A Wedding Location Rip-Off Eliminated by Wedding Insurance

Here's a tale about a soon-to-be-married couple who was counting their lucky starts that they had wedding insurance for their nuptials. The day commenced all right with the ceremony taking place outside the location at their attractive wedding ceremony area. Well, it was by a busy avenue and quite a bit of traffic interference could be heard during the ceremonial presentation but the now newly married pair didn't take any issue with it. The ceremony was not that big of a deal to them.

Now that the couple was married all of their friends and family moved into the building for the cocktail hour. Friends and family were drinking and eating and thoroughly enjoying themselves. This was, after all, a gathering of close friends, a celebration, and all the people we're reveling. Some snacks might have been dropped and a beer may have spilled a little somewhat. There were a few kids in attendance, too, so they make a little bit of a mess sometimes. There wasn't anything off kilter when it came to the initial party gathering...nothing that would need any sort of wedding insurance to cover, at least.

The guests then headed into the reception room for the chow time and party time. The food was not the greatest ever. This was, after all, a wedding and when feeding two hundred-plus guests, it's not easy to create outstanding main courses. Some would even say the food was bland and cardboard-like, but that was something they didn't really care about. What was important was that all the bride and groom's nearest and dearest were there to spend time with them and to celebrate their marriage! Wedding insurance was the farthermost thing from the bride and groom's. The happy couple was preoccupied with spending time and enjoying their loved ones and close friends. They weren't going table to table thinking, "I wonder what is covered by our wedding insurance policy?"

After dinner, the cake cutting came up next. Up to now, not only had all the guests had a couple under their belt, but so had the happily married pair. They were goof off with the cake cutting and ended up having a mini-cake fight. A little cake in his face, a little in hers, a little more up his nose, a little more up hers, you get the picture. Well, some of the bits dropped on the rug, but no one smashed it into the rug and the bride and groom were sure a food server or worker would have brushed it up immediately. Besides, this probably happened almost every other weekend and even if the carpet got a little stained, surely the wedding locale had wedding insurance coverage also.

Following that-and after cleaning the cake crumbs off of their faces-the newlyweds danced their first dance. All the guests had tears in their eyes during this once in a lifetime dance. After all the other special dances, like the parents and wedding party dances, everyone else joined in the celebration. The disc jockey was outgoing and inclusive and everyone got down on the packed dance floor all night. During the bouquet toss, the bride tossed it way up in the air the flowers actually bounced off of the roof and sprang right in to the hands of the maid of honor. Of course, no person was hurt by jumping for it so no need for wedding insurance again! Maybe the young lovers were wondering if they had wasted their money on a worthless policy.

Now, at the end of the night, almost all of the guests had made their way home and the rapturous lovebirds were spent. They were more than happy with the outcome of their ceremony and reception and they were even more thrilled that nothing terrible happened to the point of having to have their wedding insurance coverage come into play. Amazingly, no one from the reception hall helped them out. The bartender closed the doors behind them and their spectacular day of celebration was complete, only to be alive in their memories. Little did they know the locale owners had been victimizing young couples for quite a while.

A couple of weeks after their special day, the newlyweds got a bill from the owners of the marriage place stating that there was damage caused to their place of business during their time there. They expressed the gazebo was damaged by the ring bearer. They said a table in the entranceway had a cocktail spilled on it and was damaged beyond repair. They had to completely replace it. They stated that the silly cake conflict that occurred destroyed that area of the rug and the entire carpet needed to be replaced. They said that when the bride tossed her bouquet, it hit the ceiling and stained it, so the stained section and the entire main room had to be repainted. The total number of dollars to the couple came out to almost $20,000! Mr. & Mrs. was devastated. They were lost and bewildered. They presumed that they had to give in or get taken to court, and we all know what that can cost. After speaking with their parents and other family members, it was the minister who mentioned their wedding insurance. The frantic pair contacted their wedding insurance representative, and he/she opened up a case to investigate. The couple breathed a small sigh of relief.

Two to three weeks went by and the worried pair heard not a peep and started to sweat a little. They started looking at their finances to see if they could somehow scrape up the money that they were being asked to give up. Their wedding insurance representative finally reached them and told them to come in for a pow wow.

It turns out the owners of this wedding establishment had been making false claims on their clients for years. Whenever they felt they needed something repaired or upgraded, they would blame the previous weekend's wedding guests. Lucky for them, most newly married kids didn't think they had any options and whenever they tried to work out a deal, the wedding location directors would threaten them with court. Begrudgingly, couples would just put up and shut up. Never again.

The wedding insurance policy would have covered any damage caused by the new married pair's event, but with an open case, the wedding insurance broker was able to inquire about and discover what was really going on. Not only did this couple not have to pay money to the reprehensible crooks of the wedding site, but they saved any future embezzlement by these wedding criminals.

Here, typical wear and tear would have been the conclusion and their wedding insurance wouldn't have had to pay a dime. And now, this couple and their wedding insurance agent are superheroes of a sort for sending those menacing event location managers to jail. Without that couple getting some kind of wedding insurance, the hornswoggle probably would have continued indefinitely.

The Life of an Event Planner - Dealing With Difficult Clients

Clients are the lifeblood of any business and in a perfect world, they are pleasant, kind and respectful people but in the real world, some are often "challenging", a euphemistic word for the acronym PITA ("Pain in the A$$")!!

A very good friend of mine, also an event planner, bought me a gift to set on my desk, a little pottery jar that said "Ashes of Problem Clients". In less than ten seconds after receiving it, the ashes of several clients came to mind and I became inspired to write about my experience as an event planner.

I have been in the hospitality business for thirty-nine years; twenty-five of which have been in event planning. After I planned my first event, I was hooked. I loved the creative aspect of planning a function, the excitement of meeting people from all over the world, working without outside vendors and entertainers, and arranging corporate dinners, receptions, themed productions and social functions.

Obviously the ultimate goal of an event planner is to exceed, or at the very least, meet the client's expectations by helping them to create a successful event and a memorable experience, and in addition to client satisfaction, you hope for repeat business or a referral for future business.

When clients act controlling and try to micro-manage the situation, I honestly do try to see their point of view no matter how unreasonable the demand or how irrational the request. I like to give the benefit of the doubt while trying to convince myself some clients have no idea how complicated they are making things but I also take into consideration that perhaps they are nervous or fearful because this is the first event they have tried to plan, although not many clients will admit that, or maybe their boss is pressuring them to make the event spectacular while threatening them with losing their job, time off, a bonus or a raise.

As an event planner, we've all experienced client horror stories and dealing with difficult and demanding clients comes with the territory but often times so does a migraine and an upset stomach; loss of sleep, non-productive stress and large quantities of aspirin and antacids, and for me, a few glasses of wine or a couple shots of Patron, after the event of course!

During the planning stages of an event, some clients will ask you what you think and then interrupt you as you start to answer, some try to involve you in a plethora of plots and plans and undermining schemes, and some expect you to be able to make your room or the venue bigger or smaller depending upon their requirements. After the details have been finalized and the contract has been signed, many times clients still try to make last minute changes. Some arrive shortly before the doors are to open and expect you to be able to rearrange the set up or add items to the menu, and some don't understand that if more guests show than what was originally contracted for, why they have to pay for them. I had a client who guaranteed 200 people for a reception but in fact over 300 showed. My client was confused as to why she had to pay the overage since "there was plenty of food and plenty of booze on the bar".

An event planner wears many hats. Depending on the client, some expect you to be a psychologist, a referee, a babysitter or a negotiator while others have little respect for your expertise or what works best in your venue even though you've produced thousands of events. They are critical of everything, and think we as event planners are being unreasonable and uncompromising if they don't get what they want. They snub your ideas and suggestions yet when they get complimented from the boss or one of their guests, of course it was totally their idea.

Don't misunderstand, I have had some wonderful clients over the years but I actually believe I have learned more from the challenging personality types such as the perfectionists, the nit-pickers, and the egotists to name a few.

High-Maintenance Clients
I have a client whom I have been working with for years. I should be used to her selective hearing, her frequent outbursts and her drama queen antics but when she calls and texts me after hours or on the weekends several months before her event to ask something like, "Do you think the sun is going to be an issue in May before 5:00 PM, it gets exhausting. She e-mails me incessantly with "Urgent!!!" in the subject line. She schedules appointments, then cancels, reschedules or shows up late. During the meeting, a good portion of it is spent talking or texting her assistant, her mother or her dog groomer. She comes up with ideas, finalizes them and then changes her mind. She must have the tiniest bladder on the planet because she's always sprinting to the bathroom or outside for "a little air" or a cigarette or three. No wonder she has to go to the bathroom every ten minutes; she needs her coffee or tea or water continually replenished, and sometimes even a "turkey club on whole wheat with light mayo" or a "grilled chicken Caesar salad with fat-free dressing on the side". She loves the little pampering we "provide"; we are so "accommodating". This client owns her own company and it is quite successful. She likes to host a client appreciation party each year yet she never has "much" in her budget and she expects little extras to be included at no additional charge. Once she asked if I would "throw in" the bar, not hard liquor, just beer and wine as if the cost of beer and wine was no big deal. I gave her the following analogy that I thought she could relate to, "Let's say I'm in Bloomingdales and I see a beautiful dress that I simply must have. I ask the sales person if she could 'throw in' some shoes to match". She processed that for a few seconds and said, "Ohhhh, I see your point" but I wonder if she did because later she asked me to "throw in" the dessert. The only thing I wanted to "throw" was her, right out the window.

