Saturday, January 4, 2014

Wedding Cards Design - How To Choose


Things to consider when choosing your wedding cards design is where the event is taking place and the time of the year you are planning it. Budget is another consideration, usually the budget is around 3% of the overall wedding budget, you need to consider all wedding stationery in this, including postage. Another consideration is obviously the amount of people on your list, you should budget for approximately 10-20% extra stationery, for any unforeseen circumstances.

OK, where to begin, many brides to be, consider making the wedding cards themselves, there are many places you can buy the different paper, cards and other adornments needed, but this is time-consuming and if you haven't attempted it before, starting with your wedding is probably not a good idea, you really don't need more stress. There are many stores that can offer you a template, with the design that you want, purchase the paper etc from them and print the stationery at home, you can add the finishing touches yourself. The added advantage of this is you can word the invitation any way you like, choose different fonts and change the color that they are printed in, this is probably one of the cheaper options available, but still requires your time, make sure your printer is up to it and the paper you have chosen is compatible with your printer.

The next most economical way to choose your wedding cards design is by shopping online and view the many designs available, from here you can pick and order all your wedding stationery. Many will offer wedding card samples, you get a great view of the type of the paper you have chosen and you can see straight away how you invitation will look. Not all paper is created equal and the price does vary, depending on the quality, some printing options are better suited to certain papers, so you need to keep that in mind. Printing options include engraving, this is like the name implies leaves an imprint in the paper that you can see and feel, this is a very expensive option and not widely used.

Thermography is the heating of the ink and powder to give the lettering a raised look, this is good for formal invitations. Lithography or off set printing is when design or text is transferred on to metal printing plates, where rollers then apply ink and the text is transferred to paper. This is method is largely being superseded by digital printing because the capabilities are greater. Digital printing requires no printing plates and as such reduces time taken to produce work, it can cope with high volume and designs are easily modified. Ink jet printer used widely in many peoples homes, do as the name suggests sprays small amounts of ink, line by line, many colours can be achieved and you can use them to print of invitations at home.

You must make sure that the paper stock you choose is compatible with your printer. You need to be aware that sometimes the wording and designs can sometimes have "bleeding" and not as defined as you would like. Laser printing, another form of printing from a computer, works well on plain paper. Go through the many designs available online, keep notes of the designs and colors you like best and then make a decision, you will be spoilt for choice, but keep on track and have fun choosing you wedding cards design.

Free Wedding Invitation Wording


You probably have a very beautiful wedding invitation card design, but now you are trying to figure out how to write the wordings. You are probably saying to yourself, "I have no idea how to write wedding invitation wording." You are not alone because a lot of people do not know how to either. Before starting your own verse, you can go on the internet and type in "free wedding invitation wording" to find samples to give you an idea on what to write.

You can copy and paste the sample if you want, but make sure the names are changed because most likely the samples are using names such as John Doe.

Usually, the first thing your guests should see on the card are the names of the people who are hosting/paying for the wedding. After that, you write a request that you want your guest to attend. Third step is to write the bride's name and the groom's name (ex. Jane Smith to John Doe). The fourth step is the the date and time. Afterwards, you write the location of the place. Finally, let your guests know if there is going to be a dinner party or anything else you would like your guests to be aware of.

Never decide to write in the last minute because although this is a short writing, it might take you a while especially when you are not familiar with it. Put some thoughts into it so you can make it unique.

Top 5 Tips on Choosing Perfect Wedding Reception Venues


Be Realistic and Agree A Wedding Reception Venue Budget That You Can Afford.

There is no point seeking out a venue that incorporates a castle, cliffs and sandy beaches if you live in the city and you are on a small budget. It is very important to keep your wedding dreams in line with what you can afford. This will save a lot of arguments when planning the wedding and a lot of debt after you are married! But that doesn't mean you can't still have your dream wedding. There are ideal venues to suite all budgets and all tastes.

Who is Coming to the Wedding?

