Colour Wheel

Spring! It is the season of rebirth and growth. It is no wonder many couples prefer to get married during this time. Of course, you would want to have a beautiful spring wedding that would best reflect the cool and refreshing look of the season.

Decorating this type of event should not be too much of a challenge, as there are various spring colors from pastels to neutral to bright vivid colors that are perfect for this wedding. Are you not sure what colors to choose for your spring wedding? Here are some ideas to think about.

Spring Colors

Some of the most popular tones for spring weddings are lavender, baby blue, pink, green, yellow, and mint green. These shades can be used a single color motif, which would be the dominant color to be used in the decoration of your wedding. These colors can also be paired with another color for a two-tone combination or mixed with two more colors for a three-tone combination. Many fabulous combinations are enumerated below to give you some ideas on these.

Two-Color Combinations

Spring colors are usually light and airy so pairing them up need not be difficult. Try some of these two-tone combinations:

1. Pastel green and ivory
2. Pastel green and light pink
3. Light blue and pastel green
4. Light blue and white
5. Light blue and chocolate brown
6. Light blue and ivory
7. Lavender and yellow
8. Lavender and butter yellow
9. Lavender and lime green
10. Lavender and silver
11. Pink and melon
12. Sage green and creamy white
13. Chocolate brown and petal pink
14. Chocolate brown and baby blue
15. Chocolate brown and lavender
16. Orange and chartreuse
17. Petal pink and mint green
18. Cornflower blue and silver
19. Lilac and chocolate brown
20. Chocolate brown and yellow gold

Three-Color Combinations

You can also choose to have three-color combinations such as:

1. Pale pink, ivory and peach
2. Ivory, lavender and mint green
3. Ivory, pink and sage green
4. Pastel green, light pink and lavender
5. Chocolate brown, white and pink
6. Chocolate brown, cream, and peach
7. Chocolate brown, ivory, and sage green
8. Yellow, mint green, and tan
9. Yellow, mint green and cream
10. Lavender, baby blue, and white

Tips on Choosing Spring Hues

1. Incorporate some patterns – You do not have to limit yourself to plain colors! Patterns such as floral, stripes, plaids, and Swiss dots are just some of the pretty patterns that you can use for the decoration of your wedding.
2. Use colors in different creative ways – One way to do this is to go monochrome. Choose one spring color and then use the different shades of that color of your choice. Another idea would be to use one bright color like fuchsia and then tone it down a little with some neutrals like white, cream, light brown, and/or ivory.

Spring is certainly one of the best times to hold a wedding. Just make sure that you choose the right colors that would reflect freshness, growth, and rebirth so you can end up with a special and meaningful wedding day.

When embarrassing things happen to you, don’t you just wish the earth would open up and swallow you whole? Doing stupid things, making mistakes, and blurting out words that later cause you to turn into every shade of red are not that big of a deal. Yes, you feel embarrassed for a while but you actually get over them after some time.

However, this might not be the same if it happened during such a special occasion like your wedding. Not only would more than a hundred people be there to witness your mishap, it would also be forever commemorated in photos and videos. To make sure nothing embarrassing happens to you on your big day, here are some embarrassing things that commonly happen during wedding ceremonies that you should watch out for.

Flat as a Pancake

Here comes the bride, all dressed in white—wait, where is the bride? Oh, right she’s right there on the floor! Making that nerve-racking walk down the aisle is difficult for many brides not only because they are feeling giddy and nervous but also because the shoes and clothes may make it hard for them to walk comfortably! To avoid this problem, break in your shoes several weeks before your wedding and practice walking on them around the house. Moreover, be sure that the length of your dress is something that you can manage comfortably.

The Name Game

You are just getting started with the vow as you say, “I take you, Rob, as my lawful husband—”  when oops, you remember that you are marrying John! You catch the glimpse of stricken horror in your groom’s face and that of his parents and you realize that it is too late to do anything except to repeat the vow. Rest assured, this is something that your husband would never forget in your lifetime. It may even leave a dent in your relationship. Moral of the story? Marry the right guy! This way you won’t have to make a conscious effort not to blurt out other guy’s names.

The Strange Case of the Bride and the Bridezilla

The bride is a pleasant and lovely lady all dressed in white. But she can morph into this monstrous bridezilla without her even knowing it! If you are a bride, watch out for this alter-ego that may suddenly appear. Your alter-ego may make you say things that you would regret after the wedding is over. Be nice to everyone and that includes not only your guests but everyone who was part of the wedding celebration such as the caterer, musician, florists, food servers, and many more.

There is no such thing as a perfect wedding. Even if you have carefully planned your wedding down to the smallest detail, it is still possible for some mishaps to happen. Don’t sweat the small stuff! The important thing is that you do not end up doing embarrassing things that would make you run into hiding for the next couple of years.

