Wedding Presents and Washing Machines Reviews

Getting married involves many things form the planning of the wedding ceremony, the wedding reception, preparing the invitation cards, etc. And, although this does not involve directly the bride and bride groom involve directly as it is the task of the invited guests. One would never imagine attending a wedding without a gift for the newly wedded. It will be good to give some thoughts to this as you wouldn't want to give presents which will be of no use to the happily newly wedded couple. It should be something they would need to start their life together as a couple.

One of the thing you can consider would be a washing machine, for to be sure, the couple, most likely the wife, will be loaded with the task of washing the cloths, bed linens, curtains, etc. A washing machine will be a god sent for the newly wedded couple, particularly the wet behind the ears wife. But there is a question of choice. There is a huge variety of washing machines to choose from, In the good old days, you would go from shop to shop and look, perhaps if you are as bold as I am, ask a lot of questions. Even if you do, I don't know how much confidence you can put on the answers you get, for it is not likely that the sales assistant is an expert on washing machine. Sales assistants don't get high salaries, and for that kind of salares, one can't expect to attract experts. Plus imagine the time and precious fuel wasted as you drive form shop to shop. Talking about precious fossil fuel, burning of spew out green house gases which contributes to global warming, I am environmentally conscious and have another environmental blog called Enviroman Says. With the "car explosion", there is now a serious shortage of parking lots in many places plus the atrocious parking charges.

Here is the amazing Internet and Washing Machine Reviews to the rescue. As an environmentally conscious blogger and a waste hater, I hope you use such review before you put down a single cent for purchase of a product. For WIZE product reviews has introduced what they call WIZERANK which is a number they say the use high technology to calculate, ranging from 100 (best) to 1 (worst) to help you make your choice.

As an environmentally conscious blogger, of course Enviroman Says you should look at the reviews for Energy Star Rated Quiet washing machines which lists washing machines which are not only energy efficient, but also quiet.

There are lots of ways to use this interesting product reviews site. If you look at the left sidebar of the page for Washing Machine Reviews, link given above, you will see 7 sections under "Criteria" - Price, Brands, Wash Presets, Volumn Capacity, Control Features, Exterior Color and Load Type. For example, if you have already visited the future couple's nest, you may already know the color scheme of there dream home. You would not want to get a washing machine with a color which clashes glaringly with their chosen color scheme, and you figured that beige would suit their nest color scheme best, you would go to reviews for beige colored washing machines.

If some of the invited guest are ganging up to pool together to buy a present and have pooled together enough resources, perhaps you can go for high end washing machines.

There are lots of ways to use this amazing WIZE products reviews. You just have to go to their site to find out for yourself.

If you happen to be a future bride or groom, a concerned family member, relative, friends or colleague of a future bride or groom, I hope you would refer other invited guests to this post as I think it is a useful post with useful tips for people involved with weddings and wedding presents.

Fun and modern shower invitation cards

When my eldest daughter got married less than a year ago, she was very fortunate. She had fun, modern and colorful wedding invitation cards to give out. How? Her future father-in-law is a partner in a company that import used printing machines, recondition and resell them. And a customer offered to print the cards for free!!!!

Not only that, her church friend offered to design her wedding card. Wow! Her wedding cards were sure colorful, fun, modern and unique.

I don't know whether she was fortunate or unfortunate in one sense - it is not a practice to hold bridal shower like in the United States of America. I understand although bridal shower originated from Brussels, Belgium, it remains a primarily US and Canadian practice. So if you are residing in these 2 countries, you will likely to have a bridal shower in addition to the wedding ceremony and reception. That means you will need to get and send bridal shower invitations as well. If so, perhaps you would also like fun, colorful and modern shower invitation cards like my daughter's wedding cards. They are available from Bridal Shower Invitations.

It will be good etiquette to also send Thank You Cards after the events. These days, people are all busy attending to various things, and it is very easy to forget important events. It will be embarrassing to have your very important occasion half empty because those invited and accepted forgot. If you are afraid of that, you can give them special Save The Date Wedding Magnets. Then you can sleep peacefully knowing everything will go well on that important date.

There are lots of other things on offer in that site. Surf over there and see for yourself.

Chocolate fountain for your wedding reception or bridal shower

For your wedding reception or bridal shower, it will be nice to have something memorable. You may want to consider a chocolate fountain which will give your guests something extra to enjoy. The melted chocolate flowing over the chocolate fountain tiers will form a nice centerpiece that will stay in your and your guests memories for a long time and is a unique and beautiful alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Your guest will enjoy dipping into the delicious melted chocolate.

