Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Bridal Jewelry For Excited Bride


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There is nothing wrong to feel excited, especially when it is about the approaching of your wedding, such event is the most significant moment in any womans life. There must be a big preparation for the wedding venue, festivity, the whole program of the event and of course the readiness of the bridals gown, shoes, wedding accessories including the bridal jewelry. This part is not the least thing to forget, because this is the only time that a bride can look most beautiful among the women at the party, where the limelight could only be focusing on her, and with the help of bridal jewelry, her aim to be elegant and dashing would be perfectly met and be the fulfillment in her life.

Bridal jewelry has a big impact to the brides personality. It will show how the woman would be like, when she finally gets married. If she is able to wear the best bridal jewelry with a simple design, yet has amazing phenomenon, it means of her humbleness, but with great philosophy or dignity in her being, especially if she chose to wear bridal jewelry with pearl stone. It will definitely be her luck for her wedding and a pride of purity considerably, would be the remark of the guests and visitors.

Moreover, being elegant in her wedding day would be the pride of her groom too. Everyone in the wedding could say nothing but to admire and appreciate the beauty of the grooms wife to be, and absolutely there is no man not to be proud with the positive responds of his visitors about the stunning bridal outfit of her soon-to-be-wife, which shines upon wearing the precious bridal jewelry on their wedding day. It is really important for a woman to wear sophisticated bridal jewelry to make the man proud of her, which such feeling would be last forever in their togetherness.

In choosing a right bridal jewelry, the woman must see to it that the design of jewelry has suited to her posture, to her wedding dress as wells must be fitted to her personality. For instance, it would be nice for the bride who has a petite body, to wear a single pearl drop attached to a silver chain dangling in her necklace, accompanied with her bracelet and pair of earring that has the same size of pearl stone on her necklace. With bare shoulders, her pearl bridal jewelry would be obviously sparkling, especially if her hair is styled according to the shape of her face, where it is tied up at the back to avoid them covering hair face and to make her neck be obvious for her necklace, earring and the bracelet too. It must be a remarkable wedding day for the woman, if she wears a precious and elegant bridal jewelry, where her guests and visitors would say nothing but just a smile of approval to her appearance.




Matthew Stanton writes an article about Bridal Jewelry which could add enthusiasm and boost confidence of women when they wear it especially during weddings. Simply visit this website at http://www.silverlandjewelry.com/

Monday, June 28, 2010

Bride Wedding Speech - Why Should I Give One?


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There are several reasons to give a bride wedding speech: To add to the occasion's entertainment, to thank those who helped you make this wonderful day possible, to follow a tradition. Before you even start setting the first words of your wedding speech on paper, stop for a moment and think about your motives for giving a bride wedding speech. Not that you need a certain kind of motivation to write the right speech, but rather, your kind of motivation will flavor the kind of speech you will end up giving.

If entertaining your audience is your main motive, you should go with a funny bride wedding speech. If you are funny and easily pull of jokes, this is a great way to make a lasting impression. Keep the speech short and to the point and lightly move from one funny anecdote to a wedding joke to the next hilarious moment from your past with your brand new husband. Just be careful not to overdo it and not to step on anyone's toes. Funny stops being so if it hurts someone.

You are planning on giving a traditional bride wedding speech. Well, the tradition of the bride speech isn't all that traditional yet. In days gone by the groom would give a speech for the both of them and brides usually wouldn't give any kind of speech at their reception. But that's a thing of the past. Nowadays plenty of brides prepare a speech for their wedding, which most of the time includes thanking everybody who helped make this day possible, and some personal thoughts and anecdotes of your relationship with your new husband.

Your main motivation is to thank everyone involved in your wedding? Then the thankful bride wedding speech would be your way to go. You'll structure your speech around the list of people you'd like to thank. Make sure you include your husband, your parents and in-laws, the wedding party and (if the list doesn't get too long) the people involved in organizing and executing all the details for your wedding. Weave in a funny anecdote or two that might have happened during the preparations, since it's the little mishaps we often remember best about great celebrations and which add the special flavor.

You want to make sure you've got all your bases covered? Then the all-in-one bride wedding speech would be the right way to go. You will mention your husband, how smashing he looks, how much you love him and the special things about your relationship. You will also give thanks where it's due, but keep it on the shorter side here. You will weave in a joke or funny anecdote here or there to keep the whole speech flowing lightly. And most importantly, you'll speak straight from your heart and express how important this day is for you, especially since it's the official starting point for your life-long relationship and happiness with your husband.

So whichever approach you choose, make sure it expresses you as a person and comes from your heart. No elegant and great words can express and show who you are as a few simple and sincere words that let people see who you are and what you think and feel. Keep it simple and fairly short (around 10 minutes should do fine) and enjoy yourself while giving the speech, that way everybody else will enjoy it too.




Felicity Porter's own wedding hasn't been very long ago and she likes to share her own experience with her bride wedding speech and what she's learned in the process about writing wedding speeches with fellow brides to make their stressful preparation times just a little easier. If you'd like some more information on how to get your own bride wedding speech, visit her website.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Free Printable Wedding Invitations - Freebies That Enthrall


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When it comes to the final act of announced wedding, there is no way back. There are things to do, people to call. And bear in mind, people tend to get offended if you invite them over by phone. It is a tradition, after all. It means you need a bunch of wedding invitations, depending on how long is your wedding list. A third cousin from the bride's mother side will be tremendously offended if you skip them from your invitation list.

The fact remains: no one actually wants to turn out cheap on the wedding day. You need quite a chunk of your wedding money to spend on those one-time pieces of paper.
Professionals will squeeze you in seconds. Do not do that. Save it for a rainy day and find a way how to get free and printable wedding invitations.

First of all, there is a bunch of Internet sites, which offer a variety of those for reasonable price. They come in different designs, so called 'templates', colors and instructions how to print. You can order them already printed with the desired names, though there will always be a note of threat that a name or two might turn out misspelled.

Rather download a blank template from one of a numerous Internet sites and decide what you will do. Internet turns out to be a great companion and both money and life saver when it comes to wedding invitations. It leaves you choices, which is of great importance.

Not every person in the world is skilled to use graphic based programs for drawing and decorating downloaded blank invitations.

If you are skilled in basic software for creating and designing, do not worry. Mind you, if you should use the simplest of software, beware. Practically everyone nowadays knows the difference between an original and a downloaded card. Use proper printer and colors or hire a professional to provide you original fonts, elegant decorations along the rims and probably additional photos of you two.

The less - the better: this should be the motto if you have decided to use free printable wedding invitations. If you get too creative, it might end up as a mish-mash of kitsch. You do not want that. Go for simplicity and elegance rather than for over-kill.

This is why it is clever to download completely blank free wedding invitations, with only the format adjusted to the envelopes you will use; there is actually very little you can change once you have downloaded card with a template. Your free wedding invitation will remain free, but yet, it will have the original touch you will provide. You may have a nice handwriting - time consuming, but worthwhile. In addition to names, make your free printable wedding invitations more personal: add a spot of favorite scent or have them professionally wrapped into luxury but elegant envelopes.




Stanley Hardin has been writing articles for more than 5 years. Not only does this author specialize on the subjects of health, diet, fitness and weight loss, you can also look at his latest articles about printable wedding invitation which give you information about free printable wedding invitations. And you can visit my articles blog.

Choosing A Mother Of The Bride Dress - Pleasure Or Predicament?


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If you're the mother of the bride at an upcoming wedding, congratulations! You have a major part to play in supporting your daughter as she prepares for her big day. Being the mother of the bride (or the M.O.B., as she is sometimes known these days) is a role which calls for understanding, tact and diplomacy in many delicate areas, not least being the question of wedding attire. As well as helping your daughter to select her bridal gown, you have another tricky choice to make: finding your own mother of the bride dress.

As with most aspects of wedding planning, there are conventions that some couples wish to follow and others they will prefer to ignore. But if you know what the 'rules' are, you'll be better able to decide when you want to break them! And in most cases, the principles governing mother of the bride gowns are designed to allow her due precedence -- without overshadowing the bride herself!



  • Appropriate color. Many people feel that mother of the bride dresses should not be white or black. In the first case, of course, it's because white is traditionally the color reserved for the bride. The second rule harks back to a time when the bride's mother could signal her unhappiness at her daughter's marriage by wearing the color of mourning.

    While such a gesture might be thought extreme in today's world, it is still frowned upon in some quarters for the M.O.B. to wear black -- perhaps simply because it might be considered bad luck. These days, however, what's appropriate is often dictated by the style of the wedding and the bride's preference -- and in an era when evening weddings are not unusual, black might be an acceptable choice.