Are you going to have a wedding this 2010? If you are like most brides, you would probably be looking for new wedding trends as well as unique concepts and ideas to turn your big day into something that is out of the box. This list of 50 marvelous wedding ideas for 2010 would help you achieve that.

1. Wear a red wedding gown. Colored wedding gowns have become the latest trend in wedding fashion. It is bold, daring, and the perfect way to make a statement.
2. Have an intimate wedding affair. Invite only close family and friends. Nowadays, big extravagant weddings are not anymore expected or seen as practical.
3. Fly off to an exotic location to say your “I do.” Barbados, Bora-Bora, Phuket, Bali, or the Bahamas—take your pick!
4. Skip the veil and wear another kind of headpiece. Opt for a wide brimmed hat, a floral headwear, or a princess tiara.
5. Hold a fun lottery game during the reception.
6. Have a honeymoon registry. This can be used in lieu of the regular wedding registry.
7. Opt for a breakfast reception. This is something new, and something that would give your pockets a relief.
8. Give disposable cameras to family and friends so they can capture priceless candid moments during the event.
9. Sing while walking down the aisle. Who said that only the wedding singer could sing during this event?
10. Do something new with the wedding traditions. Instead of tossing the bouquet, why not have a “pass the bouquet” game for more fun and excitement?
11. Serve vegetarian dishes during the reception. Vegetarian dishes need not be exotic vegetable dishes that guests would not enjoy. You can serve delectable carrot cakes, stir-fried vegetables, green salad, artichokes, pasta with marinara sauce, and so many more.
12. Go green! Reduce consumption of energy by opting for a day time outdoor wedding and give away eco-favors like flower packet seeds and mini potted plants.
13. Wow the guests by having a unique entrance by riding a helicopter or a jet ski.
14. Hold the wedding at night. The night provides a romantic ambience for your wedding ceremony.
15. Have a 1940’s or 1950’s wedding theme that would transport you back in time.
16. Choose an exotic venue. Not often do you see couples get married in a safari or on a mountain cliff.
17. Give souvenir invites. These are invitations and souvenirs rolled into one. Even if the guest would not be able to attend, he/she would still have something to remember your big day with.
18. Have a scrapbook guest book that you made yourself instead of the regular one.
19. Pass around a journal book in lieu of the guest book where guests can jot down their fondest memory of the bride and groom.
20. Decorate the whole wedding venue yourself with the help of your family and friends. DIY weddings are still very big this year.
21. Send e-vites instead of paper invitations to save paper, ink, and energy.
22. Make a musical video presentation to be played during the reception.
23. Decorate tables with centerpieces that can double as wedding favors. A tiered stand with mini potted plants is a good example.
24. Make a documentary film on your love story and play this during the reception program.
25. Hire a caricaturist to draw your guests. Sign the artwork and give this as a wedding favor.
26. Scribble personal notes on each of the wedding favors. The personal touch would make the favor more meaningful.
27. Have an assortment of cupcakes to stand in for the wedding cake.
28. Serve cocktails or finger foods during the reception. This is a delicious way to give your pockets a break.
29. Hire a face painter to paint your guests’ faces according to the theme.
30. Have a dessert or tea reception in the middle of the afternoon.
31. Invite your guests to a surprise wedding reception. This works great if you had a secret destination wedding.
32. Create a website for your wedding to keep family and friends updated regarding the wedding details.
33. Don’t keep the kids out. Weddings usually try to ban the kids. Make your event more youthful and fun by including the children.
34. Write an online blog where guests can keep track of planning and preparations for your wedding.
35. Use a cake topper with a funny twist.
36. Give away homemade cookies or cupcakes as favors.
37. Let the bridesmaids choose the style for their dress. As long as they keep up with the theme and color motif, it’s all good!
38. Say no to vanilla and chocolate. Choose a unique flavor for your wedding cake such as carrot, cranberry, or pumpkin.
39. Shop for wedding items online. This would save you time, energy, and money!
40. Wear a mini wedding dress. Super short dresses are making their way to wedding fashion this year.
41. Pick bright and vivid colors for your motif.
42. Hold the wedding ceremony in your own backyard or garden.
43. Enter the ceremony venue through a non-linear wedding aisle. It can be a circular aisle or a multiple-aisle.
44. Give out practical wedding favors and thank you gifts that the guests could actually use in their everyday lives.
45. Go for a rock and roll theme and hire rock bands to play during your wedding. This is perfect for a young couple with high spirits. Warn the elderly guests prior to the event.
46. Opt for balloon decorations in lieu of flower decors
47. Decorate the table with an edible centerpiece that guests can devour during or after the meal.
48. Sing your wedding vows.
49. Recite your wedding vows as poems.
50. Wear your hair down. Not only literally. Don’t stress yourself too much, let loose, enjoy, relax, and have a blast!

