Personal Touches Add To Weddings

You’ve turned heads and dazzled in your gown or tux, exchanged your vows and struck a pose for your photos – now you’re ready for the party.

But not all newlyweds are leaving the entertainment on their big day solely to a DJ or live band – some are getting in on the action themselves.

Whether it’s the first steps into the hall or onto the dance floor, some just-married couples are sprinkling an added dash of personal flair to the festivities, incorporating everything from choreographed dancing to pyrotechnics designed to wow their wedding reception guests.

Natasha Horrelt knew she wanted to find a way to infuse her South African heritage into her July wedding in Edmonton while leaving a lasting impression on the guests – and her husband, Kevin, was game.

As guests took their seats awaiting the couple’s arrival, they had no idea the reception would kick off with a bang – literally…

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gxd5zOaJKyIOAVe-6m0S06MsO5Nw

Published in:  on August 11, 2008 at 2:02 pm Leave a Comment
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Couples Spend Less On Weddings

Ahhh, the big day — when wedding dreams come true with flowing champagne, live music and the perfect dress by Vera Wang.

This year, add to that list soaring gas prices, job insecurity, foreclosures and a depressed dollar.

These unromantic downers are forcing couples to take a hard look at what they’re spending on their special day. In many cases, the new economic reality means downsized ambitions. Couples are scaling back on their guest lists, replacing filet mignon with chicken and crossing out honeymoon plans to Italy because of the sinking value of the dollar. Some are choosing exotic destination weddings instead of hometown fetes to keep their guest numbers low. Others are making small cuts where they can: getting professionals to print invitations but stuffing envelopes themselves or replacing expensive peonies with cheaper roses.

 

 

“Every time I pump gas into my car, I think, ‘That’s $60 I could have put into better invitations or another guest,’ ” said Arielle Etienne, a soon-to-be bride in Woodbridge, Va., who is looking for corners to cut to save on her October wedding.

Richard Markel, director of the Association for Wedding Professionals International, estimates that couples are spending $1,500 less this year on the average $28,000 wedding…

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Business/Headlines/bizBIZ01080608.htm

Published in:  on at 2:00 pm Leave a Comment

Weddings Going Green

Carlsbad wedding expert Pamela Noxon is on a mission to show brides that in planning an environmentally conscious ceremony, they don’t have to plan on schlepping down the aisle in Birkenstocks and an itchy hemp dress. A bride and groom can say yes to the planet while saying “I do” to each other with style and elegance, she said.

Based on a growing interest Noxon has seen in eco-friendly weddings, she will hold her first green bridal show March 8 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel.

“Not only is it the zeitgeist — it’s really what’s happening with every business,” said Noxon, owner of Sandiegowedding.com and The Wedding Party Bridal Show. “A bridal show, the actual production of it, I think is a relatively easy business to evolve into a more green company…

http://www.todayslocalnews.com/?sect=tln&p=5566

See also wedding dresses for Hawaii weddings

Published in:  on August 3, 2008 at 1:23 pm Leave a Comment

Modern Bride’s 6 Warnings About Vendors

So, you’ve finally found your perfect match, your soul mate, prince charming, etc. etc. But while you’re planning your fairytale wedding, be sure you’re not missing small details. Modern Bride’s August/September issue warns against the “6 Things your Vendors May Not Be Telling You.” On the list…

http://www.sunherald.com/love/story/721152.html

Published in:  on August 2, 2008 at 1:50 pm Leave a Comment

At Home Weddings Need Extra Thought

The promise of saying vows in an intimate setting and under springtime foliage can be a dreamy inspiration for brides-to-be, but for homeowners hosting a wedding in their back yard it can turn into a nightmare.

“The logistics of it can certainly be challenging,” said Sofia Linn, the wedding sales manager for A Legendary Event, an event, design and catering company in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I would definitely say there are some hidden surprises,” she said, “sometimes [clients] don’t realize how involved it can be.”

Whereas rented spaces often have tables, chairs and bar services included in the cost to rent, at-home weddings need to budget for those kinds of amenities separately, Linn said.

And then there are the bathrooms.

Jiwon McCartney, the managing director of Allure Event & Meeting Productions, a boutique event and meeting planning company said, “Everybody thinks, ‘well, we have plenty of bathrooms.’”

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/homestyle/06/13/outdoor.wedding/

Published in:  on June 13, 2008 at 12:39 pm Leave a Comment

New Wedding Planning Website Webpages

Check out the following new links to our wedding planning website:

Do It Yourself Wedding Makeup

Popular First Dance Wedding Songs

Wedding Photography Money Saving Tips

Published in:  on October 9, 2007 at 9:27 am Leave a Comment

Wedding Guest Etiquette

Interesting tips for wedding guests. 

Weddings are an occasion to dress up and have fun, so don’t make the mistake of wearing the same outfit you’d put on for a board meeting or job interview.

Women who wear outfits that are sexy or otherwise revealing are making a mistake, Donaldson says. It’s the bride and groom’s day to shine, as well as their families’, so it’s distracting if you wear something too tight or revealing. “Some couples think it’s an occasion to get a baby sitter and go out and party, but there’s a place for tradition and decorum. As a guest, you don’t want to be the spoiler.”

