Funny Father of the Bride Speeches - The Best Speeches For Weddings

In weddings, funny father of the bride speeches are recommended. Rather than giving out a very formal and overly-dramatic speech, people prefer to hear a lighter one. After all, weddings are about happiness and sharing love. This is not the time to be sulking although tears of joy are always expected. However, there are some things you need to remember when incorporating humor in your speech.

Focus on your theme. Whether you want to tell a funny anecdote or use a funny quotation, make sure that it is in relevance to your central message. Bear in mind that the bride and groom are the stars of the occasion.
Be respectful. Don't be funny at the expense of others. Make sure that your jokes are well intended and that none will feel upset about them. Watch out for jokes that may seem to have double meaning or may sound offensive to certain people.

Don't ridicule the bride. When sharing funny stories, you don't want to put the bride in a humiliating situation. Although mild funny pokes are okay, you don't want to say something that can make the bride feel uncomfortable, even if you are telling a true story. Be sensitive about your story-telling.

Keep it wholesome. Because a wedding is a family celebration, children of varying ages will be there. Do not tell jokes that are intended only for adult's ears. Avoid using languages that are not fit for kids.

Speak from the heart. A humorous speech largely depends on how it is delivered. When giving your speech, relax and be yourself. Don't try to put on an act to try to be funny. People will appreciate you more by speaking what you truly feel.

Make your speech meaningful. Although you want to add a touch of humor to your speech, don't forget to make it meaningful. This is your chance to give your personal message to the bride and groom. Give some fatherly advice to the couple on how to live a happy married life. However, keep it light and go easy on the advices. One or two statements should be enough. There is no need to elaborate what you mean.

I have been searching for funny father of the bride speeches online and here is a site that I highly recommend. It's called http://www.bestfatherofthebridespeeches.com . The website not only has very entertaining father of the bride speech samples but also a guide to write your own speech, lots of inspiring wedding and love quotations, hilarious one-liners and funny quotes, relevant wedding toasts, tips on confident public speaking and lots more.

Beautiful Mother of the Bride Dresses That Are Great For Warm Weather Weddings

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The mother of the bride always wants to look elegant at her daughter's big day. Not only does she want to choose a dress that has appropriate length and color, she wants comfort, especially for a warm weather wedding. Mother of the bride dresses have changed over the years, and now mothers have the opportunity to look great, feel beautiful and show everyone where her daughter got her good taste from.

Short and Sleeveless Dresses

For warm weather weddings, the mother of the bride will want to look for a dress with light fabric and most likely, a lighter color. Many mothers of the bride choose sleeveless, shorter dress styles for warm weather weddings. The surplice mesh dress is perfect style for a mother of the bride to keep cool. This light dress sports a flattering cut and usually has an empire waist, often adorned with beading.

For a more flowing look, the sleeveless, long chiffon beaded waist dress is the perfect look. Many styles of this dress have single or double spaghetti straps, which are often adjustable. An added bonus, the beaded bodice will certainly accentuate the waist and to add extra flair, a flowing, sheer scarf is the perfect accessory.

Another sleeveless option is the metallic chiffon halter dress with a ruched waist band. Many styles of this dress are also adorned with beaded buckles to accentuate a slimmed waistline.

Should short sleeves be a more cool, comfortable fit, there are many dress styles available to choose from. A beautiful style choice is the hammered shimmer cap sleeve dress, which is short tiered.

Another classic short sleeved dress, the shantung portrait collar dress gracefully lays across the shoulders. This dress also serves as a perfect silhouette, especially when accented by a tie at the waist.

Jackets

A short suit jacket has always been a popular choice for the mother of the bride. With 3/4 length sleeves and a slim knee-length skirt, any mother of the bride will look stylish and sophisticated in this outfit. A conventional choice for this style is the two-piece floral jacquard suit with rosette detail. A mother of the bride can also consider the jacquard cap sleeve bolero with a short tank dress for ultimate elegance.

Many mothers of the bride choose to compliment their summer selection with a bolero jacket, which comes in many styles. For a bolero jacket that has ruffle detail, the shantung short bolero jacket dress is a perfect selection. Of course should it simply get too warm, this style offers the option to remove the bolero jacket, revealing a classic silhouette dress underneath. In the same genre, the stretch style dress will provide a mother of the bride with ultimate comfort. The stretch, shimmer 3/4 sleeve short jacket style is chic and flattering.

For the mother of the bride who wants to shimmer and still have the option of wearing the bolero jacket, the hammered shimmer jacket with short tiered dress is an obvious choice. This shining silver two-piece ensemble generally comes with a 3/4 sleeve bolero and short tiered dress with spaghetti straps and beading underneath.

Whichever fabric, length, color or style dress the mother of the bride chooses, for a warm weather wedding, she should dress formal and go for dazzle. Because summer nights can get cool, the bolero jacket, 3/4 sleeve jacket and sheer, flowing scarf can serve as the perfect cover.

Lace Gowns

Lace has certainly made a comeback and for the stylish, bold mother of the bride a half knit, half lace dress is a great, unique option. The arguably best dress for this look is a portrait collar knit dress with a lace skirt. A portrait collar lays gracefully across the shoulders and the slim lace skirt serves as a perfect, sophisticated contrast. There are many dresses out there that have a portrait collar and short sleeve, which is a truly classic choice for a warm weather wedding.