Having a wedding 2010 is all about elegance, simplicity, drama, fun, and unique ideas that would help make this event something that people would never forget. You do not have to do all the ideas mentioned in this article, but you would surely want to include a bit of these and then use the others as inspiration to come up with your own unique wedding ideas.

Beach Wedding Favors

Having a fancy wedding is what many brides dream of. But if you have ever helped plan a wedding, you know that you cannot have the perfect wedding day if you do not exert much effort and time into the planning and preparation. In fact, even the smallest details like the wedding favors require proper attention.

You cannot just say, “Oh, I don’t know anything about wedding favors, let us just skip that part.” Even the clueless bride needs to wield some extra effort to find out what she has to know in order to end up with the perfect tokens of appreciation. Fortunately, this guide will provide you most of what you need to know regarding this detail.

Wedding favor choices

• Themed wedding favors – Themed wedding favors are very popular these days. Going for this type of favor is easy because you can easily narrow down your choices according to what is relevant to the theme of your wedding. One good example of these are beach favors, which are perfect for weddings held at the beach or indoor weddings that have beach themes (nautical, tropical, Hawaiian, and so on.) You would not need to look at other themed favors anymore and thus, save you time and energy.

• DIY projects – These favors are ideal for the crafty bride who wants to make personalized gifts for the guests, showcase her craftiness, and/or save some money on the wedding budget. DIY projects, which may include scented soaps, candles, beaded accessories, music CDs, and hand painted boxes, are beautiful, creative, unique, and very cheap!

• Edible sweet treats – Edible goodies such as chocolate bars, candies, brownies, cupcakes, and so on are great for satisfying the guest’s sweet tooth. Just make sure that you wrap these treats in personalized or customized cover or packaging, which the guests can keep these as souvenir after eating up the edible wedding favor.

• Eco-friendly giveaways – In the desire to help the environment, some wedding experts have started the fad of giving away eco-friendly favors such as seed packets, gardening tools, mini potted plants, and anything that has to do with going green.

Some Tips on Choosing Wedding Favors

• Shop around so you can compare products, prices, and services of different stores.

• Buy online. The Internet market is always bustling with good discount deals on products such as wedding favors.

• Choose an online store that has a safe and efficient system for credit card transactions.

• Consult your future spouse about this matter. Let him have a say on what wedding favours to give away to the guests.

• If you are going for the DIY projects, see to it that you still have the time to finish the wedding favors. It would also be best to round up some of your family and friends to help you out on these.

Even if you are clueless about table guest gifts, you can easily learn so many things about them by researching and asking around. Remember, even though favors are just a small part of the wedding, they are still very important.

The wedding is over but your life together has just begun. But before you go back to life’s reality, you are still entitled to a romantic getaway, also known as the “honeymoon” where you can have fun, relax, and enjoy yourselves. To help make your honeymoon a perfect one, here are 12 essential items to keep in mind.

1. Perfect destination – A perfect honeymoon needs a perfect destination. Take your pick among the top honeymoon destinations all over the world: Aruba, Barbados, France, Italy, Thailand, Seychelles, Mauritius, Bahamas, Bora Bora, Hawaii, and so many more. Choose according to your preferences and budget.
2. Trip itinerary – A trip calls for some planning and it is not any different with honeymoons. Even if you want to simply “go with the flow,” you may still need to organize some things like hotel bookings, vehicle rentals, and so on.
3. Guidebook and Map – A guidebook can let in you some secrets of the place you choose to head off. It would be great to know where the best attractions are, where the best cuisines are located, and how to speak some local words (if you are in a foreign land). A good old map helps you find your way.
4. Travel documents – You literally cannot leave home without these: airline tickets, passport, visa, identification cards, and vaccination certificates (where applicable).
5. Money, money, money – Take a sufficient amount of cash but bring also with you credit cards and traveler’s checks. You do not want to be stuck in a foreign place with no money, right?
6. Clothes and personal items – Packing clothes and personal items can be quite tricky. Bring a lot and you will exceed allowed weight for luggage. Bring a little and you will find yourself at loss for clothes by the middle of the vacation. Making a packing checklist will help prevent these scenarios. Bring only the basics. Bring travel-sized items to save space. Some items that should be on your list include clothes, shoes, toothbrush, deodorant, cosmetics, toothpaste, comb, razors, and so on.
7. In case of emergency – Prescription medicines (in original bottles), phone numbers of doctors, medical insurance, insect repellent, sunscreen, band-aids, aspirin, antacid, antihistamine, diarrhea medicine, motion sickness medicine are just some of the things that should be found in your first aid kit.
8. For keepsakes – Make sure you have every memory etched by bringing a reliable digital still camera (for endless shots) and a video camera. Do not forget to bring spare batteries and/or a battery charger.
9. Things to leave behind – Before you leave the house, leave these items to family and friends: your itinerary and hotel phone numbers, photocopies of passport, credit cards, and traveler’s check receipts, sealed copy of wills, life insurance policy numbers, and important financial information.
10. Electronics/gadgets – Some of the things you need include cellular phone, GPS, MP3 player, and electrical converter/adapter.
11. Useful items – You may also find it handy to have items like a Swiss army knife, compact umbrella, rain poncho, and a small backpack.
12. Romantic stuff – Of course, do not forget the romantic items that would make this honeymoon trip unforgettable. Bring some scented candles, massage kit, sexy lingerie, romantic tunes, and romantic DVDs.

