Use Your Wedding Invitation to Solicit and Build Community Support For Your Perfect Marriage

Marriages that are rooted in their community survive and thrive better than marriages that are isolated whether by choice or circumstance. The beginning of romance is somewhat isolating as it's so heady and wonderful. It's hard to believe that anyone else can understand the magic. And so you spend a lot of time getting to know one another and figuring out how this relationship might work for you.

And you should do that.

But there comes a time when you step back into your community. You start doing things with friends in addition to your solo dates. You want to introduce your beloved to your family and closest friends so that they can understand the love that is transforming your life. You want them to come to know your beloved. Eventually you decide that you want to marry and you consider whom you want to invite to the wedding.

Remember that the focus of your wedding should be your wedding ceremony and the wedding vows that will be the foundation for your marriage. You can begin to build support for your marriage by creating an Invitation that explains to your guests

1. that they are your beloved friends.


2. that you want them to witness and celebrate your wedding vows.


3. that you will want them to support you and your marriage in the future.

Use your invitation to inform your Wedding Guests they have a vital role to play in your life going forward. You want them to come to your wedding with realistic and heightened expectations of what they will see and what role they will play in your life and marriage.

A typical wedding invitation craves the pleasure of your presence at the nuptials of the beloved couple. You want an invitation that does more. You want to let your wedding guests know that you are excited to have them at your wedding ceremony to witness your wedding vows. You might explain that you know you will need their loving support and celebration to thrive in your marriage, from your wedding day forward.

Everyone worries about the style of the invitation and compares this year's wedding colors against last year's. If people worry about the wording, it's about the poetry rather than the meaning. Unlike a poem, wedding invitations must mean as well as be. If your wedding invitation conveys what you want, you're going to have a group of people who gather to see you exchange your wedding vows who will be excited to support you throughout your life together. That's a wedding ceremony! That's a celebration! And that'll be a great marriage!

Wedding Invitation Wording Impressions Last

While the main purpose of a wedding invitation may be to inform the guests of the date, time, and location of the ceremony and reception, this is not the only purpose of a wedding invitation. A wedding invitation is your first chance to make and impression on your guest and to give them a hint about what to expect at your wedding. The invitation can hint to the theme of your wedding or simply give the guests a glimpse into how formal your wedding will be. The appearance, wording and formality of your wedding invitation all contribute to the impressions that your guests form about your wedding before the even decide whether or not they will attend.

Since the most important purpose of a wedding invitation is to let guests know the particular details of the wedding it is important to ensure that these details are accurate. You will want to hold off on ordering your invitations until you have finalized all of the details to ensure that your invitations are printed with accurate information. In order to avoid confusion that results from misinformation on you your invitations, it is critical that you proofread your invitations several times to ensure that all of the information in correct. Once you have proofread the invitation a few times, you might consider having someone else proofread it as well. This is sometimes necessary because it is easy to overlook a mistake on your invitation when you know what the invitation should say.

Sometimes your mind will subconsciously fix the error making it appear as though everything is correct when it is really not. It is imperative that you ensure that the details of your wedding invitation are accurate but it is also very important to proofread the entire invitation to make sure that there are no other errors. Check your names and your parent's names, if they appear on the invitation, carefully to ensure that they are spelled correctly and also check the spelling and punctuation of the rest of the text. Wedding information that is accurate and contains no errors is sure to make a wonderful impression on your guests and can help to avoid guests from missing parts of the wedding because they were misinformed by inaccurate information on the invitation.

The look of your wedding invitation can say a lot about your taste and your expectations for your wedding. If you are planning to have a particular theme for your wedding, you might want to incorporate your theme in your wedding invitation to give your guests a hint at what they can expect at your wedding. If you are planning to incorporate a theme of old fashioned movie romances you might want to invest in invitations that depict a scene or make a reference to an old fashioned romantic movie such as Casablanca. Or if you plan to have a wedding with a Hawaiian or beach theme you might choose invitation that conveys this sentiment with a background picture of a beach or a whimsical border with a Hawaiian pattern. While not all weddings have a particular theme, if you are planning on having a theme, it's a fun idea to purchase invitations that express this theme to your guests.

The wording that you use on your wedding invitations can also make an impression on your guests. You will want to ensure that the text of the invitation matches with the formality of the wedding. If you plan to have a wedding with a relaxed atmosphere you can afford to be creative and original in your wording but if your wedding will be more conservative you will want to use language that will convey this sentiment. While slang and vulgarity are never appropriate verbiage on a wedding invitation it is acceptable to use more relaxed speech if the wedding is expected to be casual.

Many guests form their first impressions of a wedding based on the invitations. Since this is true, it is important to exercise caution and ensure that your wedding invitations will convey the message that you wish them to express. If you want to maintain a degree of formality in your wedding, then your invitations should also be very formal. Conversely, if you expect your wedding to be casual with a relaxed atmosphere, it is acceptable to send out invitations that are informal.

Wedding Invitation Printing Options

There are a number of options that you can use when printing your wedding invitations, and before going to the printer it is good to be aware of them. In this article, I will discuss these various options in order of increasing cost.

First, though, I will discuss the general issue of which style of printing you should use as a matter of etiquette. The straightforward answer is that it doesn't matter. It is not rude to use one form of printing over another, and, strictly speaking, it is no less formal. In fact, the more expensive printing options are simply outdated printing methods that are largely still used because somehow the "expensive equals formal" mistake has kept them going, though laser printing is an exception to this rule.

The least expensive (though no less formal) way of doing invitations isn't, strictly speaking, printing but is worth mentioning. These are handwritten invitations. You can do this in one of two ways. You can either do them yourselves, or you can hire a calligrapher (the latter is, of course, very expensive). Some friends of ours with little money just hand-calligraphed their wedding invitations, and they were very beautiful. Be aware, though, that this can be very time consuming, and it slows down the process of inviting back-up invitees.

The next least expensive is laser printing. However, you'll need to be very careful when doing this. If the least thing goes wrong, laser printing looks a little faded, making it look a little, well, laser printed. You may do this yourself, but, given the trickiness, it is probably best to hire a professional. In general, I would not recommend this method because of how easy it is to go wrong, but if finances and time are both issues, it may be the best option.

The next least expensive is lithography. Lithography is the cheapest form of printing that prints on your page using a single plate. It has the advantage that the image will be crisp and unfaded, and, if you put them side-by-side, the lithograph will be noticeably clearer and sharper than a laser printing. It keeps your invitation flat, so that none of the letters will be raised, something that some couples may prefer.

The next least expensive is thermography. Unlike Lithography, thermography produces a raised text, so that when you run your hand over the invitation, you can feel the letters. However, the raising is only on one side, and there will be no corresponding indentation on the other side. Note that it is more expensive than using lithography but no sharper, so in effect, you will be paying for the raised text, which may or may not be your preference.

Finally, there is engraving, which is the most expensive form of printing. Engraving presses the letters into your paper using a metal sheet, which has the effect that you'll have both raised letters on one side and a corresponding indentation on the other. It is very expensive, much more so than any other form of printing. What you are paying for, in effect, is the indentations on the back of your invitation.

Insuring Your Wedding

Getting insurance for your wedding is not really a subject that anyone wants to think about. Mention wedding insurance to someone and they ultimately think that it's their partner that doesn't turn up on the day or runs down the aisle, never to be seen again. The facts however are very different from this because ironically wedding cancellation insurance will not pay out if your partner does 'do a runner'.

There is a lot of expense to getting married and you may have had to borrow money to afford the day of your dreams. This money that you have borrowed isn't really against any assets as such so it's not as though you can sell 'something' if you have to cancel your wedding to pay off the borrowed money. It is for this reason alone - whether you have borrowed the money or saved the money - that you should seriously consider wedding insurance.

Weddings are notoriously expensive and they are perhaps the second biggest financial outlay in your life, second only to buying a home so why wedding insurance has been about for longer I'm not sure.

There is more than enough to worry about with getting married and having insurance for your wedding will take an extra worry of your shoulders. If a supplier cancels at the last minute then you will have the financial ability re-organiser a supplier at short notice without having to worry about the costs.

There are may companies in the UK that already offer wedding insurance and it's just starting to catch on in the USA.

Creative Ideas of Cheap Wedding Invitations

The wedding is a very celebrated occasion wherein a number of people will witness the exchange of vows of true love between two persons. It is the blessing of the promise of eternal companionship by a couple who truly love each other. When you decide to have a wedding, you are not only making a commitment to make the celebration a memorable one but you also make a commitment to your partner to be there always and till death do you part.

Having this kind of celebration would be very memorable if your friends and your family would be there to witness the ties that you will make with your partner. This would be possible with the help of the invitation cards that you will sent out to them of when and where your wedding will take place. You can make cheap wedding invitations. You must bear in mind that even when in a tight budget, you can inform your friend and loved ones about the celebration.

To be able to spend less, you can plan an economic wedding starting from how you make your invitations cards. Making them by yourself and with your partner and some help from family and friends can bring about a lot of advantages. First of all, you do not need to pay for someone to do it for you. Another thing is that you get to spend quality time with people close to you and lastly, you will be able to gather great ideas from them.

If you have your own computer at home, it would be better because all you need to do is buy materials that you will need for your plans of having a cheap wedding. You can surf through the internet about different invitation designs that you can just print out in special papers with a special quote about love written on it. This would already help you create something nice and elegant.