Planning your guest list can be a tiring and frustrating chore or a fun activity depending on your budget and how well everyone you know gets along. Once you've ironed out all the family politics of who should come and who shouldn't, your wedding guest list should be based on your total wedding reception budget. Your budget includes the reception venue, meals, drinks and any overnight accommodation. There may be other 'hidden' charges re the venue too, so do be sure to add a little extra to your wedding budget for those.

Where Should the Wedding Reception Venue Be?

Once you know who is attending you can decide where best to have a wedding reception. If you have friends and family dispersed around the UK or even the globe, you might be reluctant to hold your wedding reception locally instead preferring a wedding reception venue that is accessible by airport, rail and motorways. This is to ensure your guests are able to make it to your wedding with the minimum of fuss and expense. If you do opt for a local venue, consider how the people you want to invite will travel there and where they might stay. You might need to include details on invites regarding travel, transport, direction, and nearby hotels etc.

Meanwhile do not forget to consider how you and those immediately around you will attend the wedding if the venue is out of town. Can they afford to travel, book hotels and so on?

What Type of Wedding Reception Venue Do You Want?

You might be happy for your partner to have the ultimate say on reception venues or vice versa. This makes finding a venue a little easier. However if you both want a say and you do not agree on theme, style, budget etc, compromise and arguments lie ahead unless you find a fun way of deciding on the ideal venue for your wedding.

Each of you (bride and groom to be) should each make two lists. One list stating the features of your ideal wedding reception venue and the other saying what you'd really NOT like in a venue. Requirements should be listed in order of importance as this will help when it comes to compromising later on. You can perhaps both agree to 'lose' item '4' and so on.

When is the Wedding - Set the Date After You've Found the Venue!

You can't book a wedding reception venue without knowing the date of the wedding but then there is nothing more disappointing than selecting the wedding reception venue of your dreams and discovering that they are booked up on your wedding day. If you find your dream wedding reception venue, before setting the wedding date you can make a provisional booking pending the speedy booking of the wedding date via the church, registry office or other. Book both well in advance and consider taking out wedding insurance incase for whatever reason the plans need to be cancelled or changed.

Once you've decided

o How Much
o Who
o How
o What and when

You can start looking at wedding reception venues that you know you can afford, you will both love and that you and your guests can travel easily to. Enjoy your happy day!

Personalized Wedding Favors - Say Thank You With Personalized Style


There is nothing better than being able to give your guests a wedding favor that has the bride and grooms name and the date of their marriage. This is by far the best way to remind guests of your wedding day for a very long time. You can also do this with monogrammed favors, which will have the script used in your other wedding materials.

Personalized wedding favors can be catered to fit your wedding style, For the beach styled or ocean front wedding, you can use the personalized Adirondack chair with tealite candle or a personalized heart glass bottle with sand and seashells. Personalized plant able favors are a great option for a spring or summer wedding, you have choices like wild flower daisies and wild flower hearts.

Edible wedding favors can also be personalized. There are personalized bags of coffee favors. You can get personalized lifesaver favors or personalized chocolate bars. How about and elegant favor like a personalized wine bottle label which makes a long lasting gift for your guests?

Glass wedding favors can also be personalized. There a coasters that can have a photo added, or maybe a mini version of the wedding invitation, or perhaps a personal note to all your guests. You can get personalized champagne flutes which give an added touch to the wedding toast. There a personalized shot glasses/ votive candle holders or monogrammed votive candle holders.

Most wedding favors can be personalized with a ribbon or thank you tag that has been personalized. Perhaps you would like a more elegant option, so the monogrammed gift box is more to your taste. There are tealight candles available in personalized tins. However tags and or favor labels are an easy way to personalize any favor, after all you really want people to remember where your special day.

Top Three Pre-Wedding Fights - Resolve Before Sending Out Wedding Invitations


Admit it. The day your boyfriend asked you to marry him, regardless of how his marriage proposal came about, and you happily accepted it was one of the high points of your relationship. And the events that followed -dinners in your honor, good-natured ribbing from family and friends, deeper relationship - were just icing on the engagement cake.