This trip is something that you would remember for the rest of your lives. After all, this is your first trip together as husband and wife. Make sure that everything goes smoothly by ensuring all these honeymoon accessories are well taken care of.

Setting a wedding budget is a great way to start your lives together. You should both be part of setting up finances and the choices involved. By having a plan, you won’t exceed your financial means while including all the elements you really want for your special day.

Decide who will pay for the wedding. In days gone by, the parents of the bride and the bride paid. Today, brides sometimes pay themselves but often the bride-to-be and her fiancée share the expenses. The groom’s family traditionally pays for the rehearsal dinner and part of the honeymoon but may choose to offer additional financial support. Be upfront with your parents and find out how much they are willing to contribute. Gently let them know you will be making the final decisions about your wedding and be prepared to pay for your day yourselves if strings are attached to money offered by your families.

Once you know who will pay for the wedding, determine the funds available to cover the costs. Write down this figure and develop your wedding day around your budget. Discuss your dreams, themes and ideas then work within your designated budget to make them happen. The longer you have, the more bargains you will be able to find. Planning a last minute wedding often incurs larger expenses because you simply don’t have time to shop around.

Maintain a wedding binder to write down expenses and keep receipts. Use receipts as proof deposits were paid and to keep track of ongoing expenses. You can also keep on online ledger and comparison sheets on a computer program such as Excel. Compare vendors and maintain a record of what you’ve paid out for your wedding on the computer if it’s easier for you. Have a folder for physical receipts and store it in a safe place.

Get price quotes from vendors. There are several vendors that are likely to be part of your wedding day including a florist, caterer, photographer, music, entertainment and limousine driver. Find out if the vendor has a minimum charge and the estimated cost for your event. Keep the quotes organized in a folder or binder so you can easily refer to them when making your final decision. Shop around for wedding rings, a bridal gown, bridesmaid gowns and tuxedos.

Decide your guest list so you know how many people to budget for. If you want a large wedding, you may have to choose a buffet over a four-course meal. On the other hand, you may decide to have fewer guests and have the lavish dinner. Remember the number of guests also impacts the number of invitations, thank you cards and wedding favors.

It’s your wedding day and you should both be able to have it your way. Discuss your priorities so you can make sure they are covered as you are setting a wedding budget. Review your purchases and decide what is most important. Consider the lasting moments of your wedding that will be with you long after the party ends, such as your wedding rings and photographs. You made decide to spend a bit more on these items and make your own wedding invitations and centerpieces. Avoid trying to keep up with friends or family and make decisions based on your own finances and preferences.

Don’t be embarrassed to ask for referrals from friends or family. Often people are willing to recommend someone they had a great experience with and you may enjoy a discount. Sometimes people have friends or family who are willing to offer their services for less. Even when you deal with vendors you don’t know, barter to get the best deal.

Setting a wedding budget also ensures you are not interfering with your long-term financial goals as a couple. If you max out your credit cards before you even get married, you are already starting with money stresses. Plan a realistic wedding in accordance with your financial circumstances. This type of organization and discipline will help you plan for a house and family in the future.

Remember, setting up a financial plan gives you the experience to handle the larger financial situations awaiting you as a married couple.

Canadian brides, for the first time in internet history, can do all of their wedding planning online with certified wedding planners guiding their every step. No longer do modern brides have to search around outdated websites for out-of-date wedding information. The first wedding planning membership site in North America, TheBridalCoach.ca opens its door on November 10th, 2009, combining cutting edge technology with experience and expertise of certified wedding planners.

(PRWEB) November 5, 2009 — The old paradigm is still alive and well on the internet. Bride’s are going online to search for information to help them plan their wedding. What they find is outdated wedding planning checklists, vague promises of wedding solution ebooks, online wedding magazines full of beautiful wedding gown pictures, forums where they can get answers from other brides, and funny YouTube entrance dance wedding videos. But none of this gets them any closer to planning their wedding—mostly it gets them more confused and plants the seeds for bridezillas to emerge.

Angela Fiebelkorn states that the membership site offers a unique combination of cutting edge technology and years of wedding planning expertise.

TheBridalCoach.ca is opening its door as a response to this disfunctionality in the online wedding market. It is the first and only wedding planning membership site in North America. Their stated mission is to provide the modern bride and groom one place on the internet to find everything they need to plan their wedding the right way, in a timely manner, with the least effort and from the comfort of their home. This entrepreneurial group of wedding planners is launching its membership site on November 10, 2009, just at the beginning of the wedding planning season for most brides and grooms.