For a new, fresh look, the mother of the bride can look for a one-shouldered dress. A chiffon tiered dress is perfect for this style. Many mother of the brides choose a colored light scarf for this dress, which serves as a fashionable cover up, especially after the sun sets.

Choosing a dress for her daughter's wedding should not be a stressful experience for the mother of the bride, it should be a fun, memorable experience. Sometimes the best way to choose a dress is to involve the bride to be, family and friends. Make a day of it! These dress suggestions for a warm weather wedding will help the mother of the bride to be beautiful and elegant for one of the most special days for her and her daughter!

Lorrie Whitting is a freelance writer who writes about bridal fashion topics, like mother of the bride dresses.

Wedding Customs Throughout History From Kissing The Bride To Flowers Associated With Weddings

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The legend concerning kissing as part of the ceremony

There is a story that the custom was for the priest to kiss the groom after the ceremony. The groom then kissed the bride, the priest kissed his assistants, and they kissed the guests!

The tradition regarding the white bridal gown

The lovely silk illusion veil of today has evolved out of a series of Oriental customs from past ages. Once, in Far Eastern countries, people believed that wicked spirits were especially attracted to women. So, as protection from the Evil Eye, women always wore veils. The custom continued although the feeling behind it changed with time into a role of modesty and obedience. From this the veil developed into a symbol of chastity. Then it became accepted as a sign of the submission of women.

The introduction of the veil into Europe came through returning Crusaders. In early wedding traditions in Europe, the bride was bargained for through her father, was swathed in a bridal veil, and revealed to her mate after the ceremony!

In early centuries, Hebrew, Greek and Roman brides wore veils of many hues and veils threaded with gold and silver. In Southern Europe, early Christians placed a large cloth over both bride and groom. In Anglo-Saxon times, the bride wore her hair hanging loose as part of the wedding ritual. The Chinese held a sacred umbrella over the bride's head. Around 1500 in Europe, there was a fashionable conical headdress topped with a veil that hung to the toes. Each era has revealed a different style for the bridal veil. Now the bride prefers a transparent one that does not conceal her hair.

The origin of the trousseau

The trousseau can be directly traced back to the barter-price, purchase-price and dowry systems. It was customary for a bride to come to her husband well-provided with a dowry, so that the man might be compensated for his expenses in caring for the children of his wife's lineage. In our present time in this country, it is not thought essential that a bride bring to her husband money or land, but she is usually provided with a good supply of personal clothing, household linen, silver, china, etc., although much of this also comes along as wedding presents and the meaning of flowers.

The origin of the wedding gifts

The tradition is also closely related to the bride's dowry. In all societies and in all centuries, the celebrations attending the marriage ceremony included the exchange of gifts, even if only of food. By Saxon and Elizabethan times, it was customary to bestow upon the bride various items of hardware which she carried in her belt, such as bodkins, knives, scissors, pinchers, scales, etc. There is record of wedding gift-giving as far back as the Norman Conquest. Among the peasants, gifts were understood to be loans which the couple was expected to return once they were established. As the feudal lord grew in power, he passed laws requiring that all those dependent upon him make generous gifts for his children's marriages. He even arranged for the Church to act as record-keeper for him to insure that no one escaped from "giving" his share.

How Flowers are associated with a wedding

Throughout history, most celebrations of weddings, whether pagan or Christian, use flowers in some way. Almost every country has its own traditions and symbolism concerning flowers.

Popular contemporary customs associate the orange blossoms most closely to the wedding ceremony. The wearing of a wreath of orange blossoms as a crown over the bridal veil was a Saracen custom introduced by returning Crusaders. Orange blossoms were so expensive that only the wealthy could afford them and poorer brides resorted to artificial ones. A "kissing knot" of croton leaves and rosemary was hung over the bridal couple in Elizabethan England. In Sweden it was believed necessary to put chives, garlic or rosemary in the bride's bouquet to keep the dwarfs from bothering her on her wedding day! In Poland it was believed that to sprinkle the bride's bouquet with sugar would keep her temper sweet. In Rome, roses and marigolds were used to decorate the bride's home. Here are some of the "meanings" associated with certain flowers:

Apple blossoms or quince blossoms: better things to come

Clematis: love vine

Ivy: good luck

Rosebud: a promise

Myrtle: lover's flower

Laurel: peace

Tulips: infidelity

Yellow flowers of any kind: jealousy

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Themed Weddings - A Pirate's Bride

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Ahoy matey! When you were growing up did you enjoy watching old pirate movies like Captain Blood or the Black Swan that showcased a swashbuckling Tyrone Power? I know I did and still do to this day, that's why I decided to come up with some great wedding tips for a pirate themed wedding.

A pirate's wedding can be loads of fun and can incorporate some unique ideas straight out of your imagination. The first thing is to decide where you would like your pirate wedding to be held. A sandy beach, or an elegant home transformed to resemble a pirate's hideout? Perhaps you might be interested in contacting a Hollywood producer about using an old pirate ship from a movie set. You make the decision after all this day is one you have dreamed of all your life. Lights! Camera! Action!

