Financially Protect Your Caterers at Your Wedding

Wedding insurance can insure you against loss or cancellation for the important parts of your big day, including the caterers for your celebratory meal. The wedding dinner is an important part of your wedding day, and you should therefore have good wedding insurance that ensures your guests do not go hungry.

When deciding which wedding insurance plan to take out, it's worth checking that even cheap wedding insurance covers caterers in their policy. Weddings traditionally include a feast of special food for all the guests and quality wedding insurance is the best way to ensure that you are financially protected in case your caterer cannot supply the food on the big day.

Wedding insurance will usually insure you against your suppliers going bankrupt or if they are unable to provide the service. You may also receive compensation for costs incurred with the caterer if you have to cancel your wedding. This means that if for whatever reason your caterers cannot or do not provide the food for your wedding day, you should be financially protected by your insurance.

Choosing the right wedding insurance plan is just as important as choosing a caterer who can supply food in the style that best suits your wedding. Some caterers may specialise in particular formal dining, including all the trimmings of silver service and multiple, complex courses. Other caterers may offer buffet style food with abundant dishes of colourful food that's easy to dish out informally.

One style of dining you may not have considered is serving your wedding feast 'family style'. This means that - much like a family meal - dishes are placed on each table, and guests help themselves to the food. The benefits of this style of service are that it avoids the formality of silver service, whilst also preventing the hungry scrum of a buffet line up. Your guests will feel at home serving themselves - and it cuts down on costs of serving staff too!

The caterer would need to supply food that suits family style dining; a large roast of meat or full fish, for example, with a selection of fresh vegetables. A large lasagne or shepherds pie would also work, and would suit this innovative, familiar wedding feast.

Whatever style of catered wedding food you opt for, your insurance plan should protect you financially if the supplier does not meet their contractual agreement. With good wedding insurance, you should therefore always have food fit for a bride and groom.

10 Tips For Choosing a Wedding Venue

If you're getting married, then maybe you've already chosen the wedding venue. If you haven't decided where you're getting married, or where your reception will be, then here are some things you should consider.

1. You'll want to consider the time of year that you're getting married, as some venues will look better in summer or winter.

2. You might have reasons for choosing a particular place to get married, or alternatively, you might want to get married somewhere completely different. Perhaps you'll choose somewhere in the countryside to make an amazing backdrop for your special day.

3. Why not see if the venue you're considering has a wedding planner, so that they can organise everything, and leave you to get on with the other important aspects of your wedding?

4. If you're getting married at the venue, rather than a church or registry office, then you might be flexible on the date. If you're getting married somewhere else, then you'll need to make sure that your date is available. It's a good idea to book far in advance, so that you get the date and facilities that you want.

5. Depending on how many people are coming to your wedding will also help determine what sort of venue you need. You might need a big venue if there are lots of people, or you might prefer a smaller and much more intimate venue if there aren't going to be so many people.

6. If you want to have your actual ceremony at your wedding venue, as opposed to just the reception, then you'll want to make sure that the venue is licensed for weddings.

7. You'll want to make sure that the wedding venue can do the wedding menu that you want. You wedding meals will be an important part of the reception, so you'll want them to be right, and suitable for all of your guests.

8. A wedding venue with nice grounds will lend itself to plenty of photo opportunities. If having photographs of your wedding day are important, then you'll want to pick somewhere with nice scenery and perhaps natural features or impressive buildings.

9. Wedding venue accommodation will be important for you and your guests, so you'll want to choose somewhere that offers sumptuous rooms, and the features and facilities you'd expect from a luxury hotel.

10. Even though you might have a budget in mind, you can't put a cost on your wedding venue. You'll want to make sure that everything is perfect, and that you don't settle for something you don't want, in a location you don't want to be in, and that isn't right, in order to save money.

Now you know what to look for, you'll be able to choose the perfect wedding venue, and have the most amazing day of your life.

Cheap Wedding Ideas - 5 Surprising Strategies to Help You Pay For Your Big Day

Cheap weddings are becoming more and more popular due to the current state of the economy. Not everyone can afford the average wedding price tag of $28,000! If you are one of the many brides-to-be planning a wedding on the cheap and working with a tiny budget, you'll have to use some unconventional strategies to get your dream wedding for a price you can afford. My top 5 are:

1 - Leverage The Skills of Family and Friends When Planning A Cheap Wedding

Do you have a cousin who's a talented photographer? What about a friend who works in a flower shop? Maybe you've got a friend who dreams of being a DJ. Family and friends are always happy to help you with your wedding and you can save a lot of money by utilizing the pool of talent who will be at your wedding anyway.

For my wedding, my sister's boyfriend did the photography, my aunt played the piano, a friend helped me with the floral bouquets and my mom was my seamstress. She even made all the bridesmaid dresses! A friend of the Best Man, who is a DJ, gave us an amazing deal for his services. We saved a lot of money by looking within our own circle of family and friends.

Using family and friends in your wedding, however, comes with a caveat. Be sure that people to help with or participate in your wedding will deliver the results you want. The last thing you want to do is to strain relationships.

2 - Barter Your Services

If you have a skill that is in demand, you can try bartering your services. For example, if you are a graphic designer, you could find a wedding photographer who is looking for an new logo or business card design. An added benefit is that you could potentially gather additional, ongoing clients for your freelance business this way all the while getting professional services for your cheap wedding!

Find wedding professionals willing to barter services at BigDayBarter.com or post your needs on craigslist.org. A successful barter is built on fairness and trust, so be sure to meet the person you are bartering services with, sign a contract and maintain thorough communication.

3 - Get Creative

The best way to plan a cheap wedding that doesn't look cheap is to get creative. Make your own centerpieces, favors and decorations. Dress up simple (and less expensive) guestbooks, candles and even your own wedding dress. Make your own invitations and thank you cards. Use creativity to solve expensive dilemmas for your wedding too. Do you want to leave the church in a special car that's too expensive to rent? Maybe you know someone who knows someone who owns such a car. My husband was able to use a Ferrari for a short film he made for free because of friend connections. What could you get for your own wedding?

4 - Ask for Parts of Your Wedding in Lieu of Wedding Gifts

If you already have enough household goods, forego the typical wedding registry and ask for parts of your wedding as wedding gifts. I got my wedding cake, the videographer, food and other parts of my wedding this way. Alternately, you can use one of the popular honeymoon registry services to allow your guests the opportunity to give parts of your honeymoon as a wedding present.

5 - Keep an Open Mind

When your budget is small, you'll need to compromise and find ways to get what you want for less money. If you can't afford something you really want for your wedding, look for other ways to make it happen. For example, an out-of-reach, $12,000 wedding dress might be rented for a few hundred dollars. Maybe you can't afford to rent a limo, but you might have a friend with a classic, luxury car that you can use for free? Ask around, keep your eyes open and do your research.

Weddings can be expensive, but they don't have to be. When resources are tight, your friends, family and even your own creativity can come to the rescue to help you plan a cheap wedding that will be a magical, memorable event!

Beach Wedding - How to Write the Perfect Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are a very important aspect of any wedding, whether a conventional or a beach wedding. The invitations should reflect the couple's personality, but at the same time have all the relevant information for the guests so that they can plan for that special day as well. Here are some tips on how to prepare the perfect wedding invitation:

Theme - if you are doing a beach wedding, the content of the invitation should reflect the beach theme: sun, fun and sand. Start with the cover, maybe a romantic sunset, or a wind surfer, or a hammock in between two palm trees. Have fun with it. The quality of the invitation itself and the quantity can affect your budget, so think simple but classy.

Wording - Even though there are "rules" on what to put on a wedding invitation, take into consideration that this is a beach wedding, so think fun and informal. Be yourself, and make sure that the wording captures what makes you and your better half unique and lovable. Make sure you include all the necessary information, such as names of bride and groom, plus the wedding hosts (if necessary), ceremony and reception address (with general directions), times, and any special instructions.

Audience - Even though a beach wedding invitation can be considered informal, consider your audience. Make sure you do not put anything that might offend any of the potential guests.

Slogan - To make it fun, you may want to think of a slogan to define the mood, something such as "...and remember, what happens in Florida, stays in Florida"Â (replace Florida with the wedding location). Be creative. Check with the wedding invitation store to see if they have something you can use.

Keep it short - Because beach weddings tend to be am intimate affair (20-50 guests), keep the invitation also simple and short. Think beach, sun, fun. Don't get too formal quoting long and boring poems. Make something yourself reflecting both of your personalities, and keep it fun!

Quality Control - Make sure you have a couple of people look at the invitations before they are approved and mailed. Check for proper spelling, and double check on the information, such as addresses and times. An extra pair of eyes can save you from a horrible embarrassment.

These are some ideas for Beach Wedding Themed wedding invitations. Choosing the perfect wedding invitation wording does not have to be hard. The bride and groom need to make sure to give themselves plenty of time to think about exactly what they want on the invitations, as well as time to proofread and order the invitations. The wedding invitation wording is a great way for the bride and groom to express their personal style, as well as their love for each other.

How Private Bartending Services Can Make Your Event a Success

Planning an event or just need to hire someone to take care of the bar and beverages so you can enjoy yourself without worry? Take a look at the private bartending options available for so many events from private parties to enormous public events and anything in between.

