Tacky Wedding Invitations

Can a wedding invitation really manage to be tacky? Sadly, it can! There are many well-meaning couples out there who in trying to be romantic or clever end up designing an invitation that turns the stomach of the guests who receive it. These are the things that make wedding invitations tacky, and how to avoid making the same mistakes.

First of all, it is important to understand that whether or not an invitation is tacky or not has nothing to do with what it cost. An inexpensive invitation can be elegant, and a pricey one can be done in exceedingly poor taste. It is what is written on the invitation and how it is made that counts. Original wording and "clever" images tend to be among the top offenders. Compare these two types of wedding invitation wording: "Mr. and Mrs. Walter Hall request the pleasure of your company at the wedding of their daughter Sarah Ann, etc., etc." is as classic and timeless as a pair of pearl earrings; in other words, it is tasteful, and like pearl earrings, fits any style of occasion.

Then there is this: "On this day we will marry the one we laugh with, live for, dream with, love. Come and witness Sarah and John as they start their journey together with one heart, etc." Blech! Too much information, and too personal. It is also redundant; if you are getting married, people assume that you are in love, it is not necessary to spell it out in syrupy prose. You may think it is romantic, but most of the guests will find the wording too saccharine. All that really should be written on a wedding invitation is the basics of who, what, where, and when. The "why" part is self-explanatory.

Being too cutesy is another common thing that makes a wedding invitation tacky. Just because they offer "Precious Moments" wedding stationery does not mean that you should choose it, even if you really love large eyed child figures dressed as a bride and groom. Another common trap is getting carried away with overly cute photos of the bride and groom. While personalizing your wedding stationery with your photo can be a nice detail, they should not be captioned like they were part of a scrapbook. Especially not if the captions are puns playing on the themes of love. Save that for your actual wedding scrapbook, and include a single elegant photo on the invitation.

Tackiness can also come in the form of poor manners. A perfectly lovely engraved wedding invitation can become tacky with the inclusion of bridal registry information on it. Using your wedding invitation to snub a family member for not giving you enough money is also always in poor taste. When in doubt, the best thing that a couple can do is to stick with a classic invitation and simple wording. You can never go wrong with that, and no one will find you tacky!

Cocktail Wedding Receptions - A Cheap and Classy Alternative to Expensive Wedding Receptions

If you are looking to have a classy, yet inexpensive wedding, holding a cocktail reception may be an alternative you may want to consider. When planning a wedding, you will need to allocate at least fifty percent of your budget to your wedding reception. If you are looking for a trendy reception idea while cutting your expenses down, a cocktail reception will cost much less than a traditional wedding reception.

Cocktail receptions are much cheaper than traditional wedding receptions for several reasons: less food, smaller location, few (if any) tables and chairs which will cut down on your rental and floral expenses. There will be no large tables to dress up with centerpieces, no linen charges, no full settings of china to rent. You won't have to worry about assigning seating or purchasing place cards and table decorations. You will not have to hire an expensive break down crew for after the reception clean up.

Cocktail receptions also create a much more social atmosphere versus a traditional wedding reception. With few tables and chairs, the cocktail reception encourages mingling and movement around the location. This party type of format may not be conducive for traditional wedding reception activities, unless the location has enough room to "clear" the center for first dances and bouquet tossing.

If you decide to have a cocktail wedding reception, remember timing and location is everything. A cocktail reception is best held between the hours of 5 pm to 7 pm, or if you are planning on a three hour cocktail party, from 4 pm to 7 pm. Any earlier, your guests may not want to eat, any later, they may expect a full meal. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres tend to take less time than a full reception, so a cocktail reception should be between two and three hours at the most.

A cocktail reception opens the doors to many location possibilities which would otherwise not be available to you if you had a traditional wedding reception. You could have your cocktail reception poolside, on a terrace, on a city rooftop (which would be beautiful at sunset), at an art gallery, or even in a room in a museum. You will open the door to many unique reception locations if you choose this idea, often costing a fraction of the price of a traditional banquet location.

Some Important Considerations You Need To Think About When Ordering Wedding Invitations

A wedding is a celebration combining two lives into one. A wedding invitation signifies the start of the celebration. They are sent to families and friends of both bride and groom inviting them to attend the celebration. It is important to take care in preparing the wedding invitation since this will send first impressions of the wedding.

A wedding invitation contains a lot of information. It will give guests a glimpse at your style and taste. It will also introduce the important people involved in the wedding. Therefore is important to keep some things in mind when choosing and sending your wedding invitation.

The first things guests will see when they open the envelope will give them an idea of the bride and grooms taste and style, and formality. The colors of the wedding are generally intertwined in the invitation. Regardless of whether your wedding will be formal or informal the invitations should give a great first impression. If you are choosing theme for your wedding carry it into the invitations. For example a traditional white wedding will be traditional and elegant in white. For a theme bases wedding such as an old movie could have antique look to it or special clips from the move in it. A Vegas wedding may have more flair with glitter or gold confetti in the envelope.

Spelling and grammar are also very important parts of your wedding invitation. The names need to be presented in proper order and spelled correctly. Some people choose to write their own wording for the invitation while others go with prewritten ones.

Whichever you choose always proofread a few times for any errors. It may be helpful to have a few of those people close to you read it; occasionally they may catch an error you miss. Make sure the address; dates, and times are all correct. You don't want everyone showing up at 2pm when your wedding was at 12. You may also include a short map or additional instructions on another paper in your invitation, such as whether children are allowed and themes. Letting your guests know ahead of time may ease frustration later on.

A wedding is a day the bride and groom will always treasure, therefore the invitations should reflect a bit of them. Whether you decide to have a formal traditional wedding or a themed beach party your invitations should reflect that also. Keep in mind to use proper grammar, spelling and always proofread. A special poem, writing or traditional greeting about your day welcomes others to join the celebration. Any special instructions or maps should be on an additional sheet of paper enclosed with the invitation. A wedding is a celebration and the invitation should reflect your desire for the guest to attend.