At some point, however, you have to land back to Earth from your heavenly perch. You have to successfully deal with pre-wedding fights before you can even think about sending out your wedding invitations. Otherwise, you can run the risk of runaway grooms and brides. Sad but true.

Money

Unfortunately, even the wealthiest of couples will fight about wedding expenses. This is because the traditions for sharing wedding costs vary from one culture to the next, such that even the issue of who pays for the wedding invitations varies depending on who does the asking and who answers the question.

Nowadays, the traditional rules about who pays for what are constantly being changed. Basically, it all depends on your financial capacity as a couple and the support system you have in the money area. Whatever arrangements you decide on as a couple, be sure to both be firm and flexible, from your wedding caterer to the wedding invitations.

On another future issue of money, you might also want to look at prenuptial agreements to protect your assets. Though this is a contentious relationship issue, you have to think about asset protection. Besides, this can be a very good exercise for trust, commitment and love.

Territory

Unless you are one of the lucky few whose fiance wants to get married wherever you want to get married so long as he puts that wedding ring on your finger, you can fight about where you will get hitched. This is bad news as you have to consider his wishes, too, since you cannot get married to your self!

You must thoroughly discuss the personal reasons for each of your choices. Is it because family is nearer? Is it because expenses must be controlled? Is it because the place holds special meaning? Whatever the reason, you have to be willing to compromise and consider your partner's reasons as valid in their own right.

Plus, you have to consider that you cannot retrieve all the wedding invitations you have already mailed and you will be spending more than your budget if you vacillate between venues!

Family

Unless you are both orphans, you must expect family issues to come to the fore during the pre-wedding planning. You have to keep in mind that not only will you be sharing a bed and a house with your future husband but you will also be sharing families! As old-fashioned as it sounds, you are marrying into a family.

And there is also the issue of who gets the lion's share of the wedding invitations. You have to discuss whether you want to invite his obnoxious and rude uncles, pesky nieces and nephews to the wedding. You have to talk it out with your partner about who will be invited to the wedding from both your sides such that you arrive at an equitable number that you will both be satisfied with.

When you have substantially and successfully resolved these three pre-wedding fights, you are well on your way to pulling off your dream wedding with little damage to your relationship. Start sending out those wedding invitations!

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Planning a Baby Shower: Some Tips for a Hassle-Free Party


For many people, almost any occasion calls for a party. And the anticipated arrival of a baby is surely a cause for celebration. A baby shower is a joyous occasion that not only allows friends and family to share in the happiness of the expectant parents, it's also a time for them to offer the new parents the support and help they may need to prepare for the coming of the baby. But as with most parties, planning a baby shower is essential to make sure that the special day goes by with the minimum of problems and the maximum of fun.

Baby showers have been taking place at least since the end of World War II. While the goal remains the same (to celebrate the impending arrival of a new baby) planning a baby shower has become much easier since those days. The existence of the Internet and mobile communication has facilitated each step of the baby shower planning process - from drawing up the guest list to creating invitations to ordering baby warming party supplies to finding party favors, food, and gifts. Let's take a look at some of the things that need to be done to plan for a successful baby warming party.

The shower is usually organized by friends or family members for the parents-to-be. Although mothers are the traditional focus of showers, dads are being included more and more in the parties. Having a theme for a baby warming party is always a good idea. Having the usual color party themes (blue for a boy and pink for a girl) is nice, but there are many other options. A party can revolve around popular cartoon characters, characters in children's stories, or even an interest that the parents-to-be have in common, such as sports. From there, it would be easier to come up with designs for the invitations, cake, decorations, and party favors. The organizer (with the help of a few other people) can either make these baby warming party supplies themselves or buy them from specialty stores and other establishments.

It's important to decide the appropriate place for a baby warming party. If only a small number of people are expected to attend, the living room would be suitable. But if you are planning to invite more guests, perhaps you should consider a larger location; perhaps a function room in a restaurant or hotel. And if children are expected to attend the shower as well, make sure there is ample space for them to run around and play - a good-sized backyard would be appropriate in this case.