The Attention-Seeking Client
I have an attention-seeker client who works for a party planning company. Whenever he has an audience, he likes to take the opportunity to berate the staff with his rants and barrage of expletives. For this particular event, he wanted floor length tablecloths but unfortunately my linen vendor only had two sizes of linens; one that was too short and one that was too long. My mangers and I opted for the shorter cloth because the longer cloths had so much extra fabric that we anticipated them becoming a liability with guests tripping and falling into each other. When my client walked into the room for the final walk-through, two hours late mind you, and saw the short cloths, he said, "I am coming unglued". He ripped one cloth off a table as the staff stood paralyzed with their eyes and mouths wide open while everything they had just set on the table tumbled to the floor. He turned to me with blazing eyes and I swear I saw little pitchforks in the center. He raised his voice so high it could have broken glass as he screamed, "This is your fault Madame! If you were going to change to a shorter cloth, you should have called me for my permission". I did and he would have known that had he answered his phone or bothered to check his voice mail. Any seasoned event planner knows that the key is to try and diffuse a hostile situation before it spirals out of control. I tried explaining my thought process hoping he would agree but he put up his hand in a dismissive manner and waived it at me and yelled, "Silence". I assured him that I could have the linen changed out and the tables reset in less than thirty minutes. "I don't have time for this", he said even though we had five hours until the event. He plopped down into the nearest chair and yelled, "Someone bring me a bottled water, a glass of ice and lime on the side".

It's times like this when I wish I owned the place so I could finally say those two little words that I so often think inside my head. No, not those two words but these two words: "Get out!" Obviously you cannot change someone else's behavior but I did make it clear to him that while I would do everything within my power to make him happy, what I would not do was allow him to continue to speak to me, or the staff, in a rude and disrespectful manner. After the event, my client informed me that his client was thrilled, "Darling, you did a fabulous job and I'm so sorry I was a bit testy! Please forgive me. Your staff must think I'm a pain in the neck". Not the body part I was thinking of!

The Know-It-All Client
Know-it all clients are often arrogant, opinionated and believe they know it all simply because they have either planned their sister's bridal shower, their parent's 50th anniversary or their child's first birthday party. They become self-proclaimed experts. I had a bride who scheduled an appointment with me to discuss having her wedding reception at the restaurant. She arrived with her maid-of-honor, who incidentally planned her own wedding after she watched "The Wedding Planner" so "JLo" did all the talking and of course she knew absolutely everything. She knew where she could get a "bigger, more delicious cake" for the same price I quoted, "cheaper flowers" and a "less expensive" Deejay. She talked over me, interrupted me and treated me as if this was the first wedding I had ever planned. The icing on the proverbial wedding cake so to speak was when she assumed they could bring in their own food and beverages. She was shocked when I explained that if they wanted the reception at the restaurant, we would be providing all the food and beverages. I often think about that bride and wonder how her reception turned out. The maid-of-honor thought either her backyard or the church hall was much more "suitable, not to mention cheaper" since they could bring in their own "food and stuff"!

Client-Come-Lately
I have a travel agent/event planner who booked a group from Europe for a sit down dinner from 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM. The first two hours was scheduled for the dinner and the last hour a variety of entertainers were to perform various singing, dancing and magic acts. At 8:45 PM, the client and her guests were nowhere to be found. I called her hotel, her cell and the bus company who was transporting them from the hotel to the restaurant. My client did not answer the phone in her room or her cell and the bus company told me they brought the group back from their tour "hours ago". Even though my Chef and Manager on Duty were panicking, believing they might not show, I knew at some point the group would make their way to the restaurant because we had been paid in full and the entertainment company had received a hefty deposit. Shortly after 10:00 PM, the guests arrived. When I asked my client about the delay, she said she tried phoning me around 5:00 PM but she "just couldn't get through". Apparently her clients did not want to eat at 8:00 PM as she contracted; they were used to eating later. I explained to my client that she would be charged for three extra hours of labor since she was two hours late and the party would need to be extended until 1:00 AM. The entertainment director told her he too would have additional charges. She became hysterical. She had not budgeted for extra labor charges and it wasn't her fault if she couldn't get through to me, it was her mobile phone. I explained that even if she had been able to get through, changing the start time three hours prior to the contractual start of the party was not acceptable and if she wanted the dinner and the show to go on, she would have to agree to the additional labor charges. I also reminded her that these types of situations were outlined in the Conditions of the Contract but some clients do not read the fine print before they sign on the dotted line. Even though she has since booked three more events with me, during her tantrum, she vowed never to book at my venue again due to my "unwillingness to compromise".

Another client booked a small two-hour reception. I created a menu, sent her a contract it, she signed it and paid a deposit. On the day of the event, my floor manager told me the function was going to be a "piece of cake" and insisted I take the night off. An hour after the reception was supposed to start, that same manger called me at home to say my client was a "no call/no show". He pulled the contract and my client signed for that date and time. He was not able to reach him on his cell but left a message. I too called and left a message. Three hours later my client called and said, "Please don't tell me I booked the party for tonight?" He actually wanted it for the next day. I was able to accommodate him since we had no other functions booked however, when I explained that he would have to pay for the labor that had been scheduled and the food that had already been prepped for the wrong night, he became indignant. He said since it was his mistake, the extra charges would have to come out of his pocket, that he was going to be "in a whole lot of trouble" and he didn't "appreciate the fact that I was imposing these charges on him since it was an honest mistake". I told him that while I sympathized with his predicament, if I didn't get compensation, I was going to be "in a whole lot of trouble". Even though I agreed to split the difference, he still was not happy and refused to speak to me the next night at his event.

The Narcissist
The only thing worse than a rude and obnoxious client is another rude and obnoxious client! There is a certain breed of clients who think they are your only clients. They have little or no respect for your time. They think you are supposed to be available 24/7 and that you have unlimited resources at your disposal. A client set up a site inspection with me at 8:00 AM on a Monday. She confirmed the date and time twice after setting it up, the last of which was on my first Sunday off in one month. Fifteen minutes before she was due to arrive, she called and said, "Hi, I'm in a taxi driving right by your place. I'm switching plans". Apparently she broke a nail and the manicurist at the salon in the hotel she was staying at was not in on Mondays so she was headed to another salon at another hotel for the repair. "So I can't get to you until 2:00 PM because I have other places to site, and then a lunch so I'm moving you to 3:00 PM". I apologized and explained that I had a site inspection with another client at that time and asked if she could wait until 4:00 PM. She told me that I was causing her a "real inconvenience", that if I could not accommodate her at 4:00 PM, she would be forced to book elsewhere since she couldn't possibly book with me sight unseen. She called me the following year asking if I remembered her. Really? She requested a site inspection and proceeded to tell me how displeased she was with her last party and how difficult the catering manager had been. She asked that I check availability but unfortunately and sadly and hip-hip hooray, I was already booked on the day that she needed. As she slammed the phone down, I heard her say, "Whatever"! I never like to turn down a piece of business but I am certain that if she calls me again, "third time's a charm" will not be the case for her!

The Egotist
I have had many memorable clients by one of my 'favorites" was the client of a local party planner her scheduled a final walk-through two days prior to the event. Even though I had met with this client twice before, she could not seem to remember my name. She said, "You must think me terrible but I have forgotten your name", and this was our second meeting and we had been talking for nearly thirty minutes. Hello?! It's not like my name is Scheherazade. It's Kate, a very short, one-syllable 4-letter word. But knowing my name didn't make a difference, she still insisted on directing her questions and her little underhanded comments to the party planner, referring to me as "her" and "she"; that is, when she bothered to acknowledge that I was actually in the room. "I hate to be a pest", she said, "But do you think she can remove those extra ropes and stanchions if we don't need them? And why are there so many extra tables and chairs in the room, this isn't how I want the room set". I reminded her that her event was not for two days and the room was set for an event that evening.

After she changed the start time, the color of the linens, the placement for her speaker and the buffet, for the third time, she got up with a jolt, ran to the middle of the room and stood there with her eyes closed, one hand on her head and the other on her stomach as if she were channeling Frank Lloyd Wright. After a few seconds, she exclaimed, "No, no, no this room is all wrong, this is not what I envisioned". Apparently she just wasn't "feeling the room". In fact, what she was feeling was "frustrated" and "claustrophobic". She swung around and opened her eyes wide and glared into mine and said, "What about you 'Kathy', aren't you feeling frustrated and claustrophobic?" Yes, I thought, but not from the room! In a matter of seconds we went from the original set up of round tables to rectangle tables because after all, "rectangle tables are much more conducive to a dining atmosphere" whereas the rounds seemed "banquety" to her and that's not what she "envisioned". Her "vision" and her "goal" were to have the room "feel comfortable, relaxed and spread out" and oh how she wished the room was bigger but she "supposed there was nothing that could be done about that". Mean while the room seats 250 people and her guarantee was for 100. I sat quietly taking deep breaths and wishing my life away, wishing for it to be two days later at 10:00 PM which would mark the end of her event. As she got up to leave, she put her hand on my arm and baby-talked, "I hope you don't think I am too much of an ass pain" and giggled and snorted uncontrollably. Oh, I thought to myself, that's not what I'm thinking at all! Then she said to the party planner, "Can you tell Ka-Ka-Ka Katie to make sure the carpet is vacuumed".

So it's the day of the event and standing outside the door is "Cruella Deville" in all her glory. I cannot put into writing the thoughts and fantasies that started running rampant through my mind; it just wouldn't be lady-like. I looked at the banquet captain and said, "It's show time. Your worst nightmare is about to walk through the door. If you need me, I'll be at the bar"!

3 Financial Steps to Take Before Your Wedding Day

Summer is for weddings, not divorces. But since approximately 10% of marriages fail during the first five years, and 25% don't make it to their 10th anniversary, (according to the U.S. Census Bureau), couples should be proactive and do some financial planning in advance just in case married life is short-lived.

If you are getting married soon, here are 3 simple steps you can take now to protect yourself financially if you face a future divorce. If your marriage works out, these strategies are smart fiscal practices that will benefit you and your family throughout the years.

1. Discuss Debt/Credit

Healthy discussions around money, expectations, debt and credit should take place well before your wedding day. Since couples are waiting until they are older to get married, chances are they have a credit history, for better or for worse. Review your credit reports together and decide how existing debt is to be handled. Not all debt is considered equal. If one person has student loans but the other has high revolving credit card balances, a discussion on spending habits and financial responsibility would be smart.

Establish and maintain credit in your own name once you are married. If you end up divorced, it could be easier to qualify for a mortgage or credit line if your ex's credit is separate from yours. Closely monitor your credit reports as part of your annual financial planning review to make sure that the information is current and correct. It could take months to remove an incorrect statement and you may need your spouse's cooperation.

