to attend.

These days, couples are making their own traditions about
wedding speeches. They may choose to have all four (or more)
parents make a speech. Even the bride and bridesmaids are
getting in on the act. The bride and groom can decide the order
in which speakers deliver their speeches. The best advice is the
keep the guests entertained by being thoughtful, stimulating,
and making the speech "short and sweet."

About the author:
Kathleen Terrana is the owner of
<href=http://www.beautiful-bridal.com>Beautiful Bridal</a>
specializing in discount tiaras, veils, bridal and bridesmaid
jewelry. Visit our site for additional tips, advice and
information.

A Picture Perfect Wedding

Author: Low Jeremy

Weddings are definitely one of the happiest moments in a
person's life. But, this momentous occasion does not always come
as blissful as the event itself. Days and even months before the
big day, couples usually cram up with the littlest details.

The process of listing down and cutting down everything into
specific details--the wedding date, the venue, the reception,
the caterer, the designer of the gown and suit, all the way down
to the wedding coverage--are the areas where stress usually
ushers in.

Due to hectic schedules, most couples usually do not pay much
attention to one of the crucial things in any wedding--the
wedding coverage. Despite the overwhelming tension and
excitement, couples do not have to be nonchalant when choosing
their wedding photographers if they want their fun times and
precious memories recorded very well.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PREFERENCES

To avoid making this slight neglect that usually leads
disastrous results, couples have to decide first what kind of
wedding photography they would want to have.

Most wedding photographers today categorize the types of wedding
photography into two: the traditional or classic style and the
wedding photojournalistic style.

The most common style used by wedding photographers today, the
traditional or classic wedding photography is considered as a
"timeless" and the "safest" style because you normally see in
countless wedding albums. Characterized by classic poses of
subjects aware of the camera, this style involves so much
control from the photographer because he is in-charge in
arranging individual and group shots before, during, and even
after the wedding.

Having excellent portraiture skills, expect the photographer to
focus more on the quality of the photograph by making the
subject look great from the littlest details. Expect typical
wedding photos like pre-ceremony pictures, formal shots of the
bride and groom posing with brides maids and ushers, cake
cutting, garter and bouquet toss, and the like when you choose a
classic wedding photography. This style is ideal if the couple
would want to keep portraits of family members for their wedding
album.

If the couple is adventurous and unconventional, then you might
want to consider the wedding photojournalistic style of
photography on your big day. An increasingly popular style
today, wedding photojournalism offers fresh and new style of
taking photos in the occasion. Characterized by candid shots of
the subjects unaware of the moving camera, the photojournalism
style lets the attendees act freely to capture their pure and
true emotion.

Sourcing style from his experience in journalism, the
"photojournalist" pays more attention to minute details and
candid shots rather than arranged ones. He's more into eyeing
interesting moments and capturing those in his lens to produce a
narrative collection of images that tell a story.

Although some traditional poses will be present, expect photos
that show actual emotions of the bride and groom and of other
participants throughout the duration of the wedding when you
choose the photojournalism style.

In order to avoid ruining the documentation of your wedding,
here are some tips in making your wedding a picture perfect one:

1. Weddings are one of the most exciting chapters of one's life.
Make sure that you choose a wedding photographer that can meet
all your standards. Meet with the photographer before hand the
so you could discuss the details you want.

2. Inform the important participants about the schedule of photo
sessions and make sure everyone attends the rehearsal to cut
down the stress.

3. Have a reception area so guests can be informed about the
itinerary. This will set the occasion in order.

About the author:
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in
its entirety with all links included. For more information on
photography & other useful information, please visit http://photography.articlekeep.com

Etiquette Tips for Every Wedding 'Party'

(ARA) - The wedding season is in high gear, and with another round of newlyweds just around the corner it is important for everyone involved, from the bride down to the ushers, to get organized.

Denise Dinyon, Lenox gift-giving and etiquette expert, says that although the planning process can be hectic, staying organized and optimistic can make the day enjoyable for each guest, and most importantly, the newlyweds. "Everyone involved in the planning process should stay organized and make the time to speak regularly with the bride and groom to be sure they are fulfilling their duties," Dinyon says. "Sometimes, just by making yourself available to help, the bride and groom-to-be can relax more - allowing them to fully enjoy this memorable start to their future together."

Dinyon offers some additional tips for those playing leading roles in the wedding party.

The Bride and Groom

* When it comes to thank-you notes and bridal party gifts, it is important not only to remember those who attended, but also those who helped celebrate from far away. More than half of U.S. adults (53 percent) reported they always send a gift to weddings they can't attend, according to the Sixth Annual Lenox Gift-Giving and Etiquette Survey. These people should not be forgotten.

* Designate a point person to take care of the minor details on the wedding day so the groom doesn't find himself responsible for tracking down the DJ or rounding up friends for photographs. This person can either be hired help or a trusted friend, but be sure they have a schedule of approximate times that the bride and groom plan to share their first dance, toss the bouquet and cut the cake.

* Provide entertainment to guests and an opportunity to socialize with sometimes unknown seat mates via fun icebreakers. At each table, include an appealing crystal bowl, such as the Lenox Shooting Star Rose Bowl, and fill it with pieces of paper that spark conversation by asking guests such things as how they met the bride and groom, or what their favorite story is about a member of the bridal party.

The Best Man

* Help free the new bride and groom of unnecessary worries on their special day. Hold on to payments for the day's vendors and be sure to disburse the checks to the appropriate people by the end of the reception.

The Maid of Honor

* Streamline the planning process for the bride by creating an easy-to-remember e-mail address that can be sent out to all the wedding guests. This way, questions can be directed toward you, keeping the bride less frazzled.

The Parents of the Bride and Groom

* If you are paying for the expenses of the wedding, be sure to sit down with the bride and groom early to set expectations for costs. It's also important to communicate costs throughout the planning process, but remember, just because you are paying for it does not mean you get to decide every last detail of how the money is spent.

Most important, Dinyon says, no matter how much preparation goes into this magical day, everyone should remember to relax and enjoy the moment. The best gift to give to the bride and groom is to celebrate what brought everyone together in the first place: love.

For more information, ideas and products, visit www.lenox.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content