Wedding Ideas

This article briefly tells about wedding gift practises.
When and how did the “wedding gifts” originate? One has to go back in history as far back as Athenians and their practice of offering presents to those who are about to enter into an agreement “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, for sickness or for health,”. Also the practice of wedding gifts dates back to the period when men no longer bartered their wives for their horses; and when mutual friends offered articles that would go far, toward making the housekeeping of the newly-wedded more comfortable.

The Grecian historians have more to tell us on wedding gifts. The wedding gifts used to form a gorgeous display and that friends and relatives competed with each other in offering the best of their wedding gifts that excel in elegance. - wedding gifts include vessels of gold and silver, precious jewels, vases, articles of ornament, magnificent wearing apparel, as well as couches, tables and other household appurtenances.

Today wedding gifts are an all-important part of the ceremony or etiquette of marriage. Times have changed and to think of the historical way of giving wedding gifts like the examples above, is impractical. Present practices of offering wedding gifts limit to more useful things rather than items of display.Visit http://venturemall.tripod.com/winbidbuy/id30.html for gifts and gifts related articles.

About the Author

Ajay Patole is a qualified management professional working as sales manager and runs a site ‘Venturemall’,a cool hangout to play money games,buy and sell in auctions,date and photochat.It is available at URL http://venturemall.tripod.com and newsletter to rediscover true colors of life at http://www.topica.com/lists/venturemall.Also he runs a community ‘Venturecon’, for entrepreneurs which is available at URL http://groups.msn.com/venturecon.
Written: January 31, 2003
Back to top.

Provides tips on getting fit in time for your wedding day. Includes common mistakes brides make and how to avoid them. Also includes a sample meal plan and sample fitness program.
Every bride wants to look perfect on her wedding day. Selecting a dress that will make you look and feel great is an important first step. But what happens when you look in the mirror and notice trouble spots like saggy arms or unsightly folds in your back or waist? When this happens it’s not uncommon for brides to try quick-fix diets to help them get in shape. Unfortunately, many dieting brides make fitness mistakes that not only prevent them from reaching their goals but also cause unnecessary stress and sometimes even illness. Those are two things no bride needs! Here are five of the most common diet mistakes as well as some tips to help you avoid them.

1. Too much, too late. One of the most important things to remember if you are trying to lose weight is to start early. For example, don’t try to lose 20 pounds two months before the big day. The key is to plan ahead so that you can lose the weight (or just tone up) gradually. So if you’re dream-wedding day includes you being in great shape, then include fitness as a “to-do” on your overall wedding checklist. That way it will be a priority in your wedding planning.

2. Setting unachievable goals. Many women get engaged and begin imagining themselves drastically thinner or more sculpted. Be realistic with yourself. If you’ve never been a size 6 in your life, then it is probably unrealistic to think you can magically transform just because you are getting married. And, do you really want to look so different on your wedding day that most people (including your fiancé) hardly recognize you?

3. Radical diets or fitness programs. Brides typically are short on time and long on to-do lists. This leads many to try unhealthy fitness programs or starvation diets. Don’t be tempted by diets that promise quick, drastic results with little effort from you. You should avoid any programs that suggest taking “diet” pills or eating unbalanced meals (like eating only cabbage soup for a week). And, don’t be lured into trying dangerous things, like laxatives.

4. Not exercising. It’s very easy for brides to say “I don’t have time to exercise” or “I’m too tired to exercise”. But diet and exercise should always go hand in hand. Consider them to be like yin and yang. Without activity your body can’t burn as many calories. If you are very short on time, try to exercise in small 10-minute bursts throughout the day. And, keep in mind that little things help too, like taking the stairs or parking at the outer edge of the mall parking lot. Plus, if you are tired from all of your planning, exercise will help give you back some energy.