2. Protect Premarital Assets

Dividing assets can be tricky when couples split. Protect the assets you bring to the marriage by making copies of all bank, retirement, and brokerage statements, dated before your wedding day. In order to be considered your property in the event of divorce, the assets must be kept separate and not commingled with marital assets. If you place assets in the "yours, mine, and ours" category, you save a lot of time and money upon your split.

3. Create and Review Your Financial Plan

Work together to put your financial goals on paper and review it annually. To avoid unpleasant surprises upon a divorce, couples should both stay involved in the family finances and monitor budgets, accounts, and investments regularly. When you have children, obtain a 30 year term life insurance on each parent's lives, especially if one stays home. Term insurance is inexpensive, the annual premium never changes, and a term of 30 years is typically enough to cover the cost of child care, housekeeping, college, and even a wedding. If you divorce, you would both be covered at a time when your age or medical condition could preclude you from qualifying for life insurance or paying a higher premium.

Summer is for love, but good financial planning is best always in season!

Why Do I Need Wedding Insurance?

It is no secret that the cost of holding a wedding continues to increase each year. With the costs for weddings now reaching into the tens of thousands of dollars, it is no wonder that the concept of wedding insurance has come about. But do you really need to have this type of insurance? Actually, it can be a very smart purchase. Here are some examples of when having insurance for your wedding can make a big difference.

There seems to be a train of thought that believes inclement weather automatically means you can reschedule use of facilities at no cost. That is very rarely the case. Many contract allowing you the use of reception halls, country clubs, and other facilities stipulate that the owner is not responsible for weather preventing the event from being held. That means you can be out every penny that you spent paying for the use of the space. Insurance would allow you to recoup those expenses.

While it would be great if all vendors lived up to their promises, the fact is many a wedding has been marred by the failure of a florist to come through with the flowers or the dresses for the bridesmaids not showing up in time. Wedding insurance can allow you to recover the costs of those services that you paid for but were never provided.

There have been instances when a wedding had to be postponed because of sudden illness of a bride or groom, or one of the primary parties being stranded with no way to get to the wedding. Once again, insurance can help offset some of the expenses involved with rescheduling an event at the last minute, instead of the wedding costs suddenly doubling or worse.

Given that we are used to obtaining insurance for most major purchases we make, it only seems prudent to insure an event that may cost us more than some people earn in a year. With the purchase of wedding insurance, you have the peace of mind that is something major goes wrong with the event, you will not be left holding the financial bag.

Keychain Favors: Practical and Classy, But Cheap!

Keychains are some of the most popular souvenirs for vacations, parties, promotional items and events. What makes keychains so popular? Because they are useful of course! With the exception of children - everyone has keys: a house one at the very least. Often we have several: for home, for work, for our cars, for our mail box. Some of us even have keys for neighbors, family or friends houses. So what is the best way to organize them all? With different keychains of course! That is why keychains are popular gifts for so many events.

Also known as key rings, these are practical and useful, but they are also relatively inexpensive. If you are looking for a classy but cheap party or wedding favor key chains are it. Available in many different shapes, sizes, colors, finishes and textures there is a keyring to suit every style, taste and budget. Ranging from as low as sixty nine cents to as high as several dollars - will determine the quality and engraving availability.

If you are looking for a cheap favor to give to your guests these seem like the perfect choice. I would recommend for those who are looking for some inexpensive to stay under two dollar range. These are sturdy and durable and come in pretty packaging, often with thank you or personalized tags. This is a type of gift that can be used by both the men and women on your list so make sure you select a design which is gender neutral. Of course if you want to give a heart to your guests, by all means do so, but keep in mind that the men on your list may not actually use a heart key chain.

When purchasing key rings keep in mind the materials used will determine the costs. Cheaper ones are often made of plastic and the actual holder for the keys is often smaller and thinner in the grade of material used. The slightly more expensive ones will give you more bang for your buck offering things like rhinestone accents, chrome plating, a sturdier and larger ring. These tend to look better, be a bit larger in size and longer durability. The packaging for these items tends also to be a bit prettier offering better display boxes and thicker ribbons and tags. Remember, when purchasing your wedding favors you get what you pay for!

Catholic Wedding Cards Speak of Elegance

"God brought you two, To join as one/ Blessed and sanctified, Through God's dear son/ Today and everyday, And for many years ahead/ may your love be like a strand, Of a strong woven thread", as quoted by M.S. Lowndes, marriage is the strongest bond for people of all communities across the world. It is a ceremony to unite two souls, their families and friends in a common social sphere. It is a pledge meant to last for ever. Right from the Biblical days, Catholic wedding has been considered a sacred and happiest event. Recently, the wedding ceremonies of Goan (India) Catholics have become legendary in many parts around the world because of the distinctive Portuguese influence. The wedding caterers generally take care of everything from the invitation cards to the marriage ceremony in the church, along with the reception and dinner.

A catholic wedding ceremony consists of at least three biblical readings, exchange of rings and vows, the Prayer of the Faithful, nuptial blessings, and appropriate music. However, prior to this the most important thing for the couple is preparing and sending Christian wedding invitations to the friends and families. Like all Indian wedding cards, catholic wedding cards also portray the tradition and rich culture of a Christian community.

Christian wedding invitations generally are done in the most unique fashion. More flamboyant invitations are accompanied by gifts for the guests. The gifts can be anything from a champagne bottle to perfume, flowers, chocolates, dry fruit box or even soft toys. Instead of traditional catholic wedding cards, many people prefer stylish customized ones. The exclusive designs create a style statement that has a blend of traditional design with a tinge of modern elegance.

Wedding Insurance

For some people wedding insurance may sound weird. But understand that you are spending a large amount of money on your wedding and in one way or the other you have to protect the money you have invested. Wedding insurance will cover all the costs of your wedding and the money you have spent will return to your pockets when some mishap occurs. Everybody hopes that their wedding will proceed well but you have to be ready to face the unforeseen circumstances. You don't want to waste your money for a plan that never worked out. Rather with insurance, you can get your money back or arrange for an alternate solution.

It is not that you have to spend a large amount of money for wedding insurance. Depending on the coverage you desire, you have to pay the insurance premium. The basic policies which cover postponement activities will cots you just around $200. With wedding insurance, you can ensure that all problems on your wedding will be taken care of. Taking appropriate wedding insurance will let you get ready even for the negative effects.

Weather, illness, injury, missing vender are covered by the basic policies. If the location you chose for your wedding is affected by natural calamities, then you will not be able to arrange your wedding at that place. You need to plan for a new place and this relocation cost will be covered by the wedding insurance. If the pastor who preside the wedding ceremony does not turn up on the correct timings, don't panic if you have wedding insurance.

You can also arrange for insurance for your wedding reception. Wedding arrangements will be taken care of by the hired venders but if any one of them does not perform well, then you will have problem during your reception. When you have your insurance, then you can make arrangements for another vender to proceed with the function. If you are investing a lot of money in your wedding, then you can also insure bridal gifts and wedding dress.

Only thing that is not covered by any wedding insurance policy is the run away of the bride or the groom. All the other things can be insured and you can even get money when your wedding dress is spoiled by some unforeseen trauma. Planning a wedding is quite a serious issue and you should ensure that you are obtaining insurance for your wedding. When you have this, you are assured that you will get your money back in case of any alteration in your wedding plan.

Wedding Photography - 6 Creative Shot Ideas for Your Album

As you plan your wedding photography, remember to think about the specific shots you want in your wedding album. While the typical posed shots are pretty and will guarantee that all important friends and family members are photographed, sprinkling your wedding album with some unique images will ensure you will cherish your photos for years to come. Try these special photo opps for images that will shine through the formal poses, capturing the true emotions of the day.

The Big Day

This is the day you have been carefully planning for months, and a lot of preparation is involved. Have your wedding photographer on hand as you primp and the excitement steadily builds. These behind-the scenes-shots at the salon, your parents' house or dressing room will record the nervous joy and anticipation. This is the day; your wedding photography should capture the poignancy of these special moments. Black and white film works perfectly here.

The Dress

You may only wear it once, but this gorgeous compilation of silk and lace is a work of art. Your wedding photographer should capture the masterpiece in all its glory. The perfect way to reveal its essence is to photograph it in its element. Hanging in a window in the dressing room with the sunlight pouring in, your dress will reveal its natural beauty.

Mom and Dad - Letting Go

Your wedding is an emotional day for your parents. They feel a mixture of pride, joy and sadness. Their little girl/boy is all grown up and entering a new stage in life. Capture these emotions and conflicting feelings during the wedding ceremony and throughout the day. Especially make sure your photographer takes a shot of each of them as they focus on you during the ceremony. Even though you won't be watching them as you exchange "I Dos;" these precious images will capture the full force of their emotions.

Just Married

On this busy day, there may be only a few moments when the two of you can steal away and spend time together. But just after you are pronounced "man and wife," the two of you will just have each other. Married at last! Your wedding photographer should not miss those first few moments as a married couple. Try to give yourself a few minutes alone after the ceremony to relax and reflect the significance of the occasion. You will cherish these photos in your wedding album.

Candid Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Your girlfriends. You have laughed together and cried together and shared the gauntlet of emotions together. The images from your wedding day should reflect that special bond that only the best of girlfriends can share. While the line of bridesmaids is a good shot to have in your album, you should capture some more creative photography shots for your photo album. Make sure some of your shots reveal the vibrant personalities of you and your girls. Have your photographer capture the giggles, the private whispers and the carefree hugs and exclamations, for this is the true essence of your friendships. And don't forget the boys; get some creative shots of the groomsmen too!

Away into The Sunset

Get a parting shot of the two of you walking towards your "ever after." One of my favorite versions of this shot: the two of you photographed from a distance, looking towards the horizon. Your new life starts here; the sky is the limit!

Beach Wedding Ideas - 3 Unique Ways to Have a Fantabulous Beach Wedding

There are a huge variety of ways to have a beach wedding theme, and here are 3 unique ways to celebrate your wedding and have fun under the sun:

?Ocean Wedding Theme

This type of wedding theme brings out the fascinating life under the sea and the bright turquoise color of the ocean turns your big day into a magnificent journey of the deep blue see.