After you have decided on a unique spot for your wedding it's time to bring all the little details that make up a wedding to life. Let's start with some obvious ones like wedding attire.

Since you have decided to become a pirate's bride it's now up to you to dress the part. You might first look at gowns from the pirate's era as a starting point. Well heeled brides wore elaborate gowns that often included a corset or lacing and were patterned from silk or damask with puffy sleeves edged with lace on both cuffs and bodice. You might go back and take a look at the stunning gown Princess Diana wore at her wedding to get a good idea of this particular style. Also the color is entirely up to you. Dress your bridesmaids in a plainer version and add the corset for effect.

Dressing the groom can be alot of fun using the pirate theme. Pirates dressed in bold colors like crimson red or royal purple breeches and muslin shirts enhanced by puffy sleeves and cuffed with dripping lace. Next go for a black belt embellished with a huge gold buckle and knee high black boots for effect. Follow this flamboyant style with a black, tricorn hat adorned with an electrifying red or purple feather and have the groom wear a gold hoop earring and gold necklaces. Last but not least, you might add a black eye patch for a dazzling finish. Have your groomsmen dress as lesser pirates in more somber attire, after all, the groom is the star.

If you really want pirate style, send out invitations made up to look like ransom notes or treasure maps inviting your guests to appear at your wedding. You might also request them to dress in old world attire if they choose.

Now that we've dressed you and your groom and sent out invitations, it's time to dress up your wedding feast. Drape your tables in scarlet cloth and give your guests wine bottle stoppers or letter openers boxed in miniature treasure chests. Finally, let the feast began! Offer your guests pewter plates and cups and let them choose from an assortment of foods that include lobsters, coconut shrimp, fresh salads, tropical fruit, roast chicken and baked bread washed down with an assortment of champagnes, liquers, whiskey and sodas.

After the feast,you might wish to start your honeymoon in the captain's cabin complete with port hole so you can look out at the stars.

I hope I have given you some great ideas to make your pirate themed wedding truly the wedding of your dreams!

Deborah Lewis is the owner of http://loveyourwedding.com/ If you are looking for some truly unique wedding favors and bridesmaids gifts you are going to love our selection, guaranteed.

Wedding Traditions - Weird and Wonderful Things You Didn't Know About Weddings

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Although brides' may not realize it, their wedding day is surrounded with traditions that have been around for hundreds of years. One of the first, is that the groom and bride should not meet on their wedding day until the marriage ceremony. For, it is said that to even glimpse each other will bring bad luck.

A bride traditionally wears a white dress which denotes purity, and for the same reason, she wears a veil over her face. In the past the bridesmaids also wore veils - but this was to prevent the Devil singling out the bride for his evil intentions. It is usual for a bride to wear something old (a reminder of her old life) something new (a new life ahead) and something blue, a colour that has been associated with weddings since Roman times.

For many years a slim spray of lilies was popular as a wedding bouquet. Then designs changed, but now they are back in fashion once again. Being white, lilies are a symbol of purity - and are said to have grown from soil wet by Eve's tears after she was banned from the Garden of Eden. At the wedding ceremony, a bride is handed by her father to the waiting bridegroom. This custom follows ancient traditions, when the bride, being the property of her father, was passed over to the bridegroom for his safekeeping. Shoes tied to the back of the bridal car are also a symbol of her leaving home and her feet now being on her husband's hearth.

When it comes to placing the ring on the bride's finger, she holds her left hand forward, and the bridegrooms slips the ring on her third finger. A vein from this finger is said to run straight to the heart! And as the couple leave church, guests traditionally shower them with confetti, flower petals or rice. Throwing rice at weddings goes back to Roman times. As a quick growing crop, rice has always been associated with fertility. Romans also broke small cakes over the heads of the newly weds.

Chimney sweeps are sometimes seen mingling with the guests outside the church. They are associated with bringing good luck, as is giving the bride a cardboard cut-out of a black cat. Artificial horseshoes are yet another symbol of good luck. The Romans nailed horseshoes on the walls of their houses to counteract the evil eye of the Devil.

Before a bride leaves her wedding party she will often throw her bouquet to her bridesmaids, and the one who catches it hopes she will become the next bride. When the bride arrives at her new home it is customary for the bridegroom to carry her over the threshold into a new life. Later that day they have what is known as 'the first night'. Meaning the first night they have ever slept together.

Pat Lock is a cake decorating expert with over 25 years experience who runs the excellent Cake Decorating Tips website. She has won awards at the prestigious international competition at Hotel Olympia, London and is also an accomplished author.

Art Deco Inspired Weddings

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One of the most glamorous eras of all time was the Art Deco period in the early Twentieth Century. When you are looking for a style to inspire your wedding design, you couldn't do better than to build your event around the cool sophistication of Art Deco. It is a great choice for a bride and groom who want to have a wedding that is distinctive and elegant.

Art Deco style would be perfect for an evening wedding. The flavor that is associated with Art Deco is swanky, sophisticated, and icy. The design was cool and linear, and often featured elements like repeated lines and mirrored surfaces. If you are looking for a sample of the pinnacle of Deco design, you will find it in the Chrysler Building in New York City.

