Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, Sweet 16s - Can You Cater Your Own?

You'll Save a Bundle, But Will You Lose Your Mind?

Of all the expenses for your big party and special day, the biggest by far is the catering. So we shop hard for the best deal and then - when it's still too much - we just suck it up and pay, right?

Because, what other choice is there?

Well, I set out to find out if there might actually BE another choice. To see if catering your own mega-party is reasonably simple, or just plain insane.

By the end of this article, you'll know what's right for you and, if you decide to do your own catering, you'll have a good list of mistakes (mine) to avoid!

Self-Catering Was Not a New Idea to Me

I should say upfront that I've had self-catering on my mind for a while and I even wrote about it (in my bar mitzvah / bat mitzvah planning book, "MitzvahChic"). But I never flew completely solo when it came to my own parties.

When it was time to plan the bat mitzvah of my third and last child, though, I thought this is it - it's now or never. The economy really cooperated. Things had gotten so bad, it actually seemed kind of reasonable to be thinking "Sure I can do the food myself - how hard could it be?"

Looking back on that now, I can only say - LOL!

So here now, in a simple list, are the things you should know, consider and weigh carefully before you leap. We loved our party, first-time-catering bumps and all, but this approach is definitely not for everybody.

The Party Overview

• There were 120 guests and about half were young teenagers.

• There were cocktails for an hour with about 6 appetizers - 3 cold and 3 in chafing dishes, which I bought cheaply on eBay but I could easily have rented.

• The bar was self-serve. There was a table of non-alcoholic drinks - soda and water - and another with beer, hard lemonade and wine. We kept the tables widely separated to keep the kids from being able to "accidentally" grab hard lemonade. But I think one of them did anyway. Hey, you know who you are!

• I didn't hire a bartender because there was nothing to mix or pour. But, that was a mistake because we should have had someone keeping the tables clean, re-stocking, and watching those sneaky kids.

• Once everyone was in the dining room, there was Pellegrino water on the adult tables and the kids tables had pitchers of Shirley Temples, light-up cocktail glasses, and bar set-ups - cocktail fruit for decorating their drinks.

• The cocktail hour dishes and adult buffet were constructed out of bulk items purchased from a big box store (frozen classic hors d'oeuvres, romaine lettuce and croutons for Caesar salad) and wonderful freshly made food trays ordered from several stores and restaurants.

What Was Great

• We fed everyone handsomely for a tiny fraction of the cost of catering.

• For self-catering to work, all the food has to be self-serve and it's best if most of it can be served at room temperature. Otherwise, it's got to be in chafing dishes on the buffet.

• We ordered the best dishes from local restaurants / stores: fruit and vegetable trays from Whole Foods; sushi from the local Korean supermarket, Greek appetizers and fresh grilled garlic pita from a Greek restaurant, filet mignon sandwiches, freshly tossed homemade salads, and gourmet eggplant parmesan pizza. So everything - even though it wasn't fancy - was the best version of itself.

• If you want to use pretty serving trays - give them to the store or restaurant ahead of time so the food won't need any pimping once you pick it up.

• Our party felt more like a village festival than a stuffy affair. I love when everyone's involved and guests like it too. It's liberating when things aren't so formal.

• The party also had a warm spirit and spontaneity that we loved. If you're trying to achieve grandeur, though, this might not be the right plan.

• We were able to use items that reflected our values, like disposable bamboo plates that were eco-friendly and gorgeous.

• We effortlessly did fun things that a caterer would have charged plenty for - like I bought frozen balls of chocolate chip cookie dough at the big box store and had the servers pop them in the oven while they were setting up the dessert and coffee table. Some young guests volunteered to take the warm cookies around to the guest tables. Fun!

What Was Hard

• Catering your own party is a lot of work and a mountain of details. Don't even attempt it unless you're super detail oriented or have a friend or associate with those qualities who's going to project manage.

• You have to rent or bring every plate, glass, utensil, serving piece, oven mitt, tray, cleaning sponge and pot, and you have to create a layout for how the buffet tables should be arranged. That's so your servers know how to set them up and you order enough service tables and tablecloths.

• You will have to find a venue that allows outside caterers to come in, and even then, they may fight with you about catering your own party. That's because they typically get a kickback from the caterer - you may have to pay them a per-head amount to compensate. And they will probably require your servers to have insurance.

• You need to find a very organized team of servers to heat up the food, set up the buffets, toss the salads, serve, replenish and clean up. They need to be able to work by themselves (you'll be busy hosting the party) and solve any of the problems that always happen.

• Don't hire a bunch of individuals off Craigslist for the servers - find a service where the staff is used to working together. I knew a mom who runs a business like this and they're very experienced. Still, there were things that didn't go as planned and that will happen to you too. So if you're the kind of person who will grieve for months if something non-life-threatening goes wrong, don't consider self-catering.

• Instead of relaxing the afternoon before my daughter's evening bat mitzvah service, we were running around picking up the food, groceries, cake, drinks, and ice and schlepping everything to the venue. Do yourself a favor - hire some reliable drivers to do that. Or let your serving team handle that too.

By catering our own party, we saved thousands of dollars and - now that I've recovered - I can honestly say it was fun. Just be sure to find reliable people and delegate everything. Then you can be free to enjoy your party, which will be ten times more fun every time you remember it's costing you a fraction of what everyone else has to pay.

Cupcake Boxes: Few Buying Tips to Save More

To make cupcakes more delightful and attractive, people place them inside cupcake boxes. Cupcake boxes are food containers that are made of clear plastic or cardboard, often designed with several attractive colors and motifs. Boxes for cupcakes come in various styles and designs. You can actually choose a box with a window on the top or holes on the sides while there are also those that are designed closed. Most kids find closed boxes more exciting as it gives them the extra thrill as to whether the cupcake inside is made up of chocolate, blueberry or vanilla coconut. This is the reason why most moms would request closed cupcake boxes to give their kids. If you are planning to surprise your loved ones with the idea of cupcakes, then here are some few buying tips that you would surely find helpful.

1. You can purchase a multi-pack or individual cupcake boxes from bakeries in your area. If you are giving away hundreds of cupcakes, then purchasing cupcake boxes wholesale can absolutely help you save more. If you want to show-off your cupcake's pretty frostings, purchase boxes with clear windows. For bakeries that specialize in cupcake baking, a box with windows is more preferable as it allows the customer to take a sneak view of the cupcake without opening it.

2. If you have enough time to prepare your cupcake, why not make your own cupcake boxes? Yes, it is possible following the easy steps you can find online or inside recipe books. Aside from saving much of your budget, this idea will also give you the freedom to choose what color and design you want to paint your box. You can even construct the box according to the size of your cupcake. If you have ready-made boxes at home like those from wines and gift boxes, you can absolutely turn them into cupcake containers. All you need to do is to add inserts (which you can purchase separately) to keep each cupcake upright and you'll have a ready box to place yummy treats inside - more personalized yet light to the budget.

If you have less time to prepare cupcake boxes on your own, get affordable and beautiful cupcake boxes from the bakery suppliers near your area. Usually they accept wholesale orders from their retailers as well as special requests from customers like you. They may also give you some special discounts on their items if you hire their service for your coming celebration.

There are several reasons why people love to bake cupcakes. Aside from giving them the satisfaction of a good taste and attraction of a yummy treat, the entire activity also provides them the opportunity to practice art and showcase creativity. So the next time you plan your next party or celebration for your loved ones, remember the above cupcake boxes suggestions and you will surely end the occasion with a smile and a hug from them.

Plain Wedding Invitations - A Simple and Classic Touch to Your Wedding

Plain wedding invitations aren't to everyone's taste. Some couples prefer invites that shout "We're Getting Married!". A design that is full of colour and in your face. However, simple designs remain a popular choice for many couples. They exude an understated sophistication and have a timeless feel. Their timeless quality comes from the fact that simple handwritten notes were the original choice for couples when wedding invitations became popular. Before then most guests were told about a wedding by word of mouth.

Traditionally, wedding invitations consisted of a single sheet of card with your invitation details printed in black ink. However, other printing techniques are now used to enhance but not overpower simple designs.

An example of a popular plain wedding invite is a single sheet of heavy weight card with a simple embossed or raised border. A border has the advantage of still keeping an understated feel to the card but provides a frame for your invitation wording.

The wording can now be printed in a choice of colours, although to create a sophisticated feel I recommend using black ink. For a touch of sparkle you can have your invites printed in gold or silver foil. Often gold or silver foil is combined with embossing to create an expensive feel to your invitations.

Another option to consider is raised ink. This creates texture on your invites but is a cheaper option than engraving. Raised ink is created by using a special powder which coats the wet ink and when heated hardens to form the raised effect.

