- Location. If your stomping grounds don’t hold much appeal and you’re bored by the thought of the cliché Hawaiian wedding, then you’re in luck, because the world is full of interesting destinations to host your service. Why not do an impromptu guerilla ceremony in the mall courtyard where you first met (with a hundred guests crowding around)? Or pile into Stonehenge to do it where the Druids did? The point is, you don’t have to confine yourself to a church, courthouse, or sandy strip of beach. The world is your oyster when it comes to a wedding locale.
- Mixed bridal party. Forget the notion that the bride must have girls and the groom must have guys in attendance. In this modern world, you’re likely to have a mixed bag of close friends who should be at your side. So get guy friends and girlfriends on both sides of the aisle. And just to be fair, they should all get bouquets!
- Marry yourselves (not like the lady in Taiwan). It’s easy enough to become ordained online these days, so if you’re not particularly religious, make your wedding into a totally unique event by getting certified and marrying yourselves (as in, you co-perform the ceremony). You can go totally free form with your vows, even opting to sing, recite poetry, or put on a skit for the assembly. It’s bound to be a lot more entertaining than the average yawn-inducing nuptials you’re accustomed to. And at the very least, your wedding will stand out in the minds of all attending as one of the most distinctive marriages in memory.
- Activity reception. Skip the ho-hum dinner and dancing and opt instead for an exciting activity to kick off your married life. Think about renting out a bowling alley if you want to accommodate friends and family of all ages and ranges of motion. Or head over to your local sky-diving field and see if you can get a deal on a couple hundred jumps. Also fun (and probably less expensive) is a bonfire at a local wilderness campsite.
- Vegan desert. So many people these days are allergic to gluten and dairy, eschewing sugars and fats for their health, or simply trying to stay svelte. Accommodate them all with a totally delicious vegan cake or fruit and vegan-pudding parfaits.
Sarah Danielson is a writer for Adiamor Engagement Rings where you can find loose diamonds, engagement ring settings, and other fine diamond jewelry at affordable prices.
Here is a general guide to see what you have already have covered and what you still need for your big day.
Get the Free Printable Wedding ChecklistPlanning
- Date of Your Wedding
- Engagement Announcement
- Bridesmaids
- Ceremony Site Location
- Flower Girls
- Flower Arrangements
- Groomsmen
- Honeymoon Arrangements
- Music Coordinator
- Officiant
- Place Cards
- Reception Cards
- Reception Location
- Reply Cards and Envelopes With Stamp
- Ring Bearer
- Save the Date Cards
- Wedding Invitations
Ceremony
- Bouquets
- Boutonnière
- Candles
- Chairs
- Corsages
- Decorations
- Dressing Room Area For Bridal Party
- Dressing Room Area For Groomsmen
- Flower Girl Basket
- Gratuities
- Guest Book Table
- Kneeling Bench
- Marriage Certificate
- Marriage License
- Music
- Officiant Fee
- Parking Area
- Pen & Guest Book
- Permits (Special Occasions, Photography etc.)
- Photographer
- Picture Stand
- Pillars/Pedastal
- Programs
- Ring Pillow
- Transportation
- Unity Candle/Holder
- Unity Sand (If having a sand ceremony)
- Videographer
- Wedding Rings
Reception
- Bartender
- Cake Knife
- Cake Topper/Decoration
- Candles & Holders
- Centerpieces
- Chairs
- Dance Floor
- Decorations
- Dinnerware
- DJ/Live Band/Sound System/Music
- Drinks/Lemons/Sweeteners
- Flatware
- Glassware
- Guest Favors
- Hors d'hoeurves
- Ice
- Napkins
- Place Cards
- Punch Bowl
- Serving Staff
- Tables & Linens
- Tent If Outdoors
- Throw Away Bouquet
- Caterer
- Toasting Glasses
- Parking Area
- Pitchers of Water
- Wedding Cake/Groom's Cake
What can you throw?
Rice Birdseed Flower Petals Always a pretty choice. Just remember that rose petals can stain concrete if stepped on. If it is an autumn wedding, how about throwing fall leaves.
Confetti PoppersA messy but fun idea is party poppers that shoot out confetti. Great for a colorful wedding.
If the location does not allow anything to be thrown, have no worries. There are a several alternatives.
BubblesBlowing bubbles as the bride and groom leave have become extremely popular since so many locations have such stiff regulations on throwing items. A perk with blowing bubble is that there is absolutely no cleanup afterwords involved.
Sparklers Noisemakers Ringing BellsAnother good choice if you are not allowed to throw anything. Plus, they are also known as "Kissing Bells". Oh la la...
Picture TakingThe bride and groom are the celebrities on this day...why not have their own paparazzi? Takes lots and lots of pictures. You can find cheap disposable cameras online for the guests to us. Downside? Try not to blind the couple.
Releasing doves or butterfliesFinal thought- many of the reception locations have regulations on what can and cannot be thrown. Make sure to find out any of the regulations before making your decision.
• Dresses, jewellery, make-up and suits - 15%
• Ceremony including celebrant and music - 5%
• Reception including hire, catering and drinks - 40%
• Must-haves - cakes, stationery, transport, photography - 25%
• Flowers - 5%
• Honeymoon - 10%
Regardless how you break down your budget, here are some tips for controlling costs:
• Set a budget at the start and then stick to it.
• Get organised! "You can't possibly see the big picture if your wedding plan is a pile of crumpled pieces of paper!" says wedding planner Cathrin D'Entremont.