A good place to start planning your wedding is with the color palette. For an Art Deco feeling, the perfect color is a pale icy blue. Pair it with shades of silver and chrome for a classic Deco look. You can also add in a dark espresso brown for more depth. As an example, picture your tablecloths done in an icy blue with two or three stripes of espresso around the hemline.

Since mirrored surfaces are such an integral part of the Art Deco style, you will want to find ways to use mirrors in your reception décor. One very nice look is to place a mirror in the center of each table under the centerpieces. This technique has the added advantage of making your centerpieces look larger and more impressive. Surround the floral display with candles in cut crystal holders. You could use either tall tapers or low votives.

To really make your theme pop, consider renting chandeliers to decorate your reception venue. Chandeliers from the art deco period were not ornate or flowery. Instead they featured very clean lines. A popular look was rectangles of crystal or mirrors hung vertically in a circle, with several rows to form the whole light fixture.

The bride's ensemble should also fit the Art Deco theme. Forget about big, poufy princess gowns. The look should be slinky, elegant, and very refined. A fabric like silk charmeuse is the perfect example of Deco fashion. It has both the slim lines and the sheen that was characteristic of the era. A charmuese sheath would be a stunning choice for a bridal gown (although it is not the most forgiving style).

The bride will want to find the perfect accessories to complete her look. You do not have to wear estate jewelry, just seek out pieces that have the right flair. Crystal bridal jewelry is perfect because of its clean and icy look. You could even have pieces handcrafted with pale blue crystals, which would look fantastic with a white bridal gown. (And it also covers your "something blue".)

For couples who want a very stylish and sophisticated wedding, the Art Deco look is ideal. It is not a style that you will see at every wedding, which is also nice. The sophisticated and elegant flair of Art Deco design will help you to create an unforgettable wedding.

Ask Bridget for advice in areas of jewelry or weddings. She writes numerous articles providing information for the customers of Silverland Jewelry.com. Crystal bridal jewelry is perfect to invoke the glamour and sophistication of the Art Deco era.

The History Of The 16th Century Weddings

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Party favors were actually inherited from Europe and it is actually a very old tradition. Thus selecting a unique favor is not a small task. If you are really interested in making your celebration different and allowing your special day to really stand out and show off your work then I think you should consider some of the really great unique items that I have found online for you.

Your selection of this unique item will be a reflection of this noble tradition. Candles are always universally a reflection of light and beauty and thus selection of this unique candle favor will be a universal choice for all brides and grooms to choose for their guests.

This candle is highly beautiful and addictive for everyone. Especially their elegantly designed Ribbon and Tag will make your wedding favors more beautiful and something to be admired. So don't waste your time any more looking for these kinds of items and go online and find your wedding favor that make your special day stand out like the "Apple of My Eye" Mini-Candle in Gift Box with Ribbon and Tag today.

It will be the most unique item selected and all of your guests will feel content in receiving the great candle wedding favor that is so unique that it will win every time with your family and guest. Many Candle and Unique wedding favors can be personalized and will allow your guest who can use this wonderful gift at home as well, to really feel that they were part of your celebration.

What a Unique and elegant wedding favor for your special day.

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Dressing For the Occasion - Christmas Weddings

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Any wedding during the Christmas period is guaranteed a magical feel to it, but how can you make your Christmas wedding that little bit more special and unique? From seasonal colours to seasonal buttonholes, there are lots you can add to your Christmas wedding to suit any budget.

Grooms

• A nice seasonal touch is to add some holly into the grooms buttonhole. It's a subtle but very effective way of bringing Christmas into the wedding.


• For the ultimate Christmas feeling to the grooms attire, you could have him in a deep coloured waistcoat, or even a decorative cravat, i.e. Christmas print, but definitely stay away from the Santa ties.


• Subtle changes to the normal groom attire would be to get some Christmas cufflinks.

Bride

• Apart from the obvious where the bride could wear a deep red dress. As not everyone is as brave, some suggestions would be that the bride could wear a deep red or green velvet hooded cape over her gown. The contrast between white/ivory and the dark cape is stunning and adds even more magic to the beautiful bride.


• The bride's bouquet is certainly somewhere you can introduce a Christmas theme, fire ice roses teamed with red roses and a dash of babies breath is a very effective. There are lots of flowers out there to chose from that would look fantastic in any Christmas bouquet.

Bridesmaids

• Having your bridesmaids dresses in deep burgundy or very dark green is perfect for any Christmas wedding, but if they aren't colours you would feel comfortable with, you could alternatively chose a neutral colour and add some seasonal coloured ribbon around the waist, depending on the style of the dress of course.


• Poinsettia, The Christmas flower. This elegant bold flower would look perfect in the bridesmaid bouquet. Even alone this flower makes a statement. Though be aware; the poinsettia should be prepared by someone with knowledge of them, as they can secrete a substance that causes allergy in some people.


• Alternatively the bridesmaid and or flower girl could wear winter hand muffs instead of carrying a bouquet.

Guests

• Holly and mistletoe is beautiful as a wedding buttonhole or added to the corsages.

Hair

• For the bride some holly could be incorporated into her hair on the day. The same applies to the bridesmaid and flower girls.