5. Skipping Meals. It’s not uncommon to get caught up in your planning and then realize at 9 p.m. (as your head begins to ache) that you haven’t eaten a thing all day. While it may not be an uncommon scenario, it is unavoidable. Not only is skipping meals unhealthy, it can lead to binge eating. That often means eating very fattening foods and/or overeating all at once. To avoid this, try packing light snacks to keep on hand throughout the day. Good examples include carrot sticks, cheese strings, peanut butter on crackers, etc.

Getting in shape doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t require a lot of time. If you are trying to lose weight or firm up before your wedding, below are some sample plans to help you get started. Keep in mind that the most important thing is for a bride to feel good about herself. And no matter what size or shape, all brides are beautiful on their wedding day!

Sample Exercise Exercise Plan:

20 – 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise (3 – 5 time per week) Example: 2-5 minutes of brisk walking, 2-5 minutes of jumping jacks (repeat for 20 – 30 minutes)

Sample Meal Plan:

Eat 5-7 small meals per day (meals should include protein, grains, vegetables, etc. to meet the food pyramid daily requirements) Example: Small, grilled, skinless chicken breast Slice of whole wheat bread Slice of cheese Mixed Vegetables Glass of Water (2 or 3 would be even better)

About the Author

Lynn Bode, author and certified personal trainer, is passionate about helping people get fit and healthy. She offers her services online through her company, WorkoutsForYou.com. Workouts For You provides even the busiest of people affordable, personalized exercise programs for losing weight, toning-up, building muscles & increasing stamina (via the Internet). The programs can be done on their schedule and in the comfort of their own home (or gym or on-the-road). Visit www.workoutsforyou.com for a FREE sample workout.

Details on Western Wedding done very cheap
A Western Wedding Done CHEAP

Can be done at reasonable price, if you have the friends and family to help you out. If not about what you know, but rather who you know, When it comes to cost cutting corners. I’m not going to expect everyone to be able to reproduce what I did, but hopefully it will get you thinking on what people can do for you.

My wedding was simple, yet was able to accommodate my needs.

I wanted a wedding, where everyone who we wanted to attend could.

I didn’t want to worry about Drunk Driving, and worrying about the guests to get home safe.

About 140 adults and about 30 some children showed up to my wedding..

So the brainstorm started. How about an outside wedding. I originally wanted a barn dance wedding, but that was out of the question no one was willing to give me their barn.

So I opted to rent tents. To rent tents cheap, try town halls, or a place in charge of out door activities a lot of the time for fairs, they have these, and with enough time and notice you may get lucky. I paid $300 for the tents. Next Tables and Chairs. I contacted the local high school who had a cafeteria, and got the use of the chairs for the weekend for free. We hauled the chairs and tables with horse trailers.

The ceremony was a Justice of the Peace.

The dress, my mother in law made for me. Cost of material was $150.00. Although a good friend of mine got her wedding dress at the dry cleaners for $75.00. Lots of people take their wedding dress to the cleaners, and can’t afford to take them out, or either that they move, or divorce. My friend had a huge puffy dress, with tons layers and a long train. Simply gorgeous.

Brides maid dresses. I sent them all $25 each toward their dress as their Wedding part gift, and sent them all ( I had 5 ) to the nearest city to buy their dresses. I just told them black sun dresses. They came back looking identical.

Groomsmen wore black jeans, and rented Western tuxedo tops and shirts, and stuff, and wore black shoes of any sort. Instead of boutonnières made of flowers, they wore miniature cowboy hats wrapped around with colored ribbon. None of my groomsmen wore cowboy hats, as none of them were any sort of real farm boys.

Flowers - Didn’t have any. I made fans instead for everyone, including the flower girls. This was a lot of work and still cost approximately $20. 00 a piece. Doing it again, I would have opted for single white roses, for a cheaper and less hassle experience.

Supper was a cold supper, We baked the stuff previous, at different ovens. We did Turkey and Ham, all bought at the previous holiday when it was on sale. Friends of the family donated their time and money and made salads. Friends of the family also served and got the food ready to buffet style. We did purchase plastic plates, cups, spoons etc. For Dessert we did Ice cream and strawberry’s, and the wedding cake. We did Buffet Style, including the bride and groom and wedding party.