• Be very clear about your vision before you select your vendors. This will save you time and money, as you are able to show suppliers your vision - in pictures - of what you want your wedding to be.
• Open a wedding account at your bank - that way you'll know exactly how much money goes in and how much comes out.
• Examine contracts carefully. Read the fine print and make sure you consider all additional charges such as GST and staff overtime charges.
• Don't be afraid to negotiate. Most vendors will consider a discount if you ask nicely.
• Remember, once you pay a deposit you are probably legally bound to pay the full amount - so you can't change your mind.
• Shop around. Don't blow all your money in the first shop you visit. Take the time to visit the sales, shop online and browse through catalogues. The potential savings will surprise you.
• Get crafty! "Use the resources in your family," advises Cathrin. "Perhaps Aunty Ina is a dressmaker and can make the bridesmaid dresses. Uncle Joe may be handy and can build the wishing well. Friends and family are usually honoured to be a part of your preparations."
• Consider your guest list carefully. Inviting fewer people can make a big difference to the bottom line of your wedding budget.
• Be financially smart. Don't put your head in the sand and pretend you've got an unlimited budget. Check your wedding budget balance regularly to ensure you stay on track.
• Finally, and probably surprisingly, consider a wedding planner. A good wedding planner and event manager will be able to save you their fee and much more in negotiations with your vendors. They have the benefit of not being emotionally involved in the negotiations and the power to negotiate based on not only your wedding but also other events they are organising. If you do decide to employ a wedding planner, make sure you get a firm quote and don't pay a percentage of your budget (unless it is fixed) or your wedding planner will have no incentive to save you money.
• Remember: while weddings are romantic, debt is not. The most important thing about your wedding day is that two people are joining their lives together. It's not about whether you spend $5,000 or $50,000. The success of the event depends on the way you express your happiness and how you share that with your beloved family and friends.
Pink Frosting is a leading Australian destination for choosing wedding bomboniere for special occasions, ideas on wedding themes and tips on selecting wedding favours.
Author: Vikaas
Believing in fairy tales is good for the imagination but living through a fairy tale is an incredible live experience requiring a generous dose of luck and hard work. Turning your wedding ceremony into a fairy tale without you doing the hard work is what wedding planning is all about.
Marriage, the most important event in a person’s life should ideally be the prologue to a long and happy union. It should be a wonderful assortment of events that the couple will remember for all time to come. But the mere thought of arranging a gala wedding ceremony sends shivers down the spine of the most outgoing person due to the elaborateness and deep rooted cultural practices involved in an Indian wedding.But there is help at hand to ensure a smooth and elaborate wedding ceremony.
The primary task in a wedding planning is setting the budget so as to cover all the heads of expenditure and leaving no room for a shortfall under any, still leaving enough liquidity to take care of unexpected surprises that may crop up at any given stage of the wedding ceremony. Once the budget is set, the next step would be to look for a suitable venue in terms of location, grade, cost etc. On finalizing the wedding venue, planning for it’s decoration sets in. If a distinct theme is followed, the decoration should be in sync; if not, it could be an altogether new setup with a new concept. A wedding venue decoration involves putting up suitable sets, upholstery, floral decoration, lighting etc.
Looked from the perspective of the guests, the food served at a wedding ceremony is of paramount importance. Thus deciding on what to serve, when to serve and how to serve should be best left to professional experts with long experience in the catering and hospitality industry.
We Indians take pride in the strong bonds that exist within extended families. Occasions like a wedding ceremony give us the perfect opportunity to get together with our extended family members. Thus accommodating them comfortably during a wedding ceremony demands prior planning to rule out any confusion. Another aspect of perfect hospitality is the transportation of outstation guests to and from the wedding venue at the host’s expenses which means that it must be planned in details to keep it within the budget and bringing a smile to their faces at the same time.
The entertainment factor in a wedding ceremony should never be ignored because it adds warmth to the occasion and makes it memorable. Professional musicians, folk dancers and program hosts can ensure the participation of guests in the fun filled activities in the wedding ceremony.
Dressing up the wedding couple and close relatives with traditional yet contemporary clothes that look chic, fashionable and elegant remains one of the most important area of concern for a wonderful wedding ceremony. From choosing the right fabric to deciding on proper cuts and designs for an ethnic look to suit the occasion demands a tireless effort. Here a long list of designer backed boutiques across all segments lying at the disposal of wedding planners comes to the rescue.
The wedding couple is supposed to look their best on their wedding day. Ideally they should start on a beauty regimen prior to at least one month of their wedding day. During this time they may visit spas and beauty parlours of repute so that they have a glowing face on D-Day.
In a nutshell, a planned wedding ceremony always stands out and sets new standards of social behavior, hospitality and entertainment for all time to come.
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1608120_41.html
Author: Emily Tanner
Once the proposal has been accepted, the dress ordered, the invitations sent and the venue booked, it's time to start thinking about the main colour themes that will be running through the big event. No doubt, your handsome groom has some ideas of which colours he would rather not wear and equally you need to consider what will look good on your bridesmaids. Choosing bridesmaid outfits is more difficult if you have a range of ages, shapes, sizes and hair colour amongst them, which is the case in most bridal parties. Another important consideration is what colours are in the room where the reception will take place.
There is no real reason why you cannot have any colour at any time of year once you have considered all the aforementioned factors, although if we are going to be pedantic about it you should really choose a seasonal colour theme. In other words, go for pinks, light greens, light golds and lilacs in the Spring/Summer and keep browns, creams, reds, and dark golds for the colder months.