Read the rest of the press release about the wedding planning membership site.

Here Is A Brief Summary Of All The Benefits That Await You Inside TheBridalCoach.ca

This one-of-a-kind Wedding Planning and Coaching Membership site (www.thebridalcoach.ca) is all about you and your perfect wedding.  Everything here will support your dream and help you to really get there.  Our team of virtual wedding planners is committed to provide you with what you need every step of the way, with your vision, with your theme, how to get things done, how to deal with your relatives and friends, and so much more.  You have everything in one place and you can do it all from the comfort of your home.

Click Here to Learn More!

We will keep you up-to-date with newest wedding trends through our weekly webinars, and we connect you through our members’ forum with other brides and wedding planners so you aren’t doing this alone.  The wedding planning checklists accompanied by how-to videos will get you organized, which in turn reduces all the stress brides report when planning their wedding.  You will be confident that you will have done everything on-time and in the most creative way, and best of all, the money you spend for our membership site will be put back into your pocket many times over by following our time-proven money saving tips with vendors.

Click Here to Learn More!

Here is what you will receive when you order a membership with TheBridalCoach.ca TODAY!

Time-proven wedding planning checklists

The first cluster of information in the members only area called Start Here explains through text, videos, and checklists the following: engagment, wedding vision, wedding budget, legal stuff, reception site, ceremony site, photographer, videographer, bridal party, wedding gown and encore weddings.

Comprehensive wedding planning videos covering every aspect of your wedding

The second cluster Build On It includes bridal party attire, honeymoon, stationary, guest list, florist, wedding cake, personal grooming, bridal registries, ceremony musicians, reception musicians, wedding rings, and bridal suite.

Daily answers to your questions by our wedding planners in the members’ forum

The third cluster called Finalize explains through text, videos, and checklists the following:  transportation, reception and catering, ceremony and vows, rental items, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, parties, guest accommodation, finalize contracts, and spousal gifts.

Weekly webinars with the latest trends, ideas, and information

Virtual wedding planners in the forums and on the weekly coaching calls

Almost There is the 4th cluster of modules where you will be guided through topics like wedding invitations, decorations, wedding favours, itineraries, music selection, toast to parents, wedding announcements, thank you gifts, more legal stuff and attire tryouts.

Wedding planning timeline to keep you on-track

Money saving video series for every part of your wedding—gowns, caterer, flowers, musicians, wedding favors, and much more

The final cluster is called Countdown and that’s where we coach you through topics like seating plan, task assignments, bridesmaids’ luncheon, groomsmen outing, vendor payments, wedding day kit, rehearsal, decorating, and final confirmations.

Click Here to Learn More!

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There is nothing like a real wedding to inspire ideas for your own wedding day.  We found this post through our RSS wedding buzz, source: http://www.thebridescafe.com, and hope it inspires you as much as it did us!  Follow the links to see more. It’s titled: Real Wedding: Sarah & Jesse

Welcome back to the beautiful “fall theme” wedding of Sarah & Jesse…they are just the cutest couple and I love the simplicity of their wedding story…so filled with love, family and friends…..and all the rich fall tones of their color palette combined with the sunflowers….a true fall wedding in Virginia.

Their wedding story was captured by the talented and ever so nice…Joe Portnoy of  Snap Photography.  Joe is an awesome photographer and a totally cool guy…he shared with me that Sarah and Jesse hired him a month before their wedding and were so cute and so friendly.  Joe said they really love each other and it shows!  Let’s check out all the magic Joe captured on Sarah & Jesse’s beautiful day…Enjoy!

Thanks SO much for stopping by the cafe Joe…Sarah & Jesse’s images are all so beautiful and we look forward to your next visit….guys, make sure you check out Joe’s blog site to see more of his gorgeous work and to Sarah & Jesse, we wish you a lifetime filled with happienss and joy….xoxoxo

View more real weddings on http://www.thebridescafe.com

If you are a superbride, it is most likely that you would want to do everything by yourself. However, because you are smart enough, you know that an entire wedding preparation is a feat impossible to be conquered by one person. For special occasions like weddings, there is no better else to help you than the people you love most—your family and friends.

The idea definitely sounds terrific. But before you rush to call your brother to join you in shopping for a wedding gown, you also have to know that involving family and friends in wedding preparation can be quite of a challenge. There are several things you have to know about this process so you do not end up offending someone or burning bridges with a certain person. Here are some tips regarding this matter that you would find very useful for your upcoming wedding.

1. Give everyone a role he or she will love. Make a checklist of all the tasks you need help with and list all the people whom you think will be suitable for the job. Make sure you consider the person’s personality, taste, style, skills, experience, and hobbies.