When planning the types of food to be served, you should consider several factors, such as the number of people expected to come to the party and the time that the party will be held. A shower that is scheduled for noon or in the evening would probably entail a full sit-down multi-course meal, while canapés and finger foods are often suitable for one that is to be held in the morning or afternoon. The more people are invited, the larger the budget would be needed to provide refreshments, so be sure to reconcile these two factors to avoid a food shortage during the baby warming party. Also, if children are to be present at the shower, serve several dishes that would be eaten and enjoyed by this age group. You can always employ a good caterer to remove the hassle of having to cook the food yourself and providing and cleaning the tableware yourself.

Planning games to play during the party is a good idea since it's very probable that guests may not be that well-acquainted with one another. Games help break the ice and create an easy and friendly party atmosphere. Just remember not to go overboard and plan too many games for the party; two or three games will serve their purpose. Also, make sure that the games are suitable for the party guests; some people frown at weight-guessing games or games that have sex-related themes.

Following these planning tips can help ensure a fun-filled and memorable day for the expectant parents and friends and family at the event. It might be impossible to plan for every minor disaster that can occur, but it would be wise to have a contingency plan for potential mishaps. Planning a party has been likened to preparing for a small battle, and it will help ensure that the baby shower will go on as expected, with a great time had by all.

Friday, January 3, 2014

3 Phoenix Wedding Ideas - Think Outside the Resort


Phoenix and its surrounding areas of Scottsdale and Carefree abound in award-winning resorts and spas in which to hold your wedding. But I'm not going to talk about any of them. Instead, this article focuses on thinking "outside the resort" for your Phoenix destination wedding. Think wildflowers, culture and zebras.

Desert Botanical Gardens

The Desert Botanical Gardens (1201 N. Galvin Parkway) is a lovely desert botanical garden located in red-rock Papago Park in North Central Phoenix. If you've never been to Papago Park, it's like a little mini Sedona in the middle of Phoenix. (Okay, at least, that's what it reminds me of) And the Desert Botanical Gardens is the perfect venue to experience the flavor and appeal of the desert. It might be obvious, but I'll state it anyway, you may want to skip this venue in the summer months. The spring months would be perfect, however, as the desert blooms come to life. You can choose to have your ceremony in one of the courtyards or terraces, or in the Wildflower Pavilion. There is also a ballroom, Dorrance Hall, which can accommodate several hundred guests. Call 480-481-8109 for more information.

The Heard Museum

Located at 2301 N. Central Ave., the Heard Museum has been a Phoenix institution for more than 75 years. Encompassing more than 130,000 square feet of gallery and education space, the Heard Museum has one of the finest collections of Native American art and cultural exhibits. And, the exhibits aren't the only things worth seeing at the Heard; there's also the interesting architecture and grounds, which include arched walkways, brick patios and lovely courtyards, which serve as picturesque backdrops for your wedding photos. The Museum is available Sunday - Thursday, 6 to 10 PM, and Friday and Saturdays, 6 to 11 PM. The Wedding Facility Use Fee ranges from $2,500 to $4,000. Call 602-252-8840 for more information.

The Phoenix Zoo

That's right, the zoo. We are thinking outside the resort, remember? The Phoenix Zoo is located at 455 N. Galvin Parkway, close to the Desert Botanical Gardens, and offers numerous lovely settings for weddings from 5 to 10,000 guests. You can choose from a variety of settings, including a Columbian rainforest, Tropical Ramada, gardens, and The Stone House Pavilion, with a 90-foot wall-to-wall window, from which you can view the Papago Mountains at sunset. And, yes, you can also provide your guests with a sunset tour of the zoo on the Safari Train. Call 602-273-1341 for pricing and more information.

Resorts and spas are great, and the Phoenix area definitely has a lot of them. But, for something different, add these wedding venues to your short list.

