Do You Know the True Meaning of Wedding?

When two lovers decided to get married, they would start to plan and make lots of decisions in order to make their wedding day perfect. However, have you ever thought of what is the meaning behind all this preparation?

Once you get your big day confirmed, you need to settle the budget and all the details, no wonder you will need to stand lots of pressure till the end of your wedding day. What is all this pressure for? It is somehow as harsh as you are taking a second job. Some brides would ask with the following answer - "the wedding day is the most important day in my life. If I do something, my marriage would be ruined".

No one would try to argue with you how important the wedding day is. However, it is also important to realize you are not planning for just a wedding day. You are planning for the first day of your marriage. The relationship and lives in marriage is more important.

It is nonsense to put you in debt just because you wish to make your dream wedding come true. There are many ways you can make your wedding remarkable.

A good planning would help you to achieve your goal under budget. Even though you have a very tight budget, you can still make your wedding special. The key is to use your imagination and make the stuff with your sincere. Your guests would be impressed by your sweet thoughts and your devotion on preparing the wedding day!

The first thing is to come up with a guest list. With the guest list completed, you would mostly have an idea about the quantity of all the stuff such as wedding invitation, cake and food in the wedding reception etc. you need to prepare on the wedding day.

Both of you should make schedules to take pre-marriage courses together. Those courses would help you to know each other better. Lots of couples find this kind of courses very helpful for a happy marriage. Remember the reason you are so busy with the preparation work for your perfect wedding day is a memorable first day of marriage.

Through the discussion among your family members and between you two, you can reach a consensus among all the family members. Asking for help is essential too. You would ask your friends and relatives and they can share all their invaluable experiences with you. It can help you to save a lot of money, as well as plenty of time.

Once again, you should bear in mind that the wedding day is just the first day of your marriage. There is no point to lose your temper and offend your partner because of the details such as the way to decorate the wedding venue and the style of wedding invitation.

I have attended a wedding before, my friends had a really tight budget but they created a very memorable wedding ceremony for the guests. For example, they bought the frosted cake from supermarket and decorated them with fresh flower themselves. Although it cannot be compared with professional baker, all the guests are impressed by their creativities.

A wedding day is the first day of your marriage. There is no point to feel disappointed just because of some minor mistakes. With a mind appreciation, you would find the wedding more enjoyable and a blessing for the life time long marriage.

How to Decorate a Room With Custom Bedding and Window Treatments

Setting up and decorating a bedroom can be a fun and rewarding experience. Using custom bedding and curtains to match can make the room look as if it was decorated by a professional without the added expense. One way to create this effect is to choose fabrics and custom designs from a professional company. By ordering everything online, the customer can choose their favorite coordinating fabrics and patterns to furnish the entire room, from custom duvet covers to dust ruffles to pillows to curtains and window treatments.

Bedding
There are many different options to choose from in custom bedding components. First, determine the size bed and what different types of coverings and ornamentation it should have. Choices range from custom duvet covers to comforters or the old-fashioned look of a bedspread. Pillow shams to match the bed coverings add an elegant touch. Use a dust ruffle to cover the area below the mattress and box spring. It should hang down to where it is barely touching the floor, although some people prefer it to drape on the floor a few inches. Use a contrasting color and pattern between the bed cover and the dust ruffle to achieve a designer look. The bedspread, comforter or duvet cover will hide the sheets and extra blankets during the daytime.

Accessories
Add extra pillows and throw pillows to place on top of the bed. They come in any size or shape imaginable. consider adding trim or fringe to the pillows to match accessories on the window treatments. A combination of round and square, flat and tubular throw pillows give depth and dimension to the overall look. Add other furniture to the room, such as chairs, vanity tables and ottomans with contrasting fabric. Adorn them with throw pillows matching those on the bed.

Window Treatments
Coordinate fashion window treatments and bedding to create the look of a professional decorator throughout the bedroom. Use pinch-pleated drapes with sheer curtains below and valances above for a more formal look. Box-mounted valances give a more elegant finish. Curtains or drapes hanging loose or with a tieback create a more casual appearance. Tiebacks and with tassels, beaded trim and twisted cord add subtle ornamentation. For an informal look, use a simple Roman shade.

When decorating the bedroom and choosing colors, consider the wall coverings and flooring. Use colors in similar shades to those found in carpeting and wallpaper or paint. Keep in mind that lighter colors open up a room, while darker ones give it a more cozy appearance. Allow about a week for custom bedding and window treatments from quality made-to-order businesses online to be made and shipped.

Chinese Wedding Invitations

For the typically styled Chinese wedding invitation, you will find that they are usually a red card that is folded with a few particles of gold sprayed on for good measure. As many designs you will find available, you will always see the symbols for the powers of the male and the female. Other designs you might see on a Chinese wedding invitation is the character called double happiness. This is depicted by Xi, or the Chinese character for love. You may find a dragon or phoenix to symbolize the balance of power between male and female.

Inside the wedding invitation you may find verses that are considered sacred or a poem which are printed in the style of calligraphy to give a festive air to the invitations. In Chinese culture, the invitation is a vital part of creating the mood of the day.

When looking to purchase Chinese wedding invitations you will find a vast selection of both formal and informal invitations that can be handcrafted and for the utmost in elegance, those Chinese wedding invitations that have raised lettering. You can have your invitations designed to complement the theme of your wedding. You might choose from custom-designed wedding invitations or choose a simpler look and find something that is ready made from a wide selection of sources.

Where Should You Look for Chinese Wedding Invitations?

There are many venues that you can shop and compare quality and prices when you are looking to purchase Chinese wedding invitations. Depending upon the specifics and the style you are looking for, you might browse the internet where you will be presented with a host of possibilities whether readymade, handmade or designed especially for you. You will be able to comparison shop easily when you do your browsing on the internet.

You will find many selections of Chinese wedding invitations in bridal boutiques and card shops. If you live in an area where there is a market for Chinese goods, be sure you visit there to get a feel for what you are seeking. Even if you don't purchase your invitations from this type of venue, you can get plenty of ideas and inspirations to complement the Asian theme you have chosen.

A Bi-Lingual Wedding Invitation

You can decide whether you want the invitation printed in English or Chinese or even both languages. This is a great option for those who are of Chinese descent and expect to invite many guests who speak the native tongue of China. There is usually no extra charge for this service and you can even have them address the flap or the envelope itself and have it sealed with wax for a really authentic look and feel.

Design Your Own Wedding Invitations To Match Your Style, Budget and Ability Level

Not happy with the pre-packaged choices in your local stationery shop? Wanting something more "you" as a couple? Consider designing your own wedding invitations for the look and feel you want. When debating whether to plunge ahead and create your own invites, know you and your fiancee's artistic ability level, time availability, and budget. Following are ways to evaluate the type of "design your own" couple you are:

1. The Artistic Bootstrappers: You are artists or craftspeople. You are comfortable around tools, have a dedication to crafts, and are experienced in researching and ordering interesting materials. You enjoy working together making something and love the challenge of finding just the right materials. You either have or have a budget to invest in a paper cuter, handmade or custom paper, computer, ink jet printer and whatever else you are using. Your invitations are limited only by your imaginations and will be beautiful, memorable and unique. You do not need guidance, just time. Designing your own wedding invitations is your first and only choice.

2. The Semi-Skilled Week-End Adventurers: You have some skill around design but are a bit nervous to take the plunge. The most important things for you to evaluate is how much time you have to devote to the project and if you can create a design that is not too complicated for your ability level. Start by looking online at the various printable wedding invitation sites and get ideas for what you can create. You can also purchase some of the parts of these kits and then design around it. Visit your local craft shop and browse the scrap booking aisle for ideas. Create a prototype invite and see how long and how expensive it is to make. Once you have this to your satisfaction, you can make an invitation that will perfectly reflect your individuality at a price you can afford.

3. The Paint-By-Numbers Connoisseurs: You have wonderful taste and little time or ability. You want choice but nothing more complicated than glue dots to work with. DIY Wedding Invitation Kits were created with you in mind. There are hundreds of online websites devoted to invite kits that offer a variety of styles, colors, and price ranges. Just type "DIY Wedding Invitation Kits" or "Design Your Own Wedding Invitations" into Google or Yahoo and have fun. With Kits, all you really need is a computer, an ink jet printer, and a package of glue dots.

Whatever kind of couple you are, creating your own wedding invitation is a wonderful way to begin celebrating your marriage.

What to Look For When Choosing a Wedding Venue

If you're getting married, then you'll want to choose the right venue, so that your wedding day is perfect.

Here's what you might want to consider.

1. You'll first need to establish what sort of venue you want to get married in, or have your reception in. You might be getting married in a church, or registry office, then going somewhere else for the wedding reception, or you might want to get married and have your reception in the same venue, such as a hotel.

2. You'll want to have some idea of the location you want too. Maybe you want somewhere local to where you met, or where you live. You might have a specific venue in mind already, or you might want to choose somewhere that's easy for all your guests to get to.

3. It's important to consider the time of year that you're getting married. Summer weddings are popular, and so the venue you want is likely to be booked well in advance. Winter weddings are not as common, and so you might be able to get the venue you want.

4. If you're flexible on the date then you might be able to have a choice of several suitable wedding venues. If you have already chosen your date, then you might have to settle for a different venue.

5. The number of guests that you're inviting, and expect to attend, will also have some bearing on the sort of wedding venue you choose. If you're expecting hundreds of guests, then you won't want to choose somewhere too small, whilst a large venue will look empty if you only have a handful of wedding guests. Don't forget to include the bride and groom too!

