e-weddings: Your Wedding Resource Center

Welcome to e-Weddings

2008-12-30T10:54:00.000-08:00

Our blog is all about helping you plan the wedding of your dreams.

Here you will find helpful articles and resources about weddings, honeymoons, and your marriage ceremony.

There are wedding shopping links that can help you plan the wedding your deserve, as well as a listing of products and services you might be interested in.

The Internet allows you to find the best products and services for your wedding day and honeymoon without having to trapse around to figure things out.

There is more choice online and more times than not you will save money too. We know that saving money is not the only thing you are interested in, but it can't hurt to get what you want for less, now can it?

We have done a lot of research to bring you the best information and the best wedding service resources possible. Use our navigation in the upper right to get around, but also see what we are featuring this month below.

Need to Send a Last Minute Gift?

Check out the Park Avenue Gift Basket
Send the Collosal Fruit Basket
Fresh from the Garden
Send Flowers from Flowers.com
Bath and Body Gifts

Featured Story: Weddings on a Budget
People often say that weddings cost "a lot". Weddings are "expensive", and can be "extravagant". But all those words are subjective. What is expensive to one may be chump change to another.

Featured Vendor: Get Your Own Wedding Website
Wedding photos are of course a must for any wedding, but the latest rage is having your own wedding website ...

New Partners
iDo Wedding Couple Edition is wedding planning software designed to help save time and energy while planning a wedding. From compiling your guest list to mailing the last thank you note, your wedding will be a success. Brides and grooms across 61 countries have enjoyed using iDo to organize their wedding details.

Who We Are
e-Weddings is part of the BeComing network of businesses and websites. If you are in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, visit our Day Spa and Salon as well as our Mobile Day Spa. We also operate the Tampa Bay Beauty Blog. If you would like to contact us, just leave a comment on this page.

Shopping Links

2008-06-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

Gift Tree
Chocolates, baskets, champagne, flowers and much more.
Great gifts for any occasion! GiftTree

Flower.com

Shop FLOWER.com for flowers and gifts. Choose from the most comprehensive collection of fresh flowers, plants, and gift baskets.

Bridal Lingerie
We are featuring two killer sites and they both have a lot more than lingerie as well.

Wedding Boxes
A wedding card box is a beautiful accent for a wedding. It is essential for every wedding...

Wedding Windows
We have partnered with Wedding Windows to provide you with a service that is truly customizable without the customized price. Because we know that you want a wedding website that is unique...

Wedding Themes
Wedding themes can make planning your special day so much easier. By using decorations, favors and other supplies that focus on the theme, you'll find that the organization of the event comes together with much less effort.

The House of Brides
The House of Brides is the world's largest online wedding store. You can get just about anything there and the prices are far less than you will pay...

Bath-and-Body
Created for people who consider bathing more than just a way of getting clean, all of our bath and body products and bath gift baskets come...

House of Brides

2008-06-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

The House of Brides is the world's largest online wedding store. You can get just about anything there and the prices are far less than you will pay in the stores. Here are some links for you to check out.
Bridal Jewelry Sets

Bridal and Formal Shoes

Huge Discounts on Flowergirl Dresses

Bridal Jewelry Sets

Couture Wedding Dresses

Create Your Personalized Wedding Site

Wedding Accessories

Wedding Dresses

Lingerie

Win a Free Wedding Dress

House of Brides Web site

Bridal Lingerie

2008-06-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

Make it a wedding night he'll never forget!
Check out Henry & June Lingerie's Bridal Selection

___________________________

AlwaysForMe.com
Plus Sizes

Gift Tree

2008-06-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

e-Weddings has partnered with the best shopping sites to bring you a range of hand selected products for you.

Champagne Gifts & Baskets

Gift Baskets

AllWineBaskets.com

Last Minute Gifts

Chocolate and Sweet Gifts

Romantic Gifts

We've Gathered Our Best-Selling Gifts...

Bath-and-Body

2008-06-01T15:28:00.001-07:00

Created for people who consider bathing more than just a way of getting clean, all of our bath and body products and bath gift baskets come in a variety of incredible fragrances and contain a balanced mix of nourishing ingredients to help you pamper your skin and soul.

Whether you're looking for a nourishing Body Lotion, Body Butter or other fragrant goodie for yourself or shopping for a gift basket or gift set for someone special, our bath and body products will meet with approval from even the most discriminating bath connoisseurs.

At Bath-and-Body.com, you'll discover an easy-to-use, totally secure web site where you can find the perfect ingredients for a relaxing getaway in the privacy of your own tub or shower. Your complete satisfaction is guaranteed! Even return shipping is free. Send a gift to someone special... even if that "someone special" is you!

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Fresh from the Garden

2008-06-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

A gorgeous bouquet of Sunflowers, Liatris, Stock and Pom Poms accents our fresh basket of seasonal fruit and gourmet cheeses. The fruit may include apples, grapes, bananas, oranges, and pears. A delicious treat! Exact basket and fruit selection may vary by season and delivery location.

Buy It

Colossal Fruit Basket

2008-06-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

Wonderfully displayed in a handsome basket, our Colossal Fruit Basket contains the most luscious domestic and tropical fruits available. Fruits may include apples, oranges, grapes, kiwi, pears, nectarines, bananas, pineapple, and coconut as available. A great gift for any occasion. Exact basket and fruit selection may vary by season and delivery location.

Colossal Fruit Basket

Park Avenue Gift Basket

2008-06-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Elegantly apportioned with the finest available wines and gourmet foods. Dom Perignon (1999)-Unique and magnificent. The champagne of kings. Beaulieu Vineyard Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (2003)-One of California's finest Cabernets ever. Nearly perfect, very focused cassis and graphite flavors abound. Beringer Napa Valley Private Reserve Chardonnay - The wine is blended to create an intensely aromatic and flavorful wine featuring citrus, tropical notes of fresh pineapple and mango, creme brulee, brown spice, and butterscotch that come together for a seamlessly long, plush finish.

The two tiered tray and basket ensemble holds the fine wines amongst a splendid assortment of appetizing food including Auberge Brie cheese spread, Aaron Bell Wine Companion Crackers, Phoenician Pastries, Roasted Almonds, Seasoned Pretzels, Beefeater Olives, Saraivanov Caviar, Lemon Drops, Citrus Gems, Fruit Candy, Cassil & Klein Almond Biscotti, Toffee Peanuts, Cranberry Twist, Macadam's Croccante, Lemon Tea Cookies, and Brown & Haley Almond Roca. The gift includes a set of two cheese knives and arrives with a hand tied taffeta ribbon and fruit garland. Nothing compares to our finest gift. Gift measures 24'' x 17'' x 10''. Due to the alcoholic content of this gift, an adult signature is required upon delivery.

