January 28, 2009
A Few Tips for Picking Out Bridesmaids Jewelry
Author: Angel Cruz
It’s a fact that women love jewelry. Thus, the saying, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” Well, okay, it doesn’t have to be diamonds, but women in general, have a fascination for jewelry. As a bride-to-be, I’m sure you will be wearing jewelry as you go down that aisle. So if you’re wearing some, it’s just right that other ladies in your entourage wear jewelry too, right?
If you’re the kind of bride who’s not so much into jewelry, you probably might find it hard to choose just the right ones to put on your bridesmaids. But worry not, there’s help for you. There are a few tips and guidelines that you need to keep in mind in choosing the right jewelry for your bridesmaids to wear.
First thing you have to remember, is that your bridesmaids come in different shapes and sizes. And they come with different haircuts too! Some have short, cropped hair, some have shoulder-length hair, some have hair that fall all the way down to their waist. The thing is, they're different people, with different looks, and making them wear only one kind of jewelry will not produce good results.
Now you might ask, what’s the connection between hair and jewelry? Well, you see… there are jewelry that don’t go well with long hair, and at the same time, there are jewelry that don’t go well with short hair. It’s all about what looks good on your bridesmaids and what doesn’t. Like, for instance, If your bridesmaid has large ears, it's not wise to have her wear long, dangling earrings because it will draw attention to her ears (which you need to avoid). So be observant, and know what works with your bridesmaid’s appearance.
Also take note of your bridesmaid’s necklines. Do their dresses have plunging necklines? Are they wearing halter top, tube, or spaghetti-strapped dresses? You wouldn’t want your bridesmaids to wear a choker type necklace while they’re wearing a halter top dress, would you? That wouldn’t look good. Be careful to choose appropriately and make sure the jewelry you choose are all in the same shades of color, and the same style or material. That way, they all go together to create a pleasant effect.
As to the type of jewelry to give out, you can give out different kinds. Pearls are traditional, and they can be in white or pink. Crystal jewelry can add sparkle and elegance. A tiara would look beautiful too, making your bridesmaids feel like princesses on your wedding. No matter what type of jewelry you give out, it does not have to be expensive. There are lots of stores that offer discounts when you buy in bulk or sets. So don’t be afraid to look!
Jewelry doesn’t just make a girl pretty, it also gives them a glowing aura that radiates happiness and glamor. So make your bridesmaids glimmer and glow on your wedding day by giving them bridesmaid’s jewelry. They’ll definitely shine like nothing else.
About the Author:
The author is an independent writer and has written articles about gifts for bridesmaids. Gifts like bridesmaids jewelry are a great way to show thanks and appreciation for bridesmaids in a wedding.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/a-few-tips-for-picking-out-bridesmaids-jewelry-350606.html
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January 27, 2009
6 Ways to Save on Honeymoon Travel
It’s hard to imagine spending another dime after the nightmare of expenses involved in planning the wedding of your dreams, let alone forking over thousands for a luxury honeymoon vacation. But after months of tireless planning, you will need to get away and spend some alone-time with your new hubby. Honeymoons can be as costly as a month-long excursion across Europe or as cost-efficient as a weekend getaway at your local B&B. With these budget travel tips, you can escape without sacrificing your ultimate goal: relaxation and reconnection.
Think Outside the Season
Off-season does not necessarily equate to bad weather. Many tropical locations have ideal weather year-round, but rates soar upwards when cold climate residents are looking to escape the winter blues. If you want to hop on a flight immediately following your wedding, consider booking your honeymoon travel arrangements at an off-season location; if you have your mind set on a particular destination, be flexible with your either your wedding date or your departure date to reap big savings.
Consult an Expert
Look to a professional to help you book your vacation - and enjoy big savings. Travel agents provide all sorts of money-saving expertise and can often access on-going sales or last-minute deals on honeymoon travel. They'll work with you to find the best vacation packages to suit your preferences and budget.
