Saturday, April 14, 2007

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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Wednesday, April 4, 2007

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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Monday, April 2, 2007

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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Sunday, April 1, 2007

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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