Wedding Layers

Selecting a wedding ring isnt as easy as it looks. You are going to wear your ring for the rest of your life, so it should be something you wont get tired of in a couple years. You will have to look at and try on many different rings before you come to a final decision and, being an intelligent consumer, you should know what your options are.

First, you will have to decide how much you can afford to spend. Then, with your budget in mind, choose the material you want your ring made of.

Wedding ring materials can be:

• 14K or 18K yellow gold, classic and still very popular for wedding and engagement rings
• white gold, which is gaining popularity because it looks stylish and very modern. Also white gold can be worn with silver or platinum jewelry and it goes with most fabrics
• platinum is one of the hardest metals, which in itself makes platinum a suitable symbol for enduring love. It is also very pure: while 18 K gold contains only 75% gold, most platinum jewelry is 95% platinum.

Platinum rings look similar to white gold, are very elegant and stylish, dont scratch and dont loose their look with the passing years. Platinum rings are the most expensive but, considering that you will wear your ring for the rest of your life, that doesnt really matter for many couples

• titanium is long lasting, light and not very expensive, so it has recently became a very popular material for wedding rings. Titanium rings are similar in appearance to white gold rings but they are so light that you can hardly feel one on your finger. Titanium is a particularly popular material for mens wedding rings

When choosing the material, think of what would work best with your clothes and the other jewelry you usually wear. Is your jewelry box filled with gold or silver? If your favorite pieces are silver, it is a good idea to get a white gold, titanium or platinum wedding ring. Alternatively, you could get two tone ring – usually made from white and yellow gold. This type of ring would match silver jewelry as well as gold.

Some women also want to match their wedding rings with their engagement rings. This is certainly something to take into consideration, if you plan to wear both rings on the same hand. Another option is to wear your wedding ring on the left hand and your engagement ring on your right hand – in which case they should probably still be the same color, but dont have to match so closely.

Which wedding ring style to choose?

There are many styles available, so everybody can find a ring to suit their tastes. When it comes to style, though, the first thing you have to decide is if you both will wear similar rings or if each will select one that expresses his or her personality. The most popular styles are:

• Traditional plain bands – even though they are plain, they will always be stylish and fashionable. These are also best suited for men who arent accustomed to wearing jewelry
• Bands with beaded edges are a little more elaborate
• Two-tone bands which can be worn with either gold or silver jewelry
• Celtic wedding rings are really hot how. Covered with ancient knotwork designs, they look really stylish
• Solitaire rings with a single precious stone
• Solitaries with accents – rings with a large stone and several smaller stones around it
• Channel diamond rings

The best gem stones for wedding rings

Diamonds are unbeatable favorites for wedding rings and with good reason – not only are diamonds the most beautiful and expensive of all precious stones, but they are also the hardest. Other hard stones are rubies and sapphires. Gemstones like amethyst or aquamarine are too soft, which makes them unsuitable for a wedding ring that you are going to wear every day.

No matter which style and material you chose, you want a ring that would be comfortable on your finger. For this reason it is always best to go with a ring that is smooth around the edges.

Author: Tanya Turner
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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When it comes to planning your wedding there are certainly plenty
of things to consider. From large details like where to find the perfect dress
to smaller issues like where Aunt Bertha will sit, there are no shortage of
details that must be worked out.

Leaving out even a small detail could create big problems for
your big day, and it is important to give planning your wedding the care and
consideration it deserves.

A Well Planned
Wedding

Even though a wedding ceremony lasts only a single day, the
memories will last a lifetime, and this makes planning your wedding one of the
most important jobs you will ever have.

Doing that important job while juggling work, family obligations
and other issues can be a challenge, but a well planned wedding will be a
wonderful reward in the end.

Using Available
Resources Online

Fortunately you do not have to go it alone, and there are plenty
of resources out there to make planning your wedding much easier and a great
deal less stressful.

One of the best places to turn for advice on planning your
wedding is the internet, and there are a wealth of websites devoted to all
aspects of wedding planning.

Many of these websites also sell wedding supplies and decorations
at competitive prices, making it even easier to plan a great wadding no matter
what the budget.

Using Available
Resources Offline

In addition to the power of the internet, there are many powerful
resources in the offline world as well. When it comes to planning your wedding
you could do much worse than the many bridal magazines dotting the shelves of
the local newsstand.

