The Buff Bride Bridal Fitness Program For Everlasting Shape

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You’re getting married and you want to be in buff bride shape for the big day. Pilates is your special bridal fitness program. Some fitness routines for that buff bride look are not so special. There are bad videos marketed directly to brides to be and they all offer the same thing: squats, lunges, crunches, and bicep curls. Wake me up in 30 minutes. Pilates strengthens, tones, stretches and relaxes you. It helps to improve your posture and makes you feel good. Sounds like a bridal fitness program to me!

Give yourself at least four months of twice a week workouts to see results. Combine this with a lean diet, cardio, and any other strength training you’re doing and you’re on your way. I’ve worked with many brides to be in my eleven years of teaching and they all want to look great and feel confident in their gown. Most will describe or show me their gown and we’ll focus exercises to suit the type of dress they have chosen.

For instance, a strapless bodice may lean you towards toning your arms and working on back and shoulders since these are the most exposed body parts for that kind of dress.

Here’s a Pilates exercise for your shoulders and upper back:

• The Zipper: Stand with feet together, arms down, hands facing you in fists, as if holding a barbell. With resistance, pull your fists straight up the center of your body all the way to your throat, elbows going higher than your hands and keeping fists together. Imagine pulling up a very large zipper. Pause at the top and lower down.

It’s very important to create resistance within your own body. Repeat three sets of ten. If the dress you’ve chosen is form fitting and mermaid-like, you may want to pay extra attention to your outer hip area.

Here’s a Pilates exercise routine for the legs, butt and hips:

• Side Leg Series: Lie on your left side, legs slightly in front of your body and stacked right on top of each other. Lift your right leg to hip height and swing it in front of you without moving your body. Now swing the leg behind you squeezing your butt and keeping your body still.

Work your abdominals to help stabilize your body. Repeat ten times.

• Follow With Leg Lift: Lift right leg in parallel position just above hip height and lower without resting. Repeat ten times, turn and do both exercises on the other leg.

You may also want to lose a few pounds before your big day. Pilates is a perfect piece of the weight loss puzzle and compliments any exercise routine you’re doing right now. Give Pilates a try. With this buff bride bridal fitness program, you’ll be walking tall and lean down that aisle!

Susannah Marchese- is a certified Pilates fitness instructor and senior contributing writer to the popular and informative website http://www.everything-about-pilates.com/buff-bride.html

A Banquet Fit For a Bride

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There are a number of easy steps to creating the reception you really want for your wedding. At first the task of organising everything seems daunting but when it is broken down it is relatively easy and with careful planning and timing it will be mostly stress free.

First decide what you would like to do for the wedding. Would you like a sit down meal or a buffet, hot or cold? When you have decided this then you will need to sit down and arrange your guest list and check your budget.

If you opt for a hot sit down meal you will need to consider a suitable venue. Some venues only allow you to order from their own menu and might have limitations on how many guests you are able to have, this is where good research is important. When you have decided on the venue and are confident they will allow all of your guests and have a suitable menu ask for a taster, or at least to view examples of the food that will be offered.

If you have found a venue willing to allow you to prepare your own menu and use their facilities make sure that they have what you need, do they have enough plates cutlery and glasses? Who will be cleaning up and will there be extra charges for storage etc. You also need to devise a suitable menu and calculate how much this will cost and allocate helpers to prepare the food, store ingredients in the run up and be available at the venue on the morning of the wedding to make all the preparations and might have to stay behind to be ready to greet the guests with food and drinks.

Opting for a buffet style menu is ever increasing in popularity because of the convenience of being able to prepare a cold menu, again you will need to decide if you want to find a venue that will already provide a buffet for your guests or take care of the catering yourself.

There are many advantages of creating your own menu and allocating members of the family and friends to help make the preparations for the wedding. You will have a broader selection of foods available, you are not tied to one set menu and the whole family can be involved as well as helping reducing the costs for the reception.

Timing is crucial, remember to get quotes and look around, each venue will have different arrangements and operating styles that may infringe upon your dream reception. If you are buying the food yourself you will need ample storage and a host of helpers, remember that you will not be able to help with the preparations unless the wedding itself is very late in the afternoon or evening as you will be far too busy preparing yourself for the ceremony.

Allowing yourself time and planning before hand will enable you to have the maximum amount of enjoyment from the experience, and will also allow for any unforeseen circumstances. Remember this is your wedding and your childhood dream; you will want everything to be just as you want it to be.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.

Song For Bride and Grooms First Dance - First Dance Song For Wedding

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A wedding is a time filled with rituals, fun and frolic. A wedding usually has a lot of rituals like taking the wedding vows, proposing toasts and making speeches that can make the atmosphere emotional. To keep the mood upbeat, there is lot of music and dancing to go with the food and wine.

After all the rituals and the speeches, the newly wed couple moves to the dance floor for their first dance together. This dance is a very special dance as it is their first step to get united in their life henceforth. Therefore, the song that is chosen to be played for this dance together is carefully selected by the couple, so that it has good lyrics to go with the mood and value adds meaning to their new life, yet at the same time, creating the right atmosphere to go with the wedding and with the theme the wedding is based on.

Usually, weddings are planned keeping some idea or theme in mind e.g.: church wedding, beach wedding, garden wedding, etc. When choosing the kind of music for the wedding, it is essential to remember and to pick appropriate music that goes with the theme. For instance, it will look very out of place if there is loud rock music at a church wedding or if jazz is played at an outdoor wedding.

The song selected for the first dance is generally a slow romantic number to go with the mood of the moment and to help create a feeling of togetherness. The first dance is only open to the just married couple to hog the limelight and if the song is properly selected then it adds up to the atmosphere.

If the song selected by the couple cannot be played by the wedding band, then it is played from a CD by the band. If the couple wants the band to be playing the song, then it is selected from the play list of the band.

There are many songs that are apt choices for playing during the first dance. Songs by Dean Martin, Etta James, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, etc are some of the most frequently chosen ones for the first dance. Some of the newer choices include songs by the Carpenters, John Denver, Barbara Streisand, etc.

Whatever be the choice for the song, it has to reflect the romance in the couple and should go with the theme of the wedding. It should be soothing and pleasing to be heard and must make all the married guests assembled in the wedding go back in time and reminisce about their special moments during their wedding.

A good song selected for the first dance is the perfect mood builder to the atmosphere of the wedding. It is very vital for the couple to put in some efforts in trying to decide on the perfect song for that special moment of union. This will help them have that wonderful first dance that they can recall time and again whenever they think of their wedding.

Yolanda is the owner of Yolanda's Wedding Favors. She sells many different favors that will be perfect for any event.

She also sells a wide variety of wedding gifts that will be perfect for any special person in your life.

Also be sure to check out her wedding planning articles for various tips for planning your wedding.

Wedding Reception Timeline - What Happens When?

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You may have been to dozens of wedding receptions, but it's hard to know what is supposed to happen when at your own wedding. Relax, this wedding reception timeline maps it out for you so you don't have to.

00:00 - Cocktail Hour - (bridal party takes pictures)

After your "I dos," you and your husband leave the ceremony first - followed by the bridal party and your photographer - to take your first photographs as husband and wife. At this time, your guests will head to the reception site. To keep the mood festive and fun, cocktail hour should begin as soon as guests arrive at the reception, whether that happens five minutes or an hour after the ceremony.

01:00 - Grand Entrance/First Dances

Husband and wife.....Mr. and Mrs....this is the time for your grand entrance. The facility or event coordinator will gather your guests to await your arrival. Typically the bridal party and both sets of parents are introduced, followed by the bride and groom. Since all eyes are on you, this is the perfect occasion to step immediately into your first dance. Sometimes the father/daughter and mother/son dances can take place at this time as well - or you can choose to hold those dances after the meal.

01:20 - Welcomes and Toasts

After your first dance, all eyes are still on you. With everyone gathered, this is a perfect time for the parents, the bride and groom, or the honor attendants to speak. The host (often the father of the bride) may choose to welcome and thank your guests for coming. Someone may say a blessing. The best man and maid of honor may also choose to speak at this time.

01:30 - Eat, Drink and be Married...

Whether you serve a sit down meal or buffet, this is the time when everybody eats. The bride and groom and their parents are typically served first or are the first to hit the buffet. This may seem contrary to etiquette, but serving them first affords the time to make table visits while the rest of the guests are seated. Your band or DJ will play subdued "dinner appropriate" music at this time (Sinatra and old standards are a favorite). Word of advice to the bride and groom: make sure you take advantage of this time to eat!