Moreover, you can also take some pictures of you and your partner, crop it out in the computer and apply some designs. Once you print the pictures, you can do a handwritten invitation at the back with the help of your partner in life. This is even more special because you have spent a lot of effort for its creation, making your loved ones even feel more special for personally remembering them for your wedding.

If you are not into printing your invitations, you can creatively make use of the different resources that you have at home like threads, ribbons and a lot more. Whatever your plans maybe, these things can be of good use and they can help you save from buying new ones.

In addition, you can always avail economic wedding package deals that will already include the making of invitation cards. All you need to do is to make the list of those who you want to come and they will be the one to make the invites for you.

Making invitation cards for your wedding is just a small detail of what the celebration really is. You must always remember that even if you will create these invitations on a budget, the important thing is that the people close to you will be there to witness one of the most important moments of your life.

Along Route 66 Sits Oatman the Ghost Town Linked to the Paranormal!

Oatman is a Northern Arizona town where "the burros roam the streets like dogs do in other towns." Wild burros roam Oatman without restraint and can be hand-fed much to the delight of visitors. Oatman's burros are descended from pack animals freed by early prospectors and are protected by the by the US Department of the Interior.

Since it opened in 1902, the 10- room Oatman Hotel has offered the only viable lodging in Oatman. The two story adobe Oatman Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. An integral part of Oatman's lore and history, the hotel is where Hollywood's first "It" couple, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their wedding night in March 1939 after having been married in nearby Kingman, Arizona.

Coupled with its forlorn appearance and located on Oatman's only paved street, Main Street, a street made famous as part of the famed Route 66, once the "Mother Road" that connected Chicago to California. A highway with countless tales ghost of sightings, but Oatman may hold the most interesting ghosts.
Visitors tell of William Ray Flour better known as "Oatie," who died here of alcohol abuse during the Great Depression. His body was found in a trash bin behind the hotel two days after he went missing. Before his death, Oatie worked at odd jobs in Oatman, though he had once been a miner and a cowboy. Oatie is considered a playful ghost who doesn't like to have the window in his former room closed. Hotel guests and employees claim, regardless of how many times the window is closed, that same window will turn out to be reopened.

Hotel employees like to tell visitors that when a skilled photographer took photos a few years ago in the room once occupied by Gable and Lombard, he found the ghostly outline of a man in the developed pictures. Others claim to hear laughter and whispers coming from the former honeymoon suite when it is empty; perhaps the couple... "had so many fine memories of the old hotel that they simply refuse to leave."

Ghosts reportedly have been seen in the halls and in the lobby of the hotel. Despite such widely held lore, skeptical residents and visitors claim there are no ghosts in the Oatman Hotel and anything ghostly reported there is purely the product of a vivid imagination in hopes of creating supernatural tales about much-loved Route 66, although none can explain why toilets will sometimes flush and lights will come on in unoccupied rooms of the hotel.

Forever linked to Route 66

The weather-beaten mining town of Oatman once boasted a population in the thousands; today that population is closer to one-hundred residents. Oatman is positioned in the foothills of Arizona's Black Mountains, 30-miles southwest of Kingman. The section of Old Route 66 leading into Oatman from Kingman is narrow, dips, twists and turns, it makes one wonder what travellers in their Model-T's, during the Depression thought as they travelled this stretch of remote desert.

In their pursuit of a better life in California, most Dust Bowl travellers came with little familiarity of the region, many certainly had to have longed to turn back to what was known to them, rather than push onward into further uncertainty. Located on the outer rim of the Mojave Desert, the area around Oatman beyond doubt must have seemed like Hell on earth during the hot summer months, when daytime temperatures of 110-degrees or more are not unheard of.

Skeptics acknowledge the Oatman Hotel is forever linked to Route 66's history. Today the Oatman Hotel is overflowing with memorabilia from its past and some hold firm that there are ghosts of an earlier time. The famed Gable and Lombard Room's furnishings recreates the late 1930's period the same as it was when they stayed here.

Following their honeymoon, Gable and Lombard frequently returned to the Oatman Hotel for its peace and quiet, as well as privacy. Clark Gable was well-known in town for spending his evenings playing poker with a number of the local residents. Sadly, their life together was interrupted by the ill-fated plane crash that took Lombard's life near Las Vegas, Nevada in January 1942.

The crash followed America's first bond rally of World War II. Ms Lombard was on a tour in her home state of Indiana to raise desperately needed money for the war effort by selling war bonds. When she and her mother, who was travelling with her, boarded the plane in Indianapolis to return to California, Lombard addressed fans saying, "Before I say goodbye to you all, come on and join me in a big cheer! V for Victory!"

Carole Lombard's death was the first war-related female casualty the United States suffered during World War II. Devastated by his loss, Clark Gable soon joined the United States Army where he served as a gunner aboard a bomber on combat missions over Europe. The Liberty ship SS Lombard was named for his wife and Gable attended its launch two years later on January 15, 1944.

Whether it is the ghost of Oatie or Hollywood royalty couple, Gable and Lombard, ghost hunters and the curious who wish to experience the paranormal for themselves gather to the Oatman Hotel. To both believers and the townspeople who want to see more tourism, Oatman will always be closely linked to the paranormal!

An Effective Video Editing Work Flow

Perhaps you are one of those individuals who consider the thought of editing a video a little frightening especially if you haven't ever done this up to now. The fundamental principles of video editing are simple and this article should help ensure that you can have a completed project that you are able to share.

You probably are looking at the difficulties which you may face for instance, how to move the video files across to the video editor, how to isolate the pieces that you want and where to put them or how you will generate a final video which might be watched by others?

Each of these are issues you would undoubtedly be wondering about if you had never done this before. If you have taken your video files off of your device and across to your laptop or desktop then you are fundamentally off to a start.

First you should get your video files into the video software program library. At this time it's a good option to ensure they are clearly labeled and arranged to help you find them effectively at a later date.

The application library is the place you can build simple sequences of video. This can be done by building the segments gradually until you have the complete product.

All you need to do after that is to output the whole lot as a new video file and you are finished.

All of this may seem somewhat overwhelming but that is ultimately how it is performed and you will be pleased at how uncomplicated modern video editing software makes it.

To view all this occurring you must have the preview display available. This is one of two windows which are typically accessible when you open the program. The preview display is often times over on the left area of your computer screen.

The significance of the preview pane is that it enables you to truly observe the video clips that you are working with at that moment so that it is simple to decide upon what has to be done. After you have made a decision you may then correct anything you need to.

Simply put, that's the place where you focus on the approximate intentions before you make your final production.

After you have the individual scenes in the state you require then you can insert them onto the timeline. The timeline is frequently down below the preview panel and is where you can arrange your finalized production into a full movie.

The time line is also used for scene transitions as well as assorted filters.

With regards to right side of the display you will notice a window that points to the library. This window allows swift visible entry to items like your current video, image and audio files. It is from that window that one is ready to drag elements onto the time line.

Primarily you achieve all your editing on the time line. When you have located the various clips you can subsequently simply situate them any place on the time line. In this way it is easy to ensure your video plays back the way you really want.

It may seem that piling all of your resources on to the time line before you begin editing is the approach to take, but it is actually best to trim as well as adjust the video clips before getting to that phase.

Get your whole collection of clipped video clips onto the time line for starters and insert any transitions you desire to use in between any of the clips. At this time you should also insert any intro sequence such as movie titles plus an ending segment.

The final phase is generally fine-tuning and tweaking the audio track of the project. This is conducted last mainly because editing and trimming clips can throw the audio off. By performing this right at the end you can keep control of the way you want the audio to play and have uniformity throughout.

Once you have finished the video you may then decide how you want it to be seen by choosing the video file type.

Most video editing programs will give you a choice of video file types dependent upon just how you would like the video to get distributed and these are super easy to choose from inside the computer program. All that's left to do is decide on the location and render it to your laptop or computer much like you would any other sort of file.

Wedding Websites Help You Immortalize Your Love and Your Life

Your wedding will be one of the most important events in your life. The sheer joy and happiness experienced on the day of your wedding will leave an indelible impression in your mind and on your spirit. Immortalizing those memories was once the job of the wedding scrapbook or wedding photo album. The electronic age has ushered in better ways to immortalize your love and your wedding. Wedding websites can now be created to hold your memories, photos, and even invitations. A wedding site can be much more than a static scrapbook. They can grow from the moment of the proposal to the end of the honeymoon. Couples use them to share memories with those unable to attend. The site also serves as an eternal reminder of the couple's love and happiness during the wedding.

As mentioned, wedding websites are not static. Many of them offer the option of animated graphics, useful utilities, and even the means to stay in touch with those invited. In fact, a wedding website can act as a scrapbook and wedding planner wrapped into one. However, you should take the time to find the best wedding site host available.

What does the right host offer you? The right company provides you with high quality templates to aid you in designing the site. Additionally, it should include helpful planning tools such as a Budget Tracker, a Guest List Tracker, a Gift Tracker, and even a personal journal. All of these can have a huge impact on the success of the ceremony.

Make Your Wedding Invitations - How Important Are Your Wedding Invitations?

You are planning your wedding. You and your partner are all excited. You have so much to take care of. You want the perfect dress. You have your colors picked out. The expenses are mounting. So how important are your wedding invitations. Can you make your wedding invitations?

Yes, you can make some very nice wedding announcement cards. With a little bit of information and time, you can make your wedding cards elegant and nice.