What Are Vietnamese Wedding Traditions


Many people are curious to have a glimpse of what are Vietnamese wedding traditions. Knowing Vietnamese wedding traditions will make you understand the Vietnamese society, its traditional culture and ancestral customs. Wedding traditions of Vietnam are delicate and distinguished in their own ways.

The Engagement

Engagement is one of the most interesting parts of a Vietnamese wedding ceremony. This event usually takes place almost six months before the day of wedding. In the bygone days of the Vietnamese society, a bride and a groom met face to face for the first time in their engagement ceremony. The next time they saw each other after the engagement was the day of wedding. For the last few years, would-be couples have been showing an attitude of indifference to this tradition.

The Wedding
Fixing up a suitable date and time for such an auspicious occasion as wedding under the aegis of a fortuneteller or a spiritual leader is among the Vietnamese wedding traditions. There is something spiritual about the wedding ceremony itself. An array of traditions comprises of the wedding ceremony. Seeking consent for receiving the bride, arranging a procession for the reception of the bride at her house, arranging another procession for the cordial reception of the bride at the groom's house are some of the Vietnamese wedding traditions. The wedding ceremony is followed by a wedding feast that is held for the families and friends of the newly wedded couple.

The trip of the groom's mother to the bride's house

The groom's mother in company of a few close relatives goes to the bride's house with a gift of betel on the morning of the wedding day. The mother seeks permission from the bride's parents to receive the bride. The wedding is confirmed on this very occasion and further proceedings follow it.

Procession of the groom party to the bride's house

On the wedding day, the bridegroom party makes a procession to the bride's place with gifts for her and her family. The person who leads the procession as the representative of the groom party should be a man of manners from the upper reaches of society. The groom, his father and other family members and friends follow the person. The procession is accompanied by traditional umbrella bearers in the front. The groom party carries gifts like clothing and jewelry for the bride and wine, tea, cakes, fruit, betel and roast pig for her family in some decorated lacquer boxes.

The groom party sends signals of its arrival to the bride's family by lighting fireworks. The bride party welcomes the groom party also by lighting firecrackers. The tradition of seeking permission from the deceased ancestors of the bride takes place at the ancestor altar. It is followed by a candle burning and formal tea ceremony. The bride and groom together serve their parents with tea or wine. A candle-burning ceremony takes place to celebrate the bonding of the bride and the groom.

The reception in honor to the bride at the groom's house

The bride is brought to the groom's house and received with honor and respect. The newly wedded couple offers their regard at the groom's ancestor altar. Arranging a reception party in honor to the bride at the groom's house or a banquet hall is part of the Vietnamese wedding traditions. Dishes range from cold platters to hot dishes like seafood hot pot, seasoned lobster and many other Chinese banquet meals in the party. It is a tradition for the guests to offer the newlyweds gifts in the form of money. The couple move from table to table to receive blessings from their invitees and thank them.

8 Important Questions To Ask For Renters Insurance


Many young people who leave home and go out into the big wide world forget about some of the most important details they should take care of. Renters insurance is very often one of these.

By going out on their own, either getting an apartment on their own or sharing with others, they will learn about what is involved in the rental world. Things like having and keeping good references and records, applying for a lease, furnishing the apartment and generally doing all the things that they took for granted at home with their folks.

One of the most important of all these things is protecting their possessions. These days with all the technical products that young ones have, the value of their belongings can add up to quite a sum.

The landlord only covers the building with the landlord insurance, a person renting the building needs to take out the correct coverage for their belongings that they will have in the building.

When enquiring about renters insurance there are a few things you will need to ask. Things like

· The type of loss or damage to property that is covered by the renters insurance

· Renters insurance and replacing property in the event of loss or damage. This can be the replacement costs or the actual cash value. There may be deductibles, the higher the deductibles, the lower the premiums. (The deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance company starts to pay).

Here are the 8 Important Questions that need to be asked with regard to protection of the insured with renters insurance cover.