Chocolate Covered Company offers 3 different size of chocolate fountain depending on your need and preferences - small, medium and large. They offer delivery to events within Southern California. Their services include setting up, taking down and cleaning of the chocolate fountain, and will include the chocolate with the fountain. They will provide 6 inch wooden skewers and will be at your event for 4 hours. Additional hours if required will be charged at $25 per hour. They can also provide fruits and dipping items ranging from $1.50 to $3.50 per person.

Chocolate Covered Company provide other items for weddings in addition to chocolate fountain. They can supply assortments of chocolate covered wedding berries. They also have assortment of wedding apples and pears.

Mana Photo Graphics for your wedding photos

Need a competent and committed professional photographer for your very important occasion - your wedding? Sheryl Renee of Manna Photo Graphics, a very committed professional photographer should be able to do a fine job for your. Sheryl Renee is a member of WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). She has done some fine jobs as you can see from her portfolio at Wedding

Manna Photo Graphics is based in Simpsonville, South Carolina, but she says she is willing to travel.

Manna Photo Graphics not only does weddings, but also Pet Portraits, Family Portraits, Children Portraits, Bridal Portraits, Baby Portraits, Engagement Cards, Commercial Advertisements, etc. She also did a fine job for Carolina Country Club and Asheville Tourist Baseball Team.

So if you ever need a professional wedding photographer for your most important day, do consider Sheryl of Manna Photo Graphics. I am sure she will put her heart into getting sweet memories for your important day.

Wedding favors and Bridal Shower favors for your wedding

Wedding favors are small gifts given as a gesture of appreciation to guests from the bride and groom during a wedding ceremony or a wedding reception. Wedding favors have become a necessary part of wedding planning for ceremonies and receptions alike. Wedding favors are very varied and options for favors are only limited to the couple’s imagination. The bride may select a gift based on her wedding theme.

When you are organising something as important and special as a wedding, you are sure to want favors to give to your guests to thank them for the favor they bestow upon you by their presence. AllInOneFunFavors.com has a large variety of Wedding and Bridal Favors to delight your guests which you can choose and order conveniently online. Ground shipping is free for most items.

Rather than trinkets, you may want to bestow edible favors for your wedding guests. AllInOneFunFavors.com also Edible Favors which include Wedding Cake and Candy Bar and Wrapper, Toasting Couple Bar and Wrapper, Wedding Teas, etc.

There is such a variety of favors for you to choose from at AllInOneFunFavors.com, you got to surf over there to see for yourself when you are organising a wedding.

Wedding Invitation Wording

Wedding Invitation Wording by Lorna Mclaren

Getting your Wedding Invitation Wording correct is important. After all the wedding invitation wording is what relays to the guests the time and place they are to join you.



Wedding invitation wording needs to be clear. Wedding guests need to know exactly what portion of your wedding day they are being invited to. Some wedding invitation wording will state that a guest is invited to the whole day, ceremony and reception. Some wedding invitation wording will only state the time of the reception.



There is a certain etiquette that goes along with clear wedding invitation wording with a church wedding have the more formal wedding invitation wording. Something along the lines of





Mr & Mrs The Brides Parents

request the honor of

(handwritten name of guest)

at the marriage of their daughter

Brides name

with

Grooms name

taking place on

date and time clearly stated

at

wedding venue clearly stated

thereafter at

wedding reception venue clearly stated.





Please reply



If you do not want to hand write all your wedding guests names into your wedding invitations replacing the handwritten part with the wedding invitation wording of "request the honor of your presence" is totally fine.



If your wedding is to be at home then your wedding invitation wording can be slightly less formal with "request the honor of your presence" replaced with "request the pleasure of your company".



As with the church wedding invitation wording an area can be left for you to hand write your guests names if you so choose.



If your wedding is to be held at a friend or relations home for whatever reason then the wedding invitation wording is less formal still. A simple



The pleasure of your company is requested

at the marriage of

Brides name

to

Grooms name

date and time

at the residence of

friends name

and address is all that is required.



For obvious reasons weddings held in either your own home or that of a friend should be acknowledged as soon as possible. That is something you may want to work into either your wedding invitation wording or place an additional card in the envelope.



