Finding the perfect wedding dress is one of the most difficult decisions the bride to be must make. You may fall head over heels for a dress in one of the many
bridal magazines. But, please take into consideration every woman’s body is different and the possibility of the dress looking exactly as it does on you is very slim.
Get Experienced Advice My number one piece of advice is to make an appointment with a
bridal boutique near you to get help from women who tend to hundreds of other brides to be. They will choose dresses that accent your unique curves.
Styles Abound Most bridal boutiques carry a large variety of styles and brands to allow for different budgets and types of weddings. Most of the dresses that are advertised tend to be very pricey so you can usually find a similar dress that isn’t a brand name, but half the cost or less.
As for choosing the right type of dress I do have a bit of insight from my experience dress shopping. While every woman is different, these tips are pretty much universal.
Consider Lace-ups Something that I discovered as I was trying on countless dresses was that lace-up back dresses are AMAZING! They not only hold you in which eliminates the need for a bra, but also take at least two dress sizes off of your figure. Quite the confidence boost!
Upfront and Personal For large busts or small busts most dresses are a pain. The cups are either too big or too small. If it is too small you can try gel cups but that doesn’t always help. Your best bet is to try a lace up back because they shape to your figure for the most part and can help hold you in with large or small breasts.
Disguise Chicken Arms If you have sagging arms that you would like to hide without getting a complete long-sleeved dress they have a solution. There are little half sleeve covers to hide your upper back and arms. You can also wear long gloves if you strictly want to cover your arms.
Its All About Illusion Dresses with an A style flare are wonderful for those with a pear shape. The top of the dress can accent your tiny waist and the bottom can hide a large rear and legs. Some of us aren’t blessed with super model legs and these dresses area great fix.
Veils Add Mystery When it comes to veils you can spend a fortune for double layer or triple but single layered veils work just the same. The only downfall is you don’t have a layer to wear over your face. However, most women don’t do that because it gets in the way of photographing their face.
Tweak For the Perfect Fit All in all the wedding dress is quite a project to find and get altered. Your best bet in staying within your budget is choosing a dress that needs the least amount of alterations. I feel strongly about lace up backs because they tend to require less work and fit more figures which save you money.
Keep Trying Make sure you try at least three on before making a decision and make an appointment with a professional. This will take the stress off of you and make the process go much more smoothly.
The
wedding day is the most awaited day by most couples. This is the day that is filled with anticipation and eagerness.
Therefore, I have made a compilation of
romantic as well as funny wedding quotes that can make you see the funny as well as the lighter side of marriage. Friends and family as well as couples can have a great time reading this compilation of
wedding quotes.
Wedding Quotes:Two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one. -Friedrich Halm
A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. -Germaine Greer
A wedding is a start of togetherness... of walks in the rain, basking in the sunshine, shared meals, caring for one another and sensing the love that a marriage carries.-Unknown
The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret. - Henny Youngman
A happy marriage is a new beginning of life, a new starting point for happiness and usefulness. – Dean
When you meet someone who can cook and do housework--don't hesitate a minute--marry him. – Unknown
To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the wedding cup,
Whenever you're wrong, admit it;
Whenever you're right, shut up.