Ask for a Helping Hand
If time away is more important to you than a waffle iron, consider setting up a honeymoon registry. Many travel agents offer services to collect, record, and apply contributions from your guests toward honeymoon resorts and expenditures. Some even allow guests to contribute to specific activities at your destination location, such as scuba diving lessons or boat rides.
Do Your Research
Don’t let your honeymoon take a backseat to the wedding planning process. Start thinking about your vacation once you have established a wedding date, and keep your eyes peeled for deals posted online or in the paper. Give yourself plenty of time to comparison shop. This complete honeymoon travel guide will help you get started.
Earn Rewards
If your credit allows, open a credit card with the best frequent-flier and other travel rewards. Start charging your wedding-day expenses, and cash in on the bonuses for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and other upgrades. Be careful here though; you should be able to pay off all expenditures at the end of every month to avoid finance charges and racked up debt. Also be sure to check black-out dates before making your travel arrangements.
Consider the Alternatives
You aren't bound by the typical island retreat when it comes to honeymoon options, but be sure to weigh the pros and cons of all your choices before booking. While all-inclusive resorts once carried a negative connotation with “mandatory fun” activities, their inclusive honeymoon packages afford you the luxury of a flat-rate and a carefree experience. Bed and breakfasts, on the other hand, offer romantic retreats at typically affordable prices, but can lack exclusive privacy. The point here is that you should do your research, discuss the types of honeymoon vacations available with your fiance, and decide which priorities take precedence. Our guide to honeymoon accommodations can help you weight the options.
Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a comprehensive wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell
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One of the events that command supreme importance in everyone's life is his wedding. Such is its importance that everything else pales into insignificance when compared to it. When anything commands such great importance then everything that is attached with it gains importance as well. And when they happen to be wedding cakes then their importance can easily be understood. Their value can be gauged from the fact that their absense rob any weddings of its sheen. It, therefore, is imperative that a lot of care is taken while preparing these cakes.
One way of preparing nice cakes is by preparing them with plenty of sugar and cream with a dash of chocolate thrown in between. This would give such a yummy taste to the preparation. Cakes can also be prepared in different flavours to add variety. Some of the flavours that find favour with people in a big way are chocolate, pineapple, strawberry etc.
Then again what should also be kept in mind is that merely preparing good wedding cakes wouldn’t suffice for they also have to be decked up nicely to meet the magnanimity of the event. One way of decorating the cake nicely is by garnishing it nicely by almonds, cherries, cookies etc. This would brace up the cake nicely to meet the occasion. Another way of doing it is by preparing them in different shapes. A cake prepared in the shape of a heart can go a long way in adding unlimited glamour to the occasion.
Another thing that is important to note about wedding cakes is the fact that contrary to what many people think it is not difficult to make wedding cakes at home. All that is required is little bit of innovation and one can, indeed, churn out some nice wedding cakes that would enhance the pleasure of evening manifold.
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January 26, 2009
Wedding Flowers: How many? How much?
Choosing the perfect wedding flowers is quite an obstacle when narrowing down the details. Every flower has a specific list of colors it is available in and depending on the season flowers can be hit or miss. Not to worry my dear! There are plenty of beautiful flowers available in the flower market and most florists can get their hands on prime pickings.
Flower Colors:
When it comes to wedding flowers and color coordination I recommend that you have your wedding colors picked out and then choose flowers that compliment or accent the overall wedding theme or color of the linens. For example at my wedding there was a beach and nature theme so the flowers were in square glass vases with seashells. The flowers were in greens, purples, pinks, and ivory that all blossomed with natural beauty and had the beach garden look.
Linen Colors:
When you have the linen color chosen, make sure to get a swatch for your florist. That way when they go to the flower market the colors will accent your tablecloths. If you choose classic white linens then the florist can cater to the specific flowers you like and find others that coordinate well in arrangements.
Countless Arrangements:
When it comes to determining how many flower arrangements you need take note if you have a open bar, cake table, buffet, standing tables, sit down tables or a head table. Before you give the florist a definite count on the number of centerpieces make sure you have a head count. Then you can avoid having too many flower arrangements or too few.