6. Once you're looked at a few venues, you'll want to know whether you can have the venue exclusively. Although it may be more expensive, you might prefer not to share your wedding day with other guests at the hotel.

7. Having a wedding planner will take a lot of the hassle and stress out of planning your wedding. Many wedding venues will offer this service, so that you have less to think about as the big day approaches. By letting the venue wedding planner take care of everything to do with the venue, and the food, you won't need to worry about chairs, seating plans, place cards, or whether you've ordered enough drinks and flowers.

8. The wedding breakfast is very important, and you'll want to make sure that the food is of the highest standard for your wedding. By choosing somewhere well know for it's food, you can be sure that you and your guests will dine in style.

9. Depending on where you're having your wedding, you might want to think about accommodation for your guests. Is it fair to expect them to drive home again afterward? Why not provide a list of local hotels so that they can find somewhere to stay? Alternatively, by holding your wedding at a hotel, your guests won't need to travel in order to get to their accommodation after your wedding reception.

10. You'll want everything to be perfect on your wedding day, and the venue is one of the more important aspects, you you'll need to make sure that your budget allows for everything you want. You won't want to have your dream wedding compromised for the sake of spending a little bit less.

Now you know what to look for, you'll be able to choose the right wedding venue for your marriage.

Enhance Your Wedding or Private Party With Elegant LED Uplighting

Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology has revolutionized the Wedding and Private Party industry since its introduction to consumers about 10 years ago now. LED lighting beams 3 times brighter than conventional bulbs, and uses 1/3 to 1/30 less energy. Most importantly for DJ's and Lighting Professionals, they emit practically no heat, and are extremely durable and long-lasting. I would like to explore what these advances mean for your special day.

DJ's and Lighting Technicians use various forms of spot and flood lights to accent walls, tables and special objects. The most common effect is a wide beam at a 90 degree angle to the wall, spaced evenly in between each window or door threshold. Some even use uplighting to accent a wedding cake,head table, or simply a nice dance floor "wash". The hues created by these lights create an elegant and energetic ambiance for your special event.

About 5 years ago I was introduced to event uplighting, in the more conventional form, at a small wedding. These effects were produced using tradition halogen flood bulbs, in Par cans. To produce a color, the DJ would use a mix of gels, with a very limited range. The cans were large and heavy, the lights got very hot, and needed to be run in cycles to prevent a fire or charring of the white walls. And bulbs needed replacement frequently. The effect was still very dramatic, but I still saw it as something with great potential that needed some work. When LED Par cans arrived, It was like an angel answered all DJ's prayers. The lights were durable, bright, and very expensive. It wasn't until a process was developed by Purdue University, that allowed LED to be produced at prices comparable to CFL, that mainstream DJ's and lighting technicians could afford to make a strong investment in this new service.

Now that this technology is pretty common, you can readily see one of the biggest advantages these lights give your event, FLEXIBILTY. With the low weight of the fixtures, they can be placed in very inconspicuous places, and pointed to walls and centerpieces for great effects. Their size allows providers to carry a large number of fixtures, allowing for more spatial coverage. Most of all, The RGB color mixing technology allows for a great range of hues that can be used to any effect. The most popular is a color that was almost impossible to obtain with traditional color gels, Purple. The light violet/purples are the perfect balance of elegant color and energy, without being too bright. Ambers are well used during day time events, where darker colors are not as effective.

Ask your DJ or event professional if they offer uplighting services. Most professionals that do offer it will have photos and videos of their lighting in action. Ask them if they are using LED technology, and what color options are available to you. Although it has gotten relatively cheaper to make, LED lighting is still become costly when investing in 20 or more LED par cans and cabling, so be prepared to make a reasonable investment with a great payoff at your event.

Why You Need to Think About Catering Liability Insurance

The catering industry can provide anyone a good income if the food is tasty and the people enjoy the prices. However, being in the business can also be quite dangerous, on the pocket of the caterer and to the health of the consumer. There is no denying that when it comes to catering, there is the chance of claims made against the business that may either be true or false. The fact is, if there is someone who gets a stomach ache after eating the food, they can attempt to claim a huge amount and this can impact the business and the profits.

This is the reason why all caterers should think about getting a catering insurance quote. The insurance can be expensive but then again, claims made by disgruntled consumers who had a stomach ache can be more than could be handled by any caterer.

Catering means that you'll have staff as well, not just customers. The staff would be handling food, as well as kitchen equipment that could injure them. As they would be handling hot food that could cause them burns, all of which they could all claim for against the caterer. So what is the only assurance that the caterer can lean on? Obviously, the caterer liability insurance.

It is very important to get a caterers liability insurance which should include a public and employer's liability. Fortunately, there are insurance companies which can offer all there is needed for any caterer. These insurance companies understand that once someone sues, not only will the caterer face a culinary disaster, but they would be facing a financial disaster. The costs involved in compensation payments, the legal costs, the loss of customers and clients, it could all just escalate out of control. And these costs would not even depend on how reliable and trustworthy the name of the caterer is. Once someone sues, the domino effect could be devastating.

If you still do not have catering liability insurance, designed to protect the business, then you should have an insurance quote prepared for you. There are free online sites which offering quotes and advice. Choose the right package that would most benefit the catering business, and if you can afford it invest in the most comprehensive package available. There is no denying that anything could happen when it comes to food - it could be the customer that gets affected, or it could be the staff - it matters not. No one can afford the loss that a legal claim would bring.

Wedding Insurance - Do You Need It?

A wedding is very expensive. You will need to spend a lot money. In order to make the wedding items as perfect as possible, you will be eager to spend more money on them. As a matter of fact, an average wedding can cost between $25,000 to $30,000 today. It will be wise to purchase an insurance against it.

There are people who think that they do not really need to purchase a wedding insurance. In fact, there can be a lot of accident. You will certainly lose some money if you have to postpone your wedding reception for some reason. For example, you have planned for a beach wedding. And there is typhoon on your wedding day. In this case you may not be able to have your wedding as planned. You may still need to settle the rent of the venue and pay the caterer in this case.

Of course you may also need to pay your photographer as well. You have paid the deposits and in most cases there will not be any refund. The caterer and photographer may not be available on your rescheduled wedding day. In this case you may not be able to get the deposit back.

Even if the caterer and photographer do not need you to pay them and they agree to issue you a refund in this case, you have already printed all the invitations and they have been sent. No one will think that there will be any kind of refund in this case. And you will still need the money to schedule your wedding again. That can be a huge amount of money. This is why it will be wise to purchase a wedding insurance. You will need a policy to protect you against such unexpected events.

As a matter of fact, a lot of couples will not consider the insurance when they are planning for the wedding. Most of them will just ignore. However, it will be a lot better if you put this item in your wedding checklist. The importance of the insurance can be just similar to your wedding dress. The fact here is that you will need an insurance. You may think that it is not romantic to think about the insurance when you are planning for your wedding. However, it will not be romantic either if you encounter unexpected events stated above.

Generally, wedding insurance will not be something expensive. However, you should make sure that you know what kind of policy you are purchasing. When you are shopping for your wedding insurance, it is very important for you to understand what will be covered. And you may even need a tailor-made policy if you are planning to have a destination wedding. It is just like shopping for other kind of insurance. You have to understand your own situation before you purchase the insurance. You may need to discuss with the staff in the insurance company in order to get a policy which is suitable for your case.

Where to Buy Cheap Wedding Reception Decorations

Many couples are trying to make their wedding budget stretch further. Saving money on wedding decorations is something many brides will consider. But you can still create an elegant atmosphere in your reception venue without spending very much money. Here are 5 places in the UK that you can get cheap wedding reception decorations.

Supermarket

This may come as a surprise to many people. No longer is it just bread and coffee that you find on the aisles in Asda and Tesco. The big stores have large homeware departments where you can get all sorts of items for less. I've bought big bags of tealights, tealight holders, candles and plenty of flower vases from them. With a little bit of imagination, you could make some very tasteful reception table centerpieces from these items. The only problem is the stock does change frequently. Once they've sold out of a particular item, they may not get any more in stock.

Hobbycraft

You can get ribbons, artificial flowers, confetti and place name cards from this superstore. And you can also get all the supplies to make you own wedding invitations if you want. You can see if there is a store near you by going to hobbycraft.co.uk.

Confetti

Confetti are the big name in retailing when it come to supplying wedding accessories and decorations. You can get just about anything including decorated balloons,wedding favors and gifts for the bridesmaids. You can shop online at confetti.co.uk or you can visit one of their bricks and mortar stores around the UK.

eBay

If you think that the stuff for sale of eBay is just a load of old junk, think again. There are lots of great wedding items for sale, much of it at bargain prices. There are plenty of small one-person businesses that operate with eBay as their shopfront. They can get those hard-to-find items that you don't often see in high street shops. Maybe you want some red rose petals, or ostrich feathers or silk tropical flowers. You don't have to look any further than Ebay.

Ikea

Don't forget this retail giant when you're planning your wedding. Go down to the Marketplace section and you will find artificial flowers, candles and votives. And with prices as low as a pound for vases, you can create your wedding flower centerpieces yourself. Worried that you'll have 12 vases at the end of your wedding? With such a low price you can afford to give your wedding reception decorations away to your guests, as a present.