  • Coordinate with the mother of the groom. While it's customary for the M.O.B. to choose her dress first, it's considerate as well as prudent to liaise with the groom's mother in matters of style and color. This will at least minimize the risk of both mothers turning up to the wedding in the same outfit!



  • Complement the dresses of the bride and bridesmaids. As a member of the wedding party, the eyes of the guests will be drawn to your outfit too. Plan well ahead with the bride to decide on an age-appropriate design and color to coordinate with their styles.

As part of the build-up such a joyous event as a wedding, choosing a mother of bride dress ought to be fun. And while finding exactly the right outfit may require a considerable expense of time, energy and shoe leather, it's a task that you can enjoy in the company of your daughter or a close friend or two, if you like. After all, the wedding will be partly your day too!




Nigel Patterson is a business writer and publisher of http://Inexpensive-Weddings.com

Visit his website for tips and ideas for creating your dream wedding on a tight budget: wedding dresses, invitations, rings, cakes, wedding favors, flowers and more ...

Saturday, June 26, 2010

4 Ways to Avoid Being Fleeced While Dating a Russian Bride


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If you have heard stories in the past about men dating Russian brides who have been taken advantage of financially, it is natural for you to have those concerns for yourself as you enjoy the dating process as well. While this is a legitimate concern, there are ways to protect yourself until you have officially taken your bride home and entered the happy marriage you ultimately desire.

1. Do not wire money! If you are asked by a women of any nationality to make a substantial wire transfer of money, you simply should not do it. There is no way to reverse these money transfers, and you cannot verify who is picking up the money on the other end or what they will do with the money. It is in your own best interest not to send money this way, no matter what the circumstances may be.

Dating a Russian bride is not about how much money you can send them or promise when they say "I do." It is about making legitimate love connections that will last for years to come, and it should in no way include you sending large amounts of money to women you do not know very well. If a woman seems insistent that you send her money to continue a relationship than ask yourself what kind of a relationship you really desire in the end. Chances are, she is not the best girl for you.

2. Do not pay for things until you really know a woman. If you are dating a Russian bride who seems to expect you to pay for things on their behalf, you need to use the same logic mentioned above. You should not be required to buy her love, and if she expects you to do so consider whether that is the type of relationship you really want to have. You are building the foundation for your future right now, and trying to buy her off is not a stable founding point. If she seems more interested in what you can pay for her than who you are as a person, then that should tell you something about what she is after in the relationship.

However, do not confuse this advice with Russian dating etiquette! When you finally meet your Russian bride, you WILL be expected to pay for all expenses on your dates. Do not think of this as being used, because it is not the case. It is the tradition in Russian culture that men pay all expenses when on a date. In addition to this, you will be expected to pay her travel and accommodation expenses as well. Quite simply, most Russian women do not earn enough to pay for airfares and hotel accommodation - in particular if you meet in a city such as Moscow or St. Petersburg!

3. Don't fall for legitimate-sounding pleas for financial help. There are professional scam artists out there who aim to take advantage of your search for real love. They have no shame in leading you to believe they are a hot young girl who wants to marry you, all the while they are actually male and possibly already living in your country! If you are dating a Russian bride and come across a woman who is constantly asking for money for various reasons, your alarm should go off.

If you do get a request from money from a woman you have gotten to know and really do trust, you should test the situation a little to see that she is being real with you. One easy way to do this is to decline sending money one time. If you have already sent her money and the requests for more and more just keep coming, then it is a good idea to tell her you cannot do it the next time she asks. A scam artist is going to assume they have used you for all they can get and you will likely never hear from them again.

4. Use common sense! Whenever you are in doubt as to whether you are being fleeced or enticed by a legitimate love interest, always rely on common sense. There is a general sense of character that can be judged with time getting to know someone, and you should pay attention to those little feelings in all instances. The worst feeling in the world is dating a Russian bride who turns out to be after your money, not a real marriage in the future. You can often save yourself this pain just by tuning into your natural cues that tell you when something may be off with a particular woman.




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Mother of the Bride and Groom Speech


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In the event you are called upon to give a Mother of the Bride and Groom speech or toast, these hints may provide some useful ideas for you. It is hard enough to speak before a large gathering of friends and family, but involving feelings or emotions and rational thought might disappear along with your tongue.

Hopefully, you will not be called upon to speak without advance knowledge, but if you are, give the possibility of a Mother of the Bride or Groom Speech some thought prior to the event. Given some time to think about what words you will use and given the chance to edit your words, you can probably come up with something pretty special. Speaking from your heart is always the way to go. It is the opportunity for mothers to combine the love, fear, pride and work it took to raise the bride and groom to this day.

Immediately and without thought to punctuation or grammar, write down everything that comes to mind. When your mind stops, read what you have written. I bet it sounds pretty good and will make an excellent starting point. Review it, re-read it, ponder on it, edit here and there and you are off and running.

Don not forget to say thanks. You know who contributed to make your son or daughter the beautiful person they have become and who contributed their time, money and effort to help make this day a success. Let everyone attending know, too. A heartfelt acknowledgment will earn you the gratitude of all who helped with your special day.

Include some advice to the newlyweds, but keep it simple, short and humorous. Face it, none of us have all the answers just life experience we can impart.

Since it is expected, a few words about the pride you have in your son or daughter are always acceptable assuming you don not overdo it. You would be remiss to not say a few words about your feelings for your son or daughter since you are one of the Mothers of the day. Let common sense dictate here since you do not want to embarrass them, simply show how proud you are of them.

Sincere and loving words of welcome for your new daughter or son-in-law and their family are always nice and go a long way towards meshing the two families.

Keep all comments positive. Now is not the time for anything else. You words will have a bearing on the ambiance of the day and the tone of future days. Do not let anything you say contribute anything but cheer, joy and happiness. Avoid all words that are not positive.

Avoid all but the barest mist of tears during your speech. Emotional outbursts cloud your message, make listeners uncomfortable and can very possibly turn a happy occasion into a sad, or at the very least, an uncomfortable one.

Lastly, short and sweet should be the order of the day for everyone who has been asked to speak. The day belongs to the wedding couple. You have been asked to speak to contribute, not dominate the occasion. Make your son and daughter proud of you today and you will reap the benefits for a long time to come.




Bride and Groom Mother's Speech

Anne Dunne has been an author and online marketer since the mid 1980s.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Scrapbook Ideas For the Bride


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If you are scrapbooking your own wedding you are creating a historical document. Don't go for a small format like 8 by 8 for something this important. Buy a good quality scrapbook, letter size or 12 by 12. This will not only give you room for larger pictures, you'll be able to add copies of documents like the marriage certificate without losing too much space. You will want to copy all the pictures before you start to mess about with them, and of course you can scan and print your documentation at any convenient size.

As you think about the pages, consider the questions your daughter would ask you about the wedding, even if you don't have one. How long were you engaged? What was the ring like? When did you decide to get married? Where did the dress come from? Why did you choose it? How much did it cost? Think about the information you want to leave behind. Your wedding photograph album has the official version, you scrapbook can be as honest as you want it to be. You can tell the whole story of how his mother brought you bridesmaids you didn't want and didn't know, or how your mother hated the dress, or you can simply ignore anything unpleasant and pretend it didn't happen. When it comes to your daughters turn, it may be useful to be able to show her what you went through.

If you are scrapbooking a parent, or grandparents wedding you might like to create some embellishments which have been artificially aged. My parents wedding pictures are black and white, while my grandmothers are sepia. Both of these look a little odd on colorful backgrounds, so I'd suggest creating your own background pages. Find a relatively plain background paper you like and choose two two toning colors of Tim Holtz distress inks. Using a mask, such as The Flourish from Tim Holtz, you can create an effect which will be in your chosen colors, but will look printed, and it's much cheaper than using the ink in your computer printer!

Masks are ideal for wedding pages and very easy to work with. Just put the mask down on the scrapbook paper - it is adhesive but completely re-positionable. With a toning ink begin to dab around the mask using a sponge or blender. Tim Holtz masks are transparent which means that what you see is what you get. As you color areas of the page with your distress inks, blending and shading as you go, the area under the mask remains the same. Your background can be as subtle or as striking as you like, depending on the colors you choose. Using a fine water spray you can spread and blend the distress ink colors creating one of the mottled paper designs you see in expensive collections, only this time you are in control and can choose the right colors for your photos and layout. If you plan to put your photos in the middle, concentrate the ink effects towards the edge. It's easy to shade top to bottom or right to left, when you are in control of the shading! You can use this technique as often as you like - let the ink dry, move the flourish mask and work with another color, or use a different mask entirely. You can create wonderful effects by using masks and stamps together, create delicate, shaded backgrounds and stamp on top in white or gray ink this time, or leave the mask in place and stamp over that. Touches of gleaming gold can create a luxurious effect, and of course you can always add that touch of transparent glitter!