As long as you stick certain points of etiquette for your wedding invitation wording and you make sure that all relevant infomation is included then you can quite happily customize your own wedding invitations.



Enjoy your day.



This article is brought to you by www.a1-ourwedding.com where you can gather information and resources to make your Wedding Day extra special.



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How To Choose The Right Wedding Photographer For Your Big Day

How To Choose The Right Wedding Photographer For Your Big Day by Gregg Hall

Choosing a wedding photographer is a very important part of wedding planning and as your special day approaches this needs to be at the top of your list. If you have already got your dress handled, ordered the cake and set the location it’s time to lock in a photographer. Here are a few tips to help you with the process.



The pictures that you get from your wedding can really only be taken at the event so it is absolutely crucial that you get a professional wedding photographer, there will be no second chances to get the shots. There are many things to think about including the cost and what kinds of packages are offered.



The price of a good photographer can rival the cost of your honeymoon so you definitely want to plan it into your budget. There will be many options available to you from basic shots of just the ceremony to a complete history of the entire day from preparing for the wedding all the way through the reception. Most people choose for a package that is a compromise somewhere between the two extremes.



Just as if you were contracting a painter or even someone to do work at your home you will want to see samples of the person’s work and check out their portfolio. If you are talking to a photographer that is a professional they should have a website available with samples of their work available online. This is how we found the photographer we used for our wedding. I also recommend choosing one who uses digital cameras as this almost guarantees good shots since they get to see the picture as soon as they take it. As I said earlier there are no second chances are and this is supposed to be the biggest day of your life. You want someone who can capture that day for you so you will have it forever.



The next thing you will want to do is decide on the number of prints you will require so that you will have enough for both sides of the family as well as yourselves. Of course, as the bride you will want one large one to frame and hang up in a main room. Be prepared for the prices of larger prints, they are not cheap! Usually the photos taken right after the ceremony are the most expensive as these where the photographer spends most of his time. We were very lucky and the photographer we chose liked us and ended up taking more pictures than we had paid for including hanging out at our reception for two hours.



You can also ask if they do video, if not maybe a friend or family member could do an amateur video for you. Another cool idea that sometimes gets shots that were not seen elsewhere is to give throw away cameras to your guests who can take pictures from their vantage point! Just take your time and you will find the right person to shoot your wedding!



Gregg Hall is an author and internet marketing consultant living in Navarre Florida. Find discount magazines wedding photographer at http://www.magazinesubscriptionsdiscounted.com

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American Wedding Practices

American Wedding Practices by Quinn Anderson

Living in the US makes one feel free - free to do anything, free to live, free to love, free from traditions. While this is true, there are still many practices done during wedding that renders this memorable event with a distinct American touch. Here are some:



Starting from the engagement, Americans can think of unique ways to personalize their wedding. As there really isn't any engagement tradition, the more unique the marriage proposal is done, the better.



For most wedding preparations, the engaged couple visits their parents to inform them of their recent engagement.



At times, the engaged couple hosts an engagement party. The engagement party costs less than a wedding reception since most of the time, the menu will only include cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Therefore, if the couple is on a tight budget, they can just invite more guests to the engagement party if they plan to limit the number of guests during the wedding.



Most wedding preparations have a bridal shower given by the maid of honor and the bridesmaids. The groom may also have a bachelor party the night before the wedding but he has to be careful not to drink too much.



Wedding invitations should include response cards to quickly inform the couple whether the person has accepted or declined the invitation. The wedding invitations should also be sent within four to six weeks before the event.



Usually, there is a rehearsal dinner in which the wedding party and guests came from far places to be present at the wedding attend. It was practiced that the groom's parents pay for this dinner.



A bridal luncheon may be hosted for the bride's attendants during the wedding day. However, time constraints may not permit this to be part of the schedule for the wedding day. Likewise, the groom may also host a groom's dinner for his groomsmen.



Interestingly, even if the couple is not very religious, they still prefer a religious ceremony. However, this may pose a problem since in America people of different faiths and religious backgrounds get married.



Even if there are few people who believe in bad luck, some couples still make sure that the groom does not see his bride until she starts waking on the aisle.



It is still practiced that the groom and his groomsmen enter the church through a side door. The bride will then walk down the aisle with her father. In some cases when both her father and stepfather brought up the bride, she may ask them both to escort her.