The wedding cake, my sister in law made, she had a book on making wedding cakes, and had always did kids cakes, and cakes for special occasions. So she did up a fake one, and a real one, the Real one was plain, and the fake one had the topper.

Decorations. A helium tank that cost $75 and balloons. The Wedding was White, Hunter Green, and Black. so that was the color of the balloons and ribbons. For the wedding center piece I made Wedding books. Which consisted of taking Reader Digest books and gluing the pages down so it made a permanent book fold in the middle, painted the inside white, and sides black then Glued hand made page that Read our names and date, with two little rings in the center. We then hot glued ribbon and roses on the edges, with lace, and made a small loop with ribbon to hang add helium balloons to at each table. cost about $2.00 each and a lot of time doing them. I just had bridal parties, called up the girls, drank wine, and did centerpieces.

Wedding Favors were just mints wrapped in tole and had ribbons tied on them.

Out door weddings, You have to create outdoor bathrooms. My parents house was close, as it was in their back yard, but when you have over 100 people over, you need to accommodate, so we rented one Port A Potty cost was about $75.00

While planning the wedding, Two of my dads friends offered to carry the bridal party, and groom party in their horse and wagons. After the wedding they drove all guests around as well, till the horses got tired.

The bar was believe it not, BYOB- Bring your own Booze. We only bought wine for each table at the wedding, and for the bridal party, and immediate family a Keg of Beer. We had the wedding at my parents farm. Everyone pitched a tent, or brought their holiday camping trailers, etc. Nobody had far to walk. Most people did stay over.

Pictures - I was lucky - I had a cousin who did photography as a hobby, So he was free to use, just had to pay for developing the film.

The dance. No Dj, just a great stereo, and pre-mixed tapes, done ahead of time. Which is easier to do today with current technology. Everyone just danced on the grass.

Midnight supper, was all just leftovers from the supper.

The Gift Opening was done the night of the wedding after the supper and before the dance, to get rid of the dead air space between entertainment, and since a lot of people were leaving the following morning, this way they all got to see what we got for gifts, and gave them some entertainment as well.

Everyone had a great time, and many people re created the same wedding after-wards, in near by towns, after hearing about what a wonderful way to do this type of wedding.

Hopefully this article inspired you on ways to cut costs down on your wedding for your big day, after all its not about the wedding, its about the marriage. Weddings last one day, and your marriage is suppose to last forever.

About the Author

Theresa Bruce is an online business women and has been doing online marketing on the net for over 3 years. She is happily married and has two kids.

“Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to be in an institution?” This sounds funny, but seriously, getting married is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. I have been married J.C. Thomas, Jr. for 28 years and there are so many things that we did not know before we tied the knot, and I am sure that there are others out there who need what we needed. God has laid it on my heart to put together a dozen insights that will be helpful to you before you tie the knot.

A Dozen Things You Must Know Before You Tie the Knot By: Glenda M. Thomas

1. Marriage was conceived by God, planned by God and designed by God. Therefore we need to seek God’s guidance in marriage. Too often we do what we have seen done without question. Everyone has opinions about marriage but you cannot afford to listen to everyone. Remember, what works for some people may not work in your relationship. Then who do you listen to? I’m glad you asked. I suggest reading books along with workbooks that focus on Christian marriage. For example: “Before You Say I Do”, by H. Norman Wright and “Too Close, Too Soon” by Jim Tally.

2. I recommend getting Christian-based pre-marital counseling. There are counseling assessments that can help you to understand yourself and your potential mate better. Family history, personal types, and other aspects of your lives can be explored and discovered during the course of counseling: Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis and Family History Index. These are survey-like questionnaires that reveal information that facilitate the pre-marital counseling process. It can actually be fun.