Hazards and Safety Measures Associated With Restaurants

Employers must provide workers compensation insurance for their restaurant employees in the event they are injured or become seriously ill while on the job. For this reason, having higher standards of safety will greatly reduce the amount of claims filed and save employers a substantial amount of costs, including time lost to employees who can no longer perform their duties or report to work.

Let's first look at the general hazards found in most kitchens:

Food preparation
Slip and Fall
Strains and sprains
Fires, Excess heat
Burns
Excessive cold temperatures
Knife safety and Cut hazards
Electrical
Hazardous chemicals

Though restaurant managers are responsible for properly training their employees on safe operating procedures, it is up to the employee to be mindful of their actions to minimize their risks. Here are some tips that all restaurant employees should keep in mind to protect themselves from harm.

Food Preparation Hazards in the Commercial Kitchen

Individuals that primarily perform food preparation tasks can suffer cuts, amputation or perhaps even strangulation if they are not careful. Food can become contaminated if it comes into contact with the bodily fluids of the food preparer. Precautions should be taken to insure that tainted food does not make its way to the customers.

Slip and Fall Hazards

Wet and slippery floors are common in a commercial kitchen, but there are several things employees can do to protect themselves:

Report any spills to a manager on duty
Mop up immediately after a spill
Place a sign nearby indicating a spill has occurred
Caution others who may be unaware that the floor is wet

OSHA has standards that require certain behavior from managers to protect employees and customers.

Strain and Sprain Hazards

Commercial kitchen employees are at risk of strain and sprain injuries because they often perform the same tasks every day. Learn what employees and managers can do to help reduce the incidents of lost work due to pulled muscles or strained tendons.

Restaurant Fire Hazards and Excessive Heat Dangers

Learn some of the common causes of restaurant fires and what employees and employers can do to minimize the threat. Because fire and excess heat are commonly required of most kitchens, this poses a threat when sources are left unattended, or grow out of control.

Heat-related illnesses and injuries are a common threat faced by commercial kitchen workers. Stoves, ovens, and hot lamps all contribute to injuries and possible food-related illnesses. Learn more about the specific dangers and what managers and employees can do to protect themselves and others.

Common Burn Hazards

Cooks, servers and dishwashers are all subject to potential burns in the commercial kitchen. Customers can also suffer burns from hot plates or food that is served.

Excessive Cold Dangers Faced by Restaurant Employees

Employees that help unload delivery trucks and take inventory in the walk-in cooler are most at risk for hypothermia and other cold-related illnesses. Learn what employees and managers can do to protect themselves and others when working with excessive cold.

Knife Safety and Cut Hazards

Commercial cutlery, though essential in the kitchen, may pose an increased threat of injury to employees who have not been properly trained. Knowledge of how to correctly handle kitchen cutlery creates a safer and more efficient kitchen environment.

An employee cutting his or her hand is a danger to everybody in the restaurant. Learn how employees can protect themselves from cuts and what OSHA requires employers to do to minimize the risks.

Common Electrical Hazards

Electrocution is a danger faced by all commercial kitchen employees. Learn where the common threats are and what both managers and employees can do to protect themselves.

Hazardous Chemicals and Restaurant Safety

The very chemicals used to protect customers from food borne illnesses can, unfortunately, harm employees. There are several things that restaurant managers and employees can do to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals. OSHA, for examples, requires that any restaurant using hazardous chemicals must have a written hazard communication program available to all employees. This ensures that knowledge of all hazards is clearly and effectively transmitted in order to provide protection to those working with hazardous chemicals.

Autumn Wedding Maple Leaf Menu

Love is in the air, and so is the crisp cool scent of autumn. Make your autumn wedding perfect with this great autumn wedding themed idea:

MAPLE LEAF MENU

What you'll need:

-Digital imaging program
-Digital outline of a maple leaf, birch leaf, oak leaf or any other leaf you like.

-Photo of your favorite autumn foliage scene

-Your wedding menu

-Access to a color printer

-Card stock printing paper

-Scissors

STEP 1 - Find your leaf

The first thing you need to do is find a suitable digital outline of a maple leaf, or any other leaf you wish to use. You can use Link 1 at the bottom of this article as a template, or find your own by searching the internet.

STEP 2 - Find an Autumn foliage digital image

STEP 3 - Merge images

Using a photo editing program, you are going to merge the outline of the leaf and your autumn foliage picture (any in the Adobe® PhotoShop® family should work) & insert it to a MS Word Document.

If you are using the leaf template we provided, you can skip steps 1 - 7

1. Open the image of the leaf you found in the photo program (for purposes of this article, we are going to assume the image is either a gif or jpg)

2. Using the Square Marquee Tool, select the entire image

3. From the menu, select Edit then Copy

4. From the menu, select File then New (on this screen, specify your new image to be approximately 15 x 12 inches in size)

5. Once the new image file is open, from the file menu, select Edit then Paste

6. Save the image as 'template.psd'

7. You will want to remove the inside area of the leaf, to do this, use your Magic Wand Tool, click on the inside of the leaf, and then hit delete on your keyboard (this will only work if your leaf is a solid color).

8. Repeat steps 1-3 with your Autumn foliage picture

9. Paste the autumn image into the template.psd image
For the next step you are going to need to make sure your layers window is open. You can do this by going to the main menu, select Window then Layers. A window should appear on your screen that has 3 layers, your background, the leaf and the autumn foliage. By default this window may already be open, if the Layers option under Window is checked off, that means it's already open.

10. The leaf layer should be above the autumn foliage layer, to move the leaf layer, place your curser over the leaf layer, left click and simply drag and drop the leaf layer above the autumn foliage layer.

11. To adjust the size and dimensions of the leaf, go to the main menu, select Edit then Transform then Scale. You should then be able to change the dimensions of the leaf layer. When you are done, to keep the changes click on any of the actions in your Tools Window. When asked if you want to keep your changes click yes.

