Saturday, February 21, 2009
Considering a Destination Wedding? Remember the Seasons
Let's take a look at some of these "seasons" and how they might affect your wedding plans:
Fire Season:
The western United States (California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah) has what is called a "fire season" that usually runs from late April until the end of October. Fed by drought (as in the case of the Arizona), low humidity, lightening strikes and winds, they can burn thousands of acres and threaten communities and resorts. What are some popular wedding destinations which might be affected by fire season? June, 2006 saw the evacuation of parts of the resort town of Sedona, Arizona, including the Oak Creek Canyon area, a location very popular for destination weddings. This fire also stranded visitors to the Grand Canyon, who were cut off from other northern Arizona towns by road closures.
The resort areas of Big Bear and Idyllwild in California are also destinations for those wanting to get married in the mountains of California. In recent years both areas have been hard hit during fire season. Fire season also affects the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and the mountains surrounding Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Hurricane/Cyclone Season:
The Atlantic hurricane season officially lasts from June 1 to November 30 and affects the Southeastern United States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and parts of Texas (in addition to bringing heavy rains and flooding to neighboring states). The Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean are also affected. The cyclone season in Australia extends from November to April. What popular wedding destinations might be disrupted by hurricanes? Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a popular wedding destination, as are the beaches of Florida, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. If you're planning a quick elopement to these areas, it's good to get up-to-date hurricane news from the National Weather Service National Hurricane Center Tropical Prediction Center, www.nhc.noaa.gov. Globally, September is the most active month and May is the least active month for hurricane/cyclone activity, according to the Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) (http://www.aoml.noaa.gov.)
Tornado Season:
Tornado season is generally March through August, with 74% of all tornadoes occurring between March 1 and July 31. Although tornados can happen in many locations, they occur most often in the central part of the United States known as "Tornado Alley." Tornado Alley affects all of Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas and parts of Texas, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Keep the seasons in mind when planning your destination wedding. Of course, just because there is a season for these natural occurrences, it doesn't mean your particular destination will be affected. Should you decide to have your wedding in one of these areas, however, it's always a good idea to be informed of weather updates, and safety precautions you should take in the event of a fire, flood, hurricane or tornado. Being prepared and informed can help prevent the best day of your life from turning into a disaster.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Looking Great on Your Wedding Day!
* Eat healthy
Yes! Eating healthily is important, not only you feel good outside, you feel good inside too. Try not to overeat to prevent weight gain or to eat oily food that might give you acne.
* Exercise
Exercise regular to keep fit and tone your body. Also to help you lose some unwanted weight during the process.
Sufficient Sleep
You might be busy with the wedding preparations and had a lot of late nights. Beware. You might develop dark eye circles or eye bags easily. So do make sure that you have sufficient beauty sleep weeks prior to your bid day.
* Drink lots of water
Hydrating yourself is important as impurities will be flushed out if you drink more water.
* Do your hair about 2 weeks prior to the wedding
If you need a good haircut or color, do get them done at least 2 weeks prior to the big day. This is to prevent any ‘accidents’ in the process.
* Facials and beauty treatments
Ladies and Gentlemen, do your facials or beauty treatments at least 2 weeks prior to the wedding day. Sometimes they might try a new product on you and you might get some side effects. So, do let your skin rest.
* Vitamins supplements
Eat some vitamin supplements such as vitamin C, cod liver oil or evening primrose oil. Helps to keep your skin radiant. They can also help to improve your immune system too!
* Skin care regime
Have a good skin care regime to make sure that your skin looks great. Do scrub twice weekly and pamper your skin with a mask afterwards. Your skin should look great!
By Anne Lim
A Guide To Hiring Wedding Professionals
Bridal Shows
The greatest value in bridal shows is the opportunity to meet with a large number of wedding vendors and view many products at one time, in one location.
There are many categories of vendors represented at the shows, making it an invaluable tool for doing research and for gathering wedding-related information. When you find vendors you particularly interested in, make a note of it and call soon after the show to book a personal one on one appointment.
Ceremony and Reception Location
The locations you select for your wedding day are quite familiar with particular vendors, and usually have a preferred vendor list. The vendors on this list have worked at that site many times before and are familiar with the logistics and rules of the location.