During a formal reception, there is usually a bridal table where the couple and the attendants sit. Also, food and drinks should be served as the guests appear at the reception.



Before, gift giving used to depend on what the guest will feel useful for the couple. Now, it is better to register for gifts so the guests will know what to bring that the couple will need.



Upon receiving an engagement or wedding gift, it is better to send a thank you note apart from saying "thank you" to the giver. This should be sent within two weeks upon receipt of the gift. Make a personalized thank you note, instead of using an impersonal generic thank you note.



These are just some American practices during weddings. Whether one chooses to this or prefers to have a very different wedding, what's more important is that Americans still believe in the wedding vow, "For better or worse, 'til death do us part."



Quinn Anderson is a professional writer who has written articles and e-books for many different sites including http://www.yourweddingevent.com and http://www.yourweddingevent.net. Her passion and love for weddings keeps her looking for different wedding related items to write about.

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How To Choose A Wedding Reception Venue

How To Choose A Wedding Reception Venue by Rebecca Sherman

Just as the site of the wedding ceremony often sets the atmosphere for the service, the place chosen for the reception is the key to its enjoyment.



Traditional Reception Sites



Even in areas where reception sites are plentiful, the most popular sites are often reserved more than a year in advance. The wise couple will reserve their reception location before making other plans. Many couples have found it necessary to choose their wedding date based on "availability" of the reception site. Couples have also found that it is often much easier to book a reception on a Friday or Sunday. Some facilities will even offer special discounts/incentives for receptions held on days other than Saturdays.



When it comes to finding a reception site, there are many types of facilities from which to choose. Hotels, catering halls, country clubs, and restaurants are some of the most popular sites for receptions. Other sites often used for wedding receptions include clubhouses operated by organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, athletic, ethnic clubs, service organizations and university unions or even museums. These venues range in capacity from intimate parties to grand affairs. These various facilities also range in style from extremely casual to the utmost formal, keep in mind prices vary greatly too!



When choosing a facility the bridal couple must first determine an approximate number of guests to be sure the location can accommodate their needs. Budget and location are the next factors to consider, followed by preferred ambiance and other special desires.

Reception site managers all agree that the first piece of advice they make to couples looking for a reception site is to know their budget. Only when financial limitations are known can further details be planned. For those on a tight budget, the church hall is a favored reception site, usually available at little or no cost and offering convenience when held immediately following the ceremony.



Other things to keep in mind when searching for the perfect reception site is whether the site can accommodate parking needs, dance space and music requirements. What are the policies on beverages, food and catering services, time restrictions and decorations? Are tables, chairs, linens, silverware and other accessories provided? Check on rental fee, deposits, and date guarantees.



It is important to view the facility before making any final decisions. Looking around, asking questions and if possible viewing the facility when it is set up for a similar type of reception will assure that the couple will be happy with their choice. Once a decision is made the couple should discuss any special needs they or their guests may have with the banquet/site manager. The day of the wedding will be too hectic to deal with any of the details and when the couple arrives at the reception, it will be time to celebrate!



Outdoor Receptions & Tents



Alternative ideas to the traditional reception site list can include city, county and state parks, or one's own backyard! While some parks have shelters available in case of inclement weather, others rely on the rental of tents as shelter. (Since each park has their own restrictions and rules, it is vital that the couple knows well in advance, what they can and cannot do).



The use of a tent combines the feeling of the great outdoors with protection from the elements. Tents come in a variety of styles and can play host to a casual event or elegant gathering. Rental companies can supply beautiful white tents with French window sidewalls, dance floors, lighting, tables, chairs, fountains and more to provide a breathtaking atmosphere for any celebration. Tents are available in many sizes; some can even accommodate over 2,500 people! Professionals in the tent rental business can help choose the size and style that will be best for the event.



The great outdoors also provides many options in food choice from picnics to formal sit-down dinners. Caterers can be hired or the do-it-yourselfer can turn to rental companies for food service equipment and portable bars.



When choosing an outdoor venue there is one more thing to keep in mind, the need for restrooms. Some companies that carry portable restrooms will rent them for special events. Companies that specialize in the business may surprise many. Their units are clean and can come equipped with flushing toilets, sinks, mirrors and lights, providing all the conveniences of an indoor facility outdoors!