3. When you first get married, there is so much excitement going on, from the preparation to the honeymoon. Eventually things settle down and you start to find the rhythm of your new life. And all of a sudden you look at this new person and you ask yourself why did I do this? Some people panic when they experience this and think something must be wrong with them. Believe me, it is quite normal. There will be your first argument and figuring out which way the toilet tissue paper will roll and getting use to sharing your schedule and more adjustments to make and doubts will come up. Hopefully, knowing that doubts will occur will be a relief to you. You are normal. :

4. Take time to have fun. There is work involved in being happily married but you must take time to have fun together. Learning to live with a new person in a mutually satisfying relationship requires work. Learning to communicate so that you understand each other, attending marriage, seminars and figuring out what works best is necessary, and so is fun! Don’t abandon fun times as faded memories you had when you were single. Create new memories together! It is important to enjoy being in the presence of one another and give and get that special personal attention. ??

5. Sexual purity before marriage is not emphasized these days due the social pressure and non-Christian influences. Sexual purity before marriage is the foundation to trust in your marriage. Many men will pursue their partner and yet not respect them after they give in or accuse them of infidelity after they get married. It may not make sense, it just is that way. We have counseled so many couples who have difficulty trusting due to their own sexual impurity prior to marriage. I use the word “purity” instead of virginity because your sexual behavior is more that not having sexual intercourse. Purity covers all of our behavior, not just “doing IT.” For example: oral sex and similar acts are impure between people who are not married. God’s plan for sexual fulfillment and sexual expression is in marriage. Because you are engaged doesn’t give you the right to have sexual intercourse or to “shack-up” together. The bed is undefiled in marriage, but whoremongers God will judge. Hebrews 13: 4. Sex was not meant to be a casual sport but a special, loving, physical oneness. Sex is what makes marriage – marriage. You become one flesh with your sex partner. We are all special to God, and He wants to save us from guilt, shame, disease the haunting of former lovers and degradation of impurity in our lives. He wants us to experience the most intimate act of love. If you and your potential mate cannot “help yourself” now, in the face of temptation, what’s to say you can resist temptation after marriage?

6. Know what your potential mate values. What do you value? What is most important to you? Are your values compatible? During the dating period you should be discussing these kinds of things. Do you want children? If yes, how many? What religious convictions do you hold? Are you two compatible religiously? This is a very crucial area to explore because while you are dating and even in the early part of your marriage you may not experience much conflict about religion; however, once children are born there is greater conflict because each parent wants the children to be brought in their belief system. For Christians, God has given His will and that is that we do not unequally yoke ourselves with unbelievers II Corinthians 6:14. What greater yoke is there than marriage?

7. Discuss all past serious love relationships. To talk openly about your past relationships is very critical because being open about something so personal takes you to the deeper level of communication. Each of you is entitled to have full disclosure. There should not be any surprises once you are married. If you or your mate suggests leaving the past in the past without revealing this part of your life, I can guarantee that one day someone from the past will show up when you least expect it. When this happens it can ignite insecurities and cause more pain than necessary. If you feel you do not want to trust your prospective mate with your whole self – perhaps you are not ready to make such a major step as the lifetime commitment of marriage. This is a test of honesty and vulnerability.

8. Never settle. No one is perfect, but you deserve the best possible mate that God has for you. Some people accept a marriage proposal for the following reasons: they believe that no one else is going to ask them, because they have kids and no one wants them, “I’m no great catch, I can’t be choosy” or “I don’t love them but this person is stable and can provide for me”. None of these are the reason to say “I do”. Marriage, as God designed it, is to be a beautiful union of two people who are committed to Him, full of the king of love that He gives us, a place to grow, an incubator for our children. The ultimate goal is for everyone to experience love here on earth and to finally have a family reunion in heaven. Ask for God’s guidance in bringing the mate for you into your life. Wait on the Lord, don’t settle.