From traditional weddings to the more contemporary versions,
these magazines and periodicals are a great way to make planning your wedding
easier. Whether you long for a traditional church wedding or a more modern
wedding on the beach, complete with sand and surf, chances are you will find
lots of advice here.

First Hand
Knowledge From People You Know

Of course some of the best advice when it comes to planning your
wedding will come not from books and magazines but from those who have first
hand experience in the subject.

When it comes to planning your wedding there is simply no
substitute for first hand knowledge, and soliciting the advice of family
members, friends and coworkers is perhaps the best way to take the stress out of
planning your wedding celebration.

Those who have gone through their own wedding planning process
can fill you in on what to do, and just as importantly what not to do, so be
sure to factor these valuable resources into planning your wedding.

Author: Shaunta Pleasant
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty

When setting up a budget for a wedding, many couples forget to include a line item for tips and gratuities. Sure, you could bypass this area completely, but that really wouldn’t be very nice, now would it? It would also go against accepted wedding etiquette.

Maybe you think a quick $100 will cover tips to everyone? Well, it may have 50 years ago, but in current times, it’s not uncommon for this area to run into the hundreds of dollars. This is why it’s important to include them in the budget. Tips & Gratuities are known for being budget busters of many a wedding.

You will want to be sure to check contracts out because some have a gratuity included. In these cases, there is no need to tip those associated with these particular contracts, unless of course you feel that one of the staff goes way above and beyond. If that’s the case, you may want to slip that person an extra tips.

Now, as far as wedding etiquette goes, the following people should be (and expect to be) tipped:

Altar boys / girls – $10 to $15 a piece

Bartenders – 10% of the total bill (unless a cash bar)

Chauffeurs – 10 to 15% of the total bill

Coat Check / Restroom Attendants – 50 cents to $1 per guest

DJ – $50 to $100

Hair Stylist / Makeup Artist – 10 to 15% of the total bill

Valet Parking Attendants – 50 cents to $1.00 per car (on top of what guests give them)

Waitstaff – 15% of the catering bill

There are also some optional folks you may want to tip as well. You’ll need to know about how these type of folks operate and make the call from there. For example, if you are doing business with the business owner directly for a particular service – say a florist – they may be doing the work themselves and have been compensated fairly in the contract you have with them. In this case, a nice thank you note may suffice and would be most appreciated. However, if you are dealing with an employee of the florist, a tip would likely be appropriate.

Here are the folks that tipping is optional with:

Baker / Cake Designer – $10 or $20

Catering / Reception Manager – $50 to $100

Musicians – $5 to $10 per hour, per musician

Florist – $10 to $20 per staff member

Officiant: $75 to $200 – This can also be paid as a donation to the church

Photographer / Videographer – $50 to $100

On site Wedding Coordinator – $50

Wedding Planner – 10% of their total bill

Tips should be paid in cash and should be placed in envelopes. Plan on them being paid just as the vendor and staff are leaving. By doing this in this fashion, you’ll be able to judge how much of a tip they have actually earned. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments on the fly if necessary. The best man – or trusted person – will generally be in charge of taking care of this for you.

You may not have considered tips and gratuities to be an item worthy of being in your wedding budget. Hopefully, this article has shown you otherwise. You may want to set up a second account for expenses that may be overlooked so that you aren’t shocked by them. Consider funding this account to the tune of 10 to 15% of your total wedding budget. This is something that could save you from pulling your hair out trying to redo your budget so that it comes in where you need it to.

Be sure to keep these extra funds separate from your main wedding account. Don’t use these funds unless you run into unexpected expenses. This extra fund could go a long way to ensuring your wedding comes in at or under budget.

Author: Becky McLaurin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A little help goes a long way

Some simple things to help your wedding photographer…

Let’s be friends

First and foremost, understand that even the most professional photographer can only capture that which you portray. They may be able to get great angles and a fairytale setting, but how you feel and what you think will most certainly be evident in you facial expression and level of comfort in front of the camera. It is, therefore, of utmost value to be comfortable with your photographer and their camera. A very good idea would be to get to know your photographer before the wedding in order to achieve this. Many photographers will be more than happy to arrange a pre-shoot to help you and your fiance become more comfortable with the lens and it truly is advisable to grab the opportunity with both hands. Not only will it help you and your fiance to become more comfortable, but it should also be a time in which your photographer will couch you in the little things that really matter on the day of your wedding like “chin up, elbows away from your sides, breath” and so on. All in an effort to capture your most precious memories in the best possible way. Remember that your photographer is the one person who will be there ALL THE TIME. They are probably going to be the one calming you when table settings aren’t right or the correct accessories to your dress have not arrived (I’m speaking from experience of-course). Yes, they will be the one standing by with that glass of wine, the cigarette or the calming tablet, whilst still capturing every moment in eternity. In getting to know your photographer, it will offer the photographer a glimpse into your personality and give them the opportunity of capturing YOU in your photos.