02:30 - Get your Groove On

Take the lead and hit the dance floor! Guests usually follow the lead of the bride and groom, so do your part to ensure a packed dance floor. At this point, you should have already greeted your guests and accomplished your duties as host. Remember - this is your party, so have fun.

04:00 - Cake Cutting

About an hour before the reception's finale - your waitstaff will begin preparing for dessert and coffee. The cake cutting signifies to guests that it is appropriate to depart anytime thereafter, so make sure it doesn't happen too early, or you could find yourself alone at an empty reception.

04:15 - Back to the Party

Of course, many of your guests will forego cake and coffee for more drinks and dancing. The band or DJ should kick right back into lively dance music for those all-night partiers who relish another turn on the dance floor.

04:30 - Bouquet Toss/Garter Removal

If you plan to do a bouquet toss, it usually occurs as one of the last events of the evening. You may want to have your florist prepare a throwaway bouquet so you can keep your original as a keepsake.

04:45 - Last Dance/Last Call

Take advantage of this opportunity to leave a lasting impression, and end your wedding on a high note. The right tune for the last dance will have your guests reluctant to leave. It needn't be slow song; something lively can ignite the mood for the after party, should you desire.

05:00 - Send-off!

These days, receptions are so fun and involve so much pre-planning, the bride and groom no longer wish to make an early getaway. In fact, they're often the last to leave! Make your send-off the evening's finale. Your coordinator will usher everyone to watch as you make your getaway. Have guests blow bubbles, toss rose petals or even light sparklers to wish you on your merry way towards a lifetime of happiness.

Now that you know what happens when, this complete wedding receptions guide will help you plan the rest of the party.

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a comprehensive weddings and wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.

Seeking Good-Looking Thai Brides - How to Find a Thai Bride

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Are you seeking a good-looking Thai bride? If the answer is yes, then you need to be aware of certain dangers, where to look and how to approach a potential Thai bride.

The so-called mail order bride sites have been around for over a decade. More than likely, if you are seeking a bride yourself, you have stumbled on a few such sites. Are they any good? Should you use their services? Short answer: No. Longer answer: these sites are more often than not scams set up to cheat you out of money by making promises they do not keep.

The Thai mail order bride sites can seem very attractive. Lots of pretty women seeking husbands. Many nice photos and for a few you are given contact details of any woman you like. The trouble is this: most of the women, if not all, are actually fake. Yes, you read correct: fake. If you get a response - a big if - it will come from the site owner or be outsourced to people who will lead you on with a few messages and then ignore your emails. What can you do, once you have parted with your money? Nothing. Money down the drain.

Is there a solution?

Short answer again: Yes.

What you should know is Thai women who are actually real and honestly seeking a husband hang out on popular dating sites. This is how real Thai ladies find husbands. They get themselves free accounts on big dating sites and wait to be contacted by guys like you.

Want some ever better news? Well, remember how those mail order bride sites actually charge a big fee? Get this: You don't need to spend a cent to join a big dating site, not one cent, nor will you ever have to reach for your credit card. Am I talking about free dating sites? Goodness, no! Free dating sites are scams too, set up to spam you will live cams and other paid offers. I'm talking about the popular dating sites you see advertised on tv or hear on the radio, the sites with a million members or more, sites - in short - that you can trust.

If you are seeking a good-looking Thai bride, get a free membership to a big dating site. It takes about a minute to join - you just need to use a free email address - and then you can browse and search users, upload pictures, post emails, get emails in return, add friends to your buddy list, and - of course - search for a Thai bride.

Include in your profile that you want a Thai bride. What this does is tell the clever site software to match you up with Thai women seeking a husband. Soon, minutes after you join, you should be getting emails from potential brides. Then all you do is email them back or go looking for more. Choose Thailand in the search and enter some keywords like "looking for husband". This will show you a list of potential brides. Now you can email them or add them as friends.

So if you are seeking a good-looking Thai bride, avoid free sites and mail order bride sites, which are total scams. Get a free membership to a large dating site; you will have a bride in no time flat.

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Wedding Speech Tips for Mother of the Bride

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During the wedding reception, the mother of the bride gets the chance to offer a toast for her newlywed daughter. However, it could be a really difficult process because a mother usually gets a lot of mixed emotions during this event. This difficulty could be doubled if a mother will attend the event unprepared. Seeing a daughter getting married is an exciting and sad event for a parent and delivering an appropriate speech during this affair could be difficult. But all these difficulties could be somehow appeased if you would come prepared.

These are some of a few tips that a mother could use to be able to deliver a very much-appreciated speech during her daughter’s wedding.

First, you may thank the guests that attended the wedding. Remember that this event will not be successful without the guests you invited. Thank them for their efforts to make the wedding successful and memorable for your child. You may mention some names especially the primary sponsors but you need not mention the entire guest lists because it will take a lot of time and before you knew it, the wedding reception is over.

Second, give the newlyweds an advice that they could use as their foundation for marriage. You have experienced living in a married life and you know the ups and downs or marriage. Feel free to share some tips on what have you learned during your marriage.

Third, it is your chance to formally welcome the groom as part of your family. There are some parents who do not see the worth of a guy in their daughters not until they became married. This part could not be too elaborative as it may embarrass the guy especially if there has been some bad blood with the guy in the past. A simple “Welcome to the Family” would be enough to show that you have fully accepted him.

Fourth, avoid thinking sad thoughts during speech delivery. It is really difficult not to do so but if it would allow you more time to talk rather than cry, then it will be much better. A lot of moms commit this error of thinking that they will be losing their child during speeches that’s why it disables them to deliver a good speech. It even causes them to have breakdowns!

Lastly, since tears are not avoidable during this event, be sure you have a tissue or a handkerchief before starting with your speech. It is not a good sight to have somebody with smeared mascara.

Get instant access to over 100 complete Wedding Speech Templates plus 200 Toasts, Wedding Jokes and Quotes and find more lifesaving tips about Wedding Toasts and Speeches. Don't forget to check out http://www.FreeWeddingToasts.net.

Confessions of a Bride's Maid - Maid of Honor Duties

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My sister recently got married, and I was lucky enough to be chosen as her maid of honor. Often, we recognize the amount of stress the bride has to deal with, in regards to planning and organizing the event. I think it’s wise, too, to recognize the stress put on the bride’s maids and the maid of honor. For my sister’s wedding, it was my job to make sure everything went according to plan, from the planning to the reception.

Cake-Testing:

Do men really care about flowers and cake? When the bride in question here asked her fiance about the cake, he replied, “I don’t like cake.” His only advice whatsoever regarding the cake was that he didn’t like flowers all over it. So, I went to the cake-testing with my sister and helped her pick out a flavor. The baker wasn’t so helpful, either, to be honest, and it was up to me to get the details of each flavor from the baker. Overall, the cake-testing went well and the bride made her choice.

Invitations:

In this case, the bride and groom chose their wedding invitations on their own, but my sister and I constantly went over and over the list, making sure no one was left out. Weeks after the wedding, you don’t want to hear, “Why wasn’t I invited?” from anyone!

Bridal Shower:

Traditionally, it’s the maid of honor that plans the bridal shower. Generally, the women who are invited to the wedding are also invited to the shower. You have to chose a place that is capable of housing the number of invitees, and be sure to send out detailed invitations. You must be able to think ahead - bridal showers often involved simple games for prizes. If there are any that involve guests bringing information or items with them, instructions should be included with the invites. Also, make sure you have enough prizes, favors decorations, and centerpieces for the event. A bridal shower may seem like something simple, but it’s actually pretty complicated.

Wedding Ceremony:

A maid of honor’s duty during the ceremony is to ensure that everything goes as planned. Make sure everyone arrives on time and is in their designated locations. A few things to keep track of: the wedding rings, making sure the bride & groom don’t see each other before the ceremony, flower girls & ring bearers, and signaling the start of the ceremony. Double check to make sure the decorations are in place, guests are seated accordingly, and that the wedding party is correctly informed of their duties.

Reception:

Again, as with the ceremony, the main duty here is to make sure that everything the bride planned is happening smoothly. Things to keep an eye on: guests arriving, the DJ or band, parents of the bride and groom, the cake, gifts, photographers, guestbook and catering. There are a lot of things going on at once, and the bride and groom shouldn’t have to worry about it all while they’re enjoying their first minutes of matrimony. One thing I personally encountered at my sister’s reception was keeping bad news that had nothing to do with the event away from the happy couple. Bad things happen all the time, but a wedding reception is no place to share the news (unless absolutely necessary).