For example, for your gardener sister, you would want her to assist you in choosing flowers. Your brother who is fond of sports cars would probably love choosing the right wedding car with you. It would be best to appoint your fashionista best friend the task of shopping for (or designing) the bridesmaid’s dresses.

2. Involve both families in the wedding preparation. Always remember that this wedding is not just about you but it about you and your spouse-to-be. Therefore, you should never forget that the groom’s family should also be involved with the preparation.

If just in case you feel that some family members are being overly engrossed with planning (or in other words, nosy!), you can put him or her in charge of something that you do not care much about. For example, if you do not give much importance to the guestbook, you can ask this family member to take care of it. See, you can make solutions to such problems without offending anybody.

3. Delegate the tasks efficiently. Aside from considering the personality, skills, and taste of a certain family member or friend, you should also take into account the working attitude of that person. Never give difficult or very important tasks to people who lack responsibility. If your cousin is known for being a latecomer, do not risk ruining the event by letting her keep the CDs for the processional music.

4. Make the preparation fun. Keep in mind that these are your family and friends, they are not your slaves. See to it that you make the whole thing a fun experience for them so that they will not feel like it is a chore to help you. Schedule meetings in restaurants or coffee shops, keep it light and funny, and do not sweat the small stuff. In short, do not be a bridezilla!

5. Give them a thank you gift afterwards. This is very important. Your family and friends put much effort into making the event special and memorable. Do not forget to give them some token of appreciation at the end of the affair. By all means, say thanks to them in your thank you speech (if ever you are giving one) and make special mention to people who played major roles in the preparation and organization of your wedding.

Wedding is one of the most significant milestones in any person’s life. And because your family and friends are some of the most important people to you, you would want them to be a part of this once in a lifetime celebration. Make sure you get them involved but without giving them too much trouble.

Source: Wendy L. Bishop is an expert writer on the topics of weddings and a contributor to MyDreamWedding.ca

Honor Deceased Parents With Special Song

You are getting married soon and you cannot help but feel mixed emotions about this upcoming major event in your life. On one hand, you are happy because finally you met that special person and you are going to celebrate the love and commitment that you two have for each other.

On the other hand, you are also sad because your parents are not around anymore to witness and be there for this once-in-a-lifetime affair. You would have wanted to share with them your extreme joy but you just console yourself thinking that they are surely happy for you.

Just because your parents are not around anymore, it does not mean that they cannot be a part of the occasion. Here are some aspects of the wedding that they can be a part of as well as special ways on how to keep their memories alive during your big day.

Speech

If you are going to make a speech during the reception, be sure to dedicate a part of it to your parents. Tell everyone how much you would have wanted for them to be here during this special occasion but then you know that they are looking down very much happy for you and your spouse.

Share with people an unforgettable anecdote that your parents have told you about marriage, an inside joke that they always cracked, or a special memory that you have with them. You can also talk about how much you have been inspired with the kind of relationship and marriage that your parents have shared.

Photos

Most wedding video presentations consist mainly of the couple’s photos but for yours, you can include some of your photos that you were with your parents. It can be childhood photographs, pictures of you, your spouse and your parents, or just a picture of your parents if you have never been with a picture with them.

Song/Music

Have the choir/band/wedding singer sing your parents’ theme songs. In addition, you can play their favorite kind of music as ambient music during the reception. If you are going to ask a band or wedding singer to sing their favorite song, have the singer/vocalist dedicate the song to your parents.

Food

For the reception, you have the option to include in the menu one or two of your parents’ favorite or signature dishes. This would make you feel as if your parents are with you during this very special event.

Colors

If your spouse-to-be would allow it, you can use your parents’ favorite colors as wedding motif. For example, if your dad was very fond of brown while your mom was a yellow person, you can combine yellow and brown as the main color theme for the wedding event.

Your wedding is such a special event and how you wish your parents could be with you. But you are still happy because you know that there are many ways you can do to keep their presence alive and to make them a part of the wondrous occasion.

Source: This Article was submitted by Wendy Bishop, a wedding expert and writer for MyDreamWedding.ca

BEACH BRIDE

By Angela White

Our society had put so much stress on being thin that it was difficult (sometimes frustrating) for plus-sized women to shop for a wedding gown. Too small samples, unfriendly sales staff, and lack of options were just few of the many problems of a plus-sized bride. It is as if they are saying that only thin brides can get married!

The good news is, times have gone into the opposite direction and many people have realized that plus-sized brides can be just as beautiful (often even more beautiful) than thin brides. More and more stores are offering plus-sized wedding gowns as well as expert fashion advice regarding this matter. Below is a practical shopping guide that can be of great help for a blushing plus-sized bride.

Your Shape and Body Type

First thing you need to do is to determine your shape and body figure. Then it would be easier for you to find a wedding gown that will be most flattering for your body type. A-line shaped dresses are best for curvier figures and for pear shaped body types. This type can skim over the hips, highlight the top half of the body without focusing too much on the lower half. Stay away from ball gown skirts as this can make you look fuller.