As a soon to be bride, you are planning so much. You want to know exactly how important the invitation to your wedding is? Wow! When a guests gets the card that will invite them to your special day, how do you want them to feel? Subconsciously, guests will see the invitation and learn a lot from it. If you are having an informal event, it will be expressed. If you are having a black tie affair it will be felt.

Just as a good meal starts with a nice table setting, your wedding is the same. You start the event with the invitation you mail. It is a special day. You want it to come across as an important event. Make your wedding invitations yourself. This will let you save money and still make a nice first impression to your guests.

You don't have to have all the bells and whistles for your wedding announcement. But you do want neat, clean and flowing. By making your wedding cards you can control this.

You can get away with phone calls for a BBQ but a wedding? No, no, and no. You want to make this an occasion that will be memorable. A nice invitation will open the event well.

Many people have said that an invitation isn't that important! I have to disagree. Guests may only keep the invitation til the wedding day but that doesn't mean it isn't important. Your meal will be eaten also but you want it to be delicious. Don't you.

Your cake will get cut but you want it to look good. Of course you do. Your wedding announcements are in important part of your wedding. They should be nice and you should be proud of them.

Picture invitations you have gotten. Now, how did you feel getting them? Having a nicely addressed envelope will make your guests feel special. I believe that using a printer to address your envelopes is totally acceptable. It is no less personal to make beautifully addressed envelopes yourself, than it is to pay someone to do calligraphy.

Don't underestimate the importance of your wedding card invitations. They are the first impression many of your guests will have. Don't you think that it important. You can make your wedding invitations, save money and still have a nice first impression.

Ideas for Booklet, Trifold and Other Wedding Invitation Content

Booklets and Trifold Invitations as well as Pocket fold invitations are fantastic looking Invitations which many people choose because they want to present a lot of information to their guests. This article will take you through the typical information that people often put in their invites. Also there are suggestions for when you want to use this type of Invitation but don't know additional ideas for inclusion in the Invite.

Trifold cards typically have three internal panels for information and ours come with an additional detachable RSVP giving you a total of four areas to fill. Although on our Trifold cards you could also put something on the second cover as you have the external cover you open first and then a second internal cover before getting to the three internal panels. Booklet Invitations typically have a cover and then three additional pages, although there are versions with an extra page.

Typical Information

The Invitation

No one should forget this bit it's the truly essential bit of the invite!

Location

You may be able to put directions or a map into your invite. Although some suppliers will charge extra for doing a map, you also need to remember that you cannot use copyrighted maps so one will have to be drawn for you or maybe by you unless you purchase the right to reproduce the map you want to use. This means the maps will often be simplified so it pays to think about what is the main information you need to convey and which directions your guests will be coming from. In the UK if near a motorway it's a good idea to show the motorway junction that's best to use. This is where it can be useful that you are creating it as it doesn't have to be strictly to scale.

RSVP

This might be an actual RSVP which can be detached or at least a section detailing how to rsvp, the date you want to receive it by and the information you require. At its simplest this is where you want people to say if they're coming. Other information that can be required depends on the wedding. For the wedding reception you may want to know if anyone has any special dietary requirements and if there is a menu choice you will need to see who wants to order what. If accommodation is available, depending on how the accommodation is being arranged you may wish to ask who wishes to book it.

Gift List or other Gift Arrangements

If you have a gift list in a store or online this is quite simple as you just need to give the relevant details. The store or website you have used will tell you exactly what information is needed to pass on. It's also a good chance to explain that if you're after money why you're not wanting toasters and other utensils. There's nothing wrong with being honest as most people will want to make sure whatever they give you is wanted. You might say something like you've been living together for several years and have most things involved in setting up home but such and such would be useful as you are planning.... Etc.

Accommodation

If you have guests coming from other areas of the country, from abroad or even if you just think people want to stay at or near the venue after the wedding you should think about giving information on where to stay. You may need to suggest cheap venues for people travelling on a budget or those who just want a bed for the night. Guests from abroad might want sign posting to places which will give them a good experience of the country. Other guests may want to celebrate through the night and so be keen to stay at the venue or where ever the majority of the wedding guests are staying. If places in the venue are limited you may want a say on who gets them so it may be wise to tie them in with the RSVP as you may want to give first opportunity to closer friends or family.

Menu

If you are having a choice at the wedding or before it will be a good idea to inform your guests what the choices may be. It's also a good opportunity to ask people to let you know any special dietary requirements.

Not so typical

The first thing to say is be inventive, they are your invitations so what you say should go. If you are unsure about part or all of the get either family or close friends to help develop your ideas.

Poems and Text

Why not include a romantic poem or one on a theme which is relevant to the day. Text or verse can look very attractive incorporated into the design of a wedding invitation and it can also set the mood for the day. If you have written the poem yourself or know the author and have their permission (there may be conditions) then you're free to reproduce the poem. Otherwise you may wish to choose one on which the copyright has expired (see link for guidance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright#Copyright_term ). If a poem is not appealing you could write a short bit about the proposal or how you met or something about the wedding day to come. This may be written in the style of a news-paper article or a story or you could include a simple personal message. This could say something like how much your looking forward to the wedding, that you think you have found a lovely venue which all your guests will enjoy and really want as many of your friends and relatives there as possible to celebrate with you on your wedding day.

Pictures

You will probably want to stick to something relevant to the wedding. A picture of the bride and groom is always good, this could be processed to make it look black or white or like a painting if you don't want a standard colour photo in your invitation. Other choices maybe something involved in the wedding like the venue or the type of flowers you're having. There are similar copyright issues as listed above and even if you take the photo yourself you may still not have copyright, for example if you have taken a picture of the venue you should check with them first. Similarly though even if the picture is of you the copyright may be held by the person who took the photo if a professional photographer.

If you have any ideas I'd love to hear them.

How To Choose Ring Insurance

Couples considering ring insurance are often faced with the difficult decision of choosing the best ring insurance for their needs. It can be difficult to choose from the many available companies. Additionally couples must carefully research the various elements within a prospective policy to ensure that their purchase will be adequately protected by the insurance selected. Understanding a few key tips will help couples determine the best insurance option for their rings.

All wedding rings should be insured. it is a smart protection that will protect couples from many unforeseen circumstances. However all ring policies are not created equally. It is important to understand the elements that your policy should cover to guarantee that you make a wise selection.

its pricing is typically determined by using a simple percentage of either the ring value or purchase price. Avoid purchasing ring insurance that is a simple flat rate no matter the ring price. This coverage will often not be quality coverage. Instead select insurance that has a variable price depending on the ring that you select.

Look for a comprehensive policy that will cover loss, theft, damage and repair. Some policies will only cover damage. Others will cover theft but not loss. For complete protection, choose a policy that is comprehensive. This allows you protection in any circumstance. Additionally you should research policies to discover any special terms within the coverage. Some policies will pay only a portion or percentage of the overall replacement of the ring. Other policies will require you to pay a deductible before coverage is available. The best policies offer complete coverage of the entire price of the ring or repairs.

There are many places to look for ring insurance. Often jewelry stores and jewelers offer coverage. In addition, there are many internet sites and companies that offer coverage. Occasionally homeowner's policies may offer a measure of coverage. Research your available options to find an option that will best meet your needs. Often the policy offered at your jewelry store will be more expensive and less comprehensive than some of the other options of ring insurance available. Taking the time to do your research will pay off in a more complete and affordable ring insurance option.

Ring insurance is an important consideration that all couples should consider. This valuable policy will greatly protect those that possess it. Take the time to research and find the best policy for your needs.

Wholesale Jewelry and Wholesale Fashion Jewelry All Over the Country

Wholesale jewelry and wholesale fashion jewelry can be found in many stores in the United States. When a store buys wholesale, it is buying products in bulk and therefore it is able to buy them much cheaper. Consequently, more people have easy access to the great name brands we love, as they don't have to run off to some far away place to get the products but can go to their neighborhood stores. Some stores that buy wholesale are Nordstrom, Marshalls, JCPenney, and Ross.

Marshalls has a great selection of jewelry. You can find name brands such as Calvin Klein, Diesel, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Juicy Couture, Vera Wang, and Krizia. They carry jewelry such as watches, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. Marshalls also carries purses, DVDs, belts, underwear, shoes, household appliances, gifts, men, women, and children's clothes and so much more.

Ross carries similar products to Marshalls but it all depends on the time of year you go. Both stores get new stock in all of the time, almost on a weekly basis. So you really need to go on a weekly basis if you want to see all the new items they get in, as opposed to the GAP or Banana Republic that get in a selection of clothing every season.

JCPenney has yet similar products to Marshalls and Ross however it is a bigger store and probably carries a more variety of home appliances. They carry bedding, coffee makers, lighting fixtures, furniture, bath products, mattresses, electronics, and pet accessories. You can also set up a wedding registry at JCPenney. Wedding registries are becoming more and more popular in many stores in the United States. The store carries name brands such as Adidas, Liz Claiborne, Puma, and Calvin Klein.

Nordstrom is probably on the top of the pyramid of all of these stores. They carry higher end products and the store is more expensive. Nordstrom has suits, ties, shoes, and hats for men, a variety of name brands for women and children, jewelry, purses, and accessories, and you can even get your makeup done at Nordstrom. The women's section of Nordstrom is so vast, there are different parts of the store for different ages of women and styles they are looking for. For instance, there is Brass Plum, that caters more to a teenage audience and then there is Savvy that is more expensive and fashionable for women in their twenties and thirties. Nordstrom has a huge makeup department where you can find Estee Lauder, Clinique, Mac, Trish McEvoy, Lancome, Bobbi Brown, and Stila. Sales people in this part of the department store will be happy to try some makeup on you but usually they want you to walk away with buying one of their products.