Lilacs and hyacinths are always the winners if you are marrying in the Spring or Summer; they have been the most popular bridesmaid dress colours for over 10 years and are still up there as one of the most common colour ways. Don't let this put you off though, in fact, use it to your advantage as it proves that lilac colour themes have been tried, tested, look great, come out great in photographs and suit most people. What more proof do you need? You can make your big day feel more modern by ensuring floral arrangements are fresh and funky. Why not scatter tables with real lilac coloured rose petals and introduce lilac butterflies to your theme? Decorate place cards and napkins with lilac and silver butterflies, scatter them on the tables, incorporate them in lavender and hydrangea floral arrangements and put them on your wedding cake. These days, lilacs are very much en vogue and although have a traditional feel they need not be stayed, stale or old fashioned.
Pink and Silver wedding themes are fast becoming popular for Spring and Summer brides. Every girl wants to feel like a princess on her special day and what better way to do it than with girlie pinks and silvers!? Candy pink generally looks great on all age bridesmaids and those with all hair and skin colours. Equally, pink will look great on the male members of the bridal party, if you can convince them! If your man is anti-pink, why not get him to wear silver? This will co-ordinate beautifully with the pink. Bouquets can be bursting with pink and white blooms dotted with pearls and diamantes. To keep the princess theme going, opt for silver table decorations and foil scatters along with baby pink rose petals.
One of the more modern colour themes to make an appearance this year has been the explosion of greens and yellows. These look absolutely fantastic and depending on how daring you are, will determine how mad you go. If you are going for a simple, calm wedding, why not go for sage green bridesmaids? These will look fabulous when teamed with white and pale gold accessories and flowers. If you are more adventurous go for a tropical yellow and continue the theme with sunflowers and citrus coloured gerbera or for a complete contrast, mix the yellow theme with purple flowers !
This article is brought to you by "World of Wedding Favours" - Offering brides high quality wedding favours and bomboniere at low-cost prices. To view our vast range of wedding favours to suit your special occasion please visit: Real Rose Petals
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_81581_41.html
Author: Paul
A personal wedding website allows you, as a couple, to share all the details of your upcoming wedding with family and friends, no matter where they live in the world. It will bring your guests closer together and closer to you, through the sharing of your story prior to the busy Big Day.
Options are endless and include everything from free online services allowing you to post a few photos and change background colours to a fully customized personal wedding website, such as the Define Studio Wedsite™ with your own domain name!
Top Wedding Website Features
Completely Customized
A personal wedding website completely customized will allow you to incorporate any of the below features but will also personify the two of you completely.
Getting married in the wine country? Work with your personal designer to incorporate stunning images from the vineyard and a page of personal tasting notes.
Always dreamed of being a celebrity? Use the home page as your magazine cover and include a page featuring your “Paparazzi” bridal party. Famous icons can be used as your webpage navigation buttons.
Or Go Bollywood and have the entire site designed around your favourite Bollywood theme. Options are endless, Dream It, Theme It and Let us Create it!
Photo Gallery
There are options as simple as a scrolling page of photos to fancy interactive flash galleries.
Post engagement photos and bridal party photos. Include photos from when you two were tiny little ones (everyone loves the charming bathtub shot!) or photos of parents and grandparents on their wedding day.
The photo gallery is an excellent way for family and friends you haven’t met to get to know you prior to the wedding day. Best of all, share your wedding and honeymoon photos after the big event!
Online RSVP
A huge time and money saver! No additional postage, just have your guests respond directly online with the number of people attending, meal preference and any other special details you require. A customized wedding website will allow you to revise the RSVP questions as well as send a confirmation email each time someone RSVP’s. Look for a service that offers an area for you to log in to your site to review who has and hasn’t responded.
Online Blog
Some custom wedding website services will incorporate an online Blog or Twitter into your website. This will allow you to keep your guests up to date on the latest happenings leading up o the wedding. You can even set it up so an email is sent to subscribers each time you update your Blog.
Guestbook
Collect Best Wishes from guests before and after the wedding day. Many online guestbook’s are in real time so comments are posted immediately.
The Wedding Party
Chances are many of your family and friends don’t know everyone in the wedding party. A fantastic way to share is via photos and a personal story, quote or memory of each of the members. Include your parents and grandparents as well. It really adds a personal touch and gives guests a sense of being a part of your big day.
Personal Stories
We all love the “how you met” and engagement stories. Your guests will enjoy reading about the two of you and feel closer to you as your wedding day approaches.
Link to Gift Registries
Wedding etiquette says its taboo to state your gift registry location on your invitation so what’s a good way to get the word out? Let your guests know where you’re registered via your site!
Offer Directions / Travel Details
Provide directions to each event and even include a Google map. Include names of best places to stay while in town or some of your favourite activities and restaurants.
Flash Wedding Websites
A flash wedding website will truly impress friends and family! There are endless options available to truly personalize your wedding website and give it an elegant or really fun look.
Personal Songs
Add your personal song or several songs as background music to your site.
Password Protection
Password protection is an ideal way to protect sensitive information you prefer only those authorized have access to. You can password protect certain pages or the entire wedding website.
After the Wedding
After the wedding, your personal wedding website becomes a fantastic way to share your wedding and honeymoon photos plus include a special thank you message to all your guests.