12. You can move the autumn foliage image around the same way [as step 10] to fit it inside the leaf image.

We are now going to remove any part of the autumn foliage that is outside of the leaf outline.

13. While active on the leaf layer, use your Magic Wand Tool to select the inside of the leaf.

14. Go to your main menu, select Select then Inverse.

15. Make sure you switch back to the autumn foliage layer.

16. Hit delete - all portions of the autumn foliage picture that were outside the outline of the leaf should now be gone.

17. You don't want the image of the autumn foliage to over power your menu text, so you are going to lower the Opacity of the image. You can adjust this until you find a level you like. To change the opacity make sure you are active on the autumn foliage layer, in your Layers window, in the upper right hand corner look for the word Opacity, we suggest a level around 25 to 30%.

18. Save your image again as template.psd.

19. Save the image using the 'Save for Web' feature. Save the image as template.gif or jpg.

20. Open MS Word

21. From the main menu select Format then Background then Fill Effects. Click on the Picture tab, select Select Picture (browse to where you saved template.gif). Hit OK to return to the main window.

22. Type in your Menu, centering the copy. If the copy is not centered directly in the middle of the leaf, change the image, not the copy. Go back to your photo editing program and use your Move Tool to move the leaf and autumn foliage up/down and left/right. Repeat steps 18 - 21 until your background image is centered properly in the Word document.

Helpful Hints:

You can switch back and forth between layers by simply clicking on the layer you wish to edit. You cannot edit any layer that you are not actively on.

The Tool Bar should automatically be open on the left hand side of your screen. It contains 2 columns and multiple rows of icons. If it is not showing, go to the main menu, select Window then Tools.

The Square Marquee Tool is the first icon in the Tool Bar in the left hand column

The Magic Wand Tool is the icon in the Tool bar second down in the right hand column

The Move Tool is the icon in the first icon in the Tool Bar in the right hand column.

You can name your newly created layers by double clicking on the word 'Layer 1'

STEP 4 - Print!

If your background is not printing, check your print options to make sure the 'Print Background Images' box is checked.

STEP 5 - Cut your menus out

How to Ensure Your Dream Wedding Venue Doesn't Become a Nightmare

No matter how intimate the photograph of a bride and groom taken on their wedding day, one other 'character' is always present. Sometimes consigned to the background, sometimes prominently in the foreground, this particular wedding feature will shape the character and memories of your wedding for evermore. It's your wedding venue - the grand stage on which your romantic wedding scene is acted out.

Booking the venue is, for many couples, the point at which their wedding dreams turn into reality. Granted, the moment when the prospective partner gets down on one knee and pops the question is when the magic begins, but writing out a cheque for a 10% or 20% deposit means fixing a date, calculating guest numbers and remembering that Aunt Edna and Cousin Dan need to be kept well apart on the seating plan.

Shelling out hard-earned cash has a way of focusing the mind, which is why venue booking prompts many brides and grooms to buy wedding insurance. Venues can cost anything from 瞿50 for the village hall right up to 瞿20,000 for a romantic castle or a five-star hotel. In most cases a deposit will have to be paid months in advance. Commercial venues are also increasingly likely to ask whether the wedding is covered by public liability insurance, which is why so many couples turn to experts like Dave Simms, wedding insurance manager at Ecclesiastical.

Over the last ten years, Dave has insured thousands of weddings across the UK so has seen virtually every kind of venue on offer: churches, cathedrals, hotels, castles, stately homes - even ships and football grounds!

"Public liability insurance is something that lots of venues are very hot on now," explains Dave. "They want to know they're protected against damage and injuries so will ask for up to 瞿2 million-worth of cover, which is what our wedding policy and some others provide. In some cases it's definitely no insurance, no booking."

Booking the venue is an important step forward in the planning of your wedding, but from that moment, you and your venue are pretty much bound together, for better or worse - and, as Dave knows only too well, things can get a lot worse, which is where wedding insurance comes in.

Going out of business

Commercial wedding venues like hotels and restaurants are just as susceptible to financial problems as any other kind of business. In the year between a couple paying their deposit and their wedding date, it's not uncommon for a venue to go out of business - particularly in a recession - often taking the deposit with them. Not only can this leave you hundreds or thousands of pounds out of pocket, you've nowhere to hold your reception and precious little time or money to find a replacement.

Fab venue, shame we couldn't get into it

In 2007, the town of Gloucester suffered some of the heaviest flooding in its history. Luckily the town's many historic wedding venues remained high and dry, but there was one other slight problem: flooded roads meant wedding parties couldn't actually reach their venues, creating chaos all round. Venues have been put out of action in many different ways - fires, structural failures, outbreaks of food poisoning - all of which lead to unexpected costs for the bride and groom and trigger the dilemma of whether to postpone or try to find another venue only three weeks ahead of the big day.

With this ring, I thee scratch

Beautiful and expensive venues contain lots of beautiful and expensive things: paintings, vases, mirrors, handmade furniture, polished wooden floors. All too often, enthusiastic members of the wedding party forget that they're not allowed to venture into the private wing of the house or the newly refurbished Mayfair Suite and knock over a rare Chinese vase. Next thing you know it's some very angry hotel staff and a bill for 瞿3,000. "Cigar burns, broken furniture and scratched dance floors are fairly common," remarks Dave, "but we've also recently had a couple who got a very big bill when their wedding guests damaged a hot spa."

Protecting yourself makes good financial sense

With so much money at stake and so many arrangements to make, opting for wedding insurance is, for many people, a bit of a no-brainer when it comes to venues. Starting at just 瞿30 for Ecclesiastical's cover, experts like Dave Simms and his team can give you the money and help necessary to have a Plan B if your venue lets you down.