Weddings are intensely personal, and while there are many beautiful wedding papers, tags, frames and embellishments available to buy, nothing is quite the same as creating your own unique pages for your own family wedding. Once the pictures and other items are added, you not only have a wedding scrapbook, you have a family heirloom, ready to tell your story to generations yet to come.




Many of these layouts can be made using simple scrapbooking paper and Tim Holtz Distress ink Pads

12 Ideas of Hairstyles For the Elegant Bride


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The bride is always the most beautiful woman in any wedding event. She is the focal point of the ceremony, which is why she needs to be able to choose a hairstyle that is both beautiful and elegant at the same time.

If you are a bride, you probably know that finding a wedding hairstyle is not that easy as there are so many factors to consider. Some of these factors include shape of the face, wedding gown, theme of wedding, wedding jewelry, and the bride's personal style. All these things affect the bride's decision on what kind of hairstyle to don on her wedding day.

There are many variations and possibilities on wedding hairstyles that even those with short hair have many styles they can choose from. Here are 12 elegant ideas for wedding hairstyles that you can consider.

1. Classic Bun Updo

In this classic hairstyle, the hair is pulled into a neat and compact bun at the back part of the head without any hair sticking out. It can be low on the neck, on the middle part, or high on the crown of the head. This gives the traditional look that can make any bride look stunning.

2. Sophisticated French Twist

The hair is swept to the back part of the head and twisted and secured with hairpins. This type of hairstyle speaks of beauty, elegance and timelessness, making this one of the most popular choices on wedding hairstyles.

3. Playful Braids

French braids, twisted braids, or large braids-whatever type of braids you choose and whether you form it into a bun or hang it loosely from your head, the end result is the same. You will get an elegant and yet playful look that many brides want to go for.

4. Side Swept Hair

In this type of wedding hairstyle, the hair is neatly swept to one side to form a roll or bun.

5. Curly Long Locks

Long hair curled and hung loosely on the shoulders of the bride look elegant and sexy.

6. Bun with Accessories

Pulling the hair into a perfect bun and topping the crown with a tiara or securing the bun with a flower is another great hairstyle idea to consider.

7. Combed Short Hair

Who said, brides could only sport long hair? Short hair neatly combed can look just as elegant and beautiful. It is also practical and easy to fix.

8. Sexy Loose Large Waves

Loose large waves look stunning and sexy. Brides with this type of hairstyle appear confident and eye-catching.

9. Half Updo

Classy and elegant, the half updo has half of the hair pulled up into a bun at the back of the head while the lower half is curled or hung loosely on the shoulders.

10. Ballet Bun with Curly Side Strands

A compact bun with curly strands on the side of the face is both elegant and exciting.

11. Simple Ponytail

For simple brides who do not like the fussiness of elaborate hairstyles can go for simple but sophisticated ponytails.

12. Bun or Ponytail with Wispy Bangs

Modern but at the same time elegant, a bun or ponytail with wispy bangs in the perfect choice for trendy and chic brides.

With the right choice on wedding hairstyle, the bride can truly exude sophistication and exquisiteness that will amaze the guests and wow the groom.




Angela White is a certified wedding planner in TheBridalCoach.ca wedding planning membership site and writes articles on newest wedding trends, including purchasing chic wedding favours and trendy beach wedding supplies.

Wedding Toasting For Brides


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Toasts, or brief expressions of joy and gratitude, are an important part of a wedding reception. Traditionally, a round of toasts is started by the best man, and then followed by various other key players, such as the father of the bride, the groom, and the maid of honor. Although it is not mandatory, it can be very nice for the bride to offer a toast as well. For any bride who is considering giving a toast at her wedding, this is what you need to know to get you started.

First of all, be certain that you will be able to stand the idea of public speaking at your wedding. A toast from the bride is a very gracious gesture, but if the thought of having to stand and give a speech at your reception is going to cause you great anxiety throughout the entire wedding ceremony, it is best to skip it. On the other hand, keep in mind that your assembled guests are your close family and dear friends, not critics, so if you would like to give a little toast, don't let the fear of not being "perfect" at it stand in your way. As long as it is appropriate and from the heart, it will be well received.

When preparing to give a toast, it is important to take some time before the wedding to think about what you would like to say and to make some notes. You do not have to read word for word from notecards (which can appear very stiff and unnatural, anyway), but if you go up there with no idea of what you are going to say, things are unlikely to go smoothly. Probably the most important thing to know about writing a toast is to keep it short! Two to three minutes maximum. Yours will not be the only toast of the reception, and your guests do not want to endure round after round of lengthy speeches.

Practice makes perfect, so try out your toast in front of a mirror a few times. You will find that the words come much more naturally during the real toast if you have taken the time to try it out beforehand. On the day of the wedding, remember not to indulge in too many glasses of celebratory Champagne before it is your turn to speak. The last thing you want is to slur your words! This will be easier if you keep in mind during the other toasts that the person being honored simply smiles and nods at the end of the speech; you do not drink to yourself.

There are a few general ideas that you will likely want to cover in your toast. It is very gracious if the bride takes a moment to thank all of her guests for attending, especially those who have travelled a great distance to be there. Additionally, it is sweet to thank your parents and all those who helped to make your wedding special. Other than the immediate family of the bride and groom, it is not necessary to get specific with names or exactly how each person contributed to your wedding. For instance, if your great-aunt Millie gave you your bridal jewelry, you do not need to thank her for it by name during the wedding toast, as it will make the speech drag out, and really your guests will not find it all that interesting. For more personal thank yous for intimate gifts such as your bridal jewelry, a handwritten note is a much better forum.

A bride certainly has the right to get a little sentimental and mushy at her own wedding, including during her toast. By all means, say a few words about your new husband and how much joy he brings to your life. This celebration of love is the reason for your wedding, after all. So take a deep breath, and let the gratitude and happiness of a new bride spill forth during your toast. Cheers!




Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Bridal jewelry makes a wonderful gift for the bride.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Wedding Toasting For Brides


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Toasts, or brief expressions of joy and gratitude, are an important part of a wedding reception. Traditionally, a round of toasts is started by the best man, and then followed by various other key players, such as the father of the bride, the groom, and the maid of honor. Although it is not mandatory, it can be very nice for the bride to offer a toast as well. For any bride who is considering giving a toast at her wedding, this is what you need to know to get you started.

First of all, be certain that you will be able to stand the idea of public speaking at your wedding. A toast from the bride is a very gracious gesture, but if the thought of having to stand and give a speech at your reception is going to cause you great anxiety throughout the entire wedding ceremony, it is best to skip it. On the other hand, keep in mind that your assembled guests are your close family and dear friends, not critics, so if you would like to give a little toast, don't let the fear of not being "perfect" at it stand in your way. As long as it is appropriate and from the heart, it will be well received.

When preparing to give a toast, it is important to take some time before the wedding to think about what you would like to say and to make some notes. You do not have to read word for word from notecards (which can appear very stiff and unnatural, anyway), but if you go up there with no idea of what you are going to say, things are unlikely to go smoothly. Probably the most important thing to know about writing a toast is to keep it short! Two to three minutes maximum. Yours will not be the only toast of the reception, and your guests do not want to endure round after round of lengthy speeches.

Practice makes perfect, so try out your toast in front of a mirror a few times. You will find that the words come much more naturally during the real toast if you have taken the time to try it out beforehand. On the day of the wedding, remember not to indulge in too many glasses of celebratory Champagne before it is your turn to speak. The last thing you want is to slur your words! This will be easier if you keep in mind during the other toasts that the person being honored simply smiles and nods at the end of the speech; you do not drink to yourself.

There are a few general ideas that you will likely want to cover in your toast. It is very gracious if the bride takes a moment to thank all of her guests for attending, especially those who have travelled a great distance to be there. Additionally, it is sweet to thank your parents and all those who helped to make your wedding special. Other than the immediate family of the bride and groom, it is not necessary to get specific with names or exactly how each person contributed to your wedding. For instance, if your great-aunt Millie gave you your bridal jewelry, you do not need to thank her for it by name during the wedding toast, as it will make the speech drag out, and really your guests will not find it all that interesting. For more personal thank yous for intimate gifts such as your bridal jewelry, a handwritten note is a much better forum.

A bride certainly has the right to get a little sentimental and mushy at her own wedding, including during her toast. By all means, say a few words about your new husband and how much joy he brings to your life. This celebration of love is the reason for your wedding, after all. So take a deep breath, and let the gratitude and happiness of a new bride spill forth during your toast. Cheers!




Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Bridal jewelry makes a wonderful gift for the bride.