Wedding Colors: turquoise, deep sea blue.

Wedding invitation: Use wedding stationary that has prints of ocean creatures and coral reefs.

Decorations: stick with ocean colors when doing your decors. Fill your reception area with plastic/ rubber sea creatures. You can also use faux corals o your table centerpieces, and hang fish nets overhead and or serve as a wall on your reception are.

Pirate Wedding Theme

AhoymeHearties! Time to bring out the pirate in you wedding theme. Love the adventures of the high seas and treasure hunting? Then you can never go wrong with this theme. Let's weigh the anchor and hoist the mizzen" to find the joy that fills the loot of a lifetime.

Wedding colors: you can use black liberally but compliment it with a deep, dark red and/or gold.

Wedding invitation: a custom made map of your wedding details, location should be marked x just like a treasure, and add some pirate related images for a fun unique way to show your guests what to expect.

Decorations: you can use black everywhere as this is the main color of the pirates, but adding red and gold makes it a very elegant color scheme. You can have a pirate ship on your entranceway; slip the guests table assignments in a bottle for an authentic treasure-hunting theme. To bring up the glam on this theme, you can use mini decorative chests filled with gems, and faux jewelries as part of your table centerpieces.

Seashell Wedding Theme

This wedding theme is the most elegant beach themed wedding as it shows the rich and beautiful aura of the seashells and pearls.

Wedding colors: champagne and pearl white.

Wedding Invitations: you can opt for a handmade wedding invitation decorated with small seashells and starfish or you can choose a stationary printed with different types of shells, and seal it with a very small clam.

Decorations: This is the part where you can fill your reception with different kinds of shells! Make a line of big shells with tea candles inside to light up your path while walking down the aisle. Your table centerpieces should have a bowl of sand and topped with shells, starfish and clams fill the bowl with water and you can add floating candle to illuminate your tables.

Renew Your Vows in Vegas: Tips on Where and Why to Say I Still Do in Sin City

With over 122,000 marriage licenses issued every year, Las Vegas has truly established itself as the "Marriage Capital of the World." This is often explained by the fact that it is so easy to get a marriage license in Las Vegas, with no waiting period and no blood test.

This reasoning, however, does not explain the growing number of couples choosing to come to Las Vegas to renew their vows. Although every couple's reasons for renewing their vows in Las Vegas is different, here are a few reasons that are common to many couples:

Do it Right

Every little girl has dreams of her wedding day. She visualizes her dress, her flowers, even her reception centerpieces. A renewal of vows is a way to make those dreams a reality, even if they might have been a financial impossibility for your original wedding. Because there is so much competition, Las Vegas is a very affordable place to plan and create an elaborate renewal ceremony.

Chapel Recommendation: Bellagio Wedding Chapel
Less Expensive Alternative: Little Chapel of the Flowers

Do it Cheesy

Many couples may have been married traditionally, but deep down they really wanted an overweight Elvis impersonator singing "Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love" or "Blue Hawaii" to cement their love for one another. There are plenty of locations that cater to the cheese-seekers, from Elvis-themed weddings and Star Trek weddings to Drive-Thru Weddings.

Chapel Recommendation: Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel

Renew Commitment

Sharing a life with someone is not always easy. Couples often choose to renew their commitment to each other after they have been married 5 or 10 or 25 years, or even after they have gone through a particularly tough time together. Renewal ceremonies can truly give new life to a relationship, and can help you to remember why you fell in love with each other in the first place.

Chapel Recommendation: Any

Celebration of Your Lives

An increasingly popular option for couples renewing their vows is to make the renewal a celebration of the relationships surrounding the couple. They might invite parents, close friends, and children to be there as they renew not only their wedding vows, but to acknowledge the importance of good friends and family in making a marriage work.

Chapel Recommendation: Little Chapel of the Flowers

Where in Vegas?

With literally over one hundred locations in and around Las Vegas that specialize in weddings, it can be difficult to choose a location for your renewal. The following is a brief list of some of my personal favorites:

Little Chapel of the Flowers [http://www.littlechapel.com/0812.asp?Type=2&ReturnURL=http://www.littlechapel.com/LasVegasWeddingChapel.asp&ReturnData=] - Probably the most traditional free-standing wedding chapel in Las Vegas, Little Chapel of the Flowers provides packages and services created specifically for couples renewing their vows.

Bellagio Wedding Chapel - The Bellagio Hotel and Casino is one of the classiest in Las Vegas, and their chapel is lavishly decorated.

Mandalay Bay Wedding Chapel - This chapel is also very classy, with a straight-line, post-modern feel to it.

Little White Wedding Chapel - This is the chapel with the Drive-Thru Wedding Window. If you are looking for cheesy, look here.

Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel - This is the place for themed weddings. Owned by an Elvis impersonator, they specialize in Elvis weddings, but also offer gangster weddings, Liberace weddings, and many more.

Proper Research Protects Wedding Insurance Consumers

What Is the Purpose of Wedding Insurance?

People purchase insurance policies to protect against the unwanted intrusion of the unexpected crisis. Most consumers are aware of insurance plans that cover automobiles. When an individual can't afford to replace an important possession, insurance policies relieve anxieties. The insurance company promises to provide funds for replacement when an accident occurs. The consumer avoids facing a specified risk by paying a simple fee to the insurance company. Some policies protect the possessions of the person purchasing the plan. Other policies cover damages when an individual faces an expensive lawsuit.

When orchestrating a wedding, couples deal with serious expenses. A number of different problems can disrupt the ceremony. Wedding insurance protects the investment of the couple. Also, wedding liability insurance helps control costs. Courts sometimes find couples liable for damages when problems occur on that special day. Insurance for your wedding guarantees that future nuptials occur without the intrusion of unplanned expenses.

What Risks Affect Weddings?

Common risks threaten to disrupt well-planned ceremonies. Different types of wedding insurance cover specific problems. For example, a certain policy might contain provisions for the reimbursement of fees associated with postponement. If a photographer cancels on the day of the event, additional expenses may face the couple. Also, a venue cancellation might cause the planner to change the date of the wedding. Since professional wedding services often penalize clients for rescheduling, insurance plans for weddings provide funds to cover unexpected expenses related to postponement.

Also, important participants may be forced to reschedule due to conflicts at work. If the father of the bride cancels, wedding day insurance provides emergency funding to use when changing the date of the event. Some wedding insurance plans contain additional clauses that cover postponements due to the sudden unavailability of key wedding participants.

Since so many accessories must be rented or purchased for a successful wedding, insurance plans provide for the replacement of expensive items. Wedding rings are easily lost or damaged. Specific plans cover these costly objects.

Wedding Liability Insurance

Event planning involves additional risks related to civil liability. Essentially, consumers may be required to pay legal damages when accidents happen. Emergencies might cause damage to the venue. Also, guests could be injured during a rowdy reception. Wedding reception insurance plans typically contain protections against liquor-related problems. Wedding liability insurance provides funding to pay for court judgments and legal costs when companies or guests sue newlyweds.

Insurance for Destination Weddings

In some cases, loving couples choose to tie the knot in exotic locations. People enjoy romantic beach weddings in distant lands. However, additional risks face vacationers. As a result, companies provide wedding travel insurance policies. These plans deal with the complex problems that occur when couples choose destination weddings.

Effective Research Results in the Best Deals When Choosing Between Wedding Insurance Companies

Savvy consumers receive amazing deals on wedding insurance with the help of informative online resources. It is important to review the specifics of various policies. Also, websites detail common exclusions that must be understood when purchasing wedding insurance. With the right information, it is easy to purchase an affordable wedding insurance policy. If you are interested in wedding insurance, take advantage of online resources to monitor the latest trends in the industry.

Wedding Favors Are Not Mandatory!

I know what you must be thinking......no wedding favor? Are you kidding me? Nope, I am serious. I have been a wedding planner for many years and I have seen so many favors go into the trash.

Yes, wedding favors are a nice gesture but you DO NOT have to give your guests wedding favors, it is not mandatory. In my opinion, the wedding invitation, the food, the drinks are all favor enough and says "Thank You" in a big way. If you can think back to the last wedding you attended, you probably can't remember what the wedding favor was and if you do, it's probably useless. Wedding favors have come a long way over the past few years but they cost of them have also increased. Yes, you can still buy $1.00 favors but who wants them? Most of the inexpensive favors are meaningless and will be left behind. Don't waist your money on wedding favors that have no meaning. I know some people might be saying.... "the thought is what counts" but actually if you "think" about it, you will see just how thoughtless a $1.00 gift is. Put the money that you would have spent on favors towards some wonderful gifts for your bridal party, they will be spending a great deal of money to be in your wedding and they deserve a really nice thank you gift. I have seen many brides cut corners when it comes to buying their bridal party gifts but this would not be the gift you would want to take the cheap route on.

If you insist on having wedding favors, make sure you give your guests something they will remember and will enjoy receiving. Whatever you don't give out candles wrap in tulle or a shot glass with your names and wedding date; these are gifts that most of your guests will find to be worthless. I recommend edible favors such as a candy apple, monogram cookies, two krispy kreme donuts package nicely, or chocolate treats. Other meaningful favors would be a CD with your wedding music or a photomontage of the both of you growing up leading to your engagement, or flower/plant seeds; these are they type of favors that will keep your wedding day in your guest's thoughts for many days to come.

German Wedding Traditions

Most citizens in the United States are aware of the traditions related to marriage in the U.S. June is the favorite month for a wedding. "Something borrowed, something blue", the "groom's party" for the parents and wedding party, a "dowry (perhaps)", it is "unlucky to see the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony", the father of the bride making that long trip down the aisle with his daughter, and men, let's not forget the "stag party"!

But in Germany the preferred month for marriage is May. The traditions related to marriage in Germany are many and vary by region. Also, some of the younger generations may not practice the following wedding traditions any longer.

Eheringe (Wedding rings)

During the engagement period both the bride and groom wear a ring on their left hand. After the wedding they wear the wedding ring on their right hand. Usually the rings are gold with no diamonds.