A great way of allowing your photographer to get to know you is to invite your photographer to your bridal shower to capture a few shots there. It will also offer your photographer a chance to get acquainted with some of your key guests. Most photographers would love to get to know the couple before the wedding. Make the photographer a friend.

Lighting

Now, most photographers will be able to deal with any lighting condition, but the best photos are usually achieved using natural light. Please keep this in mind when planning the time of your wedding. Remember that if the ceremony is scheduled for just before sunset and the ceremony is an hour long, there won’t be much light left for your photographer to work with. Also keep in mind that once you step outside the ceremony venue, there will be a stampede of guests who will want to congratulate you. This is very time consuming and can take an hour or more. You may not expect that it will be so time consuming, but experience has taught me that it always does, so please be sure to cater for this in your schedule. If you are planning a late or evening wedding, your photographer will probably ask to take photos of you and your fiance before the ceremony or the next day, or they may take a more photojournalistic approach and have no formal shoot with the bride and groom at all.

Also keep your photographer in mind at the reception. Dimming the lights to almost complete darkness when opening the dance floor or cutting the cake, may add to the romantic atmosphere, but may leave your photographer in complete disaster, especially if he/she does not even have enough light to see you through the camera’s view finder.

Event Schedule

Please ensure that your photographer knows what will be happening at approximately what time. Remember that your photographer needs to be aware of important moments at your wedding in order to capture them e.g. Speeches, opening dance, throwing of the bouquet and so on. There is nothing worse for a photographer than sitting down to that well deserved meal, taking a big bite of that lovely food, and being caught completely off-guard by the announcement of the wedding cake being cut, and having jump up, mouth full of food, hands full of gravy – need I say more?

Event guide

An event guide is someone who knows the rest of the guests at the wedding, who can help the photographer to get the right people together for the photos of friends and family that you have requested. You have many other things to concentrate on and will probably not have the time to help your photographer co-ordinate this. Besides, you will probably be in most of those photographs and will have to stay put while the rest of the crowd is being gathered. Remember that your photographer is great at what they do, but unfortunately, probably not clairvoyant, and will not know who Uncle Frank and Aunt Sally are. Having an event guide will help to ensure that the process is quick and efficient and that all those special guests get photographed.

Guests and Guest photography

Usually, most photographers will be more than happy to allow your guests to take photos here and there. I even joke around with the guests who are taking photos and call them my fellow paparazzi and give them some pointers to help them achieve better shots. Unfortunately, time on your special day is precious and rather pricey when it comes to a professional photographer. Try to limit the amount of guest photography during vital moments of your wedding. Keep in mind that your photographer may be using a special lens for low lighting conditions during the ceremony, if it is indoors, to avoid using a flash, and a flash from a guest’s camera may cost you and your photography that great photo of “You may kiss the bride”. It is also very time consuming during the photo shoot of friends, family and the bridal couple if the photographer has to wait for the 10 other people who want to take that same shot and has to fight for your attention while you are looking at the 10 other camera’s clicking away. It may mean that the photographer may not have enough time to get all the desired photos and it may prove to be very disappointing for you.

When it comes to guests, it is rather unfortunate that you will have one or two who will refuse to co-operate with your photographer and who may even be extremely rude. Now, some people will just persist in their behavior no matter what you do or say, but for the rest of the friendly folk, it may be a good idea to add a little sentence to your invitation like “Watch out for the paparazzi. When in there presence, look straight into the lens, be quiet and smile, and no-one gets hurt” or have your master of ceremony just make a short announcement to encourage guest co-operation. I am always friendly with the guests and find that 9 times out of 10 a little courtesy from my side and a bit of encouragement from the couple’s side goes a long way in creating great and fun photos.

Enjoy it

Enjoy the experience. Take that bottle of wine along. Have fun. Chat to your beloved. Laugh. Relax. Remember your photographs can only reflect what you are feeling. Many a bride and groom have said that their photo session was one of the most wonderful, fun highlights of their day, and some have said that it was exhausting and frustrating. You photo shoot will greatly depend on what you make of it. The photographer will do the rest.