Your website can be printed on favours or thank you cards as a reminder for everyone to check back and view your photos. You may not be able to have a personal assistant for your wedding, but a personal wedding website may be the next best answer for the busy bride!
Resource Box:
This article is written by an expert web designer working for Define Studio Wedsite™, a leading company specializes in creation of custom wedding websites, personal wedding website and wedding website.
http://www.articlesbase.com/web-hosting-articles/things-to-know-when-choosing-a-web-hosting-company-865573.html
Author: Alexine Laurel
Summer is just around the corner and if you have not fully prepared for your wedding yet then now is the time. Making sure you cover all the bases is important. I personally had a summer wedding and wish I would have known all of these things when preparing for my big day. So for all of you summer bride-to-be ladies here are ten important things to remember for your wedding.
Waterproof Mascara
From all the emotional moments and warm weather you are sure to have a moist face at your wedding. To help prevent horrible mascara running down your face make sure you invest in great waterproof mascara. Then all you need to worry about is buying some mineral oil or eye makeup remover
to get it off.
Smudge-Proof Eyeliner
Along the same lines as the waterproof mascara you are also going to want smudge-proof eyeliner. They are wonderful when you touch your eyes by accident with your hands or need to wipe the tears or sweat off your face. Either way having great eyeliner is a lifesaver.
Comfy Shoes
After hours and hours of walking, standing and dancing your poor feet will need a bit of a break. To help prevent too many blisters or sore feet make sure you pack a comfortable pair of white flip flops or other white shoes. This way you can transfer back and forth as you need to throughout the day and night.
Oil Blotting Tissues
These are a must for a daytime wedding as they will keep the glare down on your forehead. Not that you wanted to accentuate that anyhow. The oil blotting tissues are great if you have super oily skin or sweat easily. They keep the oil and moisture down on your face and can be hidden in your dress to be used as much as needed.
Summer Dress
If the wedding dress you got is really heavy and you are having a wedding somewhere that reaches over one-hundred degrees you may want to pack a summer dress. This is a great way to cool off after a long ceremony and once all the photos are done. It is amazing how great it feels to just throw a cute light dress on after being untied out of your wedding dress.
Bustle Your Dress
If you are having an outdoor wedding or going to take outdoor photos then it is a good idea to get your wedding dress bustled. I had this done and it made a world of a difference when dancing and getting around the wedding reception. Having your train out for the ceremony and photos is about as much as you will want to deal with it. The bustle really helps out a lot.
Drink Water
One of the most important things to remember for your summer wedding is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. There is a lot of stress and anxiety that comes along with walking down the aisle in front of lots of people and then speaking out loud too. To help prevent for getting heat stroke or fainting remember to carry water bottles around with you.
Allergy Medicine
If you are one of the millions that suffer from allergies then you may want to pack your allergy medicine. The summer months can be brutal for those who suffer from serious allergies and there is no time for suffering on your wedding day. To make sure you are good to go take your medication in the morning and keep it with you throughout the wedding and reception.
Pedicure & Manicure
Now that open toed shoes are finally getting pulled out of the closet you may have noticed your feet. Winter does horrible things to heels and since socks have covered the toes there has been no need to paint them. To prepare for the sexy open toed wedding shoes and the new bling bling make sure you make a manicure and pedicure appointment for the day before your wedding.
Hairspray
If you are having your wedding outdoors or live in an area that has high humidity in the summer then you will want to use plenty of hair spray. Make sure you tell your hair stylist to use extra hold so there is no wild hair by the end of the day. Also you can get a little travel size to stick in your purse as well.
Hopefully I have covered most of the things you wouldn’t want to forget to do or bring. It can get really overwhelming on your wedding day so make sure you plan ahead of time instead of waiting until the last minute. Good luck with your summer wedding and I hope everything goes as smooth as possible.
Author Bio:
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.
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1506813_41.html
Author: Emily Tanner
Wedding planning truly is an art and that's why many brides pay someone to organise every last detail, right down to writing the wedding invitations! Some brides even take a year off work to plan their big day! This is pretty extreme and not really necessary, but some brides feel they need this time to alleviate some of the pressure and stress. In fact, wedding planning can be a most enjoyable experience if handled the correct way.
Firstly, you must appreciate that organising a wedding is hard work and needs to be carefully prepared. Buy yourself a book or folder - this will become your bible of all things weddingy for the next year or so. Keep all your ideas, magazine cuttings, deadlines, phone numbers and wedding invitation replies in this, your wedding planning folder.
Once a date has been agreed, you need to get a dress chosen and ordered. It is worth noting that some wedding dresses can take up to 15 months! Now you must make a list of all the things that have to be done for your wedding, for example:
- Have wedding cake made and decorated
- Send out wedding invitations
- Book photographer
- Book church
- Decide on honeymoon
- Order wedding favours
- Choose flowers
- Take out wedding insurance
- Agree on groomsmen and bridesmaids
Decide which items are immediate [e.g. things that need to be prepared in advance, such as ordering the wedding invitations or booking the church]. Then, draw up a 12-month schedule and insert each job into a month. Of course, the more immediate actions will need to be addressed in the first few months, whereas ordering wedding favours may wait until later on.
It would be a good idea to make a copy for your fiance and for your bridal party. Involving others in your wedding planning will make them feel more included as well as taking pressure off yourself. For example, you may put your chief bridesmaid in charge of wedding invitations - ordering them, writing them and sending them out.