Alternatives to Traditional Bridal Showers


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The bridal shower is a wonderful tradition, and yet they are not always appropriate in every situation. More and more often these days, the friends of the bride are getting together to plan a party or outing in celebration of the bride that is not the standard bridal shower. Here are some fun ideas for alternatives to traditional bridal showers, as well as the reasons for choosing to do something a bit different.

One of the main reasons to do something other than a bridal shower is when it is not the bride's first marriage. The purpose of a bridal shower is really to help a young couple just starting out accumulate some of the basic items needed to set up a household. For this reason, it is not customary to throw a shower for a second time bride, as she normally has all of that stuff already, not to mention that it is rude to ask the same group of people to keep giving gifts for the same occasion to the same person. (Yes it is true that most guests will give a wedding guest to a second time bride, but the difference is that a wedding gift is technically optional, where if you attend a shower, bringing a present is pretty much mandatory.)

Another reason why some people prefer to have a non-shower type of party is that they cannot get enough enthusiastic guests together. These is not a reflection of anyone's feelings towards the bride; it is more like a group case of bridal shower fatigue. This is most often seen among groups of friends in their 30s who have already attended so many bridal showers that they simply cannot stand the thought of making yet another toilet paper wedding dress. For this situation, a non-shower party in honor of the bride-to-be is the perfect solution.

A very fun way for a group of ladies to spend an afternoon together is to have a spa day. Book a private room in a salon or spa and have the bride's closest friends, sisters, bridesmaids, and the mother of the bride and groom get together for a relaxing time. Pedicures tend to be a favorite spa treatment, as they leave everyone's hands free to sip mimosas or Champagne. Presents for the bride can be optional at this type of party, as long as everyone is on the same page about it. If the guest list is limited to only the moms and the wedding party, the bride might want to take the opportunity to present the bridesmaid gifts at this time. It is the most fun to give out the bridesmaid gifts when the entire group is assembled, after all, and it is very sweet if the bride takes a moment out of her special party to thank those who are a part of her wedding.

Private cooking lessons or wine tastings are another great alternative to a regular bridal shower. Everyone can gather at the home of the hostess and just have fun trying something new together. This type of event combines well with gift giving, if you are looking to host a sophisticated non-traditional shower for a first time bride. If it is truly a celebration of the bride, but not a shower with presents, the cooking or wine class could be hosted by the bride's mother or future mother-in-law.

For a friends-only all-in-one celebration-bachelorette party, pole dancing lessons are a popular event. This risque type of party will certainly result in a lot of laughs and some interesting memories! Just be sure that the bride would find a pole dancing party amusing, rather than embarrassing. The idea is to have a fun bonding experience, not to make the bride cringe in shame.

There are as many other alternatives to traditional bridal showers as there are types of brides. Simply pick a type of gathering that is a good group activity, and that matches the bride's interests. Whether the bride-to-be in your life is sporty, girly, or intellectual, you are sure to find a way to celebrate her in style.




Look to Bridget for advice on planning your wedding. Check out how we can help with your bridesmaids jewelry at SilverlandJewelry.com. Custom wedding jewelry makes wonderful bridesmaid gifts.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Being a Bridesmaid


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Bridesmaids are the faithful, caring attendants of the bride at weddings. Usually, they're girls or young women that bear some relational association to the upcoming bride, either a close friend or relative. They attend to the bride before and after a wedding ceremony. They're usually the ones in the movies that buoy the bride, listen to her fears, cheer her on, help her with preparations, and pass on the collective excitement. The maid of honor is the most esteemed bridesmaid, and she plays a principal part. There is no fixed bridesmaid quantity because the decision has historically been left to the bride. The size of the bridesmaid group is sometimes associated, as a reflection, with wealth, success, or, obviously, how popular the bride is.

The term has wrought an idiom in modern times that glumly says, "always the bridesmaid, never the bride." This phrase is set aside for those delegated to a role of prime importance, yet they always fall short of the high honor or central import of an event.

The history of bridesmaids dates back to Roman times when an army of similarly clad bridesmaids would accompany the bride to the new husband's locale or village. In essence, these guards would protect the bride from robbers and bandits. In later times, the Romans made it a law to have 10 witnesses present at a wedding in order to ward off evil, magical spirits that were determined to destroy the marriage's fruitful conception and progress. These attendants, both bridesmaids and ushers, dressed in identical wear to the groom and bride, thus confusing the evil spirits that wished harm on the couple-to-be.

Bridesmaids are customarily given gifts for their efforts and the bride's appreciation of their inherent qualities. After all, they're the ones the bride has chosen to publicly accompany her on the most important day of her new life. Some good gifts are necklaces, earrings, stark white & long gloves, and the wedding day attire itself. Personalized gifts that commemorate the day's special events and the bridesmaids' participation, especially ones that are valuable too, are particularly appealing. They mark a feeling of togetherness and shared experiences. It's much more personal than a gift certificate. If the wedding is at a tropical travel destination, consider a bounteous gift of a day's treatment at the spa. Just make sure that someone is there to take a picture afterward. Have it framed specially and send a copy to all the bridesmaids for their children and their grandchildren. Make an impact with your gift choice that won't be forgotten. Handmade scarves, bracelets, wine glasses, chocolates, bottles of wine, bath salts, body products, scented candles, etc. are all genuinely good too.

Dresses for bridesmaids are a particularly important element, and they come in Bella Satin, Chiffron, Crystal Chiffron, Duchess Satin, Matte Satin, Nu-Georgette, Organdy, Renaissance Satin, and others. They come in royal blue, midnight, mocha, ginger, flame, sage green, forest green, frosty white, rose, ruby, sapphire, sorbet, sugar plum, tangerine, taupe, ruby, perwinkle, and bright pink, plus many more colors.




Mark Clayson is a professional, home business entrepreneur, mentor and speaker. Visit Start Work at Home for more information on starting or developing a home business or his official site to find out more.

Mother of Bride Wedding Speech Guidelines - What Brilliant Wedding Speeches Are Composed Of!


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Have you ever thought about what a really brilliant mother of bride wedding speech should be made up of? You can't escape the fact that you will be speaking for your daughter's wedding. Your daughter is posed to start out a different chapter of her life, a chapter where she has to responsibly and dutifully experience. You know that you will be invited to talk during the wedding program, to mention some things about a mother's contributions to the bride's younger days, definitive moments and well-rounded growth.

The feeling that you have shared yourself, that feeling of being blissful and pride for your beloved daughter - this is what can motivate you to write and present your own great wedding speech!

Why do you suppose you are giving time and energy to be able to come up with a mother of bride wedding speech which is substantive and also entertaining?

You are aware for sure that this is no contest within which you'll be expecting a reward as the best wedding speaker. All the same, you still want to present a motherly message which will become unforgettable for the audience, as an expression of how you treasure people special to you! We share the same sentiments about this matter. And for that reason, I'm sure you'll see that the points I am sharing in this article will help you in different ways to compose your mother of bride speech and toast:

Guidelines to Composing Brilliant Mother of Bride Wedding Speeches


  • We have a saying that goes, "Great things start from small steps." Develop several drafts of your speech. And then, you'll have some things to polish up to become your final message.

  • When you write your drafts, always think about three parts of your message - the introduction, the body, and ending part. This way, you will know if you are on the right track, and easily determine what you may miss out on.

  • It is also very crucial that you set all these components of your message under one single theme. Because you are using a theme, you do not have to worry much about linking details of your speech to one another.

  • It is not that difficult to have an entertaining speech. To throw in some humor, try recalling a funny story involving your daughter, or what you've known about your daughter's groom or about both of them. However, if you suppose it may embarrass the new couple, I immediately conclude that you are correct - and don't ever tell such story anymore.

  • Now let's go to putting in some feelings. For mothers of brides-to-be, this may be the easy part. Just say what you mean. You don't have to pay much attention to putting emotions for your true intention is to convey a message. All the emotions will carry through in manners you may not even expect.

  • A carefully chosen love quotation will surely help you in keeping your speech meaningful. The quotation should be something which sums up the relationship or experiences of the newly-weds. Or, this may closely be related to what you intend them to learn about marital life, about what they can expect when they start making a family of their own.


Now, maybe you are thinking, "How am I supposed to write a mother of bride wedding speech such as this?"




A sure fire way to write the best wedding speech for your daughter's grand event is to review quality mother of bride speech and toast samples from http://www.bestmotherofthebridespeeches.com. The site prides itself with carefully selected and professionally written wedding speech samples created exclusively for the bride's mother. No need to worry about developing messages with the proper mix of content, wit and feelings, for the wedding speech pack all have these! These samples only require name change and they're ready to go. Access your exclusive mother of bride wedding speech and toast samples right now.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Book Review For "Runaway Bride"


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Book Review for "Runaway Bride"
Written by: Rita Hestand
Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN: 1-936000-33-4
Ebook Format
$5.99
4 Stars

Hestand crafts a sweet, poignant romance about the power of love in her latest release, "Runaway Bride." Savannah Kingsley comes from a rich family, but she has a lot to learn about herself and love before she's ready to get married.