Your wedding venue is going to be an integral part of your big day and your memories of it for the rest of your life. The key is that they're happy memories of a beautiful day spent in a beautiful place. Sound planning and a good insurance policy behind you will make sure that's the case.

Sikh Wedding Cards: Things to Consider

Popularly known as Anand Karaj, the history of Sikh marriage ceremonies traces its roots back to the era of Amar Das (1479-1574 AD), a Sikh Guru. It is said that he composed a lengthy hymn (known as Anand) of 40 stanzas. This hymn is usually sung during almost all religious ceremonies. Here we talk about the various things you must keep in mind while finalizing Sikh wedding cards.

What to Keep in Mind While Choosing Sikh Wedding Cards

Sikh weddings are known for the various festivities associated with them. The specialty of Sikh wedding cards is that you can choose to have different cards for different occasions.

• Pre-Wedding Rituals

Sikh weddings have a number of rituals that are followed before the actual wedding ceremony. Keeping in mind the importance and variety of the rituals, you can choose have a pre-wedding invite for functions, such as roka, shri akhand path and sagai. For instance, sagai (also known as mangni) is actually the ceremony in which the bride and the groom exchange rings and get engaged. Although some families like to keep this ceremony private, you can make your family members feel special by giving away invitation cards for this occasion.

Wedding Rituals

After the series of pre-wedding rituals, comes the gala event. The wedding ceremony starts with a shagun ceremony, where the groom's family is bestowed with precious and memorable gifts and sweets by the bride's family. This ritual is followed by another vital event, the chunni, in which the groom's family (especially the ladies) adorn the bride with a red dupatta (veil).

The groom's family welcomes the bride-to-be by showering her with gifts, and adorning her with make up, sindoor, jewelry, bangles, bindi and a beautiful dupatta. While getting your Sikh wedding cards printed, you can think about including the details of these rituals as well. This helps you to share the vital details of the event with your guests.

Post-Wedding Rituals

The ritual and ceremonies don't finish with the wedding. Once the wedding itself is over, there are a few more rituals that need to be taken care of. For instance, the vidaai or the doli ceremony, where the bride's family bids her a (usually teary) farewell. This ceremony marks the end of the wedding rituals. A bit of an emotional affair, this is the ceremony in which the bride finally leaves behind her paternal home and goes to live with her husband's family and thus starts a new life. Although not necessary, nowadays there are families that like to hold a small get together after the marriage. This reception ceremony is usually held to introduce the new bride to the husband's family, friends and community.

The Best Band Movies

There have been some bad movies about those in the music industry (Glitter suddenly comes to mind). But, there have also been some worth not only watching, but listening to, over and over again. The following is our list of best band-related movies. Sit back, relax, and, for goodness sake, turn up the volume.

Eddie and the Cruisers (1983): This early 1980's film told the tale of a 1960's rock band who becomes famous after playing gigs throughout New Jersey. After this band, aptly named Eddie and the Cruisers, makes an album that is everything Eddie hoped it would be, the album is rejected by the head of the record company. Devastated, Eddie drives his car off a bridge and Eddie, as well as his reject album, disappears. Twenty years later, a television producer decides to do a documentary on Eddie and the Cruisers and reconnects with many of the band mates, all of whom have moved on. It is during this time that an older looking Eddie resurfaces, thus setting up the sequel: Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives.

Not only did this movie touch on the frustration and sacrifices of the music industry, but it also put an unknown band on the map: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. Performing the soundtrack to the original and the sequel, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown band released the theme song of the movie, "On the Dark Side;" it was a hit single and can still be heard on present-day radio stations.

This is Spinal Tap (1984): A Rob Reiner directed mockumentary, This is Spinal Tap features a heavy metal rock band and its wild behavior. A film that pokes fun at the music industry, certain scenes offended some musicians, at least initially, hitting rather close to home. However, once people realized they shouldn't take themselves so seriously, the intention of the movie - to be satirical and make fun of pretentiousness - was made more obvious.

Many of the scenes were improvised and ad-libbed, leaving the outcome very funny to many viewers. This is Spinal Tap was listed as 64 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies and climbed to 29 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs. It was also quickly made into a cult classic and deemed, in 2002, as culturally significant by the Library of Congress. From here, it was chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry.

That Thing You Do (1996): Any film that is written by, directed by, and stars Tom Hanks has got to be good: this film was just that. Taking place in the 1960's, this film features Hanks as a manager of the Wonders, a one-hit wonder with Beatles-like undertones. As the Wonders climb their way to fame, getting on the radio and eventually gaining a record contract and touring nationally, the foundations within the band begin to unravel. The band soon follows.

Made up of an all-star cast, including Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn, Liv Tyler, Charlize Theron, Rita Wilson, and Giovanni Ribisi, That Thing You Do also features all-star music with a soundtrack that includes music by Rick Elias, Scott Rogness, and Howard Shore. The movie's most memorable song, "That Thing you Do," mirrored fiction when it became a hit and helped launch the career of Fountains of Wayne.

Almost Famous (2000): Written and directed by Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous was just that - almost famous - when it came to its less than block bluster performance at the box office. Critically, however, it received high acclaim including four Academy Award nominations. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert called it the "best movie of the year."

Following the journey of William Miller, Almost Famous tells the tale of a young man caught in a whirlwind of madness, excitement, and lust when he tours with a rock band. A semi-autographical story, this movie is based on Crowe's experience as a young writer touring with Led Zeppelin.

Musically, Almost Famous won the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. The film featured songs from Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel, Thunderclap Newman, Peter Frampton, and Nancy Wilson.

Dreamgirls (2006): Released nationally on Christmas Day 2006, Dreamgirls became a hit, winning three Golden Globes and two Oscars. Adapted from the 1981 Broadway musical, Dreamgirls is set in the 1960's and 1970's; it follows the careers of The Dreamettes, a Detroit group with a strong resemblance to The Supremes. Dreamgirls takes us into the world of R&B and the Motown movement that changed our nation.