BUY IT

Travel Deals

2008-06-01T11:46:00.001-07:00

e-Weddings has partnered with Travelocity to bring you the best travel deals for your wedding or honeymoon plans.

Top Hotel Deals in New York

East Coast Escapes: Hotels from $60

Visit Travelocity for all your European Vacation destinations and Package deals

Top Hotel Deals in Honolulu

Top Destination for hotels!

Cancun Destination Guide

Top Hotel Deals in Chicago

Las Vegas Vacation Packages and Deals

Top Hotel Deals in San Francisco

Paradise Found: Caribbean Hotels from $98

Wedding Services

2008-06-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

Get Your Own Wedding Website
Wedding photos are of course a must for any wedding, but the latest rage is having your own wedding website ...

Ride in Style - Limo Service
Most people wouldn't hire the cheapest surgeon, or stay at the cheapest hotel, yet, many brides-to-be shop for a limousine service in this fashion...

Wedding Card Boxes
A wedding card box is a beautiful accent for a wedding. It is essential for every wedding reception to have a wedding card box to hold the cards of their guests...

Wedding Themes
Wedding themes can make planning your special day so much easier. By using decorations, favors and other supplies that focus on the theme, you'll find that the organization of the event comes together with much less effort...

Wedding Flowers
You can get what you need for your wedding and for your bridesmaids and groom by clickingon Wedding Flowers above.

Articles to Help You

2008-06-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

How to Plan Your Wedding Ceremony Music
Not all songs are created equal. The type of wedding ceremony music that you choose will be quite different from the wedding reception music...

Planning Your Reception
Regardless of the type of wedding reception you wish to have, taking the time to plan and work out all the details of what needs to be done is very important. This advice applies whether you are planning a small intimate gathering of ...

Romantic Beach Weddings
Beach weddings are not only romantic, but it’s also close to nature. The natural beauty of the surroundings will always complement your vows of love to one another...

Wedding and Honeymoons in Mairitius
There can be few places more romantic than the Indian Ocean for your dream honeymoon or wedding in Mauritius. Mauritius in particular combines the magnificent scenery and beautiful beaches with luxury resorts inclusive of ...

Ethical and Green Weddings
Many of the rich and famous including Charles and Camilla served organic food at their wedding, but elsewhere it is very much on the wedding menu as brides and grooms go ethical on the most important day of their life.

Budget Weddings Can Be Special
Let's face it, the bride's family is not always willing (or able) to foot the bill for a big wedding...

Maui Weddings
Sun, sand and surf on a tropical island paradise is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. The Hawaiian Islands have it all and the island of Maui has it in spades.

Disneyland Weddings
Wouldn't it be a dream come true to have the happiest day of your life (your wedding day) at the happiest place on earth? With Disneyland Weddings, your dreams are not that far off!

Weekend Weddings
During the last few years the wedding has evolved beyond the typical ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception compressed into one day. Why not expand it into a long week-end or better yet, a small vacation.

Weddings and Grooms
Historically, men were not especially involved in the wedding planning process. Aside from selecting his groomsmen, planning the honeymoon, and showing up, he is usually ...

Weddings on a Budget
People often say that weddings cost "a lot". Weddings are "expensive", and can be "extravagant". But all those words are subjective. What is expensive to one may be chump change to another.

Poetry and Weddings
There are several ways that wedding poetry can be used. Wedding poetry can enhance more than one area of your special day.

Catering and Weddings
A catering service provider is part of your wedding planning strategy. A caterer generally provides food and beverages and they have a significant role in your wedding...

Flowers and Weddings
It is an unwritten law that you cannot get married without flowers. Flowers are the essence of a beautiful wedding day celebration. Flowers are a three dimensional element of your decorating strategy

Destination Weddings
No matter where you and your future groom are wed, your wedding will have the same meaning and give you the same new start to a beautiful beginning together, however destination weddings can

How to Plan Your Wedding Ceremony Music

2008-06-01T10:46:00.000-07:00

Not all songs are created equal. The type of wedding ceremony music that you choose will be quite different from the wedding reception music. There is also the consideration on the type of wedding you will be having - whether it is a traditional religious ceremony or a less formal occasion, such as a garden wedding or beach wedding. In this article, we are going to be looking at music choices that would fit into a more formal and religious atmosphere.

What Type Of Music Is Needed For Each Segment

In a traditional ceremony arrangement, low-key instrumental music is usually played and begins about a half hour before the ceremony begins. This is called the Prelude. Most times, if you don't have any real choices in songs, the organist will play the typical wedding selections that other bride's and groom's have used. If you wish to pick your own Prelude songs, a few of the more popular choices are:

* Canon in D by Pachelbel

* Air From Water Music by Handel

* Ave Maria by Bach

* Greensleeves by David Chamberlain

* Waltz (from Sleeping Beauty) by Tchaikovsky

* We've Only Just Begun by The Carpenters

* Tonight I Celebrate My Love (For You) by Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack

* Breathless by Kenny G

You will then need to choose what music you would prefer for your Processional (as you walk down the aisle). Some brides will elect to have traditional instrumental music such as Canon in D, Ave Maria, and of course the tune that everyone knows: The Wedding March (Here Comes The Bride). However, more and more of today's brides are chosing tunes from popular song artists. Here is a short list of Processional songs that tend to be favorites:

* Power Of Love by Celine Dion

* What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong and Kenny G

* Endless Love by Lionel Ritchie and Diana Ross

* Grow Old With Me by Mary Chapin Carpenter

* Look At You Girl by Chris Ledoux

* From This Moment On by Shania Twain

* Because you Loved me by Celine Dion

* Only Time by Enya

* This I Swear by Nick Lachey

* Nadia's Theme by Barry De Vorzon and Perry Botkin, Jr.

During the ceremony itself, there will be breaks when you will need to provide solos, hymns or instrumental music, such as when you are signing the register. Some common pieces sung by soloists are:

* Wedding (There Is Love) by Stookey

* Ave Maria by Schubert

* Evergreen by Barbra Streisand

* One Hand, One Heart (West Side Story) by Bernstein and Sondheim

* Sunrise, Sunset (Fiddler on the Roof) by Harnick and Bock

* Ode to Joy by Bethoven

Finally the ceremony ends and the bride and groom turn to leave to the sounds of the Recessional. Here you will want a vibrant, joyous song or instrumental to play. You may choose from classical music or the more popular pop songs of today. A few examples are:

* Wedding March from a Midsummer Night's Dream by Mendelssohn

* Overture from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart

* Bridal March by Hollins

* Ode to Joy by Beethoven

* Nothings Going To Stop Us Now by Jefferson Starship

* Beautiful Day by U2

* Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

* Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis

Tips For Planning Your Music Selections

Before you select any music, soloists or instrumentalists, you will need to get the answers to certain questions as follows:

1) Speak with your clergy member to find out if the religious venue you are considering provides an organist and/or choir. What other types of musicians are allowed and can he/she recommend anyone? Are other types of musicians allowed such as a harpist, flutist, guitarist, etc.? Can he/she recommend any soloists?