Of course, being a maid of honor is much more than keeping track of everything. It’s a position of great honor, but also great responsibility.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations.

Tonia Jordan is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

Spanish Wedding Dresses and Wedding Gowns

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Introduction

Since many couples dream of having their weddings in Spain it could help if they had some idea of the ideal Spanish wedding. What better to start than by setting the theme with a quintessential Spanish wedding dress? With it traditional features one can claim to have wed a Spanish bride.

Spanish Wedding Dresses

Spanish traditions on Spanish wedding dresses are very elaborate. Black is the preferred color which is meant to symbolize the bride's character that is just about to be uncovered by the groom. A matching black veil is desirable while one can also opt for one that is mantilla since it could help them frame their face to the admiration of the attendants.

Other colors that are also allowed are white and red so the bride will be fine in any of these. A black shawl draped over one's shoulders may turn out to be a good addition to the bridal gown as long as it complements the gown's color. Several materials of bridal gowns have their origin in Spain and so will make up the Spanish bridal attire. Chiffon, silk, taffeta, organza and tulle are some of the favorite materials from which the gowns are made. The different designs will then be adorned by additional features such as crystals, beadings, diamante and various exquisite embroideries.

Where to get your Spanish wedding dresses

While making the choice of a Spanish bridal gown may be difficult, where to buy one need not be a problem. Major fashion houses particularly those providing wedding attire will always have several collections for your sampling. By consulting your local wedding directory you will find a shop near you from where you can buy a wedding gown. One can also consult their wedding planners more so if they are in unfamiliar location. These will give them an idea of where to get the best bargains. Furthermore attending wedding exhibitions will expose one to a large number of fashion houses with the latest designs in this industry. Finally the internet is one of the most convenient tools to do your search. It will be very convenient if you are looking for detail, want to make comparison in terms of prices, features or colors. One can also find great discounts and buy the dress online without much hassle.

How to order for your Spanish wedding dresses

The fact that there are many should not fool one to not making preparations to choose their gown early. The general rule when ordering a Spanish wedding gown is that one should order at least nine months in advance. The process of buying the dress can take any course but eventually one has two broad options. The first one should involve physically selecting a wedding dress and paying for in the fashion house or department store. This requires that one go the shop physically to make the order after which the dress is made and they may be asked to go and try it on if finally packed. The other option is to carry out the whole transaction on the internet. The choice of what option to use lies with the bride.

Wedding dresses
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Filipina Bride Tours - Do They Work

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No man is an island, and you as a smart, intelligent man do not relinquish the thought of spending the rest of your life alone in a lonely house. You do not know where to search for the other half of your life and this is where bride tours come in.

Joining bride tours particularly in the Philippines is just similar to going window shopping for a future bride. This is where hundreds of Filipina girls who come close to your interests, qualifications and preferences will be introduced to you during your stay.

You will be assisted by qualified staff who will see to it that you will meet as many as 2,000 beautiful Filipina women as many as who are smart, capable, interesting and alone, and who knows after your brief stay, you will meet someone who will make your life and your future complete.

First of all, you should check several bride tour operators because choosing a Filipina wife is a serious business. It is not just like picking up an appliance or any merchandise from the store and return it if things do not work out.

Some bride tours offer their services on a monthly fee which will give you access to addresses of Filipina women and all the other details. They also offer fiancee Visa Kit, complete with all forms for you and your prospective fiancée to fill up if things get serious, helpful guides and resources to get you have a bird's eye view of the culture of the country, hotel stays and meals, and guidance throughout your stay.

Expect yourself to be billeted at top, internationally-rated hotels with the comfort of modernization and superb meals. Bride tour operators will pamper you and whisk you off to activities and events where you will meet beautiful Filipina women. You can be assured that with bride tours, each woman on their list comes from a good background with a good reputation and are highly educated. You must know that these women are not bargirls or chancers just waiting for an opportunity to milk money from you, because bride tours screen their applicants meticulously.

During social events, you are free to talk to as many women as you like but you do not have to talk to anybody if you are not interested. You can be yourself and watch the women from the sidelines if you prefer it that way. If you meet a Filipina woman who catches your interest and would like to see her again, you can ask for her telephone number

Bride Tours also offers on-going advice and support regarding issues about fiancee Visas, return trips, relationship concerns, and others, and if you have not made a choice after one tour, you can join another tour soon. They usually come up with package prices for the whole tour, and clients are very comfortable with the budget.

Bride tours are legal in the Philippines but they are not promising you a marriage made in paradise. It is still up to you to make marriage with a Filipina bride work.

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Filipina Brides - 5 Reasons Why You Would Want to Marry a Filipina Bride

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Why marry a Filipina bride, you may ask? Women are not the same in general. Personality and character varies. One main reason is that culture and family background are different from place to place. So if you are a foreigner seeking a Filipina lady for marriage, or you desire a happy and successful marriage after that divorce, then consider finding your true love among Filipina women.

Here are five reasons why:

Reason # 1. She is affectionate. Nobody can resist the warmth and the affection of a Filipina. She can translate that affection into action. She will literally take care of you.

Reason # 2. She is smart. She can communicate with you and can learn your language fast if you do not speak English. Many Filipina women are highly educated. Education is a very important part of the Filipino culture. Most of them actually went to college or have a university degree.

Reason # 3. She is easy to please. Pleasing a Filipina bride leads you the way to her heart. You do not have a hard time pleasing her because she is very appreciative in every good thing. Even little things will make her happy. Usually, you will find that Filipinas have a cheerful personality.

Reason # 4.She is diligent. You would not like to marry someone who would not like to do chores at home. You do not want to come home with a messy and stinky house, right? Most Filipina women are very neat and tidy, not only physically but also in keeping their houses clean. She will work hard to give the best for her family.

Reason # 5. She is a beautiful woman inside and out. Many foreigners label Filipina ladies as exotic and unique. But aside from her physical look, she also has an admirable character. Filipino parents never fail to teach their children good values. That's why Filipina brides are good-natured, charming and are ideal marriage partners.

A Filipina bride always has this dream of marrying the perfect man for her. Read more: 5 Important Qualities A Filipina Bride Looks For In A Husband at http://www.FilipinaMatchmaking.com

Older Women's Bridal Dresses

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Older women's bridal dresses are specially designed for women marrying later in life. It is important to buy a gown that is fashionable and just right for the bride.

Older women also have the option to choose formal, semiformal or designer wedding dresses. In general, they prefer a special occasion dress, social evening dress, or formal evening dress to wear for their weddings. Older women?s bridal dresses can be selected from the "Mother of the Bride" dress collections. These include long sleeve, single piece dresses and other formal attires. Two-piece mother of the bride gowns are an ideal option for older brides.

Silk and satin are popular fabrics used to make older women's bridal dresses. However, there are also mix fabrics that look equally good and are cheaper. Before purchasing, it is good to discuss the fabric with your dressmaker. Choosing an appropriate color is one of the most difficult tasks. For example, white or wedding white includes shades such as ivory, eggshell, diamond white, ecru, and candlelight. Even burgundy, blue and mauve colored fabrics may be used for making older women's bridal dresses.

Most older women wear semiformal dresses for their wedding. Formal ball gowns may even be worn for this occasion. Formal ball gowns are suitable for any age. These dresses have an additional advantage that they do not look like older women's attire. The best option for older brides is to use clothing that is tailor-made and appropriate for their figure and complexion. Trousers are favored by some; skirts with bolero jackets are also quite popular with older women.

Most department stores stock bridal wear suitable for older women. Older women's bridal dresses can easily be purchased through online shops also.

Bridal Dresses provides detailed information on Bridal Dresses, Bridal Shops, Bridal Bouquets, Bridal Registry and more. Bridal Dresses is affiliated with Discount Bridal Gowns.

Father of the Bride Speeches Describe a Lifetime of Loving

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It's hard to describe someone you love in a few minutes. Yet that's just what father of the bride speeches should do. Added to that they must welcome guests and a daughter's in-laws and say a few words about the groom and, of course, his own wife. It's a tall order and it calls for a professional approach.

Some people have words at will and can give a wonderful off-the-cuff speech. For most people though it's a tough challenge and the earlier they start preparing the speech the better it will be. Women are normally better than men at remembering childhood incidents so it is a good idea to ask the bride's mother to remind him of how the bride ran away from home when she was three or always smuggled her puppy into bed when nobody was looking. Once a mother and father start discussing these memories many more will surface and he will have the basic information he needs for his speech.