The majority of modern invites are folded cards opposed to a single sheet, containing a paper insert with your wording. A simple but effect design is to have the word "wedding" printed in foil on the front of the card in a stylish font. To add a bit of interest use textured card and possibly a tassel to complete the design.

Non-Traditional Wedding Gifts For Non-Traditional Wedding Couples

They're a funky kind of couple. That don't do anything that you would consider normal. For example, they're getting married underwater, on top of a mountain. Or perhaps, your friends have been married before and by combining households they have everything a traditional bride and groom would normally ask for. So what do you get a couple that has it all or yawns at the idea of registering for towels, teacups and toasters? Here are some suggestions:

Modern Art and Furnishings

Perhaps your friends are a very stylish couple who love modern art and contemporary home furnishings. For this cosmopolitan couple, it would behoove you to find Jonathan Adler ceramics, Angela Adams ultrasuede throw pillows, and Jeff Koons' Puppy Vase. Other designers to consider: Jonathan Adler, Mono, and Union Street Glass.

Donating to Charity

If your friends lived together before the wedding, or simply feel that they have all of the home furnishings they need, you may consider a gift to their favorite charity. There are several web sites you can check to see if the perspective bride and groom are listed. Some sites will charge guests a five-dollar service fee to register and donate.

Donate to charity with no fee

If you're looking to give to only one charity, search for the perfect one. While you might not find some of the benefits of a traditional registry (primarily keeping track of who has given), this way keep your guests from paying any fees. Some charities may be able to keep track of who has given and provide regular lists.

Create a gift

If you know your bride and groom well, and are trying to save for a big item, like a house, care or some other big-ticket item. Your can contribute to their house down payment, or furniture.

Helping with the honeymoon

Some people might view this as a tacky plea for money, but if you are comfortable with it, you help out with the couple's honeymoon here. Check their itinerary, so you can give them a romantic dinner or tickets to a great play.

Spa Gift Certificates

If they're honeymooning at a spa (or having a destination wedding at or near a spa), consider giving spa gift certificates. They'll help make their trip extra special by letting you pamper them fully.

Luxury Sedan Service

If they're an on-the-go couple, why not make their entire honeymoon a relaxing trip from their driveway to the airport and back. Hire a luxury sedan to pick them up from their home or hotel the day of their honeymoon and have one waiting to pick them up when they return. Can you think of a better way to give them the best vacation ever?

Cash is King

Tacky? Not so much anymore. As long as the bride and groom don't ask for it out right, money is always a welcome gift. They can put it toward their honeymoon, furniture and furnishings for a new home, down payment on a new home or maybe to save for a rainy day, like their retirement. Hey, it's cash and they can do anything they want with it.

Wedding Planning Course - Making The Perfect Wedding Invitation

There are plenty of institutions that offer wedding planning course; wedding planning is a part of event planning industry. Event planning covers many areas and it has become a very popular industry; it has taken the responsibility of planning weddings for those who do not have time to spare to arrange their events or who think they are not capable or creative enough to arrange the event properly and at the same time it has become the source of income for many. This is the reason more people are inclined towards this field and getting their skills polished through taking wedding planning courses.

Wedding planning includes many things for example deciding the date, location, dress, d矇cor, catering, reception, guests list and the cards.

Invitation card is a very important thing while planning the wedding; you need to put all information about the program in a small yet a sophisticated way. Invitation card has a very emotional value for people especially for the bride and the groom so it has to be a perfect one.

During wedding planning courses students are taught a few important things about invitations; how to invite the guest; what should be written; what kind of language should be used and how to express all the feelings and information in a short brief note.

If you have a particular theme for your wedding, then choose the card and its material according to the theme. It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on the cards; you can match the color of the card with the theme.

Many people use their talent and aesthetic sense and use DIY method; you can make the invitation cards your self and save your money; this is a way to get more involved into the event and keep your wedding more memorable; the more you put your effort the more you have a memorable wedding; you can get different ideas on the internet for making nice and elegant invitation cards.

Take nice material for invitation cards in bulk from the market; you can find discount shops from where you can get different materials for making invitation cards. You can use different colored papers and decorate them with ribbons or use butter paper and make prints with different stamps on it. You can collect big thick leaves of plants and preserve them in books and then write the details with golden marker, coat with mixture of water and glue; this is a simple but a very unique idea. Take a piece of thick paper and cut into a nice shape; write the details with bold marker then place a piece of golden net on it; use this as an invitation card.

You can learn about different techniques and etiquettes about making and sending the invitation cards in wedding planning course which can help you in your professional career.

Information About Wedding Insurance

When you go to your first bridal show, there may be a booth there that you hadn't anticipated: the wedding insurance company. Many brides wonder whether the protection is worth the cost.

Wedding policies aren't expensive - generally under $500 for even a large wedding and sometimes significantly less expensive. The wedding insurance policy protects you against both misfortune and mishap.

Wedding insurance policies typically cover weather, illness or injury, or a missing officiant, vender, or venues.

If your wedding is impacted by weather (ie. an outdoor ceremony cancelled because of rain), the insurance will cover rescheduling the entire affair. This would also kick in if there was a major snowstorm and there is no reasonable expectation that guests could get to the venue.

If any of the essential people in the wedding party are sick or get injured, the wedding can be rescheduled as well. Check the policy for who is defined as an "essential person.

You can't have a ceremony without an officiant. So if your pastor doesn't show, and the whole thing has to be rescheduled, you are covered. This also holds true for key vender. If your florist goes out of business just days before the wedding, you may have to cancel and start from scratch. With insurance, you are not left holding the bag for the whole wedding

Similarly, if your church burns down the evening before the wedding, you can reschedule.

There are also additional riders you can buy on top of the base policy described above.

If you or your groom are in the military or reserves, you may want to consider a Military Service Rider which covers the expenses of the wedding if you have to cancel as a result of one of you being called up to active duty.

You may want a Gown and Tuxedo rider if you think these stores may go out of business.

If your homeowners insurance does not cover theft of gifts from the wedding venue, consider a Gift rider.

Check with the church and reception hall about their liability insurance. If you're not certain that it fully protects you, purchase a wedding liability insurance rider. You don't want your third cousin's date to get drunk, fall down the stairs, and sue you for your entire net worth.

Finally, you might want to consider honeymoon insurance. This is a form of traveler's insurance that protects you if you must cancel the honeymoon.

You should know that the insurance only protects you for something you didn't already know and which is not in your control. Specifically, getting cold feet is NOT covered by the insurance policy.

Taking out the proper insurance for a wedding is a cheap investment on what is usually a big ticket item. Before you reject the idea of insurance, consider whether the person paying for the wedding would be willing to fork out a second set of money if the wedding had to be scheduled a second time.

Planning A Simple Second Wedding Reception

We have all been to weddings where you wonder why the bride is wearing white at her second wedding. Is this something that should be avoided? Custom states that at least an off-white would be more fitting. But it is the bride's choice. Even Valerie Bertinelli went with a blue gown for her second wedding.

Simple is usually expected for a second or third wedding. But that doesn't mean you can't plan a nice theme wedding that will be remembered. After all you want this memory to be far different from the first. You can plan things that will separate this from your first wedding. Make the day a little different. Save money and use some creativity. Having a do it yourself wedding might be helpful in doing both of these.

Planning a simple second wedding reception can help you introduce you new spouse. You may opt to get married first and have a wedding reception later. Either way you can still make this memorable.

Perhaps you and your partner both love old cars. Maybe add that to the wedding and reception. Large photos of old cars. A stages small scale scene that can show your tastes. A car cake. Maybe some headlights to give light. Centerpieces that look like the year of your favorite car. 50's sundae glasses with flowers or candy arrangements.

By making this a total experience it becomes memorable and gives your guests something to relate you to. That means that the guys will know your guy can fix a car. It might break the ice.

Maybe you are both sports fans. You have a favorite football team and his is different. Maybe you can build on that. Imagine others already knowing that you have found a common territory. You can still plan something simple but make it memorable. There are so many ideas that can be used for weddings. It is almost open territory. And if this is a second wedding it can help to make it more than just a wedding but a family event. Planning a simple second wedding reception can be more fun.

You can explore the hobbies and common grounds that you both share. Perhaps even a family idea if you have children. Get them involved. You can make your wedding invitations and use wording for uniting a family instead of just a couple. This can allow your children to feel a big part of the event.

So decide what you want to do get some help from family and friends and start your dream wedding. Planning a simple second wedding reception can be fun, but make it memorable too!