2) You will also need to determine if there are any restrictions on the types of songs and music played during the ceremony. In a very strict, religious church, you may be prohibited from playing any non-religious songs.

3) If the church or synagogue provides an organist or other instrumentalist, what is the fee that is charged for using them? What if you wish to use a friend or a particular organist rather than the one provided, are you allowed to substitute?

4) Determine what type of mood you want for your ceremony. Some couples want a more serious, solemn service, while other couples want a fun-filled, vibrant atmosphere. This will help you in your selection of wedding music, as well as deteriming the best soloist and musicians to hire.

5) If you have any friends or family members that are gifted musicians, you may want to consider asking them to provide the songs and music. It will provide an added personal touch to your ceremony. Be sure to thank them by presenting them with a small gift. In some cases, you may need to hire them just as you would any other professional musician, but it is usually much less expensive to do so.

6) Once you determine what music and songs you will be using, make sure all soloists and musicians have a copy of the music list along with when they are to be sung/played. If any of the songs or music are new to your performers, make sure you provide sheet music and give it to them early so they can prepare.

7) Purchase tapes and CD's of wedding music to listen to. This will help make your choices much easier.

As you can see, there are quite a few details to resolve when planning out your wedding ceremony music. The above song suggestions are the ones more traditionally chosen. However, there are alway new popular songs by song artists that can also be wonderful choices for a wedding ceremony. Keep your ears open for them. Hopefully, the above guidelines should give you a good start toward picking the perfect music that will personalize your own wedding.

Copyright 2006. Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you plan your perfect theme wedding .

Planning Your Reception

2008-06-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Regardless of the type of wedding reception you wish to have, taking the time to plan and work out all the details of what needs to be done is very important. This advice applies whether you are planning a small intimate gathering of a few close friends and family after the ceremony or if you want a lavish reception.

Couples are often surprised at the amount of time and effort involved in personalizing and organizing a perfect reception, which needs to be done several months in advance. The following tips are intended to guide you through some of the wedding reception details that you will need to address.

Begin By Pre-Planning and Organizing

Before you start any wedding reception planning make sure you know your exact budget. There is no point in organizing a lavish reception for 200 people if your budget only allows for a small toned-down gathering of 50 people. Your budget will not only include the cost of the reception venue, but also the food, favors, decorations, music, cake, table linens and tableware, any additional entertainment, etc. The reception will take the largest chunk of your budget.

I also strongly recommend that you purchase a good wedding planner book to walk you step-by-step through the wedding planning process. These books provide some great information on details that you might miss or not even think of. Plus, they provide you with a place to record and store all wedding information for quick retrieval.

One of the cheapest (since it's free) ways to find out more about what's involved in planning a wedding reception is to start by talking to friends and family about their wedding experiences. Write down any advice and tips they might give, as well as references to caterers, DJ's, etc. Word of mouth is often the best way to locate exactly what you're looking for.

Choosing a Location

Deciding on where to hold your wedding reception can often times make a key difference in how well it goes... and how fondly it's remembered by you and your guests. Take your time with this. Get recommendations and check out all venues thoroughly.

Be aware that the number of available locations will be much more limited for weekends and certain times of the year... often popular spots are booked a year in advance. You may wish to consider having your wedding during an "off-wedding" month, such as January or during the week, rather than on a weekend. Cost wise, it will be much cheaper as well.

While at each reception location there are several details that you should pay attention to. Available nearby parking, adequate bathroom facilities, cleanliness of the location, and ample room for dinner and dancing… these are just some of the things you will need to look at.

Familiarize yourself with the location to learn what can and can not be done, especially in terms of decorating.

Keep a list of all locations and facilities that you visit and try to get a floor plan of the building. This will certainly help you out when you are deciding on the arrangement of tables, DJ or band stand, where to place the cake table, etc. Make sure you also get all prices quoted and contact details in writing.

The Nitty-Gritty Reception Details

There are many details that you need to attend to such as your seating arrangements, coordinating table linens to match your theme, finding a baker to make your wedding cake, whether to use a decorator or not, and who to use for entertainment.

Make a list of everything that needs to be taken care of then start delegating some of the tasks to your attendants and family members. Keep in mind that some flexibility is essential in the planning process too.

Decorating is an important part of your overall wedding plans. Make a list of the various types of decorations you'll need such as table centerpieces, balloon bouquets, and specific theme items.

One of the other most significant aspects of planning your wedding reception is the meal that will be served. You will need to decide if it will be a full-course sit-down dinner or a buffet. If you're planning a low-key, intimate reception with family and close friends, plan on food and drink that is less formal and more fun.

Once you think you have everything planned out on paper, take the time to walk through the event from start to finish. For example, what will everyone be doing when they first arrive at the reception? When will guests be seated for dinner? What will happen during the meal? When will you cut the cake? When does the dancing begin? By going through each aspect of what will happen at the reception, you will be assured that you've taken care of all the details.

A Few Other Reception Tips

Keep your guests updated in regards to any changes to wedding details throughout the planning process. A good way to do this is to register with a personal wedding website. New details can be added and quickly updated, which family members and guests can then quickly access online.

Delegate, delegate, delegate! Try to get other people to help out as much as possible. This will take a large load of errands off your back and all you need to do is supervise the process. Having fun and being relaxed is what you’re aiming for.

Hopefully, the above guidance and advice will give you some direction and inspiration as you plan your own special and personalized wedding reception.

About the Author:
(c)2006. Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you plan your perfect theme wedding. Read more about how to personalize your wedding reception details

Get Your Own Wedding Website

2008-06-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

Wedding photos are of course a must for any wedding, but the latest rage is having your own wedding website that is accessible 24/7 to all of your family and friends, no matter where they are.

We have partnered with Wedding Windows to provide you with a service that is truly customizable without the customized price. Because we know that you want a wedding website that is unique and relative to your wedding theme, we have accommodated that need by allowing you to select your own color scheme and photo combination.

As well, we have provided several additional options for personalization. For example, you can include a poem in the graphic portion of the "Paradise" design, a tagline with the "Charmed" design or your own graphic word with the "Star and Al" design. Furthermore, you can include monograms and can even create your own button names. With all of that flexibility, creating a wedding website that is unique to your style is a piece of cake... wedding cake, that is.