It is not difficult to write a gracious welcome to the guests and it can be only a sentence or two long. He might begin his speech by saying he has always wanted to be a toastmaster and welcome guests and those at this particular wedding are very special guests indeed.

The same applies when welcoming the bride's new in-laws although, preferably, he should say something personal. He might mention the fact that his daughter's new mother in law makes wonderful apple pies and he hopes she will teach the bride to make them for him! He might say that as the bride's father-in-law is a keen gardener he hopes he can get some hints and some cuttings from him. Those little personal comments make a big difference in the father of the bride speeches.

Naturally he will want to say a few words about the groom and they should express the fact that he is happy his daughter has found someone to love her as much as he does himself. He may choose to give a little advice on how to get on with a wife by saying "Yes dear" at all times.Alternatively, he may give some more serious advice by advising the couple to be tolerant of each others friendships and that good manners help make a good marriage.

He will speak of his pride in his daughter and her accomplishments. He will mention her childhood and her growing years and a good father of the bride speeches ensure that all those present feel they know her characteristics, hobbies and personality a good deal better when the speeches are finished. He may choose to mention his own marriage and his own wife and hope that the couple, in turn, will be blessed as he has been blessed. Naturally he will say how beautiful his daughter looks on her special day. A bit of humour will certainly add to the speech.

Finally the bride's dad will toast the happy couple and wish them a lifetime of happiness together. If he can find a personal toast or a relevant poem or saying it will end his speech on a memorable note. Overall the core message of father of the bride speeches is that they express love for the bride.

Niamh Crowe
Copyright Speechwriters 1994-2007
marketing@speech-writers.com
Tel. +353 1 8333599

Niamh Crowe started her speech writing career with father of the bride speeches. That was 20 years ago. To date she has written thousands of different speeches like bride speeches, birthday speeches and farewell speeches etc.

Speeches For Brothers and Sisters of the Bride or Groom

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Attending the wedding of sister can be a lot of fun because you just get to sit back and let her soak up all the attention and love on her big day. Even if you have always been competitive, her wedding is one day where you want her to shine. Many sisters are so busy sitting back watching all of the planning for the big day that they forget that they also have something important to plan for: a sister of the bride speech. If you happen to be the maid or matron of honor you have probably thought about this, but it is also customary for the sister of the bride to give a speech and wish her sister and her new brother in law well in their new life together.

The sister of the bride speech process isn’t all that difficult really; you just need to break it down. If you aren’t the maid of honor you may just need to make a quick sister speech at the wedding and then you can pass on the microphone to the next family member to let them sweat a bit! Still, you should have something planned so that your nerves don’t get the best of you. Your speech needn’t be overly polished or cheesy if that is not your style, then again if you want to get sentimental you can!

It’s a good idea to start out with formal congratulations. You can tell the bride and the groom that you were just as nervous as they were, and that you are glad that all of their hard work and planning has turned out so beautifully. Your sister may like hearing from you that things look great, and are exactly as she planned. Then, you’ll want to make the speech more personal, since this is your sister that you are speaking to. If you have a story about weddings from when you were young, like how you used to share your fantasy wedding ideas with one another or something like that it will spark fond memories for your sister and share a little something with the rest of the family and friends and the reception. Personalizing the speech is important, because you aren’t just that fifth cousin who was invited; you are the sister of the bride!

To close the speech you can tell your sister that you can only hope to look as beautiful as she does when you get married, if you aren’t already. Also, welcome your new brother in law to the family. If you share a common sense of humor don’t hesitate to make a few clean jokes and then congratulate the couple and pass the torch to the next family member so that they can express their congratulations as well.

Many sisters feel as though they need to write some prose or something to that effect for a sister of the bride speech, but that is not necessary. Of course, if you want to write a poem for the new couple, that would be great and very sincere. But, you can go casual and simply tell your sister and brother in law that you are happy for them! Since you are the sister, toast wedding congratulations and a bit more and you are off the hook. Just make it sincere and let both your sister and your brother in law know that you are happy for them, in whatever style most suits both you and them.

Instantly download over 100 complete wedding speeches plus 200 toasts, openers, quotes and jokes at http://www.EasyWeddingToasts.com.

DIY Wedding Favors - For the Do-It-Yourself Bride

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One of the best ways to save money on your wedding is to make your own favors. There are hundreds of options for wedding favors that you can make yourself. Get a team of bridesmaids or other helpers together and have a favor-making party.

Here is a guide to some classy, inexpensive DIY wedding favors.

Wedding Favor Boxes

You have to have packaging for your wedding favors. Why not purchase the wedding favor boxes and fill them with an inexpensive favor like potpourri or mints? Here are some wedding favor boxes and some suggestions for filling them with DIY treats.

Something Blue Boxes - Use these blue boxes as the packaging for a yummy treat like mints or Jordan almonds. Spice them up with a white ribbon or hot glue a silk flower bud to the top of the box.

Chair Place Card Box - Take a load off with this double-duty DIY favor. These place card holders with a box for a seat can provide a stylish favor holder. Fill this box with jelly beans, mints or rice. Decorate the seat with a ribbon in the color of your bridesmaids' dresses.

Chinese Takeout - Send your guests off in style with this trendy box. Fill it with a sweet treat such as Jordan almonds or a truffle. Great for Asian themed DIY weddings.

Wedding Favor Bags

Looking for something DIY that doesn't require as much assembly as a box. .Favor bags have an elegant, soft touch. Here's are some bag and favor suggestions for DIY wedding favor bags.

Organza Bags - Use this organza bag (which comes in a wide variety of colors) to hold soaps, birdseed, potpourri, rose petals or a decorated votive candle.  

Out of Town Knothole Bag - This simple bag becomes a luxurious spa favor for bridesmaids when you fill it with herbal soaps, a soothing candle and homemade body scrub placed in a pretty jar. This option is great for a beach themed wedding.

Handmade Paper Favor Bags - These elegant bags are perfect for a dainty favor such as Jordan almonds or rose petals.

Other DIY Wedding Favor Ideas

Elegant CD Envelopes - A CD of music from your wedding or photos of you and your friends and family is a very meaningful wedding favor. Package them in style with these personalized sleeves with ribbon and label in colors and style of your choice.

Ashley Rader is the owner of Moments of Elegance, an online wedding boutique specializing in wedding favor packaging and a huge collection of unique wedding favors that will say thank you with style and will truly make your event unforgettable. Event planners can receive 10% off their order with coupon code: saveonfavors10.

Wedding Planning Tips For the Bride-to-Be

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With wedding planning, it can get very hectic quickly. That's why you need a "plan for your wedding planning" as odd as this may sound. You should determine early on what tasks will have to be completed to successfully plan the wedding on time and within budget.

Things to Do Very Early On

There are some things that just can't wait when it comes to wedding planning. First, secure your photographer of choice with a money deposit. Once you have a wedding date set, you can talk with a photographer and schedule the photo session for your bridal portraits and secure their services for your wedding day. The reason you'll want to book this very early is because photographers (really good ones) are usually booked months in advance, and many weddings are on weekend days.

Find a wedding dress early on as well so you'll have time for fitting, ordering, and alterations (if needed). The bridesmaids will need plenty of time for their dresses so keep them informed also. Choose wedding colors and possibly a wedding theme before you start planning. Once you know the colors, you can start shopping for wedding favors and decorations early and possibly find some great bargains when you're not in a rush.

Choose a Location for Your Wedding

Probably one of the most important things you'll do is choose a location for your wedding. If having the wedding in a church, consider the types of decorations you will need and where you might hold the reception. If planning a wedding outdoors, you'll have to take possible weather conditions into consideration - and do have a backup plan! Pick a location with great lighting, or plan to illuminate with additional lighting. The location is important to know how many decorations you will need, depending on the size of the building or area, and how many guests you can invite.

Hire a Wedding Director

A wedding director should be booked early on as well so you can be sure to have one when the day arrives. The director can help with last minute planning and the formalities of the ceremony. You'll likely consider the director to be a lifesaver when the day finally arrives!

Order Decorations, Flowers, Invitations, and Wedding Party Gifts

The little details can cause big headaches if you don't do these early on. You'll need invitations early enough to address them and mail them at least a month ahead of the wedding date. Flowers and corsages should be ordered well in advance along with small appreciation gifts for the wedding party including bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc.