- Ogden Nash
We come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly. - Sam Keen
The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make, not just on your wedding day, but over and over again and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife. - Barbara De Angelis
You don't marry someone you can live with; you marry the person who you cannot live without. - Anonymous quotes
Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of all growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century. - Mark Twain
Love: a temporary insanity, curable by marriage. - Ambrose Bierce
Marriage is not just spiritual communion; it is also remembering to take out the trash. - Joyce Brothers
Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other who never forgets. - Ogden Nash
Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. - Oscar Wilde
There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage. - Martin Luther
Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A happy marriage is a new beginning of life, a new starting point for happiness and usefulness. - Dean Stanley
A man in love is incomplete until he is married. Then he's finished. - Zsa Zsa Gabor
The woman cries before the wedding; the man afterward. – Unknown
A good marriage is one, which allows for change and growth in the individuals and in the way they express their love. - Pearl S. Buck quotes
To keep the fire burning brightly there's one easy rule: Keep the two logs together, near enough to keep each other warm and far enough apart-about a finger's breadth-for breathing room. Good fire, good marriage, same rule. - Unknown
Let men tremble to win the hand of woman, unless they win along with it the utmost passion of her heart. - Nathaniel Hawthorne
A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. – Jane Austen
All weddings are similar, but every marriage is different. - John Berger
Marriage is the only war in which you sleep with the enemy. – Unknown
If you're planning on
getting married, Efi Condovrakis has this very useful calendar to help brides organise the big day.
You've been a guest at many memorable weddings, where the bride looked gorgeous, her flowers were beautiful, and the reception venue and music were spectacular. Now it's your turn to organise the biggest day of your life - so where do you begin?
Decide on a date, it's best to give yourself plenty of time, and let the planning begin!
Twelve months to go
* Book the reception venue. Remember you need to take into consideration the style, size and budget.
* Book the ceremony.
Ten months to go
* Choose colour scheme and theme.
* Start looking for your wedding dress.
* Make a preliminary guest list
* Choose maid of honour, best man, bridesmaids and groomsmen.
* Choose master of ceremonies, band or disc jockey.
Six months to go
* Shop for bridesmaid's dresses, shoes and accessories.
* Book a photographer. Make an appointment to visit their studio to meet them and have a look at their work and choose a package that suits your taste and budget.
* Consider a videographer.
* Select a florist and order your bouquets, buttonholes, church decorations and reception table arrangments.
* Order invitations and stationery - acceptance cards, thank you cards, table place cards, hymn books, etc.
* Choose a location for photos and remember many public gardens require a permit.
Four months to go
* Choose the suits for the groom and groomsmen.
* Make travel arrangements for the honeymoon and organise passports and visas.
* Select cars.
* Choose wedding rings.
* Choose a wedding cake.
* Organise gift registry. Department stores, individual stores and online retailers offer this service.
* Send invitations to overseas guests so they have plenty of time to make travel arrangements.
* Book a hairdresser and make-up artist.
Two months to go
* Post wedding invitations.
* Make hotel reservation for the wedding night.
* Meet with the priest or celebrant to discuss and finalise ceremony formalities.
* Meet with your reception venue organiser to finalise menus and running details.
* Have dancing lessons if you think you both need them!
One month to go
* Lodge 'Notification of Intention to Marry' with The Department of Deaths and Marriages.
* Have hair and make-up trials. Don't forget to take your veil if you're wearing one.
* Finalise details with the master of ceremonies.
* Have your final fitting for wedding dress and bridesmaid's dresses.
* Finalise living arrangements and tie up financial and legal matters.
* Purchase ceremony accessories such as ring pillow and guest books.
* Purchase garter, toasting goblets etc.
* Organise lingerie.
* Choose wedding vows.
* Organise church programs.
* Select songs for bridal waltz.
* Reconfirm everything: flowers, cake, cars, band etc.
Two weeks to go
* Have bridal showers, hen's night and buck's night.
* Finalise guest numbers with the reception venue.
* Organise table seating for your guests. Write place cards and give them to the reception venue.
* Wear in wedding shoes.
* Pack overnight bag for the hotel and honeymoon.
* Write thank you speeches.
* Pick up wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. Try everything on again.
* Shop for thank you gifts for your bridal party.
One week to go
* Pick up groom and groomsmen suits - check for proper fit.
* Pick up wedding bands.
* Have wedding rehearsal.
* Have a manicure.
* Spoil yourself and your bridal party with a relaxation massage.
* Reconfirm your honeymoon details.
Wedding day
Relax and enjoy, as this day, which has consumed you for so long, is over very quickly.