Author: Roberta Strydom
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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It’s true, destination weddings are all the rage today.

What exactly is a destination wedding? In simple terms, it’s a wedding away from your hometown, either just the two of you, or with family and friends. It can be as simple or elaborate, inexpensive or lavish as you desire.

Okay, so it’s the wedding trend of the day, but, is it any simpler to plan? Or, is planning a wedding far from home even harder than planning one in your own hometown? The answer to that, of course, is up to you, and how lavish or unique you want your wedding to be. Here are the steps in planning that destination “I Do.”

Step One: Who’s Going to Attend?

Before you can plan your wedding destination, you really have to decide who you’re going to invite, as your guest list can sometimes narrow your choices of destinations.

Is your destination wedding going to be for just the two of you? Then the whole world is your oyster.

Are you going to invite a few close friends or family members? If so, are you going to pick up the tab for their travel, or are travel expenses to be paid by each individual? If you can’t afford to pick up the tab for travel to your wedding, and the friends and family members would have a hard time coming up the money, then you might want to pick some special place closer to home. For example, if you live in Phoenix and want a destination wedding where family and friends could easily travel to, you might want to pick Sedona rather than Hawaii.

There might also be time restrictions for your guests as well. Some people just can’t take time off of work to attend your wedding on some tropical island, whereas they might be able to attend a wedding which is a few-hours drive away.

Step Two: When is the Wedding?

If the two of you are planning your wedding around vacation time at work, then that too may dictate where you will have your destination wedding. If your vacation time is during hurricane season, you may want to skip Cancun and opt for the beaches of Southern California instead.

Step Three: Draw up a Wedding Budget

Face it; some locations are just more traditionally affordable than others. Your heart may be screaming the beaches of Costa Rica, but your budget is screaming Las Vegas. Yes, we all want to answer our heart’s call, but your budget should have the last word.

But, don’t let that keep you from choosing a great, unique wedding destination. You’d be surprised how many wonderful, unique wedding destinations there are which may fit your budget. B&Bs all over the United States, in such romantic destinations as California, New England, Florida and Virginia, offer inexpensive wedding packages for either just the two of your, or several guests.

When considering your budget, you have to consider travel expenses (flying or driving) as well as the wedding related expenses. In addition, you should also plan on the costs for accommodations, meals during your stay and even the things that you would like to do there.

Step Four: Consider the Marriage Laws

Some locations in the United States as well as some countries make having a wedding very difficult. You may have to deal with specific requirements before you can actually wed. Before you select a location at which to be married, make sure you know what the laws in that location actually are.

Step Five: Hire a Wedding Planner or DIY

Once you’ve narrowed in on your wedding location, you need to decide if you will be planning your wedding yourself or if you will need to hire a wedding planner. If you are having a larger destination wedding with numerous family and friends attending, you may want to hire a wedding planner to help coordinate everything.

If it’s just the two of you, you can probably handle the planning yourself. Often you can hire a wedding officiant who has packages available which include picking a location, performing the ceremony, as well as transportation, cake and champagne. Resorts and even B&Bs also offer packages which make the planning extra simple.

Step Six: Enjoy Your Honeymoon

Here’s the best part of having a destination wedding. The honeymoon starts right after the “I Do.”

With destination weddings continuing to grow in popularity, and more B&Bs, resorts and wedding planners offering wedding packages, planning a destination wedding can be as simple as planning a vacation. No more renting a hall, hiring a band, sending invitations to an ever-growing list of guests. It’s time to take the stress out of your wedding planning and make it fun. A destination wedding allows you to do just that.

Author: Shari Hearn
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Preparing for your wedding is often an exhilarating task. You must decide on what type of flowers to use, wedding colors for the bridesmaids and ushers, and refreshments for the reception. You want everything to be perfect for that special day. But one detail that often gets put on the back burner is selecting a flower girl dress. Flower girl dresses are precious, frilly dresses worn by a little girl (usually between 3 and 8 years old) as she scatters flower petals down the aisle.

The flower girl is usually of some relation to the bride or groom, either a little sister, cousin, or niece. She gets all dressed up – like the grown-ups – and participates in the introduction to the bride using a basket full of flower petals. The key to finding a lovely flower girl dress is to consider the flower girl’s size and height, hair color, and also the actual wedding colors.