Dreamgirls may be best remembered as launching the film career of Jennifer Hudson, a former American Idol contestant. But, it is likely it will also be remembered for its music. The soundtrack is filled with music that is more present day than the score of the 1981 Broadway play, but still pays homage to R&B roots. Among the singers featured are Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx.

Insurance For My Beach Wedding? Are You Serious?

You buy insurance to protect yourself against losses to your car and your house, and now you can buy insurance to protect yourself against losses associated with your beach wedding.

Several US companies are now offering this special kind of insurance and it is surprisingly cheap.

Consider how unhappy you'd be if the caterer or the baker declared bankruptcy a few days before your wedding. What if the photographer or the DJ got sick?

Most of these vendors require a hefty deposit non-refundable upfront (some even want their entire bill paid before the wedding). So, in a worst-case scenario, not only would you be faced with paying a new caterer / baker / photographer / dj, you might never be able to recoup the money you laid out in advance.

A stressful economic period is no time to get stressed out over such matters. Give careful thought to wedding insurance.

Virtually every insurance policy will insure you against the following:

    * Failure by vendors to perform their contracted services. This might include a baker who goes bankrupt just before the wedding or a restaurant that closes just before your wedding. Insurance will reimburse you for deposits or the full fee that you made to such vendors. Often, it will also take care of the cost of legal fees to collect from delinquent vendors.

    * Weather problems. Remember that the hurricane season lasts from June through the early fall and the entire east coast and gulf coast is vulnerable, as are all of the Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Central America. Coverage is for such major problems that prevent you from holding the wedding as planned or will prevent most of your guests from attending. Afternoon showers are not covered.

    * Last-minute cancellation or postponement of the wedding. Should you or the groom be in the military and called to active duty, it might be necessary to postpone the wedding. If you or a close family member could be injured in an accident, contract a sudden illness, or even die, insurance would reimburse for the deposits you lost because it was necessary to change your wedding plans.

    * Issues with the photographer or videographer. If they fail to show up or neglect to put film in the camera or arrive with charged batteries, you may be possible to reassemble everyone to create the wedding photos at a later date and receive payment for the expenses associated with this effort.

    * Loss or damage to the wedding gown. What if the bridal salon has a fire and your gown has smoke damage? What if the airline mistakenly sends your gown to Siberia? Insurance will certainly reimburse you.

    * Stolen wedding rings or wedding gifts. If guests deposit your gifts in a different room while your ceremony is underway and they are stolen, you will usually be fully reimbursed. The same holds if a thief breaks into the car transporting the gifts. And if the wedding rings mysteriously disappear, almost every insurance policy would cover that, too.

    * Professional counseling. A few policies provide for payments associated with toward counseling if you are left standing at the altar and you need therapy to work through it. In general, though, if either of you just get cold feet and call the whole thing off, you shouldn't expect an insurance company to help you out in any way.

It's a good idea to start your planning by checking the company that writes your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. Find out precisely what is and what is not covered under your policy. It's a good idea to ask the manager of the wedding venue about any liability insurance carried. It may be that your current insurer needs only to add a simple and inexpensive rider to your existing policy.

Alternatively, an Internet search will help you to find an independent agent who writes highly specialized policies that cover almost every conceivable bad outcome associated with a wedding that you could imagine.

Your financial circumstances will play a huge role in determining whether it makes sense to purchase supplemental wedding insurance. It's generally a good bet if the money that you might lose altogether would cause substantial harm to your financial situation.

But because specialized or supplemental wedding insurance is so reasonably priced, if you are thinking of a destination or a beach wedding, it is almost always worth it. 

Wood Craft Supplies for Craftsman in Your House

Wood crafting nowadays is a far cry from the wood shop program we took during high school. I feel every young man has most likely built a bird house or some sort of shelf during his high school job. You may even so assemble all these things from scratch, on the contrary, if carpentry is not your strong suit, you can still take pleasure in wood crafts. Wood crafting supplies propose a broad range of unfinished wooden craft objects within all shapes and sizes. They can be painted, stenciled, or embellished with metal hoops, leather and fabric. Present are as well all types of neat wooden shapes that can be applied with craft glue.

You don't require for you to try finding a miter box to generate a customized picture frame. Acquire an unfinished frame and give it a coat of paint and add a quantity of gold leaf. Wooden plaques are one more item you can do with, and they appear within all sizes and shapes. You can decoupage your wedding ceremony invitations or birth pronouncement for an enduring memento or gift. My husband and I received an unfinished wooden plaque, tainted it, cut back a Plexiglas cover and lay a win picture of our friend's horse on it as a Christmas gift. He loved it. The image was on display right away, a much better gift than a photo to be caught in an album.

Unfinished wooden birdhouses are a remarkable means to build one of a kind house for the birds in your backyard. Paint them to match your outdoor accessories or your house. My cousin painted small versions as centerpieces for a garden wedding, and they are lovely. People had to draw names to see who acquired to get one home. This was a lasting memento of a special day.

If you gaze around your local home stores, you can find wooden medallions and even gingerbread trim to utilize on furniture or to improve as architectural details within your residence. The wooden trim items and medallions are quickly useful to unfinished furniture to provide it a customized look and can be painted or tainted. You can adjust the appearance of basic furniture by the addition of decorative wood trim.

You might be skilled with a jigsaw, and if you are, you can produce your own wood craft items, custom trim, and birdhouses. However, if you're similar to me and probably to cut off a finger in the course of action, do yourself a support and have certain ready made wood craft supplies. No one will be the wiser once it has been painted or blemished, and you get to receive credit for the perfect product.

Great Autumn Honeymoon Destinations

If you are planning a wedding for this fall, it is time to book your honeymoon plans! The honeymoon is the perfect way to relax and have fun with your new spouse after the wedding, and there are many terrific places to go. These are some ideas for great autumn honeymoon destinations.