Brautkleid (Bride's attire)

In Germany, as in the U.S, the bride wears "white". But in Germany brides wear either very short trains or usually none at all attached to their wedding dress. If veils are worn they are of fingertip length and typically never worn over the face as in the U.S. Often in place of veils a flowery headband with ribbons is worn. Other accessories included may be a Diadem (Tiara), a little draw string purse and gloves. The custom is for the bride to dress at her home or her parent's home and then drive to the ceremony.

Brautigams Kleidung (Groom's attire)

The groom usually wears a black suit or a smoking jacket (dinner jacket)

Die Standesamtliche Trauung (The Wedding)

Before a church wedding the bride and groom will have been married in the Standesamt (Registry Office) by a registrar which is most often in the Rathaus (town hall). A witness is needed for the bride and also for the groom.

Die Kirche-Hochzeit (The Church Wedding)

Together, the bride and groom will enter the church and walk down the aisle. Because it is not legal to have only a church ceremony, the couple will have already been legally married by a Standesbeamte. Unlike in the U.S. it is not customary for there to be bridesmaids, groomsmen or flower girls.

Andere Deutsche Traditionen (Other German traditions)

Brides often carry salt and bread as an omen for good harvests and the groom carries grain for wealth and good fortune.

Before the wedding the bride's possessions are transported to her new home. These may include linens she has collected, a cradle into which a doll has been secretly placed, and for the wedding of a farm girl, her parents second-best cow.

Hochzeitslader

This Bavarian tradition has an official inviter clad in fancy clothes decorated with ribbons and flowers going door to door extending a personal rhyming invitation to the invited guests. Guests accept by pinning one of the ribbons to the Hochzeitslader hat and by offering a drink or two at each stop. Should the invited guests be numerous and the Hochzeitslader be of the nature to accept the offered drinks he may need a day or two to complete his duties!

Junggesellenabschied (Bachelor Party)

Some weeks before the wedding the groom and his male friends go to a Kneipe (pub) to drink and have fun for his last time as a single man.

Polterabend (Wedding Eve)

At a party on the evening before the wedding plates and dishes are smashed to scare off evil spirits. Only china can be used. Anything else would bring bad luck. The bride and groom have to clean up everything. This is to indicate that they can work together.

Hochzeit-Schuhe (Wedding shoes)

Another tradition is for the bride to collect pennies for years to pay for her wedding shoes in which to insure that the marriage "gets off" on the right foot. The bride's mother would place some dill and salt in her daughter's right shoe.

Baumstamm Sagen (Log sawing)

Another old Bavarian tradition occurs right after the church ceremony. When the couple exits the Church there is a log on a sawhorse and the couple has to cut the log in half! This is to symbolize the first tough tasks of their future they can accomplish together.

Fichtenzweige (Fir boughs)

As the couple walks to the wedding car, fir boughs are laid along the path to pave their first newlywed steps with fresh greenery to symbolize hope, luck and fertility.

Reis Werfen (Rich throwing)

In this tradition it is said that the amount of rice that stays in the bride's hair is the number of children the couple will have.

Hochzeitssuppe (Wedding soup)

The Hochzeitssuppe is made from beef, dumplings and vegetables and the guests eat if from a large bowl.

Eine Weisse Band (A white ribbon)

As the guests leave the church the bride gives a white ribbon to each driver of a car in the procession to tie to the radio antenna of the car. This procession then drives through the town honking their horns. Other drivers on the route honk their horns in return to wish the newlyweds good luck in their marriage.

Hochzeitstanz (Wedding dance)

The first dance is danced by the bride and groom and is traditionally a waltz. The next dance is only for the bride with her father and groom with his mother, while the bride's mother dances with the groom's father.

Brautbecher (Bridal cup)

A customary toast at the reception in the southern part of Germany is done with a special brautbecher (bridal cup). The pewter or crystal cup is in a form of a maiden holding above her head a small cup. Both ends of the cup (the bride's skirt and the top cup) are filled with champagne or wine and the bride and groom drink their first toast from this cup together at the same time signifying their union as one. This age old tradition stems from centuries ago in the small town of Nuernberg.

Juice Fast Journal - Week 6 - The Finish Line

The number one thing to keep in mind throughout these first few weeks is that you have spent the past forty days retraining your mind and body - there is no need to go back to where you came from! You have a fresh start! You've probably noticed that as your body has detoxed, your cravings have gone way down - you will begin to feel so refreshed just from eating whole, organic foods in the following weeks ahead. The best way to break an extended fast is to start off with fresh, organic, raw fruits & veggies.

I make a fruit salad that both Jenna and I absolutely love (recipe below). So, on the first day, I made a big batch and put it in an ultra vac to keep for the week. We add a little chopped almond or walnut and sprinkle on some organic granola and we have used it for breakfast and snacks throughout the week. For veggies, we bought all kinds of raw veggies: lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, & carrots and have had this as a small salad for lunch. The sky is the limit - any type of vegetable you like. At dinnertime, we have some frozen organic veggies that we cook in our waterless cookware. For snacks, we have the fruit salad above or 1 slice of whole wheat organic bread with 1 TBSP all natural peanut butter w/ organic wildflower honey - so yummy (I've been eating this before we go work out and it's just what I need for a boost of energy to get me through it!).

It's really important to ease into eating with raw veggies & fruits for the first 4-5 days following your fast because this will act as nature's broom to start opening up your sleepy colon. It's normal to feel like your food is taking a little while to digest - because it is! After about day three off the fast, it will start to even out and you will begin to feel like all of your cranks are turning correctly. On day 6 or 7 after you end your fast, you can began adding a little bit of meat back into our diets by putting a little cooked chicken or fish on you salads. Try to stay away from too much dairy. So many dairy products are processed and you don't want to add that back to your body.

You may feel like eating again is overwhelming. You will begin to feel full after just a few bites, your food will feel enormous in your mouth, and you may feel a little bloated for a few days. This can get frustrating for someone who hasn't had solid food for so long! It's normal to feel this way. I've retrained my mind to take smaller bites and to chew thoroughly so my digestive system doesn't have to work quite so hare. It's exciting to me to get full faster because I know that my stomach has shrunk to a normal size and I am eating healthy portions. In order to keep your metabolism up and running efficiently, it's most beneficial to eat small amounts of food more often than the normal 3 meals per day; a good rule of thumb is 3 small meals and two healthy snacks. Just remember, take small bites, chew extra thoroughly, take very small portions, eat several small meals per day, eat only fresh, whole, organic foods, continue to drink 100 - 120 oz of water per day, and make sure to exercise 4-5 times a week.

I found a great list of healthy eating habits to maintain after my fast on http://www.healthrecipes.com. Take a look at them and keep reading for the Fast Break Menu and Recipes.

1. Do not overeat! Listen to your body. Discover the amount of food that your body needs to live a vibrant, healthy life.

2. Eat slowly and chew your food well. Saliva has enzymes that assist in digestion. The enzymes in saliva can digest up to 80 percent starch, 30 percent protein and 10 percent fat.

3. Be relaxed. Try to unwind when eating.

4. Decide ahead of time what you want to eat and the amount rather than eating from an urge.

5. Make juices during the breaking period. Juice is gentle nourishment to the body. Most fasters continue to include juice in their daily routine for the rest of their lives.

6. Stay focused on eating rather than on unsettling thoughts. Pay attention to the texture, smell and the sensation of eating. Be aware of how it feels in the stomach.

7. Enjoy eating to the max. People are starving and you have the privilege to eat.

8. Work at making healthy food appealing. A banana and pear taste great without preparation but having them sliced into a fancy bowl, sprinkled with chopped dates and chilled in the refrigerator will maintain your enthusiasm for eating healthy.

9. Discern the difference between cravings and hunger. Never feed your emotions by eating from stress, depression or boredom.

10. You will feel satisfied with smaller amounts of food and sluggish and tired when overeating. Rich foods full of fat, salt and processed sugars will cause nausea, headaches and weakness. A handful of fruit will be thoroughly satisfying. Because the digestive system has to work less, there will be boundless energy to spare.

11. Have an exit activity for after eating. Make it something you want to do. It will be easier to move away from the table.

12. Educate yourself on how to begin a lifestyle of healthy eating. Fasting is a wonderful new beginning, a foundation for a lifelong, healthy diet

The Menu & Shopping List
DAY 1:
Breakfast: ½ Cup Fruit Salad w/ 1 TBSP chopped nuts and 1 TBSP Organic Granola
Snack: 1 Slice Organic WW Bread, 1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter, 1 TBSP
Organic Honey
Lunch: Small Raw Vegetable Salad
Snack: 1 Cup Live Juice (blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, & grape)
Dinner: ½ Cup Mashed Potatoes, ½ Cup Lima Beans, ½ Cup Broccoli

DAY 2:
Breakfast: ½ Cup Fruit Salad
Snack: 1 Slice Organic Whole Wheat Bread, 1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter, 1 TBSP Organic Honey
Lunch: Small Raw Vegetable Salad
Snack: 1 Cup Live Juice (apple, carrot, spinach)
Dinner: 1 ½ Cups Veg. Medley: Squash, Broccoli, Carrots, & Onions

DAY 3:
Breakfast: 1 Slice Organic WW Bread, 1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter, 1 TBSP Organic Honey
Snack: ½ Cup Fruit Salad w/ 1 TBSP chopped nuts and 1 TBSP Organic Granola
Lunch: Small Raw Vegetable Salad w/ Ranch
Snack: 1 Cup Live Juice (blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, & grape)
Dinner: ½ Cup Mashed Cauliflower, ¼ Cup Corn, ¼ Cup Peas

DAY 4:
Breakfast: ½ Cup Fruit Salad w/ 1 TBSP chopped nuts & 1 TBSP Organic Granola
Snack: 1 Slice Organic WW Bread, 1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter, 1 TBSP Organic
Honey
Lunch: Small Raw Vegetable Salad w/ HM
Snack: 1 Cup Live Juice (apple, carrot, spinach)
Dinner: 1 ½ Cups Veg. Medley: Squash, Broccoli, Carrots, & Onions