My recommendation is:
• one medium arrangements for the center of each round table
• two medium arrangements for each longer rectangular tables
• one small arrangement for the bar
• one large arrangement for the cake table
• one small arrangement for the women’s bathroom
• one large arrangement for the appetizer table
• one small arrangement for each standing drink and appetizer table
• boutonnieres for the ring bearer, groomsmen, fathers and grandfathers
• corsages for the bridesmaids, mothers and grandmothers
Finalize Your Order:
Once you have the venue booked and get a head count then comes the fun part. Count up all the tables you need arrangements for and start the elimination process. Get a hold of the nearest florists and see if they are available for your wedding date and how much small, medium and large arrangements cost (roughly). Chat with each one about the types of flowers or colors you would like. If you give them a budget then they will work their magic with what they have. Don’t worry if you only have a limited amount of money. Some flowers can be just as beautiful and half the price.
Really Tight Budget:
If you are on a really tight budget and florists seem to be out of the picture go to a nursery and buy a pretty flowering potted plant for each centerpiece and a terracotta pot. Then you can paint the pots to accent your wedding colors with paint from the craft store. Then you can go to a floral shop and get 2 dozen roses, cut the stems and wrap them in wire and then ribbon for the bride’s bouquet and do the same with different colors (only one dozen instead of two) for each bridesmaid. This eliminates paying for the florist’s long hours of work and allows you to still have pretty flowers at your wedding. Either way it is your special day and it will be special no matter what.
Alexine Laurel provides wedding planning tips and practical wedding advice to make your big day extra special. Visit http://www.weddingmusings.com/ for more wedding day articles.
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A fun and stress-free wedding reception is a well-planned wedding reception. A step-by-step timetable of events, and an experienced DJ / Event Director to oversee them, will keep your party going.
Create a Timetable
Evening wedding receptions in southeast Michigan typically begin at 6 p.m. and conclude at midnight. Here’s an EXAMPLE:
6 – 7:00 pm Guests arrive. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres are served.
7:00 – 7:15 Guests are seated. Bridal Party is introduced into the room. Bride and
Groom enjoy their “Grand Entrance”. Cake is cut. Bridal party is
seated at head table.
7:15 – 7:30 Toasts are made. Grace is said.
7:30 – 8:40 Dinner is served.
8:40 – 8:59 Dinner is cleared while Bride & Groom pose for photos and visit with guests. Guests are free to stretch, visit restrooms; go outside to smoke, call home, etc. DJ gathers bridal party for the special dances.
8:59 - 9:00 Special introductions (usually grandparents)
9:00 - 9:15 Bridal dances
9:15 - 9:45 Dance & party music
9:45 – 10:00 (OPTIONAL) Bouquet & garter toss. Anniversary Dance
10:00 – 12:00 Dance & Party Music
Important Considerations…
Regarding your Hall
If you have invited out-of-town guests, and there is more than an hour between the ceremony and the reception, ask your reception hall what time it will open its doors and if you’ll be charged for asking staff to open early for your visiting guests. Remember to share opening and closing times with your vendors, too.
Bridal Dance Alternative
Occasionally, the bride and groom will choose to do their bridal dance immediately upon being introduced into the hall. This has become fashionable in New York City where, due to time constraints, wedding receptions generally last 3-4 hours. However, in Michigan, where wedding receptions are much longer, it is best for the bride and groom to enjoy their first dance after dinner, thus inviting other guests to join the party immediately following.
Cake Cutting
Michigan brides & grooms have found that the best time to cut their cake is immediately upon walking into the room. If the cake will be served as a dessert course, it should always be cut right away. If cake will be made available on buffet tables for self-service, although not recommended, it can be cut after dinner,
Who Will Give Speeches and Toasts?
Once the Bridal Party is seated at the head table, toasts can begin immediately. Speeches which accompany toasts should be kept between 2-5 minutes. It is VERY IMPORTANT to do all speeches, toasts and grace consecutively. It is very difficult to interrupt your guests' table conversations multiple times.