First let's talk about a place that is not the best for fall honeymoons, and that is the Caribbean and the beaches of the Southeast and Gulf Coast. Although the weather is pleasant and the beaches are less crowded, the fall is also the peak of hurricane season. If you have your heart set on a beach honeymoon, you would be better to choose a Pacific location, or at the very least, buy travel insurance that would provide you with a refund should your trip be washed out by a hurricane.

It is true that it is very romantic to stroll arm in arm with your beloved along a sandy beach with the ocean lapping along the shore. In the autumn, a very romantic option can be to visit a Northern beach for your honeymoon. This will not be a sunbathing trip, but rather a chance to enjoy some peace and quiet in a beautiful location. You can take long walks, collect seashells, and spend cozy evenings in front of a roaring fire at a lovely hotel or inn. One nice thing about this type of trip is that you will be able to get some excellent deals on off-season hotels.

New England is a gorgeous place to visit in the autumn, and it would be a great choice for a honeymoon. Spend time touring the breathtaking autumn foliage, shop for local crafts, and take day hikes in the mountains. The attitude is laid-back; you won't need to bring very dressy clothing, just your cozy sweaters and maybe a simple piece of your wedding jewelry to wear to dinner in a nice restaurant. You may well find yourself wanting to return each year for your anniversary!

If you are looking for a little more excitement, consider a fall honeymoon in Europe. You can enjoy the fabulous museums, shopping (perhaps a new bauble to complete your wedding jewelry set?), and restaurants that the great cities of Europe have to offer. The weather is generally pleasant in the fall, and most locations will not be quite as crowded with tourists as they are during the summer vacation months. The grand capitals of Europe such as London, Paris, and Rome are all spectacular, but you might also want to consider some of the less obvious honeymoon destinations like Switzerland or Austria.

Autumn boasts many festivals that honeymooners can enjoy; perhaps the best of all is Oktoberfest in Germany. Even if you are not a big beer drinker (but especially if you are!), this annual event is rich with music, food, and traditions. There are rides, carousels, shows, and of course, lots and lots of fine beer. Despite the name, Oktoberfest actually takes place mostly in September. For 2009, the dates are September 19 - October 4. Anyone who has ever been to Oktoberfest will tell you that it is not to be missed!

Newlyweds who prefer wine over beer will enjoy a fall honeymoon trip to Napa Valley in California. October is a great time to visit, as it is around the time of many fall harvest celebrations, including the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. See the sights, visit the vineyards, and bring home some wonderful bottles of wine as your honeymoon souvenirs.

There are many ways to enjoy the best that autumn has to offer. There is a fall honeymoon destination that is just right for any interests or budget. The best part about planning your autumn honeymoon is that it will be the perfect way to cap off the celebration of your new marriage.

Handmade Wedding Invitations For That Personal Touch

Every bridal couple has their own distinct vision of what their perfect wedding day would look like and the style of wedding invitations they would like to send out to their guests. Some bridal couples want handmade invitations that are exceptionally elegant and sophisticated to match their similarly planned wedding reception whereas others prefer traditional all-white handmade wedding invitations as an introduction to their traditional all-white wedding reception.

Other handmade invitation styles run the gamut from elaborate and artsy to contemporary and casual; each style unique and distinctive, unlike run-of-the-mill store-bought wedding invitations where the only difference likes in the details of the wedding.

What makes handmade wedding invitations so special?

Anyone can go to a store and buy ready-made wedding invitations; the only deciding factor being the budget. A bridal couple with a higher wedding budget can go ahead and buy the most expensive invitations they can find whereas a bridal couple with a more restricted budget would have to spend some extra time looking for something cheaper. However, no matter how much you may spend on ready-made wedding invitations there is always something missing- that personal touch.

Having handmade wedding invitations reflects your commitment to creating an ambiance that is fitting for your wedding. They reveal your creativity, thoughtfulness and attention to detail and are sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests. More importantly, they give your wedding that distinctly personal touch that can never be bought or replicated.

Do you have to make handmade wedding invitations yourself?

Making homemade wedding invitations yourself can be a marvelous thought and you can certainly pull it off with élan if you have a limited guest list and plenty of time at your disposal. However, if you have a large guest list and limited time, you are better off getting homemade wedding invitations done by more professional hands.

Advantages of ordering handmade wedding invitations

Ordering handmade wedding invitations can save you time and money.

Professionally done handmade invitations have a distinct look and this is because they are hand-made; the only difference being, they are made by hands other than yours. Besides looking sophisticated and elegant, getting handmade wedding invitations professionally done has other benefits as well. For a bridal couple who have set their heart on sending out customized handmade wedding invites, getting them done professionally frees up a lot of their time; time that could now be spent on the many other aspects of wedding planning.

Another huge advantage of ordering handmade wedding invites is that most professional wedding card makers would have everything they require right at their disposal. Trying to achieve the same effect yourself may involve having to buy special equipment and tools that could be a considerable expense. Being able to order handmade wedding invites can also be a big boon to bridal couples who have the idea in their head but are not adept at executing it. It is important to make sure you explain your idea well and see the finished sample before ordering your handmade wedding invites.

Signs He is Planning to Propose - How to Know He's Ready to Commit to You

You feel as though you're constantly waiting with baited breath for your boyfriend to pop the question. You two have been dating for some time and the inevitable next step is to get engaged and start planning the wedding of your dreams. The only problem is that he's tight lipped on the subject and every time you bring up the idea of getting married, he'll start talking about something else. It's hard to know if there's a proposal in your near future or not when your guy isn't telling you what he's thinking. If you're feeling frustrated by the uncertainty, there are some signs he is planning to propose that will help you know whether you'll be walking down the aisle soon.

Here are 4 clear signs he is planning to propose soon:

He wants to buy a home with you. Investing in a home of your own is a huge step. When your boyfriend suggests that you two take that step together, it's because he sees marriage in your very near future. A mortgage will bind the two of you together for decades and he wouldn't be suggesting it unless he saw you as his future life partner.