Catering



Indoor or out, reception guests look forward to food and refreshments. And indoors or out, professional caterers offer a full range of culinary delights and services. Formal dinners, buffets and brunches can feature a variety of tasty cuisines. Hors d'oeuvres, salads, breads, desserts, pastries and even pig roasts are available for reception fare. Caterers today can satisfy the tastes of any couple, not only for receptions, but also for rehearsals and showers.



Many facilities may be under contracts with specific caterers. This means that when a reception facility is chosen, the facility may dictate who will provide the food. If a facility is chosen that lets the couple choose their own caterer; there are a delectable variety of caterers to choose from.



Caterers can be found in the phone book, online, at wedding shows and by asking friends and relatives for their suggestions. Word of mouth definitely has meaning here. When calling around for prices and menus, a couple should also ask about sampling before making a final decision. Some caterers specialize in the business, while others can be part of a restaurant or food market who will go off premise to cater. With such a variety to choose from, there is certainly something for everyone's taste!



Rebecca Sherman is an editor at ModernWeddingPlanner.com


Planning a Wedding? Our Free Wedding Planner has sections to track guest information, RSVP’s, budgets, shower and wedding gifts and More! Plus export your data to Excel.



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Build Your Own Wedding Ring The guide to Custom Wedding Rings

Build Your Own Wedding Ring The guide to Custom Wedding Rings by Sam Smith

So you have decided to get married. It is a big step for a couple to decide they finally want to spend their life together. On of the first things that you will want to start thinking about is your wedding ring. A very unique and special way to come up with a unique ring is to build your own wedding ring. By this we do not mean some simple homemade do it yourself ring. Rather we mean a real beautiful and unique wedding ring that you work with a jeweler to design and build. The steps below will help you think about the process of building your own wedding ring and custom wedding rings in general.



Benefits

Building your own wedding ring is a wonderful experience and one which you will cherish forever. There are many benefits to custom made rings. A few of them include the following. They are unique and individual and you know that no one else will have a ring just like your! Secondly a custom designed ring can easily be personalized and the design can incorporate the couple’s likes and desires. Lastly, by building your own ring with a design you will save a significant amount of money. Because a custom made design does not include have some brand name famous designer behind it inflating the value. So you will save big, have a unique and personalized product. What more can you ask for. Along with all of the above benefits designing a ring as a couple can provide a lifetime of memories.



Things to think about

There are certain things that you will want to consider before even talking to a designer. It is best to have a rough sketch and some ideas at least in your head if not on paper to work from. This will ensure that the designer keeps with your ideas and does not push their own personal or artistic sensibilities onto the ring. This is not to say you should to listen to them at all but you should plan first and then seek input from the wedding ring designer.



Pick a Designer

The first and most important step building your own wedding ring is to choose a designer. You will want to go to a few different stores and ask to see some sample of their work. This should show you what they are capable of technically. During the interview you will also want to get a feel for the person and see if you can work with them. Designing your own wedding ring can be difficult and tedious and you want a designer that is willing to stick it out with you and work with your ideas in designing the ring.



Choose the Metals

Next you should start to think about the metals that you will want to use for the ring. There are a variety of choices and the decision should be based on personal preference and budget.

Silver

Gold

White Gold

Platinum

Titanium



The high up on the above list you go the more expensive the ring will be.



Choose a Theme

Next you will want to start looking at some design themes and come up with some ways to represent the theme in a ring. For our wedding ring for example we wanted something that was like the ocean which we both felt a spiritual connection to and we wanted something that had two separate pieces coming together to represent the two of us coming together. Think in the abstract first and then narrow the ideas down to the reality of what is possible.



Choose a stone

Next you will want to think about the stone or diamond that you want in the ring. There are many different cuts and sizes of diamonds and it is important to incorporate them into the design in the early stages before it is too late and the ring has been made and will not fit what you want.



Choose any extras

There are a lot of extras that can be added to the ring and carefully consideration should be taken at the end to decide on these factors. For example white gold and gold can have a brushed texture to them or a shiny polished surface. You can add some smaller stones in to carry a design theme also. Another thing to think about is if you wan the engagement ring to somehow integrate with the wedding band or not.



Building your own wedding ring can be a wonderful experience and the memories will last a life time. You will be looking at the ring on a daily basis and it is also the proclamation of your marriage to the world why not go the extra mile and make it really special and unique.