A Mini Bride’s Dress

Flower girl dresses are often miniature replicas of the bride’s wedding dress. A flower girl dress may also be a white dress with a sash that matches the colors of the bridesmaids’ dresses. Of course, it doesn’t have to be an exact match. The materials can be matched along with the decorative and design aspects of your wedding dress. For example, if your wedding dress has lace and white beads, find a flower girl dress that has the same. If your wedding dress comes with a bolero jacket, make sure the flower girl dress has a similar jacket. You can also closely match the sleeves, neckline, and style of the dress.

Colorful Flower Girl Dresses

Flower girl dresses can also be colorful to match the wedding colors. The key is to match the flower girl dress with the bridesmaids’ dresses and the flower petal colors, though the match doesn’t have to be exact. The flower girl dress may complement the other colors and look just as beautiful. If the wedding colors are lavender and white, for example, you might dress the flower girl in a lavender and white dress with lavender and white flower petals mixed in the basket. Or, use a lavender dress with a white basket and lavender flower petals. There are many combinations to choose from to create a lovely, captivating moment.

Consider the Flower Girl

Don’t get caught up in the moment and forget to consider who will be wearing the flower girl dress. Consider the little girl’s likes and how she feels about fancy dresses. You’ll want her to be comfortable and happy as she walks down the aisle, not frowning and complaining. The dress should complement her height and hair color. Also, have the dress sized for comfort and flexibility. It should be flexible and free flowing to make walking down the aisle as easy as possible. It should also be easy to move around in – for those emergency moments!

Where to Buy Flower Girl Dresses

You can have flower girl dresses custom made or buy them from the same shop where you’ll buy your wedding dress. You can even buy flower girl dresses online. On the Web, there are flower girl dress shops, children’s boutiques, and online stores for kids’ special occasion clothing. These offer a variety of styles and sizes to fit your needs and budget. They also usually sell other specialty items such as boys’ suits, girls’ communion dresses, or christening dresses.

Having just the right flower girl dress will bring plenty of “ahs” and “oohs” at your wedding. Use these ideas to create precious memories on your special day!

Author: Chris Robertson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Ask any girl about her fantasy wedding and you’ll get fantastic ideas and rose-colored dreams of lacy bridal gowns, fabulous wedding cakes, and of course, the handsome groom. There’s little thought for the grunt work that goes to make a lovely wedding, the planning, the shopping, and choices for bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts. Here are some tips to make your wedding preparation hassle-free.

Behind the Fairy Tale Scene

The bride floats down the aisle in gossamer and silk. She is as radiant and as pretty as the freshest bloom. The groom looks crisp and nutty in his tuxedo. Nobody can suspect they went through hell and back with the wedding preparations. Here’s just a partial list of the things they had to go over:

* Ceremony sites

* Bridal fashions

* Tuxedo

* Jewelers

* Choice of bridesmaid and groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearer

* Accommodations for guests

* Catering

* Wedding cake

* Decorations

* Photography

* Videography

* Invitations

* Honeymoon

* Rental Services

* Registry

* Music

* Reception Facilities

* Bridesmaids and Groomsmen Gifts

The list is much longer, and on top of this, engaged couples want their wedding to be different, something they can always lovingly remember through the years. In brief, it must be really special and unique to reflect their taste and personalities.

During the period of frenetic preparations, couples sometimes bicker over some choices. When emotions run high, they need a break and some professional counseling to survive the countdown to the big day. With the help of their families and friends, they can carry on with the ordeal of wedding preparations. If they can afford the services of a wedding planner, they can sit back and relax while the wedding specialist does the dirty job.

Avoiding The Pre-wedding Blues

Weddings can take a year or a month to prepare, depending on your budget and personal preferences. But whatever the length of time involved, engaged couples will be tested for their patience. During this time, expect emotions to flare up or the pre-wedding blues to rob a little excitement off over the prospect of tying the love knot.

The moment an engaged couple announces their wedding plans, the plot thickens and gathers momentum until the wedding day. Couples should take the precautions of planting their feet on the ground and get realistic about their goals. They should discuss things like budget and expectations honestly. The confusion and the squabbling start when couples fail to consult each other.

Before you set out to call a wedding planner or your family brigade, have a clear plan approved by both of you. When everything has been down to pat, outline everything to family members and friends called to pitch in. Match the tasks to the volunteer so everybody can do their jobs perfectly.