And don't forget to eat!
Some good advice
* Don't feel you have to invite everyone you know to the wedding. It's okay to invite your guests to the service only.
* Don't say no to help. There's a lot to organise and if your friends and family are offering help, let them help!
* Don't do any running around on the day. Have your flowers delivered to you and your hairdresser come to you etc.
* Bridesmaids usually pay for their own dressers and shoes.
* Don't expect parents to pay for the wedding. However many do contribute.
* Remember both sets of parents would like to be involved in the decision making, especially if they're paying towards the wedding.
* Many couples are choosing wedding bubbles instead of confetti as they look great in photos.
* Signature bears are fun instead of guest books.
* Try not to consume too much alcohol untill after the formalities.
* Place a few disposable cameras on each table and have your guests take photos of each other and the wedding couple. It's great looking back at these informal pictures.
* Make sure there are plenty of spare pantyhose for yourself and the bridal party.
* Make sure you pack tissues, lipstick, band-aids, etc, in your bag.
Engaged couples long for a wedding day that will be unique and memorable, but in these tough economic times many are becoming more cautious about how they plan and spend their budget.
According to The Wedding Report, a research company that tracks wedding spending in the United States, the average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814. That is a 24 percent decline over the 2007 average of $28,704. This decline doesn't mean you can't have exactly what you want on your big day to create your dream wedding.
"You can rent almost anything you need to make your wedding match your vision," says Christine Wehrman, executive vice president and chief executive officer of the American Rental Association (ARA), the global trade association for the rental industry. "By renting items for your wedding, you have access to products that may have otherwise been too expensive in large quantities. You can get exactly what you want at a price that meets your budget."
Choose linens that match your wedding colors, or go for classic white to offset the color of your centerpieces. Linens can be rented in a variety of colors and textiles, and add a touch of elegance to every space. Create drama without adding cost by creating a monochromatic design for your table. Centerpieces can be elegant or casual, depending on your style. Mix tall and short clear vases to add depth to your table and save money on large floral arrangements. Or choose a variety of candleholders to create a vintage-inspired look and a romantic, low-light atmosphere.
Planning an outdoor wedding? Tents can transform any setting into striking surroundings for your big day. ARA member rental businesses have a variety of tents to create the venue, as well as everything you need to make it beautiful and comfortable.
Large tents and elegant canopies come in a variety of colors and styles. Many come with cathedral ceilings, windows or even clear tops -- allowing guests to catch a glimpse of a dramatic sunset or a sparkling night sky.
Many ARA member rental stores offer personalized service through their Certified Event Rental Professionals (CERPs) who are specially trained to help you choose the right rentals to make your dream wedding come to fruition. Most offer on-site support the day of your wedding, and that's a day you'll be looking for all the support you can get!
You can also rely on the expertise of your ARA member rental store professionals before you book your venue. They can help you assess the potential site for things like power accessibility, ground water issues or overhead power lines that may interfere with your vision of a tall tent, among other situations.
It wasn't your typical rehearsal dinner, but it was everything Liz Jones and Josh Dilworth hoped it would be - authentic, casual and relatively cheap.
Guests by the dozens gathered in a barn on the Jones family farm for a simple picnic-style meal. Afterward, they played croquet, horseshoes and badminton, shadowed by towering grain silos and within earshot of lowing cattle.
When the sun set, they returned to the barn for an "open mic" that included guitar-playing, poems and the bride's fiv-year-old nephew singing "You Are My Sunshine."
Her father also offered a little advice to the guests, many of them East Coast city folk from the groom's side of the family.
"If you're watching out here in the cornfield tonight and it gets a little later, you'll see some guys come out of there and ask, 'Is this heaven?" Curt Jones said, grinning. "And you say, 'No, it's Iowa."'
Turns out, it was heaven, indeed, for a young couple looking to save some cash.