To save time and possibly money, you might be able to order many of the small wedding items online. There are thousands of wedding websites that carry almost every decoration, gift, or invitation you can think of at reasonable prices. The wedding websites also usually offer great tips on wedding planning for your benefit.

Don't forget about the wedding rings, catering, wedding songs, reception decorations, punch, food, and of course, the wedding cake. These are all crucial parts of wedding planning and have to be taken care of early on to minimize stress. If you take care of the wedding planning far in advance, you'll see things fall into place and be able to enjoy your wedding as it was meant to be!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Wedding Planning Tips

How to Choose a Unique Bridal Bouquet For the Bride

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If you go to your wedding florist, they will usually show you a catalogue for some ideas. There are so many types of flowers and bouquet styles to select from, so how do you know what you should look out for?

Asking yourself these few questions may help though!

What's your body size?

For my wedding, I chose a posy of red and cream roses adorned with white feathers. I am considered small and petite, so a round posy bouquet suits me. Actually my first choice was hand-tied calla lilies, but because of my height, I had to give up the idea because they looked pretty odd on me! I realized a round bouquet looks more balanced for my body size and it actually complements my look instead. Remember, your first choice of bouquet may not be the best choice, it makes sense to get something which will look good on you instead. With all eyes on you at your wedding, it's a costly mistake to make if everything else is perfect except your bouquet!

However if you are tall and lanky, a cascading type of bouquet or a hand-tied one will suit you better. Do not go for the round one as it will make you look even taller. With heels that pile on the height on the actual day, it may make you look like you tower over your hubby, especially if he is of about the same height as you.

If you are slightly on the heavy side, a cascading one will help you look slimmer on your wedding day. You will be surprised that the unique shape of the bouquet being round at the top and ending with a pointy bottom does wonders for your body shape!

Is there any colour theme for your wedding?

Choose the type of flowers that will complement your colour theme, especially the colour of your wedding gown. For brides who are wearing ivory or white gowns, it is a lot easier as most flowers will match. However, if you are wearing bolder colours like purple or pink, flowers that are of the same colour group but in different shades will look pleasant to the eye. Always remember, the rule of the thumb is to match. The bouquet should not look like a sore thumb against your wedding dress and get your guests talking for the wrong reasons.

When is your wedding held?

Certain types of flowers are seasonal, so depending on the month your wedding is, you may not be able to get them even if its your favourite bloom! Some typical all year round flowers are roses, lilies, gardenias, freesias, gerbera daisies, etc. If you wish to choose flowers like hydrangeas, tulips, they may not be available at your free will, so ask your florist for advice and plan ahead in advance!

Angela is an active love coach in her community and a writer for a wedding blog.

Are you planning for your own wedding? Don't miss the other tips she shares about wedding planning at http://myfortunekitty.com (look under "Wedding Preparations & Resources" category)!

Mother of the Bride's Guide to a Classy and Stylish Evening Dress

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One reason many people spend a little more on their formal evening dresses and suits it a wedding. Many of these outfits will only be worn once. The mother of the bride will both need to have a gown that is both stylish and sophisticated. A majority of formal dresses re designed for the younger person. However, the mother of the bride can find dresses designed more for her style at specialty boutiques.

The mother of the bride dress doesn't have to have a matronly look. It may be designed for the woman over 40 but can still be fashionable. It should highlight her elegance and be glamorous before being trendy.

Just like other formal gowns, her gown can vary from design to design. A classically formal design is the timeless floor-length flowing gown with a modest off the shoulder style. Often they come with a matching jacket or pashmina shawl to complete the look. The wrap can double as a warm cover-up. The off the shoulder style can look sexy and elegant and be practical for warm weather weddings.

An evening dress with an embellished or highlighted bodice accents a relatively small waist. Look for embroidered, accessorized with beads or sequins or a bodice made in a different color or material as the skirt to add interest. A jacket or wrap in the same color family adds interest while hiding flaws.

A mother of the bride dress with a stylish cowl neck and skirt that skims the body looks stylish. This type of dress complements the curvier shape of an older woman, without clinging to the body too much. The skimming cut doesn't add bulkiness and brings attention away from a thick waist to the legs and lower body.

There are modest formal evening dresses available for the woman wanting something less showy. The fashionable conservative dresses are just as classy and stylish as the low-cut styles. Suits with a camisole and a floor length skirt and jacket with full, three quarter, short or cap sleeves are often chosen by the more modest mother of the bride.

These modest evening dresses complement a petite woman with a modest bosom. The modest neckline of the dress draws attention to the chest area. To further enhance the bodice, interesting accessories can be added. Sequins, lace or embroidery can look especially pretty.

The colors for the evening dresses will vary according to the season, the mother of the brides taste and personality and current trends. She shouldn't wear ivory or white since it is traditionally only the bride wears those colors. If the bride chooses those colors, however, the mother of the bride can add a jacket or wrap in a different shade. Often she will choose a black, blue, gray or red dress. These colors look well on both floor length and mid calf length dresses or suits.

Plus sized women have wide variety of styles to choose from as well. Her style is often a free flowing body skimming dress that is either floor length or mid calf length. Halter styles to show off the upper body look good on taller full size women. These gowns usually have a floor length A-line skirt. Since she might have an ample bosom, empire waist evening dresses will flatter them. The high waist appears to lengthen the lower body and appear slimmer.

Mother of the bride evening dresses no longer need to look matronly with the wide variety of colors, styles and fabrics available today.

Tina McCarthy provides plenty of information about how to look stunning [http://designereveninggownsguide.com/look-stunning-in-a-little-black-dress], plus many other great articles, at her top designer evening gowns [http://designereveninggownsguide.com] website.

Finding Great Plus Size Mother of the Bride Dresses

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If you're looking for some plus size mother of the bride dresses, no doubt you want to find something that is beautiful and classy and that flatters your figure, whatever your size. Being the mother of the bride is no time to feel frumpy or dowdy or uncomfortable in any way. But today, you're in luck. Many more department stores and bridal specialty stores are carrying plus size mother of the bride dresses, and they are paying as much attention to these dresses as they are all their other fashions and styles. But before you actually shop, let's take a look at some things you will need to remember when choosing the right dress for you.

Your Body Type and Shape

Regardless of what size you are, you have some very positive features about you. The key is knowing what they are so you can play up those while downplaying whatever figure flaws you think you have.

For example, you may be looking for plus size mother of the bride dresses because you're no longer the skinny peanut you once were, but you still have very shapely legs. Maybe your figure has very pleasing proportions. The trick is to play up those positive aspects of your figure. If you have long legs, you can opt for a long skirt with a modest slit. If you have good proportions, you can choose some plus size mother of the bride dresses that simply flatter you all over, without having to emphasize any one feature.

Of course, knowing your body type and shape means also being honest and realistic about what your figure is. Thinking that you can wear a size smaller than you really are or opting for sleeveless designs may not be the best thing for you. Sometimes women make the mistake of picking out plus size mother of the bride dresses that they think looks good on a hangar or in a magazine, without worrying about how they actually look when worn. You may want to instead opt for covering up some things rather than thinking you can still show off some things.

Shape of the Dresses and Silhouettes

There are some plus size mother of the bride dresses that have obviously been designed without anyone even really thinking of what plus size women want in clothing. Most prefer silhouettes and dress shapes that are going to make them look slimmer, not big and billowy skirts that just make them look bigger. This is another reason why it's important to try on any plus size mother of the bride dresses that you're looking at. The cut and the shape may just hit your figure in all the wrong places. Another woman that is taller than you or shorter than you or just built differently make look great in one of these cuts and shapes, but you need something that is right for your figure, not theirs.

Where to Shop

Obviously you want to keep in mind the bride's preferences when it comes to color and even the length of the dress, but remember that you can find perfectly appropriate plus size mother of the bride dresses at places that don't necessarily specialize in bridal wear. Your favorite boutique or retailer may have just the perfect cocktail dress or fancy suit that would work well; remember that you can dress up these outfits with a beautiful shawl or wrap. If you know how to sew or know someone that does, you can add a line of beads or crystals to the hem of a skirt or add a nice trim to a jacket or bodice.

The real key to shopping for plus size mother of the bride dresses is to start shopping early and to be sure to try on any of your choices. If you do this you're sure to find just the right dress for you.

You can read more about plus size mother of the bride dresses on TheBridesHeart.com.

Toilet Paper Bridal Shower Game

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This great Bridal Shower Game is perfect for including guests of all ages. Everyone can enjoy this unique game filled with hysterical high-jinx. Have a camera close at hand for the beautiful bridal outfits created by using everyday items found in everyone's household. By using rolls of toilet paper, teams of guests can create lovely original gowns that rival costly couture creations!