Friends and Family
You will usually get honest no nonsense answers and opinions regarding products and services when you ask married friends and family members (even co-workers) about their own weddings. Ask them about their vendors, the services they used, what they liked and didn't like, would they hire them again, etc.?
The Internet
The Internet is an easy access, easy to use, anytime resource. You can find a wealth of vendors on the web. Checking out a vendor's web site can give you a good idea of pricing, packages, and type of work they do before making a personal appointment.
Local Bridal Magazines
Using local wedding magazines and directories can at first seem overwhelming, as there are a large number of advertisements in these publications. You can, however, find excellent vendors in the magazines, but it will take some calling around to acquaint yourself with these vendors.
Wedding Planners/Consultants
Wedding consultants have several pre-established relationships with local vendors. If you are working with a consultant, she should be able to provide you with preferred vendor list. However, if you are not working with a consultant, you can still benefit from this knowledge, as most consultants will share their preferred vendor list with you for a fee.
Conclusion
Once you have made your final decisions, you must get a written contract. Call the vendor to confirm the details and ask for a contract to be sent to you. A contract is the best way of ensuring you and the vendor understand what is expected, as it should outline specifics such as dates, times, names, and types of services/products provided. It will also spell out payment plans, refund and cancellation policies. It behooves you to read and understand the contract. Do not assume you have secured a vendor for your wedding day until you have a contract that is signed by you and the vendor. And finally remember, part of getting the most from a vendor's service is also being a good client and providing the vendors with the payments and other requested information in a timely manner.
by Michael Brito
3 Easy Steps to Wedding Guides: The Do It Yourself Wedding Program Guide
Typically there are three main parts to the wedding program and it is helpful to plan these out first.
You can even compile the information for each section a little at a time to make it easier. Do not get overwhelmed with everything there is to do instead just start working on what you already know.
Wedding Program Part 1 Introduction The first section of a traditional wedding program is the introduction. This gives you a chance to give some over view type of information to the guest. Some of the things you will want to include are:
· Names of the couple
· Wedding date
· Time and place of the service.
Wedding Programs Part 2 Event or Ceremony Order In this part you can include lots of useful information about the ceremony itself. IF you have special poems, music or other significant parts of the ceremony that you want your guests to know about then this is the place to include them.
· Greetings
· Poetry
· Reading
· Exchange of vows
· Explanations of special religious rituals (such as the ring ceremony, unity candle ceremony, and pronouncement of marriage)
· Titles of the ceremony music to be played (including the names of the musicians, soloists, or readers)
· Names of the members of the bridal party
· Name of the priest or officiate who will perform the ceremony
· Memorials, tributes or homage's to someone who has passed away
· Thank-you notes and dedications to the parents and to people who gave support to the couple (and to the wedding)
· The couple's special message to their wedding guests
· Directions to the reception
Typically once the wedding program is done it can then be sent of to the printer or you can choose to do it on your own. With most desktop computers today with great printers a person can easily print very large numbers of documents easily. No matter what you choose the wedding program will come out perfect.
by Sam Smith
3 Easy Steps to Wedding Guides: The Do It Yourself Wedding Program Guide
Typically there are three main parts to the wedding program and it is helpful to plan these out first.
You can even compile the information for each section a little at a time to make it easier. Do not get overwhelmed with everything there is to do instead just start working on what you already know.
Wedding Program Part 1 Introduction The first section of a traditional wedding program is the introduction. This gives you a chance to give some over view type of information to the guest. Some of the things you will want to include are:
· Names of the couple
· Wedding date
· Time and place of the service.
Wedding Programs Part 2 Event or Ceremony Order In this part you can include lots of useful information about the ceremony itself. IF you have special poems, music or other significant parts of the ceremony that you want your guests to know about then this is the place to include them.
· Greetings
· Poetry
· Reading
· Exchange of vows
· Explanations of special religious rituals (such as the ring ceremony, unity candle ceremony, and pronouncement of marriage)
· Titles of the ceremony music to be played (including the names of the musicians, soloists, or readers)
Wedding Programs Part 3 Acknowledgement or Wedding Party This is a great place to put in your closing remarks. You will want to be sure to include a thank you note to several people that were in the ceremony/
· Names of the members of the bridal party
· Name of the priest or officiate who will perform the ceremony
· Memorials, tributes or homage's to someone who has passed away
· Thank-you notes and dedications to the parents and to people who gave support to the couple (and to the wedding)
· The couple's special message to their wedding guests
· Directions to the reception
Typically once the wedding program is done it can then be sent of to the printer or you can choose to do it on your own. With most desktop computers today with great printers a person can easily print very large numbers of documents easily. No matter what you choose the wedding program will come out perfect.
by Sam Smith
Setting A Good Wedding Budget
The wedding reception is where you will spend the bulk of your wedding budget, almost 50% of it in fact.