Window Material - Ultrex Vs Vinyl

Ultrex is Marvin Windows & Doors' patented creation made of pultruded fiberglass. I won't bore you with all the details, but they've created an extremely durable material out of thin cables of strong glass saturated in special resin compounds. Ultrex has an extremely low thermal expansion rate; what little effect heat and cold has on it is actually matched by the glass in your window.

If you've ever come across a dented or chalky roll-form aluminum window or a faded, cracked vinyl window, the advantages of Ultrex are obvious. This material is so strong, it's used in bridge construction; so stable, it remains virtually unchanged even when it's put to temperature extremes from -30 degrees to 350 degrees F. It's so strong, they have to use diamond-edge blades to cut the pieces to size. Imagine what that level of durability can withstand in your home!

Their patented finishing process bonds a dense, weatherproof acrylic finish onto the already virtually indestructible surface. This finish is up to three times thicker than the competitors' and resists scratches, marring and dings. Have you ever noticed the disfigured and discolored vinyl trim on your neighbor's front door? This superior finish is five times more resistant to UV degradation than vinyl, meaning no fading, chalking or streaking. And it's available in 6 colors, including Bronze and Black! Ultrex is ideal in coastal regions where heat, moisture and salt wreak havoc on windows with more vulnerable components.

Ultrex is eight times stronger than vinyl and twice as strong as steel. Since it's strong yet light, it's ideal for windows and doors. Ultrex is twelve times as rigid as vinyl, so windows stay square. Vinyl windows can rack or get out of square even before installation, impacting the units' performance and longevity. Ultrex expands and contracts 833% less than vinyl (that's not a misprint,) so stress cracks and seal failures are almost unheard of. Units remain tightly sealed with no leaks for supreme energy efficiency.

Aluminum windows transfer heat and cold into a building. Have you ever sat next to the window at a restaurant? You freeze in the winter and bake in the summer. Ultrex is 500 times less conductive than aluminum (that's not a misprint either.)

Marvin's "Integrity" series of windows and doors are made from Ultrex. They have been manufacturing this product since the early nineties. In fact, I installed them in my own home in 1995. Definitely two thumbs up!

How much do you really save when you have to do it over? Do it once, do it right.

Do yourself a favor and check them out.

Why Would You Need Insurance For Your Wedding?

Weddings and insurance do not seem to go together, it might be the very last thing that you think about and associate with marriage. So why would you need wedding insurance?

Peace of mind against the unknown

Wedding insurance is there for you in the event that something unexpected was to happen that might otherwise ruin your big day. While the insurance cannot stop anything untoward happening, at least you would not have to suffer financially. Typically weddings cost many thousands of pounds to arrange and set up. You have the dress, the wedding rings, the cake, the vendors and the venue to pay for. What if a vendor let you down, either through their fault of by accident? What if something happened to the wedding rings? What if the wedding dress was ruined due to a mishap before the big day and you have to get it repaired? There are numerous "what ifs". Wedding insurance typically covers all of these and much more.

Different packages of insurance

So is there just one type of wedding insurance? No there are different packages offered by different providers. For instance there will typically be different levels of insurance. Insurance will come with maximum pay-outs. For instance there may be a limit on the amount the insurance company may pay-out towards your venue letting you down, or towards the wedding rings being stolen or lost. In other words if you take out the economy package you cannot expect to get back as much as you might if you take the deluxe wedding insurance package. The packages might also contain different benefits. With this in mind when you check for the cost of insurance you should always check out what benefits are included.

What to look for in insurance for your wedding

When looking for wedding insurance you should always check out any limitations and exclusions to the policy as there are some in all policies. For instance your wedding gifts may be covered for theft but there could be restrictions and exclusions. They may for example only be covered for theft if reasonable precautions were taken such as being left in a locked car. If they were stolen from an unlocked vehicle you may not be able to claim. When claiming for theft you generally have to report the theft and obtain a crime number. The limitations and restrictions may differ between providers so it is important to read the boring small print so you know where you stand.

Remember that the dearest wedding insurance package may not be the most suitable for your needs. Insurance should be based on the amount you have spent on your wedding. Therefore if you are going to have a small wedding you may not need to cover your wedding with the top insurance package, the medium or smaller one might work out just fine for you. After all if you have spent around 瞿2,000 on your wedding and the top package offers to cover a wedding up to 瞿10,000 you may be paying out too much for premiums for the insurance.

Wedding Insurance - Peace of Mind For Your Wedding Day

Wedding insurance policies give a wide range of cover for many eventualities that could affect your wedding day. However, it is unlikely that small, irritating events would be included in the cover, such as rainfall, cloud, etc. but stronger weather forces that affect the wedding day almost certainly would, such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, etc. If adverse weather or other unpredicted events were to cause your wedding or reception venue to close or become inaccessible then your wedding insurance policy would provide a suitable level of cover. The same policy would cover unpredictable events with the wedding car supplier or the caterer or even if the bride or groom should sustain an accident which caused the wedding to be canceled for the planned date. A low premium insurance policy to cover all of the wedding day suppliers and events will compensate for those unexpected situations that can leave you seriously out of pocket.

Most weddings cost far more than you would spend on a decent saloon car. It's unthinkable that you would drive your brand new car without insurance cover, yet so many couples take a bigger financial risk by not insuring their wedding costs against the risk of total loss. By comparison to cars, house content, possessions, valuables, etc., wedding insurance costs very little for comprehensive cover. The relatively small premium for wedding insurance will give you peace of mind as you plan for your wedding day.

When you start to plan the wedding arrangements most couples wouldn't consider including insurance as a part of their list - but you should! When you have set your wedding date and you start to book the suppliers for your wedding you are starting to make financial obligations for the big day - at that stage you should have your wedding insurance in places as well. This will give you a maximum period of cover for your insurance fee as well as adequate cover should anything go wrong in the period leading up to your wedding day that may leave you financially disadvantaged.

Most wedding insurance policies are similar, both in price and in the level of cover that they offer, but it's still worth shopping around to find the cover that best suits you. The internet and insurance brokers are a great source of information for the levels of cover offered by different insurance companies. A good policy will include cancellation (but unlikely that this would include a change of mind!), the wedding rings and other wedding jewellery, wedding dress, the Groom, Best man and bridesmaid's outfits (if you are hiring formal attire, then check the insurance requirements), venue(s), caterer, transportation, florist, personal accident for the Bride and Groom if this affects your wedding plans, personal liability, wedding cake damage, photographer (including destruction of the wedding photographs), wedding gifts (ensure that cash and vouchers are included).

The insurance cover for your honeymoon should be arranged separately from the wedding insurance. Your honeymoon would normally be covered by travel insurance, generally arranged at the same time as making your travel arrangements. However, you may wish to consider that the travel insurance would not normally cover cancellation as a result of your wedding plans having been disrupted, so you may want to include cover for this with your wedding insurance policy or take out separate cover for this specific risk.

A word of caution about your engagement ring(s). The engagement is normally announced months, perhaps years, ahead of the wedding and the rings bought and exchanged at that time. As a result of this, most wedding insurance does not include engagement ring insurance cover. You should take insurance for the engagement rings at the time of their purchase so that you have continuous cover through the period leading up to your wedding and afterwards.

Planning and organizing your wedding can be a very enjoyable experience, leading up to one of the most exciting and important days of your life. No one expects things to go wrong, and they rarely do, but you should have the reassurance of wedding insurance to give yourself peace of mind over any unexpected or unpredictable events that could disrupt your wedding day. When you start to plan your wedding day and book the suppliers, take out your wedding insurance policy at the same time. This gives the maximum period of cover and means you can concentrate on your wedding whilst you have the reassurance that the whole event is covered by your wedding insurance policy. Enjoy planning for the big day and your wedding day itself - congratulations, it's one of the most enjoyable days of your life.

Starting a Wedding Photography Business - Insurance, Bank Accounts, Licenses, and Taxes

The Business Side

Let me first preface this article with the following, what I say may or may not apply to you and your circumstances nor to your state's laws. Look into it for yourself. This should serve as a rough guideline though. Some small business owners when they first begin forget that they are moving away from doing something as a hobby to doing it for a living. When you enter this arena the rules change and you have to be prepared to act as a business owner and not just a hobbyist.

The Wedding Photographer's Geico

When I first started as a wedding photographer I had no idea that I needed insurance. I backed up all my camera gear, images, workstations, and even had a backup photographer so why would I need one. The thing is it's for all of the things you can't plan for. There are two primary types you need to worry about, liability and malpractice. One covers your rear in case you somehow fail in your normal duties and are sued. The other covers you in case you injure someone on the job and covers your gear in case it is damaged. Both are covered through PPA which to be honest is a great community for photographers.

Death and Taxes

A lot of wedding photographers and home based businesses do not pay taxes. This does not make it OK for one more person to not pay taxes. If you are caught the fines and penalties can be extremely stiff. Do the right thing and pay your taxes. Just put aside a given amount for each wedding into a savings account specifically for your taxes.

You'll be surprised at the number of legitimate tax write offs a small home based business has. If you use a certain percentage of your home as a home office then part of your rent and utilities are able to be written off. Purchases for your business, travel expenses, meals at client meetings, and so on are all tax deductible under most circumstances.

Read up on it and find a certified CPA to help you out. It's not as bad as most people make it out to be. In most cases most small businesses are not considered profitable for the first couple of years anyway so you will probably not end up owing much, but even if you do it's your responsibility to pay those taxes. How else would our government be able to function?