The point of this super Bridal Shower Game is to have guests create wedding day outfits out of toilet paper. If you are including both the bride and the groom in your shower, be sure to have teams create male clothing that is appropriate for such formal situations as a wedding. Also, be sure to include the bridal party in the outfit creation-they are sure to feel better about their current bridal wear instead of the toilet paper potential. If flower girls, junior bridesmaids, or ring bearers are present, include the pint sized party members in this super game.

Depending on the size of your crowd, you may need to arrange guests into pairs, triplets, or teams of varying numbers. Have each team design bridal wear for a specific individual. These would include the bride, groom, bridesmaids, maid of honor, best man, ushers, junior bridesmaids, ring bearer, or flower girl. Give each team the appropriate design materials so that they can create a fabulous outfit for this Bridal Shower Game. You may want to include feather dusters, toilet paper, crepe paper, balloons, or any other materials you can think of in the designing of your bridal wear.

When designing the formal wear for this Bridal Shower Game, instruct pairs or teams to include accessories like veils, hats, baskets, corsages, or bouquets. You may also want to have special awards for these extras or have each guest try their hand at making a toilet paper flower. Once all of these flowers have been made, incorporate them into the traditional rehearsal bouquet made for the bride. This Bridal Games is sure to be remembered by all participants.

To complete this super Bridal Shower Game, time each team or pair of designers and limit their design tools. Once the timer sounds, all teams should stop and begin to showcase their outfit. Consider having each wearer model their outfits in a high spirited fashion show. Elect each member of the team to give a commentary on their design.

During the fashion show, provide guests with pen and paper and encourage them to vote on their favorites. If you have many models, create different categories, such as scandalous, sweet, or stunning. Also include categories like best use of toilet paper and most creative. Once everyone has voted on their favorite creations, reward the winning team with special prizes.

Before individuals disrobe from their stunning toilet paper creations, be sure to document each design with a photograph before the outfit is destroyed. This Bridal Shower Game is sure to be a hit with every guest, no matter what their age! Everyone is sure to remember this fun and unique game, so be sure to include it when you are planning for your wedding shower.

If you are planning a small shower with a few guests, have everyone focus their design skills on the bride. Using the materials given, design a beautiful dress the bride *should* wear on her big day. Allow different individuals to focus on specific aspects of the bridal attire, from the dress to the veil to the bouquet to the footwear. Everyone should have a chance to participate in this excellent Bridal Shower Game!

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy currently has a website dealing with Reviews of Coffee Related Products such as coffee makers, espresso makers, coffee, k-cups, and more plus articles on coffee enemas and other coffee and health related topics. He also has a website of Reviews of Small Appliances such as ice cream makers, vacuum cleaners, mixers, irons, toasters, food processors, and many other appliances.

How to Lose Weight Fast For a Wedding - Don't Be a Fat Bride

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Don't Be A Fat Bride

OK Ladies, I am sure you have all have had a similar experience. Last Sunday I was at my cousin's wedding. The organ thundered Here Comes The Bride and We all arose, excited to see Jen walk down the aisle in her beautiful new wedding gown. It was a great wedding, and Jen looked super in her wedding dress. The colored light flowing through the stained glass windows covered her in bright colors and her trim figure glowed with a healthy vibrant beauty showing off the gown to perfection. Oh, it was fantastic even now it makes my cry.

The Need To Lose Weight For A Wedding Causes Tears

I couldn't help but remember different tears a couple of months earlier when we were searching for the perfect wedding dress. At that time Jen was heavier than she is now and every time we found the perfect gown her body some how had a wrong bulge here or a pooch there that ruined the effect. It was at about the 50th gown that Jen broke down sobbing, "I need a sign on my fridge that says 'Don't Be A Fat Bride!' ", she sniffled.

Don't Be A Fat Bride, Lose Weight

I put my arm around her. "Jen, I said", with as much tact as I could muster in the moment, "there is only one thing left to do and that is lose some weight." I know, that was probably a little bit too direct, but we were losing time every day. After her initial glaring look, she admitted that I was probably correct and so we began to look for the best way to go about losing weight fast for a wedding.

How To Lose Weight Fast For A Wedding

We found a great way and Jen used it to lose 21 pounds in 21 days and then another 15 pounds after that. If you are over weight at all, there is nothing more amazing you can do for your wedding day looks than to lose weight. The answer to how to lose weight for a wedding lies in controlling the way you eat in 4 general areas.

• Calories


• Fiber


• Water


• Exercise

How To Lose Weight Fast For A Wedding By Controlling Calories

Take your weight and multiply it by 12 and that is the number of calories you can consume per day and still stay at your current weight. Lets say you weight 185 lbs. 185 X 12 = 2220. That means that if you eat 2,220 calories a day, you will keep your current weight of 185 pounds. If you want to lose about 1 pound a week, eat 500 calories less per day. Using our example, 2220 - 500 = 1720, if you ate 1,720 calories a day you would lose about 1 pound a week. Remember this is an average. To lose 2 pounds a week you would have to limit yourself to only 1,220 calories a day. This is where Jen and I started.

How To Lose Weight Fast For A Wedding By Controlling Fiber

Jen wanted to lose weight at a higher rate than just a two or three pounds a week and so we looked at weight loss techniques some more and found out that by adding 50 grams of fiber to your daily diet you can dramatically increase your weight loss. It is the secret Don't Be A Fat Bride weapon you can aim straight at your thighs and waist. Jen had a hard time at first getting that much fiber in her diet, but when she did wow! Hint: Eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day is a good way to start!

How To Lose Weight Fast For A Wedding By Controlling Water Intake

Besides eating all of that fiber, we found out that drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day sped up weight loss. So if you, like Jen, need to lose weight for a wedding, get out your drinking glass and fill it with water. It flushes out toxins, causes the body to release water, and helps balance the bodies chemistry so that it blasts fat fast!

How To Lose Weight Fast For A Wedding By Controlling Exercise

Doing exercises for 20 min 3 times a week can help you lose an extra pound a week. If you need to lose weight fast for a wedding, get on your jogging shoes, or take out the tennis racquet and hit the courts. Exercise elevates your resting metabolism and helps you lose weight fast for a wedding. It also strengthens your heart and lungs, tones your body, and makes it look gorgeous in that gown.

So girls, if you want to look great on your special day get started now, you won't be sorry!

Is The Diet Jen used to lose weight good for you also? Find out here!

Tara Jacks is a designer and writer for http://www.healthjournal.biz/ and She lives in Maryland with her pets and enjoys biking, swimming, writing, and rock climbing.

Tips For Writing a Mother of the Bride Speech

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It is customary for the father of the bride to make a speech and toast at the wedding. However, there are many reasons that the mother of the bridge could be required to make the speech. The reasons can range from divorce to the father simply being uncomfortable in crowds. This mother of the bride speech is very important to both the daughter and the mother. This article will give some tips for providing a memorable mother of the bride speech.

1. Talk about your daughter as a child. Share some memories of what your daughter was like when she was growing up. Mention some of the special times you shared together. Talk about the many ways that your daughter has changed over the years.

2. Welcome your new son-in-law to the family. Tell your audience and family how happy you are to have him join the family.

3. One thing the audience really enjoys is if you share your memory of how your daughter was early in the relationship. Talk about how she was nervous about the first date or took hours to get ready. Another good thing to mention is how your daughter first met her husband.

4. Focus on the importance of marriage and commitment. Add you own inflections and if appropriate talk about how happy you have been in your own marriage.

5. Make sure to give a toast to your daughter and her new husband.

This article provided some tips for writing a memorable mother of the bride speech. A good mother of the bride speech will be remembered for a lifetime by both you and your daughter. Make sure that the speech is special and touches your daughters heart.

Angela Wade is a professional writer who researches and writes on a variety of topics.

There's no reason you should be worried about writing the perfect wedding speech. Click Here to get the information you need to deliver the perfect wedding speech. Read our reviews of the best methods of writing your speech on our website!

Asian Mail Order Brides

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A mail order bride is a woman who signs herself up with a marriage agency who offers her as a spouse to a male foreigner looking for a bride. Many foreigners tend to prefer Asians as wives, and because of the economic status of many Asian countries, there seems to be a constant number of Asian females willing to offer themselves up as mail order brides.