For more information, please visit our website and go to the Designs Page to see all of your options.

Ride in Style - Limo Service

2008-06-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

Most people wouldn't hire the cheapest surgeon, or stay at the cheapest hotel, yet, many brides-to-be shop for a limousine service in this fashion.The biggest mistake brides and grooms make when hiring a limousine service for their wedding is basing their decision solely on the "best price". This translates into a large risk for you. Getting the "best price" is like choosing a surgeon who offers the least expensive surgery -- a foolhardy choice.

SMART WEDDING LIMO RENTAL CHOICES
WHEN RENTING, EMPLY THESE GUIDELINES!

Ask to See The Company's Limos
Check out the vehicle you plan on renting. Some companies utilize older limo fleets . You don't want to be surprised on your wedding day when a 1988 limousine shows up at the church when you were expecting a year 2007 model! Many Limos.com advertisers have pictures of their vehicles posted online with their company listings.

Get A Signed Contract For Your Wedding
Reliable and professional service will be more than happy to provide you with a signed-contract for service. Companies who can't supply a contract may not be confident in their ability to fulfill.
Ask About Limo Insurance And PermitsAll limousines are required to carry commercial livery insurance and proper permits. Unfortunately, the Yellow Pages and advertising services such as ours do not require the same in order to advertise. To protect yourself from "gypsy companies", ask for proof of these with your signed contract.

Ask About Limo Industry Associations
Companies who belong to industry associations usually must abide by special insurance regulations and service rules. Reputable associations such as the National Limousine Association (NLA) and the local livery association are good indications that your service provider does their due diligence. The Better Business Bureau also is a good research source- complaints about limousine services are not far behind auto mechanics complaints.

"The Limo Got Into An Accident!"
Don't be the bride which gets the "The Limo Got Into An Accident" or "We don't have your reservation" story. Cover yourself by getting a signed contract and by shopping smart. Shopping on price alone is dangerous. Some unethical operators do not hesitate to drop a reservation to pickup a better paying fare.

Book your limo here

Wedding Boxes

2008-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

A wedding card box is a beautiful accent for a wedding. It is essential for every wedding reception to have a wedding card box to hold the cards of their guests. We have many different sizes of wedding card boxes to choose from that will match any size wedding. Our card boxes range in holding anywhere from 40 cards to well over 200 cards.

Our wedding card boxes will provide an elegant beauty to your reception table. Our card boxes have an eye catching design and, as it has in many cases, can be one of the most talked about products at the reception. Aside from the beautiful look of the glass and mirror, what makes our wedding card box so unique is its personalization feature.

Each card box is personalized to include the couples names and other relevant wedding information. Our designers engrave the wedding information on the front of the card box. We engrave in large letters so that all the guests can easily read the couples information. Our customers can choose from the many different design layouts for any of our wedding card boxes.

Every other card box in this industry can really only be used once. The design of our wedding card box allows the bride and groom to use it after the wedding as a case to display their treasured keepsakes. The double use of our card boxes is another feature that makes our product stand out above our competitors. It is also another reason that our customers are glad they bought from The Perfect Wedding Box and have become part of one of the fastest growing items in the wedding industry.

Romantic Beach Weddings

2008-06-01T07:29:00.000-07:00

Beach weddings are not only romantic, but it’s also close to nature. The natural beauty of the surroundings will always complement your vows of love to one another. If you want to follow your beach wedding idea, you have to carefully prepare each detail to make them all perfect for the wedding.

You can have a romantic beach theme wedding while making it affordable if you have all the plans in place. The extra hurdle that you will need to make sure this is going to go well is the weather, so make sure you hold your wedding in the summer.

The Florida beach wedding, Myrtle beach wedding, and Miami beach wedding are some of the best places in the country where you can get married. To get your visitors in the mood for the celebration before they even reach the place, your beach wedding invitation should have the proper beach theme wedding invitations. You have to inform them of whether they would see you in a casual beach wedding dress or an informal beach wedding dress so that they could match the correct beach wedding attire and beach wedding wear.

Most of the beach wedding dress styles are simple and would not require a very long back since you’ll be in the sand during the ceremony. Beach wedding decoration could be quite a challenge since it’s probably going to be windy, but use those that are in season and have a stand for the flowers.

Your beach theme wedding cake should not melt in the sun quickly, so don’t have any ice cream cakes for your beach wedding cake. Your beach theme wedding favor should also speak of nature. A special shell or anything you prefer would be good for reminding them of the occasion as a simple but elegant beach wedding.

Another important memory that you would like to have is the photos of your wedding, so be sure to have a professional beach wedding photographer. They are already familiar with the sun and all the proper adjustments that they will need to get that perfect shot. You can also have your friends take some pictures to have the memory of the celebration, but it’s always best to have a professional create some memories for you.

Author: Get more tips and ideas for planning your romantic beach wedding. If you struggle finding a perfect words for your wedding speech make sure to visit http://www.EasyWeddingToasts.com

Weddings and Honeymoons in Mauritius

2008-06-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

There can be few places more romantic than the Indian Ocean for your dream honeymoon or wedding in Mauritius. Mauritius in particular combines the magnificent scenery and beautiful beaches with luxury resorts inclusive of all the facilities you would expect from a five star destination. Beachcomber is a Mauritian owned hotel company, and as a result they have chosen the best spots on the island for each of their eight hotels and resorts. Each is as individual as you are, and offers a unique experience of this stunning, long haul destination.

Mauritius itself is located in the Southern Hemisphere, just on the Tropic of Capricorn, surrounded by unstoppable views of the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. The island itself is small, with a journey from top to bottom taking no longer than 2 hours. The capital is the vibrant Port Louis on the north west coast, with the main business district being Curepipe in the centre of the island. Temperatures are warm year round, dropping to around 24 degrees in June/July, and creeping up to the low 30’s in January/February. Rainfall is lowest in June, July, and only up to about 9 inches for January/February…… all in all a year round destination.

Weddings at Beachcomber Hotels are popular with around 300 every year taking place, in one of the 8 hotels. They guarantee only one wedding each day in any one hotel, so you can rest assured that on your special day you will have the undivided attention from all the hotel staff! They offer expertise and unrivaled attention to detail, in a wonderful location. You will also meet your own personal wedding coordinator, who will take care of everything from matching bouquets and button holes, to arrange witnesses for your ceremony if required. You are free to choose where you get married within the resort, whether it is in the stunning gardens, by a pool or on the beach, the flexibility and choice really is yours.