Private Bartending services can remove a lot of stress and free you up to enjoy your next function. There are companies out there that will do as much or as little as you need. Just let them know what you are planning and a reputable company will work with you prior to your event to ensure their services meet your needs.

Whether you are having a Graduation, business party, birthday party, wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, grand opening or any of dozens of other events you can put your trust in a professional Bartending Service. They provide one specific service and they do it very well. Their goal is to provide you with the best services available for you and your guests. Some of the services, in general, that you can expect them to provide are:

• Set up your bar(s) where you need them in a clean, organized and orderly manner.
• Provide bartenders who are professional in demeanor and experienced with your type of event.
• Supply all wine openers and other required bar tools as well as equipment rental when requested.
• Break down the bar(s) and leave the area clean and orderly before departure.
• Supply full liquor liability coverage. While they do not purchase, supply or sell alcohol
many will consult with you on your needs and the needs of your guests' as well as your order and recommend retailers in the area who will deliver.

Look for a company with diversely experienced bartenders. Many years of experience in different venues can help ensure you will have the best quality of service available. Bartenders experienced at working weddings, fundraisers, holiday and special event parties and with the ability to manage several things simultaneously at single events will make for a smooth function for you.

TIPS certification (training intervention procedures) is a plus as well as experience in vendor selection, media and security coordination.?If your event is to be a public affair these can be invaluable for finding quality vending suppliers, advertising and ensuring the safety/security for your special event.

Fees will vary but a reliable, reputable, first-class bartending service will provide competitive rates that include labor, gratuity, liquor liability insurance, and rentals of equipment when requested. Also provided will be highly experienced, fully insured bartenders who make your function a safe, elegant and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.?

Private Bartenders are a great option to provide a smooth, happy and pleasant experience for your next event.

How to Plan a Cheap Wedding

There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 - $25,000, and weddings are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don't worry if your budget cannot stretch for the most expensive custom-made gown, elegant invitation cards, or the top photographer, it doesn't mean that your wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone else's.

You just need a bit of guidance and a few tips to help you achieve the dream of your big day. Here are a few suggestions with tips on how to save on some of the more expensive aspects of a wedding.

Wedding Gowns

Do you really need a hand-made wedding dress with beads and diamantes? This is where the big cost is and there are several options in cutting the cost. Why not opt for a second-hand wedding dress? It's probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once expensive dress for half the price. Consider buying an evening gown/cocktail dress from a department store or look into renting your wedding dress for the day.

The Reception

This is where the cost of a wedding can get out of hand. The wedding reception is normally the biggest expense, but one of the easiest to cut down on costs. Statistics show that an average of 189 guests attend a wedding, this is a lot. Try and keep your guest list to a minimum, do you really need to invite family members who you have never seen for years? Instead of a three-course meal why not opt for a hot and cold buffet (even cater for yourself)? Instead of holding the reception in an expensive hotel suite or wedding reception, why not consider having it at someone's home or a club, or even book a restaurant. Keep an open bar to a minimal and only serve beer, wine and soft drinks.

Photography

The obvious choice is to shop around for the best rates, but consider hiring a photographer for the ceremony only and ask a family member or friend to take snap photos of the reception. Or you could go one step further and ask them to take the photographs for the whole day and not bother with the expense of a photographer at all.

Invitations / Stationery

If you're on a budget and looking for cheaper wedding stationery items, then you might like to consider print-at-home stationery. There are many online stationer's that will offer this service free of charge. You pay for the paper and envelopes, then use their software to print directly from your own PC. With sophisticated customization tools you'll be able to enter your own text and preview it before you print so as not to make any costly mistakes. Alternatively, you can buy software and do-it-yourself from your PC.

Miscellaneous

Flowers can be another great expense, but also an unnecessary one. Why not buy wholesale flowers, or pick flowers from your garden (or a friends or relatives). Buy plain gold or white gold wedding bands as these are the cheapest. Get a friend to make your wedding cake for you and opt for a smaller tier cake and it doesn't have to be a fruit cake - try a sponge, chocolate or carrot cake! Make your favors and center-peices yourself. Accessories for these can be found at little outlet stores or online. Lastly, instead of a limousine why not rent a car or borrow a luxury car from a friend or relative?

Summary

Weddings are expensive if you want them to be. But if you want to keep money aside for a deposit on a house or a honeymoon to remember, then there are many cost cutting ideas. All you need is a little imagination, and some help from friends and family and you too can have a luxury wedding with all the trimmings.

Traditional Wedding Invitations - Adding a Timeless and Classic Feel to Your Wedding

Traditional wedding invitations generally consist of a single sheet of White or Cream thick card or board printed with the couple wedding details in black ink.

This traditional classic has now been updated to add touches of Gold or Silver foiled highlights. This maybe in the form of a simple motif, ribbon or foiled edges. Some wedding invitations maybe printed with Gold or Silver text in either flat or raised ink.

The board or card will normally be at least 300gsm and up to 400gsm. Generally the card will be bright White in colour or sometimes an off White, Ivory or Cream shade. Gold foil general works better with an off White to Cream coloured card. Whereas Silver works better with White card. However, alternative colour options can also look good.

Some couples may prefer to use textured card for their wedding invitations. Often hammered card is used as it gives a traditional and also exclusive feel to the invites. Other textures include linen effect, snake skin, leather, etc.

"Modern" traditional wedding invitations can vary in style from the original tradition invites. Modern versions can be a half-folded card or pocket-fold with embossing or cut out details. However, they remain traditional in feel due to their simple style.

Simple embellishments can be added to the cards such as Satin ribbons tied in a knot or bow. Satin bows and ribbons, a posed to organza ones, can make the invitations appear more expensive than they are.

If you are wanting raised text on your wedding invitations there are two options. The most common form is themography printing. This involves sprinkling a fine powder on wet ink and then heating it up. This process is much cheaper than the traditional method of embossing. Embossing uses metal dies which are engraved with the couple's wedding details. Then using pressure the metal plate or die is pressed onto the card which creates an indentation. This method creates clearer more defined images and text. The downside of themography printing is that it creates text which is less defined but it's advantage is the price. For most couples the lower cost is worth the slight dip in quality.

Why the Hospitality Industry Needs Managed Cleaning Services

Hiring professional and reliable managed cleaning services is a necessity for all businesses and organisations in order to maintain the hygiene and sanitation of a work place. The hospitality industry in particular has to meet strict criteria, both in the eyes of hygiene professionals and also paying customers. This industry is biggest in larger cities - hotel cleaning in London is in huge demand due to the number of tourists that visit annually. Restaurant cleaning in London is vital due to regular visits from local councils, who have the power to shut down a business if standards aren't being met.

Managers of hotels and restaurants feel the necessity to employ cleaning contractors to help keep their premises neat and clean. These businesses want to uphold their professional image, maintaining good sanitation for employees and customers alike. The recent outbreak of swine flu has brought this issue to the forefront of people's attention.

Managed cleaning services play a crucial role in maintaining the clean standards in some of the most common bacteria accumulating areas such as toilets, kitchens and floors. High speed polishing, waxing, irradiation and biohazard disposal are some of the specialised forms of cleaning that they use to accomplish the job and make the area clean.

Finding reliable managed cleaning services is not that easy in view of the aforementioned increasing competition in the cleaning industry. Obviously, customers should judge them on the quality of cleaning and of course the cost, but also on the experience and services that are provided. One important thing to mention is that not all managed cleaning services provide insurance for items that might get damaged during the cleaning process. Although this is an extremely rare occurrence, those companies that do provide insurance give business owners piece of mind and another reason to use their services.

The best of these companies provide window cleaners, as the state of the windows gives customers an immediate impression on the cleanliness of a hotel or restaurant. Kitchen night cleaners are also useful so as not to interrupt the flow of business during the day. They require technical knowledge in order to know how to strip and rebuild machinery after cleaning. As well as the obvious benefit of preventing bacteria and food contamination, well maintained kitchen equipment will also last longer.

It goes without saying that you should look for a company with a good reputation and a long list of clients to provide the best cleaning services for your business.

Why Use Glass Hanging Vases for Your Indoor Flowers

Gardening is very popular at all times of the year. If you live in a colder climate you simply switch to growing flowers and plants indoors during the winter months. This is where using decorative glass hanging vases comes in very useful for you.

When hanging anything in your home, from plants, to family photos or works of art, you want everything to compliment the look of your home. Using coloured glass hanging vases can help you keep the theme and style of any room intact. Larger windows can easily accommodate one of the multiple plant hangers complete with glass vases. Try adding our dragonfly and butterfly accessories too.

Glass vases which hang, are available from many parts of the country, but ones from Vermont are certainly attracting more attention, both locally and across many states. The reason for this is that the glass hanging vases are handcrafted with special care and attention to detail. Many of the vases are styled to help a home owner add that extra decorative flair to their home.

These Vermont vases come in different colours including green, blue and rose, with names such as Raindrop, Fancy Round and Victorian. So no matter if your home is traditional or more modern you can easily find glass hanging vases to suit your decor.

The glass hanging vase is surrounded by a hanging frame made from copper and often decorated with stained glass. Creating a beautiful work of art or centrepiece for that bay window, simply add coloured beads to jazz up the look even more.