To conclude, wholesale jewelry and wholesale fashion jewelry can be found in many stores all around the country, in addition to a lot of other types of wholesale products. These stores try to make it convenient for the consumer to find the product they want at the price they want.

Wedding Invitations Tips

It's your wedding day. You want everything to go as smoothly as possible. And for that to happen, you should be courteous and thoughtful and use proper wedding invitation etiquette. We've compiled several helpful tips that can make your wedding invitation organizing and planning less stressful and more effective.

DO!

Send out your wedding invitations in a timely fashion. For national guests, send your invitations approximately 6-8 weeks in advance. For international guests, 8-10 weeks should suffice. Although this may sound very early, it gives your guests plenty of time to make accommodations for your special day. Leaving you invitations until the last minute will result in less guests before the wedding date. This will give your guests plenty of notice. Leaving the invitations too late will result in guests, who would have loved to be there for your wedding day.

Try personalizing your 'thank you' notes by writing them yourself. Your handwritten note should me sent within four weeks of receiving a gift from your guests.

Get all of your wedding planning done months before the actual wedding date. If you start shopping around at the last minute, you'll end up feeling a lot of unnecessary stress.

If you're feeling stressed, pamper yourself about 10 days before your wedding. Enjoy a nice massage at a day spa. This will lift you back up again!

Keep your budget reasonable and realistic. You don't want to spend the next two years paying off debts from your special day.

Relax and enjoy spending time with your friends and loved ones at the reception. Try and devote time to everyone, don't sweat the small stuff. Your vendors are there to perform a function, they'll take care of everything.

Give everyone invited a small token from your wedding. Your guests will adore a wedding favor in any shape or form.

DON'T!

Send wedding invitations to outdated addresses. Make sure that all of your guest information (including address, postal code, and city) is correct.

Do not lose your cool if something 'doesn't go according to plan.' A vendor may be late, a photographer may not be dressed appropriately. These are little things that you have little or no control over. Don't let it ruin your mood.

It's not a good idea to invite every single person you've ever met. Weddings are outrageously expensive. Stick to friends, colleagues, and loved ones who have supported the decisions you've made in life.

Some Ideas For Football Wedding Invitations

O.K. Both of you love football. Rooting for opposite teams is what puts fire in you. Or maybe you root for the same team. You are getting married and want to make your interest in sports a part of it. What are some ideas for football wedding invitations.

How about both of you wearing your football team jerseys. Get a photo and put that on the front of your invitation. This will announce your love of the game.

1. Carry out that theme by using a verse that tells football. Jim has passed the ball to Kelly and she accepted. Come join as they unite as a team. The game will start at six thirty on Saturday the second of October. And continue with the rest of the information. At the end state that vows will be exchanged to unite the two teams as one on off game days.


2. What about using a football field background and putting information over the top of it. You can find a nice font to do that. You can use traditional wording or make your own. You may even find paper with this on and you can print on it and mount it to a heavier card. A good glue stick will make this an easy project.


3. Make some cut outs of your teams logo (be cautious of trademarks). Put those on the invitation and follow with the wording. Decide on colors here. If you both have the same team then that may be good colors to use. You will probably use these for your reception colors.


4. Use a touchdown goal on the front and make up some wording to announce the wedding. Imagine how you can word your wedding to make people get involved in it. This may be the only wedding some guys will love to attend. Perhaps you can hold it at the local football field. In some states a notary can marry a couple this may help finding someone who will be happy to marry you on a football field.


5. Football wedding invitations can be as unique as your imagination. You can have fun with a football theme wedding. Using college or high school team logos should be fine. You may check about the NFL. If they have stickers those might be perfect to use. You will have to use stickers on all as making copies is not legal.

Don't give up on your dream if you want a sport wedding. If you can't find what you want, try to come up with something on your own. You may surprise yourself when you start bouncing off ideas.

Having a theme wedding might mean making football wedding invitations. Go for it. Get those colors together and make them score big.

What is Wedding Insurance and Do You Need It?

Who would have thought that the state of the economy today would impact on your wedding? Why would it? You have enough money to pay for whatever kind of wedding you want so the world economy shouldn't matter one bit... right?

Wrong.

No matter how much money you may have you can't control what happens to your vendors, so unless you are planning on doing every single thing for your wedding yourselves, including catering, supplying beverages, holding the wedding ceremony and reception at your house, playing your own music, taking your own pictures... the list goes on - then the fact of the matter is, you are at risk of losing money; and in today's market, a wedding costs on average between $25,000 - $35,000. Can you afford to lose that much money?

If you are right in the middle of planning a wedding, you'll be well aware of how far in advance you need to book your major vendors. Some couples are booking their wedding venues, photographers and band up to three years in advance!

A lot can happen in three years, the business could come into all kinds of financial difficulties or the owner could die or get sick. The point is your vendors lives do not revolve around you and sometimes things out of their control (or within their control, but they can't manage a business properly) can mean any deposits you may have paid to secure the vendor will be lost.

So how do you stop yourself losing money?

Buy wedding insurance. It's as simple as that. Most insurance companies will have a form of event cancellation insurance and usually wedding liability insurance.

What does event cancellation insurance cover me for?

• Well policies vary from company to company, but generally the event cancellation insurance covers:


• The death or sickness of you or a member of your family


• Theft or damage to your wedding gifts - The wedding present table might get tipped over by a 'happy' guest.


• Extreme weather which prevents the wedding from taking place. 


• Delayed flights for integral members of the bridal party or family


• Cancelled military leave

Generally if the bride or groom get cold feet and leave the other jilted your insurance won't pay out, but always ask the question when doing insurance company comparisons.

Wedding Liability Insurance covers you for:

• Guests or bridal party getting injured at your wedding, or as a direct result of your wedding


• Damage to property as a direct result of your wedding

Normally your wedding venue will have liability insurance, but it would be a good idea to get your own anyway, this would ensure you piece of mind on one of the most important days of your life.

20 Terrific Reasons to Recycle a First Communion Dress

A First Communion dress is rich in religious symbolism and steeped in tradition. This special gown shouldn't just hang in a closet after the ceremony. The communion dress is part of a very special moment in a young girl's life.

The gown should continue to have a meaningful purpose. Recycling a communion dress can give it a new life. The end result can take many forms. The only criteria for recycling a communion dress - it should continue to spread joy and happiness.

Why Should You Recycle A Communion Dress?

1. Pass It On

Pass on a communion dress to family or friends. Sharing such a special dress can be a special experience. It can create bonds and continue traditions or start new ones. On the practical side, sharing can cut costs for other families. Sometimes a few alterations can create a completely different look for the next wearer.

2. Preserve The Dress

In the short term, First Communion dresses can be used for other special occasions. They are suitable for religious ceremonies or even special dinners and holiday parties. Yet if you plan to preserve the dress for use in future years, you need to follow proper preservation procedures. To prevent damage over time, you have to consult a preservation specialist. Otherwise, you must purchase a preservation kit.

If you are passing on a dress shortly after the ceremony, you don't need to take these preventive steps. Yet you must always follow proper cleaning procedures after use. Consider a professional cleaner for best results.

3. Be Charitable

Charity, like recycling, can take many forms. Drop the dress at a thrift shop for someone to purchase at a low price. Some charities even give dresses to those in need. Certain organizations sell formal wear and use the funds for a worthwhile project.

Some formal wear retailers recycle dresses and donate a percentage of the profits to charity. Organize your own charitable project and involve your daughter. Do a private sale but discuss with the child how you can use the money to benefit a charitable cause. Children can offer very creative suggestions.

Give The Fabric A New Life

The fabric of the First Communion dress can be used in many creative ways. Using the fabric is about renewed life, new purpose, and heartfelt expression. Creativity is the exact opposite of destruction. There are many reasons to feel happy about the creative recycling of a communion dress.

4. Make A Flower Girl Basket

A flower girl basket is incredibly beautiful on its own. Yet if you line the basket with a very special fabric, its beauty and meaning reach a whole new level. Use material from a communion dress for flower girl baskets at a family wedding. Maybe some fabric could even be kept for your daughter's wedding day.

5. Carry Something Special

If you like sewing, you can easily turn fabric from a communion dress into an unique purse. The satin, pearls, and flowers from the dress work together to create a gorgeous purse. Add a practical and pretty drawstring and a white bow to make an amazing accessory.

Personalized embroidery always adds an extra special touch. Use the child's name, the date of her First Communion, or even a religious symbol. If you are of Irish heritage, you may wish to embroider the Claddagh or shamrock. The one-of-a-kind purse can be used for future special occasions and even passed on to the next generation.

6. Make A Satin Shawl

First Communion dresses and shawls are often made of satin so they are a perfect match. Of course, communion dresses and shawls are also made of other fine fabrics. You can make a splendid shawl from any communion dress material. Exquisite details such as sequins can be used as embellishment. For sleeveless dresses, a shawl is a dressy accessory.

7. Tie Ribbons And Bows

Ribbons and bows have always been popular for communion dresses. Large white bows were considered very stylish for communion girls in the early twentieth century. Yet bows and ribbons have maintained that popularity. They look charming on communion dresses. They dazzle, along with sequins and pearls, in headpieces.