V-neckline is great for a busty bride because it adds a contrasting line to deviate the emphasis on the chest area. Princess cut dresses with a-line shape and no seam at the waist can give a long flowing look that is suitable for curvy figures. Tank style dresses are great with cap sleeves or three-quarter sleeves. Brides can also use netting or tulle to cover the chest area when wearing strapless gowns.

A Wedding Needs To Be Fun

Where to Shop

Many brick and mortar shops now offer plus-sized bridal gowns. Alternatively, you can go online and browse through different online bridal shops that offer equally beautiful and stunning wedding gowns for the plus-sized bride. Just make sure that if you are going to shop online, you find a reputable and secure store that has excellent track record.

Tailor Made

Getting your wedding gown tailor made may be the best option if you are a plus-sized bride. This is because you can customize the design to your own liking and you can ensure a perfect fit. Just find a reliable tailor or seamstress who specializes in plus-sized bridal dresses.

Fabric

Choose fabrics that do not add too much weight and bulk on the gown. Avoid those that cling to the body. Suitable fabrics for plus-sized brides include charmeuse, chiffon, and crepe because they can be effective in disguising chubbiness.

The most important tip of all, wear the gown with confidence. Even if you are wearing the most beautiful gown, if you cannot move, act with ease, or you keep on tugging on your dress, it would still not look beautiful. Be comfortable and act like you are the most beautiful woman in the world. After all, it is your wedding, you are the center of attention, and it is your time to shine.

BBQ SERVED

Barbecue wedding reception—just the sound of it can make your mouth water. If you think about the delectable barbecue choices that you have, you would instantly get hungry. This kind of reception which is suitable for outdoor and beach weddings can surely be a hit. And with so many flavorful options that you have, you would not have a difficult time choosing what kinds of barbecues to serve to your guests.

Here are some excellent suggestions on tasty barbecues to serve on your wedding reception:

Amazing Skirt Steaks

Skirt steaks are the perfect option for a wedding barbecue. Other cuts of tender steak such as New York, Porterhouse, Rib Eye or Filet Mignon can be very expensive and thick (and are therefore more difficult to cook), skirt steaks on the other hand are inexpensive and they come in just the right thickness that can be cooked for a very short time. You can marinate this in a sweet spicy barbecue sauce overnight or for several days so that the taste will be absorbed by the meat.

Tangy Korean Style Beef Barbecue

This type of barbecue consists of thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet Korean marinade and grilled perfectly. You can also choose whatever cut of beef you like but the recommended cut is sirloin or anything similar. Aside from beef, you can also go for chicken or pork if you are not much of a beef fan. This barbecue is ideal to serve with rice.

Zesty Chicken Breast Tenderloins in Teriyaki Sauce

For chicken lovers, teriyaki chicken breast tenderloins can be a nice addition to the wedding barbecue menu. Just like with the steak, you have to marinate them in teriyaki sauce the night before. Alternatively, you can use chicken strips and use other kinds of marinade like garlic and herb with lemon, garlic ranch with rosemary, or orange marmalade.

INDIAN CHICKEN TIKKA KEBABS

Heavy-on-the-Appetite Sausages

Since there are so many sausages to choose from, it will not be too difficult to make a choice. Cervelat sausages, Italian sausages, Hungarian sausages, and Andouille sausages are just few of the many options you have for this kind of barbecue. Butcher-made sausages can be a wonderful selection because these are smaller in size and are easier to cook.

Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs

A popular Mediterranean dish, Kebabs are meat marinated with a blend of herbs and spices grilled on skewers with vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and onions. Chicken is one of the most popular options for kebab but you can also make use of beef or seafood.

Other Barbecue Options

Pork tenderloin, beef spare ribs, lamb chops, pork and cider sausages, beef burgers, chicken thighs, and vegetable skewers are other barbecue options you can serve for your wedding reception. As for side dish suggestions, you can serve coleslaw, tossed green salad, baked baby potatoes, corn on the cob, grilled mixed vegetables, tomato salsa, grilled endive, rice, pasta with herb oil, tomato and red onion salad, and freshly baked bread.

Barbecue is great for all types of occasions. Weddings can also be a nice event where you can serve scrumptious barbecues. Just make sure that you choose those that would be suitable for the theme of the event and that would be a hit to your guests.

"Filed Under Love" Emery Board Nail Files

Have you noticed that so many people are getting into the DIY bandwagon? It is not any different with weddings. We can find so many resources online regarding DIY wedding decoration, DIY wedding cake, and DIY invitations.

Another popular DIY project that many brides want to try is the wedding favors. A wedding favor, which is a way of saying thank you to guests for attending your wedding, is also a keepsake that guests would remember your wedding by. For this reason, you would want to give away unique and special wedding favors that they would surely keep for a very long time.

Here are some wonderful and somewhat humorous DIY wedding favors that will also make your guests holler in laughter.

