Wedding Layers

We are planning to host the rehearsal dinner and help with airfare for the honeymoon. Are we supposed to host an engagement party? Also, any suggestions on a rehearsal dinner other than a visit to a restaurant? Anything more creative? Help. It’s our only son & we want it to be perfect.

My fiance and I are getting married in Mexico. She doesn’t want the rings soldered before the wedding, as she wants to wear her engagement ring until the day of and then add the wedding band during the ceremony. Is there a way (some kind of clasp or something) to keep the rings together while we are on our honeymoon, before we get them soldered together?

Your wedding is one of the most significant days of your life, and as such, you want everything, from the moment you awaken to the honeymoon, to be perfection so you have great memories. Naturally, the reception also included, and this means you will want to take precautions in choosing the music for your wedding reception.

Ensuring that you have great music for your wedding reception means a lot more then just finding a guy who can play “The Chicken Dance” at some point during the evening. Choosing a good provider for the music at your wedding reception can set the tone for the whole evening and create more memories of your special day, whether good or bad. Knowing how to choose your wedding entertainment will increase your chance that those memories are good ones.

Ensure There’s Music

It seems silly to state the obvious, but ensure that the person providing the music at your wedding reception has a wide range of music; you don’t want to attend your reception and find that the selection of wedding music is limited to a handful of awful ballads that no one seems to like. A wide range of music in your provider’s collection means that requests at the reception can be handled. If you’d like to hear a special song while at your reception, ensure that the person providing the music at your wedding reception can play it.

And while you talk with your provider about the music, ascertain that he will have all the equipment to play it. You don’t want to host your wedding at your local community center only to find that the most your music provider has brought is his stereo system from home.

Ensure it Flows

Be sure to discuss with your provider before and how the music will fit accordingly with the tone of your reception. If you intend for the happy couple’s special song to be played after the cutting of the cake, be sure to tell your music provider. It will seem awkward if the music at your wedding reception isn’t played at the appropriate times. Don’t hesitate to ask the person providing music at your wedding reception for advice on music to choose or timing for particular songs. If you’ve picked an experienced provider of wedding reception music, you will have a great source of advice about what has and hasn’t worked for other wedding receptions.

And on the subject of finding an experienced provider, be sure to obtain references and make a point to check them. You don’t want to discover on the day of your wedding that your DJ tends to hit the open bar more often then he hits the record table. With care and some planning beforehand, though, you’ll have a selection of wonderful music along with your wonderful wedding.

Passionate Weddings.com is an excellent resource for all of your wedding requirements. From wedding gowns through to speech writing. Visit us today for more assistance.

Author: Victoria Moore
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Plan for the worst. Hope for the best.

Weddings are notorious for causing permanent conflict in a family. The stress of wanting to please all the guests, combining two families together, and the financial strain on everyone is heavy on the shoulders. A lot of this stress can be bypassed with a little forethought and planning before the first wedding item is bought.

Sit at the table with both, Bride and Groom.

Often, the groom is left out of the planning. Ultimately, this falls on the bride to be and her mother, the unpaid wedding planners. However, the groom should be involved before you make your first list. Follow the tips below and the planning process should be one of great memories for years to come. Things to address with the couple at this stage would be the following:

1. Decide on a budget.

Mom, and Dad this should begin with you. Have some kind of a number in your head. $3,000, $8,000, $25,000 what is feasible for you. How do you plan to finance this wedding. Credit card, bank loan, savings, pay as you go over the year before the wedding. Now is the time to present this to the kids. Give them a range you would like to keep them in. Now stick with it. Together, now is the time for everyone to make a decision as to the importance of each main area in a wedding.

If you come up short in the budget because you blew most of it on the dress what are you willing to give up in the other areas. Does either of the couple have the means to contribute financially and are they willing to do so. Don’t forget they also have the financial responsibility to purchase their rings, gifts for the wedding party and the helpers at the wedding. They may want to save back enough to offer to purchase at least a round of drinks for the guests from the Bride and Groom during the reception. They also have to save for the honeymoon.

If you cannot afford over a certain amount then it is up to them to come up with it themselves or scale the wedding back and find ways of achieving what they want by more economical ways. There is no reason to be in debt forever for a wedding you just can’t afford.

2. How involved do each of you want to be in the planning.

Ok, you have a budget set, you all know what numbers you’re working with.