So, this is an area that you should pay particularly close attention to. Most of the money spent for a reception is spent on alcoholic beverages and the reception meal. You should shop carefully and keep your budget in mind when choosing caterers and meal menus. If you are still having a hard time meeting your budget, you may have to eliminate alcoholic beverages or cut your guest count to put your bottom line back in the black.
The bridal gown is also an area where a lot of money can be spent. Go to the bridal gown store with an idea of what you are willing to spend on the perfect dress. Browse the discount rack first before you start looking through the catalogues, you may be surprised by what you find. Also start shopping well in advance of the big day. A dress that is too expensive today can be marked down in the future, but you can't take advantage of markdowns if you wait till the last minute to find your wedding gown.
When setting up your budget you also need to factor in the cost of photography/videography, music, flowers, invitations and other expenses which can quickly add up. Keep in mind that while a wedding budget has a strict bottom line, there is plenty of room to splurge on the more expensive band if you are going to cut costs somewhere else. So, instead of keeping each aspect of your wedding day perfectly in line, focus more on what the whole day is going to cost you and wiggle and adjust until you are comfortable with what you are spending.
By Rose Lenk
10 Do's and Don'ts When Planning Your Wedding
2. Do get everything that can get done in advance done as far in advance as you can. You don't want to discover the day before your wedding that you have forgotten to get your marriage license or that your dress isn't ready.
3. Do let your ceremony reflect who you are as individuals and who you are as a couple. This can be done with the music, readings, vows and other personal stories and selections you make.
4. Do take into consideration "family tensions" or "sore spots" when you plan your seating. If parents have divorced and remarried and have tension in each other's presence, be sensitive about how they are seated at both the ceremony and the reception or dinner. This will prevent unnecessary stress and perhaps tears.
5 Do delegate, delegate, delegate. Let other's help so when the week of the wedding arrives you have time to enjoy your guests and not arrive at your own wedding too tired to enjoy it.
Now how about the don'ts?
1. Don't think you have to spend more money on a wedding than it would cost you for a college education or a new house. Some of the most beautiful and meaningful ceremonies are in someone's back yard. It isn't about how much money you spend but about the love between you. Think about how you can avoid going into your marriage on the edge of bankruptcy.
2. Don't be shy about speaking up for yourselves. This is your wedding. Just because Aunt somebody-or-other had her bridesmaids in dresses that looked like those in My Big Fat Greek Wedding doesn't mean you have to do the same. Or because Uncle I-think-I-can-sing-but-can't wants to sing doesn't mean you have to let him. Tell them how much you love them and thank each of them for their wonderful offer with a gentle statement that you've already chosen the dresses and planned the music (or whatever).
3. Don't Procrastinate. This is another way to say what was said in #2 Do above. If you want a disaster the day before and the day of the wedding, just put things off. The more organized you are and the better you have delegated those "last minute" things, the more you will be able to participate in and enjoy wedding day.
4. Don't have unrealistic expectations about having everything perfect. Beautiful? Yes. Perfect is harder. Remember that this is a joyful celebration of love rather than an exercise in perfection. Most of us are not "practically perfect in every way" like Mary Poppins and we make mistakes. The mistake is generally the thing that gives you the fondest memories. I officiated a near perfect wedding and I was aware that everything had gone right. At about that point, a bridesmaid fainted. She was quickly back on her feet and the ceremony proceeded, again, perfectly. There was no way this could be anticipated and prevented. They will talk about it with fond memories for years to come.
5. Don't drink alcoholic beverages prior to the ceremony. There are enough challenges without having a best man or even the groom (or the maid of honor or even the bride) drunk at the ceremony. Yes, nerves are jangled and tension is high. But you don't want the officiant to say, when it's time for vows, "Please slur after me . . ."
by Irene Conlan
Friday, February 6, 2009
How to Check for Wedding Crashers
In some cases, the wedding crashers are complete strangers. This is just a simple and harmless prank that some people like to do to random weddings. They do not cause any trouble while they are there. They will eat dinner, drink and enjoy the people and music just like everyone else. There are some people that do this on a regular basis a little bit of fun for them.