9. Ask and answer important questions. While you are dating hopefully you using this time to get to know one another. One way to start is by asking some key questions. What kind family structure were you brought up with? Single parent, two parent. As a result of your family of origin what do you expect marriage will be like? What decisions did you make early in your life because of your upbringing? Complete this sentence: “When I get married and have kids, I’ll never ….” Describe your relationship with the parent of the opposite sex i.e. son and mother or daughter and father. The relationship with the opposite sex parent has a tremendous effect on how we deal with our mates. If a man disrespects his mother that is same kind of attitude he will have toward his wife. Recommend book “1,000 Questions for Couples” see Resources pag. Email me.

10. Accepting your mate-to-be is something you need to contemplate early on in your relationship. Acceptance begins with accepting yourself. There are things you are good at and some things you need to grow in, this is what makes up who you are. Acceptance creates an environment where each person is allowed to be themselves and be loved unconditionally. The way God loves us. If an individual has not been use to being accepted and has low-self esteem they may find it difficult to accept that someone truly loves and accepts them. This is where pre-marital counseling can be helpful. When we plant seeds we do not stand over the sprout yelling, “Hurry up and grow! You are not growing fast enough you slow poke!” Like plants, as we grow, we need nurturing and care and love; just like the plants need sunshine and rain and cultivating. To the degree that you know yourself, you will be more capable of getting to know your partner for life. Never try to change another person.

11. Be aware of any signs of abusive behavior. Does your partner try to bring around to their way of thinking by verbal put downs, name calling, profanity? Are you ever threatened with bodily harm, do you feel threatened? Have you been hit, pushed, “wrestled”, shoved, and slapped at any time for any reason? None of the above behaviors are acceptable. You do not deserve to be hit. And it is not your fault that you are abused. Does your partner try to isolate you from your loved ones and friends? End the relationship or let them know that you will not continue unless they get PROFESSIONAL HELP. Don’t fool yourself – whatever negative behavior is evident before marriage will be magnified afterward. Many people are killed every day from violence by someone they know. Please take this seriously!

12. Start a devotional or quiet time to come before God as a couple. Establish time on your own to commune with the Lord. The value of each is that 1 you establish sharing a spiritual life together it will get you off to the right kind of start that includes the Lord. There are 3 parties in a Christian marriage, God, you and your spouse. Seeking spiritual guidance and wisdom will be a great sustainer when it times get difficult. And 2 you need your personal time in devotion because, although you are married, your spouse cannot meet all of your needs - only God can supply all your needs. Philippians 4:19.

13. BONUS FOR INDIVIDUAL’S WITH CHILDREN When children are involved please ask them about their feelings. If there are negative feelings dig deeper to find out why they feel the way they do. I strongly recommend counseling for all involved since the after the wedding all of you will be involved. What plan have you all worked on to facilitate communication? If both parties have children, include all children in pre-marital discussions and counseling. Suggested book “Before You Remarry”. 14. BONUS FOR INDIVIDUAL MARRYING SOMEONE WITH CHILDREN Ask yourself the following questions: Am I in tune with the feelings of the children? Am I willing to listen to the children? Am I flexible enough to endure the rocky waters that occur during the adjustment period? Am I open to new information such as classes, counseling and books that will help me understand how to blend into this family? Be honest and open. To men: Are you willing to separate your manhood and stand the negatives of the children while they adjust? Do you trust your mate’s ability to deal with their children?

15. Medical tests Recommended Before the Wedding HIV, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and Blood Type compatibility

Email me for the Resources Page. I will e-mail it to you it is a 1 page file. Sis2sis@earthlink.net Subject:Resources

About the Author

Glenda Thomas has been married for 28 years and is the mother of 3 young adult children, and grandmother to one grandson (age 2). Glenda is the editor of Sister 2 Sister Newsletter. She also is a dynamic public speaker.

Frost Photography - Wedding And Portrait Photographer
Wedding and portrait photographer for santa cruz, monterey and san francisco bay areas. Elegant and creative blend of traditional portrait and photojournalistic wedding photography.

What exactly is a theme wedding? Our definition may be different from yours but the basics are the same - a wedding tailored to your dreams.
What is a Theme Wedding?

I got asked this question the other day - what is a theme wedding?

I thought it was obvious but perhaps some clarification is needed on how I see it.