License to ILL

A business license may or may not be required in your area. It's been awhile since I got mine but I remember thinking it was going to be a hassle. To be honest it was extremely easy and even easier to renew it every year. It's also extremely cheap in most areas and adds certain credence to your business in the eyes of clients.

Your Business Money Does Not Belong Under Your Mattress!

Equally important to your budding business is where you're going to put your hard earned money. Sure you're going to pay bills with it and could go without an account, but what do you do the first time someone writes a check to "My Pensacola Wedding Photographer". Try getting that cashed at a bank. So once you have your business license you can and should sign up for a business checking account. Any money that comes into your business should come in there first. Once you've paid your business expenses and put aside money for taxes then take what you need for your personal life. Remember to also save up for that fancy new lens you've had your eye on.

Read on

Don't miss my other articles in the series. They cover other equally important aspects of starting your own wedding photography business and shouldn't be missed. Remember they shouldn't be your sole reference, but should help to get you thinking about a plan.

Finance Your Wedding - Affordable Loan Options

What is the best way to finance a wedding? Of course having your parents pay for everything is the easiest way, but more and more couples are financing things themselves. Whether you are a parent, the bride, or the groom, if you do not have the money already saved, getting an affordable short-term wedding loan can be a great solution if you use it wisely.

I did some research on just how much weddings cost these days. What I discovered was that there are more things to pay for than I thought there were. First you factor in the costs of the invitations, bridal gown, tuxedo and all the accessories that go along with them. Then, there is the cost of the reception including the ballroom, wedding cake, food, décor, and entertainment. Other costs include transportation services like limousines, horse and buggies, or whatever chariot you plan to arrive at the wedding and reception in. Then, there are the costs that are easily overlooked in the beginning because they are not incurred until later in the planning process such as alterations, gifts for the bridal party, rehearsal dinners, spa and specialty services, hair, makeup, and the honeymoon. These things really add up.

All of these costs can seem totally overwhelming. So what do you do? Take a breath, and create a realistic working budget. Sit down and brainstorm every little detail you can think of that will cost you money. Make sure you include the small things like the flower girl basket, ring bearer pillow, cake cutting set, and bridal champagne glasses until you come up with a complete list. Then, assign an estimated cost to every item and tally it up. After your bottom line is figured, tack on a few (or maybe few hundred or few thousand) extra bucks for incidentals to come up with a grand total. You will not know what these incidentals are when you write your list, but you will sure be glad you accounted for them later when you need money for something you had not thought of. Finally, fine tune your list by adding or subtracting the things you can and cannot afford to create your working budget.

Now that you have your working budget, it is time to finance this thing. Down payments on the cake, venue, food, or entertainment may have to be made up to a year in advance and you need to make some decisions. If your parents are not footing the bill, and you do not have the savings to get the ball rolling, a short-term, wedding loan may just the thing to help you out. Whether you have excellent credit, average credit, or bad credit, there is loan product out there for you. Once you get the loan funds, put them in a special wedding account to pay bills from as they arise. Then, make sure you begin to repay your wedding loan immediately, steadily, and quickly.

The key is to use wedding finance loans wisely. Do not borrow more than you reasonably need. Do not create payments that will be difficult to repay. Try not to make your loan terms exceed your wedding date. Make all payments on time. Use cash wedding gifts to reduce or pay off your principal. And remember, extreme debt for the sake of a wedding is no way to begin a marriage, but great credit is an element both of you can benefit from to the end.

Ken S., Founder

LowRateSearch

© 2009

Wedding Invitation Enclosures - A Guide

In addition to the invitation itself, you will also need to consider the various enclosures that will complete your invitation ensemble. Depending on where your ceremony and reception will be held, you may need to include additional reception details. For example, if you plan an entire weekend of festivities or a destination wedding, you may have travel information to relay. That's where special enclosures come in. All the "extras" in your invitation envelope should match your invitation in style and formality, completing the all-important first glimpse of your celebration.

Reception Cards

If you are planning a formal celebration, and especially if your ceremony and reception will be held at different locations, you will need to include a separate reception card.

If you feel the hour of your reception makes it unclear whether dinner will be served, it is acceptable to use the phrase "dinner reception" to let guests know that they can expect a meal. If your reception will be held before one o'clock in the afternoon, you should refer to it as a "Breakfast" or a "Brunch."

It is technically acceptable and does serve your purpose to add the words "and afterwards at the reception" at the bottom of the wedding invitation in lieu of using a reception card, but remember that you are giving up the elegance of a separate reception card. Although it may be tempting to add the information to the

invitation even if you are planning a formal wedding, the cost of reception cards is typically minimal, and including these cards completes the regal look of your entire wedding invitation.

Response Cards

Response cards offer a convenient way for guests to respond to your invitation, and they allow you to keep track of the guest list in order to provide an accurate count to your caterer. It is wise to ask for responses two weeks before the wedding to give your caterer adequate preparation time. There are several options for the wording of the response card, which are shown below and on the following pages.

Although it is best to leave menu information off of your response cards altogether, these cards can include a short list of menu options if absolutely necessary. But remember that caterers are generally able to estimate on their own.

When a guest is completing a response card, all names of those planning to attend the wedding should be noted in the appropriate blanks, including children. If an invitee has received an invitation that includes "and guest" on the inner envelope, then they should write the guest's name on the response card as well. If the invitation has been extended to a couple but only one person can attend, that should also be noted on the response card.

Even though including response cards is preferred, if circumstances prevent you from including them or you are planning a very small wedding, a reply is requested in a footnote in the lower left-hand corner of the reception card. It may say "The favour of a reply is requested" and should include the host's complete address. You may instead include "R.S.V.P." in the lower left-hand corner, which refers to the French phrase "Répondez s'il vous plaît." There are several ways to write this: R.S.V.P., R.s.v.p. and RSVP are all correct.

If there is no response card, a guest should respond with a formal, handwritten reply, penned on plain paper with blue or black ink.

Response Card Envelopes

Response card envelopes are typically pre-printed with the host's name and address. Applying a postage stamp to the response card envelopes is a gracious gesture that will assure you of more responses.

Pew Cards

Pew cards are necessary only if you assign certain family members or close friends to specific pews at the ceremony. They may follow the example below or be simple cards with just the words "Pew Number ___" engraved on the front. Guests who have been sent pew cards should present them to the ushers upon entering the ceremony. If you have sent pew cards to grandparents or godparents and wish to have specific ushers seat them (such as a brother or cousin), make sure your wedding director is aware of the situation.

Map, Directions, and Accommodations Cards

If you feel the need to include map, directions, or accommodations cards for your guests, keep these pieces in the same style and formality as your other enclosures. Be sure the directions are accurate and that the font you use is easy to read. List all pertinent information on the accommodations card, such as hotel name, address, and telephone number.

Wedding Invitation - Several Types of Paper to Consider

Wedding is a huge event in everybody's life. People will definitely do their best in preparing it. There are indeed myriads of things to consider in preparing one's best wedding. One of the most important things to consider is the wedding wording invitation. Determining the best wedding invitation could be very complicated since such invitation seems to be the representation of the whole picture of your would-be wedding celebration. That is why, all the important aspects in creating and making a wedding invitation should be carefully chosen to help you get your best desired one.

Amongst the myriads things to consider in making a wedding invitation is the paper. There are various different kinds of papers you could choose for making the invitation of your desire. Here are several common types of papers used for making a wedding invitation, they are:

1. Ecru: some people called it ivory, egg-shell or cream. Most American prefer this paper for their invitation, while European choose white color.
2. Linen: the texture is cross weave linen. This is the favorite paper to choose.
3. 100% cotton: it is a smooth and pure paper. The most sought-after paper due to its characteristics. This paper is commonly used for formal invitation. It is an expensive paper, though.
4. Moire: it is marked with subtle watermarks on it.
5. Vellum: it is well known as a paper made by blending the cream and cotton paper that has a smooth finish yet with a lower price than 100% cotton.

Aside from the paper types, other crucial aspects such as designs, outline, wording, and printing are also need to carefully consider for a gorgeous wedding invitation. You could search in the internet for various different kinds of such wedding invitation samples to help you determine the best. However, it is better for you to decide your own design according to the theme you wish to apply for your wedding celebration.

Hen and Stag Party Disasters

The wedding season is nigh which means plans for stag and hen parties will be afoot. We've all seen these parties on the television, in films and soaps, and something always goes wrong. It makes for great viewing but the writers don't just conjure up these scenarios from just anywhere - disasters can happen on a hen or stag do.

A lot of the time, unsurprisingly, these disasters involve extreme states of inebriation. One of the worst case scenarios is the best man or maid of honour hiring a stripper for the party and the groom or bride wakes up with a blinding headache and a modestly clothed stripper next to them. This could be the making of a marriage ending before it has even begun!

The person who is organising the hen or stag party will have a guest list of people to invite. This guest list needs to be approved by the bride or groom-to-be and there is a very good reason for it. All sorts of skeletons might come out. If the guest list hasn't been checked your party organiser could end up inviting an ex girlfriend of your fiancee. If it is one you don't particularly get on with, the combination of unwanted guests and alcohol can lead to catfights and a night in a police cell.

Ending up in a police cell has also led to the tradition of having the hen or stag do the night before the wedding beginning to fade. But for those who haven't caught on to this new trend, here is the obvious reason why. You may never make it to the altar or the registry office at all let alone on time. Whether you're locked in a police cell, handcuffed to a lamp post dressed at a French maid or even worse stranded in France, your other half is not going to be impressed with you.