You won't have to look very far to find cuttings to grow in your glass vase. Snip a piece of your favourite plant or herb and place inside the vase. Then fill with spring water and your cutting is ready to take root and grow. Because the roots are continually growing, the water inside the glass vase will not turn brown or start to smell. As is the case with cut fresh flowers, which are dying, as this is what causes the discoloration.

Glass hanging vases can be ordered online directly from Vermont and make great gifts for any time of the year. Christmas, wedding and anniversaries are a great time to give these glass hanging vases as a gift. Try giving them when a friend or family member moves into a new home. What an easy and inexpensive way to decorate a new home.

How to Make Great Invitations Yourself!

First impressions are important! The first impression a friend has of what kind of wedding you will have is the little card that comes in the mail: the wedding invitation. If you want your wedding to be impressive, you must have a nice invitation. However, the budget of most weddings is usually taken up by the few expensive items, like the photographer and the caterer, while the invitations are left by the wayside.

Alright, nice invitations are a must, but who has the money for those? The reality is, cheap and discount wedding invitations don't have to be poor quality, quarter-fold deskjet material anymore.

You can print non-streaking, nice looking invitations with a recent model printer and computer software that is relatively inexpensive. If you want a more modern invitation, with images, downloading clipart is a good way to go (clipart.com or Google images). For a more formal look, pictures and clipart aren't required, use any computer program or online templates.

First of all you'll need card stock paper or something similar. Don't use ordinary inkjet paper, as it is flimsy and feels cheap. For paper styles, use Vellum, Deluxe Parchment, Strathmore Natural White, Strathmore White, Laid Natural White, Laid White--something that feels heavy and sits well in your hand . Colored papers can be used as well, as a secondary matte behind the invitation and they can be tied together with white ribbon. The matte should be thicker than the paper on top of it.

Secondly, choose the proper wording for your sort of occasion (see our wedding template). Choose a font, downloadable off the internet, or one of the many choices on your card making program or word processor. Then, center the writing on the page for a formal look.

A border helps keep a collected feel, but is not necessary. Gold or silver borders are appropriate, but would require special stationery. Black is fine.

Think about adding creative touches, such as a video CD, hand made paper, or an engagement photo--being unique is one of the advantages of making your own wedding invitations.

Plan Your Marriage With the Best Wedding Cards Designs

Just a few days before the most special day of your life, you can give out wedding cards as the most dazzling art works to your near and dear ones. This is a wonderful way to say that you are going to step into a new life! Wedding invitations are a brilliant idea to make people know more about your style of wedding, theme and venue. After the wedding, designer wedding invitations can be kept as a reminder to remember the eternally blessed couple.

There are many wedding themes which can make your wedding ceremony worth remembering such as classic, romantic, formal, semi-formal, futuristic, and old-world and so on. Like wedding themes, there are many eye-catching card designs that you can choose from. There is always a variety of cards available in the market, but it is best to go for personalized designs. There are a few ways by which you can pick your favorite wedding card designs, keeping the budget in mind:

• Consider creating your own designs: All brides to be can come up with their individual ideas to create remarkable and unusual card designs for their nuptials. Prepare a template if you want to execute your ideas into something concrete later. There are lots of places where you can buy paper, cards and additional decoration required, but this can take long and if you have not tried it before, beginning with your wedding is maybe not a fine idea. It can lead you to more anxiety.

•Shop online: There are a few other places where you can buy beautiful cards.The most popular today is, shopping online. Not only can you view the unique wedding card designs available, but you can also choose all wedding paraphernalia. Many websites will give you marriage card samples too. Remember, that not all papers these sites provide is same, so make sure that you know more about the paper and printing options and their price. You can also pick from a range of designer cards, online.

•Get help from wedding card designing experts: This is probably one of the most frequently followed options for would-be couples and their families. These experts provide you everything, starting from the lay-out of the card to the congratulatory messages. You just need to tell them your preference and theme of your wedding and consider it done!

It is entirely your choice if you wish to seek help from others or you want to carry out every bit of designing your marriage card, alone. Whichever way it is, make sure that the real message behind this wedding invitation is conveyed by you and your well wishers. Be creative, modern and dreamy so that you're wedding invitation touches everyone's hearts!

Special Events Insurance - Protect Yourself and Your Family

Special events insurance can be costly, but it can also be the cheapest thing you've bought for your event. When you think about the things your event policy will cover you for the price becomes a tiny fraction of the money you have saved yourself in the event of an accident happening during your gathering. There is some initial cost involved in the getting the insurance, but you will be saved from millions worth of medical bills, legal fees, and ongoing disability payments. No matter what kind of event you are holding the right insurance is vital in getting it off the ground without a hitch.

Special event insurance is not only for public events like fairs and stores or shops; there is even wedding insurance that helps to protect you from financial ruin if there is an accident during the ceremony or the reception, it covers the staff at the reception including the liquor servers, and some companies will even provide cold feet insurance. Sounds hard to believe but when you think about how much money is spent on clothing, rehearsal dinners, and meals for a wedding a lot of money can be lost if one or the other partner chooses not to go through with the wedding. You can get insurance that will help you protect the investment you have made for your future happiness.

Special event insurance usually include host liquor liability coverage but there is usually a catch here. If there is any money exchanging hands for the alcohol the insurance does not cover the liquor serving; open bar is covered, cash bar is not. This insurance can protect you against the possibility of being sued as a result of an injury, or damage to property, or other such things. When you consider the amount of money you could lose in a law suit as a result of damage or injury buying the insurance ahead of time is a no brainer; all too often however people do not realize the importance of the insurance until they need it and do not have it.

Special event insurance is almost a necessity these days since it seems that when people get hurt or lose possessions or money as a result of other people they are pretty quick to sue. Even at family events when there is drinking, if someone gets hurt many people would still seriously consider suing the host of the party. Since suing has become almost common practice it is even more important that hosts of these sorts of events protect themselves with event coverage.

No matter what you are planning there is a coverage that is perfect for you, each package will pay out in different situations and in different amounts. Being sued is no laughing matter and should not be taken lightly, you can lose your home, your vehicle, your job, and even your family in the event that you are sued without any insurance coverage. Protect yourself and protect your family, get special event insurance.

Wedding Invitation Software Is Not Necessary If You Learn Microsoft Works

Wedding invitation software isn't necessary if you have Microsoft Works on your computer. By taking this software and using it to make your wedding announcements you will save money.

The invitation to your wedding is a big thing. It sets the mood for the event. You can have cheap wedding announcements and still have nice ones. By making the invitations for your wedding you will have that control.

Why does Microsoft Works make a good wedding software? Because it is easy to adapt to any size. You can use some little tricks that will make it do almost anything. You can had wedding clip art and you can easily change the font and the color.

The best part about using this software is that it is probably already on your computer. Microsoft Word is a good program but it can be expensive if you don't have it. Almost everyone I know has Microsoft Works on their computer. Most of them just didn't know it would do so much.

I have been using Microsoft Works for a long time. Yet the new computers still have it. Addressing your invitations for your wedding is easy with this program too. So not only is it great for making your invitations for your wedding it can help you address your envelopes too.

There are several wedding software programs out there but once you learn Microsoft Works you will be able to do so much more than just making your invitations. You will be printing all kinds of things for your wedding.

Having the knowledge to use a versatile software program will give you power. You can take that education and use it to save money and make some pretty unique and nice wedding reception accessories. Name cards can be made. Tags for favors. Scrolls with your wedding story, bookmarks with a favorite poem. Your wedding program will be easy to make too. Yes, you can do all of this and more.

Wedding announcement software may make good invitations but using a word processing program might allow you to have information for so much more. Knowing how to make more stuff can mean saving more money. You can easily learn to make a lot of your wedding items.

Take time to sit down and learn some of the software you have before adding more. Don't think you have to have an expensive program to make the invitations for your wedding. The wedding invitation software you need might already be on your computer.

Tips on How to Select a Freight Shipping Service Company

Freight shipping is an industry that simplifies all your export and import needs. These companies are equipped to provide cargo transportation services to commercial companies, business owners and even individuals. In order to provide freight services, a freight shipping service company should have the license to transport different types of cargos and should be authorized by the Federal Maritime Commission Parallelly. Any shipping company that does not hold a valid license or certifications from authorized agencies should be considered illegitimate.

Roles and Responsibilities of Shipping Companies

Large shipping companies are capable of offering a wide variety of transportation solutions such as road, rail, air and ocean freight for transporting anything from light goods to heavy equipments. Once you hire a freight shipping service company they will take the responsibility for the transportation of your cargo right from loading to unloading. Some of the important functions of such companies include port to port and door to door cargo pickup and delivery, customs clearance, providing insurance, container facilities, overseas shipping, processing of goods at railways, ports and custom warehouses, tracking cargo in real time, providing consistent support during the shipping process; from pick up to delivery.

How to Get the Best Shipping Prices?

There are number of factors that determine the overall cost of freight shipping. One of the major contributors to the overall rates is the type of cargo you want to transport. Shipping prices also differ from one service provider to the other. Though the price difference may not be substantial, yet every penny saved can be good savings. An online freight shipping service company website provides customers the facility to approximately calculate shipping costs online. This facility will also help you to calculate prices in different currencies, one that could be applicable to your needs, and then compare it with other companies. Using the online price calculator will help you to adjust your shipping prices and the comparison will also help you in choosing a company that can give you better deals.