Attractions

Foreigners tend to prefer Asian women because of the generally attractive physique that they possess. Asian mail order brides tend to be very feminine, petite and slender and always display grace. Asians seem to have a natural knack for charm as well as an innate ability to be attentive to their partners. With these characteristics, the physical and emotional needs of the foreign groom are met.

Asian women are generally brought up to be gentle and polite, knowing how to conduct themselves properly with proper manners. They know how to respond to others politely and with great respect. They have the ability to easily adapt to new cultures and, since they are naturally friendly and hospitable, they are able to quickly gain new friends and adjust to their new environment.

Asian countries regard marriage highly and value the institution of family with utmost commitment. If the groom is seriously considering settling down with a mail order bride, then an Asian bride would fit the profile well.

Mutual Attraction

For the marriage to work there needs to be a mutual attraction. Asian women openly agree to such arrangements because of their preconceived understanding of Western men. Many Asian women are treated as secondary citizens. But Western men tend to have a chivalric upbringing, treating females with great respect and as equals.

Since many Asian countries have a lower-performing economy compared to their Western counterparts, many Asian women seek the stability that comes with the marriage.

Mail Order Brides provides detailed information on Mail Order Brides, Russian Mail Order Brides, Latin Mail Order Brides, Asian Mail Order Brides and more. Mail Order Brides is affiliated with Online Russian Brides [http://www.i-RussianBrides.com].

Preparing Bride Speeches - 5 Vital Steps to Great Bride Speeches

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Although bride speeches were not traditionally given at wedding receptions the practice is becoming more and more common and is now more often the case than not. Every bride wants to make a good impression to her groom, friends and new in-laws so doing a good job of speaking at the wedding reception is something you want to get right.

Of course you will have a thousand things on your mind leading up to the wedding and writing a speech will probably be the last thing on your mind. Don't put off the effort, however, because it really isn't that hard to write and present a great speech when you know how and plan ahead.

The first step is to understand the point of bride speeches and what you are expected to say. The second step is to get together with your groom well before the wedding and plan what the two of you are going to say in your speeches so you don't end up telling the same stories. I would suggest you not rehearse your speech with your groom so the final speech will be a surprise to him.

Remember that your job is not to provide the entertainment for the evening so keep your comments short. A great speech can be completed in five minutes or less.

Here are five points that need to be covered in all bride speeches:

1. Thank everyone who participated in the planning and execution of the wedding and making this a day you will always cherish. And don't just include your family and friends. Also mention the hired help, caterers, minister, etc. They also worked hard and deserve recognition.

2. Give special thanks to anyone who made an especially big contribution to making the day happen, and any guests that came from a far distance or had a difficult journey. Many brides like to remember at this time any friends or family members who could not make the journey, perhaps because they are ill or are no longer living.

3. Thank your family, your parents especially, for helping you to become the person you are. Illustrate what they mean to you with a story or two of how they taught you to be a good person or how much you enjoyed growing up with them.

4. Next thank your groom's family for welcoming you into their family. This section will vary depending on how well you know them. If you have only recently met them then you can just say what a wonderful job you think they did of raising their son. If you've known them longer then tell a story that illustrates why you admire them.

5. Finally you should talk about your new husband. Everyone loves to hear stories about how couples met so if you have a good or funny story now is the time. End with another story that shows what a special person he is and why you love him so much. The best way to end bride speeches is with a toast to the groom such as: Although I wish this moment could last forever, I also look forward to growing old with you.

Rehearse your speech as many times as you can before the wedding. The more you rehearse the less likely your emotions will get the best of you. Have a card with bullet points of what you want to say. Don't read the entire speech nor try to go without notes. And finally remember to enjoy your day.

Want more information on how to prepare and present great bride speeches? Visit this blog, bridespeechestips.com/, where a recent bride tells how she researched and prepared for the speech on her big day.

Wedding Speeches - The Father of the Bride

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It's Your Daughters BIG day, the little girl you have loved and looked after for so long is getting married. You have been bestowed the honor of making a Father of The Bride Wedding Speech at your daughters wedding, what do you say? how do you convey just how much your daughter means to you and how happy you are she is getting married?"

Writing your father of the bride speech can be a stressful and exhausting process. You desperately want to make sure this pivotal part of the wedding ceremony goes off without a hitch. You want to make your daughter proud and do her and your family justice by giving a great father of the bride speech that will leave your daughter with a memory she will cherish forever.

The problem with putting a father of the bride wedding speech together is that it is hard, often more so for guys, to convey emotion. Getting the right combination of wit, humor, sincerity and emotion can be the difference between a good speech and a bad one. In particular men can have trouble conveying emotion and when they force it it comes across as wooden or insincere.

You want to convey to everyone just how much you love your daughter and how happy you are to see her settle down with her chosen partner. You also want to infuse just the right amount of humor to keep things from getting to "heavy", getting people to laugh is possibly the most important part of any ceremony speech.

Writing a speech is not the easiest process, the advice I offer to people is to get a guide made up of professionally written speeches which have been proven time and time again to be successful, which can then be edited and mixed and matched to form the perfect speech for your occasion. In around 30 minutes you could have your speech written, leaving you to relax and focus on other tasks. The guides are extremely cheap and lets face it in comparison to the cost of the wedding day, the price pales into insignificance and will ensure your daughters day is complete.

I have put together a guide for making the perfect father of the bride wedding speech you can find it here The Father of The Bride Speech.

Hoping your day is a successful and memorable one!

Gloria Bond is a wedding planner and holds speech writing seminars to help people create the perfect speech for all occasions and overcome the fear of public speaking. Gloria is the editor of http://www.ceremonyspeech.com

To The Bride And Groom - A Special Wedding Toast

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You can deliver a very memorable wedding toast by being confident, funny, heartfelt, and poised. Writing a wedding speech could be very difficult, and who wants to be embarrassed in front of a crowd? I have done some research on wedding speeches and came up with a simple guideline that anyone can follow.

Do:

Leave out the sibling rivalries, tell about something your sibling has taught you, and if it's a lie then who really cares?

Write out your speech, if it's longer than two pages then it's too long.

Introduce yourself to the wedding guests, everyone may not know who you are. Do you work with them, are you their sibling, did you attend college together, etc.

Say something positive about the wedding ceremony.

Tell a funny joke at the bride/groom's expense, but remember to keep it clean.

Tell an anecdote about the couple. Where you there when they met? Did they bring out qualities in each other?

If you are the Maid of Honor don't forget the groom (and vice versa). Say something nice about him/her.

Provide an insight into the couple's relationship.

Pay tribute to the bride and/or the groom.

End your toast on a high note- wish the couple a happy future.

Then don't forget to propose the toast and have guests join you and lift their glasses. Complete the toast with "Cheers", "Salute", etc.

Don't:

Don't give out any embarrassing moments, like the time you and the groom were trying to score women in Cancun.

If you went to the bachelor party don't give the details.

Don't end your toast with "Now let's party!" or "BooYah!".

Please never put this in a wedding toast: "You guys are totally awesome!"

Never, ever give a wedding speech while you are drunk, or had to much to drink.

A special touch for your speech would be to have it printed out and framed and presented to the bride and groom so they can always remember, because weddings are meant to be remembered. And always remember to speak from the heart... Hey Now let's get this party started!

Michelle Dudley runs http://www.gotdudley.com where she is always looking for unique Food and Drink articles, feel free to contact her if you have an article on the subject at shelly656@gotdudley.com
If you are still stuck on on writing a wedding speech please visit http://gotdudley.blogspot.com

Fine Plus Size Mother Of The Bride Dresses

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There are many choices available when shopping for fine plus size mother of the bride dresses. The styles and selections available in plus sizes are better than ever. There are many retailers who specialize in attractive full figure and plus size garments, as well as an increasing number of manufacturers who have begun to offer more variety in their sizing practices. Gone are the days when you had to be pencil thin to find the perfect, fashionable dress.

The fashion industry seems to have woken up to the fact that beautiful women come in all shapes and sizes. There are many designers who now produce fine plus size mother of the bride dresses, in a variety of lovely styles and colors. It is easier than ever to find the perfect one to compliment your own taste, and sense of style. With the many options available, every woman can find the right, figure flattering dress to look her very best for her special occasion.

Fine plus size mother of the bride dresses can be found everywhere, from traditional bridal retailers, specialty shops, designer boutiques, to on-line retailers. Designers that offer fine plus size mother of the bride dresses include Naytaya, Marsoni, Misty Lane, Onyx Nite, Karen Miller, Cachet, Ursula of Switzerland, JS Collections, Marcelle Couture, Fifth Sunday, Darius Cordell and many others.