A young girl can never have enough ribbons and bows to wear at special occasions. You can make numerous accessories from one dress. Don't forget to make some stylish headbands suitable for special occasions. Headbands are always popular with young girls. The headband communion veil is one of the more popular styles.

8. Dress Up The Dolls

Your little girl certainly looked like a doll in her special dress. Most little girls wouldn't mind sharing that beauty with her precious dolls. The beautiful fabrics and the exquisite details of a communion dress can make some well-dressed dolls.

Many girls keep their special dolls and cherish them as adults. They are often passed down through the generations. It's pretty special to be able to pass on a doll to your daughter - especially if her dress is made from your communion gown.

9. Handkerchiefs Come In Handy

You can make a few lovely handkerchiefs using the fine fabric in a dress. Take time to make them special and they can be used for future occasions. The handkerchiefs, edged in lace, can be kept for Confirmation or even a girl's wedding day.

They could be special gifts for sisters and aunts. The fabric could make pocket handkerchiefs for brothers and Dads. Creative individuals have even made neckties and bow ties from communion dresses.

The handkerchief idea is a very efficient method for recycling a stained dress. The damage may prevent the gown from being passed on or used in other ways. Yet you should be able to save sufficient material to make some handkerchiefs.

10. Bring People Together

Communion dresses can be recycled and made into a tablecloth and napkins for special dinners. Family gatherings are always memorable events in a child's life. A young girl will take pride in knowing that fabric from her dress is helping to make a perfect occasion.

The tablecloth and napkins can also grace her table when she is a grown woman. Such a satiny white cloth could even be used at her wedding reception. The cloth would look lovely on the table displaying the wedding guest book or gifts.

11. Celebrate The Holidays

Every child loves Christmas and of course, the Christmas tree. Turn the communion dress into a Christmas tree skirt and see the light in a young girl's eyes. You will have the best-dressed Christmas tree and the happiest child. This festive Christmas tree skirt will look fashionable during every holiday season. To suit its spectacular tree skirt, decorate the Christmas tree with white bows and pearl garlands.

12. Make A Special Keepsake

Every young girl should keep special mementos from her communion day. Make a keepsake box to hold her precious reminders. Use communion dress fabric to cover and line this tiny treasure. A girl can keep many treasures inside the keepsake box. It can hold her medals or jewelry gifts given in honor of her First Communion.

13. Hold On To The Memories

Precious pieces of the communion dress hold special memories. The fabric can be part of a First Communion scrapbook. Consider making a framed keepsake to display with family photos. Making a shadow box is a superb way to preserve memories. Use the fabric as the background and include other mementos such as First Communion invitations.

14. Keep It Picture Perfect

Keep her memories safe and protected in a pretty photo album. Make the exterior of an album as beautiful as the photos within its covers. Cover a photo album with the satin and lace of a communion dress. At first glance, it will be obvious that this album is a special book.

15. Enjoy A Pretty Scent

Enjoy a beautiful scent in a pretty package; make a lovely and lasting sachet. Satin and lavender make a sensational sachet. The special girl will love to use them and they can also be shared with family. You can make several sweet-smelling sachets from a communion dress.

16. Make Special Pillows And Blankets

The sacraments of Baptism and First Communion share a religious significance. Use fabric from a communion dress for a baptismal blanket. The fabric is also perfect for a ring bearer pillow or baby pillow. Pass these special creations on to a family member or keep them for your daughter. Using a ring bearer pillow or baptismal blanket, made from your communion dress, would be very special for any young woman.

17. Dress A Princess

Every little girl wants to be a princess. Whether for Halloween, a school play, or just play time, every princess needs a special dress. You already have a beautiful dress. Purchase extra fabric at a low price and introduce more color and details.

A full pink ruffle at the bottom of the dress is perfect for a pink princess. A pink lined cape adds a royal touch. A high princess hat with fabric flowers and lovely netting can be the crowning glory for a Halloween costume. Model the dress after a little girl's favorite storybook princess.

18. Make A Princess Table

Every little princess deserves a princess table. Make a full flowing skirt for a round night table. Snaps can be used to allow the fabric to close together and give it a fitted look. If the dress has a pretty bow, you can also use snaps to attach it to the table skirt. An ordinary round table can easily be transformed into a table fit for royalty.

19. Keep It For A Sleeping Beauty

Make a skirt for a baby's bassinet from the communion dress. Pass it on to new parents or keep it for the future. A tiny baby will most likely sleep soundly in such lovely surroundings. The adorable baby girl or cute baby boy will get a beautiful start in life. Make an one-of-a-kind baby bonnet and dress the little one in style - from head to toe.

20. Keep It For Another Sleeping Beauty

Use her communion dress to make the prettiest bedroom for a little princess. White is a cool and refreshing color to wake up to every morning. The fabric can be used for pillowcases or decorative pillows. Delicate, ruffled material is perfect for a window valance. If you want to cover the entire window, there will be enough fabric for the project.

The dress can also be used to make a full bed skirt or a fashionable quilt. After a bedtime story, a sleeping beauty will be surrounded by beauty as she follows her dreams. Isn't that the way the story should always end for every little girl?

The Importance of Flowers at a Wedding

If you are planning a traditional wedding in Britain, and you are keen to see to all the details while remaining within a budget, one thing you will have to consider early on is the florist bill.

Flowers can bring so much to a situation or event. Think of a garden with nothing but a well tended lawn, and then think of the same garden with an abundance of flowers round the edges of that well tended lawn. It becomes a completely different garden. Or, if you are planning to have your wedding in a church, think of an empty church, and then think of that same empty church but with large arrangements of flowers on the window ledges and at the ends of each pew. The church without flowers may seem old and austere, but with flowers the church is most definitely ready for a wedding.

Flowers add decoration, colour and fragrance, but they also bring a bit nature into an indoor setting, along with a sense of aliveness.

The only problem is, once you start thinking about all the possible uses for flowers at your wedding, it may be hard to stop.

To begin with there is the obvious and essential use for flowers: the bouquet. And not only a magnificent bouquet for the bride, but also several slightly smaller (though equally important) bouquets for the bridesmaids. Also you mustn't forget the buttonholes for the important male guests, and have you thought about weaving flowers in the hair of the younger bridesmaids?

Then there is the church or service hall, and this will probably be followed by a reception room that will also be in need of floral decoration. In addition, the dining tables might need small arrangements at the centre of each.

The table arrangement is one of the simplest things to get right, and with a bit of flair you won't need to spend much money. One idea might be to have paper flowers. I know this may sound like a bit of a compromise, but good paper flowers made from quality tissue paper can sometimes look even nicer than real flowers. Obviously they don't smell as nice, but if you have real flowers elsewhere, nobody will mind.

If you want the table flowers to match the rest of the flowers, however, you may need to add this to the florists to-do list.

So in all, you might be looking at a rather hefty florist bill if you're not careful. This is why it is important to plan the flowers well in advance and to shop around. Also, do some research into the costs of different plants. Good flower arrangements often contain foliage as well as flowers, and the right foliage can be very tasteful and can also make your arrangements go a lot further. Make sure you discuss all this with your florist, so that hopefully you will get the sort of effect you are looking for, without having to go over budget and break the bank.

Hydraulic Platform Lifts

Hydraulic platform lifts serve a multitude of sues across different industries and environments. Hydraulic lifts are driven by a fluid pump which which raises and lowers the platform by varying the pressure in the hydraulic cylinder. The pump itself is operated via an electric motor which is controlled by the lift user through a control system such as a joystick, or series of buttons.

Hydraulic platform lifts are a popular method of transporting people and goods to different heights internally and externally. Their size can vary from a one person wheelchair stair lift, to a dockyard platform lift moving very heavy cargo from shore to ship. These lifts are used in a huge range of businesses, and it is likely that you see one on many occasions without noticing. From building sites to street lighting, window cleaners to car garage services, hydraulic lifts provide a flexible and customised lifting solution to many workers looking to lift goods and or personnel.

Hydraulic platform lifts are used in many buildings and facilities as a way of providing disabled access where previously there was none. The Disability Discrimination Act determined that service providers are obliged to make permanent alterations to ensure equality of access for disabled customers and visitors. This has lead to many businesses and sites installing a platform lift to give disabled users easier access to all levels of the premises.

One example of hydraulic platform lifts for disabled access include step lifts, to counter a shorter number of steps. The entrance steps to a building is an example of a situation where step lifts would be useful. Step lifts are available in end and side entrance forms, otherwise known as 'through' and 'adjacent' entry. They are available in a range of sizes and lift weights, and can be customised to a degree to best fit your needs.

Another example is a stairiser, where a platform lift is fitted to a staircase to allow wheelchair and other disabled users access who cannot climb stairs. Stairisers are available in both curved and straight run formats, are are able to cater for most types of staircase. They are especially useful in older buildings where it is not possible to fit a traditional vertical lift. Stairisers can also be customised to best fit the building, can operate both internally and externally, and fold away to maximise available space when not in use.

Hydraulic goods lifts such as dumb waiters and trolley lifts are popular in all kinds of industries, from restaurants to garages, warehouses to museums. Service lifts and goods lifts are ideal for moving smaller loads, often repeatedly, saving strain on employees and creating a safer working environment.

Vertical platform lifts can be installed inside or outside of a building. These lifts are used in many shopping centres, museums, libraries, and a plethora of other businesses, as well as in private residences and homes around the country. Many vertical lifts for disabled passengers can accommodate up to 6 people, or possibly more. The lifts are highly customisable to fit into their surroundings and stay in keeping with the rest of the building or business.