All of the hotels in the Beachcomber group are suitable for weddings and honeymoons, and choosing will really depend on your particular requirements. If undiluted luxury in a small, boutique, Leading Hotel of the World is what you are looking for, then the Royal Palm is a must. This is arguably the premier hotel on Mauritius, with the finest discrete service, first class accommodation, and an unrivalled location, on a stunning beach, close to Grand Baie.

If you are looking for relaxed, barefoot romance in understated accommodation, with a choice of fine dining then the Trou Aux Biches hotel is a must. Located on one of the best beaches on the island, the Trou Aux Biches is one of the most popular choices for weddings and honeymoons in the Indian Ocean. The friendly relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere makes a stay here one you will savour and want to repeat.

If you are are looking for some activity during your honeymoon, then the Shandrani hotel comes highly recommended. It is a superb five star all inclusive hotel with a unique combination of superb accommodation and facilities, with a fully inclusive service. Not only are all your meals and drinks included, but so are some spa treatments, and most of the sporting activities including scuba diving.

Paradis and Dinarobin Hotels are located on the stunning south west peninsula of the island, with Le Morne Mountain as a backdrop to the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. These hotels offer spacious resorts, with elegant and luxurious accommodation. Paradis is the more vibrant of the two, with more rooms, restaurants, pools and a beach. The Dinarobin is the more elegant of the two, with all suite accommodation and a stunning spa. Whichever you choose to stay at, the facilities of the others are available for your use.

Finally the three other hotels, Le Victoria, Le Canonnier and Le Mauricia. These are the most vibrant of the Beachcomber hotels, and offer excellent value for money. Le Victoria is particularly suitable for families, and is offered on a half board basis. It’s located close to Port Louis, and Grande Baie, so if you get itchy feet then it’s well worth considering. Both Le Canonnier and Le Mauricia are fantastic value, both are inclusive hotels and great if you have a lively group for a wedding. They are located on the north west of the island. Le Canonnier is on the old Cannon Point, one of the most spectacular locations, with uninterrupted views of the Ocean in more than one direction! Le Mauricia is closer to Grand Baie, and strolls along the beach in the evening for pre dinner drinks or a wonder around the shops are well recommended.

In all a honeymoon or wedding in Mauritius won’t disappoint. The attention to detail for your wedding, with personal wedding co-ordinators, and the guarantee of only one wedding a day ensures that the day is as perfect as you planned. The choice of hotels, accommodations, dining options and locations will guarantee you can find a perfect location for the honeymoon of your dreams.

Author: For further information on weddings and honeymoons in Mauritius please visit Beachcomber Tours

Ethical and Green Weddings

2008-06-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

Many of the rich and famous including Charles and Camilla served organic food at their wedding, but elsewhere it is very much on the wedding menu as brides and grooms go ethical on the most important day of their life. Make your wedding a special day - for you and the planet. To help, we have put together a list of suggestions and pointers towards your ethical big day, from the ceremony and catering, to an eco-friendly honeymoon.

Ethical Weddings can include using:

• A venue operated on environmentally friendly principles or supporting a charity or community project
• A caterer using organic and local produce
• A dressmaker or designer using organic, hemp or recycled fabrics
• A florist working with organic or fairtrade flowers
• An environmentally friendly means of transport such as horse and cart
• Stationery designed on recycled or hand crafted paper
• Wedding rings that use recycled gold or fairtrade silver or by buying diamonds that are conflict free
• Not accepting traditional household wedding gifts such as toasters but accepting donations to charity on your behalf
• Using biodegradable confetti

Im now going to expand on a few of the points above:

Wedding Lists

The first casualty is the traditional wedding list, a monument to conspicuous consumption featuring dinner services and crystal to be replaced at fashionable weddings by charity lists, with tree plantations and donated cows for communities in the developing world. If you are green fingered, how about plants, trees or garden vouchers.

Wedding Staionery

Use recycled paper for wedding stationery, or try Recycled Paper. To save paper, you could design a website, and send a postcard to guests referring them to it. Wedding photos can be easier to share if you go digital too.

The Dress

Another option is to hire the gown and other wedding outfits instead of buying it and then putting in the warbrobe just to pull it out for the occasional look!

Drink

Buy organic or fairtrade wine for your guests and enjoy the revelry while nature and communities benefit. Order wine, spirits, champagne, beer and soft drinks from an independent online organic retailer while avoiding the supermarkets that make millions in profits.

Food

Support local, seasonal and organic food production - and ask your caterer to do the same. Avoid disposable plates and make sure empties end up in the recycling bin.

Ask your cake-maker or local baker to use local and organic ingredients where possible.

Transport

Find a venue as close to home as possible to cut down on transport. Horse drawn carriages are not only good at seaside resorts but also on your wedding day. If you dont have the ceremony and reception at the same venue, encourage guests to share rides to the reception or provide a coach or bus.

Honeymoon

Think about romantic destinations you can visit that are as close to home as possible to reduce the number of road and air miles. If you decide to go longhaul, then find an eco friendly or ethical hotel to stay in.

Davinos Greeno works for the organic and ethical directories that lists 100s of Organic and Ethical Companies and we also have Organic Articles for you to read

Budget Weddings Can Be Special

2008-06-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

t's your big day. You're getting married. Time to plan big. Time to plan lavishly. Time to start your wonderful life together in debt.

Let's face it, the bride's family is not always willing (or able) to foot the bill for a big wedding. More and more the bride and groom are paying for their own weddings, and want to do it responsibly. The good news is inexpensive weddings don’t mean you have to give up on style or sentimentality. It means using your imagination. For example, I knew one couple who rented an inexpensive roller rink for the night and got married on skates to a cheesy organ playing "Here Comes the Bride." After the vows they and their guests had a great time skating around the rink.
Too expensive for you? Perhaps you could hold your wedding outdoors at a friend's or family member's backyard. If there is a pool available, you could turn it into a fun wedding pool party.
Wedding theme parties can also be a creative, fun and inexpensive (we don't use the word "cheap") way to get married. You could go to an inexpensive craft stores to create any kind of theme wedding you want: Western, Hawaiian, Cosmopolitan, Elvis, Star Trek, "Survivor" (yes, that's right, a "Survivor" theme wedding.)

What other ways can you save money on your wedding?

- Buy your dress secondhand.

- Ask your friends and family to make your food and cake for you in lieu of a wedding gift.

- Why use a DJ when you have an iPod or MP3 player?

- Stay away from "expensive foods" like shrimp, salmon, lobster and beef tenderloin.

- Hold the wedding and reception at lunch time and serve lunch instead of dinner.

- Buy flowers from a local wholesale flower mart or nursery.

- Have a barbecue.

- Have a buffet-style meal instead of a more formal dinner.