Different Elements In A Chinese A Wedding Invitation

Nowadays there are different styles of wedding invitations. Indeed wedding invitation is one of the must items for a wedding. It is used to announce the wedding and spread the joy and happiness of the couple. A well designed wedding invitation can give an unexpected impression to the guests. It is in fact marking the beginning of a wedding ceremony. Depending on different cultures, different elements can be seen on a wedding invitation.

For example, traditionally in China, wedding invitations are usually red in color, with the famous Chinese character double happiness printed on it while a traditional wedding invitation in Europe or USA is usually white in color. Of course an Indian wedding invitation will have Lord Ganesh printed, which means a blessing from God, it may not be applicable to most of us though. In this article, it is attempted to explain different elements forming a Chinese wedding invitation, which can inspire couples who are planning their Big Day.

Common elements on Chinese wedding invitation

As discussed, one of the major elements of a Chinese wedding invitation is the red color. "Double Happiness" is also very common on such invitations. Apart from these famous elements, sometimes a pair of dragon and phoenix can be found on a Chinese wedding invitation. Another element, which may be surprising to some of the readers, is a pair of chickens.

Red Color

As most of us may know, a Chinese wedding invitation is usually red in color. However, not many people know the reason why it is in such color. In fact, red color is not only for wedding, it is also the main theme of Chinese festivals such as Chinese New Year. Concerning wedding invitations, Chinese wedding invitations are of different colors a few thousand years ago. Chinese used black color wedding invitations a few thousand years ago. It is believed that there were five emperors, Red, Blue, Yellow, White and Black Emperors in Chinese History. They are indeed the ancestors of Chinese people. The black color of the wedding invitation may probably be coming from the notion of the five emperors. The red color came to Chinese wedding invitation, and other festivals in the Han Dynasty.

The first emperor of the Han Dynasty declared himself as the son of Red Emperor. Starting from this legend, the red color became the main theme of different celebrations and festivals. This theme also became the main color of wedding invitations. One may doubt that why gold and yellow were not adopted as main color of wedding invitations, as it can be always seen in traditional Chinese palaces. In fact gold and yellow are also meant to be something lucky and joyful. It is also interpreted as a symbol of the royal family, or the emperor. The only one who could use these colors is the emperor. This forms the reason why gold and yellow colors are not the primary colors of a wedding invitation. However, culture is changing from time to time. More people start adopting gold and yellow color the Chinese wedding invitation designs.

Double Happiness

In Chinese culture, wedding is always related to the notion of double happiness. This "double happiness" is an interesting Chinese character. It looks like two people standing side by side. In fact we can interpret it as a couple standing together. From here we may get a clue of the reason for printing the character "double happiness" on the wedding invitation. This character bears the meaning of getting together. It declares that a man and a woman, and two families will be united as one. The character "double happiness" is usually printed on the red invitations with golden hot stamping.

Dragon and Phoenix

Dragon has long been the symbol of China and Chinese people. When Dragon and Phoenix come as a pair, dragon represents male and phoenix represents female. Dragon and Phoenix can be interpreted as a perfect couple. Similar to "double happiness", this pair are one of the elements which is usually seen in wedding invitation design, with golden hot stamping.

A pair of chickens

In Chinese, chicken is pronounced as "Ji", the pronunciation is similar to another Chinese character meaning good luck. A pair of chicken becomes a blessing to the couple. It blesses them good luck for the rest of the life after marriage. This pair of chickens are usually full color printed on the invitation. It looks a traditional paper cutting. This delivers a quality of Chinese style which a hot stamping logo cannot be replaced with.

As mentioned, the notion of double happiness is the key of Chinese wedding, some modern Chinese wedding invitations can be one of the choices for your big day. You can also find some other vendors of wedding invitations in USA for your big day.

Inner and Outer Envelopes For Wedding Invitations

It is traditional when putting together wedding invitations to use both an inner and an outer envelope. In this article, I will discuss the different procedures with each envelope.

The outer envelope of a wedding invitation is the one that will actually take a stamp and be sent in the mail. It will therefore have the full mailing address of the person to whom it is being address. Note that, except for couples, separate adults should each receive their own wedding invitation and their own outer envelope. For instance, if you are addressing it to two sisters living together, each should get her own envelope.

On the front envelope, you should put the names of all people you intend to invite except minor children. Minor children are not listed on the outer envelope at all (don't worry; you'll get to them on the inner envelope). The name on the front envelope should be the person's formal title, not simply the first name. For example, the title should be addressed to "Mr. John Smith", not simply "John Smith".

The inner envelope is the more personalized envelope, and is addressed to the person as you refer to him or her, not the title. So, for instance, if you can say "John" or even "Dad." It is also where you clarify who exactly is invited. So, if you are inviting children, you should say each of their names on the inner envelope. In addition, it is the spot to let someone know that he or she may bring a date. In order to do this, write the term "and guest" on the inner envelope to let the person know they may bring one.

How to Choose Appropriate Bridal Shower Decorations

Bridal shower decorations come in a variety of styles, and the number of items available to pretty-up a party room are almost endless. Consider what time of year you will hold the bridal shower as well as whether it will be indoors or outdoors. You might hold the party in your home, an office conference room, or a hotel ballroom. Whenever and wherever you hold the party, be sure that you choose appropriate bridal shower decorations.

If you hold the party in the springtime by your backyard pool, use casual decorations that are still in keeping with a bridal theme. The Palm Tree Placecard Holder is a cute table decoration that is perfect for an outdoor party, especially if the happy couple plans to honeymoon at a romantic island getaway. Each placecard holder consists of a pair of pewter palm trees standing on sand. Tuck white name cards between the palm fronds or choose a more tropical color. Add a White Wooden Lawn Chair Photo Frame to the poolside table setting, placing a photograph of the happy couple in the frame. Add a little tropical greenery around it to turn it into a charming and unique centerpiece that the bride will cherish for all her married life.

Don't forget candles and flowers if you're hosting a more formal bridal shower. Turn a plain hotel ballroom into an elegant setting by placing candles on each table, surrounding each with an Artificial Silk Lily and Gardenia Candle Ring. Each of these lovely floral accent pieces looks real enough to cast their flowery scents into the air. Adorn the buffet table with the Cream White Lily and Rose Garland. This is another real looking set of silk flowers that is perfect for a more elegant bridal shower. Identify place settings at the ballroom tables with the 4 Inch White Resin Bride and Groom Placecard Holders. These are another elegant touch that can be used by each guest as a photograph holder when they return to their homes.

If you're hosting a bridal shower for a coworker during an extended lunch hour, turn that drab conference room into an elegant party paradise. Start with a White Damask Table Cloth. It's polyester and machine washable, so you'll be able to use it for other party occasions in the future. But for this special party, lay it out and then adorn it and the rest of the room with other elegant bridal decorations.

For example, loop a Crystal and Silver Chain Wedding Garland around the edge of the table or along the window sill. It will catch the light beautifully. So will the Silver Cinderella Slipper Placecard Holders. These are an enchanting table decoration that will charm all the guests. Each guest will be delighted to take her placecard holder home with her, to use for displaying personal photos. You might even find a few of them remain at the office, adorning desks throughout the building.

Scatter glistening charms over any table at any bridal party. Choose the Clear Diamond Wedding Favor Charms for a rich and elegant look, placing them against any color tablecloth or on a mirror for added glitz. Or toss out a handful of the Pink 20 Carat Acrylic Diamonds to add some feminine color to the table.

Butterflies made of satin make another excellent choice for table charms. The Package of 144 Ivory Satin Butterflies for Table Confetti is a charming choice. Use these in a garden party or indoors. When the party is over, encourage the guests to take home a handful for their children. They make great accessories for dolls and can be used in scrapbooking, too.

Don't forget pretty containers for party favors. The Pink Flower Organza Bag is a perfect size for you to place tea lights, bath salts or even earrings into for each guest to take home. Another choice is the Soft Pink Rose Heart Trinket Favor Box. This pretty box is a gift in itself, but it's plenty big enough to hold all the little favors you'd like to give the party guests. Frosted Party Favor Bags with White Silk Flowers are another option for party favors. Tuck candy or homemade soaps inside these elegant bags for each guest to take home. Any of these choices will look lovely on the party table, regardless of where or when you host it. An added benefit to using these for decorations is that guests do take them home, thereby helping with part of the cleanup after the party is over.

When you're in charge of decorating for a bridal shower, you might feel overwhelmed by the options that are available to you. Just remember that this occasion is supposed to be fun for everyone involved - and that includes the hostess. Relax and enjoy the experience, and that will ensure that all the guests have a better time, too.