• 
  
  Another idea would be to add some florist wire to the hair, i.e. the very decorative pieces that florists can put through bouquets in either gold or silver.

Got some Christmas tips you'd like to share with our brides? Email editor@realweddings.ie

Fiona Fagan
Editor
http://www.RealWeddings.ie

Friday Evening Weddings Gain Popularity - Would You Consider a Friday Wedding?

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Why Brides and Grooms who had Friday Weddings Loved it.

We were intrigued by the growth in popularity of Friday Evening and Friday Night Weddings. So, we set out to interview Friday brides and grooms and learn from their experiences.

Less Stress

Most all agreed that they were less stressed than if they had a weekend wedding. In summerizing their answers, they did not arrive at their own wedding tired because as a rule, a Friday wedding is an evening event.
Therefore, preparations such as hair and beauty, picture taking etc...do not have to start early in the morning.

So, even though it was their wedding day, neither the bride nor the groom needed to rush or panic.

They actually could sleep in and be at their best, rested and relaxed. Well, almost all admitted to being eager, at least a little nervous and very excited.

Wedding discounts and special deals

riday brides and grooms were quick to point out that they saved a substantial amount of money without sacrificing or compromising having their dream wedding.

Though Friday weddings begin to occupy more and more calendars, the shared experience of Friday couples indicates that wedding vendors and professionals are in less demand than on weekends. Therefore, many offer discount. This is something you may wish to consider especially if you are planning a wedding on a budget

If vendors and service providers do not outright offer, they are more willing to negotiate their prices and - or add benefits to attract more brides and grooms and generate business on their otherwise slow day.

Having interviewed both bridal couples and vendors, we discovered that they agreed that in many instances the savings realized by choosing Friday instead of a weekend are greater than 25 percent.

One bride told us that while calling around town and visiting places to have her wedding ceremony and reception, she was amazed to discover that in her region, Saturday evening weddings can run almost twice the cost of a Friday evening wedding.

With the cost of weddings today, this is quite a large sum.

A few couples who actually compared their Friday evening ceremony and following reception, with recent weekend weddings they attended, agreed that their vendors and service providers seemed less hurried, more flexible and more relaxed.
Some of the couples we interviewed received special incentives in addition to the discounts.

Following are some incentives that were either offered or
negotiated.

Additional time at no additional cost. For example pay for 2 hours of service get 3.

A free wedding album, a free video, a free CD, 25 copies of the wedding CD (to give to your family close friends and the wedding attendants) at no charge.

Pay for the flower arrangements and bridesmaids bouquets and the bride gets her bouquet at no charge.

Free desert table from the caterer

Free baked goods from the wedding cake baker

Can you see why the majority of Friday brides and grooms recommend it?

Choices and Availability

In addition to discounts, Fridays give you more choices!

Brides and grooms who wanted to hire specific vendors, only to find out that they were booked, sometimes as early as a year or two before a weekend weddings, had no problem securing their services for a Friday wedding.

Friday brides and grooms were quick to point out that they saved a substantial amount of money without sacrificing or compromising having their dream wedding.

Though Friday weddings begin to occupy more and more calendars, the shared experience of Friday couples indicates that wedding vendors and professionals are in less demand than on weekends. Therefore, many offer discount. This is something you may wish to consider especially if you are planning a wedding on a budget

If vendors and service providers do not outright offer, they are more willing to negotiate their prices and - or add benefits to attract more brides and grooms and generate business on their otherwise slow day.

Having interviewed both bridal couples and vendors, we discovered that they agreed that in many instances the savings realized by choosing Friday instead of a weekend are greater than 25 percent.

One bride told us that while calling around town and visiting places to have her wedding ceremony and reception, she was amazed to discover that in her region, Saturday evening weddings can run almost twice the cost of a Friday evening wedding.

With the cost of weddings today, this is quite a large sum.

A few couples who actually compared their Friday evening ceremony and following reception, with recent weekend weddings they attended, agreed that their vendors and service providers seemed less hurried, more flexible and more relaxed.

Some of the couples we interviewed received special incentives in addition to the discounts. They were outright overjoyed to find out that not only did they have the vendor of their choice for their wedding. but they saved money and got extra benefits too.

Guests

One of the concerns that brides and grooms express is about whether a Friday night wedding will cause their wedding guests inconvenience.

The answers we received when posing this question to couples who had Friday wedding, touched on different points. But the consensus was that actually most guests loved the idea of having to leave work a little early, or better yet have an excuse to take a day off.

They also appreciated being able to end their workweek with a celebration, relax, have an extra drink stay as late as they wish, knowing that if they feel groggy next morning, there is Sunday for things that need to get done!

A Friday wedding did not pose a problem to local guests. Generally, employers had no problem allowing employees a few hours or even a full day off on the last day of the workweek.

We were also told that those coming from afar are usually close friends and family.

Whether for a Friday night or a weekend wedding most prefer to use the occasion and plan a mini-vacation.

To save money, they usually choose to fly in on Tuesdays or Wednesdays when flight fares are lower on most airlines.

So, they arrive early enough and attending a Friday evening wedding gives them time to spend with family and friends and enjoy each other, yet if necessary, fly home on Sunday and be back at work on Monday morning.