Important Factors to Consider While Choosing Shipping Companies

Whether you want to important a single car or huge load of cargo, it is always good to choose a company with a good reputation rather than choosing them for their pricing. Some of the important factors that you need to take into account while choosing a freight shipping service company are, their experience, variety of shipping solutions they offer, certifications, insurance coverage, capabilities to provide hassle free custom clearance, cargo care, warehouse and storage, nature of delivery, delivery schedules, prices, customer support, and shipping terms and conditions.

Four Must-Know Tips On How To Make Cheap Invitations For Wedding

Is your wedding beckoning? Are planning to save a lot? Do not just concentrate on your wedding dress and the number of friends you are inviting as a focus to cut down on the cost of the wedding. The small things in the plan of your wedding can be very good in helping you cut down the cost of weddings. Focus also on invitation cards. You can save a lot by making cheap invitations for wedding through observing a number of things. These are the tips any person planning a wedding should be aware of if they want to make invitations through the cheapest ways available.

First, do not concentrate on looking for the hottest dealers in expensive wedding cards in town. You have options around you that are very brilliant and still economical. First, evaluate the type of wedding you are planning to have. If you are going to have the casual type of wedding where the venue is going to be casual like a beach, you do not need to make things look as if they are very formal and tense. Go for a casual option of sending cheap invitations for wedding. Email messages are not only cheap but very efficient. You can design electronic cards through the help of designing software and send the cards through email. This will save you a lot of money.

Secondly, consider your own skills. Employing your own expertise can be a very economical choice to make. This means that you can design your own cards basing on your taste, imaginations and skills. There are many people who have used this method, and the result is cool invitation cards that are unique and also attractive. You will bypass the designing charges, which can be quite exorbitant by the way, and save a lot of money in the process. Once you make your own design, you can make your local printing arrangements. This is a good way of making cheap invitations for wedding because you save a lot in the process.

The third option to making cheap invitations for wedding is by finding your way around the middlemen in town. Although if you visit some of the stores stocking wedding invitation cards you can find a lot of variety for the cards, different qualities and styles, you can still avoid this because at the end of the day they may not count to the quality of the invitation card you want to get. The reason as to why you should bypass them is because they cut a deal with a printer and make a cut out of the business. This makes the invitations expensive. The best way around this is to go directly to the printer.

Fourth and last, text messaging is a big option you should consider if you want to make cheap invitations for wedding. If you are planning to invite over 200 friends, making cards for all of them can be very expensive. If you have a very good relationship with them, you can invite them through text messages. This is a very cheap, fast and reliable way worth considering. Text messaging saves a lot of money but there are more amazing tips and ideas you have to know before planning your big day.

Important Features of Scroll Wedding Cards

For a couple their wedding day is the most unforgettable and special day of their life. Thus the wedding invitation needs to be really special too so as to bring out a great anticipation in the recipients regarding the upcoming marriage. These wedding invitations become your guests' first impression of your wedding. A wedding invitation portrays the style, theme, and grace of your wedding to your guests. And thus there cannot be a better way to commence the wedding than with something as royal and regal as scroll wedding cards. These scroll invitations are ideally a great way to set the scene for your dream wedding with an exquisite charm.

Features that Make Scroll Wedding Cards Special

When you hand over your wedding card to the guest what is the first thing you look for? Attention? Awe factor? So what can be a better way to achieve both than by presenting them a scroll card! Scroll Wedding cards depict your style statement and fashion and also set the stage for a correct first impression of your splendid wedding event.

• Origin and significance: The history of the Scroll wedding cards can be traced to the imperial ages. There these scroll invitations were used by the kings and other members of the royal family to send across their messages and invitations. These traditional messages were called 'Farman'. Today, since fashion is going back to the retro look and feel, these scroll wedding cards are in a great demand. These make the custom of giving invites look traditional and give the idea of marriage a complete royal sense.


• Design: basically the content of the scroll wedding cards remain the same as any traditional Indian invite. These contain the names of bride and groom's family, the date and the venue, along with the details of the main programs. But the way it is presented marks the whole difference. These scroll wedding invites make use of elegant scroll motifs for design and a classy royal script for the due impact. These invites are usually made of smooth silk, satin, velvet or rich textured handmade paper in vibrant colors, which itself imparts a very sophisticated touch to the whole package.


• Packaging: The scroll wedding cards are covered with imported handmade tissue paper for best effects. Even the carrying case has exquisite traditional designing and detailed work engraved on it. These cases are usually made of silver. The scroll Marriage cards and the silver case are then together placed in a beautiful and exclusive silver box for delivery.


• Variety to choose from: Today in the range of scroll Marriage invites, there are many options to choose from. You can choose between traditional scrolls, contemporary style scrolls, theme oriented scrolls, framed scrolls, and one-roll scrolls and so on.

In the modern era, these scroll Marriage invitation do not just stand for style statement and elegance, but also help treasure and respect our traditional style of giving invitations.

Basic Examples of Wedding Invitations Wording

Now that you are engaged you are excited to start designing your wedding invitation, you properly wondering what to write, how to format it and what to print out on the cards? No need to worry is normal to feel unsure and confused; weddings are stressful and time consuming. Which is understandable since every bride wants to have the best wedding in town.

Standard wedding invitations that boring and formal are not modern style anymore. Most brides want creative and eye catching cards. Weddings are the biggest day of the bride and grooms life is exciting and stressful at the same time. The stress usually from wanting your big day to be the best it can be and a memorable day for you and your guests.

You do not want to write anything on your cards you looking for examples and specific format to fallow. Standard wedding invitation card consist of:

• Who will be hosting the wedding


• Names of the bride and groom


• Day, date, and year of the wedding,


• Time of the ceremony


• The location of the ceremony


• The reception information


• Dress code (if it specific theme wedding)


• RSVP Date


• Contact Details.

As long as you print out the above information on the card you have covered everything, anything extra you want to add such as love quote, something describes you and your partner or marriage quote is up to you.

Formal wedding card invite wordings parent of the bride as a host:-

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Request your honor of presence

To their daughter Samantha Smith Weds

Mathew Harrison

On Saturday 14 of August 2010 at 2.00pm

The ceremony will begin

At St Andrews Church

Fallowing reception at Burleigh Wooten Receptions

Please join us to celebrate their union

Informal wedding card invite wordings bride and groom as a host:-

A happy marriage is a new beginning of life, a new starting point for happiness and usefulness.

Makita Williams

and

James Edwards

would like you to join them

to witness as they tie the knot

On Saturday 14 of August 2010 at 2.00pm

The ceremony will begin

At St Andrews Church

Fallowing reception at Burleigh Wooten Receptions

Wedding Reception - What Happens and When?

Don't know about you, but every time we go to a wedding reception, it is done differently.  Sometimes the speeches are done before the meal, rather than after, and more commonly these days, not at all!  How long is the receiving and welcome drink supposed to be, or how long does the meal take.  Obviously, a well known wedding venue knows exactly how long all this takes and will guide you gently through the day, without you having to worry about a thing! 

But just to allay your fears, here is a timeline of what happens and when - which you can adapt to your own personality and style.

00:00 - Cocktail Hour - Time for Pictures 

Well you've done it!  You are now husband and wife and you leave the place of marriage followed by your bridesmaids and close relatives, with the photographer snapping the happy event.  You may have some photographs taken at the Church or Registry office and then head off to your reception.  This is where the fun starts with cocktails being handed to your guests as they arrive - you may have a string quartet playing - and you mingle for a while amongst your guests.

This is where you photographer gets busy and takes you and selected guests away for your photo shoots.  Meanwhile your guests are being kept happy by cocktails and canapes.  Depending on where you got married allow 2 hours for this.

02:00 -Receiving Line

The guests line up and the bride and groom formally receive their guests into the Wedding Breakfast room.  The Bride and Groom then walk through last attended by their bridesmaids, bestman and parents to the top table.  Usually to a round of whoops and applause from the guests.  It may be appropriate at this stage for a blessing to be made before seating.

 02:30 - The Wedding Meal

Usually everyone is starving by now - but it is etiquette to serve the bridal party first.  If it is a buffet then you usually approach the buffet table by table after the bridal party.  Background music or a pianist is a lovely compliment to the festive mood.

04:00 - The Speeches & Cake Cutting

Now is the time for speeches - they can be fairly speedy or long narrations of past exploits.  It is usual at this point to present both Mother's with gifts or bouquets of flowers and to present the bridesmaids and bestman gifts and cut the cake.  There is usually a lull of approximately one hour after this to allow your evening entertainment to set-up, and for the caterers to clear the tables for dancing.

05:00 - First Dance

End of Wedding Reception

Time for you to leave now.  Tradition says that you remove your garter and toss it, or throw the bridal bouquet.  If you want to keep yours, then get a smaller bouquet just for that !!  The evening usually ends with a lovely slow number for you and your guests to smooch around to and then it is time to go.

You will remember the day forever, and the happiness you felt throughout the whole day.  For more tips on Wedding planning.

Planning the Wedding

Depending on how much time you have between the engagement, and the date you want to get married, this scheduling guide may need to be adapted to fit your timetable. As soon as you are engaged, or at least 6 months before your wedding there are things that need to be done. The more time you have to plan, the more likely will be your chances of getting the venues and vendors you want.