Creative Marketing Ideas For Menswear Stores

Menswear is an interesting industry because you're marketing to two distinctly different markets: men, and women. You have to attract the men who want to shop for their own clothing, but you also have to reach the women who shop for their husband, father, son etc. Since your market is so varied, it's important to use a variety of promotional methods to reach all of them. Here are some great options:

1. Wedding Specials-Whether you have actual tuxedo rental or you just sell them (along with suits), you should have some sort of deal for wedding parties. Many grooms and groomsmen nowadays are choosing to purchase a suit or tuxedo anyway, as they can use it for friends' weddings and other formal events. Many stores offer a special that the groom's tux is free when the rest of the party rents or buys, and this is a great promotion, but other valuable promotions would be a percentage off for the total party, free accessories with suit or tux rental, or even a VISA gift card to use for the bachelor party. Promote your wedding special using posters near your tuxedo area.


2. Father's Day Sale-Father's Day (or at least the days leading up to it) is Black Friday for menswear stores. Customers everywhere are looking for the perfect gift for Dad, so make sure you're showing them what you have to offer! Create a promotion, be it just a great sale or even something more-unique like free gift wrapping or a gift with purchase. Hang a banner in-front of your store letting customers know that you're the place to shop for Father's Day.


3. Business Discount Program-This is a unique idea that reaches out to the business professional market, of which many are your clients. Contact HR departments at businesses in your area, and set up an agreement with them to offer a set discount in exchange for business referrals. When employees come to your stores, they can use their business card or employee ID to receive the special discount.


4. Free Tailoring/Dry Cleaning Service-If you have the capability, offer free tailoring on new purchases or even a one-time free dry cleaning. This makes your store more of a one-stop shop for customers, and they're more-likely to continue shopping with you. The more customers are in your store, the more they'll buy! If you can't afford to offer these services free, at least offer them at all so that you keep the business in-house. Hire a part-time tailor, or at least a courier who can drop off and pick up merchandise from the tailor and dry cleaner.


5. Loaning to Public Figures-Customers need to see your merchandise out-and-about, so sometimes you have to hand-deliver it to them! Look for opportunities to loan your clothing and other merchandise to visible public figures. This can be for news anchors, political candidates, beauty pageant escorts, etc. Even smaller venues like school homecoming courts and prom royalty candidates will gain exposure for your business.

Getting Married in China - What You Need to Know

Getting married to a Chinese partner is very straightforward and doesn't require enormous amounts of effort or expenditure. Here's a simple guide to tying the knot in the Middle Kingdom.

You need to be aware that though China theoretically allows two foreign nationals to get married on its soil, it is almost impossible to complete the paperwork to do so. So if neither of you is a local, you'll be better off planning a wedding in a more accepting location.

If you are looking at marrying a Chinese national though - here's the process.

Notary Public

First stop is to visit a notary public, wherever you can find one. I flew back to London because I wanted to conduct the whole process in the UK rather than in Saudi where I was living at the time, but you can find a notary public in almost any city if you look.

Once you find one, you'll need to swear (with legal penalties for falsifying your statement) that either you have never been married and are legally unrestricted to marry, or that you have been married and are now divorced legally and have no barriers to marriage.

The notary will then document this and stamp the paperwork to certify your testimony.

It's not expensive I paid about $100 US for the service.

Foreign Office

Then you need to take the paperwork to your foreign office (in the UK this is in Milton Keynes) or your embassy (if you are resident in another country and don't wish to return home - but only if you are legally resident, tourist visas won't do it) and have them stamp the paperwork to say that you've been to a recognised notary.

Again this isn't expensive and I paid around $80 US for this.

Chinese Embassy

Finally in terms of preparation you need to take your paperwork to the Chinese embassy and have them certify it, this step is more time consuming than the others (it took 3 days as opposed to same day turnaround for the other steps) but also comes in quite cheap at around $80 US. They'll also translate your paperwork into Chinese so that it can be understood when you come to get married.

Once you have the paperwork stamped by all three, you're good to go. Head to China, make sure you have the paperwork and copies of your divorce certificates (if necessary) and then have your partner provide their national ID card, divorce certificates (if necessary) and their hukou (national identity document/living permit) and head to the capital city of the province they come from (not where they live).

Registry Office

All Chinese marriages take place in registry offices, though some religious minorities will also have a celebration in their place of worship afterward (note: all religions are a minority in China). There's no need to book in advance, just turn up on the day with your papers (on exceptionally busy days you may be asked to come the next day but that's rare).

It will be just you and your partner, family don't come to the marriage itself nor do friends. You will sit and wait to be called, then you will have your photographs taken (cost 20 RMB - about $4 US), enter another room and fill in two forms (identical but one needs to be completed by you and one by your partner - in practice my wife and I filled in our own details on each other's forms as I can't write Chinese and while she can write English it was more convenient to get me to do it, while she wrote on my form) and then you're married.

If you're lucky, and I was, there will also be a notary public somewhere in the building who can translate the marriage papers into English and certify them for you.

Getting married in China is a very simple process, though a somewhat unromantic one compared to Western traditions. Follow these simple steps and everything should go smoothly. Please note though that these steps conform to Chinese law (the country is a signatory to the Hague convention on marriage) and you will need to check whether they conform to the laws of your own country too.

20 Terrific Reasons to Recycle a First Communion Dress

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

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

Why Should You Recycle A Communion Dress?

1. Pass It On

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

2. Preserve The Dress

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

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

3. Be Charitable

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

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

Give The Fabric A New Life

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

4. Make A Flower Girl Basket

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

5. Carry Something Special

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

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

6. Make A Satin Shawl

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

7. Tie Ribbons And Bows

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

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

8. Dress Up The Dolls

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

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

9. Handkerchiefs Come In Handy

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

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

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

10. Bring People Together

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

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

11. Celebrate The Holidays

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

12. Make A Special Keepsake

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

13. Hold On To The Memories

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

14. Keep It Picture Perfect

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

15. Enjoy A Pretty Scent

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

16. Make Special Pillows And Blankets

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

17. Dress A Princess

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

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

18. Make A Princess Table

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

19. Keep It For A Sleeping Beauty

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

20. Keep It For Another Sleeping Beauty

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

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

The Pros and Cons of a Beach Wedding

When planning a wedding, the location always comes in mind. Where will you have the wedding? Will have you it on your backyard or on a chapel? What about having it on a beach? Choosing the beach as a location will surely surprise the kids. Well, who would not like to go and enjoy the beach? However, before you choose this place as your location, you have to know its pros and cons. This article will help you in that matter.

Pros of a Beach Wedding:

• Cheaper. You don't need to pay the venue if you will have your big day on a beach. The beach is a public place (unless you will go to a private beach) and thus, you are free to use it. Moreover, with a beach wedding, there is no need to spend a fortune on the wedding decorations. Simple decorations would do.

• Relaxed atmosphere. The beach is a very relaxing place. The sand and the breeze can relieve any burden that a person might be carrying. Kids won't feel bored in anyway because they can play around while the ceremony is going on.

• The same venue for the ceremony and reception. If you will celebrate your marriage the traditional way, you will have the ceremony at the church and then the reception at a hotel or at your house. The rent of the hotel is another expense. However, that would no longer be an issue if you will have a beach wedding. After the ceremony, you can have the reception on the same spot as well.

Cons of a Beach Wedding:

• The weather is unpredictable. Due to the global warming, weather is already unpredictable. Even if it is summer, there is still a chance that it will rain. Therefore, you have to be prepared for any unexpected elements. Take tents, umbrellas and hats with you as these can save you regardless if the weather is too hot or if it is raining.

• Beach rules. Every beach has rules that must be followed. Make sure to check the rules of your preferred location to ensure that you will not violate any. There are some beaches that don't allow any alcoholic drinks within their premises. Check your preferred beach to see the things that are allowed and those that are prohibited.

Every location has its own pros and cons. If you are planning to have a beach wedding, make sure that you will consider the pros and cons that are outlined in this article.

Vintage Wedding Theme: How to Do It With Style

A vintage wedding theme is classic and can always be recreated for your own wedding. It has an old world feel, but is still timeless. A vintage theme will make the bride feel pure and enchanting. It captures a certain time when romance really meant something.

The most important aspect of a vintage wedding theme is the bride's wedding gown. There is no way to pull off a vintage theme without the gown being something truly classic or Victorian looking. A vintage inspired dress looks like it's one of a kind, it usually has intricate details and a lot of trim. This type of wedding dress can either be second-hand, passed down through generations or made to look the part. Lace and pearls are very common decorative pieces for vintage dresses.

Bridesmaids can get in on the action too with their own vintage inspired dresses. They can don brooches or other antique style headpieces with netting or feathers to complete the look. Old fashioned jewelry is always a great complement, try strands of pearls, dangling earrings or a cameo ring. There are so many accessories that can be used to enhance a vintage wedding theme, have your bridesmaids carry a lace fan or wear a shawl for the ceremony.