A few couples told us that it felt great to be able to book, pay for a block of rooms and host out-of-town guest for a complete weekend, and still save a bundle over weekend wedding costs.

Note that if you plan a Friday night wedding you ought to send a save the date notice just as soon as you secured your wedding date and location.

Follow with invitations at least 2 or 3 months before the wedding, so those who need to make special arrangement like time off from work, plan their trip, book a flight, etc... have enough time to do so.

Destination Weddings

Friday weddings are perfect for destination weddings.

One couple we interviewed told us that their guests could not thank them enough for scheduling the wedding on Friday allowing everyone the weekend to tour, shop, participate in local activities and have fun, before returning home.

Honeymoon

Some brides and grooms we interviewed, liked having the two weekend days to visit with their out of town guests and close friends and family before leaving for their honeymoon.

Others were grateful to begin their honeymoon on Saturday rather than Sunday, citing that they got better flight rates, because they were able to stay over a Saturday night.

Special Friday in 2008

All said, there is one Friday date that if you consider it, needs to be booked right away
The open slots are filling quickly for the one special date that is already sought after. If you consider the date of 888 or August 8, 2008 book early because before long vendors will catch on, jack their prices (You know - Supply and demand) and Friday weddings on this day will become as expensive as weekend weddings.

Nily Glaser, the CEO of a-weddingday.com She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.
To read more of her articles CLICK HERE Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and the very unique items offered including the exclusive line of wedding Accessories By Nily.

Fall Weddings - Autumn Theme Wedding Ideas For Brides and Grooms - Revised

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Autumn, what a romantic, wonderful time to get married! Whether you want your autumn wedding to be very formal, most casual or somewhere in between, you have an enormous variety of possibilities. It is harvest time. The summer heat is gone. Yet the days are still warm and sunny. The leaves are turning into an incredible array of colors and as they fall off the trees, create a soft, lush colorful carpet. Halloween and Thanksgiving are here and can serve as wedding themes or be incorporated for a most unique personalized fall theme wedding. Can you see the possibilities? So, put on your thinking cap and get creative.

Following are ideas to help you plan a fall wedding.

WEDDING LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Following are traditional and not so traditional locations that will enhance your autumn wedding and make it unique and special. Picture your wedding at a:

Park

Bed and Breakfast

Country Inn

Winery

Ranch or on a farm,

Barn

Gazebo

Open Field

Orchard

Nature Preserve

Botanical Garden or in a private Garden

Wooded area

Riverbank or Lakeside

Or anywhere where nature presents its glorious backdrop.

ATTIRE

Bride and her attendants

Fall weather is unpredictable. It may get chilly so, consider heavier fabrics and at least some sleeve for the gown and dresses or top them with matching boleros, stoles or shawls that can, but do not have to be worn. The wedding gown can be white, ivory, champagne or gold. The gown and or veil may show embroidered leaf motif or dainty gold embroidery.

Bridesmaids may wear either the same color or to really represent the autumn theme, have each bridesmaid represent a different fall color. See Fall Colors List. The bride may wish to wear a fall theme garter and carry a matching hankie.
Bridesmaids and flower girl will look great adorning garlands of fall flowers and leaves.

The groom and his attendants

To reflect the season, the men and boys could wear tan, beige and brown attire instead of the white, black or dark blue. Their ties should be of fall colors matching the bridesmaids dresses and their boutonnière should be a fall flower.

FALL COLORS

white, ivory, champagne, muted gold, tan, beige, various browns, hunter green, burnt orange, rust red, deep red, burgundy, cranberry, wine, navy blue, sky blue, eggplant purple, pewter, silver, pale yellow, pumpkin and orange.

INVITATIONS AND STATIONERY

Accent your invitations and wedding stationery with your chosen fall color. If you print your own, you may add fall graphics such as leaves, acorns, fall flowers, seasonal fruit, or a horn of plenty. If you purchase fall theme print your own invitations, fall theme is available. Cut the place cards to look like a fall theme item leaves, pumpkin, turkey siluettes etc...

FLOWERS

Chrysanthemums, roses, daisies, dahlias, lilies, yarrow, orchids, hydrangeas, sunflowers, baby breath, fall leaves, tallow berries, natural or dried wheat.

CEREMONY

Decorate the ceremony site with fall flowers.

Instead of aisle runners spread fall color real or fake leaves, in the center aisle. If your ceremony location does not allow spreading petals or leaves directly on the floor, glue leaves on aisle runners. This is a great activity for kids as the love to glue and can be creative. So, if you can engage kids, whether they are yours or not, they will be proud to help with your wedding.

Instead of rose petals, fill the flower basket with colorful fall leaves.

Make pew bows from ribbons in your wedding colors and embellish them with fall silk flowers, leaves, fruit, wheat, Indian corn etc...

RECEPTION

General

Use mini pumpkins, gourds, berrirs, Indian corn, apples, grapes, wheat , bales of hay and leaves foe centerpieces, favors and decorations.

Tables

Instead of numbering your tables, name them. For example:
Fall, Autumn, Acorn, Horn of plenty, Cornucopia, Maple, Oak, Apple, Pear, Pumpkin, Cranberry etc...