They will be equally unimpressed if you turn up to the wedding with one or both of your eyebrows shaved off, a strange tattoo on your forehead or a broken arm. There is no contingency plan for these situations apart from not having the party the night before the wedding. Forget cruel practical jokes, you might make the simple mistake of not getting up because you've drank too much.

The best man's speech is always going to be slightly unbearable for the groom, especially if your best man has no boundaries, but you don't want to give them even more ammunition by way of inappropriate shenanigans on the stag party. You won't be impressed, your bride won't be impressed and you'll be making an excellent start with the in laws. Sunday lunches at their home will be brilliantly awkward!

Speaking of in laws... if you are going to spend your last single days partying during a weekend of hedonism, then you might want to organise an alternative, second party. This party will be suitable for all age types, i.e. the 'older' crowd. It could be a golfing weekend, a wine tasting party or even a casino-themed poker night. Your parents and in laws will think you're an angel.

A Guide To Funky And Unusual Wedding Invitations

Some couples want their wedding invitations to be cool, absolutely unique that it means unusual. If you are a wedding invitation artist and a couple comes to you saying that they wanted a funky wedding invitation, would you have an outright suggestion? I share with your initial hesitance to offer an outright plan on how to go about it. That is because designing a funky thing is a job that is hanging in the wind. Is there an exact definition of what is funky?

If someone asks you to design an elegant wedding announcement card or a classic wedding card, you might ace this project. What about funky? I think you will scratch your head.

What about a wedding announcement card that has a "Sahara" touch like for example a leopard print or maybe something depicting a tiger's stripe? This must be cool! It is even a nature friendly theme. But check it out if this is indeed unusual, at least in the community where most of the invites are to be distributed.

Going against usual color combination's may give your wedding announcement card that funkiness that you are yearning for. It is sort of attaining a level of being weird, is what you are looking for, right?

With the advent of advanced graphic illustration software and editing software, it became much easier to create vector designs that will make your wedding announcement card an unusual one. If you have basic knowledge on graphic design, you might as well do it by yourself trying some combination's until the time that you will come up with what you want or what you need. To make the process more fun, you may do this with your future partner for life. It must be a real fun designing your funky wedding invite together. You can start with some simple bold shapes and color combination's first. Who knows, you might come up with a great abstract design and have it be patented soon.

Are you looking for funky and unusual wedding invitation wording ideas to go with your funky wedding card? Unusual wedding card wordings are equally important, people will remember cards that stand out not only the design but the wordings too. The best way to word your wedding announcement cards are to write something that matches your theme. For example if your wedding theme is autumn your wedding card should say something related to autumn or fall. For more information on how to write your wedding card visit wedding invitation wording ideas.

FALL in Love with Autumn Themed Wedding Favors and Decor

Ask just about anyone and they'll tell you that fall is their favorite season! Sure, the occasional person will prefer one of the other three seasons, but you'll find that autumn is definitely preferred by many!

In many parts of our beautiful planet, fall promises golden sunsets, highly chromatic foliage, and deliciously crisp temperatures. Autumn lovers express their deep appreciation for hayrides, bonfires, weenie roasts and, of course, Halloween!

What a perfect time of year for a wedding! If nature inspires your color palette and you wish to incorporate the season into your theme, you will have plenty of options to pick from. Fall colors can range beautifully from deep reds, bright golds, burnt oranges, warm browns and even cool greens.

Luckily, there are many fall wedding favors and fall wedding decor items to help you create the perfect fall themed wedding!

Starting with personalized wedding decor, turn your wedding into a fall fantasy as you make your walk down the aisle on your own personalized fall aisle runner. Then light the prettiest personalized fall unity candle you've ever seen. Don't forget a personalized fall banner to welcome your guests. You can even deck out your reception with a fall theme dance floor decal, photo booth backdrop, cake topper, table runner or even a fall wedding window cling for your getaway car! All of these items can make your wedding look like an autumn magic land of color and beauty.

Don't forget the favors! Wedding favors are not only proper etiquette and a small token that guests look forward to receiving, but they also help you add flair to your guest tables! There are many gorgeous options to pick from. All of them will add a spectacular detail to your table settings!

Ornaments, trivets, bottle openers, coasters, bookmarks, candles (votives and even a scented pine cone!), and wine bottle stoppers offer a keepsake the guests can take home and reuse. But one of the other best things about fall is the flavors! Hot cocoa, cider, muffin and cookie mix packets make a sweet treat for a chilly autumn night. Your guests will remember your wedding fondly when they enjoy these yummy "thank you's" well after your big day.

Autumn themed place card settings help you organize the details of the seating arrangements while adding to the overall charm with your continued autumn splendor. Wire style or metallic holders hold your place card or table numbers nicely. But fall themed small picture frames double as a take home keepsake favor for the guests that can be reused!

Overall, if you're a fall lover too, the autumn is a perfect time to have your wedding. It won't be difficult to find just the right decor and favors to help you feel like the Queen of the Candy Corn or the Princess of Pumpkins on your wedding day!

In Case of Emergency Are You Prepared? How to Prepare Your Home For the Worst

If your house is destroyed by fire or flood, will you be prepared? The reality is most people aren't. Everyone thinks that this won't happen to him or her. No body seems to worry about extreme disaster until it happens. After all, you have bought insurance to handle these things. So why worry?

Let's go over some things you may not have considered.

If your house is destroyed by flood or fire:

• Most likely, all of your papers will be destroyed also. The big question is how will your replace them and do you know who to call for your insurance?


• What will you do for clothes? You will only have what you are wearing.


• How will you pay for thing? Your driver's license, social security card, and credit cards will be destroyed.


• How will you be able to make an inventory of your losses for you insurance?

With a little planning, the devastation can be reduced and the whole horrible process made a little easier.

Scan all your important documents:

• your birth certifies,


• marriage license,


• drivers listens,


• insurance policies,


• social security cards,


• tax records and


• If you were in the military, don't forget your discharge papers.

Keep these on a thumb drive or some other kind of disk. Your best bet is to keep them in a safe deposit box. At the very least, keep it in a fire/water proof container.

Have an Extra Set of Clothes
To handle clothes, keep a small bag packed in your car that will handle at least three days of clothes. This will give you enough clothes to wash and wear while waiting on the insurance company.

Keep Your Money Separate
If you have a safety deposit box, keep a checkbook and a credit card in the box. If you lose everything, you will still need access to your money.

Photos for Insurance
You should have pictures of everything in your house: furniture, clothing, jewelry and anything that has value. Remember, you will need to replace the small things like dishes and kitchen appliances as well as your furniture and jewelry.
Pictures will come in handy to file an insurance claim. It is hard to remember everything you own in times of disaster. Store the photos online (Photobucket, Snapfish, Kodak Gallery) or in a safety deposit box.

If you prepare for the worst, you can relieve a lot of the disaster stress. No one wants to think the worst, but if the worst does happen, it pays to be prepared.

Wedding Invitation Cards: A Popular Alternative to One Page Invitations

A large number of wedding ceremonies take place in the United States, each year. A large percentage of these wedding ceremonies include an extensive guest list. To notify friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers of your wedding, it is likely that you will use wedding invitations.

Planning a wedding involves making a large number of decisions. Some of these decisions are larger than others. When it comes to a wedding, all decisions are important. If you are getting married, one important decision that you may have to make is the style of wedding invitations that you want.

Wedding invitations are important for a number of different reasons. They help to notify friends and family that you are getting married. In addition to notifying guests, wedding invitations are also vital to the planning of a wedding. Knowing how many guests will attend your event is the best way to prepare seating, food, and drinks.

As previously mentioned, wedding invitations are important to the success of a wedding. Since they are important to the success of a wedding, there are many couples who spend days selecting the perfect wedding invitations. Wedding invitations are fun to select, but at the same time they are difficult. This is because there are a wide variety of different wedding styles to choose from.

Perhaps, the most used wedding invitation style is a one page invitation. One page wedding invitations are invitations where all the information is placed on one page. They are simple way to notify friends and family of your upcoming nuptials. The only problem with one page wedding invitations is their size. Because they are only one page, only the basic information can be displayed. To allow more information, such as a favorite song or poem, many couples make the decision to purchase wedding invitation card sets.

Wedding invitation card sets are similar to traditional, one paged wedding invitations. Wedding invitation card sets often include invitations and matching envelopes. The only difference between the two is the invitation style. Instead of being only one page, a wedding anniversary card has a traditional card style. This means that the initiation will fold.

Wedding anniversary card sets may not be the most popular type of invitation, but they are used quite a bit. They are popular because they allow a wedding invitation to have a personal touch. In addition to a favorite song or poem, many wedding invitation card sets also include a picture. This picture can be a generic one or it can be a picture of your and your spouse.

Each year weddings are hosted, but each wedding is likely to be different. That is often what makes a wedding unique and memorable. If a wedding can be different than so can the invitations. If you are interested in sending out custom made invitations to all your guests, you should at least consider ordering a wedding invitation card set. Why order wedding invitations that are just like the rest, especially when you can order your own unique invitations?

British Wedding Traditions

Weddings in Great Britain are very beautiful and unforgettable because of the prolonged customs of British people that have took form since very old times. The practices of a wedding in a British flag had been transformed during the English Reformation, at the time during church rulings had to go through a total change. Following 1549, wedding ceremonies are permitted to be done in the church.