Delegating some responsibilities to selected friends and family members can take off a load off your shoulders and you can attend to details that need your personal supervision. Unloading some of the wedding preparations relieves you of the stress and gives you and your partner more time to be with each other and to enjoy each other’s company.

In the heady days of wedding preparations, you’ll have to attend social functions together. You don’t have to go to every party. Take some time off from the party scene and prepare yourselves physically, emotionally and financially for the most important event in your lives – your wedding day.

Author: Bradlley Mckoy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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One of the oldest traditions relating to the wedding is the exchange of the wedding rings. Not only is this an age old tradition but also this is a custom followed almost throughout the world. Though for different cultures there are some differences in the custom of the exchange of the ring during the wedding still the basic concept is always the same. It is believed that with the exchange of the wedding rings the souls of the couple becomes one. There are also some belief that the wedding ring should be worn on the fourth finger of the left had as the belief is that there is a vein that goes straight to the heart. But the fact is that there is no such vein on that particular finger. However, perhaps because of this belief the finger is called the ring finger. Not only the finger of the left hand but also the right hand finger is called so. But in the present day context though most of the people use to wear the ring on the left hand ring finger still it is often seen that many couples are fond of wearing the wedding ring on the right hand.

Therefore choosing the wedding ring is one of the most important tasks in the list of wedding arrangements. Besides choosing the style of the wedding ring there are other things also that are to be kept in mind while choosing the wedding ring. It is to be kept in mind that the ring you choose would remain for the lifetime on your beloved’s finger, therefore the choice should be perfect. It is always better if both of you go together to purchase your wedding rings. In this way you can have the wedding rings keeping both of your choices in mind. However, your instincts are your best guide in choosing your wedding ring. Still there are several websites available on the internet which can guide you in your choice of your ring.

The choice of material for the wedding ring is quite essential too. The gold being the most common material for the wedding ring is the most favored choice throughout the world. From the very early ages the gold wedding rings are quite in popularity. Even today the gold wedding rings are the most popular ones. Other than the gold wedding rings you can also choose platinum or white gold wedding rings following the latest fashion trend. But whatever may be the material for the ring if there is a diamond fitted in the ring the whole glamour of the ring increases a lot. The diamond in itself creates a marvelous brilliance on the ring. A diamond ring with platinum or white gold as its base metal is the hottest choice of the latest fashion trend. You can also have a gold ring with a diamond befitting really gives a traditional look to the ring. But while choosing the diamond for the ring it is very much essential that you pay proper attention on the cut, caret, color and clarity of the diamond. The better you can have the more are the chances for your ring get an acute brilliance.

Author: Mark Jones Fisher
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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So he’s popped the question. Let the games begin! Most wedding advisors urge you to begin planning your wedding anywhere from 12 to 18 months before the big day. To quote one online source; “We know it sounds simple but the key to successful, carefree weddings is planning ahead. The earlier the planning takes place, the more you can let go and relax closer to your wedding day. The end result of early wedding planning is that the bride and groom can have more fun, enjoy their guests and drink in that special day.”

Hmm…kind of makes it sound like the more your plan, the better your assurances of lifelong marital bliss. What if you don’t have that kind of time? Maybe you simply want to be married without all the stress of wedding planning. Still, though, it is a special day and you certainly don’t want it to look thrown together. How do you balance sanity, a reasonable timeline and budget and the desire for a beautiful wedding against high-priced vendors, year-long waiting lists and bridal magazines that urge you to begin the planning process up to 18 months in advance? (I’m assuming Vegas is not your style.)

Now, bear in mind that we are anything but “anti-planning,” but good heavens, do you really want 18 months of your life consumed with planning the festivities for one day? Granted, it is an important day, but so are the 547 involved in the aforementioned 18-month timeframe. Better for you (in our humble opinion) to enjoy that time being in love with your fianc than becoming embroiled in cake tastings, the color of your bridal party dresses (sage, mint or teal?) or the ever-critical choice of music for your first dance!

If the prospect of planning your wedding feels more like an arduous chore than a delight, don’t worry. The answer is simple. Just “do the never”. I can’t take credit for this bit of ingenious simplicity, for I believe the phrase was coined by Seth Godin in Small is the New Big. Forget the always and do the never. I like this philosophy so much that I made it my theme for the year. It’s wonderful. You look at how everybody else handles a situation and then entertain how you could handle the same issue in a totally opposite way.