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070722/FEATURES07/707220333/1016/FEATURES07

More wedding tips

Published in:  on July 23, 2007 at 7:49 am Leave a Comment

Two-Thirds of American Couples Overspend on Their Weddings

Why am I not suprised.

Summer is the most popular season to get married and a wedding will likely be the biggest expense a couple faces in their first year of marriage. According to a
newly released Visa survey of 1,000 cardholders, couples who got married in
the past ten years spent an average of $7,873 on their weddings.
    Additionally, two-thirds of all respondents said they overspent on
their weddings. Specifically, men (16 percent) splurged on their honeymoons
while women (21 percent) spent too much on food, drinks and wedding cakes,
followed by their wedding dresses (11 percent). Where was money on the
wedding best spent? Respondents answered wedding photos and decorations,
with only 1 percent saying they overspent on those items.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-20-2007/0004629517&EDATE=

Go to My Complete Wedding Guide for advice on how to plan your wedding without overspending.

Published in:  on at 7:31 am Leave a Comment

Proper Wedding Etiquette for Guests

Here’s some neat ideas. Read on…

Weddings are widely regarded as the most important day in the lives of the bride and groom, but some of those attending don’t treat it as such. Following some basic etiquette tips, however, will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable ceremony for everybody involved.

http://www.kxly.com/gmnw/?sect_rank=7§ion_id=565&story_id=12905

For more wedding planning help, go to wedding planning guide.

Published in:  on July 18, 2007 at 11:42 am Leave a Comment

How to Survive Your Wedding and Actually Have FUN on Your Wedding Day

So much goes into planning a wedding that it can sometimes feel like a larger-than-life event. When your wedding day rolls around, there will be a huge list of things to remember and many details to attend to before you finally say your “I do’s.”

With so much to keep track of, a lot of brides and grooms end up feeling stressed their wedding day. For many couples, instead of enjoying the wedding, they spend the whole time feeling flustered because there’s so much to do. But have no fear; using some time-tested advice, you can completely avoid a stressful wedding day. In fact, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the fruits of your planning and have a blast at your wedding ceremony and reception.

Here are some helpful tips to survive your wedding and actually have fun on your big day:

Use Your Attendants
If you have bridesmaids or groomsmen, give them special tasks on the wedding day to make your job easier. Do you need help keeping track of the ring? Ask your best man to do it. Do you want to know if the florist has shown up to do the centerpieces? Send a bridesmaid to the reception site to check it out. Remember, their main concern on the wedding day is to attend to you, which is why they’re called attendants!

Take a “To-Go” Box from Your Reception
Between all of the greeting, dancing, cake cutting, toasting and overall merriment, there’s a good chance that you won’t eat a thing at your reception. Many couples are too busy to sit down and eat with everyone else, and even if they get the chance, they are too nervous or excited to really dig in.

Ask your caterer to prepare a sampler of all the food that will be served at the reception and pack it in to-go containers for you to take with you when you leave the reception. You will regain your appetite around the time you settle in for your wedding night, and plus you’d probably like to taste all of the yummy food that you’ve chosen for your reception. Make sure to ask the caterer in advance – they are probably more than happy to oblige your request.

Prepare Your Room
If you are staying in a hotel room on your wedding night, make some time earlier on your wedding day to check-in to the room and collect your room key. Let the front desk clerk know that the hotel room is for your wedding night and request a late check-out. Transfer any packed baggage for your honeymoon into your room and ice down a bottle of champagne for you to enjoy once you retire to the room.

Plan Your Exit Strategy
You’ll want to make sure that your transportation from the reception site is in position and ready to go. If you’re renting a limo, make sure you’re clear about exactly where the driver needs to be when he arrives. If you are driving off into the sunset yourself, pass the keys over to one of your attendants or family members, and have them bring the car around for you. Also, bring a bag and pack up any items that need to go with you before the ceremony starts, or ask an attendant to pack up your things and put them into your getaway car.

Be Ready for the Unexpected
Anything could happen on your wedding day. Packing a few items into an Emergency Tool Kit will help you tackle any minor problems that may arise. Pack a bag with a sewing kit, a first aid kit, stain-removal wipes, breath mints, safety pins, deodorant, bobby pins, mini scissors, and double sided tape. Being prepared for the little challenges that might come your way will make your day much easier.

Relax and Go with the Flow
No matter how much planning you do, there are some things about your wedding that may not be exactly the way you want them. If something goes wrong, don’t let it spoil your day. Resolve to have fun at your wedding no matter what happens and no doubt, you will have a wonderful time.

Now that you know what to do, getting through your wedding day will be easier than you ever thought it could be. Using these helpful tips, you can avoid stressful situations and have a fabulous time at your wedding.

For tips on creating personal wedding vows quickly and easily, visit http://www.perfect-wedding-vows.com and for wedding planning tips, visit http://www.reception-wedding.com

Published in:  on July 12, 2007 at 9:37 am Leave a Comment