To add more interest and make it easier to remember give your table addresses. Just add Circle or Square depending on the shape of your tables and you send your guests to Fall Circle or Autumn Square etc...

Use fall color linens.

Ideas for Centerpieces

Before placing a centerpiece, you may strew fall leaves and or wheat on the reception tables and on the cake tale.

Place A Horn of plenty, a basket or a hollowed pumpkin lined with fall leaves or popcorn and filled with fall fruit, berries, nuts, gourds, mini-pumpkins and-or acorns as your centerpiece.

Pumpkin Ice Sculpture

Carve out the inside of pumpkins and place candles in them. If you plan a buffet, you may line hollowed pumpkins with foil and using them as serving dishes.

Fall floral arrangements in a straw basket or hollowed pumpkin.

Place 3 or 4 fall color candles of various sizes in hurricane lamps. The candles may be cinnamon, cranberry, spice or apple scented.

Place leaf or pumpkin shaped floating candles in a bowl, set it on a layer of fall leaves or straw.

Paint or spray mini pumpkins and gourds and group them together.

A real plant with real blooming flowers makes a great gift for guests. Chrysanthemums of many colors are pretty, very reasonably prices and you can get them everywhere; Wal Mart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc...

Display b bales of hay

If you have children, let them participate. Ask them to string cranberries, candies and popcorn and add them to your table decorations.

Display balloons in fall colors

Large chocolate or ice sculpture Turkeys

Favors

Fruit shaped candles

Favor boxes or bags filled with candy corn

Caramel Apples

The Perfect Pear items

Garden in a bag or box

Fall theme cookies

Fall theme chocolates

Fall theme lollypops

Maple candies

Reception Decorations

Fall theme ribbons and bows, garlands, paper lanterns or luminaries with amber light bulbs, balloons, chains of stringed popcorn, cranberries, candies, paper chains, bales of hay, ivy, garlands etc...

Accent the doorways and tables with tulle and ribbons in your wedding colors. Adhere leaves and silk flowers for inexpensive, elegant displays.

Cake

Decorate your cake with leaves, fall flowers, mini pumpkins, mini apples, marzipan fruit etc...

Flavors: Spice cake, pumpkin cake, dark chocolate cake, nut cake.

Food items you may wish to consider

Nuts

DRINKS: Apple cider, Sparkling cider, you may add: for adults, port or brandy to the cider and for the kids cinnamon sticks. Wine is very popular for fall weddings both as beverage and as part of a centerpiece..

MAIN DISHES especially if close to Thanksgiving: Turkey, stuffing, corn, potatoes, cranberry sauce etc...

DESSERTS: Pumpkin pie, Apple pie, Pecan pie

HALLOWEEN WEDDINGS

Wedding colors white black and orange

Treat or trick bag for bridal purse and or as guest favors

Costumes or masks

Jack O'lantern ice sculpture or actual pumpkin as centerpiece

Jack O'lantern favors

DO NOT display ghosts at your wedding. You do not want to start your life together with "ghosts in your closet".

FUN IDEAS

Hay rides, Horse and Buggy rides, blowing soap bubbles, Harvest the rewards of your Autumn Theme Wedding planning and have a super event.

Nily Glaser, the CEO of A-wedding Day at: http://www.a-weddingday.com She writes important articles, and has presented workshops for wedding professionals all over the USA.
To read more of her articles CLICK HERE. Her web site is very popular for its discount wedding gifts, bridal accessories, print your own invitations, favors and the very unique items offered including the exclusive line of wedding Accessories By Nily.

Weddings For the Guests of Honor - The Bride and Groom

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Weddings are the first chance for a couple to exemplify what their lives together will be like. It can be stressful, exciting and typically brings out the best and worst in the people involved. Parents may want to be too involved or the groom (or bride) may not want to be involved at all. Problems can arise over the smallest details to the traditions - what color should invitations be and who should pay?

Take a deep breath. Relax. Then take a step back and consider the situation.

It may very well be time to call in a professional. Wedding consultants can take over the process and put the entire event together. Those involved need only make a few decisions, give a few instructions, and show up for rehearsal. But for many people, this isn't an option.

If you want to get your wedding plans under control, the first thing you have to do is to take control. If you have domineering parents, aunts or sisters who want everything done their way, call a meeting. Explain clearly that the bride and groom should have the right to shine on this particular day. Most will understand and the rest will likely get over it.

The next step in taking control is to get a grip on what's important. If tradition is the most important aspect of your wedding, get on with the traditional wedding. But if the only tradition you want is “Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue,” that's okay too. With the number of people today who are marrying after divorce, marrying later in life, and facing other circumstances, public opinion toward less traditional weddings has softened.

Remember that this is your chance to have the wedding of your dreams. Your budget should be your only limit and you can even work around that with a little ingenuity. Design your own invitations. You can print them on your home computer or have copies made at a professional print shop. Rent flowers and decorations. Look to those in the family with special talents for decorations, possibly even down to the cake.