DAY 5:
Breakfast: ½ Cup Fruit Salad w/ 1 TBSP chopped nuts & 1 TBSP Organic Granola
½ WW Bagel or 1 Slice WW Organic Toast w/ Peanut Butter & Honey
Snack: ½ Cup Odwalla Superfood & ½ Cup Naked Superfood
Lunch: Medium Salad w/ Chicken
Snack: 1 Cup Live Juice (blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, & grape)
Dinner: BBQ Pork Medallion, ½ Cup Mashed Potatoes, ½ Cup Peas

DAY 6:
Breakfast: 1 Hard Boiled Egg
1 Slice Organic WW toast w/ butter
½ Cup Odwalla Superfood & ½ Cup Naked Superfood
Snack: ½ Cup Fruit Salad w/ 1 TBSP chopped almonds & 1 TBSP Organic Granola
Lunch: Small Turkey Wrap w/ Organic Yogurt Ranch Dressing
1 Serving Chips, ½ Sliced Apple, 1 Serving Baby Carrots
Snack: 1 Cup Live Juice (apple, carrot, spinach)
Dinner: 1 Small Tilapia (make extra for dinner Salad Sat)
½ Cup Orange Almond Basmati Rice, ¼ Cup Lima Beans

DAY 7:
Breakfast: 1 Cup Fruit Salad
½ Organic WW Bagel w/ Peanut Butter & Honey
½ Cup Odwalla Superfood & ½ Cup Naked Superfood
Lunch: Eat Out, Your Choice - Stay Smart!
Dinner: Medium Salad w/ Egg, Tilapia, Sunflower Seeds, & Ranch
1 Cup Live Juice (blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, & grape)

FAST BREAK SHOPPING GUIDE:

For the menu above, here is your shopping list. You can assume that all of the ingredients listed are organic, whole foods.

FRESH PRODUCE:
1 head of lettuce
2 Bags of Spinach
1 Large Cucumber
1 Large, Firm Tomato
1 Small, Sweet Onion
1 Large Bag Carrots
4 Red Apples
4 Green Apples
1 Yellow Apple
2 Bananas
2 Pears
3 Large Oranges
2 Lemons
1 Yellow Squash
1 Green Squash
1 Small Yellow Onion
1 Golden Yukon Potato
1 Red Potato
1 Bunch Garlic
1 Bunch Green Onions
1 Small Bag Baby Carrots
3 Containers Blackberries
3 Containers Raspberries
2 Containers Strawberries
1 Bag Red Grapes
4 Pomegranates

FROZEN PRODUCE
1 Bag Corn
1 Bag Peas
1 Bag Baby Broccoli Florets
1 Bag Lima Beans
1 Bag Cauliflower

BAKERY
1 WW Bagel
1 Loaf WW bread
1 Bag Small Tortilla Wraps

MEAT
¼ lb Sandwich Turkey
1 Small Pork Medallion
2 Small Tilapia Fillets
1 Small Chicken Breast

DAIRY
16 oz Unflavored, low fat Yogurt
Butter
½ dozen eggs
1 Small Cream or Skim Milk
8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese

MISC
1 Small Bag of Almond Slivers
1 Small Bag Chopped Walnuts
1 Small Bag Sunflower Seeds
1 Box Granola
1 Small Container Honey
2 Ranch Dressing Seasoning Packet
1 Box Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 Small container BBQ sauce
1 Bag Croutons, any kind

For ease of use, I would do your shopping on a Saturday or Sunday when you have plenty of time to enjoy yourself. When we got our groceries home, we went ahead and prepared everything for the week so that breakfast eating and lunch packing would go quickly all week long. We washed all of the fruit and veggies. We chopped the lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions and ultra vac-ed each separately to keep all week. We shredded the cheese and about 4 carrots on our Master Kut (non-electric food processor) and stored those (you will save a lot of money by buying whole carrots and whole blocks of cheese and preparing them yourself vs buying them already shredded). I also prepared the fruit salad using the Master Kut and with the ultra vac, the fruit doesn't turn mushy and ruin throughout the week. We also prepped all of our fruit for our fresh juices to make all week long like explained in week 4.

The Recipes
Fruit Salad:
1 Red Apple
1 Green Apple
1 Yellow Apple
1 Pears
2 Oranges (Blood Oranges are my favorite)
1 Bananas

Shred the apples and pears on the #3 Cone of your master cut. Dice the bananas very small and mix in. Squeeze the oranges over the salad as the dressing; remove the pulp from the orange rind and mix into the salad. Serve in ½ cup portions with 1 TBSP almond slivers or chopped walnuts & 1 TBSP granola. Could also add 1 TBSP of raisins or dried cranberries to each serving as well.

Raw Veggie Salad:
1 Cup Lettuce, chopped
½ Cup Spinach, chopped
¼ Cup Cucumber, diced
¼ Cup Tomato, diced
1-2 TBSP Red Onion, diced
2 TBSP Shredded Carrot
1 TBSP Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 TBSP Sunflower Seeds
5-10 Croutons
**add any other veggies that you like in small portions**
**after the first 4-5 days, you could add diced chicken, tuna, tilapia, or turkey, egg, and/or turkey bacon**
Yogurt Ranch Dressing:
16 oz Low Fat or Non-Fat, Unflavored Yogurt
2 pkgs Simply Organic Ranch Dressing mix

Mix all ingredients until smooth; use in portions of 1-2 TBSP.

Mashed Potatoes:
1 Golden Yukon Potato, diced
2 TBSP Chicken Stock
2 TBSP Cream
2 TBSP Butter
Minced Garlic (optional)
Salt & Pepper to taste

Scrub and dice the potatoes. Add them to the 1 qt saucepan with the chicken stock. Cover, whistle open, and cook on medium heat. When the whistle sounds, turn the temperature to low and the whistle valve to "V" for vent. Allow to cook for 15 minutes or until soft. Mash with a flat head masher and stir in the cream, butter, garlic (optional), and season with salt and pepper to your tastes. Makes 2-3 servings. (save leftovers for Day 5).

Lima Beans:
¼ Cup Chicken Stock
1 TBSP Butter
1 Cup Lima Beans
Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder to taste

Add all ingredients to a 1.5 qt saucepan. Cover, whistle open, and cook on medium heat. When the whistle sounds, turn the burner to low and the whistle to "V" for vent. Allow to cook 15 minutes. Makes 2, ½ Cup servings

Vegetable Medley:
½ Yellow Squash
½ Zuchinni
1 Cup Broccoli Florets
1 Cup Baby Carrots
½ Cup Yellow Onions, julienne cut
½ Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, #1 cone
Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper to taste

Combine vegetables and seasoning in a 2 qt saucepan, toss to mix well. Cover, whistle open, and cook on medium heat. When the whistle sounds, turn the burner off and close the whistle valve. Allow to stand for 7 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Recover and allow to stand for 2-3 minutes longer or until the cheese has melted. Makes 2 Servings.

Mashed Cauliflower:
2 Cups Cauliflower
¼ Cup Cream or Milk
2 TBSP Butter
1 Garlic Pod, minced
Salt & Pepper to taste

Add Cauliflower and minced garlic to the 2 qt saucepan. Cover, whistle open, and cook on medium heat. When the whistle sounds, close the whistle valve and turn the burner off. Allow to stand for 10 minutes. Uncover and add cauliflower, cream, and butter to a food processor. Blend until smooth. Season to your tastes with salt and pepper. Makes 2 - 3 small servings.

BBQ Pork Medallion w/ Smashed Red Potatoes:
1 BBQ Pork Medallion
1 Red Potatoe
2 TBSP BBQ Sauce
1 tsp Butter
1 tsp Cream or Milk
¼ tsp Garlic, minced
1 tsp Green Onion, minced
Paprika, Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat the small skillet on medium heat. Meanwhile, slice the potatoes on the #4 cone of the Master Kut. Add the minced garlic and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Toss to coat well. Season the pork with salt, pepper and paprika. When the pan is hot, add the meat to sear. Add 1 TBSP BBQ sauce on top and cover, whistle open. When the whistle sounds, flip the meat and add the other TBSP of BBQ sauce. Layer the potatoes on top of the pork and cover, whistle open. When the whistle sounds again, close the whistle valve and turn the burner off. Allow to stand covered for 10-12 minutes. Take off the lid and remove the pork medallion to a plate. Add the cream and butter to the pan and smash the potatoes with a flat head masher. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Makes one serving.

Turkey Wrap
1 Small Tortilla wrap, any flavor (I love spinach and tomato basil)
¼ lb Deli Turkey
1 Small Slice Cheese, any kind
2 TBSP diced Tomato
4-5 Spinach Leaves
2 TBSP diced Cucumber
1 TBSP diced Banana Peppers or Pickles
1 TBSP Yogurt Ranch

Lay wrap on a flat surface and cover with Ranch. Add the cheese and turkey. Layer on the tomato, spinach, cucumber, and banana peppers. Tuck the sides in toward the middle and roll into a wrap.

Citrus Tilapia with Orange Almond Basmati Rice & Lima Beans
1 Lemon
2 Tilapia Fillets
1 Orange
2 TBSP almond slivers
½ Cup Basmati or Jasmine Rice
1 Cup Chicken Broth
1 TBSP Garlic, minced
1 Cup Lima Beans
¼ Cup Chicken Stock
1 TBSP Butter
Garlic Powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper to taste

Follow directions above for lima beans. Do NOT turn the burner on yet. Saute the dry rice and almond slivers in a 2 qt saucepan until aromatic on medium heat. Zest the orange into the rice pan and add the garlic and stock. Season with salt and pepper. Cut the orange that youzested in half and squeeze the juice from ½ of the orange over the rice. Stir, cover, and turn to medium heat. Turn the lima beans on to medium heat, whistle open. Meanwhile, slice half of the lemon and the other half of the orange. Add to the bottom of the skillet. Season the fish with garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, & pepper (or Darn Good if you have it) on one side. Place the seasoned side down on top of the citrus slices. Squeeze the other half of the lemon on top of the fish and then season that side the same as the first. Cover, whistle open. When the whistle sounds on the rice and lima beans, turn their burners off and close the whistle valve; turn the burner on medium for the fish. When the fish's whistle sounds, turn the burner to low, and close the whistle valve. Allow to cook for 10 minutes. Makes 2 servings: 1 pc of fish, ½ Cup of Rice, and ½ Cup Lima Beans per serving.