They might have have opted for a wedding in Austin, Texas, where Jones attends graduate school and Dilworth works in public relations. But while they'd been saving for a few years - with a working budget of $10,000 - they knew they'd get more for their money in northwestern Iowa, where she'd always enjoyed taking friends after she'd left home for college.
"It also meant we could say to people, 'If you can get here, it'll be cheap for you while you're here,"' Jones said.
She and Dilworth, both 28, married on a recent Sunday morning outside a state park lodge on the shores of West Okoboji Lake, just north of the farm. Renting the lodge for the entire day cost all of $200. Brunch for 130 guests, done by a local resident who caters on the side, was $11 a head.
Looking for ways to save on wedding expenses is an increasingly common scenario for young couples, faced with hefty student loans, credit card debt, a tough job market and ever-increasing living expenses. Many couples are choosing lower-cost locations, as Jones and Dilworth did, or planning smaller "destination" weddings away from home for family and their closest friends.
Teddy Lenderman, an author and longtime wedding consultant in Terre Haute, Ind., has noted the growing concerns about wedding costs among her clients.
"We just work at compromising and spending those wedding bucks where we can get the most impact," said Lenderman, author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to a Perfect Wedding."
The average cost of a wedding in the United States is just under $29,000, according to the Wedding Report Inc., which tracks trends in the industry.
But these days, Lenderman says, couples are more likely to haggle with wedding vendors. Still others are buying wedding supplies from online discount merchants and other wholesalers. And couples are doing a lot more of the work themselves, with the help of family members and friends.
The whole notion of planning a low-cost wedding can be stressful. Beth Hoops, a 23-year-old recent college graduate in St. Louis, says even thinking about it causes her "panic attacks."
"For me, the economy might have a devastating effect on the type of wedding I have," said Hoops, who's already worried about paying off $50,000 in student loans. She and her 27-year-old fiance Steve, who works for the federal government, are considering flying off for a smaller wedding.
"I know I can't afford a blowout here at home, and I don't want to be embarrassed," Hoops said. "According to society standards, weddings are supposed to be glamorous and expensive."
But others say it doesn't have to be that way.
Susan von Seggern, a bride from Los Angeles who got married in July at her parents' home in suburban Rochester, N.Y., says she and her husband John had to cut costs because they are starting an organic gardening business together.
Their parents helped pay for the wedding. But they also found ways to save, including getting help from friends who did the wedding photography and her makeup and helped design her dress - all for free or at cost, as a wedding gift.
"I feel great about it. I saved money and involved the people I love in a meaningful way," von Seggern says. "And really, when you are the bride and getting ready to walk down the aisle, you are so preoccupied you barely notice the details around you."
There's also a chance to get creative. Rather than having the caterer do dessert, the von Seggerns ordered cookies and brownies from the bakery at a Wegmans supermarket, which she calls "a Rochester legend."
In Iowa, Jones and Dilworth also decided to forgo the wedding cake.
Instead, they arranged for Kate Shaw, a resident of the nearby town of Spirit Lake, to arrive in her 1967 vintage Ford ice-cream truck to offer frozen treats to the couple's gleeful guests. That cost $200.
After that, the wedding-goers changed clothes so they could swim and play more games.
"It's very much a find-your-own adventure wedding," said Dilworth, who now shares the last name Jones-Dilworth with his wife. "We went into it knowing we didn't have a lot of money to spend, but it came out even better than we thought."
There were friends and family who were unable to travel to relatively remote Iowa, some because of the high cost of airfare. But once there, Zach Dilworth, the groom's 22-year-old brother, said he needed only "about 40 bucks" for the entire weekend.
"They've shown me that a wedding doesn't really have to be expensive - and it's still all there," he said. "That's what Josh and Liz are about - using what you have. They're very resourceful."
Among other things, the couple decided to email their wedding invitations instead of mailing paper ones. They designed and printed their own wedding programs and had centrepieces that consisted of simple table runners, small Texas cacti and old photos of themselves and their loved ones.