Hestand drops the reader in the middle of Savannah's problems. Her BMW breaks down in the middle of rural Texas and she's forced to hop on a bus to get to the next town after skipping out on her own wedding. Enter Ben Hogg. As he watches Savannah get on the bus his attraction is immediate. Despite Savannah's disheveled appearance Ben offers to help her.

Savannah stays with Ben until she's able to put together a short-term plan with what she wants to do with her life. Despite their strong attraction, Savannah and Ben both have trust issues. Can Ben tame Savannah's restless heart, or will he break it into a thousand pieces?

The plot moves at a nice clip, slowing down in just the right places to let the reader breathe. Savannah is a likable heroine and I like the thought put into her name - evoking a southern royalty feel. It gives insight into her character. Savannah's parents have done almost everything for her from paying for college, getting her a job, and even picking out the man she was going to marry. Savannah's shock at finding her fiancé with someone else on her wedding day is just the stimulus she needs to take charge of her life and her discoveries are discoveries readers can identify and sympathize with.

Ben is also a likable hero. As the sheriff of Junction, he's honest, genuine, and cares about the people he serves. Hestand brings out complexities in subtle ways. He likes flowers which shows a softer side to him, yet his ex-wife hurt him badly. Ben embodies the quintessential southern lawman right down to his name. Hestand has painted rich characters in "Runaway Bride" and it shows.

Hestand's writing style is easy to read and leaves the reader flipping the pages wanting to find out what happens next. The heat factor is "sweet" to "sensual," ranging from steamy kisses to seductive touches which are tastefully done.

Hestand does a good job with her dialogue. It moves the story forward and feels genuine. "Runaway Bride" doesn't run from anything. It's a journey about discovery and the things Savannah learns about herself are heartwarming, heart breaking, and real. Overall, "Runaway Bride" is a solid character driven romance.




StephB is an author who likes to read many books and a variety of different genres. StephB is an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

The Father of the Bride Toast - Common Mistakes to Avoid


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The father of the bride toast holds great importance on a wedding day. It is usually the first speech to be given during the reception, so it sets the tone for the rest of the evening. It is expected to be a meaningful, heartfelt, and bittersweet moment that will live on in the memories of all the wedding guests.

Not everyone's father of the bride toast turns out like that, however. Here are some common mistakes you should avoid.


  • Avoid talking for too long and hogging the spotlight. Keep your speech short and simple!



  • Don't rush through your speech, either. It makes you look like you just want to get your toast over with.



  • Don't make up your father of the bride toast on the spot. Plan out your words in advance, and write a few drafts. Being well-prepared is worth it.



  • Don't use crude or offensive language. Remember, there are most likely children present.



  • Don't tell embarrassing stories about the bride, or appear to ridicule her in any way. Playful pokes and prods are okay, but don't go overboard.



  • Avoid getting drunk before making your father of the bride toast. This is a recipe for disaster!



  • Don't be nervous! Just take a deep breath, relax, and try to have a good time. The audience wants to hear what you have to say.

These are just a few of the common pitfalls people make when writing and giving a father of the bride toast. Please take the time to put proper thought and care into your speech. It will show!




When my own daughter married last year, I was panic-stricken at the thought of preparing a toast and speaking in front of all those people! I thought for sure that I was going to succumb to many of these common mistakes. I had no idea how to write a good father of the bride toast.

Fortunately, though, I found a great resource called Father Bride Speeches that not only helped me conquer my writer's block and write a sincere and crowd-pleasing speech, but it contained lots of helpful tips and advice that allowed me to calm down and approach the mic with courage and confidence.

If you are at all in doubt of your ability to write and deliver a stunning father of the bride toast, I highly recommend visiting Father Bride Speeches!

Wedding Gifts - Not Just for the Bride and Groom!


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With most contemporary weddings there is a huge entourage of individuals who are extremely important to the success of the big day. Bearing this in mind, it seems only fitting that these people should be recognized for their time and effort with specifically chosen wedding gifts all of their own.

Who Should Receive Wedding Gifts?

The obvious answer is anyone who helps out to the extent that the bride and groom feel that they deserve special wedding gifts. Typical individuals who should be considered for such wedding gifts include bridesmaids, best men, ushers and the parents of the bride and groom.

Wedding gifts are also often given to the professionals that help make the day happen, such as your hairdresser or the wedding planner, although these gifts are more token gifts and can be as simple as a nice card or a small bouquet of flowers.

With larger weddings, it is also common practice to offer a small gift to every guest in the form of a favor, placed at each place setting. Due to the large quantity of these wedding gifts that you are required to purchase, they tend to be much smaller and cheaper such as sugared almonds or small chocolates.

Choosing Wedding Gifts

Of course, your choice of wedding gifts depends largely on the known likes and dislikes of the people whom you have invited to attend your wedding party. If you have a small number of people involved you may be able to purchase individually chosen, more expensive wedding gifts such as a special ornament or piece of jewelry. But remember that it is the thought which counts, and token wedding gifts such as cufflinks, teddy bears and mugs can be just as effective.

As part of the wedding speeches, bouquets of flowers are often given to the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom; this is particularly the case with more traditional wedding ceremonies.

A great cheap way to please the wedding party guests is to offer them pictures of the day as well as any attire that you have purchased especially for them. It is very difficult to think of anything else to do with the bridesmaid dresses and jewelry, so why not use them as unique wedding gifts?

By giving the critical members of the wedding party wedding gifts you will ensure that your important helpers feel that their efforts have been noticed and they will feel that they have truly been a vital part of your big day.

Giving wedding gifts to guests may seem a little odd, but why not share the good fortune of your day and spread a little happiness?




Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now http://www.weddingfinery.com

Monday, June 21, 2010

Create a Blog to Share Your Expert Knowledge and Provide Solutions


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When you create a blog you are actually opening up a two-way conversation between you and the 1.73+ billion internet users worldwide who are searching for solutions to their problems.

Right from the start it's important to be clear on which target market you want to offer solutions to. For example, the weight loss market is enormous and getting bigger as the western world pays little attention to good nutritious food in favour of fast food.

However, if you target everyone who is overweight, chances are you'll come up against a whole lot of other competition in this lucrative market and saturated market. A much smarter way is to choose a smaller segment of the large market, often known as a 'niche', and concentrate on people within those groups.

Create a blog to help you have an open conversation with those individuals and let them know you understand their problem.

For example, an interesting group could be those ladies who are preparing for their up-and-coming wedding. A bride-to-be often wants to shed those annoying extra pounds to look and feel good on their special day. Teenagers preparing to go off to college with lots of hang-ups about their weight problems are also an interesting smaller segment of a large market.

It is also a lot easier to target these smaller groups, as you can get into the mind of the individuals and really empathize with how they are feeling about their problem. For example, the bride-to-be will feel so much more confident on her wedding day if she has slimmed down and looks good. Alternatively, the teenager will not be embarrassed or worried they will be bullied or stand out from their peer group if they manage to lose their extra pounds.

Choosing to create a blog as your platform to reach out and help others can be very rewarding.




Find out how easy it is to Create A Blog by visiting http://www.CreateABlogin2Hours.com and sign up for your **FREE** Special Report and Audio on 'Business Blogging Success'.

Irene Houston is an Online Marketing Coach & Trainer who teaches new entrepreneurs how to market their online business FAST using technology helping them save time, money and effort.

Salon Services That Make a Bride Feel More Beautiful on Her Wedding Day


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To a photographer in Northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati area, this is a wonderful place to be located due to the rolling hills and the beautiful horse farms that make up the landscape. The popularity of outdoor wedding ceremonies have contributed to the abundance of pictures that are taken outside that are often more candid in nature than the old fashioned formal portrait style pictures. Adapting to this trend an area photography studio said they are busier than ever during the mild weather months and that September is now the most booked month for outdoor ceremonies that require services. More and more high school students are also having their senior pictures taken outdoors as well. He adds that he is happy to take any kind of pictures but his bread and butter business remains marriage celebrations when a bride is willing to pay eagerly for good pictures that document her big day.