Another type of wedding crasher is the people that do this to bring turmoil to the happy couple’s special day.
These are people that usually know at least someone in the wedding party. They may want to destroy the wedding and make it impossible to be a success.
This is some thing that every wedding couple needs to be on the lookout for.
There are many people that can help to take watch for these wedding crashers. This is some thing that would make the couple feel better and allow the couple to have a peaceful marriage without interruptions. This is especially a good idea if there is someone that is suspected of doing this to the wedding.
Having a successful and wonderful wedding is something that can be achieved with out having a wedding crasher totally destroys the wedding. You can be a little cautious and be aware of what can happen. Having the right information and the right help is one thing that makes a wedding a fabulous success.
Wedding crashers can happen at any time. They are everywhere and usually have no preference when it comes to the wedding that they crash. Most of the time, they are doing it for the thrill and excitement of seeing if they can actually get away with it. Most of the people that are wedding crashers are doing it because they have nothing better planned for their night. This is a way for them to have some harmless fun and get a good meal at the same time.
Being prepared for a wedding crasher to join your party is always a good idea. If you do notice that one is intruding you on, you may want to just let them alone. If they are not causing any grief, they may be no threat at all. In other cases, you may want to quietly ask them to leave the party with no trouble.
By Morten Flatner
Tips To Make Your Wedding Day Perfect
Many of these places are booked for months in advance, and if you don't act quickly, you may have to go with something other than your first choice.
By asking for referrals and listening to word of mouth commentary on local service providers, you can save yourself a lot of heartache.
By Rose Lenk
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
A Groom's Guide to Wedding Planning
Choosing the groomsmen is an important task and should be done at least a year prior to the wedding. (Plan to have one usher for every fifty guests.) Once you’ve settled on who the groomsmen will be, choose their outfits. Later you will also want to buy gifts for the men in your wedding party.
2. Make your Guest List
You and your bride will put together separate guest lists, separate guest lists, so think about who you want to invite. Be sure to consider family, friends, and co-workers, and consult with close relatives to confirm that you haven’t left anyone out.
3. Reserve the Wedding Location
4. Plan the Honeymoon
Make your bride happy by researching honeymoon destinations and presenting her with some detailed itineraries of possible trips. She’ll know she’s picked a winner if you do your honeymoon homework and come prepared with good travel ideas!
5. Order your Wedding
Bands Don’t leave this until the last minute. Go with your bride to pick them out and get fitted so that you have them safe in hand in time for the wedding. Also, leave some time between the time you receive them and the wedding day in case you need a last-minute adjustment. If the jeweler gets the sizing wrong you’ll need time to fix it.
6. Get your Marriage License
What is a Wedding Crasher?
The best part; about being accepted into a strange wedding as a wedding crasher is that you can do anything that you want, because you will never see these people again. You can have as much punch as you would like and do as many crazy stunts that you can possibly come up with.Dancing and fun is just part of the fun that can be had by a wedding crasher.
By Morten Flatner
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Planning a Wedding? Relax!
is, don’t overload on sweets and other “comfort” foods. Why is this important? A healthy and balanced diet can reduce the effects that our bodies experience when under stress.
You probably think you don’t need to be reminded to breathe; after all, you need to breathe to live, right? However, when you’re stressed you’re probably hyperventilating or taking quick, shallow breaths, when what you really need to do is slow down and take several slow, deep breaths. And, by deep breaths, I’m talking expanding-your-stomach kind of breaths. Slowly. Letting your breath out – slowly.
By Shari Hearn
Planning Your Wedding Together
Does one of you usually have to agree just to get beyond the impasse and get on with it? Is one of you "The Boss" and the other the "Bossed?" Does that work for you?
Does one of you micro-manage and one of you use a broad brush approach and does that work for you? Sometimes this is highly effective because the broad brusher generates the creative ideas and the micro-manager can work out the details. It takes both. On the other hand a broad brusher can drive the micro-manager crazy and vice versa.
by Irene Conlan
Friday, January 30, 2009
Having Fun with Wedding Crashers
By Morten Flatner