A theme wedding is no different than any other wedding you have been to or seen. The theme is the wedding.

What makes the weddings we present in our book different is that we have categorized different ideas to incorporate one consistent look and feel to your wedding.

This happens in weddings all the time. For example, traditionally, a bride selects her favourite colour and uses this singular colour throughout the whole wedding. From the bridesmaid dresses to the invitations, to the flowers, to the tablecloth’s etc.

This was my wedding. Lavender was our color so we used it everywhere but then how do use color for other things? We had it a golf course so we added a putting event for us to kiss and we were going to Africa for our honeymoon so we named our tables after African countries.

When done with my wedding, I just felt it was all over the place. Being in corporate event planning at that time, I thought why didn’t I do my wedding like I have done countless corporate events and others weddings and tie one subject together instead of having many things that didn’t correlate together.

For example, a client was having a customer conference and their message to their customers was that they had the ability to level the “playing field” between them and their larger competition. I took one part out of their message “the playing field” and ended up doing a football scheme for their conference. Invitations were done on a grass turf football field, prizes were football tickets and all decorations were down incorporating this sport.

The conference’s theme was not about football but we just added this element to tie things together. So, that is where I came about on doing the same for weddings.

My wedding just didn’t make sense, what did Africa have to do with golfing and really after awhile that lavender colour was just making me want to puke.

So, to answer the question- what is a theme wedding? It’s a wedding plain and simple with a unique subject matter tying it together whether that is butterflies, the ocean, country or whatever a heart desires.

About the Author

Kari White is an experienced event and wedding planner that has developed the Unique Theme Wedding planning guide. Helping those with their Theme Wedding through cost cutting and completely unique tips and techniques. Free Newsletter and Tips.

Tips to keep you alert while shopping.
Tis The Season To Shop

While you’re out this month finishing off that Christmas shopping, take a close look at how stores decorate. This can give you quite a few inspirations for your wedding.

Take a close look at color combinations they use. That Christmas tree they have decorated might inspire your complete wedding from an all white twinkling wedding to a deep burgundy gold wedding.

Let’s Share!

We get quite a few emails from brides asking a variety of questions about their weddings and we invite you also to email us any questions! We have decided to share a variety of these questions with our readers, as you never know what might inspire you or answer one of your questions. Email us any questions or comments at: mailto:info@uniquethemeweddings.com

Would it be tacky to serve pizza at our wedding? It’s our favourite and not sure if we want to have the whole sit-down dinner thing. Amy, Arizona

You know very few people don’t enjoy pizza. So, why not! - Try creating a Tuscan/Italian-inspired theme: use earthy colors and scatter rustic cracked ceramic pots throughout the venue filled with an arrangement of roses - Send out Unique Theme Weddings rose invitation - Serve the pizza on some unique platters or even have waiters wander through the crowd serving the pizza - Go away from traditional pizza toppings by exploring different combinations such as sundried tomatoes, ricotta, feta and spinach or smoked chicken, roasted pears and boursin cheese etc. - Serve other Italian foods along with the pizza such as olives, focaccia and other breads with a sampling of different olive oils flavoured with herbs, peppers and garlic -Serve Chianti in big jugs - Send guests home with the cookies in the shape of love knots an Italian Tradition

Any type of food can be incorporated into a wedding. Try letting food guide a theme into your wedding. Here are a few suggestions on picking the perfect food and theme for you:

- First of all, think about the first dinner you had on your first date. What type of food was it? If it was a memorable occasion, you could design your wedding theme around that food such as Mexican or Indian. - What’s your ultimate favourite food? If you were going to go out for a special dinner what type of restaurant would it be? Steak and Lobster or Japanese? - If you were going to take a cooking course, what type of course would you like to enrol in? Would you like to learn how to make pastries, Japanese or Indian?