Altogether, they and their parents spent about $9,300 on the wedding weekend, including the dress and tux, several meals for guests, and compostable forks, plates and napkins, made partly from corn. That's still a lot of money, they say - but thousands less than many of their friends' weddings.
And even with a smaller price tag, their guests still raved.
"I can't imagine anything better than this," Liz's uncle, Sohrab Gandomi, said as he gave the groom a hug at the reception. "It's just wonderful."
If you are a guy and are either in a relationship, married, or are trying to work your way into a relationship, you know how important it is to be prepared for this time of the year.
Valentines is one of those days that might be dreaded by many guys, but is definitely one that can't be ignored or you will face the consequences. So here are a few tips to help you get on top of the ball before the big day comes!
Be in touch with your online inter-mantra! This time of the year the internet is one of your best friends because of all of the fantastic deals that online stores offer. Online flower shops will be busier than ever and online deals will offer you an easy way to order your sweetheart some beautiful flowers at a great price.
If you are looking to get your sweetheart some jewelry, online might be the place to bargain shop because these stores are looking to capture your business. You can expect speedy shipping but realize if you wait too long, these stores may not be able to perform same day miracles for you. Point taken?
If you are going to get your sweetheart a Valentine card, don't put it off until the day before. Keep in mind that there are thousands of other men in your same area that are going to be doing the same thing, so if you wait too long, you may have to settle for a birthday card. This is not the way to score points with your better half, cover your bases and think ahead, she will appreciate your thoughtfulness!
When writing in your Valentine card, put some thought into it. A simple I love you is great, but remember that women are emotional beings and want to know why you love them. This is your chance to really make her feel good about herself and let her know what amazing things you see in her. This shouldn't be hard, just think back to when you first met her, or your first kiss and how you felt. Remember that she will be expecting great things from you, so don't let her down. Go the extra mile for the one you love.
This day doesn't have to be something that is painful; rather it should be a day that you look forward to for months. It is a time to
celebrate your love for your better half and spend quality time with her without having to worry about the stresses life can provide. Take her out to a fancy restaurant, treat her to a night out on the town, or doing whatever it is that makes her the happiest and enjoy this great day!
The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make / not just on your wedding day, but over and over again / and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife. ~ Barbara De Angelis
Weddings are about
love,
romance, togetherness and all the mushy things, but weddings are also about the love that the guests shower upon the happy couple.
Wedding gifts are like blessings and good wishes for the couple as they embark upon a beautiful journey and pledge their eternal love and commitment towards each other. If you are planning to attend a wedding very soon then you’ve come to the right page, because this article will provide you some useful ideas to pick out personalized wedding gifts!
Photo Frame and Keepsakes Photo frames and memorabilia make for perfect
wedding gifts. Getting the couple’s names engraved and imprinted on the photo frame will definitely help you to create a unique and personalized wedding gift. You can get a photo frame in various materials like wood, silver, or even a digital photo frame. In case you are looking for a more interesting option, getting the couple’s name carved in Chinese or Egyptian symbols can be a great idea as well. You can also gift the couple a personalized keepsake box, engraved or embossed with their names or initials. Make sure to create personalized memorabilia for the couple, which they can use and cherish forever. A wall clock can also be personalized to include the couple’s photographs and names. You can even get a caricature of the couple framed and present it as a gift to the couple on their wedding.
Personalized Bath SetsThis is a very interesting idea and makes for a lovely personalized wedding gift. While creating a complete bath and body work set you can include many things. You can get a complete bath and body care kit with bath salts, body scrubs, shower gel, shampoo, body lotions and body sprays with personalized tags of the couple. Include identical bath towels with the names or initials of the couple. Also include two identical bathrobes and bath slippers for both of them with their initials embroidered on the robes. This bath set will not only be a unique gift, but the couple can actually use and enjoy it for a long time!