Free 5 day Wedding Planning email course. check it out now before the offer is gone. Learn more about
Building Your Own Wedding Ring



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Floral Options for Your Wedding

Floral Options for Your Wedding by Rebecca Sherman

Start the process of choosing a florist by looking online for example works, attending bridal shows and by asking friends and family for referrals. If the flowers at a recent wedding were particularly exquisite, ask the bride which florist she used. Once a list of several has been formed, make an appointment with each to sit down and talk about options and to view photos of past arrangements and weddings. The first appointment will usually take an hour or so.Before keeping that appointment, assemble some items that will help the florist to help you. First, work out a general budget for your wedding flowers. Ask yourself questions like:

• How many bridesmaids and groomsmen will there be?

• Who outside the bridal party will receive flowers to wear?

• Will the florist decorate the pew ends or the altar in the church?

• Will flowers be required for the wedding cake?

• Will the florist decorate the reception site, including the head table and other tables?

In addition to budget information, your florist will need you to bring such helpful items as photos or magazine clippings of flower arrangements you like, a photo of your wedding dress so she can match the style of the flowers with it and a fabric swatch from your bridesmaids’ dresses for color comparison.

Cost

The cost of wedding flowers can vary widely depending on several factors. Exotic out-of-season flowers will, of course, cost far more than locally-grown and easily obtained in-season flowers. Upscale, cutting-edge floral designers will most likely be more expensive than a more traditional florist. Bouquets rich in certain flowers and light on greenery will certainly make a dent in your pocketbook. Though the conveniences of having a florist decorate the church and reception site can be more costly, it is usually worth the amount of stress it will relieve and provides beautiful end results!

The average cost of wedding flowers lies somewhere in the $800 to $6,000 range for most medium size weddings. Some brides avoid some of this cost by arranging the flowers themselves, but this can be a stressful and tricky operation. If considering this option, remember that the flowers will have to be prepared either the day before or the day of the wedding and will need to be refrigerated. Someone will have to transport them to and distribute them at the church. Is the added responsibility worth the money saved? Only the bride herself can answer that question.

Bouquets & Such

Color saturation is the watchword for today’s bridal bouquets, according to local florists. They say that blue is still a very trendy color for flowers, especially when paired with purple or a periwinkle color. Subdued colors such as taupe tinged with pink are edging their way into bouquets everywhere, too. These colors go well with the taupe and pewter dresses worn by today’s bridesmaids.

As for bouquet shapes, they say that ‘simple elegance’ are the first words out of every bride’s mouth. Many brides today seek out a pavé arrangement, which is a tight cluster of blossoms. Such bouquets might consist of a single type of flower in the same or related colors or it might include several different varieties of flowers. These arrangements have very few, if any, greens, which can make them costly. This is a very balanced, geometric look made popular in recent years.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the European hand-tied bouquet retains its favor with brides everywhere. This arrangement has a fresh, natural appeal and can include a diverse selection of flowers. Most often, these bouquets have a casual simplicity that many brides find particularly appealing.

What flowers do brides choose to include in their bouquets? Romantic roses, as always, top the list. Brides also choose fresh lavender, sages and other herbs. Berries, Lisianthus (also known as the false rose) and hydrangeas make regular appearances, too. Silk flowers remain popular, especially top-of-the-line silks, that can hardly be differentiated from fresh. Some brides even include delicate silk fruits in their bouquets.

To set off the simple look of today’s flower arrangements, whether formal or natural, florists employ different styles of rich-looking ribbon. Satin ribbon might wrap around a bouquet’s stems to hide them and to ensure unstained, unpricked hands. Wide satin ribbon in silk gives a lush simplicity when tied in a simple bow. Sheer ribbons add a fairy-tale feel to a tight cluster of elegant blooms. Ribbon colors range from deep cocoas to pearly white.

Today’s boutonnières also have a new look, pared down and simple, often with a satin ribbon to accompany them. And like the pavé bouquets, boutonnières often forego the greenery to achieve a single-minded elegance.

Floral Decor

That elegant simplicity has changed the way churches are decorated for weddings, too. A lot of brides are doing more at the reception than they used to. The church look is simpler — the (decorating) money is spent at the reception. That means receptions have blossomed. There, topiaries and wheat sheaves decorate tables with elegance. Again, pavé clusters of single or several flowers adorn tables like jewels.