Remember that the bride and groom are going to be the guests of honor at this party. Weddings should be their opportunity to take their first steps toward their lives together.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Wedding Resources [http://www.my-wedding-vows.info] a website providing information on Weddings [http://www.my-wedding-cakes.info]

Themed Weddings - A Pirate's Bride

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Ahoy matey! When you were growing up did you enjoy watching old pirate movies like Captain Blood or the Black Swan that showcased a swashbuckling Tyrone Power? I know I did and still do to this day, that's why I decided to come up with some great wedding tips for a pirate themed wedding.

A pirate's wedding can be loads of fun and can incorporate some unique ideas straight out of your imagination. The first thing is to decide where you would like your pirate wedding to be held. A sandy beach, or an elegant home transformed to resemble a pirate's hideout? Perhaps you might be interested in contacting a Hollywood producer about using an old pirate ship from a movie set. You make the decision after all this day is one you have dreamed of all your life. Lights! Camera! Action!

After you have decided on a unique spot for your wedding it's time to bring all the little details that make up a wedding to life. Let's start with some obvious ones like wedding attire.

Since you have decided to become a pirate's bride it's now up to you to dress the part. You might first look at gowns from the pirate's era as a starting point. Well heeled brides wore elaborate gowns that often included a corset or lacing and were patterned from silk or damask with puffy sleeves edged with lace on both cuffs and bodice. You might go back and take a look at the stunning gown Princess Diana wore at her wedding to get a good idea of this particular style. Also the color is entirely up to you. Dress your bridesmaids in a plainer version and add the corset for effect.

Dressing the groom can be alot of fun using the pirate theme. Pirates dressed in bold colors like crimson red or royal purple breeches and muslin shirts enhanced by puffy sleeves and cuffed with dripping lace. Next go for a black belt embellished with a huge gold buckle and knee high black boots for effect. Follow this flamboyant style with a black, tricorn hat adorned with an electrifying red or purple feather and have the groom wear a gold hoop earring and gold necklaces. Last but not least, you might add a black eye patch for a dazzling finish. Have your groomsmen dress as lesser pirates in more somber attire, after all, the groom is the star.

If you really want pirate style, send out invitations made up to look like ransom notes or treasure maps inviting your guests to appear at your wedding. You might also request them to dress in old world attire if they choose.

Now that we've dressed you and your groom and sent out invitations, it's time to dress up your wedding feast. Drape your tables in scarlet cloth and give your guests wine bottle stoppers or letter openers boxed in miniature treasure chests. Finally, let the feast began! Offer your guests pewter plates and cups and let them choose from an assortment of foods that include lobsters, coconut shrimp, fresh salads, tropical fruit, roast chicken and baked bread washed down with an assortment of champagnes, liquers, whiskey and sodas.

After the feast,you might wish to start your honeymoon in the captain's cabin complete with port hole so you can look out at the stars.

I hope I have given you some great ideas to make your pirate themed wedding truly the wedding of your dreams!

Deborah Lewis is the owner of http://loveyourwedding.com/ If you are looking for some truly unique wedding favors and bridesmaids gifts you are going to love our selection, guaranteed.

Themed Weddings - The Romantic Southern Belle Bride

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There is a unique area in our country where life is genteel, ladies are still called ma'am and where men still hold the car door open for there dates. This area is called the deep south and incorporates several different states, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia and Kentucky.

Southern girls instinctively grow up knowing how to flirt, be a daddy's girl and speaking that slow southern drawl that has men falling all over themselves to gaze into her beautiful eyes. Ask any traditional Southern girl and she knows who Scarlett O"Hara is. Most of us down here cut our teeth on "Gone with the Wind", and that dashing rogue Rhett Butler still gets a thumbs up when it comes to making our hearts skip a beat. Indeed, lots of us Southern girls dream of wearing the full antebellum gowns and sipping chilled champagne as we gaze adoringly up into our groom's eyes.

At a young age many of us decided that we wanted to be a Southern belle bride complete with all the trimmings of our special heritage. The southern belle bride is unique and her trademark is a romantic bell shaped gown made of silk and embellished with lace and pearls. Lots of other little goodies complete this romantic image. If a girl truly has her heart set on being a Southern belle on her wedding day she will usually hold her wedding and reception in a rented old antebellum plantation. Roses, gardenias, magnolia blooms and camillias are the flowers of choice. We love to show off so our wedding favors or are an important tradition that can't be left out. For a romantic belle bride, "Key to my Heart" bottle stoppers, rose or calla lily sachets, silk fans or old fashioned ice cream scoops make adorable and memorable favors for our guests. Bridesmaids dress in romantic dresses and they might be any color, although from my experience in dealing with my fellow Southern brides, pink is still the all time favorite shade. The groom and his best man are garbed in elegant tuxedos that can either be white or black depending on his taste.

The reception is held on the verandah where champagne, iced tea, whiskey and brandy are served to guests and misty eyed relatives of the happy couple. Along with many boisterous toasts, delicious food of the southern tradition is served, roast duck, red velvet cake, pies, shrimp cocktail, steaks and the south's signature food, barbeque, after all we wouldn't have it any other way.

Southern weddings are a wonderful way of showing off some of our finest traditions and cuisine besides being spectacularly beautiful and romantic. If you are a girl who has her heart set on being a southern belle for the day, then go for it. You only have one life to live.

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