At six months to one year prior to the wedding: have engagement announcements put in the paper in each of your hometowns and in the local paper where you live. Notify family and friends in person, by phone, letter or email. Decide on a budget and who will pay for what. Visit with the clergyman or official who will perform the ceremony, book the Church or other ceremony site.

Book the site for the reception. Next set the date, time and place of all events connected to the wedding. Decide on Maid of Honor, Best Man and other attendants Find and book a caterer, Pick a color scheme and begin the search for the perfect wedding and bridesmaid dresses. Get quotes from photographers, musicians, florists, and limousine services. Don't forget to help your mom and his find outfits.

Between 3 and 6 months before the wedding order flowers, invitations, thank you cards and any other stationary. Book limousines, musicians and photographers. Order the cake.
Make reservations for the honeymoon trip get passports, shots, and clearances. See your doctors and dentists.

Between 2 and 3 month Choose going away outfit, and finish selecting the clothes you will bring on the honeymoon, don't forget toiletries and feminine products, and basis over the counter medicine such as aspirin and sinus medications. Make hair and make-up appointments. Register at a couple of gift registries. Mail the invitations, choose a menu and give the caterer a tentative head count. Buy Wedding Insurance

1 and ½ months to 2 months, decide on music and specials songs like father daughter dance, and first dance songs and decide on readings for the ceremony.

4-5 weeks- fitting for bride and attendants and confirm musicians, photographer, flowers and limos. Draw up a seating chart. Give caterers an up dated count, and if need be order flatware, dishes, cups napkins etc Confirm make-up and hairdresser appointments.
2-3 weeks- Don't forget the marriage license, give everyone there schedule and list of duties.

1 day - 1 week confirm numbers with the caterer, have rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Pick-up programs for ceremony, finish packing for the honeymoon, give gifts to attendants, finalize the time for limousine to pick up the bride. At the rehearsal dinner give the best man the envelopes for all fees due at the wedding. GET SOME SLEEP!

The Big Day- get up early. Go get your hair and make up done. Get dressed with help from your mother and Maid of Honor, get to the ceremony just a little bi tlate.
This is by no means a definitive checklist, it is just meant to get you started. You may want to hire a Wedding Consultant to help you out.

Your Guide to Sending Out Wedding Invitations, Thank You Cards, Save the Date Cards and More

With all of the wedding planning you have to do before the big day, knowing when to send out save the date cards, wedding invitations, thank you cards, etc can be a huge hassle. Here's a handy guide to fill you in on when, what and how to handle all of your stationery needs.

Save the date
Sent up to six months in advance of the wedding, these cards can be a fun way to kick off your engagement and wedding plans. If you're planning a destination wedding, these cards are essential heads-up notices to guests who'll need some lead time for making travel plans. The look of these cards can hint about the style and formality of the coming wedding or not-it's up to you.

Wedding invitation
A wedding invitation is often not just a card in an envelope but a small suite of cards, enclosures and envelopes. The idea behind this more-is-more strategy is two-fold. First, the more information your guests receive to help make their wedding day experience wonderful, the better their chance of having a great time. Second, those little extras (the inner envelope, the matching enclosures) help create that this-is-something-very-special feeling.

A classic wedding invitation includes

• The invitation


• A lined inner envelope for the invitation


• Enclosure cards - These might include the invitation to your wedding reception, a valet parking notice, a pew card (for certain guests for whom you've reserved special seating), etc. If you're having a destination wedding, use these cards to invite guests to other pre-and-post-wedding get-togethers, too.


• The response card - This is the 'RSVP' for your guests to fill out and return to you. This card should be enclosed along with an envelope pre-printed with your address and stamped. Note: don't stamp those response card envelopes going to guests living outside the US.


• Map card - These helpful cards can be printed on the same paper as your invitation with the same ink to match the invitation.


• The outer envelope - This should be printed with your return address. Then you write out, by hand, the addresses of your guests or hire a calligrapher to do it for you.

Informal notes
Many stationers offer informal notes-essentially extra cards the same style and size as your wedding invitation's response card with matching envelopes. These handy blank cards can be used for thank you notes, gift enclosures, and, importantly, for special hand-written personal notes for special guests. You may want to enclose one of these cards in the invitations you send to your parents, your future in-laws and everyone in the wedding party, for instance.

At home cards
These cards bear the address of your new home and when you'll be moving in. They can be enclosed with your wedding invitations.

Wedding programs for the ceremony
Shaped like a large card, a brochure or a booklet, these programs are given out to guests at the wedding ceremony. A wedding program usually contains a schedule of the ceremony but can also include special notes about the members of the wedding party and other information that might help make your guests' ceremony experience all the better. If your ceremony will be conducted in a language not all your guests are familiar with, consider adding a translation of the important parts. The wedding program doesn't have to match the look of your wedding invitation but it should reflect the same formality and theme.

Place cards and menu cards for the reception
These cards give you the opportunity to add a stylish flourish to every place setting at the reception. Again, these cards don't have to match your wedding invitations but they should reflect the tone of your overall wedding theme.

Thank you notes
You'll be using these practically from the moment you announce your engagement. Consider getting two styles of notes. Order a set that matches your wedding invitations for sending thanks for wedding gifts from guests. Order a second, uniquely designed set for shower gifts and sending to all those wonderful people who made a special effort to make your day unforgettable.

Human Hair Extensions Create Beautiful Long Hair Styles Instantly

As you glance across virtually every print medium such as newspapers, magazines and catalogs, there seems to be one thing in common as far as hair cut styles is concerned. The long hair cut style is everywhere. So what are you supposed to do if you don't have long hair and you really want the long hair cut style? Well, let's see, human hair grows about ½" per
month, so if your hair is at ear level, that would be almost two years to wait for that 'hair cascading down your back' look. And of course by the time you grow your hair out, the short hair cut style will be in.

"Don't limit yourself to just adding length to your hair. Hair extensions offer a simple solution to fine hair and can add a little pizzazz to thick, curly or wavy hair in any color or style."

Rod Sickler

Owner

Images by Rod & Company

Rantoul, Illinois

In today's society, two-year waits are OUT and immediate results are IN. The beauty industry recognized the demand for instant long natural looking hair and thus today's hottest trend was born--Human Hair Extensions. Hair extensions are not only for lengthening your hair, according to Rod Sickler, owner of Images by Rod & Company and Sexy Hair Concepts Artistic Team Member.

"Any hair type can support hair extensions", says Sickler. Sickler makes hair extensions easy by creating cutting-edge hair styles for his clients. Some examples include sleek and straight hair, vivacious ringlets and striking color enhancements with the use of different highlighted and lowlighted hair extensions. He describes the hair extension process as very painstaking and challenging as it requires many hours and various techniques to complete. The rewards are many as he is able to re-invent hair, tweak techniques and fulfill his clients' needs.

One of Sicklers' hair extension clients, Holly Leach of Rantoul, Illinois, says she wanted to get hair extensions because she was ready for a change and wanted Sickler to re-invent her look by adding thickness and length to her thinning hair with European Hair Extensions. She was absolutely amazed at the results. "I came into the salon (Images by Rod & Company) looking one way, and came out looking totally different", says, Leach. Leach has had her hair extensions for about 5 months now, with absolutely no issues and no complaints. She maintains the hair extensions with non-soy based conditioning shampoo and moisturizers from Sexy Hair Concepts, and uses hair dryers and curling irons with no problems. Leach concludes,"Hair Extensions are worth the time and money, when you can get fabulous-looking long hair instantly".

"Hair extensions are a huge self-esteem booster because they give women the opportunity to get the long hair style look without the wait"
Guinevere Werr

Manager, The Spa East Bank Club, Chicago, Ill

Some women are concerned or have heard that hair extensions can cause damage to their natural hair, or even loss of hair. Guinevere Werr, Manager of The Spa at the East Bank Club in Chicago, Ill, says the fusion application method Sickler uses from So.Cap., an Italian company, does not create any damage to the natural hair since it is applied ¼" from the scalp and not directly on the scalp. Werr assisted Sickler with applying brown hair extensions with some highlight extensions to her sisters' hair. She adds that Sicklers hair extension clients have lost almost no hair extensions and have had very little maintenance issues.

So where do you start if you are thinking of getting hair extensions? You must research the different types of hair used for hair extensions, the different types of attachment methods, the hair stylists' education and training, any maintenance schedules and of course the cost.

There are a lot of different types of hair that are used for hair extensions. There is human hair and synthetic hair. Synthetic hair is used to add the high fashion colors, such as pinks and blues. Generally speaking, if you are going for the natural, it grew out of my head, look you should go with human hair. Human hair comes in many different textures and grades. The human hair must be strong and healthy to produce extensions that will last and wear without tangling or drying. European human hair is well- known as quality human hair used for extensions.

There are three basic techniques to attach the hair. They are fusion or strand by strand, weaving and bonding. There are many variations to these techniques and they are sometimes called by different names.

Fusion/strand by strand: This process is done strand by strand in small sections using heated adhesive sticks or glue specifically made for hair extensions. Extension hair is added directly to your own hair. Sickler uses the fusion method from the Italian company So.Cap. Hair is attached about ¼ "from your scalp and looks totally natural. Sickler comments, "No one can visually see that you have hair extensions. It's up to you if you want everyone to know".