Colors are an important part of making this theme work. Without the right colors, the theme will not be able to convey what it is supposed to. Ivory is a staple color of the vintage wedding theme. The perfect vintage wedding dress is something that is ivory with other light or pastel colors as accents. Bright colors that are too loud or vibrant are not a good fit for this theme, because those types of colors have more of a modern feel.

A vintage wedding cannot be without flowers. When choosing the types of flowers to use, remember to rule out ones that are too colorful or vibrant. Look for classic flowers in shades of light pinks, yellows, blues or purples. Peonies, roses and hydrangeas are perfectly suited for this theme. Instead having extravagant bouquets or huge floral centerpieces, try to keep things simple. Use a few flowers for your arrangement and place them in reusable jars or containers to capture that old rustic feeling.

Anything that appears antique could be used for the decoration of the ceremony or reception. There are many places to get ideas for the decor. Try to check out a few flea markets in your area, you might stumble upon some great finds to be used as a focal point of the theme. Since vintage weddings are quite popular, there is no shortage of inspiration. Just check out some bridal magazines and you are bound to find some great ideas.

Diesel Watches - Setting New Trends With Designer Watches

Add fuel to your style with Diesel watches. The luxury watch line take you beyond convention, setting new trends. Available in a range of retro and futuristic designs, these watches break the clutter with edgy urban styling. With Diesel watches on your wrist you are a style icon.

Popular men's watches are the analog-DZ1279 or Diesel Stealth. This has an extra wide genuine leather strap and a unique rectangular case. The precise movement is maintained by 3- hand quartz. Available in options of brown or black dial and cuff this water resistant timepiece is sure to get you compliments. If you're looking for something really cool and trendy go for the digital- DZ7123, a digital dial, brown leather strap watch for men. To enhance your style quotient this watch has a unique perforated case design with exposed screws. Its two-tone case is attached to a sturdy leather strap and is water resistant. This watch is perfect if you want to carry the smart and casual look.

Here's another men's leather strap watch DZ1299 that fits your budget, suits your style. This analog watch with futuristic design has synchronized date and time display features, a stainless steel case and a light-colored dial that is enhanced by a stripe, a second hand and an oversized number at the 3-hour mark. The genuine leather strap is designed to fit perfectly to the case. It is available in brown and black colors.

Feeling blue? Pep up your mood with the men's revo lens black rubber strap watch. Casual looking but seriously functional this exclusive watch flaunts a cool black rubber strap holding an eye-catching blue glass dial with day and date window and sleek stainless steel case.

The brand's Ladies collection is also highly acclaimed. The in-demand ones being the silver tonneau dial white leather strap watch- DZ5165. In a stainless steel case it features a clean, numberless dial with silver-tone; perfect quartz movement and a date window are added functionality. A glossy looking white genuine leather strap accentuates the look of this water resistant watch. Oozing with elegance is the Diesel Ladies Gold Plated Brown Leather Strap Watch. In a stunning gold plated case, brown dial with gold plated markers, a handy day and date window it looks great on feminine wrists. Simple but never understated this watch can be your everyday companion.

With Diesel watches, you get 2 years international warranty plus authenticity, originality and quality for free. So arrive fashionably on time, grab a Diesel watch.

Most Successful Family Business Secrets

Corporate America is in essence made up of family businesses. After all, is that what our capitalist economy stands for? What makes America proud is that we offer free enterprise for all those willing to put forth the effort and hard work. The truth is, behind every successful family business, mom and pop type business is a number of methods and process that work.

We have all heard about bigger chains taking over and pushing smaller family business out of business because they can't compete with lower prices. Nonetheless, there are many large corporations that started off as a small mom-and-pop business, only to grow to be a leading giant in their industry. Small business owners often never imagine they would grow to become internationally or national giants. True transformation into an empire takes years of trial and error, but something went right. Read on to find out the most successful family business secrets.

Great management is the core to smooth operation of any business - whether small or large in scale. Businesses run on upkeep and routine of processes in place, including the management of people and transactions. Often times, small businesses mean that a small number of people play many different roles at one time and it seems like in order to survive, a necessary trait is to multi-task and be efficient with time. Therefore, one of the biggest secrets to successful family businesses is doing much with what you have, and being equally as frugal and efficient with your resources.

Communication is also crucial. With the busy environment and lots of things going on daily, keeping proper communication with who you're working with is key. Often times, family businesses work with their relatives or direct family members and to ensure that everyone is on the right track, a business owner should not let close relationships with their workers get in the way of management processes that must be in place.

Maintaining a great reputation is absolutely essential in running any kind of business. Even more so, for smaller family businesses because people don't recognize instantly their business identity or brand. Customers must make up their own mind about your business themselves and not go on preconceived notions. Therefore, creating a great reputation and relationship with your customers in vital to survival in a small mom-and-pop business.

A way to maintain great reputation is providing high quality service. Another secret to your small business being successful is that you keep your customers and keep them coming back. We all know that word of mouth is the strongest marketing machine so if you can get your customers to not only be loyal, but recommend your business to others, it's a great indication that your business can only lift off.

Lastly, a secret to running a great family business is to make sure your business is covered with a great business insurance policy. You never know what may happen and it's better to compare business insurance quotes to make sure your establishment is not liable for any mishaps that may occur.

Hot Do It Yourself Wedding Planning

So you are now engaged and have the ring on your finger. The date is set and all that is left is the enormous task of planning the wedding. If you are on a tight budget and need to save money for your married life ahead then you have an extra difficult task ahead of you. At least you can have some hope knowing that many others have gotten married and had beautiful weddings very inexpensively. However, instead of being able to pay the professionals to do everything for you and merely directing the whole process you will need to get your hands dirty if you want to save the big bucks.

There is a whole area on the internet dedicated to helping you it is called the Do It Yourself wedding also referred to as DIY Wedding. So if you get stuck you can always use your online computer skills and hop over to Google or some other popular search engine and type in DIY wedding and then what you are stuck on. For example DIY wedding invitations would help you find great sources of information on making your own wedding invitations.

This article looks at some of the areas that you can try to save money by doing the tasks yourself instead of paying a professional. However there are some things that are better to just pay for so read carefully some of the ideas that you could do on your own and be mindful of your time. The less time you have the more money you will have to spend. So you will want to start working early and get as much done ahead of time as possible.

Do It Yourself Wedding Invitations

Do it yourself wedding invitations are becoming very popular. Wedding invitations can typically run a good deal of money if you have them professionally printed. You can easily do the work yourself ahead of time and there are even a lot of resources that you can buy pre-made parts of the invitations to save some time. So start with a good idea and find the paper and materials you need and get started making your own wedding invitations.

Do It Yourself Centerpieces

Centerpieces for the wedding reception can easily be done on your own without professional help and save a good deal of money. This really depends on how elaborate your plans are. Having simple but elegant centerpieces will save you a lot of heartache, time and money. Something like beautiful glass bowls filled with water and floating candles can look wonderful and take very little time.

Do It Yourself Guestbook

Want to save money on your guestbook? Why not try putting out a photo album that you have decorated along with a Polaroid camera. Guest can take pictures of themselves and then write on the back of the picture and add the picture and message to your photo album. This will create a lasting memory and can be a lot of fun for guests also.

Do It Yourself Seating Charts, Name Tags and Organization

Why not use the computer or if you can even try your hand at some calligraphy and write out things like name tags, seating charts and even wedding programs. These can all be done pretty easily on your own or even with friends before the wedding. All of those little things can really add up and cost a lot so by making the tings yourself ahead of time you can save a great deal of money.

Hare are a few last suggestions to help speed you along the way to a complete Do It Yourself Wedding. Things are always easier and a lot more fun when done in groups of friends. So if you can have friends come over to your house a few times and help assemble wedding favors, a guestbook or decorate a seating chart. This can be a fun time to bond together and share great stories. Time is the most crucial component in a do it yourself wedding. Make sure you really plan your tasks ahead of time so you are not stuck last minute trying to put everything together.

Cancelling Business Insurance Policies - Watch Out For the Minimum Charges

Business and commercial insurance policies are something that you purchase in advance, in the hope that you may never need to actually use it.

You buy a policy that runs for one full calendar year. Usually, policies run from midnight to midnight. So, you buy a policy that starts on the 3rd March 2010, it will expire at midnight on the 2nd March 2011.

For one reason or another, you may choose to cancel your business insurance policy mid way through the insurance year. You may decide to cease trading, you may merge with another company or you may move premises. For all of these reasons, it is perfectly valid that you decide that your current policy is no longer required and you wish to cancel it.