Next you should agree a budget. Very few brides actually stick to their budget but you should put some ideas down on paper and try to keep to your original quote as best you can. Include payment deadlines in your schedule so you know which payments are going out of your account each month. This way, you can spread your bills and not be hit all at once.
If you keep up with your schedule and remain organised each month, wedding planning can be great fun - as it should be. By completing small tasks regularly you won't feel out of control or stressed and everything should fall into place. Good luck!
(c) World of Wedding Favours
This article is brought to you by "World of Wedding Favours" - Offering brides high quality wedding favours and bomboniere at low-cost prices. To view our vast range of wedding favours to suit your special occasion please visit: http://www.World-of-Wedding-Favours.com
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_56967_41.html
Author: r0bren0
It is important that the company you choose for your wedding reception delivers a personalized service. There are so many small details involved in the success of a reception, that it can be hard to over look what matters the most… YOU! Any company you decide should maintain focus on your happiness and comfort with all aspects of your itinerary. Below, I’ve listed a basic time line for what happens when. Just as a reminder, any of the steps below in your wedding reception checklist can be taken out or rearranged. You should have complete control over what happens. Think of yourself as president of the big day.
Before Your Big Day
* Drag and drop songs online as must play and do not play
* Fill in your wedding reception time line and itinerary details
* Pre-event consultation 1 week prior so there are no surprises
Package Setup
* Arrive 1-3.5 hours in advance depending on your scheduled package
* Hide and tape down cords (cords and tape are black)
* Wireless mic check behind the head table (ensures reception and gains)
* Perform functional test on all equipment before guest's arrival
* Replace battery in wireless microphone if necessary
* Double check center piece pin spots are not in guests eyes
* If you have a name monogram: Aim behind head table or on dance floor
* If you have lighting design: Adjust fixtures for maximum saturation of clients color
* If you have photo booth: Do a test shot to check custom message area
* Change into company uniform (black tux, platinum tie, name tag)
Before Guest Arrival
* Make sure the house music is turned OFF
* Verbally run through names of bridal party for announcements
* Write notes on itinerary & label last minute questions for client
* Familiarize self with client songs & re-categorize into possible sets
* Create wait-list of all important client songs for quick access
* Run through agenda with the head matradee of the banquet hall (check dinner start time)
* Confirm location of facility dimmer switch to be adjusted during dances
* Find out seating arrangements for the bridal party to let them know where they will be sitting
* Test all special requested songs by client, have a backup version available
Cocktail Hour
* Walk the room & listen to the music as the guests would. Make sure volume is appropriate
* Keep a look out for wedding vendors, go over the agenda with them as they arrive
* Ask photographer/videographer if they want the bridal party to stand behind the cake for a nice backdrop
* Locate person leading the prayer and inform them on how to use the microphone
* If champagne is all tables make sure staff is pouring it
* If Champagne is head table/family tables only announce guests to grab something to toast with
* Make sure there is a serving knife, plate, and napkin at the cake table
* Introduce self to guests, encourage requests, take photos for the Glam Cam
The Grand Entrance
* Announce that the bridal party has arrived and for guests to take their seats
* Hold open door in lobby, congratulate client, and introduce self to bridal party
* Ask the bridal party if there is anything they would like for me to take to their head table
* Instruct bridal party here to walk to
* Instruct those toasting how to use the microphone
* Remind bridal party to remain standing until the bride & groom are seated
* Bring up any last minute questions to client
* Accommodate last minute changes to entrance (parents/flower girls)
* Play song while conducting grand entrance in either a high energy or low key format
Toasts
* Give a heads up to those speaking so they do not leave the room
* Verify that the photographer and videographer are ready to capture the memories
* Stand behind client and announce guests to give them a round of applause
* Formally introduce those speaking, after they have spoke thank them on a first name basis
Dinner
* Announce the meal procedure (plated, buffet, family-style, hor dourves)
* Start dinner music as requested by the client (work in their requests)
* Ask head table if they need any more bread or drinks
* Ask bride and groom how the music volume is
* Ask bride and groom if they would like make any changes to lighting color
* Ask bride and groom if we can take a photo of them together
After Dinner Mingling
* Start dimming the facility lighting
* Slightly increase the music volume
* Ask bride and groom if they are ready to do the cake cutting/dances
* If the client would like to mingle more, then perform another follow-up shortly after
* Remind all important people involved in the dances they will begin shortly
* Follow-up with photographer and videographer, tell them when the dances will start
Cake Cutting
* This can happen either after the grand entrance, after dinner, or after dancing
* Double check that your photographer and videographer are ready and in place
* Direct everyone’s attention to the cake table, invite them to take photos
* Remind guests to leave room for the professional photographer
* Take Glam Cam shots of the client during cake cutting
* Have their cake cutting song cued, and ready to go
Formal Dances
* Visually confirm that all VIPs are in the room
* Double check that the photographer and videographer are ready to begin
* Announcing the first dance with energy and poise
* Announce any significance in song selection the client has for the parent and bridal party dances
* Take Glam Cam shots during the dances
* Invite others to join if requested by client
Bouquet Execution
* Locate the bouquet to be tossed
* Double check with photographer on their preference for the toss & if they like to do a fake count
* Make sure client has all the single ladies she wants to see participating in the toss
* Avoid any chandeliers or other obstacles during the toss
* Ask guests to help count down the toss
* Get the catcher’s name from groom, congratulate them, hold for photo opportunity & Glam Cam shot
Last Dance
* 10 Minutes before the end, check with client to see if they want to keep the party going
* Visually confirm that all VIPs are in the room
* Instruct guests to form a circle around our guests of honor for a nice send off
* Privately invite guests to join the bride and groom on the dance floor
* Top off the night with a farewell announcement and special congratulations to the guest of honor
And since we luuuuv our clients, we always take a Glam Cam shot with them!