Break this down into categories. If the groom only wants to pick out his tux or decide on a cake flavor then you know ahead of time that is all the help you will be getting from him. Decide who is ultimately the deciding vote for each category in a wedding then move on.

• Reception Site
• Cake
• Guest List
• Wedding Party
• Number of guests
• and so on..

3. Set up time frames.

Setting up time frames for each area of the planning can reduce great stress later on. This would be things such as a time to have the Save the Date made, addressed, and mailed out to guests. What date do you agree is a good time to send the official invitations. When would you prefer the groom have his tux picked out, and so on and so forth.

Everyone is busy these days. By establishing deadlines for each of these areas ahead of time then all involved know what the plan is, what is expected of them, and it helps to stay on track.

4. Set up meeting with the in-laws to be.

Call the grooms’ family and invite them to dinner to go over the wedding plans once you have them prepared, to include them and see what areas they plan to contribute in. Customarily, these areas would be the rehearsal dinner, sometimes alcohol, sometimes tux or flowers. Have a list of things that are traditionally their responsibility and ask what they are financially or physically willing to take on. You will get a more favorable response if you include them initially than if you wait until later and just ask for money.

If they are not financially capable or willing to cover all these things then ultimately this falls back onto the brides’ cost of the wedding and the plan may have to be revamped accordingly.

5. Work your categories.

You should have a list of the main things that happen in any wedding. If you have no idea where to start then search on the internet for weddings, wedding advice, wedding help and information. You will get all the ideas you need.

Create a wish list for each area. Call around and get prices so you know where you stand. Start putting a plan together. At this point if you have followed the tips mentioned above you should have a fairly good road map to follow.

Now, and only now should you begin the planning of the wedding. If you can’t get to this point and still be talking you’re probably not going to be talking at the wedding either.

Congratulations to all on your upcoming weddings.

Pam McCall is co-owner/writer/designer of two websites. Area Rugs by McCall’s – Browse and buy Area Rugs online. McCall’s Wedding Gift Registry available online now.
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Author: Pam Mccall
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For our wedding we don’t really want to register because we don’t need anything since we have been living together for the past three years. But we would love to accept money as a gift to pay for the honeymoon or put towards a down payment on a house. How do you word in a invitation that we arn’t registered but we want cash for our large expenses coming up?
OK, since everyone is trashing me on the subject, I’m the Matron of honor on this one and I was asking the question for the bride. I dont mean how can I ask for money in a formal invitation, I mean it more like for the shower. I’m going to be sending out invitations for her shower which is going to be a jack and jill and they dont need physical gifts. And everyone is trashing on this subject like she and I are unclassy to think that asking for money is wrong. It’s not like she wants to come out and say "I WANT MONEY" thats why we are asking, how should we got about this?
So if your going to write your unclassy and things like that then dont respond. I’ve seen it before that people note that money is accepted for help with honeymoon and such, welcome to 2009 people!!!
Thanks, just had to clear this one up for all you RUDE people that can’t respond nicely even though you have a difference of opinon.

So congratulations, you’re ready to start planning that very special day in your life that the memories will last a life time!

Not only can this be the most memorable day in your life, but possibly the most expensive one! Did you know that the average cost of a single wedding is around $27,000 for first time marriages? Average cost of second marriages runs around $12,000!! What does that tell you? Quite possibly that those second timers learned a lot the first time around!!

Regardless of what amount your wedding budget is going to be, the more you can get what you want for your dream wedding for less, the more you’ll have for other things like the honeymoon, or more importantly, purchasing your first home. Sure you can pay $2000 for your wedding gown, or if you’re a shrewd shopper and know where to look, you may be able to get it for $200!!

There’s tons of planning to do, which can be a real challenge! Now, you can go out and hire a wedding planner and probably pay some hefty dollars for their services so you don’t have to stress about every detail (I’ll bet you a dollar to a donut that you will anyway ), or you can do your own planning. There’s tons of resources out there on the Internet from free checklists to in-depth videos. Of course, as you and I know, nothing is free! Most, if not all, of the free checklists sites will try and sell you a full blown version of the abbreviated one they will give you free.

There’s as much planning and precision that goes into planning a wedding as there is in planning a detailed military operation! What has to be done, when does it have to be done, who is responsible for doing it, who is checking to make sure things are getting done, where is it going to happen, who is going to be there, who is going to be where, what are the costs, what is left in the budgeted account, what is going to be “plan B” if some part falls in the crack, etc……..