An policy is essentially a risk transfer mechanism. You are saying to an insurance company that, in return for you paying them and annual premium, that they will take some of your business risks, i.e. the risk of fire, theft or flood or a employers, products or public liability.

You have different options when paying for your policy. Usually it is one of two. You either pay the premium in full, in advance or you pay it in monthly installments.

Either way, the insurers would expect within the 12 month period to receive the full annual premium from you. Likewise, you would expect that if you cancel the insurance policy at any point in that twelve months they would return any unexpired portion to you. Ordinarily you would want this on a pro-rata basis. If you pay for twelve months and then cancel after 6, you would expect to get 6 months back.

But, unfortunately, this is not always the case and you need to aware of this when taking out your policy. You can understand that if you need to make a claim on the policy in that year, then you should be liable to pay the full annual premium. This is written into the terms and conditions of each and every policy. But, come policies do have a condition that whenever you cancel the cover, whether you have claimed or not, you have to pay the full whack.

These policies are called minimum and deposit and you should avoid them like the plagues. They normally apply only to combined liability or professional indemnity insurance but, some insurers, have them applied to all covers. They are on the radar of the FSA as they feel, quite rightly, that they are not part of their "treating customers fairly" philosophy.

If however it is made abundantly clear to you at the outset, i.e. that you are getting such a good deal on the premium because it is minimum and deposit and you accept it, then this is ok. However, in reality we are finding that minimum and deposit policies are being sold without the purchasing customer being made fully aware.

If you are looking around for a quote, then you need to make sure that it is not on this basis. Of course, you are not going to take out a policy with the intention of cancelling, but you never know what is around the corner.

Romantic Styles For Personalized Wedding Invitations

There are many styles of romantic wedding invitations and it primarily comes down to personal preference. This preference can dictate which romantic invitations are chosen for the ceremony. You can take the classic route or a modern one and still have wonderfully romantic and personalized invitations that you can cherish for the rest of your lives. The best way to personalize your wedding invitations and make them especially romantic is to really sit down and plan them out; and remember, there is no need to have anyone tell you what is or is not romantic.

The colors that you choose for your wedding invitations set the mood for the entire wedding celebration. By the time you have begun designing your wedding invitations, if you have not yet settled on a color scheme, it is now the perfect time. Romantic and personalized wedding invitations can coordinate with the overall theme of the wedding. If, for example, the bridesmaid dresses are lavender, you may opt for wedding invitations that complement that color scheme. Perhaps going with some deep purples with wisteria accents is the way to go.

The embellishments that you choose to personalize your wedding invitations are also very important in making them romantic. The most common embellishment for a traditionally romantic wedding invitation is the ribbon. The ribbon that you choose for your wedding invitations should coordinate with your wedding scheme but it should also be delicate as well as tasteful. Silk and organza ribbons work well for romantic wedding invitations. The color of your ribbon should complement the rest of the invitation and coordinate with your entire wedding color scheme.

Furthermore, you may choose to embellish your invitations with elements like buttons and stitching in place of the ribbon. Whimsical embellishments such as these give your wedding a personalized feel, romantic look, and can be an excellent first introduction of your wedding to each of your guests. Hand tying ribbons as well as hand-stitching threads and buttons to your invitations are also great representations of your devotion to each other and can be evident to each invited guest.

The construction of the invitation is also integral to how personalized and romantic the invitations are. Good quality paper stock, vellum, and even some sparkle are key ingredients for personalized invitations. It mostly comes down to how these items are used on the invitation to determine how romantic the invitation is after it is completed. Taking the time and effort to plan different layers of the paper sheets can lend to a romantic, traditional, or a modern feel. Single layers of cardstock and paper give an air of simplicity. Wedding invitations with several layers of paper, vellum, and cardstock are apparent in more intricately designed romantic invitations.

When designing your wedding invitations, the overall look and construction is vastly important to how personalized and romantic they are, but the wording is also essential. While traditional invitation wording is perfectly acceptable, it is not as romantic as some couples would like. In an effort to make your wedding invitations more personalized and romantic, you may want to think about including a poem or perhaps even song lyrics that are special to you and your soon-to-be spouse.

While many couples may find traditional wording much more appropriate, there are couples who enjoy taking a risk together. The poem chosen for the invitation does not need to be written by a famous poet, it can even be something that the two of you made up together. The wording of your wedding invitation should always suit your personal style and most importantly show everyone how in love you two are!

There are many ways to personalize your wedding invitations and increase the amount of romantic wording or accessories included in the invitation. The design of the invitation itself, your choice of color, paper, embellishments, and wording are all crucial to making the invitation truly your own. There are even small things you can do to personalize the invitation. One small thing that you can do is to choose specific stamps for your invitations and RSVP cards. Remember, you do not need to choose the "Love" stamps most couples do. There are so many postage choices out there today that the possibilities are virtually endless. You may even consider choosing a great picture of the two of you and print your own postage!

No matter what route you take when designing your wedding invitations, as long as you put effort and a little thought into it, there is no question that it should be romantic and personalized. Just remember, your wedding is all about the love that the two of you share, so anything you put out there should be romantic! In addition, always remember to keep a copy of the invitation for your wedding scrapbook!

Wedding Rings and Their Meanings and Traditions

In the United States and a few other countries, Sweden, UK, and France the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This tradition reportedly dating to classical times was based on the belief that the fourth finger on the left hand contained the 'vein of love' and that this vein ran directly from the heart to that finger. Popular wedding bands are typically yellow gold, white gold or silver. The man's ring is wide and the woman's is narrow. They usually are just a plain band but some wedding sets are embellished to match. The man's wedding ring, the woman's wedding ring are sometimes set with small stones usually diamonds to match the engagement ring. They also can be engraved with just about anything that fits. Most couples have their wedding date engraved on the inside of the wedding band sometimes with names or initials or both.

It is no mistake that rings are circles which are associated with magic. A circle has strong magical characteristics. By being round it is considered timeless and endless. Some people even believe it implies reincarnation. Our lives, our schedules revolve in circles. Most of us basically do the same thing every day. We go to work, come home, go to sleep and get up tomorrow and do the same thing all over again.

The variety of engagement and wedding rings is vast. The most important thing to consider is the likes and dislikes of the bride. Does she prefer gold or silver or something entirely different. Does she have her heart set on a certain type of ring. Sometimes the wedding ring is purchased at the same time as the engagement ring because a lot of jewelers have wedding sets. Not to say they don't have single rings you can purchase and put together your own set. One of the popular metals for rings today is platinum which is heavier and more expensive than gold. Sterling silver is a beautiful choice although you don't want pure sterling as it is soft and easily damaged. So it is typically mixed with copper which improves the strength of the silver and doesn't affect it's color. To be sterling silver a ring must contain 925 parts out of a 1000 pure silver.

Some families have an engagement ring and sometimes wedding ring that has been handed down over generations and want to continue this tradition. If this is the case and all parties are agreeable most likely the ring will have to be taken to a reputable jeweler to be sized to the bride's finger. This is a popular trend in families who have possibly lived in the ancestral home since they were born and someone who is a believer in roots and tradition and position. It is all right to refuse this offer if this is not your style, however be prepared to try and be persuaded as these families are firm believers in tradition and the handing down of family heirlooms.

Just remember whatever type of ring you ultimately end up with it will be around for a long time as the symbol of the love you share with the person you plan on spending the rest of your life with.

Wedding Planning - Get Organised

Wedding planning truly is an art and that's why many brides pay someone to organise every last detail, right down to writing the wedding invitations! Some brides even take a year off work to plan their big day! This is pretty extreme and not really necessary, but some brides feel they need this time to alleviate some of the pressure and stress. In fact, wedding planning can be a most enjoyable experience if handled the correct way.

Firstly, you must appreciate that organising a wedding is hard work and needs to be carefully prepared. Buy yourself a book or folder - this will become your bible of all things weddingy for the next year or so. Keep all your ideas, magazine cuttings, deadlines, phone numbers and wedding invitation replies in this, your wedding planning folder.

Once a date has been agreed, you need to get a dress chosen and ordered. It is worth noting that some wedding dresses can take up to 15 months! Now you must make a list of all the things that have to be done for your wedding, for example:

Have wedding cake made and decorated

Send out wedding invitations

Book photographer

Book church

Decide on honeymoon

Order wedding favours

Choose flowers

Take out wedding insurance

Agree on groomsmen and bridesmaids

Decide which items are immediate [e.g. things that need to be prepared in advance, such as ordering the wedding invitations or booking the church]. Then, draw up a 12-month schedule and insert each job into a month. Of course, the more immediate actions will need to be addressed in the first few months, whereas ordering wedding favours may wait until later on.