About the Author

Kari White is an experienced event and wedding planner that has developed the Unique Theme Wedding planning guide. Helping those with their Theme Wedding through cost cutting and completely unique tips and techniques. Free Newsletter and Tips.

a step by step procedure to make sure your wedding is suited to your personalities.
A 14 Step Program to The Wedding of Your Dreams By Kari White http://www.UniqueThemeWeddings.com/

I have come across many couples that want to incorporate a theme into their wedding but just can’t decide or know what type of wedding they would like. Everyone wants their wedding to be unique, original, fun and a complete success. And yet, there are hundreds or thousands of ways you can customize your wedding day to be as you dreamed.

Here are 14 steps you need to go through to help you custom design your wedding day.

1) Where did the two of you meet? Was at a restaurant or work? Can you incorporate your meeting into your wedding? Such as holding your wedding at the place where you met?

2) Ask around! Do you or one of your friends know of a fantastic spot hidden away? You would be amazed at how many people you might find that could have a hidden cottage perfect for your wedding! A great idea for a Christmas or Country Wedding!

3) Do you have a favorite activity the two of you do together? Do you go to the drive-in or ski the mountains? Your activity can easily be incorporated into a theme wedding!

4) Remember when you were a child? Remember the things that you enjoyed and that consumed your days and nights? Write down all the things that you enjoyed as a child - ask your mate also. Which of these passions could you turn into your theme? Perhaps, you enjoyed the beach immensely so a beach theme wedding would be ideal!

5) First of all, think about the first dinner you had on your first date. What type of food was it? If it was a memorable occasion, you could design your wedding theme around that food such as Mexican or Indian.

6) What’s your ultimate favorite food? If you were going to go out for a special dinner - what type of restaurant would it be? Steak and Lobster or Japanese?

7) If you were going to take a cooking course, what type of course would you like to enroll in? Would you like to learn how to make pastries, Japanese or Indian?

9) Let your color guide you! For example here are some colors and a theme wedding that could be incorporated with that color:

- Blue, Yellow - The Cosmo Clambake Wedding or The Seashore Shindig - Fushia, Red, Purple, Pink - The Passage to Passion Wedding - Yellow, Orange, Red - The Rise & Shine Wedding - Green, Yellow, Blue - The Sweet Pea Wedding/The Wild Thing Wedding - Red, Yellow, Green - The Tequila Twilight Wedding - White, Black - The Uptown Affair Wedding - Tans, Black or Brown - The Urban Safari Wedding - Green, Red, Silver - The Winter White Wedding

10) What type of centerpiece do you have on your kitchen or dining room table at home? Do you have fresh flowers? Do you have a basket of fruit? Or a group of candles? Look around your home and see what type of decor you already use. Don’t stray from who you are. Your wedding is all about you and your theme should focus around this!

11) Do you have a collection of some sort? Whether it is snow globes, angels or priceless figurines, these are a glimpse of who you are and can also help you select a theme for your wedding.

12) What makes you unique such as hobbies, talents, preferences, background, or your career? Write down 10 things that make you different based on your uniqueness. Now, ask your fiancé to do the same or write them down for them. Pick one unique characteristic from each list and see how you can incorporate both of these unique characteristics.

13) What things have happened in your life that has not happened to most other people? Perhaps, you are the only one in your circle who has sky-jumped, won $100 on a lottery ticket, went on a safari in Africa or traveled through Europe. How can you incorporate some of these unique things into your wedding?

14) What is your ultimate favorite movie? Why? What makes this movie stand out? Watch the movie again but this time forget about the plot. Look at it differently, what are the characters wearing, where is the majority of the movie being filmed, what food is being served. How can you incorporate some of these movie ideas into your wedding?

Remember, these questions will get you thinking along the lines of YOUR perfect wedding. This day is supposed to be magical, one of a kind, and completely the best day of your life.

Use these tips in your planning and you will be sure you are making the best decisions and choices in your theme.

About the Author

Kari White is an experienced event and wedding planner that has developed the Unique Theme Wedding planning guide. Helping those with their Theme Wedding through cost cutting and completely unique tips and techniques. Free Newsletter and Tips.