Email Marketing for Wedding Planners

For a wedding planner, every weekend afternoon spent at a bridal expo is an afternoon he or she can't plan a wedding. And while bridal magazines are among the few print products to maintain a decent circulation in the Internet era, there are better ways to spend that money-such as on email marketing for wedding planners!

Pardon the pun, but wedding planners and email marketing is a marriage made in heaven, one that combines old-fashioned word of mouth while introducing the wedding planner to the widest audience possible. Think about it: at a bridal expo, a planner is only reaching the people there. And those bridal magazines are so large and chock full of ads that it's too easy to get lost in the shuffle. But email marketing for wedding planners delivers the message directly to those for whom it is intended-the bride and groom to be.

The most obvious place to begin an email marketing campaign is at weddings, which are always filled with unmarried couples getting ready to take the plunge who are taking notes on what does and doesn't work during the ceremony and reception. A wedding planner can promote him or herself and allow guests to stay in touch by placing a clipboard next to the guest registry and inviting them to jot down their email addresses.

The best thing about wedding planners and email marketing is that the campaign can be executed slowly over time as the planner begins to rely less and less upon traditional means of promotion. Someone who has committed to a bridal expo can solicit email addresses there and let patrons know it's the best way to stay in touch moving forward. And someone who is still placing ads in bridal magazines can make sure to include an email address and note how advantageous it is to be on the email list to be eligible for special offers or discounts.

The software, meanwhile, is easy to install, manage and customize. It is a one-time expense that will allow a planner to save money in the short and long run. And presuming that most wedding planner these days are adept with computers, he or she can easily handle the software and avoid the need to add staff. Most importantly, an email marketing message can be customized so that it includes personal salutations, the planner's logo and contact information as well as bits of information about the planner plus links to his or her website and the accompanying pictures of previous weddings or client testimonials.

Email marketing for wedding planners is a great revenue and promotional stream that most in the field have yet to experience. Don't play "catch up" with your competition - begin your email marketing agenda today!

Beware of Fakes and Disinformation of Marlborough Chrysoprase

If you are a green stone fan, chances are that you have come across the highest valued chalcedony of all time - chrysoprase. Originally mined in Poland, chrysoprase today can be found in many other parts of the world including Tanzania, Brazil, United States, Russia and Australia.

Australia recently is known for its gem grade material particularly grades sourced from Marlborough, Queensland in a remote part of the state, a couple of hours drive up north from Rockhampton. The terrain is rough, experiencing high temperatures around the 30 to late 30 degrees Celsius for the most part of the year.

Undoubtedly the best chrysoprase source in the world, Marlborough chrysoprase is rivalled by other sources of chrysoprase all vying for the lucrative share of the gem market.

Marlborough chrysoprase is characterised by the apple and peppermint greens devoid of black dendrites and found mostly in vugs and in seams in the rough. The rind of the "skin" of the rough is usually a whitish colour due to the silacrete cap which helps to protect the ore to keep its nickel content and hence its colour. Marlborough chrysoprase also tends to command a higher price for their green rock.

For this reason, I have noticed a recent increase in a number of sites and traders selling chrysoprase cabochons, rough and jewellery as "Marlborough chrysoprase" and a noticeable number of articles submitted by various websites about the unavailability of the Marlborough rough. One website I know even went as far as stating that the rough is not made available to the general public and the other writing that the mines closed down way back and that they were no longer mining. Both these claims from these sites are completely untrue.

As far as I am aware and both mines are operating at full steam ahead; one based in Hong Kong and sells mainly to China and the other an Australian operation selling to everyone else.

Interestingly though, recently it seems that the market's thirst for the great green has not only resulted in disinformation but also in recent times I have seen an incredible number of fakes, quartz injected with a colour shot of chrome, plain coloured glass or acid bleached amazonite made to look like chrysoprase, all selling for the same Marlborough price. I have noticed this particularly in the last gem show in Shenzhen and also in many parts of China where we frequent but also recently in internet trading. Obvious pieces to us which looked nothing like chrysoprase were being sold for a hefty price.

There is even a photo of a fake chrysoprase cabochon showing the chrome colouring using the Chelsea/ jadeite filter on my site for those of you who might be interested in a visual of what to look out for.

Interestingly 20 years ago, chrysoprase was worth a fraction of the price it commands today and continues to rise each year in price. Marlborough gem grade chrysoprase is extremely rare and is worth quite a bit of money, one of the many reasons why for a rising number of substitutes, fakes and misrepresentations in the marketplace.

If you are interested in genuine chrysoprase from Marlborough or Western Australia, do come and stop by our website; we have chrysoprase rough, cabochons, jewellery and carvings available for sale soon. We are very active on Facebook and have created an Australian Chrysoprase group which will provide you with more information and discussions on the green front.

Tips for Cheap Wedding Invitations Without Compromising Creativity

When planning your wedding, one thing to keep in mind is how you can impress your guests to make the day a memorable one. From deciding on a unique theme to sending out wedding invitations that complement your idea, every detail has to match your preference to get them as excited as you are for the big day.

Even though you can start off with a common concept like a ceremony in a church or an elaborate nuptial in a grand garden, the unique qualities in each wedding lies in how the couple plans for the big day. Whether it's saying their own vows or making personal additions to the ceremony or the reception, the couple's decisions will make the wedding their own.

There's a wide array of details for a couple to consider when preparing for the big day. Will the flowers be the bride's favorite? Will a choir be singing the couple's favorite song as they march down the aisle after the ceremony? Every detail is decided early on, from the bride's dress and the outfits her bridesmaids will wear, down to the design of the wedding invitations, reception menus, and centerpieces.

While weddings can get pretty expensive, it can help to review your sources and find the best, affordable alternative without compromising quality. This way, guests will still be impressed even if the couple cuts costs on certain items.

Invitations to your big day don't need to be too costly to make a great impression. By finding quality customizable wedding invitations, you can be confident that they will match the concept you have in mind while still saving a lot of money. In addition, you won't be stuck with a generic template even if you're looking for affordability. Finding a quality stationer will also give you access to a wide selection of designs, layouts, and envelopes. Whether you prefer to send out a witty announcement or formal invitation, a stationer that allows you to create custom invites can give you creative control over the text and design of your invitations, properly matching it with the theme for the whole celebration.

These companies should also provide you with good ideas for Thank You cards - an essential post-celebration souvenir, especially for guests who gave presents.

A good way of gauging a stationer's services would be the variety that they provide. You need to make sure that you have options when it comes to paper, printing processes, and presentation. Some also provide DIY invitation materials for you to purchase-an option you can consider if you want to make cheap wedding invitations with a more personal touch. With a wide range of customization options you can find with a quality stationer, you'll be sure to leave a good impression on your guests.

Once you find a company to provide you with affordable invitations without skimping on quality, you can be sure that your guests will definitely feel the mood of your wedding even before the big day.

Juice Fast Journal - Week 2 of 6

Did you know you can keep your skin looking silky and "glowy" from the inside out? Your body has the ability to naturally boost and perfect your complexion when it's fed the right ingredients. A diet rich in Vitamins A, C, & E, is your new secret weapon to a flawless complexion! What better way to flood your body with these vitamins than by putting them directly into your bloodstream through juicing!

I have been juice fasting now for two weeks - I feel amazing! I have to say that the biggest physical difference I've noticed this week is my skin and my complexion. I have literally had people tell me every single day (at least 20 people total) that my face is glowing - just the thing every girl wants to hear! I've missed my glow in recent months, so, it's nice to get your bulb changed and even nicer for people to notice. My first week, I had some break outs as the toxins were exiting but my face is clear, smooth, and shiny now. My skin everywhere else is super silky and soft too!

So, I'm sure at this point, you are wondering: "What minerals do I need to look for and what do they do for my skin?" Here's a little glimpse into my healthy complexion beauty secrets!

Vitamin A: Maintains and repairs skin cells, helps prevent the skin from premature aging, has an anti-inflammatory nature, and has antioxidant properties that neutralize free radicals.

Vitamin C: Helps fight off skin damage and wrinkles, a great skin restorer, helps produce collagen which keeps the skin plump and smooth, and is important to building strong cartilage, joints and blood vessels.

Vitamin E: Important in eliminating pollutants from the body, helps the body form antibodies, builds natural antihistamines, contributes to a healthy circulatory system, aids in proper blood clotting, improves wound healing, and some studies have shown that vitamin E decreases symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and certain types of breast disease.

What do I need to juice to get clear, healthy skin? Let's take a look at the top five foods to incorporate into your juicing to get back that youthful glow and maintain your skin's vitality:

Berries
Berries are naturally sweet, which is what makes them so perfect for juicing - YUMMY! Berries pack a tremendous punch in the vitamin department. They are super rich in Vitamins A, C, & E. Berries are also an excellent source of folic acid which helps protect against colon cancer, lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Folic acid also prevents some birth defects. When eaten whole, berries are high in fiber; fiber protects against colon cancer, lowers your risk of heart disease, and helps regulate blood sugars.

Berries are flowing with phytochemicals. What is exactly is a "phytochemical," you ask? Well, they are a natural powerful antioxidant that berries get their distinctive color from. Studies have shown phytochemicals to be a leader in the fight against diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, alzheimer's, memory loss, and high blood pressure; they even curb the aging process.
Many grocers have berries that were actually picked before they were ripe and allowed to ripen on their journey to your kitchen. While these still contain many health benefits, they have significantly less vitamins and phytochemicals. The berries with the most benefits are of course fresh berries that you would pick from your garden or from the local farmer's market and, as always, are organically grown.