It would be a good idea to make a copy for your fiance and for your bridal party. Involving others in your wedding planning will make them feel more included as well as taking pressure off yourself. For example, you may put your chief bridesmaid in charge of wedding invitations - ordering them, writing them and sending them out.

Next you should agree a budget. Very few brides actually stick to their budget but you should put some ideas down on paper and try to keep to your original quote as best you can. Include payment deadlines in your schedule so you know which payments are going out of your account each month. This way, you can spread your bills and not be hit all at once.

If you keep up with your schedule and remain organised each month, wedding planning can be great fun - as it should be. By completing small tasks regularly you won't feel out of control or stressed and everything should fall into place. Good luck!

(c) World of Wedding Favours

Bridal Shower Registry Items Not to Forget

Adding items to your bridal shower registry can be a very fun experience. It can also be a bit overwhelming though. How do you know what things you will need? Here are a few things to think about that may be easy to overlook.

Window Coverings: Depending on what type of living situation you will have after you get married, this could be an essential item. Many apartments do have shades or blinds already installed, but some do not. Also if you are purchasing a home, you may need to buy your own window coverings. Either way, you will probably still want to buy some curtains to cover a basic window shade or set of blinds. You would be surprised at how much these items can cost. You won't want to overlook these items on your bridal shower registry.

Shower Curtain: This isn't the most glamorous item on your registry, but it is a definite necessity. In fact, you may want to purchase a cheap curtain just in case you don't get this item from your registry list. You'll be singing the blues if you realize after the first day in your new living situation that you don't have a shower curtain.

Outdoor Items: It can be easy to get focused on indoor items for your wedding gift list. Usually the kitchen, bath, and bedroom are the primary areas that people think about when creating their bridal gift registry. Try thinking outside the box. Would it be fun to have a BBQ? How about patio furniture? What about practical things like a hose and a planter? Lawn mower? These items can be pretty pricey, so it is a great idea to add some of them to your list.

A helpful thing to do at the beginning of this process is write down a list of all the rooms in your new house/apartment (including the garage, patio, etc...). Then go through each room and think of things you might need. You'll be amazed at some of the basic necessities that you would have otherwise missed.

A Cheap Wedding Dress - Not a Bad Idea For Your Wedding

Tradition states that weddings are expensive. Fortunately, tradition is not always correct. Whether you are the bride, the groom, or the couple's parents, you will be glad to know that planning a wedding does not need to cost a fortune. In today's economy, especially, planning a wedding on a limited budget is important. The good news is you can save money while not sacrificing the loveliness of your wedding ceremony.

For most brides, the wedding gown is one of the most costly aspects of the wedding day. If you keep a few helpful points in mind, all it takes is a little careful planning to lower the overall cost of your wedding dress. You can have a cheap wedding dress that is well within your budget, while still being the beautiful gown of your dreams.

A wedding on a limited budget means starting by knowing how much money you can reasonably spend. When you decide how much you put toward your dress, this is the first step in selecting one that you can afford. The next step is to browse through the selection of dresses which are in your price range. If you limit your browsing to those which are within your range, it will be easier to find the cheap wedding dress that you are looking for without being disappointed.

Staying within your budget means ensuring that the wedding dress you select is in your size. This means being sure that your measurements are accurate before ordering the dress. If you do not need to put extra time, and possibly also extra money, into having your wedding gown tailored to fit you, this will be both cost-effective and efficient in the long-run.

One of the easiest ways to find a cheap wedding dress in your size and style is to check into all of the shops which offer what you are looking for. In addition to not wasting time by going to higher-priced shops, you may also find dresses on sale or discount. You may also find shops which carry overstocks, which is a great way to save money. You can find the most beautiful, cheap wedding dress, while not sacrificing style as you stay within your budget.

It is also important to be sure that you will be satisfied with your dress. This means knowing what the shop's policy is in case you may decide to return the dress for an exchange or a refund. Most quality bridal shops will give you this option, as long as you keep the receipt when you pay for your dress.

There are many ways to plan the wedding of your dreams, even within a limited budget. Everything from wedding invitations to music and refreshments for the wedding reception can be made affordable with some careful planning. The cheap wedding dress you select is only one factor in making the most important day of your life extra-special for you and all of your guests. When you browse through store.theweddingceremony.com, you will be well on your way to your perfect day.

Life Cover - Terminal Illness Benefit

Life cover will pay out a lump sum on death. Most life cover policies will also make an earlier payment on the diagnosis of a terminal illness. This article explains how terminal illness benefit works and why it is so valuable to have.

Most people hope to live to a ripe old age but it's a sad fact that death can strike, unexpectedly, at any time. It can be a tragedy when someone dies suddenly, especially if they leave loved ones behind. If there are financial worries this will only add to the grief. A life cover policy can help to provide financial security by paying out a lump sum amount on death.

Life cover policies will usually pay out a lump sum if the person covered is diagnosed with a terminal illness (an incurable illness where life expectancy, in the opinion of the provider's Chief Medical Officer, is less than 12 months). This is known as terminal illness benefit and is, in effect, an advance payment of the full amount that would be payable on death. Claims for this benefit can't be made in the last 18 months of the policy term. Following a payment of terminal illness benefit, the policy will end and no further payments will be made.

If someone knows that they only have a very short time to live, they may be able to make good use of a lump sum. It could be used to pay for medical treatment or care that is not available on the NHS. There may be a need to make alterations to the family home or for specialist equipment. Alternatively, the money could fund a special 'last' holiday, break or family reunion. Some people may decide to use a payment of terminal illness benefit to pay off their mortgage or other debts. Others will want to make financial gifts to their loved ones.

Of course, not everyone will want or need to do any of these things and many, with advanced illness, will be extremely unwell and possibly unable to make their own decisions. In any case the funds may prove invaluable at a time when they are likely to be unable to work.

Terminal illness benefit therefore provides an opportunity for a terminally ill person to deal with the proceeds of their own life cover policy. It may be comforting for them to be able to put some of their financial affairs in order and make provisions for their families, supporting them at a difficult and sad time. Anyone considering taking out a life cover policy should make sure that it includes terminal illness benefit.

Wedding Etiquette For Groomsmen

What? Groomsmen have to learn about wedding etiquette too? Afraid so, gentlemen; there is more to being a groomsman than just renting a tux and showing up sober on the day of the wedding (though not too much more!). Whether it is your first time being in a wedding or your tenth, these are a few tips to help you get through the whole experience with flying colors.

Much of the etiquette surrounding weddings has to do with comporting oneself with a certain degree of dignity and respect. The behavior required of a groomsman is not necessarily anything difficult, it just may be a bit different to what is expected during a more relaxed social occasion. Most of all, proper etiquette for groomsmen means avoiding anything that will make the bride angry, thereby avoiding getting your friend the groom into big trouble with his fiance!

The role of a groomsman is more limited than that of a bridesmaid, but you will still have a few things to think about pre-wedding. Although not mandatory, it is customary for the best man to organize some sort of bachelor party, and for all of the groomsmen to attend it. If you happen to be the best man, there are a few key things to keep in mind. For one thing, having the bachelor party the night before the wedding is a really, really bad idea. If the groom shows up to the wedding ceremony bleary-eyed and smelling like a bar, there is sure to be trouble with the bride. Speaking of trouble, don't think that it is your mission to get the groom into trouble or try to set him up for "one last fling". In fact, a bachelor party does have to involve bars or strippers at all; one very popular trend is to have a golf outing or a dinner at an expensive restaurant instead of a raunchy party.

Another point of etiquette for groomsmen is that it is merely a matter of common courtesy to make any necessary reservations in a timely manner. In other words, if the groom tells you that you need to have your measurements professionally taken and sent in to the tux place by the 15th, don't wait until the 20th to get around to it. Likewise, be sure to book your travel arrangements and hotel accommodations in plenty of time to avoid any last minute drama (uh, no, the bride will not let you crash on the floor of the honeymoon suite because the hotel is sold out!).

Gifts are an important part of a wedding. As a groomsman, you will generally only be responsible for a wedding gift, unless the couple will be honored at a "Jack and Jill" (in other words, co-ed) shower. Wedding gifts should be high quality and timeless. When in doubt, choose a nice item off of the bridal registry, like a set of crystal barware. Also remember that the bride cares more about the wedding presents than the groom, so while it might be okay to get something that only she cares about (a silver vase), it is definitely a bad idea to get a gift that only the groom will like (a bar mirror with a beer company logo). The gift giving is a two-way street, by the way; groomsmen should expect to receive nice groomsmen gifts to thank them for being in the wedding. Just like wedding gifts, groomsmen gifts are generally items of lasting quality.