Funny Fortune Cookies

Take out your baking apron and whip up some exciting and flavorful cookies for your guests to enjoy. To make it more fun, include a piece of paper that contains wacky predictions (Today, is your lucky day, you will get to meet your Prince Charming. He looks like Barney, but who cares?!) or funny quotes (Love is like a cake. It is sweet but if you have too much of it, you get sick!). You can even personalize the fortune cookie so that the guests (especially your closest friends) would have a grand time laughing at inside jokes.

Hangover Survival Kit

Put together antacid, bottled water, and a headache medication in a small handmade box. Add a couple of candies and sweet treats. Voila, you have an “after the party” kit that would surely make your friends (especially those who love going out for drinks) laugh out loud. Do not forget to wrap the package with a ribbon that says, “Drink moderately! A friendly reminder from (couple’s name)”

Mini T-Shirts with Amusing Prints

This one you can make on actual-sized shirts but to save money, you can print amusing texts and funny graphics on mini shirts that can be bought in many retail stores. Use an iron-on transfer paper to print in your own printer some comical texts and illustrations you have collected. You can even have the mini shirts customized for each guest. For example, for your maid of honor, you can give something that says, “Bridezilla in the Making” or for the groom’s mother, you can give a “Cried Two Thousand and One Tear Drops in a Day” shirt.

More DIY wedding craft projects

1. A bag of candies and lollipops with a tag that says, “For that little kid in you (yes, we know about it!)”
2. Pastries and cakes. Write on the gift tag something like, “For your sweet tooth(decay)!”
3. A pouch of different kinds of nuts and a little card that says, “You’re nuts!” or “From one nut to another!”
4. A compact mirror inside a beautiful handmade box. On top of the box, write something that says, “Warning: You may not like what you are about to see inside!”
5. A personalized matchbox wrapped in colorful paper. Add a gift card that says, “For the perfect match.” Give these for couples who are going to attend your wedding.

Making wedding favors can be tedious for some people. After all, creating something a hundred times over can surely be tiresome and monotonous. However, if you create hilarious DIY wedding favors, not only would your guests break out laughing, you would also surely have a grand time making these favors.

Comical Bridal Hats

When you got married, you and your spouse received two dozens of china sets, ten pieces of bath towels (all with your names printed on them), and countless kitchen utensils that you were hardly able to use. You did not know what to do with all those same gifts. You wish you took your friend’s advice and signed up for a bridal registry.

Oh well, it is too late to regret about this at this point. The best thing you can do is to learn from that mistake. But since you do not have plans of getting married again (you are happily living with your spouse), you just plan to apply what you have learned from that event in the future weddings that you are going to attend. You vow never again to give a typical gift that the couple would just toss into oblivion because they have gotten the same kind for the nth time.

Buying humorous gifts is one way to ensure that you give the couple something unique and distinct. The couple will also surely appreciate your attempt to make them laugh. Here are some ideas on funny wedding gifts for you to consider:

Jewelry Gifts with Funny Engraving

Bequeath the newlyweds with fine silver, gold, platinum, or titanium jewelry. It can be a matching bracelet or necklace. Make the gift unique by having the jeweler engrave funny quotes about marriage such as “Marriage is like a bed of roses but with no petals, only thorns!” or comical greetings like, “Congratulations! (You don’t know what you’re getting into!)” Alternatively, you can purchase a pair of photograph locket necklace but instead of putting the couple’s pictures in it, it would be funnier to have their caricatures.

China Sets and Place Settings in Weird Shapes

Who said china sets have to be so common? The couple will surely love the whimsical set of china and place settings in unusual shapes and styles. They will have a fun time eating and dining with the use of these things. Plates that come in colorful designs and heart shapes are some of the many options you have with this kind of gift idea.

Matching Shirts with Comical Designs and Texts

If you are close to the couple and you know they would take it lightheartedly, you can give them a funny shirt with designs like a ball and chain couple or a shotgun wedding. But if you are not that close to them, stick to other kinds of funny items so that you do not risk offending them. Some funny texts on bride shirts can read, “Bridezilla No More,” while the groom’s shirt can have something like, “Wedding Survivor (Survived the Stress and Expenses!).”

Honeymoon Gift with a Laugh Twist

Honeymoons are always about romance but nobody said it could not be about fun and laughter too! Present the couple with a pair of tickets to a hilarious movie, preferably a romance comedy or passes to a stand-up comedy bar.

Whimsical Cake Toppers

Giving this gift before the wedding day is a good idea so that the couple can use it for their wedding cake. Cake toppers of a ball and chain groom or a bride that went out for shopping are just few of the many choices you have that can surely make the couple laugh out loud.

When shopping for this kind of gift, just make sure that you know the personality and taste of the couple so you can find something that would be suitable for them and something that they would not find offensive. Have fun in your wedding gift shopping activity!