He talks about children. Many men don't really think about getting married until they're ready to have children. If he has started talking more about the idea of you two having children in the future, he obviously pictures the two of you as co-parents, which also means he envisions you as his wife.

He subtly questions you about engagement rings. Many men think they are being coy about asking what type of ring you like. Some men will window shop with you at a jewelry store and will say it's all in fun. Others will have female friends show you their own engagement or wedding rings to gauge their reaction. If rings have suddenly become something he seems focused on, it's because he's planning on buying you one.

He enjoys other people's weddings. When a man is averse to the idea of getting engaged he feels very uncomfortable going to weddings. He feels as though he's under a microscope there because everyone is wondering why he hasn't popped the question yet. That completely changes once he enters the mind frame of wanting to be a husband. He'll gladly go to weddings and he'll even notice all the small details.

If you see any of these signs in your boyfriend's behavior, he wants to get married before long. Ready yourself for a proposal and for the excitement of planning your big day.

Hip New Wedding Color Schemes

Are you the type of bride who always wants to be on the cutting edge of fashion? If that sounds like you, then you will want to be sure that your wedding is as fashion forward as you are. These are some of the hippest and freshest looks for wedding color schemes right now.

The key to creating a really great color scheme for your wedding is to choose an interesting pairing of colors. The right colors, when used in combination, can really make everything pop. Instead of traditional gold, white, or silver, think about using bright colors in fresh new ways.

Hints of lime or chartreuse green are one of the top color trends for weddings. Pair the bright green with another strong color, such as aqua blue or a bold red. It may sound a bit garish at first, but when done well, the end result will be very stylish and unique.

Another big trend in wedding colors right now is shades of brown used in combination. If brown sounds a bit drab and unfestive to you, picture rich mocha used with dark espresso, and a soft cream. It sounds delicious, doesn't it? And it can look just as tasty, especially for an autumn or evening affair.

If something on the brighter side is more your style, then consider the color combination of pink and red. This is another one that might make you pause at first - weren't we always told that pink and red should never go together? That old rule is out the window, as brides are discovering how great those two tones can look together.

Once you have decided on a color palette for your wedding, the next step is to figure out how to put it all together. If you are working with one of these strong new color combinations, don't be shy. The overall effect will be best if you really go for it. In other words, if you have chosen pink and red for your colors, don't do a pink centerpiece on half of the tables and a red one on the other half. The idea is to layer the colors right on top of each other, so mix pink and red flowers within the same display.

There are so many creative places to employ your color scheme. To really make it work, you will want to carry it throughout the wedding in large doses. This will give your décor a unified look, and really make the bold colors pop.

Definitely plan on using your chosen colors in the centerpieces. That is one of the easiest places to make an immediate impact. You can use flowers in both colors in your arrangements, or you could choose to pick flowers primarily in one of the colors with a vase or vessel in the other color. When using such strong colors, keep the lines of the vases clean and simple.

You should definitely plan on using your chosen colors in the bridesmaid dresses. For instance, you could do an aqua organza dress with a chartreuse sash for a fresh summer wedding look. Mixing shades of brown would be rich and elegant for an evening wedding at any time of the year. To keep the theme going, give your attendants bridesmaid gifts in your wedding colors. There are lots of ways to do this. You could give them tote bags in lime with a red monogram. Or order custom bridesmaid jewelry as their gifts; combine red and pink Swarovksi crystals for a fabulous effect.

Whichever color you choose, be sure to own it. Using one of these hot new color pairings will give your wedding a fresh and hip style. Expressive use of color is a wonderful way to make your wedding unforgettable.

Top Ideas - Learn How to Manage Catering Your Wedding Or Other Huge Feast

The large day is coming and right here you will see top ideas for efficiently catering your wedding ceremony or other massive feast. Plan forward when catering your individual marriage ceremony, have a time and sequence listing made out for anyone serving to in the kitchen. That means things will get finished efficiently and nothing will likely be forgotten. Permit extra time to do all the things and designate tasks.

Let the menu match the wedding. No matter you might be doing, you might have taken on a problem not only to do your greatest, however to channel your ideas and vitality into creating one of the best sort of menu for your explicit fashion of wedding. In case you are restricted in space or sources when catering own wedding, choose a style of wedding ceremony to greatest fit the type of food you'll be able to afford to serve - will it be a wedding brunch, luncheon, bridal tea, cocktail get together, dessert party, buffet, or sit down meal, casual backyard potluck, or BBQ? Keep in mind connoisseur food may not fit all types of people. Conserving issues easy is commonly the most secure strategy when catering your own wedding.

The quantity of meals you will need when catering your individual wedding will depend on the time of day as well as the typical age of your guests. Obviously a marriage luncheon is not going to require nearly as a lot food as when catering your personal marriage ceremony with a sit down dinner. The presentation would even be completely different when catering your wedding with a full sit down dinner, loads fancier. By no means serve just gentle snacks at regular dinner time, marriage ceremony guests might be hungry.

Plan your menu when catering your individual wedding ceremony so that it really works across the space that you've available. In different words, don't have too many items that require oven space. Be sure that they require the same temperature, too. Determine your required fridge and freezer space. Counter space is important when catering your own wedding ceremony in the event you'll need to plate things. For instance if it's important to ladle food onto plates, or plan to serve a variety of dainties and small tarts for dessert. Do you've got sufficient area to place all this stuff out after which switch them to serving plates?

Meals Safety is a should necessity. Scorching food must be sizzling - cooked to one hundred forty degrees F. and above. Chilly meals have to be saved chilly - 40 levels F. and below. Have you ever puzzled why caterers do not leave the meals out longer and let people nibble all evening, due to meals poisoning that's why! Use a light bleach answer to wipe down counters, do dishes etc. to prevent cross-contamination from uncooked meats and germs in general.