There are many retailers with attractive plus size lines. Among them are JC Penny, Audrey’s Fine Fashions, Chadwick’s, David’s Bridal, Roaman’s Formalwear, Coldwater Creek, Plus Size Bridal.com, and many others.

An on-line search will give you a long list of options, from designer and custom made fashions to ready to wear fashions in a range of sizes. The styles range from the young trendy type styles, to the more sophisticated, elegant ones, in wide varieties of fabrics and colors. With so many shopping options available, it can be simple to find the perfect dress for your special occasion.

When shopping for fine plus size mother of the bride dresses, it is important to check sizes carefully, as they can differ from one label to another. Most offer sizing charts, where you can compare your individual measurements to the sizes offered by the particular manufacturer. This is particularly important if you choose to shop with an on-line retailer, or when ordering custom dresses. It is also wise to be aware of the retailer’s policy on returns, just in case your gown doesn’t fit as well as you would like. Taking a little extra time to double check can save you from unnecessary hassles while preparing for your special day.

With so many options available, there are fine plus size mother of the bride dresses that will flatter the figures of women of all shapes and sizes. Plus size fashion is no longer just larger versions of apparel designed for smaller women, but has evolved into fabulous designs meant exclusively to flatter the full figured woman, that clearly demonstrate a true appreciation for the more generous figure, which makes it easier than it has ever been to find the perfect dress for your special occasion.

Abe Gardea is a full-time freelance writer and a regular contributor to http://bridesmaid-dresses-n-flower-girl-dresses.com

Is There a Mail Order Bride in Your Future?

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Before you decide that a mail order bride is the right choice for you, be aware that there are many differences in this type relationship than in conventional marriages, and issues you must deal with that don't even come up in a traditional marriage.

It takes a mature man to be able to handle the unkind comments you may hear from people who think you must be desperate to choose a mail order bride. Unfortunately, yes, there are still people that narrow-minded.

Other people may be rude to or critical about your choice of a foreign wife, assuming she only wants to use you, either for money or to become a citizen in a Western country. There are people who will not have the good sense to keep their opinions to themselves, and your bride needs to know she can count on you to stand up for her in the face of rudeness or cruel comments.

Everyone wants to think their marriage will last 'til death do us part', but the sad truth is that some marriages do fail. You need to discuss the possibility, no matter how remote it seems, before you get married, so there's no confusion about what happens should either of you decide to put an end to the marriage.

Many countries that have become popular for mail order brides still raise their young women to be content staying at home and taking care of a husband and children. But there is more exposure now to other belief systems, and you can't assume your mail order bride will be happy with an arrangement like that. You'll need to spend time discussing it with her to find out what she expects from the relationship and letting her know your expectations as well.

You'll want to consider how often you'll be in a position to send your bride home to visit her family, or whether you can bring some of her family members to see her. It's not fair to ask her to give up her family in order to marry you.

Chances are you'll be expected to visit her in her country before you get married. In many countries, families still have a big influence over the decisions of their children, regardless of their age, so it will important to them that they be given an opportunity to meet you.

You must also become acquainted with the legalities of bringing a foreigner into your country. For example, in the US, you're expected to become her sponsor and will be required to fill out and sign several government forms to that effect.

One such form is an affidavit of support, which by signing, you agree to support your wife and any children she may have. It pledges your support and gives very explicit circumstances as the only ways the support is no longer required.

There are generally only 5 ways you would not be held liable for continued support:

1.    In the event of your death

2.    In the event of your spouse's death

3.    If your spouse becomes a US citizen

4.    If your spouse works in the US for a minimum of 10 years

5.    If your spouse leaves the US permanently

Just know that in choosing a mail order bride, you're obligated for the responsibilities that accompany that decision. You need to educate yourself on those responsibilities so there are no surprises later on.

But you can take some comfort in the knowledge that most men and their mail order brides enjoy a longer, typically happier marriage than those who chose a more conventional marriage.

Rosebrides.com should be your first stop in your search for a mail order bride. Unlike some sites that only offer a list of contacts, Rosebrides.com allows you to interact with Russian brides, Polish brides, Uzbekistan brides and hundreds of other beautiful hopefuls from around the world.

Wine Stopper Favors - Crystal Ball, Bride and Groom, Crystal Heart Stoppers

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Wine stopper favors make an excellent addition to any cocktail hour. There are many different wine stoppers that you can choose from the possibilities are endless. The bottle stoppers will add an upscale feel to your event. You can set the bottle stoppers next to all of your bottles of wine and have your guests pick up their stopper favors on way out.

Below on going to outline many different stopper favors that you can choose from that will make an excellent addition to your cocktail hour.

Crystal heart bottle stopper favor:

This heart-shaped bottle stopper is carved in an excellent pattern that will reflect the light in a sparkling detail. This is one of the most upscale bottle stopper favors I have ever seen. It comes excellently displayed in a silver box with satin inside with organza bow and matching thank you tag.

Bride and groom bottle stoppers:

This is a truly unique to reside it wine bottle stopper. The bride is on one side and groom is on the other side. It has a hand-painted heart-shaped top base designed with a brides dress on one side of the stopper and groom's tux on the other side. It is beautifully displayed in a clear box with a black bottom, allowing for full view of this unique bottle stopper. It has a organza bow and a designer, heart-shaped thank you tag.

Crystal Ball bottle stopper:

This is one of the most I can team bottle stopper favors that will make an excellent addition in to almost any of it. The favorite features in acrylic, Crystal Ball ornament tapered on top of the chrome bottle stoppers to him. Each bottle stopper is displayed in a clear box with a black top, allowing for a full view of this unique bottle stopper favor. It is topped off with a white organza bow and a heart-shaped thank you tag that is attached to the favor. This is one of the most unique and elegant upscale bottle stopper favors I have personally laid eyes on.

These are just a few of the many bottle stopper favors that you can choose from to add a bit of upscale, elegant feel to your occasion. The stopper favors are great for the cocktail hour.

If you are looking for some wine stopper favors we got you covered. We have many to choose from. We have a nice crystal ball bottle stopper, chrome heart shaped stoppers, crystal heart shaped wine stoppers and many more.

We also have many different wedding favors such as beach themed, candle favors, silver wedding favors and many more favors that will be perfect for your event.

Wedding Gifts For The Bride and Groom

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You have been invited to a wedding and now have to decide what gift to give the happy couple. Choosing the best gift is sometimes difficult. You definitely want to avoid the last minute dash to find something to give. Besides thinking of what to give you also want to keep it unique. No couple wants to get 10 gravy boats. How do you buy that unique wedding gift? There are a few ways to make sure your gift is an original. You can make it yourself, get it personalized or be creative. Trying one of these three ideas will ensure that nobody else will be giving a duplicate of your gift.

If you are blessed with a special creative talent you can whip up a gift the couple will surely love. Some great handmade gifts are paintings, soaps, candles or knitted items. You can also put together a recipe book with family favorites in it. Go a step further and put together some jars of dry ingredients with recipes attached where the cook adds some of the ingredients to whip up a soup or casserole. If you want to give a gift from the heart offer to sing the couple a song at the reception or even cook the dinner for them. Use your special talent to create a gift that nobody else can ever give and the couple with be delighted.

Adding personalization to gifts will also help set them apart from the crowd. Give the couple monogrammed bath robes with matching slippers. Play to each of their hobbies or interests with a pen set for him and knitting supplies for her. If you know the couple well you should be able to find something that seems perfect for them. You can always have a personal message added to any gift, like glasses with their last name etched on them. Make the gifts unique to them and they will appreciate the thought you put into it.

For those who just have no clue what to buy - get creative. There are some things the couple will need but nobody will think to buy these things for a wedding gift. Put together kits that provide the couple with essentials in a nice package. Every new home needs cleaning supplies, so put various cleaning items in a mop bucket and you have a useful gift. Buy a large pot and every spice you can think of for a gift that will tempt their taste buds. These creative gifts are very helpful to the new couple, but at the same time quite simple.

Most people try to go way out and buy the best gift they can, but in the end others have the same thought and the couple ends up with duplicate gifts. To make sure your gift won't be returned turn it into a project that you put some work into, so you end up with a unique wedding gift for a deserving couple. They will be sure to enjoy your unique gift for years to come.

Joe Palladino is the owner of Her Wedding Favors and offers fine wedding favors and unique bridal shower favors. All of his products are discounted, high-quality cheap wedding favors.