But pictures are not the only things that brides are willing to pay big bucks for on the big day. One of the most in demand businesses that brides enjoy is beauty salons and their many services. In fact, it has become routinely popular for the entire bridal party to book a salon and spa and go in for the entire treatment before the ceremony. A few of the beauty treatments offered are:

o Manicures and pedicures: It is traditional for brides to have a manicure treatment in preparation for their marriage ceremony. Many pictures feature a picture of the bride and groom showing off their rings and prominently display the hopefully dainty and cultured hand of the bride. Pedicures have also taken their place as highly desirable because they beautify toenails and feet and are also thought to be high on the list of relaxing activities for the stressed out bride-to-be.

o Eyebrow shaping: This is a small detail that is clearly a beauty feature that enhances the eyes and gives great definition to the face. Most brides now include this in the list of salon must-haves in preparation for looking their best.

o Hair styling: This has always been the mainstay that draws every bride to the salon before the marriage ceremony in order to be the best she can be before she walks down the aisle. Veils are still very popular and it takes a skilled beautician to truly compliment the entire look of the dress, veil and hair to beautify the bride.

o Massages: What can be better than a full body massage to relax a tense bride-to-be? Massages have become very in demand and are enjoyed by many a prospective bride before her big day.

o Body waxing: This is another luxury that has become quite popular with the younger generation of brides. It leaves one feeling smooth and silky and ready for the skimpiest of bikinis at the beach.

o Facials: Facials are a must for achieving that "glow" that comes from skin that has been given the royal treatment. The gentle cleansing gives your face a softness that cannot be duplicated and provides the bride with a face that is ready to accept the carefully applied make-up for bridal pictures.




Connor Sullivan reviewed the services of a Cincinnati photography studio photographer to be able to write about the different styles of photography for an upcoming article. Connor's son is scheduled to have his senior pictures taken at an outdoor location.

Choosing the Right Bridal Party


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Before the big day, the wedding, there are usually parties held in celebration of the bride. First, determine what type of party (or parties) you'd like to have and then, if necessary, plan a theme. Be sure to keep in mind that the bride and/or her bridesmaids may have financial or time constraints. Nothing is more stressful than worrying about whether or not you can afford all the festivities, or if your schedule can allow them.

Ideally, you should choose one or two and the planners should discuss them with the other parties involved. Whatever decisions are made, ensure that everyone feels comfortable with the arrangements and that nobody feels a sense of obligation to reciprocate. That is, if the bridesmaids hold a luncheon, the bride should not feel duty-bound to also hold a luncheon if her wedding budget won't allow it. Remember that this is a happy time, a celebratory time, and additional strain must be avoided.

Once you've decided a budget and taken dates and times into consideration, there are several parties to choose from:

Luncheon given by the bridesmaids to honor the bride

This party is usually brunch or a luncheon. The best day for it, is the day of shopping for bridesmaids dresses, though any day that suits everyone's schedule will work as well. No gifts are given but all the bridesmaids make toasts to wish the bride happiness in her new life. The mothers of the bride and groom are invited to this event, in which case, they will also make toasts to the bride.

Luncheon given by the bride to honor the bridesmaids

This is usually given the day of the final fitting, a few days before the wedding. While this may be breakfast, lunch or dinner, the latter may be the best choice so that nobody is worried of feeling overfull while being fitted. It is traditional for the bride to give each of her bridesmaids a small gift - a bracelet or earrings to wear on the wedding day - but if this isn't cost effective, then small handmade gifts are appropriate.

Luncheon given by the mother-in-law

This one is hosted by the groom's mother, in her home, and while the bride and her mother are both invited, the hostess has the option of inviting either the bridesmaids or matrons (grandmothers, great-grandmothers) of both families. Gifts are not given at this party.

The bridal shower

This is the party given to help a new bride establish her home. For younger women who may still be living with their parents, or who haven't been on their own very long, the gifts are usually geared toward setting up her household. Examples are kitchen utensils, linens, towels, etc. For older women, who perhaps don't need the same types of gifts, themed parties work best. For example, try holding a "Recipe Party" where each guest donates a favorite recipe and the ingredients necessary to make the dish. Or make it a "Pampered Princess Party" where all the gifts are "indulgent." Chocolates, bubble bath, and candles are good gifts, as are gift certificates for a massage or a manicure.

The bachelorette party

The maid of honor is responsible for organizing this party. Generally, this is a non-gift party, but has increasingly become a somewhat "raunchy" event in that the bride receives gifts of lingerie and other such "intimate" gifts and toys. It is usually held in a bar or series of bars or, if in someone's home, exotic dancers are hired. While this type of party seems to be quite popular, many brides would prefer not to have one. Although some will go along with it for the sake of their friends, most such women, deeply in love enough to marry their beloved, don't want or need "one last wild night." The bridesmaids who arrange these parties are likely to enjoy them far more than the bride, who is supposed to be the one being honored. Before planning such an event, make sure it's what the bride wants. If she says no to it, respect her decision and plan a luncheon instead.

The pajama party

These are gaining popularity with younger women, especially when conforming to traditional protocols seems too stuffy for the times, or they just don't suit the bride's personality. This party is given by either the bride or the maid of honor. It begins with "chick flicks" that have a love or wedding theme. Pajamas are worn and standard pajama party fare is served, i.e., potato chips, popcorn, and pizza; though wine or coolers usually replace the soda pop of childhood parties. Come prepared with curling irons, nail polish, makeup, CDs of good dance music, and fashion magazines. If the bride hosts the party, the maid of honor should stay behind to help with clean-up in the morning. Gifts aren't usually given, but if they will be at this party, the presents should be small, simple items, such as makeup or nail polish.

Any or all of these parties are open to modifications. For example, more and more couples are having shared parties: the bachelor/bachelorette party includes the bride and groom, and all their friends; and the bridal shower is now the "bride and groom shower." At this party, men and women attend, and the gifts are not only items for the house, but the garage and garden too.

Keep budgets, schedules, and the bride's personality (and groom's if applicable) in mind when planning any event, and feel free to be creative. Remember, this is a time of celebration and that above all, the bride should feel as stress-free as possible. If necessary, and if your budget allows it, hire caterers; or, if the best thing would be to forego all the pre-parties, then let go of the guilt and instead, prepare to have a great time at the wedding. After all, that's the one "party" the bride is most excited about anyway.




This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Prye.Com/ which is a site for Wedding Invitations. Kim-Marie is a book editor and writer; stop by and visit her portfolio at: Kim-Marie on Writing.Com.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Wedding Reception Pictures - Don't Miss a Moment


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No bride and groom wants to have pictures of their wedding ceremony only. While the ceremony is important and contains a lot of monumental, photo-worthy moments, the reception is equally as important in the way of photography. Friends and family gather at the reception, meaning a lot of personality is combined in one place. Add to this food, games, and music, and the photographer has some great stuff to work with.

The new journalistic approach to photography brings a new look to the function. For the photographer, it is less about taking formal shots and more about capturing the journey of the day like a news reporter. Every moment needs to be captured.

When making a list of photographs you want taken, consider the reception as well as all of the ceremony, bridal party, and family shots. Here are some ideas to remember:

- Father-Bride Dance

- Mother-Groom Dance

- Bride and Groom First Dance

- Bridal Party Dance (should you have one)

- Cake Cutting

- Guests Dancing

- Bouquet Toss

- Garter Toss

- Toasts

Between all of these formal shots, your photographer will want to be shooting the random occurrences of the ceremony. For example, the many bride and groom kisses every time the glass clinks. If you plan to have games at the reception, photographs of the competition are great. Pictures of DJ and dancing always provide funny faces and enjoyable memories.

Years down the road, you may not remember all of the details of the reception either. For this reason, have the photographer take pictures of the table arrangements, the food and appetizer tables, the event decorations, the card table, the guest book, the favours, and the cake before being cut. Any notable element of the event should be photographed.

A great way to remember all of the guests at your reception is to have the photographer shoot each table. This way, you can remember who sat where and have a good glance at every guest's face without having to shuffle through random photos later.

The best way to photograph a reception is to shoot it step by step. The photographer can simply follow the schedule and be at all of the important and not-so-important places at the right time. Having photos of each moment and element of the reception will ensure you have a well-rounded memory of your wedding day. You won't miss your first dance or that funny look on your little cousin's face when he was talking.




You can learn more about wedding reception invitations, and get many more ideas and resources about wedding receptions by visiting Wedding Reception Ideas

The Wedding at Cana - Why Did Jesus REALLY Make the Wine?


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"On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:1-5)

If we read from Genesis to Revelation, Scripture begins with a wedding, ends with a wedding, and all through out The Bible the Kingdom of heaven is likened to a wedding; God's desired relationship and covenant with His people Israel in the Old Testament, and The Church included in the New Testament--it's always likened to a marriage covenant. We see books like Hosea, Ruth, and Song of Solomon really exemplifying this in the OT. In the New Testament, we read Jesus and Paul talking about the mystery of marriage being about Christ and us His Bride--the Church. Parables of Jesus' point to this as well (check out Matthew 22:1-14 - the wedding feast, and Matthew 25:1-13 the ten virgins, for further mediation on this). Revelation, the final book shows a multitudinous crowd rejoicing because it's time for the marriage supper, and the Bride has made herself ready--grown in maturity through this process of love, devotion, and obedience (see Rev 19:6-8).