In a wedding ceremony in the Church of England, the bride is given to the groom by the father of the bride before the priest. The people inside the church will then be asked by the priest if anyone would object the wedding. In case there is, the objections are permitted to be spoken. Both the groom and the bride are allotted as well an opportunity to re-consider. Then they vow to be devoted, love, honour and protect one another till the end of their lifetime.

The rite goes on with the man placing the wedding ring on the woman's wedding finger, the third finger on her left hand. The ring will be accepted by the bride and the priest affirms them to be husband and wife. The wedding in the eyes of god will then be proclaimed by the priest. Following the announcement, the man is given permission to kiss the bride.

The couple is permitted to be married in a registry office in case they wish to do so. The rite is then brief and straightforward. The couple faces a registrar in charge and they sign the register after. No less than two witnesses should be in attendance.

What Is Wedding Insurance and Why Do I Need It?

Taking into consideration that the cost of weddings is high and often must be prepaid in full or in part, wedding insurance is one of those things that should be considered by those planning a wedding. In the event that the wedding is cancelled, the parties often lose a large percentage of the cost; wedding insurance covers the losses due to a cancelled wedding.

It is important that you should always read the policy when purchasing any insurance so that you know what is covered and what isn't. Most wedding insurance will not cover cancellation due to one of the parties failing to contract the marriage or cancellation due to the failure of the parties to procure the proper legal documents of marriage. If the wedding is cancelled to financial losses on the part of one of the parties, the costs will not be covered. If one of the essential vendors, such as the marquee supplier or the caterer, goes out of business and takes your deposit, that is a covered cost.

Some policies also cover additional expenses incurred by obtaining another supplier. Damage to wedding attire, death or injury of one of the partners, financial loss due to redundancy, adverse weather that makes it difficult for the participants or guest to reach the location and failure of the minister or registrar to appear are all covered under most wedding insurance. Given the high cost of weddings, it is wise to purchase insurance to protect against losses.

Since the coverage varies between insurers, it is a good idea to review several policies before purchasing one. Although the policy can be purchased right up to the day before the wedding, it is always a good idea to purchase it early since it only covers losses that occur after it is in effect.

There are quite a few companies that offer wedding insurance. The cost of the insurance varies by company as well as what are the factors that are covered. While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, shopping around for the right insurance for your big day is well worth the time and money that you spend on it.

Things You Must Include on Your Bridal Shower or Wedding Invitation

Writing wedding invitations can seem counterintuitive and tricky, but they don't have to be. Follow these simple rules and you'll know everything you must include on your bridal shower or wedding invitation.

For wedding invitations:
The first thing the guests will see is the envelope. These must be hand-addressed and must use formal wording. For married guests, this looks like:
Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
Followed by their address.

For single guests, this looks like:
Mr. John Doe
or
Miss Jane Doe

After you fill out the rest of the envelope with the guests' address and your return address, you can move on to the invitation itself.

The first names listed on the invitation will be the names of the people hosting the party. If this is the bride's parents (which is common), it looks like this:
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Cummings
or
Jacob and Julie Cummings

When the bride's and groom's parents are both hosting:
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Cummings
and
Mr. and Mrs. Michel LeFleur

When the bridal couple are hosting the wedding, it will look like this:
Mr. Mark LeFleur
and
Miss Juliana Cummings

This is followed by a request. The request also tells the guests something about the wedding. If it reads:
Request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

...it denotes the ceremony will take place within a church or other religious location. For a non-religious wedding location, use the following words:
Request the pleasure of your company
at the marriage of their daughter

For a ceremony hosted by both sets of parents:
Request your company at the marriage of their children

For a couple hosting their own wedding:
Invite you to join us at the celebration of our marriage

Next, write out the date, time, and location
Saturday the twenty-first of June
Two thousand and one
at five o'clock in the afternoon
At Saint Mary's Church
Reception to follow at
Lincoln Arts Museum,
White room

If the location is a well-known landmark, you may write as above, but for many locations, you must include the address. The above is for a reception that occurs at a different location from the wedding site. For a wedding and reception in the same location, use the wording:
Reception to Follow

What to do about attire:
You may mention the attire if you will be hosting a black tie, black-tie optional, or casual event. Use the formality of the invitation wording to allude to the formality of dress expected.

What to do about children:
If you don't want children at your reception, or if you don't want your guest bringing an additional guest with them, specify the number you are inviting, such as: We look forward to seeing John and Judy there

Don't include registry information or allude to gifts on the wedding invitation. However, you may include this information in the bridal shower invitation.

Bridal shower invitations need not be as formal at all. Make sure to include a link to the bridal couple's website or blog, their registry information, and the date, time, and location of the party.

Wedding Party Favors - Personalized Sentiments of Thanks

Wedding party favors are gifts presented to friends and relatives who have been chosen to help the bride and groom prepare for the event and to stand witness with them during the wedding ceremony. This is a special, heartfelt gift, presented to the bridesmaids and groomsmen at the rehearsal dinner or before the wedding. It is intended to show appreciation for the help and support they have given in creating this momentous event. Though these tokens are usually more expensive than the guest gifts, it does not mean they need to be extravagant. It may be something that holds special meaning for the couple.

Weddings are expensive, from the price of the reception location and catering to the gown and tux worn by the bride and groom. The gifts for the wedding party can be unique and inexpensive. Monogrammed compact mirrors, pens, and money clips are examples of inexpensive items that show loved ones that time and attention went into its selection. Homemade gifts are also popular. They frequently consist of token boxes, custom mixed bath oils or decadent desserts that are known to be a favorite indulgence. Not all tokens need to be the same for all bridesmaids and groomsmen.

The maid of honor and the best man are involved in all aspects of the planning process, from selecting the venue, caterers and color scheme to helping with the invitations and registry. They provide ongoing support enlisting the help of the rest of the bridal party as needed. Their wedding party favors often have special significance. Jewelry is a popular maid of honor gift. Crystal pendants, engraved lockets and jewelry boxes can be reasonably priced and reflect the affection the bride has for them. For the best man, engraved cufflinks and pocket watches are frequently the gift of choice.

The wedding party favors chosen may reflect the theme or feel of the wedding. If it is a beach theme, perhaps wine stoppers or candles featuring an aquatic or seashell motif will be among the options selected. Winter wedding themes are festive. Snowflake holiday ornaments, crystal coasters and bookmarks engraved with the bride and grooms names and wedding date are unique and functional keepsakes. For the gambler at heart, Las Vegas themed items may include fuzzy dice, luggage tags or casino chips, created especially for the event.

Motorcycle Picture Wedding Invitations (Hog Wild)

For those couples wanting to take their love of motorcycles to the alter, they can. Motorcycles have been a popular theme and also have hundreds of thousands of followers so why not a themed wedding. There are many products that carry the motorcycle theme that can now be incorporated into the wedding. Many couples literally go "hog wild" with their themed wedding.

For beginners one of the most important ways to let people know about your themed wedding is to send a motorcycle picture theme wedding invitation. These invitations can be changed to suit the couple. They can be different styles, colors and many are even handmade with pressed flowers or ribbons. The motorcycle picture theme wedding invitation can have custom photos of their own Harley or a picture of the couple. One of the best ways to have a photo that tells all is for the couple to be photographed on their motorcycle. That is a good way to show your love for both your motorcycle and you're soon to be spouse.

Motorcycle picture theme wedding invitations are just the beginning to the themed wedding. Many of these couples decorate, are dressed in their hobby attire and even have the attending official dressed in leather! There are a number of ways to celebrate your wedding with the dedication that you have to your motorcycle family. Many times the motorcycle club or family is how the couple actually came together. It is only appropriate to acknowledge this with the appropriate theme and motorcycle picture theme wedding invitation.

Motorcycle picture theme wedding invitation can also be handmade by the bride and groom. The paper can be purchased to facilitate the perfect wedding. The invitations can then be printed with the pertinent information about the wedding. There are many software products and templates that allow you to print your invitations on a laser printer or ink jet. This makes it very easy to customize your motorcycle picture theme wedding invitation. When couples make their own invitations often times they will personalize with a poem or saying that is a slogan or representation of their relationship. It may have to do with how they met or any significant event during their dating lives.

Motorcycle picture theme wedding invitation can be very formal or casual depending on what type of wedding that the couple is having. The motorcycle theme allows for either method of delivery. The attire and decorations can be very classical with a formal twist, or the theme can also be carried outdoors on the cycle. There is a great deal of uniqueness that is allowed with the theme. The motorcycle picture theme wedding invitations are a great way to invite your club members plus your other family!

There are many motorcycle products that can help enhance the wedding. From the decorations to the motorcycle picture theme wedding invitation there is something for everyone. Now couples all over the world can share their love of the motorcycle with others. Wedding favors, attire and other motorcycle themes can allow for a very intimate wedding. The very best way to start your adventure is to send out motorcycle picture theme wedding invitation. This will get the party started, then you can go hog wild with the other motorcycle products out there!

Getting Married On A Cruise

For those looking for a little something different in a wedding, getting married on a cruise often seems like a good idea. It is, but there are some things you need to know.

There is little doubt that getting married is simultaneously the greatest and most stressful event most couples will embark on. More and more these days, couples are looking for options that present less stress. One such option is wrapping all of the marriage festivities in one package. In this case, we are talking about tying the knot on a cruise.

One of the first things you'll have to decide is whether you want to get married on board the ship or at a port. Not all cruise lines offer weddings on board. In fact, most of them recommend that you get married at port in your home country.