- Skip the alcohol. Okay, just kidding (unless, of course you don't drink). But, if having some wine or champagne available to your guests is important, there are still some pretty good bottles available that won't break the bank. If you live in California, inexpensive wines are easy to find. But, if you live elsewhere, there are always labels like Columbia Crest, BV Coastal and Mirassou that are great tasting and inexpensive. Chandon, a label from California, has good, inexpensive sparkling wine for around $13.99 (from dealtime.com). You can always have a more expensive bottle of champagne reserved for the bride and groom.

It's all about priorities. Decide which elements of your wedding are most important to you and which you want to reserve for a major part of your budget and which elements aren't all that important to you. Perhaps saving money for a house is your priority and a wedding just isn't all that important. In that case, elope and have a modest party later. You two are creating the lives you want. Do what makes you happiest.

Author: Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of http://www.locationweddings.net and http://californiaweddings.blogspot.com

Maui Weddings

2008-06-01T07:21:00.001-07:00

Sun, sand and surf on a tropical island paradise is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. The Hawaiian Islands have it all and the island of Maui has it in spades. Maui is the perfect place for a vacation, the perfect place for a honeymoon, and the perfect place for a wedding. What could be more romantic, exotic, and exciting than a beautiful Maui wedding? In fact, with the costs of destination weddings dropping steadily, many couples are choosing to travel to this beautiful island specifically to get married in this amazing tropical location. Maui weddings are as breathtakingly romantic and astounding as anyone could ever hope their wedding could be and they’re much more affordable than you might think.

Should you choose to have your wedding in this fun and exciting location, the first thing you want to do is search for a Maui travel package. The price of travel and hotel accommodations may surprise you once you start looking into them. Contact a travel agent to see what kind of a package deal you can get on air travel and hotel rates. Booking your airfare and hotel stay together this way is bound to save you money as compared to purchasing them separately. All too often people will find what they think is a great price on a hotel room only to find that they can’t afford the airfare, and vice versa. Using a travel agent to book them together can save you a considerable percentage. Remember that booking far in advance will usually get you the best rates and that you’re always going to get a better price during the off season.

Once you have the hotel and travel arrangements out of the way, it’s time to start planning the actual wedding. Maui has become such a popular destination for weddings that several companies that specialize in planning Maui weddings have popped up all over the island. Most of these companies offer to hold ceremonies in a number of uniquely beautiful Maui locations. The majority of them also have web sites that detail the wedding packages that they have to offer. These packages include things like the wedding cake, photography, a minister or other official to perform the ceremony, and a number of other wedding related details. Some will even make an appointment with the state’s marriage licensing department so you can obtain your marriage license. The cost of the Maui wedding packages vary, of course, depending on the company making the offer and exactly what you want to include. Most of the prepared packages range in price from about three hundred dollars for the most basic to nearly three thousand dollars for the most exquisite.

A beautiful and romantic Maui wedding is definitely within your reach. By choosing to marry in such an exotic and romantic location you are basically guaranteeing yourself a wedding ceremony that you will remember fondly forever and promising yourself a wedding experience that you may have thought could only happen in your dreams.

Author: Kirsten Hawkins is an event planner from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.wedding411.net/ for more event planning tips, strategies, and resources.

Disneyland Weddings

2008-06-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be a dream come true to have the happiest day of your life (your wedding day) at the happiest place on earth? With Disneyland Weddings, your dreams are not that far off!

Disneyland weddings include a magical ceremony and a original welcome that you can't discover any place else on earth. Now, you can in actuality have a fairy tale wedding that is truly only, romantic, and fascinating and you can have your very own happily at all after' wedding day at Disneyland.

You won't have to stress over the details. Like Cinderella, you can have your very own God Mother to take care of the details although in this case, it desire actually be a fairy God Planner.

Disneyland weddings are not last minute events. The planning stage begin one season earlier the date of the wedding close to a meeting with the Disney wedding planner, a site journey, and a selection of the possible locations for the wedding.

Eleven months before the big day, the letter of contract should be signed and returned with a deposit. At ten months, announcements are mailed out to the guests who are to be invited.

Eight months already the big day, the planning steps up. Planning sessions are held by phone or in person with the wedding planner, and ceremony and reception event orders are prepared.

All things starts falling into place, and the planning continues until one month before the big day. Finishing payments are due thirty days before the wedding date, and the final guest count is due four days before the wedding is to take place.

Everything is planned with your input, and all of the details are handled without any stress being placed on the happy twosome. Flowers, invitations, and catering are all included. After a ceremony that will live in your memory forever, you and your new spouse desire enjoy the reception of your dreams.

The reception will be handled by a white gloved staff, complete with elegant resort table settings, a head table, floor length linens, and place cards. Your wedding cake will be like nothing you could imaginein your wildest dreams, selected by you from a variety of preference.

If you plan it right, your Disneyland wedding will have all of your dreams coming true like in a magical world!

Chris Elliott maintains a group of toys-related sites, including Toy Box Secrets, Toy Chest Secrets and Toy Game Secrets

Weekend Weddings

2008-06-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

During the last few years the wedding has evolved beyond the typical ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception compressed into one day. Why not expand it into a long week-end or better yet, a small vacation. After all, we can go away anytime for a week-end. Your wedding should be more important, it is after all “Your Day to Shine.”

Most people when polled enjoy the idea of a wedding taking several days, like one beautifully extended dinner with scrumptious courses of food and wine, lazy dancing and endless conversations with people you know and love. Anyone who has attempted to compile digital photos or a video knows the importance of arranging all the items and having the right equipment. The software is the means to the end, assembling the images into the orderly cohesive fashion that flows seamlessly from one scene to the next. That is exactly what you can do when you plan and arrange your wedding weekend vacation.

Do you want the wedding in a particular location, a Caribbean Island, or maybe Hawaii? Do you want the spot centrally located for all the guests you are inviting? Only you can decide this, remember to plan for traveling to and from the location. Most people plan their wedding around three days. The actual wedding itself is situated in the middle of the three days. This will allow people to arrive and depart based on their schedules, but still allow some time to rest before the wedding. Start your planning early, the earlier the better. It allows flexibility for the inevitable issues that will arise affording you the opportunity to change based on availability or cost.

Once you have the date and the site then you can start planning and organizing. As clichéd as it sounds attention to detail will eliminate the errors to undermine your event. Some people keep a small notebook subdivided into specific sections. All the items necessary from organizing travel plans to the specifics of the rehearsal dinner can be organized in this notebook. Lets face it some of our family members aren’t the most resourceful in another state, much less another country. Provide organized events but keep them low key. Remind your guest that these events are not mandatory. Allow your guest time to themselves and the opportunity to explore their surroundings. For many of them this may be their first time to this destination so let them plan some of their own events. Include information on local sites and hot spots. Include small maps for traveling around the area sightseeing. Attention to detail-remember!