I'm convinced that the Song of Solomon is one of the most fascinating, profound, and beautiful books of the entire Scripture canon, and this short book of eight chapters is relevant to all Christians, everywhere and in every generation. Whether you read it allegorically or not, it's a key that helps unlock much of the rest of the Word of God and the 'mysteries' contained therein only make sense through the lens of the Love of God.

When Jesus was at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-12) and they ran out of wine, His mother came to Him and addresses the issue. And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." (v. 4) For years, we have been taught and thought that it refers to it not having been Jesus' time for public ministry. Others have taught this refers to Jesus' work on the Cross that He is referring to in some kind of abstract kind of way. Both views and others like it are impossible.

Jesus stated that He only did what He saw his Father doing and whatever the Father does, the Son does (John 5:19). If it was not time for Jesus to have performed a miracle and He did it anyways, He would have been doing something outside the time and will of God. In that very moment, He would have sinned, but we know this was not so of the sinless lamb of God. No, Jesus knew no iniquity. Therefore, He could not have been referring to it not being the time for His public ministry.

What did He really mean? It was the Jewish custom for the groom's father to have worked out with the family of the bride the details concerning the wedding arrangement, including the date of the actual ceremony. The Bridegroom would go to his father's house and build a place for himself and his bride to live, usually attached to his father's house. Remember, Jesus told His disciples--probably when their understanding hadn't yet been opened to the fact He was viewing them as His collective Bride: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:3) The Bridegroom would not know when the day was, but sometime after building the house, the father would then tell him "go, it's time." Jesus also told us regarding His return, "concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (Matt 24:36, Mark 13:32)

At that appointed time, the groom and his friends would leave his home and proceed to the home of the bride, where the marriage ceremony was conducted, often at night. Usually a servant was sent first some time ahead of the bridegroom, to 'pave the way' and awaken the bride and the virgins. Since the servant would not know which one was the bride, she would sleep in her wedding dress since the wedding ceremony would customarily be at night, and she more than likely would be awakened from sleep for it. After this the entire wedding party returned to the groom's home for a celebratory feast. This engagement process could last any number of months, possibly a year or more if the bridegroom was preparing their place in a far distance away to travel to, and return from. As mentioned, many of Jesus' parables or teachings regarding His return to the earth used wedding and marriage imagery they would be familiar with.

Why does this really matter? It was also the Bridegroom's responsibility to prepare enough wine for the reception and celebration of His own wedding. When Jesus was stating that His time had not come and what did that have to do with Him, he was saying: "It is not time for me to prepare the wine of my own wedding yet." Jesus went ahead and did the miracle because it was the Father's timing for him at that moment to perform that miracle. Why? Because Jesus had to give just one more little glimpse that he is a lovesick Lover looking to prepare and present to Himself a pure and spotless Bride one in whom HE makes pure by washing her with His Word!

Remember Jesus' disciples for a moment: these guys ran with Jesus, and at one point in Luke's Gospel after Christ's resurrection, it says He opened the Scriptures to them and open their eyes to understand, and they 'recognized Him'. (Ch. 24:31-32) Of course you are gonna have a group of single guys, or gals, adults or married folks who in hearing they actually don't unless understanding has been opened to who they are as His beloved. Of course they are going to be dull in hearing and totally misinterpret Scripture! We should not be surprised in any way at the reactions of the disciples had to some of the things Jesus told them and the crowds prior to this moment in their lives. Hence the reason we need to be washed with the Word, and have our mind renewed (Rom 12:1-2).

The reason this matters, is because it was and is all a part of The Plan. The Gospel is the ultimate love story. God loved you before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4). He didn't wait to see how you'd turn out before He decided to love you. He, in the form of a man on the cross, died to make a way for you to be included in His Bride, while you were yet dead in your sins (Col 2:13). Not only that, He made Himself vulnerable to your rejecting of His gift of eternal life, and relationship with Him, before you even entered the earth. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." (Eph 2:4-5) Before you even had a chance to make a commitment to Him or to reject Him, and spend eternity separated from Him, He loved you and desired you. Before you even committed any sin that led to His sacrifice even being necessary. Ultimately, He died before His Bride even knew about it and that that was the plan.

There's coming a time, a consummation of the ages, where The Wedding Feast will finally take place--and for the joy set before Him who endured the cross, despising its shame (Heb 12:2), Christ who died that you may be able to know Him and spend eternity with him--will finally get to. It's up to you to decide if you want to be a part of that, since He's done His part and is waiting...




Steve has been a missionary to Europe for over 2 years, and currently serves in Peru, involved in a church plant and spreading the kingdom of God there. He is a contributing author on the Fire On Your Head Blog, which can be viewed at www.fireonyourhead.org and also co-hosts a bi-weekly podcast with another missionary, Fire On Your Head- The Podcast, at www.fireonyourhead.com Both sites dwell richly in Pentecostal/Charismatic themes within Christianity.

Toast the Bride and Groom - Make Their Wedding Memorable


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The wedding day is one of the most anticipated and momentous events in a couple's life together. From the flowers to the dress to the vows, the couple expects every detail, no matter how minute, to be perfectly planned, arranged and executed. The wedding toast is no exception. For the best man or the fathers to toast bride and groom is to wish the newly married couple happiness and health as they begin their new lives. The groom may also wish to prepare a toast for his new bride, his new in-law's and those who helped make the wedding day both memorable and complete. Preparing the precise words to say does not have to be overwhelming or stressful. However, an exceptional toast is usually prepared in advance rather than given impromptu with little, if any, forethought. There are some simple rules to planning the perfect wedding toast that will be sure to wow not only the bride and groom but the guests as well.

When preparing to toast bride and groom, it is not necessary to pen an elaborate and wordy essay. In general, the speech for a toast should only last for a couple of minutes, with the average speech concluding in about one minute. Because the speech short, it is best to memorize the toast rather than read it from a piece of paper, index card or crumpled napkin. The bride and groom will be more appreciative of the heartfelt, well-planned speech than they will a recitation of empty words scribbled only a few seconds beforehand. While some people are great at improvised speeches, there are many people who struggle to think on their feet. At an occasion as important as a wedding, a rambling, choppy, poorly planned toast can be a disaster.

While the toast should be thoughtful, adding humor and wit to the speech can make it more personal and charming. However, discernment and discretion must be used wisely. Distasteful or embarrassing stories should be avoided. It is recommended that any toasts be practiced before an audience prior to the wedding day in order to ensure the speech is not in any way offensive. To toast bride and groom is to honor them both on their special day, and avoiding unsavory language or stories is advisable. In addition, it is of utmost importance that a toast is not given by an inebriated party. Any party responsible for a toast at the wedding should limit alcohol intake until after the toast.

One of the most important things to remember when giving a toast is to have everyone raise their glass at the end of the speech. The toast to bride and groom is an expression of the approval of the marriage and well wishes for a happy lifetime of marriage.




Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about toasting a bride and groom [http://www.findingaweddingdesigner.info/toast-bride-and-groom-make-their-wedding-memorable], please visit Finding a Wedding Designer [http://www.findingaweddingdesigner.info] for current articles and discussions.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Inexpensive Wedding Gifts For the Bride and Groom


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In times like these, finding ways to save money is skill we all need to master. So what do you do when faced with a situation where you know you're expected to spend money on a gift -- but you're strapped for cash? If you've been invited to a wedding, you'll almost certainly be thinking about what to buy for the happy couple and looking for ideas of inexpensive wedding gifts that will delight them without breaking your budget.

Keeping your costs down doesn't automatically mean that your wedding present has to be uninteresting or insignificant. There are lots of different way to give cheap wedding gifts a special twist or a unique touch. One of the best ways to show the time and attention you paid to your choice of gift is to personalize it in some way. How you do this depends on the item you choose, but the scope it gives to your creativity and imagination is what makes the gift special to the bride and groom. Even a simple touch such as engraving their names, a message or the date of their wedding can transform a humdrum object into a treasured keepsake.

So what inexpensive wedding gift ideas will be best for the happy pair? If you know the couple well, you'll probably be able to match their interests or tastes to a wide range of items. And customizing a low-cost gift such as a mug, a photograph frame or a clock can be easy. Here are some suggestions to get you started in your search:

Photo frames: who doesn't have special photos that they want to keep on display? And after the wedding there will likely be plenty more! While many people these days keep their pictures as digital files, a photo in a frame always makes a special display. Check out different styles of frames in wood, silver or other materials and think of a short but sweet message that the couple will appreciate.