Holland America cruise ships do allow you to get married on the ship. Most of the individual ships do have wedding chapels on board, but you must get married while the ship is docked at its port of origin. It is just one of those legal things. Celebrity cruises also offer many different wedding packages, but you may not get married at sea. Again, you must choose one of the designated ports of call for your wedding ceremony location.

The only cruise line that allows you to actually get married while on the ship at sea is the Princess cruise line. The captains aboard these ships are legally permitted to perform weddings under the legal authority of Bermuda, the port of origin for the cruise line. Any of the major cruise lines, however, would be happy to help you arrange a wedding that revolves around your cruise, and most of the cruise ship companies offer wedding planners at the various ports they land at.

The most popular option is just to get married on land and spend the rest of the time at sea. One way to be sure you'll be able to afford this sort of option is to set up a cruise registry. This is similar to a gift registry, except wedding guests put money into a special account just for your cruise, instead of buying gifts. This way, the cost of your trip can be greatly reduced - perfect for the couple that would rather have a trip than household appliances.

How to Decorate a Wedding Tent - Tips For a Perfect Wedding Party

Decorating a wedding tent is always a matter of combining elements such as shapes, textures and colors in order to create an environment that is visually pleasing and that incorporates the functionality that the event demands. When decorating a weeding tent the basic visual rules still remain. There is much more to it than just the eye appeal, you will have to make the tent space really work for you and you have to consider that your tent will be used for the dinner and entertainment.

Decorating the Interior

When decorating the interior you will have to create a balance and harmony that you can be proud to call your own. This usually takes some practice and these days interior decorators are more in demand than ever before. But with some pointers you can pull it off yourself and be proud of your work. When decorating the wedding you have to keep in mind that the interior design tends to be more integrated with the architecture than when decorating a traditional room. Of course you also need to take the room layout an window placement into consideration when making you decorative efforts.

Decorating the Cake

Cake decorating usually takes lots of practice, so you have to be prepared to take the time to learn it before the wedding. For most people cake decorating is an art form that takes years to learn. In case you don't feel comfortable with this, it might be better leaving it to someone else. Most of us actually do not have those kind of cake-making talents that is required for a wedding ceremony.

The Reception Colors

Colors can work magic in a reception tent by taking flowers into consideration. Some colors and patterns also work well to create that wedding style look many people want in their wedding tent. The colors you choose are an important elements in the theme you choose for the wedding ceremony in the tent and I guess you want warm colors for the tones in your tent decor.

Top 5 Journal Topics - Introduction to Journal Writing

Writing is one of the few art forms that can be practiced by virtually anyone. Whether you've taken a class to become a better writer or not, or you just want to write for pleasure or for friends and family, writing can be a cathartic and healing activity, and can be done almost anywhere and at any time. Many people who are new to the writing process often find a relatively easy and cost-free way to begin, is by starting a journal. Journal writing is also a pretty low-pressure way of introducing yourself to the joys of writing, and the topics on which to write can be endless. So get started with any one of these journaling ideas:

1 - Life occurrences - Write about anything noteworthy going on in your life, like a big upcoming birthday and your feelings about, say, turning 40. Write about everything that happened at a recent high school reunion. Think back to your wedding day, and write about what you were thinking and how you felt about your marriage on that day, and then on your first, fifth or even tenth wedding anniversary. If you start to see a theme emerging that you find yourself writing about one topic more than others, consider buying a journal for that topic alone, and dedicating all the writing in that particular journal to that topic. For example, consider creating a 'Gardening Journal' or a 'Journal for the Grandchildren'.

2 - Small observations - Sometimes a fleeting thought will hit you while you're sitting in traffic, or looking out the window at the rain. Take that fleeting thought and turn it into a journal entry. Sometimes writing about the smallest observations can lead to more profound observations about life, and can prompt further writing on that topic. Writing is a process by which the manifestation of our thoughts becomes a more tangible thing, which we can come back to and read, reread and even share with others. Let your small fleeting thoughts become larger ideas that you explore through your writing.

3 - Writing about family - The possibilities for family journals are endless. Whether the topic is your partner or spouse, children, siblings or parents, writing about family - loving them, being saddened or frustrated by them, learning to trust them - can be rewarding and also can create opportunities to learn about ourselves and the family members we're writing about.

4 - Childhood memories - Write about the things you experienced as a child, like the first time you learned to dive off the pool diving board, or went to the prom, or found your first summer love. Writing about those memories not only helps to preserve them, but also can lead to observations about yourself that you might not have realized until you got the full story out on paper.

5 - Poetry - Consider writing your own free-form poetry in your journal, or even write a poem in the style of your favorite poet. Sometimes just the process of freely writing words and concepts can lend itself to a poem or a longer journal entry.

Writing can be one of the most rewarding activities you engage in. So get out your writing set, and get started!

Top 3 Vacuum Cleaners of 2013

Maintaining a house is harder than buying the one- this is such a phenomenon that no one would ever disagree, especially the woman who usually has the responsibility to look after the house in the best possible manner. With the passing time, the environment has started being dusty that brings dust all around the house. An open window in the daytime can be a cause of a lot of hard work as it brings dust all around.

Therefore, you need to have a sucking machine that can suck up the dirt and dust, leaving your home clean and hygienic. Which machine than a vacuum can be the best dust remover? Its air pump is strong enough to pick each and every particle of dust through a dust bag or cyclone and dump in disposal.

The industry of vacuum cleaners is growing wider, and therefore it has been difficult to choose which the best one for the home or office is? However, vacuum cleaner reviews can help you in taking the decision. There are new competitors every year in the industry so you can only be helped with reviews for the current year which is 2013.

Surprisingly, the best vacuums that are reviewed in the year 2013 are all cordless, that is may be because the latest technology has entered the cleaning industry as well. Let's learn what the top 3 vacuum cleaner are for 2013.

Dyson Vacuum Cleaner (Cordless)

The suction power of Dyson Cleaner is the reason why it is best rated in vacuum reviews. It has 2 times more power than other latest cordless vacuum. This doesn't restrict the approach as there is available a long attachment which allows you to clean ceilings, fans, curtains and windows without climbing too high. But, the attachment is available in a compact cordless vacuum that can work for stairs and cars more efficiently.

Hoover Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Another name that pops up from the vacuum reviews for the best vacuum of 2013 is Hoover Cordless Cleaner which is rated with 5 stars by the company for its compact size and efficient use. It has been preferred the best in the industry as it comes with a 'stick vacuum' that cleans even the tightest places easily with its light weight. Unlike other vacuum, this is bag less and thus doesn't create mess at all. However, its canister needs to clean frequently.

Eureka Quick up Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Another vacuum cleans which darned the vacuum cleaner reviews and got the hype. With a unique quality of not bending, Eureka Quick up Cordless Cleaner is very handy and has a dust buster as an added feature. It can be hanged on a wall as well as the handles are removable. Therefore, you can be benefited with the cordless and light weight vacuum a lot, and prevent yourself from the fuss of placing it every time you use, because you can just get rid of it by hanging it on the wall.

Weddings Readings and Poetry

Wedding readings really personalise a wedding - they can be romantic, a religious blessing on the union of the couple, or just plain funny that makes everyone laugh - whichever flavour, often bringing a tear to the eye. But how do you decide which reading is appropriate for the occasion and you as a couple?

If you are having a civil wedding it is not allowed to have any music, readings or poetry with any religious content. As long as it is non-religious and non-offensive usually anything goes! It is usual to have up to two readings, but you could have more if they were short poems or affirmations.

Readings are traditionally read by trusted close friends and family or even the bride and groom to each other. There are strict guidelines on what is acceptable and must be secular to follow the theme of a non-religious ceremony. Each registrar may have differing views on what has religious connotations and what doesn't - Robbie Williams "Angels" was deemed to be religious at one point - so it is very important to check with the registrars office, rather than be disappointed on the day. Each ceremony has time for a couple of readings if they are of suitable length. You may be able to include more if they are short. Your local registrars will have a list of approved music and words, but if you are choosing something off their approved list you will need to provide the registrar with your chosen content for their approval before the wedding day.

A church wedding is an obvious choice for couples who have a strong Christian faith. The Christian faith encompasses the Church of England, Church in Wales, Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Churches and Free Churches (Baptist, Methodist and United Reform Churches). You have the right to marry in the parish church of the town you reside in or are on the electoral role. Church of England will now marry in any church if they are a family member have a connection with the church.

Church weddings usually feature readings, either from the minister, or by one of the wedding guests. It is usual to have two readings, and one should certainly be religious. However, it may be possible to have a secular reading - check with your minister on what is acceptable and what is not.

There are lots of readings suitable for weddings, but to make your choice easier we have included a list of the most popular readings in our Wedding Ceremony category - Wedding Readings and Poetry.

Cupcake Boxes Nobody Can Resist

Most people love cupcakes. They are delicious, easy to take along and make great gifts. Cupcakes can be taken to work or school in mid-size plastic storage containers, or in boxes especially designed for these yummy treats.

Individual or multi-pack cupcake boxes are available in many attractive designs, colours, and materials. These specialty food containers are mostly made of clear plastic or various cardboard types. Some have a window, while others will not allow you a sneak peak. You have to wait until you open the lid to find out if you received a blueberry, chocolate or vanilla coconut cupcake. What a tease!