Weaving is a process where a corn row or track is created around the head and close to the scalp. Extension hair is sewn on the tracks. Your own hair lies over the tracks for a natural look. Bonding is a process where bonding glue is applied onto the weft of the extension hair and then applied at the root of your hair. A weft is horizontal hair strands attached together at the top of vertically flowing hair strands. Wefts can be machine-made or handmade.

There are some disadvantages to each of these methods. Sometimes if the hair extension application method is not done properly, the hair extensions will simply fall out, or cause damage to your natural hair. Also, with additional pressure to your scalp from the weight of the heavy extensions, there could be some thinning of your natural hair and/or headaches as you adapt to the new weight. There have been some reports of allergies to the chemicals that are used. You should discuss the disadvantages of hair extensions thoroughly with your hair stylist so that there are no surprises.

The hair extension training and education your hair stylist has received is very important to the success of their work. Sickler received his hair extension training from renowned expert, Joseph Accola, and he keeps up-do-date on techniques by attending beauty shows across Europe where hair extensions are more popular than in the U.S. "Hair extension education and training are paramount to successful hair extensions for any hair stylist", says Sickler. If you are looking for a hair stylist to do hair extensions and they don't have the proper training, you could be very disappointed with the results.

After you have your hair extensions in place, you will need to schedule regular maintenance visits to check your extensions. How often you need to go back will depend on the type of hair and the method of attachment that was used. As your hair grows out, some of the hair extensions will need to be removed and replaced or touched up.

On a day-to-day basis you should treat your human hair extensions as you would long hair. Brush, shampoo, condition and moisturize on a regular basis. Some hair stylists will recommend specific high-quality hair care products to use with your extensions. You can also use hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons on most types of human hair extensions. Color treatments can be done on the hair extensions, but you should consult with your hair stylist before considering this. Monthly color touch-ups to your roots will not be a problem, as the hair extensions will not be touched.

Although it doesn't hurt physically to get hair extensions, it may hurt you financially. There really is no way around this factor. To get good hair extensions on your whole head, you will need quality human hair, an experienced hair stylist, at least one assistant and about 6-8 hours of time. The ticket price can vary from $150-$2000 depending on what you are having done. Adding a few highlights or lowlight hair extensions can be quite less as the time and amount of hair needed is less.

In short, here are ten tips to follow after you have decided you want to get hair extensions and have selected a beauty salon. To find beauty salons that do hair extensions, you can look in the yellow pages or search online. The beauty salon directory at http://www.hairresources.com will allow you to search for 'hair extensions in your City, State.

1.After selecting a salon, schedule an initial consultation to discuss what you would like to have done and any concerns that you have.
2. Ask about what hair extension experience your hair stylist has and where they received their training.

3. Make sure the hair stylist listens and understands your needs and concerns. Does he/she communicate well with you?

4. The hair stylist should ask you about your lifestyle, health, hobbies and your normal hair routine

5. An analysis of your scalp and hair should be done at the initial consultation to make sure your hair is in a condition for successful hair extensions.

6. Ask to see before and after photos of hair extension clients

7. Ask for references and be sure to call them

8. Ask how often the average client needs to replace the hair. This is very important for anticipating future costs

9. Get a written estimate for your hair extensions with an itemized list of the services required to achieve your new look

10.Get a written maintenance plan. Plan should include recommendations for products, grooming tools, follow-up appointments and any special instructions.

Hair extensions have many advantages and several disadvantages that should be addressed, but if you want to create an instant long hair style, human hair extensions are the way to go

How to Show Your Appreciation For Your Baby Shower

Planning a baby shower can be a lot of work. It takes approximately 2 - 3 months to plan a successful party. And if it's a surprise shower that makes it even harder.

The host / hostesses have to prepare the guest list, choose a party theme, send out invitations, prepare food and entertainment, choose prizes and favors for the guests, and clean up afterward. Let's not mention the cost and time to plan the party. The guests also have to take time out of their busy schedules to shop for a gift and attend the party. So how do you show your appreciation for their thoughtfulness and time? There are several ways to show them just how much you appreciate them!

• Even though you are the guest of honor, make sure your guests know how much you appreciate them taking time out of their busy schedules to share this special day with you. Socialize with them and thank everyone personally for attending.


• Give your guests a practical and useful baby shower favor as a thank you gift. Some good choices are edible favors, lip balm, tissue packs, seed packs, and scented candles. Don't give useless favors, such as baby wash cloth lollipops as a thank you gift.


• Make sure to choose an extra special gift for the host / hostesses. They went through a lot of trouble to plan a perfect shower. Gift certificates to a favorite restaurant, spa, or salon is one way to show your appreciation. You could also treat them to a girls day out after you have the baby.


• Send thank you cards after the party to each guest. Make sure to make the card personal, thanking them for the specific gift they gave you. A good way to keep track is to have a notepad and pen handy at the shower to write down the person's name and their gift.


• After the baby is born take pictures of the baby using the gifts you received and send a copy to the person that gave you each specific gift. They will truly enjoy seeing their gift put to good use.


• Make a short speech at your baby shower thanking everyone for attending and letting them know how much you appreciate their thoughtfulness.

A baby shower is a gathering to celebrate the arrival of a new life. It is meant to shower the mother and baby with gifts. Show your appreciation for your baby shower to your friends and family with gifts from your heart!

How To Travel With A Wedding Gown

Destination weddings are more popular than ever. Whether you are headed for the beach, the mountains, or your hometown, you want to make sure that your gown arrives safely. With a little advance planning, you will be able to relax and enjoy the trip.

Wedding gowns are large! Fitting them into tight spaces is often a challenge. Salons carefully pack bridal gowns into extra long garment bags with the train folded up (usually there is a bust form to hold the bodice of the gown in place). Although some brides like the idea of shipping their gown ahead to their destination, I wouldn't recommend it. No amount of insurance will take the place of your gown if it does not arrive safely. Hand carry your bridal gown - it is too important to entrust to anyone else.

If you are traveling by car, you at least have a little flexibility on how you arrange your luggage. Plan to pack everything into the car first, and then gently lay your gown across the top of the bags in the backseat (I have yet to hear of a bride being able to fit everything for her wedding into the trunk!). Hang the top of the gown from that little hook for your drycleaning in the back of the car. One word of advice - if you are traveling in the winter, you should know that the stiff plastic garment bags used by bridal salons can actually crack in extreme cold. If your gown is likely to be sitting in a parked car for any length of time, be sure to pack it in a fabric garment bag (with a plastic cover pulled over the gown inside to protect it from moisture).

Traveling by plane is a hassle, as everyone knows. There are endless restrictions on luggage, and they change all the time. The best thing to do is to check with your airline shortly before your trip for their specific requirements. The most important thing to know is that you should NEVER put your wedding gown in checked baggage! The risk is too high that it could arrive damaged, or heaven forbid, not at all. Then what would you do?

You will not be able to use the standard length bridal gown bag as carry on luggage. It is too long, and too easily torn. For instance, US Airways states that wedding gowns must be in garment bags no longer than 54" long. You are then expected to fold that bag in half to fit it into the overhead compartment. If you are lucky, the flight attendant might allow you to hang the garment bag in the first class closet (everyone has a soft spot for brides). Or you could do what Tricia Nixon did for her White House wedding - buy your bridal gown its' own seat in first class!

It is not only your wedding gown that you should make plans for - your accessories are also very important. Pack your shoes, tiara, and other accoutrements into a carry on bag. With all the limitations these days, you may have to ask your fiancee to take your bag as his one carry on item (remember, you also have the garment bag). Another option is to stuff your gown and accessories together into one carry on bag. I know it is terrible to think of cramming your beloved dress into a tiny bag, but you will need to have it professionally pressed when you arrive at your destination anyway. Be sure to keep your wedding jewelry in your purse. You should never let any jewelry out of your sight, but especially not your fabulous wedding jewelry!

Believe it or not, I once knew a bride who flew halfway across the country before realizing that her gown was still sitting in the bridal shop (the shop owner was in a total panic trying to reach the wayward bride!). She had to fly back, retrieve her gown, and then once more head for her wedding destination. So, the most important thing of all to remember is: don't forget to pick up your gown from the bridal salon before you hit the road!

How to Design Printable Wedding Invitation Templates

A wedding is indeed an occasion wherein the bride and groom present themselves as one entity to the world for the very first time. In order to make the show a big one, there is a lot of effort which gets put in by the couple as well as the close friends and relatives. In order to look back at this day with a feeling of joy, there are numerous details which are worked out to the core. Wedding invitations are by far the most demanding and at times confusing task to address. In order to break the news to their loved ones and at the same time so as to invite them for the occasion, these invitations are formulated by the couple. As the couple want to make the ceremony a special one, effort and thought is put in towards the invitations. The most convenient way of formulating these invitations are to design a printable wedding invitation template first. The designing of the invitation may seem to be a big task, but in fact, if the couple work in the right direction, it can be made fairly simple. The key lies in first deciding on a theme and then working on a template for the wedding invitation which does justice to all the required details as well as the theme.

What is a template?

A template is primarily nothing but a rough design on which the invitation flows. It is basically a layout which houses all the required details such as the date, time, venue and the theme as well as any personalized message which the couple wants to put in it. The key to decide on a template is at times driven by the theme, for instance, a spring wedding would demand some amount of the elements of nature in the template of the wedding invitation as such. The other details of the template consist of the layout, font and size of the text, the placing of the text and any photograph of background the couple may want to put in.