Some people use the rehearsal dinner as a method to bring both groups together. You can continue with this tradition but now you have daytime activities to help everyone mix and mingle. Remember to utilize the resources and delegate some tasks to responsible family and friends planning these events. Only you can decide if you want any activities scheduled on the wedding day. You can still arrange some low-key activities for the adventurous and they can decide. You can plan and arrange activities based on the time available and the level of activities to accommodate the different ages and cultural groups coming to join you.

In addition to the outdoor fun and sightseeing, dinners can also be used as a way for you to bring everyone together and enjoy spending time with them. After all you are not an event coordinator. Plan a dinner for different guests to show off the location. In Hawaii nothing does this like the Luau. Just don’t tell anyone what poi is. The day after the wedding traditionally was a brunch for the out-of-town guests. Just plan it for everyone and you can continue the party before people leave for the airport.

A Weekend wedding adds a new dimension on the traditional wedding. Careful planning with attention to detail can make it a fun filled, exciting and memorable weekend.

About the Author
Yasmin Shikina created weddingsafar to help brides plan their destination weddings easily. Having experienced the stress of planning her own destination wedding, Yasmin wants to share everything she learned,including all her mistakes, with you. http://www.weddingsafar.com

Weddings and Grooms

2008-06-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Historically, men were not especially involved in the wedding planning process. Aside from selecting his groomsmen, planning the honeymoon, and showing up, he is usually excluded from most decisions involving the wedding. Today, grooms are taking on a much more active role. Grooms should be involved with the planning of the wedding planning for several reasons. The most important reason is that the wedding day is their day too, and they should be involved with planning such an important event. Most of married life should be a team effort, and planning the wedding should be no different.

According to the Conde Nast Bridal Infobank, over 40 percent of couples plan their wedding together. One of the primary reasons for such an increase in groom involvement is that about two-thirds of couples are paying for some or all of their weddings. Grooms are more invested in their own weddings, and as a result, they are more involved. Many brides hold full-time jobs going into the wedding, and they would be overwhelmed without the groom’s help. Working together, planning the wedding, may not only be more effective, but may also prove to be more enjoyable.

Help is welcome because there is so much planning involved in organizing a wedding. Grooms are exceedingly involved with selecting, transportation companies, wedding bands, reception venues, and caterers. A gourmet groom that enjoys cooking should enjoy selecting the menu for the big day, and he may offer some good insights. Other grooms may become more involved with personalizing the marriage vows.

Grooms may find that planning a wedding can be an enjoyable experience that gives them an opportunity to share ideas with their fiancé. Due to the close involvement with the planning, grooms may become fonder of the entire wedding experience. If you and your fiancé come up with the budget together, it may be easier to adhere to it. If the decisions are made together, you too may be able to enjoy the wedding so much better. As active participant in the planning and organizing of your wedding, you know that each of you has a say in what is and isn’t going to be part of your wedding day.

Author: George Meszaros

Weddings on a Budget

2008-06-01T06:58:00.001-07:00

People often say that weddings cost "a lot". Weddings are "expensive", and can be "extravagant". But all those words are subjective. What is expensive to one may be chump change to another. What you need to find out is not that they are expensive, but how to budget for a wedding that you can afford, yet still meets the visions you have of a perfect wedding. This article will give you some simple formulas you can follow to have the wedding you love without starting out your new life together in debt from the ceremony. When you know what to spend and what to pass on, you’ll have a much easier time planning that dream wedding.

Initially, you need to decide what aspects of the wedding are most important to you, i.e. what items you are prepared to spend the most money on and what are you happy to dispense with. If your family and friends are more formal, you may decide to spend the extra money on a nicer dinner with individual servers; for a more casual guest list, a buffet line may work just as well and cost you significantly less. You may be able to borrow or rent a wedding dress to get around spending big bucks on something you will only wear once, or it may be important to buy something that will last to pass on to a future daughter.

Sit down together and determine exactly what funds you have available for your wedding. Include your own savings as well as any money your parents are willing to contribute. Then use the following guidelines to determine how much to spend in each category.

40%: Reception/Caterers
10%: Wedding dress (and accents)
10%: Alcohol (includes bartender)
10%: Music (either live music or a DJ)
8%: Photo/Video crew - don’t scrimp on this, or risk your second-cousin's-friend doing it - these are your memories. We all think we'll remember things for ever, but memories fade with time.
7%: Flowers/Decorations
5%: Invitations/Place cards
4%: Wedding bands/Wedding hall
3%: Wedding cake
2%: Miscellaneous (favors, transportation, lodging)
1%: Groom's tuxedo

Total equals 100% of available monies.

Your honeymoon deserves an entirely separate budget from your wedding. If you only have a small amount to work with, you can stretch it a lot further for your honeymoon than you can at your wedding reception. Consider cashing in your frequent flyer miles, driving instead of flying, or even house-swapping with friends or relatives from out-of-state. There are many great vacation package deals available over the Internet that translate to big savings at popular vacation destinations.

The place where people make the biggest mistakes in planning a wedding is spending too much in some of the categories that don’t matter so much. For instance, it is nice to have a professional and elegant invitation. However, hiring a calligrapher to do it may not be the best way to spend your money. You can make your own invitations on your computer and achieve excellent results with a little effort. Craft stores sell whole kits for making wedding invitations quickly and easily.

Start putting money aside in a separate wedding-only account as motivation to save for the big event. With the right planning, and by cutting the right corners, you can have an amazing wedding to fit most any budget.

About the Author
Copyright 2006 Sigi Delboda Sigi Delbodaowns Yes Weddings - a Weddings Portal now a premier resource for weddings information. Visit her archive of articles at: http://www.yesweddings.com/newsletters/

Poetry and Weddings

2008-06-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

There are several ways that wedding poetry can be used. Wedding poetry can enhance more than one area of your special day.

You may want to use wedding poetry as part of your wedding announcements, invitations and thank-you notes. When you use wedding poetry in these ways you have added very meaningful words and thoughts.

Another way to use wedding poetry is to incorporate it into the wedding ceremony or vows. Special wedding poetry can make the ceremony unique.

If you are giving gifts to the wedding party or wedding guests you may want to consider using wedding poetry. Wedding poetry makes these gifts even more memorable.

The bride and groom may want to use wedding poetry to include in their cards to each other. Wedding poetry is also nice when used in notes to parents or other special family members.

You might wonder where to find wedding poetry. There are several places to find wedding poetry.