Traditional Order of toasts, speeches & grace:
? Father (or mother) of the Bride (IF he/she so desires)
? Father (or mother) of the Groom (IF he/she so desires),
? Best Man
? Maid or Matron of Honor (increasingly popular)
? Anyone else who wishes to toast or give a speech (Remember, less is best!)
? Bride and Groom (If they want to thank their guests, etc.)
? Grace (Always last. Usually said by clergy, parent or grandparent)
Bridal Dances
Avoid the temptation of having too many “formal” dances. If you want to share a special dance with your grandmother, for example, it is best to do it while guests can also dance. Remember, your guests’ attention will wander if asked to watch the newlyweds dance with everyone special to them.
Order of Dances:
Bride & Groom
Bridal Party (Including parents, flower girls, etc.)
Father – Daughter Dance
Mother - Son Dance
Everybody Dance (All of your guests are invited to join the newlyweds for a
slow dance.)
Remember to use the timeline and considerations listed here as examples. Tap into the knowledge of wedding professionals to help guide you toward a timeline that works best for your wedding reception.
About the Author
Mike Staff is the owner of Mike Staff Productions (http://www.mikestaff.com), an award winning Wedding DJ, Entertainment and Videography Company located in metropolitan Detroit, Michigan. Mike is also a well known Detroit radio personality, having spent over 14 years on-the-air at one of Detroit’s most popular music stations, 101-FM WRIF. © Copyright 2007. Mike Staff Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.
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January 25, 2009
5 Tips for Selecting the Right Color for Your Wedding Outfit
alt="5 Tips for Selecting the Right Color for Your Wedding Outfit" class="ImgBorder">Every one deserves to look good. This makes it utmost important to opt for the right dress that falls beautifully on your body. Selecting appropriate attire makes all the difference between looking great or an average look. It�s a well known fact that every woman wants to gain as much importance as she can, for this right dress is very important. Even if a female is very beautiful with nice make over, she would fail to steal the heart of others if she is not elegantly and smartly dressed. Picking up the alluring attire would help you becoming the center of attraction which boosts up the confidence in you. With the style and trend of clothes, another important factor which one needs to keep in mind is the color. The most common and favorite color worldwide is black, but you can�t expect to wear the same color in every occasion. This becomes very monotonous and boring. Specially, if it�s your wedding dress you can�t imagine to compromise on color.
You must learn to pick colors that go right with your personality and taste instead of blindly picking up any color. The foremost important factor while purchasing your wedding dress is that you should try it once to check if the color enhances your beauty and adds warmth to your complexion. Check the dress in the most natural light which brings out the real color. Don�t go for the color only because it is in latest trend or suits your friends or family. Instead, look for the color which brightens your skin to make you look more gorgeous and admiring.
If it�s your wedding dress, then pick a bright color like red, pink, saffron, orange or you may even go for some trendy colors like blue or green if it suits you. For a pre wedding or post wedding dress, the bride may fill the wardrobe with come classic collection of simple colors like baby pink, yellow, cream, beige and many more.
Next most important point while deciding upon the right color is, ask for the suggestions of your close friends and family. Wedding is an auspicious occasion and a one time affair so a lot of preparation and alertness is required to pick the dress. They are the best people who can provide you an un-biased suggestion.
Also, check out the accessories that you would be wearing. The wedding outfit and the jewelry should match to complement your skin texture. A pre bridal trial with all the accessories and wedding outfit is most recommended to avoid any last minute hassles. This helps in color co-ordination of the accessory and the wedding dress.
Lastly, the most important thing is to select a color in which you know you look good and which makes you feel gorgeous and comfortable in the most beautiful day of your life. So ladies, follow the above tips and feel like a queen on the most romantic day of your life.
Indian bridal outfits are very much in vogue not only in India but worldwide and thats the biggest reason that online stores getting the popularity day by day. These online stores caters to the need of all type of customers providing them with ample variety in all types of Indian outfits. www.utsavsarees.com is one such online store with large variety of all types of wedding Indian outfits.
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Choosing bridesmaids dresses is no easy task, but it's one of the most exciting and often the most emotional parts of the wedding planning process.