Robert is the entrepreneurial spirit for Encore Event Group. His team provides the DJ in Michigan, lighting designs, and photo booths in Michigan that also serve Mackinac Island. Visit the following link for more information on Wedding Reception Checklist.
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1493765_41.html
Author: Jeff Lakie
Here are some great ideas for your wedding. They will make your wedding memorable and fun because that is what it is all about. You may want a beautiful day of pageantry, and you should get that, but there's no reason why it can't also be a lot of fun.
- Set up a mini putt at the reception for you in your guests to play during dinner. You can even have a "kiss the bride" contest if someone sinks the putt.
- One idea gaining popularity now is to put disposable cameras on every table and you'll get a myriad of pictures from every person's angle. It is a great way to memorialize your wedding from a different perspective.
- Weddings are a good time for the bride and groom, but may not be so much fun for the kids. If you hire a child care worker to help take care of the kids, or have someone create a scavenger hunt for them, you can be sure that the kids will find your wedding just as special as you do even if it's for different reasons.
- Leverage the popularity of Texas Hold'em by finding a dealer and putting a Texas Hold'em table at your reception. It could be a great way earn money for your honeymoon and the guests will have a good time as well as they play this highly popular game.
- A dance is fun, but not everyone is able to dance for a variety of reasons - perhaps age or health keep them from dancing with the rest of the group. Don't let them go home early, instead, provide a handful of board games to keep them from getting bored.
- You could also have a fun game on every table to entertain people while they wait for the bride and groom or while they wait for the food to come, since wedding receptions have plenty of downtime before the action happens. Simple games that are easy to play can be something like a batch of trivia cards, or even a game with dice.
- If you decide to have your wedding at a ranch, why not turn the afternoon-long event into a weekend long celebration?!? Offer your guests such enjoyable activities as horseback riding, beach volleyball, and other enjoyable pastimes and your wedding will be an extended vacation for everyone.
About The Author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of Wedding Information a website providing information on Weddings
This article is free for republishing
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_15177_41.html
Author: Richard Rspad
Mention a honeymoon location, and images of exotic islands and white beaches come to mind. This all true, but you want that something special and exotic to cap off your wedding.
Exotic Honeymoons Off The Beaten Path
Planning your honeymoon is a fun and exciting time. Choosing where to go, however, can be a bit tricky. There are so many wonderful and enjoyable places throughout the world that can be the site of your first vacation as a married couple - so how do you pick? If you're looking for a trip that's a bit out of the ordinary and different from where everyone else goes, why not choose something exotic?
The best place to find exotic honeymoons is in the region east of Australia and New Zealand, which includes the islands of Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Island and Hawaii. While many people choose Hawaii for their honeymoon, if you select one of these destinations, you'll be sure to have a jaw dropping experience you will never forget. Yep, you will be leaving the confines of the United States for a place a bit more exotic.
Fiji is a great place to start when looking into honeymoons in this region. There are many secluded islands here, where small private resorts offer getaways that cater to just a few couples at a time. Private beaches offer the ultimate in seclusion, and some of the beaches can even be closed off just for you! One such small resort is the Navutu Stars Resort, located on Yasawa Islands in Fiji. This adults-only resort is perfect for those who want a luxurious boutique-hotel feel, while being on an exotic, secluded island. With only nine bungalows (or bures) available for stays at this resort, you'll get personalized service and you won't have to deal with crowds. Seven of the bures are on the beach, only 20 meters from the water, and they offer king size beds along with island d�cor. These small hut-style bungalows are a perfect romantic retreat for newlyweds.
If you prefer a different slice of paradise in the region, look no further than the island of Tahiti. Here, you can choose to stay in a full-featured hotel or small bungalow, depending on your taste and budget. One resort that has both styles of accommodation to choose from is the Bora Bora Nui Resort, located in French Polynesia (the Tahitian Islands). This island paradise, set on a private island on the tip of a lagoon, offers beautiful water views, spa retreats and snorkeling with views of tropical fish. This is a personal favorite and highly recommended!
If you are looking for a different sort of island trip with the luxury you want on a vacation as well as the seclusion you need on a honeymoon, you can't go wrong with any of the areas mentioned above. Choosing one will be sure to create a memory that you'll never forget, and introduce you to a place you'll want to revisit. When you get down to it, isn't that exactly what you want from your honeymoon?
Richard Rspad is with ResortSpaDestinations.com - reviews and articles on spa resorts.
About the Author
Richard Rspad is with ResortSpaDestinations.com - reviews and articles on resorts. Visit us to read spa articles as well.
http://www.resortspadestinations.com
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_74814_41.html
Have you ever been to a wedding with a 17ft tall wedding cake that weiged 15,032lbs? Or known anyone with a 67 year engagement? How about spend $55 million dollars on a wedding, yikes! Read more about these crazy record breaking marriages:
10 Unbelievable Wedding & Marriage Records
Author: Richard Rspad
Given the heat of summer, more and more people are turning to winter weddings. This makes winter honeymoons a subject you need to give some consideration to when doing your planning.