Preserving the Flowers with all the effort, time and money that go into the wedding flowers, one final detail that is often overlooked is preserving them. For centuries brides have discarded or left their bouquets to dry and shrivel away. Now brides can keep their bouquets with the latest technologies in flower preservation. The process of flower preservation is incredibly involved and time consuming if done correctly. Floral preservationists know how to handle each flower to provide you with the most "life like" look possible. Keep in mind plans must be made in advance if floral preservation is desired. Consult a floral preservationist at least two months prior to the wedding to arrange to have the flowers shipped, delivered, or picked up immediately after the wedding while they are still fresh. Preserved flowers are attractive accents for any home. Special display pieces can be made using the flowers and other wedding keepsakes. Just as the wedding gown, photographs and other sentimental memorabilia can be a reminder; bridal flowers too can bring a lifetime of enjoyment!

Rebecca Sherman is an editor at ModernWeddingPlanner.com

Our Free Wedding Planner and Wedding Planning Guide has sections to track guest information, RSVP’s, budgets, shower and wedding gifts and More! Plus export your data to Excel.

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Money Saving Ideas for Planning your Wedding

Money Saving Ideas for Planning your Wedding by Michael Schnell

He popped the question the engagement party is over that means there is one more task at hand. Oh that’s right plan a wedding! When it comes to planning a wedding the couple has to be realistic, you have to plan a wedding within your financial range because lets be honest most newlywed couples no longer have the luxury of their parents paying for their wedding. In most cases the couple is just starting out and they need to save as much money as they can on planning their wedding. This is not being frugal it’s being sensible. A couple can still have an elegant wedding if they use their resources accurately.

For example, one item that can sometimes cause couples to spend a small fortune is party favors. Now of course you want to give back to the guests that came out to honor your special day, but if you don’t have a lot of money then you don’t want to go overboard on favors.



Have you ever heard the saying it’s the thought that counts; well this is the motto you should follow if you can’t afford outlandish party favors. Couples could consider giving gifts from the heart. What I mean by this is make your own favors. Not only will you save money, but close friends and relatives will truly know how much you appreciate them for coming out to on your special day.



These can include decorated picture frames, almond clusters, or anything you can come up with. A great way to personalize the favor with your names and wedding date is to order personalized ribbon to attach to each favor. There are many websites online that specialize in supplying personalized favor ribbon at low prices. Be sure to order the ribbon in advance so you will have it when you are ready to put your favors together.



Not to creative and don’t really have the time to make a home made gift a great party favor to give out for a wedding is scented tea light with a holder. Instead of going to retail stores to purchase these items many websites online have a wide selection of candles with scents and beautiful designs. So, couples when it comes to party favors the two key points to keep in mind are gifts from the heart and to shop online!



Every wedding needs someone to chronicle to the moments of the special day. This is where photographers come on. Hiring someone to take photos through a reception hall can run couples into the thousands.



A great way to save money on photography is to have pictures taken at a local studio in between the church and the reception. Many local studios offer great photo packages for a reasonable price. Most times the studio will also give a photo a CD so all files can be saved and this will make it easier for the couple to send out photos via email to friends and relatives who were unable to attend. .



Of course you’ll want many moments of the reception captured on film so, place a disposable wedding camera at each table and have your friends and relatives snap these shots for you. Many of the wedding theme cameras come with a card that explains that you would like them to take shots and leave the camera. Believe it or not these cards are necessary as some people have not seen this done before and will assume that the camera is a favor for them to keep.



How about food? Most reception halls and caterers will provide a wonderful meal for your guests. The problem is the service does not come cheap and when it comes to reception halls the food is charged by the guests. Each guest equals one plate, many halls charge between fifty to one hundred dollars per person. Once a definite number is given to the hall that is how much food is being prepared, of course every couple knows that some guests will cancel at the last minute, but unfortunately the couple will still be charged.



One great way to avoid this problem and save money at the same time is plan a buffet style dinner, and cook the food yourself. By cooking the food yourself the couple will not only save money but you then have total control of the menu your guests can choose from.



It is important for a couple to understand that their wedding is “their wedding “. Some couples may have a larger budget than others. It is the couple’s responsibility to understand what their spending limits are in advance. Just because the some couples have less money, doesn’t mean that their wedding will not be a wonderful. If couple takes the initiative and comes up with some innovative, cost saving ideas their big day will be wonderful.



Copyright 2006 Michael Schnell owner of bridal-land.com
Bridal Land has been offering wedding matchbooks, personalized ribbon, and other printed items to Brides and Grooms for over 35 years.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net