Personalized Crockery and CutlerySince the couple is about to lead a life together, useful items like crockery and cutlery will definitely help them while setting up their home. Fancy crockery like china plates and bowls, or even complete dinner sets can be personalized by a golden print, or any other imprinting or embossing method available. Preferably personalize the crockery and cutlery with the initials of the couple since getting the entire names on the plate can deter the aesthetic value of the crockery or cutlery in case the print occupies a large space. A beautiful set of glasses personalized for the couple can be a great wedding gift as well. Personalized grill monograms that will charm the barbeque lovers are quite popular as well.
Personalized Gourmet Gift BasketsIf you want to gift the couple with some interesting
gourmet treats, then a personalized gourmet
gift basket will fit the bill. You get the personalized food packaged and labels and include all sorts of gastronomic treats starting with delicious chocolates. Tea/coffee hampers, flavored and roasted nuts, cheese hampers, and may be a bottle of champagne or wine with a personal label for the couple. Gourmet gift baskets are also a unique idea, which makes for a delicious and satisfying personalized wedding gift!
A new bride typically only has a few wedding showers before the actual wedding ceremony, and it should be fun for everyone involved. Bridal shower themes are a great idea, and many people have started finding some really fun theme ideas to make the shower more memorable, and helpful to the bride. The bridal shower is typically thrown by the maid of honor or some other family member. The location is any place that works with your theme. If you are planning a bridal shower, and are anything like me, totally lacking in imagination, then you've come to the right place. I've done some research and talked to friends and listed my favorite ideas for a themed bridal shower below.
The Entertainment Theme:
Have all the guests bring gifts pertaining to entertaining the couple in times to come. This includes buying CDs, DVDs, games, puzzles, video games, and anything else you can come up with, get creative. This could also include televisions or DVD players or other game machines. For food bring boxes of candy, microwave popcorn, hot dogs, or even nachos such as you would get at a movie theater. Make the bridal shower invitations look like an over-sized movie ticket. A great idea for a couple that is just starting out.
Around the Clock Theme:
In this scenario, each guest or pair of guests is assigned a certain time of day, such as lunch time, bath time, or an actual time of day, like 8 am. Each guest should bring gifts that will be used during the time they are assigned. For example, with a morning time assigned, coffee mugs or specialty coffees would be a great gift. An afternoon time like around lunch time could be his and her lunch boxes complete with matching thermos. Finger foods are a great snack to be served, and a great bridal shower invitation for this theme would be clocks with each guest's time on it.
Gift Certificate Theme:
With all of those mounting bills from the wedding, most couples would love to have a gift certificate themed bridal shower. In this theme, each guest is asked to bring the bride a gift certificate of their choice. This can include gift certificates to grocery stores, restaurants, spa treatments, clothing stores, movie theaters, and furniture stores. The possibilities are endless, and they are sure to enjoy it! Snack ideas are limitless, as are your bridal shower invitations.
Garden/Tea Party Theme:
This works great with a spring wedding. If you have a friend with a nice garden or yard with beautiful scenery, ask to borrow the space for an afternoon. Gift ideas are limitless, and finger foods desserts and sandwiches make a great snack to serve.
Decorate with fresh
Montreal flowers in the color of the wedding, and the bridal shower invitations look great with
flower pressed paper which can be found in any craft store and printed on your computer.
Recipe Theme:
Also great for the bride and groom starting a new home together. Have each guest bring their favorite dinner recipe, favorite dessert recipe, and a miscellaneous recipe, along with the ingredients for each (dry goods only) as a gift. This will give them lots of dinner ideas, as well as being able to stock their pantry a bit before the wedding. Food for the bridal shower can be anything you like, and bridal shower invitations on blank recipe cards are a great idea! Be sure to include several blank recipe cards with each invitation as well.
The ideas for a bridal shower theme are endless. Use your imagination and the sky is the limit.