Inviting the special women in your life to be your bridesmaids; your sisters, your lifelong friends, your cousins and special family friends; is a way to seal important friendships during this very special time in your life. Choosing the bridesmaids dress, whether you do it yourself or together with your bridesmaids, is an integral part of the tradition.
Tips on Choosing the Right Dresses for your Bridesmaids
Naturally, it’s the bride who will be the focus of attention on her wedding day, but it’s important for the bridesmaids to look gorgeous too. Choose something simple and not overdecorated or detailed, but which will make your bridesmaids look elegant, sophisticated and feminine.
It’s important to choose a dress style which will flatter everyone’s figure. This is never an easy task, but empire waists and A-line or princess skirts will tend to suit most shapes and sizes.
If your bridesmaids have very different figure types and heights, and you think they might feel uncomfortable in matching dresses, a nice alternative is to choose the fabrics and colors, and allow each individual bridesmaid to choose her own dress style.
Always keep a budget in mind for your bridesmaids gowns. It's very unfair to expect your bridesmaids to buy overly expensive dresses, and it may damage your relationship with some of the most important women in your life. Around $100-250 each dress is generally considered a reasonable cost. If you have your heart set on a more expensive gown, you might consider making up the difference yourself.
Classic Looks for Bridesmaids
Any kind of formal gown, semi-formal or evening dress can be chosen as a bridesmaids gown, so you have literally thousands of options. Satin, organza, chiffon, georgette, tulle, lace, brocades, and crepe are all classic fabrics for bridesmaid dresses. Whether you choose real silks and imported laces, or more economical alternatives will depend on your budget.
It’s traditional to choose a one-piece dress or gown, but separates are definitely an option. Mixing and matching separate blouses and skirts makes it easier to find a style which suits each individual bridesmaid.
You should think about the time of year you plan to hold the wedding, and how this will effect your gown choices. Choose lighter fabrics for summer, and a sleeveless or even a strapless dress style. If your wedding is planned for a cooler time in the year, long skirts and sleeves are best, or include a shawl or wrap as part of the outfit.
It’s a nice idea to choose your colors according to the time of year also. Fresh, soft colors are lovely for spring and summer; golds, copper tones and rusty reds for fall, and deep marine blues, teal green, deep burgundies and plums, or platinum shades for winter.
Choose colors which will match the flowers which are in bloom at the time of year, so your gowns will tone in nicely with the bouquets. Discussing your color ideas with your favorite florist will make the job of choosing colors much easier.
For a very sophisticated, formal look, black or black and white never goes out of style.. Alternating black and white solid panels has a very dramatic effect.
For a more romantic look, use white or a solid color overlaid with black lace, either as a feature of the dress itself, or as a shawl or wrap.
Soft, pretty pastel shades like lilac, powder pink, cream, platinum and eggshell blue are always popular colors for bridesmaid dresses, because they always look good together with the white or ivory shade of the bridal gown. Adding dramatic color accents in the bouquets creates a very attractive look for the wedding party as a whole.
Another idea which works very well for bridesmaids gowns is to use a silk or satin fabric with a subtle crossweave in a contrasting color, and match the bouquets to the crossweave color. The bouquets will bring out and enhance the color highlights in the dress fabric, which has a very pretty effect.
Accessories for Bridesmaids
The simplest look will tend to work best, so accessories should best be kept to a minimum. Often a simple pair of earrings, a brooch or necklace is all the jewelry you’ll need. It’s traditional for the bride to give the bridesmaids their jewelry as a gift, which is a lovely idea.
For a very formal look, shawls, gloves and even small tiaras are always appropriate as bridesmaids' accessories.
Keep comfort as well as style in mind when you choose shoes for your bridesmaids. Very high heels may be uncomfortable to stand in for any period of time. Also consider the fact that the bridesmaids will most likely be wearing the shoes for the wedding ceremony and the reception, so choose shoes which will be comfortable to wear all day, then dance away the night.
Lynn Donn is the webmaster for http://www.1st-in-bridesmaids-dresses.com Her website offers tips and information on all the latest trends in bridesmaid and formal dresses.
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