Embossed Wedding Invitations - Adding an Understated Sophistication to Your Wedding

Embossed wedding invitations have remained popular for many years. Embossing adds detail to a wedding invitation without becoming overpowering. Printers who specialise in this type of printing will have a range of embossing dies available including several typefaces. You can commission your own design, however, this is more expensive as a new die will need to be created. When commissioning your design be prepared for the printer to suggest changes. Fine lines and details do not come out well with this printing technique so the printer may suggest that you choose a less intricate design.

Another way to personalise your wedding invites without spending extra money is by using your monograms as a motif for your design. As said previously most printers will have embossing letters available therefore new dies will not need to be created. Alternatively you can choose a simple postcard style design and have the entire wedding invitation text embossed onto the card.

If you are on a budget a great idea is to look online for embossed wedding stationery. There are many pre-designed cards that include embossing detail, from simple borders to intricate Celtic patterns.

Embossing can also be combined with hot foil. A sheet of foil is placed between the die and the sheet of card. This technique creates both a foiled and embossed design. Foil comes in many different colours including special effect foil such as holographic. However, most commonly used on wedding invites is gold and silver foil. The foil itself can have a shiny or satin finish to it. Again many online stores supply wedding stationery that takes advantage of both embossing and hot foil.

Presents For a Russian - Learn When and What Gifts to Present to a Russian Person - Russian Holidays

So do you actually think that gift giving traditions might differ from one country to another or are they pretty much the same? Before we look at it any further, let's have a small test.

o Pupils in Russia usually bring gifts: candies, books, etc. for their teacher on the first day of school, September-1. - Yes/No
o Family members exchange valuable gifts during Christmas celebration. - Yes/No
o It is normal to celebrate your one's birthday both at home and with colleagues in the office. - Yes/No
o When meeting close friends or relatives in the airport or at a railway station, Russians bring flowers. - Yes/No
o Men present gifts to women both at work and at home for the 8th of March, International Women's Day. - Yes/No
o The number of flowers presented to a Russian for a special occasion is inconsequential. - Yes/No

So what is it to present and when is the right time to do so?

8th of March, International Women's Day is very special for any Russian woman. Men are presenting women with gifts of all types; however, flowers are almost always obligatory. As a rule, not a single lady leaves without a gift as men at work organize small gifts for all ladies in the office, dads buy something special for their daughters, husbands for the wives, etc. Having lived in North America for 7 years now, I still anxiously await this day and always look for a surprise from my sweetheart (I'll be sure to have him read this article).

New Years along with Christmas are among the most favorite of holidays, but there is no real tradition to exchange valuable gifts. Children are the ones to receive gifts and there are many services with dressed Ded Moroz - Grandfather Frost, Russian Santa Claus, and his granddaughter Snegurochka - Snow Maiden visiting home on New Year's Eve and congratulating kids.

Recently it became ordinary to give a young couple money in an envelope as a wedding gift. Just keep in mind that when going to a wedding, one needs to think about the gift seriously and make it substantial. The gift registry concept is non-existent in Russia, so talking with newly weds relatives will help to make a more educated decision. Bed linen, silverware sets, dishes, etc. will be some of the appropriate examples for wedding gifts.

As anywhere else, gifts are presented on a birthday, which is often celebrated not only with the family but with colleagues as well. The birthday boy or girl are the ones bringing some teats, wine, appetizers, while others usually collect money and get one substantial gift from the whole group and, as always, flowers!

Russians attitude towards flowers is very special. You might already know that only live flowers can be presented. It is not acceptable to give only one flower, regardless of how beautiful it may be. And always make sure to have an odd number of flowers - usually 3, 5 or 7. Even number of flowers bouquets are taken to funerals only. And don't forget about the color! Russians are a sentimental and symbolic people: white represents innocence while red symbolizes victory. Yellow flowers are not often to be presented due to the color associated with separation and betrayal.

On the very first day of school, September 01, all pupils in Russia bring flowers for their teachers, which has been a long standing tradition. My friend here in the US had a similar question when sending her 7-year old to school: Do they bring flowers to teachers in the US for the first day of school? She decided to stay away from this Russian tradition and would have stood out to the others as someone attempting to gain influence.

Now let's look at what can be presented as a gift. Remember a Russian saying "The gift is small, but love is all" meaning that it is not about the value of the gift, but about love, attention, time spent for finding the right gift. Presenting a gift we often say: "I know that you like this particular chocolate/wine/perfume so I decided to get it..." or "I notice how flattering this color is for you, so..." Each gift to a Russian is symbolic and should have some meaning. If you pay attention and continue to think about the person for whom you are buying it, it'll be perfect whether big or small. Love, attention and warmth from your heart will be the most cherished memory about any gift. Hmmm, perhaps we are all more similar than I first thought...

Short Wedding Dresses: A Great Alternative for Outdoor Spring or Summer Weddings

Short wedding dresses are becoming more and more popular among modern day brides. There are many reasons for this, but the main ones include the fact that there are now so many couples choosing to have destination or outdoor weddings. Many of the locations that are chosen as a wedding venue are just not appropriate for a traditional long dress. If you are planning to have a spring or summer wedding in the great outdoors such as a beach, resort or garden, your top priority is to be comfortable.

There are also brides who choose to wear short wedding dresses, because they feel it is more trendy and stylish. Some feel that the long white wedding gown is a little too traditional and opt for the shorter dress to look different. This type of wedding dress is also ideal for a bride with a petite figure. Wearing a short dress will elongate her legs and give the illusion that she is taller than she actually is. Another added bonus for getting a shorter dress is that it will probably cost a lot less due to the fact that less fabric is used in making the dress. So budget conscious brides might want to consider going with a short dress on her big day.

Short wedding dresses can come in a variety of styles and colors. If you prefer to stick with the traditional white color, there are many fun and flirty styles to choose from. Try a one shoulder, a halter or a bohemian style dress. Couple that with some nice jewelry or other accessories and you will have the perfect wedding day look for an outdoor wedding. If you want to be a little more daring with the color, try something nice and vibrant to match the environment you are in. The length of a short dress can also vary greatly, they range from tea length to above the knee. Just remember that anything too short might be a little inappropriate for a wedding.

The types of fabric that are used to make short wedding dresses are typically very soft and lightweight. Such fabrics are great for short dresses, because they flow so nicely and allow you to move gracefully in them. Look for dresses in chiffon, damask, silk or charmeuse. Some of them are even transparent and can be layered to create a fuller skirt. Remember that the best kind of short wedding dress is one that you feel comfortable in and that allows you to move around freely, this is especially important for places like the beach.

Not only will your wedding dress be great for a casual informal wedding, you can probably wear it again on a regular basis. The short wedding dress can be extremely practical. It's such a shame that most brides spend thousands of dollars on a wedding dress that they only get to wear once. Why not make the most out of your wedding dress and put some mileage on it.

Finding Maine Wedding Locations That Are Cheap

Maine is an excellent place for you to choose to get married in. It has a number of backdrops that are the most dramatic in all of New England, making it most ideal for your nuptials. There are tons of different hotels and inns scattered all over Maine that specialise in hosting weddings. The majority of these locations are in the southern region, in Ogunquit and Kennebunk, and these are some of the best places that you'd ever want to get married in, but it does come with its own set of disadvantages. One of the most obvious disadvantages to getting married at one of these resorts is the price.

There are many people that get married in Maine and spend a great deal of time trying to find the ideal location that is within their budget limitations. The vast majority of event centers and upscale resorts in Maine (and everywhere else in America) charge a great deal of money for their catering and facility charge. The majority of us will find that it's simply outside of our budgets.

Now, is it possible for you to get married in Maine, without having to spend all your life's savings? I'm not referring to a shotgun wedding at your local courthouse. I'm talking about a wedding situated outside that takes advantage of the beauty and rugged coastline of Maine. You will find some of the most beautiful views in Acadia National Park, and for $50 you can purchase a wedding permit. You can also opt to get married at the gazebo in Fore Allen Park for a fee of $40 for the wedding permit. There are so many parks scattered all over Maine that are capable of providing the perfect setting for your wedding without you having to spend everything you have.

Ten Cheap Wedding Ideas

For brides who are on a budget, here are ten cheap wedding ideas for you! It is possible to have a wonderful, memorable, nice wedding for cheap! You just need to get creative! Think outside the box!

Ten Cheap Wedding Ideas for you:

1. Cut your guest list! The more guests you have, the more you'll have to spend on food, drinks, invites, favors, etc.

2. Have a unique wedding theme - think picnic wedding, luau, movie theater wedding, roller derby wedding, etc. A unique wedding theme may give you ideas for a unique wedding location, food, etc. which may also be cheaper.

3. Spend less on your dress! There's a big difference between eight hundred dollars and one hundred dollars. Cheap wedding dresses can really cut your budget! And, you only do wear it once!

4. Do a lottery (with a worthwhile prize) and have friends and family help chip in for your wedding - $10 per ticket does add up!

5. For cheap wedding favors, instead of traditional favors, donate the money to charity and use it as a tax write off.

6. Instead of bouquets use a single flower for the bride and the bridesmaids. It's much cheaper than a floral arrangement!

7. Don't want to spend a fortune on a cake? How about a desert table instead? Have friends and family help you bake!

8. Can't afford a photographer or videographer? Have friends and family take photos and videos!

9. Think different for the catering - BBQ, finger foods, pizza, grilled cheese, desert reception, cocktail reception, etc.

10. Supply your own alcohol - if you're not locked into a bar package, you can get deals on the drinks by supplying them yourselves!

And, a bonus tip: Think outside the box for cheap wedding invitations: print or make your own, do a postcard, really get the use out of your wedding website, do a digital invitation, a video invitation. Just get creative!

Eco-Friendly Wedding Favors - Ideas For Your Green Wedding

A hot wedding trend this year is planning events that are eco-friendly, also known as "green". With many more environmentally friendly products available to consumers now, many couples are choosing to honor the earth by having wedding events that are less wasteful; more about giving something back to the earth.