BERRY BONANZA: Juice a handful each of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries and add that to ½ Cup of Bolthouse Farms Berry Blast and ½ Cup of Odewalla Pomegranate juice for an antioxidant punch. I have this as a snack every day and I wholeheartedly attribute it to my new complexion.

Spinach / Kale / Chard / Watercress
Popeye the Sailorman didn't just have bulging biceps - he also had a flawless complexion - ever notice? Spinach - and other leafy greens like cabbage, kale, chard, and watercress are also a great source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and the mineral iron. Iron is very important in keeping your blood healthy which keeps your skin looking bright and "glowing." They're also rich in B vitamins, so they have the added benefit of boosting your energy, which naturally increases your activity levels, keeping your body fit and your skin conditioned. All greens are rich in chlorophyll, which purifies the blood of the toxins that cause skin eruptions. If you are juicing, try adding a handful of any leafy green spinach or chard or one large kale leaf to any live juice recipe - it will turn your drink green, but not your tummy - you won't even notice! Try adding rocket, watercress, baby spinach, or cabbage to your regular salads and in sandwiches - you won't know it's there but your skin will thank you.

Mango
Mangoes contain more than 80% of the daily recommended dose of vitamin A and have fewer than 70 calories per serving, making it a perfect fruit for your figure, not just your face. Beta-carotene is a dominant mineral found in mango; it is converted by your body into Vitamin A. Beta-carotene is so important to skin vitality, that it's often prescribed as a topical ointment for acne. It is the mineral that is responsible for the vivid orange color found in mangos, pumpkins, carrots, apricots, sweet potatoes, peaches, and, of course, oranges and that is accredited for improving eye sight and helping the body protect itself against sun damage. Don't just look for it in the orange foods though, plenty of beta-carotene can be found in dark green foods as well: spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and green peppers.

"A"- 1 Juice: ½ peeled orange, ½ peach, 1 apricot, 1 Handful Spinach, and ½ a Mango - mix with 1 Cup Bolthouse Farms Mango Madness - so yummy!

Acerola Cherries
Your average cherry doesn't supply a significant amount of vitamin C, but this is no ordinary cherry! One single Acerola cherry supplies 100% of the daily recommendation for vitamin C, which is great news for your skin. Acerola cherry is one of the top ingredients found in Bolthouse Farms' C-Boost. (www.lifescript.com)

"C" the Way - live juice 1 orange (peeled), 2 small Gala Apples and 2 Carrots; add to 1 cup of C-Boost and you have a vitamin rich, face friendly smoothie to start your day off right.

SUPERFOOD: Wheat Germ, Spriulina, & Blue-green Algea
Don't let the word "germ" scare you - it's actually just the embryo within a grain of wheat, and it's very nutritious. Wheat germ is a good source of biotin, a B vitamin that is crucial to skin health. Biotin is so important to healthy skin that a mild deficiency can actually cause dermatitis, a skin condition characterized by itchy, scaly skin. Spirulina and blue-green algae have cooling, detoxifying natures which keep the skin cool and the body flushed of any skin damaging free radicals. (www.lifescript.com)

SUPER SUPERFOOD: To get in these vitamin rich foods, twice a day, I drink 1 cup of Odewalla Superfood mixed with 1 Cup Naked Superfood and mix that with a live juice combo: ¼ cantaloupe (with rind), 3 carrots, and a handful of spinach - I mix in my fiber & protein and I have a tasty, nutritious lunch and dinner that I know is nourishing, cleansing, and protecting my body.

Stay tuned for the next article on how to plan, organize, and execute a juice fast - both economically and organically!

The Wedding Guest List

In wedding preparations, budget and space allocation is yet another point for consideration. While couples would normally have a hard time determining who to invite, chances are they would have to whittle down the guest list to accommodate the feasible amount needed to grace the special occasion of holy matrimony between the two.

Determining the list of guests to grace the wedding would usually be a matter of priority. Depending on the type of celebration, relatives will always be the first consideration or even the priority of the bride and groom. Friends would follow and then colleagues and acquaintances as long as the allocation for accommodating the said guests allow.

It has been a common issue that people planning their wedding tend to overdo it a little and tend to invite people who are not that important in their lives. It is a natural reaction! Relatives for example may extend beyond close kindred. It may seem harsh, but sometimes decisions have to be made to limit the number of true relatives not only because of the costs involved but also because you would naturally wish only those that would treasure the occasion to be present. It is a fact that while some of the extended relatives may be in the wedding guest list, not all of them may share the same spirit as the bride and groom.

Wedding guests can go as far as over a 100. It depends on how large the celebration is expected to be. For some, budget restrictions force them to trim down the wedding guest list, sometimes even finding the need for a RSVP to do the proper head count of expected wedding guests who will actually come. Wedding invitations to be printed and disseminated also rely heavily on the wedding guest list. An allocated wedding invitation printing is needed to properly stay within budget and avoid spoilage.

Assumptions that special wedding guests such as the principal and secondary sponsors would bring along a partner or their families should be expected. For one, it is quite unethical to state to these people that they are not allowed to bring anyone because of budget constraints. This may offend them and may put them in a difficult position since not all people would understand the situation or the decision - especially if they were chosen and asked to be sponsors for the event.

There are also people who would invite special personalities as well like officials, celebrities and icons to grace the occasion. This has been a practice for couples since such would be an honor to have such well-known and famous personalities on hand during the wedding ceremony and celebration. The reason behind such is usually for bragging rights and of course being identified with them for future use, just in case the need to seek advice and help in the future may be necessary.

Easy as it may seem to strike off certain names from the guest list, it is hard to explain in the end why they were not invited. But given the short time to prepare and work on budgets for wedding celebrations, couples would evidently be left with no alternative in such cases where they are pressed for time to go through with their holy union.

How To Have A Wedding On A Shoestring Budget

The other day, I was discussing my wedding with a few of my closest friends, and told them that even though my husband and I had a destination wedding on a cruise ship, our wedding expenses totaled somewhere around twelve thousand dollars. One of my friends Jessica, who is originally from the South but, was displaced by Hurricane Katrina, told me that the majority of Southern weddings are less elaborate and much cheaper than here in the North East. When I asked her how much she would spend on her wedding if she was living in the South, she said "Five thousand max". Even though I was a bit shocked about how anyone could plan a wedding on such a small amount, I was intrigued and asked how she would plan it.

Here is a list of how to have a wedding on a shoestring budget, thanks to my close friend, Jessica.

First off, realize that your wedding does not have to be cliché. All the elaborate weddings are very cookie cutter, very predictable, and unless your parents have an extremely large budget to pay for it all, the bride and groom can be footing a bill as big as a down payment for a house, all for just one day of partying.

A wedding is about celebrating with close friends and family, those who mean the most to you. Your reception, which will take up the majority of your budget, is about celebrating that you found each other, so whether you have a backyard reception or a lush ball, remember the true meaning of your wedding.

Reception location - if someone you know has a large house or a nice backyard, ask if they will contribute it for a day as your wedding gift. If you want to have it indoors, check small local association or fraternal organization locations. Chances are these locations are much cheaper than banquet halls.

Food - friends and family can help prepare the wedding banquet. A few months before, ask friends and family to prepare a specialty dish for the occasion. Having homemade food adds a personal touch. Alternatively, if there is a local favorite restaurant, you can order trays of food to be delivered to your reception location. This will cost just a fraction of the price versus having a banquet hall cater the event at their location.

Cake - Again, enlist the help of friends and family. There are many do it yourself wedding cake recipes on the internet, this would be a good task to give to your bridesmaids to do. Let them do a test run a month before so that they can get the hang of cake making and decorating.

Wedding Dress - if you know a seamstress - great! Go to a local fabric store select the fabric for your dress and have it made for you. Another option is to borrow your mom or grandmother's dress. Or shop at local discount stores or sample sales. David's bridal offers cheaper options and has locations nationwide.

Grooms and Groomsmen Attire - renting a tux may be an inexpensive option, and many tux rental stores may offer a discount if you rent a few. Or just skip the tux, and have your men wear a suit.

Flowers - if you are planning ahead, and your wedding is in the spring or early summer, plant your flowers in a garden and pick them for your wedding. Or check local shops for seasonal flowers (they will be cheaper) and arrange your bouquet the morning of your wedding. Local farm stands also may have a selection of flowers. Buy premade bouquets and place in vases around the reception location.

Music - unless you know a DJ or Band who will play for free, musicians are usually pricey. Make a few wedding CD's and label them (opening music, dance music, dinner time music, cake cutting music) and enlist the help of a friend to play them at the appropriate times during your wedding. If you have an Ipod, make playlists for this.

Photo & Video - a friend or two with a good mega pixel camera can capture all the moments of your day. Also ask another member to grab the video camera. If you want a professional looking wedding portrait, it may be possible to swing by a local JC Penny or Sears store between the ceremony and reception. With coupons these stores send out, you can get a package of photos for usually under ten dollars.

Favors - forget the prepackaged favors and hand out homemade cookies or candy treats. If you want to give something a bit more memorable without breaking the budget, give small photo frames.