Don’t despair – insure you have the best wedding planning tools or best wedding planner, and follow-up on things! If some one in your family or best friend, is experienced in planning and delivery time sensitive projects, ask them to be your quality control person. As I said above, if at all possible, have a Plan B just in case something beyond your control occurs! Say for example, you’re planning to have wedding outdoors, have a back-up location/plan in case in rains that day.

Of course, you’re going to be planning for your shower and reception after the wedding. Your shower will probably be the easiest and less worry for you as I’m sure your family/friends will be taking care of that – but make sure folks are aware of your overall plans/schedule so nothing conflicts! Your reception – again we have the who, what, when, where and how. If you’re on a tight budget, some if not all of the reception can be provided by family and friends. For example, your aunt Mary makes a super cake; your sister Sally loves doing arts and crafts for decorations; or, your cousin Bill is a volunteer fireman and can get the banquet hall at the fire station for a 50 percent discount. If you really want to save money, call “in any and all favors”!

In closing, if you’re on a tight budget or large budget, I’d like to wish you the happiest day of your life on that very special day!

You can call me: JJ, Jacque J Johnson, Jacque, but if you want help planning your wedding, visit me at: http://www.amazingweddingplanning.com

Author: Jacque T
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More and more couples are saying “I Do” in exotic and unusual places. This trend is called Destination Weddings. Definitely not your traditional wedding, but many couples are opting for jetting off to an overseas dream wedding and honeymoon combination at a much cheaper price. Is it for you?

Let’s objectively look at the pros and cons of having a Destination Wedding. But of course, if you’re both set on flying to Bora Bora and getting hitched on the glistening, white pearl sand in front of a crystal blue lagoon, then hey, don’t let me stop you! But I’m still going to share with you the cons of making that decision.

The Cons

1. Destination weddings may be less expensive for the betrothed couple, but very costly for everyone else. Paying for airline tickets, accommodations, food and then a wedding gift to boot, will prohibit many people from attending the wedding. Therefore, probably most of your close friends and family are not going to come.

2. Planning a wedding long distance can end up being a nightmare. Weddings in themselves wreak havoc with the couple as well as their families and their friends. Organizing a wedding over the phone and via emails can prove to be more than anyone bargained for. Unless you have someone that you know who lives nearby your destination that can check things for you, you may be biting off more than you can chew.

3. Many countries perform marriage ceremonies that are not recognized as being legal and binding in the United States or in other countries. This is a very important consideration when planning a Destination Wedding.

Okay, now that I’ve probably annihilated the thought of you having a Destination Wedding, let me share the other side of this coin. And there really is another side.

The Pros

1. A Destination Wedding combination honeymoon will save you money. Many exotic beach destinations are downright cheap with a good amount of European countries a close second. Then there are the multi-cultural countries of Asia. Two of the more popular destinations there are Thailand and Bali.

2. Your honeymoon is at your back door! Perhaps the most amazing positive about Destination Weddings is that fact that you are tying the knot at your honeymoon location. And many hotels and resorts around the world offer wedding/honeymoon packages which can save you thousands of dollars compared to a wedding in the states.

3. Want to spare yourself the agony of seeing people that you never wanted to invite to the wedding in the first place? If that sounds about right, then this is the perfect wedding for you.

4. A Destination Wedding has a unique, magical quality to it.

Hopefully this will help you decide if a Destination Wedding is the right one for you. If you are non-traditionalists, you probably will find great joy and satisfaction in finding that one, unique destination that is perfect for the two of you. If you have always dreamed of the fairytale wedding in your home town surrounded by close friends and family, then it doesn’t matter how much you save, it just isn’t right for you. Either way, memories are being made.

Delora O’Brien is an expert in the area of wedding designs and products. She is the resident consultant at Designs to Remember. Designs to Remember is a unique online store that carries designer wedding favors, bridal gifts and accessories. Delora also oversees the extensive line of unique wedding favors, bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts and wedding invitations. Many of the wedding gifts she has purchased for Designs to Remember, have been featured in well known bridal magazines.

Author: Delora O’Brien
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Sending wedding thank you cards is a sensitive matter that needs planning with well thought out procedures to avoid mistakes that may reflect badly on you. Proper manners must be followed to make the guests or participants feel appreciated for their giving and for their efforts. The first rule in wedding thank you card etiquette is to strive to send them as soon as the wedding is over, or gifts have arrived, or any other action that needs appreciation.