The way to design a template

Designing a wedding invitation template is a fairly simple chore. All it requires is basic knowledge of the software used and a vivid imagination to capture the details in a fascinating form. For instance, a beach wedding would have an invitation template depicting the sun and beach and frolic in the way it flows. On the other hand, a formal ceremony would demand a more sophisticated flow so as to do justice to the theme as well. Personalized wedding invitations literally leave the scope limitless in terms of the imagination which can be used and the amount of things which can be incorporated in a wedding invitation. The only thing to be adhered to is that the dimensions of the template and the articles therein are easy to print and compatible to a good printer's requirements. Thus, with some thought and effort, the apprehension of how to design printable wedding invitation templates can be laid to rest.

Understanding Gels in Filmmaking

Gels really are nothing more than sheets of polyester that have been dyed certain colors. The term gel came from, gelatin. Back in the days of early theatre, they would dry colored gelatin and cut it into sheets. You are unable to use these now because they would burn up, thus, "tough" gels were born. Tough Gels are commonly used in lighting today.

When working with video and film there are three types of gels. Color Conversion gels, Color Correction Gels, and Color Effect Gels.

Just a quick misconception on how gels function. Most people believe they add light, this is untrue. What they actually do is absorb certain colors and transmit others, they are filters really. Gels actually remove certain colors , they doesn't add colors. Let's explain each gel category to fully understand.

Color Conversion gels are used when shooting a scene indoors but a large window is in the scene and you can see outdoor lighting. You can handle this in two ways. You can place a CTB(Color Temp Blue) gel on you indoor lights to match the exterior. But this isn't the best way. The best way is to get a large sheet of CTO(Color Temp Orange) gel and place it over the window to change the light coming in.

Color Correction gels are mostly used over fluorescent lights to offset the large amount of green the light throw off. You would place a Magenta(minus green or plus green depending on the light source) over the lighting structure.

It is important to apply both of these gels to the light source then manually white balance the camera. Why? Because you want to create light which the camera sees as white.

Finally, my favorite gel, the Color Effects gel. I use these constantly. First set your manual white balance then throw a gel over the light source. Depending on your scene. For a night mood, maybe throw on a blue on for moonlight. These gels set the mood of the scene.

I would also like to make a brief mention of Neutral Density Gels. I have two ND filters on my camera so I use these more than the gels. However, you would use these gels to absorb all light equally. It doesn't change the color of the light at all, it just reduces the light level. I usually use these when working on interior shots. Well, that's it for now. Happy gelling.

About Choosing a Limo Service

Whenever you have an important or otherwise stylish event that you need to attend, doing so with a limo service is surely the way to go. Limousine services are no longer suitable only for the rich and famous. Modern limo service companies will provide a limo to suit almost any need. The process involved in hiring one is simple and straightforward and does not take up a lot of time as well. If the limos owned by the limo rental service are maintained well, they can be stylish and glamorous, ensuring that you and yours arrive in style and that your arrival will not go by unnoticed.

If you have never rented a limousine before and this is your first time making use of a limo service, you might want to know what to expect before you put your plans into motion. The following tips will certainly help you get the most out of limo services and prevent unnecessary troubles along the way.

1. Cheap is not always better.
Although most of us have had to curtail our spending during these difficult financial times, choosing a cheap limo service might not be in your best interests.

Although most of us love a good deal, the fact is that the service might well leave something to be desired and the limousine itself might be in need of some serious TLC! When shopping around for a reliable limousine service bear in mind that the same principles that apply when you shop for any product apply in this case as well. In other words, you will get what you pay for. Do not take the cheapest option or the first one you contact. Rather shop around so that you can make comparisons.

2. The Operator's License.
Any limousine service should have an operator licence that they are obliged to have on hand. There are government regulations in place that the company should comply with. You can certainly judge the character of the company if you request to see their operator's license and they refuse to produce it for whatever reason.

3. Commercial Liability Insurance.
All limo companies need a certain amount of insurance. Request permission to view a copy of the company's insurance certificate.

4. Research customer feedback.
Find out how others have reacted to the service that they have received. Word of mouth referrals are always best but if you do not know anyone who has had reason to hire a limo service you will need to research this on your own. Determine what kind of track record the company has. If you really want to be thorough, why not contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if there have been any complaints filed regarding the service provided by the company you are interested in.

The Internet is a great resource for research purposes, including finding out if complaints have been registered by previous customers.

5. Get some references.
Ask the limo rental service for references provided by their clients. This is a great way to determine whether the service they provide is up to scratch.

These are just five tips that you can use to find the best limousine service available. There are more things you can do but these should stand you in good stead.

The Cost of Repairing Your Car Bumper

If you're involved in a collision and your car bumper is damaged, your car insurance should be able to cover the cost of repairs. Over the years bumpers have increased in size, effectiveness and aesthetic appeal. As a result they're now more costly to repair or replace so it is worth checking specifications relating to bodywork in your car insurance policy.

The UK is home to a large number of car insurance providers. If you decide to compare different car insurance policies online, be aware that cheap car insurance policies tend to offer limited cover and may not necessarily include your bumper.

As cars have developed, bumpers have become more effective. They now help to reinforce the vehicle, protecting passengers and engine parts during a collision. There were 170,591 road accidents reported to the police involving personal injury in 2008, 6% fewer than in 2007 [1]. One of the reasons why this figure keeps decreasing year on year may be the increased effectiveness of bumpers along with other improved safety features.

However, whilst bumpers are now more effective in serious collisions, they may not fare so well in minor scrapes. The original purpose of bumpers was to protect vehicles going over low speed bumps. This meant that bumpers were relatively simple, unglamorous parts of a car and could be cheaply and easily repaired or replaced.

The ergonomic design of many modern bumpers may increase the overall attractiveness of a vehicle, but this design change also has disadvantages: although bumpers now form an integrated part of the vehicle's overall aesthetic appeal, they no longer function as effectively as sacrificial, shock absorbers.

Rather than cushioning low impact bumps and grazes, modern bumpers are easily marked, scratched, cracked and dented. Although bumpers were originally designed to protect your car, it is now possible to buy buffers to protect your bumper! In addition, because bumpers are now an elegant part of a car's overall bodywork, if you're involved in an accident and your bumper is damaged it can often be more complex and costly to repair.

After an accident if your car can still be driven legally and is roadworthy, reputable car insurance companies will deliver a courtesy car to you when your car is picked up for repairs. In this way, car insurance providers can keep you mobile while your car is being fixed. Before long your vehicle should be back with you, looking as good as ever.

[1] - http://dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/accidents/casualtiesmr/rcgbmainresults2008

Wedding Gifts - The Good VS the Bad!

Are you invited to a wedding and are not sure what to buy for the happy couple? Or are you married and have funny memories of bad wedding gifts? Either way, this list will be good entertainment and good information!

So what makes a great wedding gift anyway? It's probably fairly obvious, to most of us anyway, what would be considered a bad wedding gift. The strangest wedding gift I received was a shovel and a rake! However, since we had just bought our first home and got married simultaneously, it was put to good use and much appreciated in that situation. Had we been an older couple, on our 2nd marriage and combining households or if we had lived in an apartment... that would have been a bad gift!

These examples are light-hearted, and a bit silly. But don't be fooled... people have actually received these bad list items (and purchased them)!

Good Wedding Gifts:

Anything on the couple's registry!

Gift cards to the couple's favorite restaurants, stores, honeymoon registry, or wedding registry store(s).

Kitchen tools.

Yard and garden items for a young couple with a new home.

Personalized home items.

Fun honeymoon or "his & hers" just married items!

Picture frames for displaying wedding photos

China pieces from the couple's chosen set.

Good quality towels & linens.

Cash!

Bad Wedding Gifts:

Anything on the couple's registry that someone else has already bought!

Gift cards to stores/restaurants that the couple doesn't like or are too far away.

Bathroom cleaning tools.

Yard and garden items for a couple that live in an apartment or older couples.

Air fresheners or coasters!

Matching knitted "his & hers" hats & mittens.

Bachelor party photos!

Random, dust-collecting crystal trinkets.

Un-matching and/or cheap towels.

IOU's for cash!

Gift givers - Normally, couples enjoy thoughtful gifts or gifts that help to commemorate their special day. If you don't know the couple well enough personally to come up with a custom, wedding gift, stick to what's on their registry list. If possible, always include a gift receipt just in case.

Couples - Getting a few bad gifts is unavoidable, but you should still send a 'thank-you' card anyway for the thought. Have some mercy, because some people just have different ideas about what makes a great gift! If you are really lucky, you'll be able to rejoice with the gift receipt!

Make Your Wedding Invitations - No Wedding Invitation Software Required

Make your wedding invitations with Microsoft Works. You won't need special wedding invitation software. You can use what you already have on your computer. It is easy to make your wedding announcements using a word processing program.

If you think you need a special program to for your invitations, think again. Many word processing programs can be adjusted to make almost anything. I have used Microsoft Works to make invitations. Not only can you make your wedding announcement cards, you can do custom envelope addressing as well.

It really is easy to use a word processing program like Microsoft Works to make your invitations. You only need to find a nice font and perhaps some wedding clip art.