Winter Honeymoon Ideas
When you picture your honeymoon, you might think of tropical islands and ocean breezes. How about just a beachside resort or some other warm weather retreat? While these are all good ideas, not everyone one gets married in the summer or is interested in lounging on the sand. So, what is a couple to do who is getting hitched in December and would rather have adventure than pure relaxation? Here are some ideas that are sure to please your more adventurous side.
One idea that is the ski resort honeymoon. Whether you love to ski or just want to learn how, these resorts can be a perfect mix of romance and outdoor activity. One such resort is the Mont Tremblant Ski Resort in Quebec, Canada. This resort was voted one of the best ski bargains in North America, but it definitely doesn't have a bargain feel. Mont Tremblant is a ski resort town with quaint shops and many restaurants lining the small streets of downtown. If you want to stay in the most romantic and luxurious spot in town, the Fairmont Tremblant is a five star hotel with a spa, fantastic cuisine and bars and entertainment for your nighttime pleasure.
Another ski resort that makes it into the list is the Heavenly Valley Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. This resort has gondolas that travel up 9,100 feet a perfect height to spend some alone time with your new spouse. Also available at the resort are soaks in natural hot springs, skiing (of course!) and romantic sleigh rides. This resort offers such amenities as a picnic up at 9,000 feet and a hot air balloon ride that you will never forget as you look over the snow capped peaks. The gaming tables of Lake Tahoe are close at hand if you want to try your luck at gambling. If you really enjoy trying lady luck, most of the casinos have hotels offering honeymoon packages. If you prefer a more secluded honeymoon experience, there are plenty of condos and homes for rent on a short-term basis in the area.
Most newlyweds want their honeymoon to be a knockout. If you fall in this category, there is no better destination than Switzerland. Well, if you can afford it. Prices are expensive, but a week in Interlaken is the stuff of movies. Located between the lakes of Breinz and Thun, this is a small city that feels like a Swiss village. You can stay in private Swiss chalets, eat fondue and take romantic walks under the snow capped mountains that tower over the area.
If you are considering an off-season wedding, you need to give some thought about your honeymoon. Now you have.
Richard Rspad is with Resort Spa Destinations - reviews and articles on spa resorts.
About the Author
Richard Rspad is with ResortSpaDestinations.com - reviews and articles on resorts. Visit us to read spa articles as well.
http://www.resortspadestinations.com
Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_81146_41.html
Author: weddingdirectory
Traditionally wording wedding invitation would have the bride’s parents as the hosts, usually because they would be paying for the wedding & as such the wedding invitations would be from them. But in modern times many couples will pay for the wedding themselves or jointly with either one or both sets of parents. There is also the matter of complicated family situations where parents are divorced, re-married, separated etc. Little wonder that these days choosing the right wording for your invitation can be something of a headache!
When choosing the wording for their invitations many brides will stick to a traditional template, making some adjustments to allow for family situations at the wedding. Here are a few templates you could consider for your invitation wording:
Traditional template (bride’s parents as hosts)
Author: Paul Easton
You do not want to impress your guests and family with an expensive and exclusive wedding?
You think it is better to save money for starting your future with your partner? I attended to some weddings and all of them were less than $ 1000.
Follow up and you will find 5 tips for an inexpensive wedding:
Decide first what is most important to you? Having all your family and friends there? The food and drinks? Your outfit? The location? When you have done your decision move on from there.
1.How to get cheap wedding invitation?
Use your computer and make your own invitations cards. It is not expensive and in addition personalized. If you are not so familiar with graphic and designing, I am sure you will have a friend, who can do it professionally. Even the name cards on the tables can be made by you.
2.What to wear?
Of course you can go in straight to wedding shop, but there you will find only expensive dresses. When you want to save money on it, go in a second hand shop. There you will find wedding clothes in very good conditions. Usually they are used only once. Who care's?
Alternative you can also hire your wedding dress for less money.
3.Where to get married?
The venue might by very important to you. You have a big choose to get your location for under $100.
Search for a nice big room in your area for hire. In same cases bars and restaurants are welcoming private functions.
Additional you will find Community halls for hire, which are normally cheaper than other opportunities.
Ask your council, any club or the secretary of church. I am sure you will find your cheap wedding place very quickly. Usually all of my suggested locations have everything you need for your inexpensive wedding: chairs, tables, reception, a kitchen, a bathroom and toilets.
Be carefully, that the wedding place you booked, allows music at all time.
The best saving: Change your wedding to outdoor and use the garden of your parents, friend or relatives .When there are not enough chairs and tables available, you have only to hire those. Make sure, that the weather will be beautiful for your special day.
4.Where to get food and drinks?
You have only ask your guests, if the are willing to help you and bring some prepared food to your wedding party.
May be some of your guest are willing to help you, to prepare a nice dinner for you and your guests or your parents are organizing a catering for you.
When your mother in law (ore someone else) is a good baker, ask her to prepare a beautiful three-tier homemade cake. That can be her wedding gift.
You will get your drinks at any supermarket or liqueur shop at low costs. May be some friends or relatives will be a barman for this day and want to service your guests.
If you see the point of saving money for your wedding, hopefully these tips will help you and it is better than starting of a marriage in debt, which creates unneeded stress from the start.