Cyprus Weddings
Anesisweddings - cyprus weddings is an independent family run company that has been organizing weddings for the past seven years. With our years of experience, we know that “your wedding day” is one of the most important days of your life

You’ve had friends to your home for dinner. Maybe you’ve hosted a Super Bowl party or two. But have you ever planned and coordinated an event for 50-300 guests?

If you haven’t, then welcome to the world of wedding planning.

Caterers, florists, and other wedding-related companies will be banging down your door to get your business. Friends and relatives will offer advice, phone numbers, and web sites for you to check out. How will you juggle the multitudes of research and information from those who want your day to be special? The key to smooth and stress-reducing wedding planning is…

Being Organized

Being organized is the art of having the things you need when you need them whether it is a brochure, a phone number, or a picture of your ultimate bridal bouquet. And no one recognizes the need to be organized more than someone who is planning a wedding. A few organizing techniques you can use to help you plan your wedding are the consistent use of a calendar/PDA and making ‘to-do lists.’ But what about all of those wedding-related papers you’ve accumulated? Estimates from caterers, song sheets from bands, and all of those pictures you tore out of magazines–how are you supposed to keep them all organized?

The Wedding Binder

The top tool for organized wedding planning is a ‘Wedding Binder.’ Besides your future spouse, your ‘Wedding Binder’ will be the closest thing to a best friend you’ll have during your engagement period. The wedding binder is essentially a ‘home’ for all wedding-related information. Each topic will have a specific area in the binder allowing for quick referencing and retrieval.

How should you build your wedding binder to work best for you?

The size of your wedding and how many ‘extras’ you incorporate into your wedding day (ex. ice sculptures, doves) will determine the size of your binder. If you are having a small, simple gathering or you’re not doing much research, you may not need more than a 1″ spine. Large gatherings with many ‘extras’ will probably require a binder with upwards of a 3″ spine.

Besides the binder itself, you will need: three hole punched, two-sided pocket folders extra wide dividers or self adhesive divider tabs for the pocket folders three hole punched, zippered pocket for pen/pencils/paper clips (optional)

One, two-sided pocket folder is usually enough room for the paperwork of one vendor. One side of the pocket folder is for ideas and research and the other side is for estimates and contracts. Keeping these different types of information separate will allow you to locate them and retrieve at a moment’s notice.

Examples of some categories for your pocket folders are… Catering Photography Bridal Gown Transportation Ceremony/Officiant(s) Honeymoon

Assemble the pocket folders in order of importance to you. If you are constantly making calls to your caterer, place that folder towards the front of the binder. Already know what favors you want to give out? Place that folder towards the back.

What other information can be stored in your wedding binder? Guest lists/gift lists E-mail/phone list of bridal party members Seating charts A print-out of your registry

Benefits to using a wedding binder Money-saving benefit: You’re always prepared when a vendor wants to talk about price. If someone quotes you a price in writing and you can’t produce the paper it’s written on, they could try to charge you more money for their services. Time-saving benefit: Since all of your information has a ‘home,’ you won’t be wasting your time printing duplicate information off the internet or repeatedly asking for the addresses of your guests. Sanity-saving benefit: All of your wedding information is in one place. No need to take apart your living room looking for what you need.

Tips for keeping an organized wedding binder: Label the pocket folders clearly Place new papers/information in the correct pocket of your binder as soon as you receive them. Sort and purge your binder once a month. Toss any information that is no longer relevant in the trash or in a folder for a friend or relative who may need it in the future.

Always bring your wedding binder with you when meeting with your vendors. You’ll have all the information you need to compare prices and make educated decisions. You will be organized, prepared and in control of your special day.

About the Author

Stacey Agin Murray, professional organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC, transforms mess into masterpiece with patience, organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. For a free e-list of ‘Top Ten Tips for Organized Living,’ or to order your copy of ‘7 Steps to an Organized Wedding Thank You Note’ visit http://www.organizedartistry.com
stacey@organizedartistry.com