By learning how to use a word processing program you will be able to make lots of things. Once you have learned to make your wedding announcement cards, learn to make a data base. Once you have learned to make a data base you are on your way to making custom addressed envelopes.

If you want to make your own wedding programs, you can. It isn't difficult to learn to make notecards too. Why you can learn to make lots of things in Microsoft Works. It has the ability to put clip art and photos anywhere. Once you learn it, you will be making all kinds of fun stuff.

You can make pew cards, table cards, tags for your favors and so much more.Making labels is easy too. You can make one label and have it print on a whole sheet. That makes it so easy.

Changing fonts to see what it will look like is easy too. Just go to the font menu and change it. You can easily change your ink color too.

With so many choices and changes you will love using your computer. I have even added graphics to my custom addressed envelopes.

By using the software you have you will save money. Yes, no special wedding invitation software is required. Just use a program like Microsoft Works. Learn the basics and then you will be making all kinds of things.

Once you become engaged you can start learning to make your wedding announcements. Then you can set them up, once you have the information. Experiment with different fonts and different wedding clip art. Before you know it you will have just the perfect wedding announcement made and ready to send out.

Mail your invitations six to eight weeks before your wedding. This gives your guests time to send back the RSVP cards.

Insured Parcel Delivery - Assurance and Compensation For Failed Deliveries

Parcel Delivery is big business with many different couriers and parcel delivery specialists, as well as the Royal Mail competing for our custom. In recent years with the popularity of online auction websites such as eBay a lot more people are sending and receiving parcels as well as a growing number of people ordering goods online in general.

Sending a parcel can seem risky with many people aware of the frequent postal strikes and having to track down where their parcel has been sat for the past few weeks. Sometimes you may be able to call up the post office and they'll look into the mishap for you but a worryingly large number can disappear and never be found.

Likewise sometimes you may have guaranteed the recipient that you will have the item delivered by a certain date, if the parcel delivery is delayed then you could end up being held responsible which could mean you are looked upon poorly by customers which can negatively affect your small business. Fortunately there are ways to make sure that you're compensated for any loss or delays, with insurance.

Many parcel delivery companies will offer insurance to cover your delivery, especially expensive parcels. This insurance is vital as more people are sending high value goods in the mail. If your parcel has disappeared then after a reasonable length of time you will be able to make a claim against the parcel delivery company who should hopefully be able to pay you back the value of the item they have lost although this value may only be given up to a set limit.

Likewise if you have sent an item and it has arrived late then the tracking information held for that item should be able to confirm that there was a significant enough delay to warrant compensation with the details held on their system.

An alternative to regular postal services is to use a courier instead, with a less congested network (80 million items are delivered by the Royal Mail each day) you can benefit from a quicker system that can afford to place greater priority on your parcel delivery.

Most Parcel Couriers also offer insurance on your order but in most cases this isn't necessary as parcel couriers tend to have a more detailed tracking system so your parcel is scanned regularly throughout the delivery process. This means at your end you can check exactly where the parcel is as well as sending this information to your recipient to prove you've done your part to make sure the parcel was sent in a timely fashion.

A Short History of Self-Expression Through Rear Window Graphics

It all began with the bumper sticker. This method of self-expression began a long time ago. It was an easy, inexpensive way to let people know who you are planning to vote for, the fact that you hate fat chicks or which college your money and your teen attends.

With just a few words and perhaps a picture, a driver tells the world what matters to him or her. On a long or boring drive, they can be quite entertaining. Sometimes, rear bumper stickers aren't so obvious. It took a bit of thought to understand, "I'll keep my money and my guns, and you can keep the change!"

The Late 1980's

It didn't take long before Americans started adding identifiers to their rear windows. The one we most remember from the late 1980's is the yellow diamond caution sign, "Baby on Board." Before long, there were caution signs making fun of the original - "Mafia on Board" and "Dangerous Driver on Board." I wonder if someone has done the statistics to prove how many infants were saved by this little yellow sign. The very idea that a hostile motorist would stop his savage attack on a neighboring car because of this sign is amazing!

Garfield Was King in the 1990's

Dear little Garfield, along with his suction-cup feet, was a fixture of the 1990's. Who can forget a tubby little cat hanging on to the back glass for dear life! I was never sure of the message, however. Were they trying to say, "We like Fat Cats!" or "We Brake for Lasagna" or even "Get Me Outta' Here, This Driver's Insane!"

Baseballs and the Early 2000's

In the early 2000s, cars added a new wrinkle to the idea of rear glass enhancement. Suddenly, there were 翻 baseballs sticking out of the rear window of cars, trucks and SUV's. This baseball was surrounded by a shatter decal that suggested that the baseball had hit the car window and it was stuck in the window glass. I remember seeing folks trying to figure out how the "accident" had happened! Once everyone figured it out, this fad bit the dust.

Stick-Figure Family Window Decals (SFFWD's)

Expressing one's self takes a new turn with SFFWD's. We've all seen them; the stick figures start with Dad, Mom and the individual children's names. Sometimes pets are included. Since these stick figures aren't "against" something or "for" something, it's hard to evaluate them. It doesn't say anything about one's cultural background or one's character.

A friend confidently told me that cars with SFFWD's have someone with early-onset Alzheimer's in the family. Why? So he/she would be able make sure that everyone has been collected before driving off. Frankly, I'm having a hard time with that explanation. But who knows? It may mean that "my family is bigger, better, cuter than yours. These seem to be very fashionable with soccer moms.

On the Horizon

Hold onto your hair! The next fad is likely to be a graphic of one's wedding showing up on one's rear window! I think I'll stick with rear window decals of horses, elk, wolves and Harley Davidson!

Discount Funeral Service Programs

With today's U.S. economy and the rising cost of funeral costs, finding the best price funeral can be challenging. Fortunately, there are more and more resources surfacing on the internet where you can find the best reduced cost solutions for the funeral you are planning.

Funeral planning is very much like arranging a wedding except you've got a shorter window of time for the planning and preparations.

Here are some ideas to cut back expenses for a funeral of a loved one:

1. Cremation is less costly than burial because you won't need an embalming, acquisition of a plot of land, or casket.

2. You can keep the ashes at a cemetery and purchase a small space to contain the ashes which is considerably less than a plot of land. The urn to hold the ashes is also less costly than a casket.

3. Have a relative or best friend provide the music solo or play music from a CD or recording.

4. If you or a friend are knowledgeable in funeral arrangements, you can opt to facilitate the funeral service yourself.

5. Consider having a family member officiate the funeral service. An officiator is the individual that helps the funeral service and can also present a eulogy or encouraging message.

6. Have the after funeral service reception at a home and ask family and friends to help prepare the food. Generally, family and friends are more than prepared to help during a time of loss.

7. By creating the funeral service program yourself, you can save a lot of money but still produce a wonderful cherished memorial of your loved one. You may also print the funeral service programs out yourself on your home computer rather than spend a good amount of money having them commercially printed.

Funeral program templates are inexpensive and you can purchase one for about $20.00. You can easily customize the pre designed funeral program template.

If you want to have a cover photo on the program, you will only need to import that and edit your text.The program will have a front AND back design as well as an insider page coordinating layout.

Most funeral service program resources only provide a cover design which is an incomplete presentation.

It gives a much nicer and professional presentation if the cover, back and inside pages are all designed.

Ten Reasons to Send Invitations by Email

Organizing a party or event has never been so easy. No more invitation printing and costly postage - these days your computer can do all the hard work for you. Companies such as this reputable provider will help you send all your invitations by email. Read on for ten good reasons for using e invitations:

1. Choosing to send online invitations gives you instant access to more invitation designs than ever before. E invitation providers offer a huge choice of original designs to suit every taste and purpose, from baby showers to birthdays, from old fashioned to futuristic and just about everything in between.

2. Sending online invitations for free is kind to your budget too. Whilst there are some paid services available most companies offer an excellent service for no charge, saving on the production costs of your invitations as well as hefty postal charges.

3. Sending e invitations couldn't be simpler. All you need to do is ensure your contact list is up to date and the system does the rest for you. It will automatically generate personalized email cards for each and every one of your designated invitees and will deliver them straight to their inbox at the click of a mouse.

4. Sending invitations by email has revolutionized the way you manage your guest list. All your guests need to do is click to accept or decline your invitation and your list will be updated in real time. This means on average you will receive more RSVPs more quickly, freeing up more time for you to plan and manage your event.

5. E invitations are the ideal solution for a generation that is growing up with social media at its very heart. Set your event up to share information with and between your invitees on line and you will find it generates a buzz before it even takes place.

6. If you are organizing a public event why not enable your guests to share your invitations with their own contacts? This is a great way to spread the word quickly and increase the size and reach of your network.

7. Online invitations are not just limited to free events either. Many services can be tailored to offer online ticketing for paid events too, enabling you to quickly and easily achieve ticket sales to a large target audience.

8. Sending your invitations by email isn't limited to parties and paid events. More and more people are using them to send their wedding invitations, especially now you can link your online invitations to a gift registry and deliver all the information your invitees need in one easy email.

9. Don't forget that once you have sent your original invitations, sending your thank you cards after the event is also just a click of the mouse away.

10. Most online invitation services offer a whole range of added value services to support your event. These include free party planning tools such as editable to-do lists and timelines that can be tailored to meet your individual needs, as well as valuable tips for making your party go with a swing.