For your wedding gifts and your participation in responding, the last date to send thank you cards is at the end of your honeymoon – for wedding showers and parties, would be a week after, and for advanced gifts, it should be immediately or a few days later. Sending the cards late, shows either non appreciation or lack of reciprocating the efforts of your friends and family. The recipients should receive the cards when the memories are still fresh so that your gratitude has more meaning.

The basic aim of the wedding thank you card is to praise the guests, and not break the wedding thank you cards etiquette by beginning your message with words that mention you first, i.e., ‘we, I or me’. Always start the messages with ‘you’, referring to the guest. Also, it is disheartening to characterize or generalized some people as a group. Even if a certain group came from the same company or family try to write each of them individual cards.

The people who came to your wedding honored your special day with their presence, so saying thank you in a unique and honorable way should be your first priority. Poor quality material and other aspects of the card will have a negative effect on the recipient. Therefore, it is very important that the material, design, layout and decoration of the wedding thank you cards be well thought through. Pay heed to wedding thank you cards etiquette, for it represents a token of your deep felt appreciation and because of it, you will surely be remembered for many years.

Need more help with your Wedding Thank You Cards Etiquette? Get examples and samples at Thank You Note Wording.info for your notes, cards and letters on weddings, baby showers, graduations, bridal showers and most any other occasion you can think of – Absolutely Free!

Author: Sabrina Lawton
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Me and my husband are planning our second wedding and our first honeymoon. It will happen summer of 2011 after our actual wedding 10th wedding anniversary. I really want this to be a rocking time for me and my husband. Hubby doesn’t want a beach wedding, go on a cruise, or leave the continental united states. We’re open to suggestions or locations. Please no rude answers, thank you.

You’ve just gotten married, it was the happiest day of your life, but you’re definitely glad all that stress is over – well almost. You still have wedding thank you cards. Just as many other wedding traditions have stayed intact despite advances in technology (email wedding invitations – no thank you!), it’s still considered proper etiquette to mail wedding thank you cards after the big day. But what are the rules? Read on for more common etiquette and advice on sending out wedding thank you cards.

It is socially acceptable to send wedding thank you cards as long as three months after the wedding, but why would you want to put it off for that long? It’s not going to get any easier waiting till the last minute. Ideally, wedding thank you cards should be sent out within two weeks of coming back from your honeymoon (unless you’ve postponed your honeymoon, then it would be two weeks after your wedding). In addition, a wedding thank you card should be sent immediately for any gifts received before the wedding.

Many wedding invitation packages come with wedding thank you cards that complement the wedding invitations and save the date cards you have already sent, however in no case should you ever use a pre-printed wedding thank you card! (“Thank you” already printed on the front is fine.) Your guests took the time to pick out a present, wrap it and ship it; the least you can do is write a few words of thanks. (It is OK to have your return address pre-printed, but the gift givers address should always be handwritten.)

If your wedding invitations didn’t come with wedding gift thank you cards, a simple, classic thank you card is always good. Another good idea is wedding photo thank you cards. Just upload one of your favorite photos from your wedding, then all your guests get a special memory from your wedding as well as a thank you! (Just remember you still need to send out wedding gift thank you cards before the wedding.)

A great way to make sure you send a wedding thank you card as soon as you receive a wedding gift is to keep a stack on the counter, by the door, or wherever you know they will be visible and stay at the top of your mind. Keep a few envelopes already stamped with your address label on it or your address already written out. This makes it a lot easier to jot out a quick note and drop it in the mail ASAP.

A short and simple note that is to the point is all you need to write. Unlike the prim and proper wedding invitations you have already sent out, you can use the gift givers’ first names. Try writing something personal about the gift, maybe where you will put it, or how it will be used, and mention how great it was to see the gift givers at the wedding (if it was sent prior to your wedding day, tell them you look forward to seeing them there).

You can always add in some personal touches. If the gift givers traveled a significant distance to attend your wedding, mention how much you appreciate it, or if they were unable to attend, let them know they were missed. If you are thanking someone for a monetary gift, it is not necessary to mention how much was given, but it’s nice to let the givers know what you will be doing with the money (don’t say paying off your enormous wedding).

Even the simplest note inside your wedding thank you card will go a long way in showing your thanks. It doesn’t need to be flawless – a less than perfect note that truly shows some heartfelt thanks will always be appreciated.

By keeping up with gifts that arrive before the wedding, and writing just three or four wedding thank you cards every day after the wedding or honeymoon, you will be done in no time!

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Author: Sarah Simmons
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