Then we get to the social aspect of a wedding. It is a well known fact that one of the best perks to being a groomsman is the chance to meet eligible ladies; however, a key point of etiquette is not to make any moves on a woman at the wedding that is there with someone else. Most importantly of all, avoid breaking the heart of the bride's sister or best friend. Remember groomsman rule number one: anything that a groomsman does wrong will come back around to get the groom in trouble with his bride, and a good friend doesn't get his buddy in trouble.

Humorous Wedding Invitations - 5 Top Tips

Humorous Wedding Invitations can be beautiful, funny, informal, light hearted, artistic way of inviting people to your wedding. Setting the scene and tone of the day that everyone invited will be able to relate to and enjoy. Stock humorous wedding cards can be bought in stores and on web sites. But perhaps the best of this niche are the personalised Humorous Wedding Invitations. These can feature items, props that all the guests know you for i.e your dog, your favourite boutique featured on shopping bags, favourite soccer team, your own motorcycle. These are individually drawn to your description and brief by sending in photographs.

Often only thought of as an alternative option Humorous Wedding Invitations are becoming more popular with couples wishing to express their individuality. There are many companies offering this service as the wedding market has expanded with ever more wedding companies exploiting these niches.

The impact and surprise these type of Humorous Wedding Invitations create is well known. Put yourself in the place of the guest receiving their invite. To open up something and be totally shocked by the unexpected, then laughter at the image of the couple.

The benefits of Humorous Wedding Invitations

1)Create an image or scene from your wedding.
Example: Getting married abroad on a beach . The bride loves her shopping the groom loves his soccer. Combine the 2x and have the bride pulling the groom (half in his wedding attire) by his team shirt towards the wedding venue.

2)These invitations are kept as keep sake, memento's of the day, because they are so personal. Which can not be said of a lot of invitations.

3) Quite often the company will provide at a cost, the original picture framed and mounted as a lasting reminder of the day and of the wedding date for the groom to remember the anniversary.

4) One sure way to create a buzz before the big day is to get all the guests talking about the day and the invitations they have received.

5) Your wedding will always be remembered in a good way.

You might want to open your eyes and discover this incredible niche and what it can do for your wedding.

Wedding Gift Basket Ideas

Whether you have been invited to a wedding and are looking for a gift for the bride and groom, or you are the bride and groom and would like to create a wedding gift basket for your wedding party or guests, the following are some ideas to help you get started.

* Containers for wedding gift baskets come in all shapes, sizes and prices. While wicker and woven baskets are most traditional, you can also consider a more original container that sets a certain theme, for example a large watering bucket filled with garden tools or plants, or an ice bucket filled with champagne and glasses.

* For a wedding gift, consider special wrapping once your basket is assembled. Cello wrapping material imprinted with stars or hearts can make the gift extra-special, for example. Tulle or chiffon can serve as decadent wrapping as well.

* Perhaps the bride would appreciate a basket filled with items that co-ordinate with either her wedding colors, or the hues she has chosen for her new home. As a gift to guests if you are the bride, you may wish to fill little baskets as wedding favors that co-ordinate with your wedding day colors.

* A basket full of candles and holders, or decadent bath and body lotions or cosmetics is something everyone appreciates. The more decadent, the more the appreciation, especially because not everyone would buy such things for themselves.

* A wedding gift basket filled with items from the bridal registry is an elegant and simple gift. Additionally, the couple can use the container later as they see fit.

* An assortment of gourmet items such as chocolates or special imported foods makes a lovely gift. Just be sure the foods are in line with what the recipient would enjoy; for example if someone eats only kosher foods this must be taken into account when choosing or ordering items.

* A basket with a theme suited to the recipient is always appreciated. For example, golf items for golfers; flowers or plants for gardeners; photo frames for a photographer - you get the picture!

* Gift baskets of flowers or fresh fruits are lovely and elegant, and can range from simple to very extravagant, to suit the event and the recipient/s.

* As an alternative idea, most towns and all cities have professionals. Sometimes hiring a professional to create and deliver a beautiful gift basket is money well-spent, especially if you are a harried bride or a guest with a very busy schedule of your own.

Chinese Wedding Traditions - Part 2

Preparing for the wedding day, there was called "retreating to the cock loft" for the bride-to-be in old days. In preparation for her impending departure, the bride-to-be retreated from her ordinary routine and lived in seclusion in a separate part of the house with her best friends! During this period, girls would sing laments, mourning the bride' s separation from her family and even cursing the go-between, the groom' s family and even her own parents! As this extended sleep-over took place in the cock loft, the emergence of the bride on her wedding day was referred to as "coming out of the cock loft".

However, today' s traditional Chinese weddings are seen less of such customs but instead of "bride' s weeping" which means that the bride will cry when she departed her parents and headed for her new home!

On the pre-wedding day, there is a custom called installing of the bridal bed. This is prepared on the part of the groom, Usually a propitious hour and a 'good luck' women and a 'good luck' man, which is a man or woman with many children and living mates, were selected to install the newly bought bed. In fact, this installation ceremony just included only moving the bed slightly while the actual work had done by the servants of friends! That is just the symbol for good luck and well-promising life!

Chinese tradition culture has a belief that more children, more merrier! After the bed is installed, as an omen of fertility, children were invited to the bed. Also for the same reason, there are red dates, lotus seeds, peanuts, oranges, pomegranates and other nuts and fruits scattering on the bed. Traditionally, it is part of fun and lucky omen to watch the children scrambling these nuts and fruits.

On the part of the bride, she would have her hair combing ceremony. Generally, good fortune women were invited to conduct this rite. After showering with water infused with pommels or pomegranate leaves, the bride would be blessed aloud by the good fortune woman as she sit in front of an open window with a visible moon or in front of the mirror. There are four blessings(first combing, together all your lives; second combing, harmony in your marriage; third combing, blessed with many children and grandchildren; fourth combing, blessed with longevity). After that, the bride was often served sweet pink rice ball soup, which is for the wishes of the couple a complete and sweet marriage.

For the part of the bride' s or groom' s friends, Chinese wedding decorations were also an important job to do! Double joy stickers would be placed everywhere for rejoicing flavor! Bright red shades are seen everywhere. A red banner would be hung across the front doors of the two household to announce the joyous event!

Inexpensive Wedding Invitations - 4 Thrifty Tips

Thrifty. Frugal. Cheap. Tight. Whatever you call it, there's no question that inexpensive wedding invitations are a savvy investment for many brides. These budget-friendly tips will help you spend less on invites so you can spend more on whatever else you choose.

* Go direct - Some local bridal shops will offer wedding stationery ordering services. It's true they provide the convenience of large catalogs filled with samples you can see and feel. The drawback? Because the shop acts as a middleman you'll pay inflated prices. Cut the extra cost from your wedding stationery budget by working directly with a printer. Don't be beguiled by the direct-to-you prices either. Online wedding specialists offer hundreds of designs to match any wedding theme or style. In addition, many online wedding stationery specialists allow you to create or upload custom designs for inexpensive invites that are uniquely you.

* Become a DIY-er - Wedding stationery specialists offer convenient kits, making it super-easy for brides to make their own inexpensive wedding invitations. These kits offer quality blank invitations, envelopes and matching items such as save-the-date or reply cards. Make your own wedding invitations by running the paper through your home computer for an instant custom look without the custom price. DIY kits are also available for other wedding items, such as programs and thank you notes.

* Make your own wedding invitations - For the ultimate in inexpensive wedding invites, you might want to make your own invitations from scratch. Design simple text invitations with basic word processing software. Or let your inner artist burst forth by using design software to incorporate images, borders, and vintage-looking fonts. Find printer-quality paper through online wedding stationery specialists or at local craft stores. If you're missing the designing gene, consider purchasing a template, which will allow you to print invites from a home computer. Although it can be easy to make your own wedding invitations, take into account the time and energy it will take. Also ask yourself if this type of project will add stress to what can be a challenging time of life.

* Electronic invitations - If you don't want to create your own invites and professional printing is not in your budget, create inexpensive wedding invitations by using the internet. Send invites through email or--for ultra-casual events--text message. Enlist online invitation services to streamline planning by notifying you of RSVP messages or alerting guests to changes, such as moving a garden wedding indoors because of cruddy weather. Electronic invitations aren't generally approved by etiquette mavens, however, nor do they provide guests with a tangible reminder of your wedding day.

Don't let tiny budgets cramp your wedding day style. From warehouse-style pricing direct from the printer to the ease of a DIY kit, by investing in inexpensive wedding invitations you can create a custom--and high-quality--look while pinching pennies.