So, in order to do the never in planning your wedding day in a more feasible time period, I offer the following:

1. Plan off-season. Late fall and winter can be breathtakingly beautiful in all 50 states and in most cases, you’ll have many more options. Many vendors cut their prices in the winter months, as well. Just picture an outdoor winter setting, complete with sleigh-rides and hot chocolate (spiked!) for your guests and thousands of twinkling white lights.
2. Get married on a Thursday–or any weekday. Who made the rule that weddings need to be on weekends? And don’t worry that people won’t attend if it’s during the week. All kinds of important events occur during the wee–births, deaths, Christmas, presidential inaugurations, the first day of pre-school. It’s your wedding day–they might grumble a little, but they’ll make it. Some of them will even thank you for an excuse to leave work early.
3. Keep your numbers low. It’s difficult to plan a wedding for 200 guests in 30 days or less, especially if folks are coming from out of town. Make it easy on yourself and keep the guest list to 75 or less.
4. Grocery stores have gorgeous flowers and talented arrangers who can make up bouquets and boutonnires in a day or two. Professional florists can also put something together for you quickly if you are ordering flowers in-season.
5. Ditto #4 with cakes. Large-chain grocery stores can put together something gorgeous and delicious in less than a week’s time.
6. Consider a non-traditional wedding venue. (Remember–do the never!) Traditional wedding venues are usually the first to be booked, so consider alternative options. The parlor of a B&B is an excellent idea (often they will let you use this for free if your wedding is small and your guests book their rooms there.) Consider recreational centers, restaurants with small private rooms (also free much of the time if you order off their menu), or how about a restaurant that is closed for the day (usually Mondays–a perfect win/win opportunity. Know any real estate agents? (Who doesn’t?) They may know of some vacant (even posh!) properties in the area that you could rent from the owner for an afternoon or evening. Consider out of the way lakes or parks. I performed a lovely wedding last month at a small local par–on an octagonal-shaped dock overlooking the lake. Breathtaking and arranged with two days notice. (Also free!). Think of private homes and gardens, as well. Aunt Millie may love the idea of hosting your wedding in her living room.
7. If you can’t find a photographer on such short notice (and if your wedding is on a weekday, this shouldn’t be a problem) then schedule a professional photo shoot at their studio–complete with your bridal attire–so that you have some professional-quality photos. Then, let the amateurs (i.e. your guests) handle the day of wedding shots. The new digital cameras are virtually foolproof and you’ll get some great photos. Or, contact one of the professors at the local college; they’ll recommend one of their students who will do a beautiful job on short notice.
8. Traditional bridal shops don’t always take forever to order your dress. Approach them with your request and ask what they can do for you. They may have something off the rack and their alterations department can work wonders. Also consider bridal consignment shops, and general formalwear stores. Of course, if you are truly “doing the never” you’d opt for something totally different to wear anyway. Throw a Great Gatsby wedding and wear vintage. Do Halloween and come in costume. Go outdoors on horseback wearing western attire.
9. As far as your bridesmaids go, simply pick a color (black is easiest, but any color will do) and tell them to buy a dress of their choosing in that color. Or be even more flexible and let them pick out their own dress in whatever color and style they wish. This lends interest and variety to your wedding. Besides, identical bridesmaids are so beige!
10. Plan an eBay afternoon at your computer (do it at work when the boss isn’t around in order to save your precious leisure time!) and completely blitz the task of shopping for favors, cake toppers, guest book, cake-cutter, bridal party gifts, place-card holders, garter, unity candle, disposable cameras, tiara, jewelry and any other wedding day accessories you might want.
11. Getting someone to marry you with 30 days notice might be a stretch (But again, not on a weekday, or in off-season). If all the ministers in town are booked, then consider writing your own ceremony (there are tons of resources available online or at your local library). Or consider hiring a professional wedding officiant to help you write your ceremony (it shouldn’t take more than an hour of their time) and then having a friend or family member read it. (Note: they will need to obtain an instant ordination to do this and this is not legal in all states, so check your laws before going this route!). A great chance for your fianc’s brother–the wannabe actor, or your jocular Uncle Ed to shine. If you’ve got your heart set on a church wedding, then approach your place of worship first (before booking other vendors) and be willing to work around their schedule.
12. Delegate. Delegate, Delegate. A brilliant and talented person like you has equally brilliant and talented friends and family members. Put your cousin in charge of flowers, enlist the help of your best friend to create your ceremony programs. Your future mother-in-law offers to find the wedding officiant. Let her! You can’t expect to handle all the details yourself in this timeframe. Let them have at it and refrain from micro-managing. We’ve found that grooms excel at getting the officiant and planning the honeymoon, so give him those two tasks for sure!
13. Hire a wedding coordinator for a few hours. Even during their busy time, they will be willing to work with you on the planning aspects of your wedding and they have wedding resources like you wouldn’t believe. They will find you a chocolate fountain in a day, a DJ in two.
14. Speaking of music–that shouldn’t be a time-consuming factor either. In addition to professional DJ’s and musicians (ask your other vendors for recommendations) contact the music departments of local colleges and private music schools. Anyone who travels in music circles will have contacts, so try high school music teachers as well. When I was married, I had my high school chorus teacher sing at the ceremony. It was beautiful. Don’t overlook the simple solution of an Ipod with some decent speakers; the sound quality will amaze you.
15. Invitations can be made easily on any computer with a decent printer. They do not have to be ordered months in advance. Delegate this project to your best friend, the graphic designer and let her creativity flow!
16. Pick out your wedding rings at any reputable jewelers (they can be sized) and have the engraving done after your wedding. No one will know.