Be good prepared and make your wedding plan, so that all parts work together. Enjoy your savings and get a financial better start for your life.
| ------ Natasha and Paul Easton welcome you to visit http://www.101UniqueWeddingideas.com/ which was created while planning her own wedding. Pick up the F-R-E-E Wedding Planning Checklist plus Great Unique Wedding Ideas and Money saving ideas, vouchers and discounts on Wedding Gowns, wedding flowers, favors, plus Save hundreds of hours managing all guests, budget, vendors, gifts, seating, honeymoon, and much more. All F-R-E-E Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1166462_27.html |
Author: Cori Russell
While much of the wedding planning process focuses on the reception, don't forget that your wedding ceremony is the reason behind the big party! Before the big day, you will meet with your officiant or potential officiants to discuss the wedding ceremony and any pre-ceremony requirements. Discover whether the officiant is open to your ideas, and ultimately decide if the three of you want to work together. Here are the questions you will want to ask:
1. Are there any pre-wedding requirements, such as counseling?
2. What is the ceremony fee? Is the fee a donation?
3. Is the officiant open to any personal ideas for ceremony? For instance, is he or she open to non-secular vows, readings or songs?
4. Will the officiant give a sermon or a speech?
5. Will you have input in the ceremony, and will you be allowed to review the sermon or speech beforehand?
6. If you don't already have a ceremony site, can the officiant make any recommendations?
7. If the officiant is the site officiant, are there any ceremony site restrictions such as flash photography, videography, music, dress code, décor, tossing items?
8. What items does the ceremony site/officiant provide, and what must you bring yourself? (pews, isle runners, microphone, etc.)
9. What will the officiant wear?
10. What time will he/she be available for the rehearsal?
11. Should you bring your marriage license to the ceremony, or will you sign it beforehand?
Important Things to Consider
Demeanor - His or her personal demeanor should reflect the mood you envision for your wedding. Some ceremony officiants may be light and jovial - often interjecting sermons or speeches with bits of humor, while some have a more formal and solemn style.
If you don't already have a relationship with this person -consider whether you like his/her style and whether you would enjoy working with this person. Remember - your ceremony officiant performs the most important service at the wedding. He or she is the one who will officially pronounce you man and wife, which is the sole reason for the big event in the first place (don't lose sight of this!). You should feel comfortable inviting this person to share such an intimate moment in your life.
Your officiant can offer guidance along the way, spiritual and non-spiritual, such as resolving family conflicts etc. Don't hesitate to speak with your officiant regarding these personal matters.
Also consider inviting your officiant to your rehearsal dinner as well. It's a nice gesture that will be appreciated, and if your family does not already have a relationship with your officiant - this is a great way to introduce everyone.
For more ideas and advice for your ceremony, visit the complete wedding ceremony guide at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple. |
| Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_881471_41.html |
About the Author |
Author: Bob Hamilton
You’re getting married, and you have decided to plan and do this wedding by yourself. There are many details that have to be addressed. Just a few of the details to be considered include attendees, wedding meals, the location, and so much more. So how do you begin? Start by developing a definite plan.
Start by deciding on how many people you intend to invite. If it is a dozen or so people, a nice Italian dinner could be easily done without a lot of fuss or expense. Four dozen people or more requires a bit more planning; now you need a place for this reception dinner.
Will the weather permit you to have an outdoor event? Plan a Hawaiian luau on the beach, or a fancy picnic at the park. Remember; you may need a permit to do this. A rented hall is your best bet if the numbers are getting higher.
What kind of food do you have to plan to serve? After all wedding meals offer so many options. Self-serve is the best way to go, but you must have a good selection for your guests to choose from. Plan for several appetizers, including one hot dish, such as meatballs, along with tiny finger sandwiches, and cheese, crackers, and fruit. Two meat dishes, such as ham and turkey, or roast beef and chicken. A cold-cut platter of deli meats and cheeses, with small rolls would be a nice addition. Be sure to include a tray of condiments for sandwiches.
Three salads would be nice. A tossed salad for the meat dishes, and potato salad and coleslaw for those who preferred sandwiches. Two or three starches, such as mashed potatoes, a sweet potato casserole, and macaroni and cheese. Cooked vegetables, such as corn, peas, and green beans, are options that are liked by almost everyone. French or Italian bread or hard rolls do not have to be kept warm and take longer to get stale.
Little details will dress your wedding meals up and make everyone feel special. Use attractive china and decent flatware. It can be rented. Rent your table linens and napkins if you can afford it. It adds an instant feel of luxury to your dinner. Salt, pepper and butter should be available at each table. Place a simple centerpiece on each table. It could be a small vase with a single flower and some greenery, or a floating votive candle in a low glass dish with potpourri or flower petals floating in it for color. The head table should have a flower arrangement. Some kind of party favor for each guest is nice. It can be a bag of mints, tied with ribbons in the wedding colors, a little scroll with a love poem printed inside, or a little box to take home some goodies from the sweets table.
High end weddings usually have a large sweets table, filled with pastries, candies, and a chocolate fountain. They cost a fortune. Why not have cookies and fruit table instead? Have your friends and family donate their favorite homemade cookies. But don’t forget to provide fruit for guests who shouldn’t be eating refined sugar!
Wedding meals can be difficult to plan. But you’re almost done. You need a wedding cake, which can be your big splurge, or you can have several small cakes, all different, and decorate one of them with your bride and groom. A bar can be free, cash, soft drinks only, beer and wine, or hard liquor, whichever you can afford and are comfortable with. After all, it’s YOUR wedding!
To your beautiful wedding!
Find the finest wedding favor gifts at Best Wedding Favor Gifts.com. |
| Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_907764_41.html |