Finally, Jessica told me that a wedding that has been actively planned and prepared by many friends and family lends a genuine personal touch and a feeling of true family. Everyone comes together to help you have a beautiful day. The sense of family and togetherness you get from a homemade wedding is truly magical and heartwarming. And after all, isn't that what marriage is all about?

How to Plan a Country Wedding

Instead of a common city wedding that will be more expensive and more serious go for a country wedding with more style.

Clothing Style

Since countryside promotes ease and relaxation, the best style to dress up is with clothes of comfort. Sundresses, cotton dresses and other casual clothing can be perfect for you and your guests to dress up for a countryside wedding. If you still want to have a formal wedding with more serious and formal outfit it is still all right.

The Venue and the Decoration

Perfect locations for the country wedding can be a farmhouse, a field, a barn, plantation, country church, valley, or a country inn. For an outdoor event, you can make picnic using the tables covered with traditional country checkered tablecloths or quilts. You can also use candles to light up the place if the event will be held at night. Flowers could be daisies, dahlias, and sunflowers. They are the perfect way to place on the table centerpieces.

Music

Country music and bands playing this kind of music will be the perfect providers of music. You could also plan a square country dance. Guests would have a great time dancing especially if they are new to this style.

Foods

Bake small cookies and wrap them in country style gift paper. Get some local fruits or vegetables and put them in baskets and tie the baskets with red and white ribbons. Also, another idea is to can make handmade soaps or candles and put them in special mason jars. It would be perfect if you add a gift tag on each present with personal messages for the guests.

Invitations

A country-style wedding invitation would be a nice preview for your unique wedding event. One good option for the invitation is to use photos of the country scenery and landscape. Your wedding invitation wording should match the country theme. You can be creative on what to write on the invite, if you unsure you can always use love quotes or marriage quotes. When writing wedding invites the format of the invitation is most important, not the design but the layout of the wordings.

A few more Tips

Following are some tips that you can follow if you are not planning a country style wedding.

1. Stick with your budget

2. When transacting with vendors and suppliers plan everything right and have it on time.

3. Do not do everything alone. Ask for help and then say thank you to those people that will help you with the planning of the wedding.

Planning a wedding, could be tiring and time consuming. You might get exhausted. But once you see your beloved one in front of you on your most important day of your life then you will forget everything else.

Simple Wedding Invitations For the Busy Modern Bride

In today's world, time is a precious commodity. Today's modern bride is most likely juggling a career, an education, as well as a social life. The last thing that she needs is time consuming wedding invitations!

Designers have taken notice of the fast paced world in which we live in and have created invitations that are tailored to fit into the lives of extremely busy people. These simple, yet beautiful, invitations come in a variety of colors and styles to fit every wedding theme - and schedule!

Explore Your Invitation Options

Certain types of wedding invitations offer a simple solution to an already overwhelming schedule. Between shopping for a dress, securing a caterer, and hiring the right DJ, a bride-to-be can find little time to plan much else. Before enlisting the help of a wedding planner, explore the different types of cards designed to make your life easier, including fill-in-the-blank and printable wedding stationery.

Printable Invitations

Printable wedding invitations are a great way to save time and money. By purchasing an entire DIY set, which typically include the invitations, overlays, envelopes, RSVP note cards and envelopes, you can easily design your own wedding stationery. With one click of the print button, your invitations are ready to send out to your guests.

By printing your own invitations, you can easily control the time and process. There is no need to have elaborate meetings with a printer, where you spend extensive time explaining what you want on the invitation. Instead, you can easily (and affordably) create your own simple wedding invitations right from your own computer and printer.

Fill-in-the-Blank Wedding Invitations

Fill-in-the-blank invitations offer brides-to-be options. Not only are there thousands of styles to choose from, but women have more control over the card's content. Rather than hire a company to pre-print the card's information, brides have the option to write it in by hand, which can make the entire invitation more personal.

In addition, having the option to write the details by hand eliminates mistakes and allows for changes in date, time, and location without the hassle of placing a new order. The wedding invitations can be purchased any time leading up to the wedding day, but are best sent at least one month in advance. This is primarily to help out-of-town guests to make travel arrangements.

However, fill-in-the-blank invitations are ideal for small, intimate weddings. In addition, the bride or her bridesmaids should have excellent penmanship to ensure that the wedding stationery looks professional and beautiful.

Printed Wedding Stationery

If neither style appeals to you, take advantage of a local printing service. You can always purchase the cardstock and invitations you want from an online company, which saves you both money and time, and then bring the invitations to your local printer.

Pre-printed cards eliminate the need for you to handwrite information, and the beautiful script makes the cards look classy and professional. The downside to hiring a printer to make the wedding invitations, however, is the inflexibility that they have. Requiring special time to print the invitations, most companies require all details to be sent to them months in advance. If wedding plans change, the wedding stationery is no longer useable.

No matter how elaborate a wedding may be, preparing for it doesn't have to be a painful process. Using what time you have wisely, planning your dream wedding will be easier than you think.

Types of Orchids - The Most Common and Sought After

There are many types of orchids and they can be found on all continents of the world (except for Antarctica) but one thing they all have in common is that they love tropical environments.

There are two main types of orchids; epiphytic and lithophytic.

Epiphytic means to 'grow on trees'. Most orchids are epiphytic. Some orchids are also lithophytic which means they 'grow on rocks'.

A small percentage of orchids are also saprophytic, which means that they grow on dead or decaying matter.

Some common orchid species are Dendrobiums, Cattleya, Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis orchids.

Dendrobiums

Dendrobiums are one of the most common species. They are commonly sought after for their white, yellow and purple flowers. Not only are their blooms spectacular, they are also long-lasting. This species can bloom for up to three months.

Dendrobiums can be found all over the globe but more particularly in Australia, New Zealand, Borneo and the Philippines.

What's amazing about this type of orchid is that it can grow in all sorts of climates; from the tropical lowlands, all the way up to altitudes of 8,000 feet. For this reason you find some species of Dendrobiums that prefer hot weather and then others that prefer it cool.

Certain Dendrobium species are cultivated and used for medicine purposes, especially in Chinese herbal medicine. It is said to helpful for kidney-related issues and fatigue.

This type of orchid is great for beginners.

Cattleya

The Cattleya orchid is highly sought-after for its amazing large blooms of white, yellow and purple flowers and its wonderful fragrance. Cattleya flowers can span up to eight inches across.

Because of its beauty and that they are easy to breed, there are many hybrids of this orchid. It has been dubbed 'the queen of all orchids'.

Cattleya orchids are naturally occurring in Asia and Central and South America. Their blooming period lasts between 4 to 6 weeks.

Cymbidium

If you've been to a wedding where orchids were used in the decorations, it's very likely they were Cymbidium orchids. These orchids are commonly used for wedding bouquets, centerpieces and other arrangements.

Their color and scent are quite varied, ranging from fruity to woody.

Cymbidium orchids are very versatile and can grow on trees, rocks or the ground. For this reason they were one of the first to be domesticated.

The natural habitat of the Cymbidium orchid is Australia and Asia.

Phalaenopsis

Another popular home orchid species is the Phalaenopsis (also commonly known as the Moth orchid).

To give you idea of the wide variety of orchid types there are, it is estimated that there are twice as many orchid species as there are bird species, and four times as many orchid species as there are mammal species.

This orchid type does not like direct sunlight (you can know if it's getting too much sunlight if its leaves begin to yellow) and thrives at the east window of a home or in a shaded, low-light environment.

Because Phalaenopsis don't store as much water as other types of orchids, it's important to regularly check for signs of dryness and apply water appropriately.

Phalaenopsis are native to Southeast Asia including Taiwan and the Philippines.

5 Items To Remember In Your Special Event Insurance Quote

Organizers of special events have a lot of things that have to be done, but one aspect that is not just required but is truly common sense is to make sure the event is insured. Regardless of whether it is a sporting event, a dance, a field trip or even a wedding, having the event insured serves a lot of purposes. As a part of planning out the budget for your event, make sure to get a special event insurance quote so the budget will have all the numbers in it that are supposed to be there. However, to get a proper quote, you will want to make sure you let the agent know all aspects of your event so he can give you the right information back.

Take a look at this list and make sure you've gotten everything on your list when getting a special event insurance quote:

1. First you want to discuss the nature of the event. For instance, if the event is a wedding or a concert, not only will liability insurance be required but a performance clause may need to be included as well. That way if a band doesn't show up or the groom backs out, you won't be financially liable for the "damage".

2. Sports events definitely require insurance to cover everyone. The players need to be covered against injury, especially if it is a contact sport like football or martial arts. Special event insurance is even necessary for non-contact sporting events like cycling as well since accidents do happen.

3. The audiences at sporting events need to be part of the coverage as well. That way if an accident happens, such as a fan falling on the bleachers, the organizers won't be personally liable for the medical expenses.

4. If food is going to be served at the event, having a clause in the special event insurance policy to prevent medical expenses from being incurred by the organizers against food poison or some other issue is important as well.

5. If the event is to be held outside, especially if it's a charity event, having insurance against weather related issues becomes important. This way if the event has to be cancelled due to the weather, the organizers and the organization won't be stuck losing their entire investment in putting together the event.

When getting an insurance quote, the best way to ensure you've covered all your bases is by working with professional insurance agents. While you know some of the key elements that need to be covered, the insurance agent may know of other aspects that need to be included as well. While insurance is an expense that organizers may not like having to deal with, making sure the event comes off properly and that any problems that occur don't cost the organizers money is why you need it.