Being environmentally conscious is a lifestyle choice and it's starting with their wedding day. If you and your future spouse care more about the environment and less about having a frilly, wasteful wedding, why not consider going green for your own wedding with these fantastic new eco-friendly wedding favor ideas?

Flowers in bloom. One of the greatest gifts an environmentally conscious couple can give to their wedding guests is seeds that can be planted in the earth to renew life. There are lots of wonderful eco-friendly wedding favors that incorporate this idea, such as wedding favor flower packets, wild flower seed packets and flower pots. One cute way to use these as favors are to set terra cotta flower pots on tables with some biodegradable foam and moss in the base, mount the seed packets onto bamboo sticks and make an "arrangement" with them in the pot.

Guests can then take them home and plant the flowers in their own gardens, in the park or in window planters to enjoy them as they bloom. The couple can even use this idea as part of their wedding celebration - instead of lighting a unity candle, they can place two seed packets into one pot and then convey that as the seeds germinate and grow, so too does their love grow and become something even more beautiful.

Go natural. There are many lovely natural products that can be used for wedding décor and favors at your green wedding event. Some lovely ideas include place card holders made out of bamboo shoots or sea shells. These items can be placed on tables for guests to enjoy during the wedding and reception, then later on, for displaying wedding photos, recycled paper wedding announcements and other little treasures from your wedding day. Be sure to donate any items to the recycling or resale stores after your wedding so that others can reuse them.

Biodegradable is better. The green products that are available today include many products that are totally biodegradable - such as paper products, beeswax and soy candles, and wedding décor made with 100% recycled material. It's easy to find just the right items that will not pollute the environment when you toss them or if they accidentally end up on the ground. Some wonderful biodegradable items include burlap wedding favor coasters and butterfly seed baskets. Just think lots of natural fibers and you will find many excellent wedding favors that won't harm the environment once the party ends.

Forget the AC - use fans. What better way to reduce electricity waste by eliminating air conditioning at your green wedding? If you think ahead, you can plan your wedding on a nice warm spring or autumn day, but if it does happen to get a little warmer than usual, one excellent eco-friendly wedding favor idea for guests are foldable fans made out of sandalwood or silk. These fans can even be personalized if you like and used later on for other events as they fit neatly inside pockets and purses. Your guests will feel like they're in an old fashioned wedding when you present them with fans like this as it adds a nice touch of charm for your green wedding day.

The eco-friendly wedding is a thoughtful way for you to remind others that it's very important to take care of the earth so that we can all enjoy the fresh air, blue skies and all that nature provides for us to be happy.

Wedding Invitations 101

The wedding invitations are a very important aspect of the wedding. They are an important decision that should be made by both bride and groom when they plan out the wedding. The wedding invitations are many times the first contact you will have between the guests and the bride and the groom. That makes if very important that you ensure all items are included.

One of the first considerations will naturally be the invitations themselves. They should include what day your wedding will be held, the date and time, and the location. The names of the happy couple also need to be on there. You should state if you are having a reception after the ceremony and where it will be held as well. You wedding invitations ought to also match your wedding tone and color scheme. That way your guest will be fully informed of what they can expect when they arrive and if it is going to be a formal or informal affair.

Wedding invitations need to include additional information for guests who are coming in from out of town and will have to make some travel arrangements to come to your wedding. A bride and a groom should take the initiative to book some rooms at one of the local hotels. More than likely you can find a hotel that will offer you a discount. Then you need to include this information in with your wedding invitations in order for your guests to know they can get the low rates and book their trips in advance.

It is crucial that you also include reply cards in your envelopes. This can be as crucial as the invitations themselves. These are the cards that will hold the spaces that your guests can use to sign their names and let you know if they will be attending or not. This helps you to determine the size of your party and how much cake and food you will need. You should have the courtesy of sending self-addressed stamped envelopes for your guests to return to you. These reply cards will be a vital part of your wedding planning and your invitations.

Choosing your wedding invitations can be a lot of fun for both bride and groom. This is the time when many couples really begin to feel their connection and the reality that they're having a wedding begins to set in. It can truly be exciting!

Free Blog Factory Review

In this Free Blog Factory review I examine the importance of running a correctly setup blog and whether or not Free Blog Factory is the right way to go for you. With now over 400,000,000 blogs indexed by Google and that number is growing by the second. In case you are wondering, yes there are supposed to be that many zeros and commas.

When people think about starting an online home based business, they realize no matter the venue, it all starts with a blog. The truth however, is that most people will fail. In fact most people will never get past the basic setup of their blog and creating a few posts that do not get seen by anyone other than the creator.

So why exactly are so many people and even large companies going to blogs instead of the traditional website which dominated the Internet for so long?

I'm about to reveal the answer to that question and so much more.

There is no question blogs are here to stay and are quickly replacing websites with even older mainstream companies. The reason why is simple, blogs are easy on the eyes, do not require any programming, and can be completely customized while at the same time be universally similar in terms of general layout so your readers and customers can easily navigate and find what they are looking for.

Another great aspect to blogs is that they work in unison with web 2.0 places such as Twitter and Facebook. This can dramatically increase your traffic and ability to connect with your audience.

If you are considering opening up shop online or even just trying to find a better way to connect with your customers, you need to have a fully customized blog with all the bells and whistles.

This is where Free Blog Factory really comes into play as they do everything for you with your blog and for free. In addition you will be fully optimized for search engine optimization. This is important because in order to make money you need traffic and the best traffic comes organically from the search engines.

You will want to have your blog customized to represent you, Blog Factory gives you over 15 custom templates to chose from and you can customize them even further as you go along. All you have to do is point and click. They have over 3 hours of social media training videos too so if you want to attract highly targeted visitors from say Facebook, they will show you how to do that.

What it really boils down to is you being up and running with a completely unique blog that looks great, represents you and allows you to focus on developing your business rather than dealing with the headache of making sure everything was setup correctly on your blog.

Am I Legally Married? Check It Out Now

If this question arises in your mind that you are legally married or not and you want to check your marital status then you must listen to this and check ways to authenticate this. Following are the methods through which you can check that you are legally married or not. First of all you can review your marriage certificate and read your and your partner name which is mentioned on your certificate. And after that you can check the legal appearance of your marriage through internet.

There are many websites which provides you the facility of online check that you are legally married or not. You just have to enter your name and date of marriage on this website and the result is in front of you. You have to enter the right name of you and your partner otherwise you get wrong information that's why I suggested you to review you marriage certificate before using this service online. You can enjoy this service free of cost if you have web facility in your home.

You can also check the legal proof of you marriage through some paid websites. These websites are especially designed to perform this kind of task. These sites contain the data base of marriages which are legally registered. You just have to create an account on these sites to check that you marriage is legally registered or not. These sites normally charges some bucks to provide you the facility of checking the legal record of your marriage. After creating an account on these sites you just have to enter the name of you and your partner and date of your marriage. Within few minutes these kinds of websites gives you the whole result about your marriage like place of marriage, legal appearance of your marriage, exact time of your marriage and many more.

If these two methods do not satisfy your demands then you can for other procedures. There are many rear chances of non-satisfaction; people usually get desired information with all relevant authentications. Another way to check out if you are legally married or not is through visiting the office of marriage registrar. Because in registrar office, all records of marriages are maintained. You just have to tell the date of your marriage and the officer can provide you all the record of your marriage. He will also take some money as a fee for providing this service.

What If Wedding Guests Don't RSVP?

You would think that when you issue a formal wedding invitation, it should be a given that a response is expected from the guests. In the vast majority of cases, wedding invitations even state "RSVP" or "The favour of a reply is requested". In fact, many brides go so far as to include stamped self-addressed reply cards so that guests have to expend virtually no effort at all in sending their response. Yet, even with all of this, it is far too common for the last days before the wedding to roll around and the bride and groom are still left hanging by people who have not accepted or declined the invitation. So what should you do if your wedding guests don't RSVP?

Many a bride worries that to track down guests who have not responded to a wedding invitation will appear rude or pushy. As long as it is done graciously, however, there is absolutely nothing rude about it at all; actually it is the guest who has blown off their duty who is being ill-mannered. After all, you have to know how many mouths you will be feeding, who to put on the seating chart, and what your final expenditures will look like.

For couples who have budgeted their weddings carefully, it can be very helpful to know whether or not you will be serving dinner to 100 guests or 110. Considering the price per person, the difference of a few guests either way can mean hundreds of dollars, and it would be nice to know if you will have that extra cash to splurge on the extras like getting the complete sets of bridesmaid jewelry as gifts or if you had better limit your bridesmaid jewelry gifts to just a pair of earrings. There is nothing worse than paying for meals that go uneaten, unless it is having guests show up for whom there is no dinner waiting. So, by all means, track down those non-responsive guests diligently!

A phone call is the place to start with people who have not responded to your wedding invitation. If you put a specific deadline on your response cards, wait until a few days after the date has passed to account for any stragglers. Otherwise, go by whatever deadline your caterer has given you. If the bride has a wedding coordinator, she should be given the somewhat awkward task of trying to wrangle responses out of wayward guests. When there is no planner, the job will generally fall to to the bride or her mother. A simple call saying, "We did not receive your reply to our wedding invitation yet, and we wanted to be sure that you can join us." will do the trick for most people. If you have to leave a message, be sure to conclude with "Could you please call me back at your earliest convenience?" and give them the best number to reach you.

For most people, a reminder call is enough to trigger a reply to your invitation, but if you still don't hear back and crunch time is nearing, it is definitely acceptable to make a follow up call. Keep your tone pleasant, but firm. When leaving a message, say something like, "Sorry to bother you, but we still have not received your response to our wedding invitation, and the caterer is demanding that I give her a final head count by Friday. I do so hope you can come to my wedding, but if I have not heard back from you by Friday, I will assume that means you cannot make it."

Anyone who wants to attend will certainly be motivated by the final deadline, and a guest who does not bother to reply probably had no intention of attending in the first place. Of course, if you do get a call two days before your wedding from an old friend apologizing dearly for being so late to reply, the only thing to do is to graciously tell her you are glad she is coming and find a way to squeeze her in for dinner. After all, friends and family are more important than punishing someone for being an inconsiderate guest.