Cupcake boxes with clear windows are most often used by bakeries who pre-package their baked goods. It allows the customers to see the content of the box without actually having to open it. If they are in a hurry, they can just grab a box, pay, and go. Cupcake, cake and bonbonniere boxes are available in small, medium and large. They are designed specifically for each specific food group. Cupcake boxes have inserts to keep the individual cakes upright. They fit snugly in their boxes so customers do not have to worry that their favourite treat will be all broken in tiny pieces by the time they arrive home.

Online packaging suppliers advertising cupcake boxes will often also sell bonbonniere boxes, wine boxes, and gift boxes. They will accept wholesale orders from retailers, as well as requests from individuals. Many people like to bake and enjoy packing up their treats in appropriate packaging. They may give away cupcakes to friends and relatives who are celebrating a special occasion, are not feeling well and need a little pick-me-up, or who deserve extra attention for always being so nice. Heart shaped cupcakes are very popular on Valentine's Day and as wedding favours. To make your cupcakes a surprise, stack them in wine boxes. Your friends' amazed faces will be worth a snapshot when they open their gift!

Wholesale gift and cardboard box suppliers offer great deals when you buy in bulk. The more you order, the cheaper the unit price will become. It may really be worth your while thinking ahead, and ordering your supplies for a few months at a time. Do not forget to include ribbons, tissue paper and other packaging necessities.

Plain cupcake boxes are cute, but can be upgraded to "fabulous" with little effort. Themed ribbons will make quite a splash, regardless if your boxes are pink, white, chocolate brown, or red. Top your packages off with a fancy bow and a wish card, and you will have a fabulous gift. Running short on organza or satin streamers? No problem! You can always wrap your cupcake, bonbonniere or wine boxes in specialty gift paper. Who does not have a few sheets of gorgeous embossed designer paper laying around? The fun does not end there, as you can use all the decoration ideas you can come up with. Do not restrict yourself, because the funkier your cupcakes boxes are, the more impressed your friends, family members, and customers will be.

Romantic Places to Elope - Say I Do at the Ultra-Romantic Pocono Mountains Caesar Resorts!

Known as the most romantic destination in the north east united states, the Poconos mountain and resorts is amongst the perfect romantic places to elope! Tucked away in Pennsylvania mountains, the Poconos is a favored location for romance, from romantic getaways, to elaborate weddings and even intimate elopement weddings. There's no place like the Poconos when it comes to love and romance! This is the perfect place to elope and then enjoy your honeymoon!

If you are planning to elope in the Poconos there is one thing that you want to keep in mind. The state of Pennsylvania does have a three day waiting period to obtain a marriage license. Both you and your spouse to be can apply at any Pennsylvania court house at least three business days prior to your wedding date. The license is valid for sixty days and can (of course) only be used in the state of Pennsylvania.

There are a total of three resorts that comprise what is known as the Caesars Pocono Resorts and they are the Cove Haven, Pocono Palace,and Paradise Stream.

Pocono Palace: The suites at Pocono Palace are undoubtedly the most popular and provides the ultimate for couples with hot romance and fun on their mind. Pocono Palace captures the essence of a country club style resort with a nine-hole golf course, 32,000 square foot entertainment and sports center and of course, the legendary suits. The resort has recently added the Roman Tower to their suit collection. It includes the trademark seven foot tall champagne glass whirlpool as well as a heart shaped jacuzzi, log burning fire place, round king size bed,dry sauna and a steamy shower bath perfect for two. A cathedral window gives you a panoramic view of the grounds - making this one luxurious suite! There are several other suite options included at Pocono Palace including Champagne Tower by Cleopatra, Fantasy Apple, Lakeside Chalet and Club Lodge.

Paradise Stream: Located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, Paradise Stream appeals to the hot and hip Generation Y. The resort features a posh lounge, modern dance club and contemporary hip decor. The suits are newly designed and have a great mix of old and new. You'll of course have the option of a Champagne Tower suite, with the addition of Diana's Oasis and Lakeside Villa amongst others. Diana's Oasis pays homage to the Greek goddess Diana, with it's sensuous design, private heated indoor pool, log burning fireplace and round king size bed surrounded by Roman columns. Lakeside Villa suites offer the privacy of an individual Roman style villa with a private balcony that overlooks Lake Eden. The suite also features an oversized 20 square foot glass and tile shower for two, king size bed and the famous heart shaped whirlpool bath for two.

Cove Haven: Cove Haven is a very intimate resort located along the scenic Lake Wallenpaupack. Cove Haven offers five additional suites not offered at Paradise Stream of Pocono Palace. Cove Fantasy, Cove Harbour, Harbour Tower, Spa-Side Harbourette and Juliette. Cove Harbour is a gorgeous split level design with the king size bed and sleeping area in the sunken bedroom. It also includes the customary log burning fireplace and heart-shaped whirlpool. Cove Fantasy includes a private indoor heated pool, sunken bedroom and dry sauna as well.

Wedding Insurance - A Good Investment or a Waste of Money?

You insure your car, your home, your health, and your life. Now you can insure your wedding too. Insurance for your wedding is one of the newest products on the market. But do you really need it, or is it a waste of money?

Wedding insurance has been popular in Great Britain for several years. Today, a number of companies in the U.S. are also offering wedding insurance. Most policies offer varying amounts of coverage for varying fees with the most expensive policy costing less than $400 for a wedding held in this country. If you are planning a destination wedding, coverage can be obtained at a slightly higher fee.

Most insurance policies will insure you against:

o Unforeseen weather problems (are you planning a wedding in Florida or the Bahamas during hurricane season?). This must be a major problem that will prevent you from holding the wedding as scheduled or that will prevent a majority of your guests from attending, not an afternoon thunder storm.

o Cancellation or postponement of the wedding. If you or the groom is in the military and is called to active duty, you might need to postpone the wedding. One of you or a close family member could be injured in an accident, have a sudden illness, or even die, necessitating a change in wedding plans. Insurance would cover the lost deposits.

o Failure of merchants to perform their contracted services. This might include a caterer who goes bankrupt just before the wedding or an event center that closes just before your event. Or perhaps the florist takes your money, then skips the country (all of these things have actually happened to unsuspecting clients). If you have paid a deposit or the full fee to such merchants, you will be reimbursed. Some policies will also cover the cost of legal fees to collect from errant merchants.

o Damage to the wedding attire. If the bridal salon catches fire and your gown or your attendants' gowns are ruined, or the airline sends your gown to Timbuktu, you can be reimbursed.

o Photographs and video. If the photographer fails to show up or he neglects to put film in his camera, his equipment is defective, or the video camera doesn't work, you may be able to recreate the wedding photos at a later date and receive payment for the recreation.

o Theft of the wedding gifts or the wedding rings. If you leave your gifts in another room while your ceremony is occurring and they are stolen, or someone breaks into the car in which the gifts are being transported, you can be reimbursed. You can also be reimbursed for loss or theft of the wedding rings, but not the bride's engagement ring.

o Professional counseling. Some policies will pay a limited amount toward counseling if you are left standing at the altar and you need therapy to work through it.

Most policies will not cover the lost deposits if either the bride or groom changes their mind and breaks the engagement.

Before you purchase wedding insurance, check with the company that writes your homeowner's or renter's insurance policy and find out exactly what is covered under that policy. Also check the liability insurance policy at the venue where your wedding will be held. Depending on your coverage, you may not need a separate insurance policy, or your current insurer may be able to add a rider to your existing policy to cover the wedding.

Whether wedding insurance is right for you will depend on your circumstances, but it may be worth the cost, particularly if you are planning a destination wedding.

© Copyright 2004; Glenna Tooman, all rights reserved

Wedding Invitations - How Couples Can Personalize Their Wedding Invitations

Nothing says more about the couple than the wedding invitations. The images, colors, script, information density, tone, and perceived effort are all conveyed to the guests. So, how can you and your spouse-to-be personalize the invitations? The following is a list of ideas on how to personalize the invitations:

1. Write in a way that mirrors you and your family's unique spirits, attitudes, and personal qualities. You shouldn't be forced to use arcane language that no longer sounds personal or colloquial. The old phrase, 'Mr. and Mrs. Doe request the honor of your presence ... etc.', is not the final word on wording. Your wording should be fun, light, and recognizable as your own. Otherwise, guests will feel bored, or at the least, unimpressed. A sample that demonstrates how to spice up your introduction is as follows: 'Because you have been such a good person to our family, we request the privilege of your presence at so-and-so's wedding.'

2. If you can afford to hire a graphic designer, and some at the college are kind of cheap, then you can ask him or her to include hand-drawn images of the theme you'd like to get across. Some people are getting married in the place where they live, either because it's special to them or because of budget. Either way, get the graphic designer to draw a beautiful color sketch of a creek or the church where you're getting married. People will remember it and think it's very personal. Only a minority of invitations goes into such detail about the significance of the location. Plus, it will be a nostalgic treasure if you move, a keepsake for posterity.

3. Some think it's cute or special to include a photograph of the couple on the wedding invitations. This is smart except some guests will think it's distasteful. Instead, get a hand-drawn or computer-illustrated silhouette that looks just like you and your spouse. These silhouettes are sexy sleek and sensual to be sure.

4. Include some favorite lines of text from music lyrics, a poem, or a book, and this will set the stage for a fantastically romantic wedding invitation.

5. You can always write your invitations with pen and ink. They look really personal that way. What better way for the invitations to express you than your own words and signature writing style? However, you only need to write it once and then do a high-resolution, scanned copy on the rest. Send the original to one special friend.

As you can see, wedding invitations needn't be drab. Spice it up!