If you are creative you may want to write the wedding poetry yourself. A friend or family member may have a talent for writing wedding poetry. You can even take classes in poetry writing and hone your skills.

A great place to look for wedding poetry is online. You will find many ideas for wedding poetry on wedding sites.

Look for wedding poetry in books at your local bookstore or library. You may find just the perfect wedding poetry when you do a little research.

Wedding consultants may have suggestions of places to find wedding poetry. You can also look through wedding magazines to find examples of wedding poetry.

If you know what message you want to convey but are not able to write the wedding poetry yourself there is another possibility. You may be able to hire a wedding poetry writer. There are talented writers who will write wedding poetry for a fee.

For those who want to use wedding poetry as a way to make their wedding even more beautiful, there are many ways to accomplish this goal.

About the Author
Craig Thornburrow is an Author and Business Owner - Get More Wedding Information at http://www.theworldsbestwedding.com

Catering and Weddings

2008-06-01T06:55:00.001-07:00

A catering service provider is part of your wedding planning strategy. A caterer generally provides food and beverages and they have a significant role in your wedding. If you have experience with caterers, you are at an advantage. But if you have never taken a caterer into service before, don’t worry.

Often the wedding reception venue offers catering service, so you may not need to worry about hiring a caterer. Even if catering is not offered by the reception venue, they may be able to suggest one to you. Even if your reception site manager, recommends a catering service you should still do your homework. Just like any other wedding vendor, a caterer has to be able to provide you professional references. Part of your job is to always contact the references.

Because so much rides on the caterer, make sure the business is: experienced, reliable, trustworthy, and they provide a quality product and service. Don’t think that a caterer recommended by someone if the best possible solution for your wedding. One caterer may work great for one event, but be insufficient for others. A caterer may be experienced in smaller events, but not experienced with events with two hundred invited guests. One may be experienced with weddings and another with conventions.

There are two different styles of catering:
Seated Dinner - Seated dinner setting will usually require more servers than a buffet dinner. Serving the food requires more staff. With a seated dinner, you need more tables and chairs for most of the guests will eat at the same time. A seated dinner offers less flexibility for your guests, because they usually have a couple of options to choose from. To make it easier on you and your caterer, menu options ought to be included with the wedding invitations so your guests can choose which selection they prefer. The pre-selection process enables you to work with your caterer on the final count.

Buffet – With this option, you may be able to get away with less chairs and tables. Buffet gives your guests more options, and they don’t all have to eat at the same time. A buffet dinner gives your wedding reception guests more alternatives to customize their food selection. The buffet requires a smaller staff, and your guests can pick and choose what they like. In addition to the clear advantage of a more flexible buffet dinner, your hungrier guests can go back for seconds. Because buffet dinners require minimal service staff, you should be able to save money with this option.

Author: George Meszaros

Flowers and Weddings

2008-06-01T06:53:00.000-07:00

It is an unwritten law that you cannot get married without flowers. Flowers are the essence of a beautiful wedding day celebration. Flowers are a three dimensional element of your decorating strategy. Because they are beautiful, elegant, and provide a wonderful scent, flowers satisfy all senses. The flowers you select should compliment everything else in your wedding. Its colors should complement not just your dress. The colors of your flowers work with the colors of the décor of your reception site and the ceremony location.

Unless you are lucky enough to be a florist, you’ll need to hire one. The florist should be experienced with wedding arrangements, and you’ll be hard pressed to find one that isn’t. Make sure your florist is able to deliver, install, and remove the arrangements at the end of your event. Even though many reception halls can recommend a florist to you, you should do your homework. Ask for references, and be sure to follow up. It may be tempting to hire a florist without check references, but it could also be irresponsible.

Your wedding flowers should complement the season, your wedding dress, and your color scheme. Your wedding flowers should also complement your attendants' attire, and the style of your wedding. Before you talk to your florist, prepare a list of wedding flowers you'll need. It will help focus your discussions, and help you stay within your wedding budget.

When you plan the flower arrangements with your florist, she should be able to recommend arrangements based on the size and location of your wedding. Ask to see photos of previous wedding arrangements - Don’t accept generic photos of flower arrangements, insist on seeing the work of the florist.-, which will give you a feel for their creative qualities and what you can expect to see on your wedding day. It is even better if you arrive prepared with some pictures and magazine cut outs with your ideas. You don’t have to take the florist’s advice on everything, be part of the decision making process. If you feel strongly about a certain flower or color, it should worth fighting for it. It is your wedding, and you are the customer. You have to feel good about your flower arrangements. Your day is about you.

Destination Weddings

2008-06-01T06:48:00.000-07:00

No matter where you and your future groom are wed, your wedding will have the same meaning and give you the same new start to a beautiful beginning together, however destination weddings can add a little extra touch to the wedding of your dreams.

When planning a destination wedding talk about different places where you would like to be united. An advantage to having a destination wedding is being able to have your ceremony and honeymoon in the same location. One way to get some ideas about where to hold your destination wedding is to check out some of the different resort locations on the internet. Most resorts offer wedding packages that have everything included, even a wedding planner. All you need to do is provide the bride and groom! If you want more control over your big day use these tips and ideas for planning one of the biggest days in your life.

As with every wedding, prepare a wedding planner or organizer. This will keep tasks organized and remind you of dates that certain tasks need to be accomplished by. Remember that by having a destination wedding, you will be planning your event long distance, so it will be important to have a list of things that need to be done before you arrive.

When inviting guests to your destination wedding, send out announcements early, letting them know which hotel to call to reserve rooms, as well as dates and times for plane tickets so they can be purchased in advance. You may also think about having a large reception when you return home for those who cannot attend your wedding. Send out separate announcements for this and let them know they will have a chance to congratulate you at a later date.

For destination weddings it is important to check on regulations and laws. If you are being married outside of the United States, be sure to have passports, blood tests, a U.S. marriage license, if needed, and any other paperwork that will need to be completed. Stay ahead of the game so when you arrive at your destination everything is in order.

Also consider how you will get your attire to your destination wedding. Rather than trying to check everything in at the airport on the day you fly out, ship everything separately two weeks in advance. Call the destination and confirm that everything arrived in a peaceful state. This will also give you two weeks extra time in the event that something is damaged in travel.

Do not forget to hire a photographer, clergy, wedding planner and bakery to complete your wedding. For information on different services offered, you can contact the destination’s Visitor Bureau.

A few of the more popular destination wedding spots include Jamaica in the Caribbean, the Florida Keys, the blue waters of Hawaii, and Las Vegas, with its hundreds of wedding chapels.

As long as you plan ahead and expect a few challenges, your destination wedding is sure to be day to remember.

About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is an event planner from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.wedding411.net/ for more event planning tips, strategies, and resources.