Mugs, glasses or tankards: most people have a range of these items for everyday use -- but it's not so usual to have special pieces engraved with a name or the date of a wedding. If you choose glasses or tumblers, for example, you can select a modern, functional type or go for a more classic look, maybe in lead crystal if you think that will suit the newlyweds' taste.

Tee-shirts: here's an unusual idea that might suit a couple with an informal style and a quirky sense of humor! There are countless ways in which you can personalize a tee to match the personality, hobbies or activities of the bride and groom. How about a pair of commemorative 'wedding t-shirts' that celebrate the love that they share or which carry a personal message you would like them to remember?




It's often said of gifts that 'it's the thought that counts'. And what will make your wedding present special is the love and imagination that you put into choosing it. Visit http://Inexpensive-Weddings.com for more ideas of inexpensive wedding gifts that will delight the happy couple on their big day.

Professional Portrait Photographers Embrace Premiumization


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Premiumization (market-driven-value-added) is a sales booster. By redesigning your most profitable photographic products you can increase long term profits. Madison Ave. marketers firmly believe there is no product that cannot benefit from bold, brilliant redesign efforts. For most studios digital technology has only created efficiencies (chip vs. negative), but a 'portrait' has remained for the majority of photographers the same traditional 'portrait.' Very little premiumization has occurred so far. Redesign is not the photographer doing his or her own retouching or corrective art work. This is only a redistribution of labor from the professional photo lab back to the portrait studio. The end result is that the professional photographer has even less time to innovate and create. The fact is, portrait photography is in a rut. Take this test -- When was the last time a bride or high school senior said WOW at your studio?

The question now becomes, what to do about it. First, we all must recognize that the 20-something Gen-Y adult will set new standards for product definition as both consumer and professional photographer. That is a given. Madison Ave. also believes that product premiumization is not going away any time soon. For retailers it is a fact of life. The question is how will Gen-Y photographers redesign existing portrait products using software? As more of the Gen-X baby boomers become 'portrait inactive' because of age, the portrait industry as a whole must closely monitor and solicit new product ideas from the Gen-Y photographer just to maintain market share. Right now most portrait consumers are Gen-Y brides and high school seniors. Photographers over the age of 30 should take heed because software will lead the way to new Gen-Y photographic products. Think of 'realism' as a starting point when designing Gen-Y products that accentuates personal experiences.

The use of Painter software is not a fad, but a growing trend. As software continues to evolve requiring skill and knowledge, professional photographers and photo labs will be able to create exciting new products to excite consumers. Art is always in demand. Studios must begin now to transform their images into works of art for those more discerning upper middle class customers. Your customers must say, "Wow, I must have this!" And they can only get such portrait products from you. In the days of film photographers searched for the Holy Grail called the 'million dollar pose', soon photographers will be searching for the 'million dollar art form.' Best to get started now!




Steve Freund is a professional photographer, sales trainer and digital photography technical consultant. Contact Steve for more photography tips and marketing ideas or information about Professional Photo Printing from a professional photo lab, pics4pros.com.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Tips For the Brother of the Bride


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If you are the brother of the bride, you may not think that you have much of a role to play in the upcoming wedding, but that is not true. There are plenty of ways in which you can participate and share in the excitement. Here are some tips on how to be a great brother of the bride.

A lot of guys are not really that "into" weddings, and unless it is your wedding, that is just fine. You may think that your sister and mom are going absolutely crazy over this whole wedding thing (especially if you are the younger, unmarried brother of the bride), and it may even be true. However, you will do yourself no favors by sharing that opinion with your sister, for whom the wedding is probably one of the biggest days of her entire life. A better tactic when your sister starts going on about the wedding is just to smile and nod while she talks; she may not even notice that your eyes have glazed over!

Most brothers of the bride will be asked to participate in the ceremony in some way. You will probably be asked to serve as a groomsman, and your duties will be much the same as those of the rest of the groomsmen. You get to help with the bachelor party, be fitted for a tuxedo, receive one of the groomsmen gifts, attend the rehearsal and dinner afterwards, and stand up with the groom during the marriage service. Single brothers will be pleased to hear that they are also responsible for escorting a pretty young bridesmaid up the aisle during the recessional.

As a member of the family, it would be nice for the bride's brother to go above and beyond what the other groomsmen may offer to do. It is a nice gesture towards the groom, and a way to help welcome him into your family. For instance, you might assist the groom in finding the perfect groomsmen gifts, as well as a wedding day gift for his sister (usually jewelry). You can also help with planning the bachelor party or guys' weekend away. And finally, the bride's brother can give the groom the inside scoop on the rest of the members of his family.

Speaking of the bachelor party, even though you are the bride's brother, you are there as a friend to the groom, so it is your duty to keep your lips sealed about what went on, unless something terribly inappropriate took place. You wouldn't be the first brother of the bride to be besieged by questions from a curious sister, but really all you should tell her is that everyone had a great time and that it was good clean fun. This will help to put her mind at ease, while also showing the groom that his future brother-in-law is a real buddy, not a spy for his sister.

At times the brother of the bride might end up taking on a more important role in the wedding. If their father has passed away, it would be very appropriate and touching for the bride's brother to be the one to walk her down the aisle and give her away. It is also very nice if you give a brief toast at the reception. Keep it brief and congratulatory; you surely know all sorts of embarrassing stories about your sister, but the wedding toast is not the time to bring them up!

With a little more involvement, the bride's brother might actually find that her wedding can be a good time. You also have the pleasure of gaining a new brother, and if you are single, meeting some attractive women (weddings often breed more weddings, you know). In the end, you might just come to discover that being the brother of the bride is not so bad after all.




Guy has been writing about society and weddings for a long time. If you have a topic you would like to know about. Let us know at SilverlandJewelry.com. Thank your attendants for being in your wedding with handsome groomsmen gifts.

Choosing Bridesmaids Gifts to Customize


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It is a dream of every girl to wear that beautiful wedding gown while walking down the aisle, wear that very special ring, and see that tall wedding cake. It is normal to plan a wedding carefully, who doesn't? It is one of the most treasured moments of anyone's life, that's why each wedding is chosen for a reason. Choosing who to play as bridesmaids is also another major decision that every bride should make. Usually, bridesmaids are the closest friends of the bride, or they could be family members. The role of those ladies is pivotal, and so to show appreciation for their help and presence, it has been a tradition to offer gifts for them.

Perhaps the most favorite bridesmaids gifts nowadays are those that are made customized with bridesmaids' name or initials. Here is a few ideas to mention:

Engraved Bridesmaids Bracelets

Swarovski crystals are gaining popularity nowadays when it comes to bridesmaids gifts. A bride can choose Swarovski crystal charm bracelets for her bridesmaids as thank you gifts and as keepsake of her wedding. The charm on each bracelet can be engraved with a name or initials of each maid. Also, there are various colors of crystals to choose from, so basically she can create charm bracelets according to the favorite color of the bridesmaids, or choose colors that complement their dresses. Each customized charm bracelet can be packaged in a small beautiful gift box, monogrammed satin, or drawstring bag.

Engraved Jewelry Boxes

Another wonderful keepsake to offer is an engraved jewelry box that sure to delight the bridesmaids. Jewelry boxes come in various options to choose from. There are boxes are made of wood and silver-plated, while other are made of crystal and glass. Great choices of jewelry boxes may have a number of compartments to store pieces in. To customize the boxes, the bride may opt to have the bridesmaids' names or initials be engraved on the gift items. The bridesmaids can safely keep the jewelry they wore during the wedding day in these wonderful customized jewelry boxes that the bride has given them.

Engraved Picture Frames

Pictures can tell a story that more than words can say. The bride may consider engraved picture frames as bridesmaids gifts for her attendants. Those frames are available in almost all kinds of sizes, colors, and shapers. Also, they can be made of wood, silver-plated, crystal, or glass. To customize picture frames, they can be engraved with a name, initials or even a personal message or quote. Finally, it won't look complete without a photo of the bridesmaids. Beforehand, the bride must collect photographs of the bridesmaids to put in the frames. They could be solo photos of each bridesmaid or a group picture.

Customized bridesmaids gifts are widely available online. There are plenty of online stores these days that offer various choices of gifts for attendants that can be customized, from bridesmaids gifts to gifts for flower girl and gifts for maid of honor.




Janet is an author for a variety of lifestyle issues and topics including weddings. If you're looking for personalized tote bags, visit the website Americanbridal.com and browse their extensive collection. Find jewelry gifts to make it extra special!

 

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