Try occasion rental places, they have numerous actually neat gadgets for catering your personal wedding. Big chaffing dishes just like the caterers use, huge bowls, and lots of exciting issues to make your marriage ceremony or celebration really special - even a conveyable salad bar. If you don't have the gear you want for catering your own wedding ceremony, you may lease things very moderately - even tables and chairs, tablecloths, desk skirts and overlays, chair covers and sashes, linen napkins, plates, wine glasses, cutlery, etc.

Do not be afraid to get assist when catering your personal wedding. Things take time on a large scale and what you'll be able to do for a small group at residence becomes inconceivable to handle in a quick time-frame when multiplied by a much bigger quantity of meals and the time required just to handle it. In case you are catering your individual wedding ceremony whether or not its your wedding day, your daughter's, your sister's, or whomever - get help. Rent someone if vital, give them instructions to observe so you may enjoy the event.

Examine the kitchen you'll be utilizing for catering your individual wedding ceremony if it's not your own. See what provides come with it, how a lot oven house check for racks, fridge space, counter space, serving dishes, salt & pepper, serving spoons etc. and knives for slicing, chopping and carving. Also check for soap, dish towels, and oven mitts. You may have to produce yourself with a few of these items.

In case you are catering your own marriage ceremony, will your insurance coverage cover you within the occasion of meals poisoning or could you be sued? Some well being laws in some states/provinces, require that meals served to a large crowd should be ready in a business kitchen on the premises, or offered by a caterer, relatively than pot-luck. Remember to take a look at the rules in your area when catering your personal wedding ceremony to make sure you face no legal liabilities.

10 Top Wedding Gift Suggestions For Newly Married Couples

Their big day has nearly arrived and you still haven't bought the couple a wedding gift yet. Well, not to worry, here are 10 wedding gift suggestions that are a little more creative than suggesting you rush off to buy them a gift voucher for the home, garden and furniture store.

1. How about a painting. Obviously selection is according to budget. Consider romantic depictions or something special to that couple, such as a painting of where they first met. You could personalise it even further by commissioning a local artist to paint a photo of the couple.

2. Buy them a tree. A small one. Don't laugh - think about it this way. Buy a nice tree they can plant, then nurture and grow as the years go by, just like their marriage. When they look out the window in several years time they'll be reminded of how far they've come as they see an established tree in the garden.

3. Subscription to a magazine. Maybe the newly wedded couple have just moved into a new house and needs some work doing to it. What better gift than a magazine all about how to decorate and renovate a house.

4. Are the couple into keep-fit? If so, how about buying them joint membership to a local gym for a year. It's something they can do together.

5. Something that lasts. Perhaps a bottle of vintage wine or a framed wedding invitation. The latter being more personal and memorable.

6. Do they have a digital camera? If not, then this is ideal. They'll be wanting to take a lot of photos after they get married and during the honeymoon.

7. Once they have taken all these pictures, they will want hard copies of them. It's a practical gift, but how about a colour photo printer or a docking station for the camera that allows them to print off the photos.

8. A luxury hotel room before they go on their honeymoon is another appropriate wedding gift. Just make sure they haven't already made reservations prior to you arranging this.

9. Now it's time for a couple of things not to buy the wedding couple. Don't buy them a kettle. Chances are they will have several bought for them already. I don't know how much tea you drink, but I sure don't need five kettles. Marriage may be thirsty work, but not that thirsty.

10. Arrghhh, no, not a toaster. Don't do it. I'm sure we all dream of toast after we get married, but about a dozen people will also want the newly wedded couple to enjoy perfect slices of toast in the morning. I'm sure this is a tradition, but avoid the dreaded 'wedding toaster' gift at all costs.

Wedding Invitations - Effective Ways to Save Money

There are many ways to save money on wedding invitations. For starters, try setting an overall budget for your wedding or sub-budgets for attire, catering, invitations, etc... just like in personal finance, a budget is a must and sticking to it will save you money in the long run.

A budget also allows you to prioritize. For instance, if you really have your heart set on a nice invitation for your wedding then get what you want. You will be unhappy if you don't. It may be costly but there are other areas in your wedding planning that may not be as important to you; those are the areas where you can spend less. For instance, in order to afford the more expensive wedding invitations, re-evaluate the money you originally budgeted for flowers. Instead of using a florist to arrange flowers for the reception save money by using do it yourself decorating ideas instead. Martha Stewart is an expert at do it yourself projects. Browse through past issues of her Weddings magazine and you'll find a plethora of ideas on how to decorate on a budget.

Once you decide you want a nice invite I wouldn't opt for a run of the mill invitation from a vendor like William Arthur or Cranes. These guys are printing around the clock and might not give your job the the attention you will get from a smaller boutique printer. Also, don't rush, plan ahead. When you are in a rush you will have to get something fast and getting it done fast means that details will be overlooked and can cost you even more money in the long run.

I prefer to use letterpress printers. They can design your invitation just like you want and give you the one-on-one attention that you deserve. Some have a broad selection of ultra-thick papers and you can still get your invitations in a week or two. Letterpress printers also offer a diverse selection of environment friendly options such as recycled or tree-free papers and print using vegetable inks.

When choosing your invitations, look for other ways to save money. Look for options like borders that may be shown on the invites or RSVP cards. Many companies offer these extras as optional. Removing them doesn't alter the look that much and you can save up to $1.50 per invitation set. If you have very organized friends that are accustomed to rsvping in the traditional sense (that is, by writing you a handwritten note) or the more modern sense (by email) you might want to consider dropping the rsvp card entirely. This will cut the cost of the RSVP card and the RSVP envelope. Or maybe use an RSVP postcard instead, that way at least you lose the cost of the rsvp envelope.

In this economy many companies are also offering deals like free return address printing and free ground shipping. These savings can add up, as much as 20% off. If you don't see if offered, ask! Many companies are willing to oblige just to get your business.