After it’s all over, at the end of your wedding day when you (finally!) find yourselves alone, pop some Champagne and congratulate yourselves. You’ve pulled off the perfect day and remained best friends through the process! Cheers!

Author: Maureen Thomson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: PCB Prototype & Manufacturing

When setting up a budget for a wedding, many couples forget to include a line item for tips and gratuities. Sure, you could bypass this area completely, but that really wouldn’t be very nice, now would it? It would also go against accepted wedding etiquette.

Maybe you think a quick $100 will cover tips to everyone? Well, it may have 50 years ago, but in current times, it’s not uncommon for this area to run into the hundreds of dollars. This is why it’s important to include them in the budget. Tips & Gratuities are known for being budget busters of many a wedding.

You will want to be sure to check contracts out because some have a gratuity included. In these cases, there is no need to tip those associated with these particular contracts, unless of course you feel that one of the staff goes way above and beyond. If that’s the case, you may want to slip that person an extra tips.

Now, as far as wedding etiquette goes, the following people should be (and expect to be) tipped:

Altar boys / girls – $10 to $15 a piece

Bartenders – 10% of the total bill (unless a cash bar)

Chauffeurs – 10 to 15% of the total bill

Coat Check / Restroom Attendants – 50 cents to $1 per guest

DJ – $50 to $100

Hair Stylist / Makeup Artist – 10 to 15% of the total bill

Valet Parking Attendants – 50 cents to $1.00 per car (on top of what guests give them)

Waitstaff – 15% of the catering bill

There are also some optional folks you may want to tip as well. You’ll need to know about how these type of folks operate and make the call from there. For example, if you are doing business with the business owner directly for a particular service – say a florist – they may be doing the work themselves and have been compensated fairly in the contract you have with them. In this case, a nice thank you note may suffice and would be most appreciated. However, if you are dealing with an employee of the florist, a tip would likely be appropriate.

Here are the folks that tipping is optional with:

Baker / Cake Designer – $10 or $20

Catering / Reception Manager – $50 to $100

Musicians – $5 to $10 per hour, per musician

Florist – $10 to $20 per staff member

Officiant: $75 to $200 – This can also be paid as a donation to the church

Photographer / Videographer – $50 to $100

On site Wedding Coordinator – $50

Wedding Planner – 10% of their total bill

Tips should be paid in cash and should be placed in envelopes. Plan on them being paid just as the vendor and staff are leaving. By doing this in this fashion, you’ll be able to judge how much of a tip they have actually earned. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments on the fly if necessary. The best man – or trusted person – will generally be in charge of taking care of this for you.

You may not have considered tips and gratuities to be an item worthy of being in your wedding budget. Hopefully, this article has shown you otherwise. You may want to set up a second account for expenses that may be overlooked so that you aren’t shocked by them. Consider funding this account to the tune of 10 to 15% of your total wedding budget. This is something that could save you from pulling your hair out trying to redo your budget so that it comes in where you need it to.

Be sure to keep these extra funds separate from your main wedding account. Don’t use these funds unless you run into unexpected expenses. This extra fund could go a long way to ensuring your wedding comes in at or under budget.

Author: Becky McLaurin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Multi-cooker