1. Liability protection and guests' medical expenses, some policies will cover anyone visiting your rental property, who is injured or have their belongings damaged. The outside and public areas of the property should be covered by the landlords insurance, so make sure to ask this too.

2. Property loss while traveling, this will be cover for things like lost luggage, cameras, jewelry etc while you are away from your home.

3. Extra cost in living expenses due to a loss or damage, this can be if something happens to the building you are renting and you have to move out and stay somewhere else until whatever is rectified and this is more expensive.

4. What premium policy add-ons are available? This will cost you more but some of the add-ons include things like engagement and wedding presents, floods and earthquakes and for the extras cost could be worth it.

5. Sharing with other people, do you all need separate policies or can the one renters insurance cover everyone.

6. Discounts. Always ask about discounts, you may have an insurance cover for your car, check if there is a discount for more than one type of policy.

7. How to pay? You may be able to pay by the month, which may suit your budgeting better.

8. What if more than two people are sharing the apartment? Some renters insurance will not pay for a claim if more than two people are sharing. It has to do with security. Even if someone has renters insurance and they move in with a few people, if they need to make a claim, the insurance company may not honor it.

Number eight is a very important question, it is at number eight so it will be the last question you read. Make sure it is the first question you ask.

If you have an insurance consultant or insurance broker, make sure they get all this information for you.

Artificial Flower Arrangements - Worth the Money?


Are artificial flower arrangements really worth the money? It's a fair question, but today's answer is going to be significantly different than it was ten years ago because of the vast improvements in quality due to improved technology. The value can depend largely on the sources you choose. Generally speaking you're going to find a much higher quality in a specialized name brand product from stores that specialize in artificial botanicals versus your local big box department store. Of course what you need it for largely determines what quality you need to choose. If you're looking for a few stems for the cemetery (check their policy first) to last for several months you can do fine at your local discount craft store. However, if it's professionally designed artificial flower arrangements or bouquets for your wedding, it's going to require a different search entirely. It all begins by looking in the right places, and weighing your budget ahead of time. Other considerations are the environments where your flowers or plants will be placed. If you're planning an outdoor wedding, nothing is more versatile nor more beautiful than a correctly planned selection of silk botanical sprays, silk flower arrangements and artificial floral decor. Don't worry about fragility, as the silk style will handle most any weather environment and look fabulous doing it.

If you're the crafty person, or trust a close friend who is, you may be able to fashion your own ideas providing you're prepared for the outcome and the amount of work involved. Some have a real touch for crafting artificial flower arrangements and some don't, but don't add to your stress level wondering when and if the final product is going to meet your satisfaction. In other words if you can afford professionally customized artificial florals I wholeheartedly recommend them. They can be ordered and RECEIVED well ahead of time. I also recommend if you order on line that you order at least several individual stems as samples well ahead of time so you know it's the style and quality you expect. If you're familiar with some of the top brand names it would be helpful to know what the retailer uses. Some of the ones we recommend are Larksilk, Flowers Royale, Aldik, Botanical Silk, or Silk Visions, being high end custom made floral designs that you will always treasure.

Special occasions like Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas can mean the need to find a unique, everlasting gift, and there are some gorgeous artificial flower arrangements available. Do you have a sibling that always seems to "out do" you for Mother's Day? Mom will never forget this presentation, as she will be displaying it daily, providing you consider her present decor and choose carefully. You don't have to break the piggy bank to get a nice display, but always get the best for your money.

Something a little different for yourself might be a pair of floral wall sconces to decorate your own home, as you know the style and colors best for your abode. Wreaths and arches are also great items to decorate with inside and out year round. Let your imagination (and your budget) be your guide, but always get the best you can to be happy with the look and performance.

No matter if you're looking for simple or elaborate artificial flower arrangements, you'll be surprised and probably elated with what you find. Plan ahead, shop carefully and your efforts will pay off beautifully whether it be for that special wedding, or for adding spectacular decor to your home or office for years of enjoyment.

The Perfect Cinderella Wedding - From Invitations to Location & More


Now that you've found your Prince Charming, are you dreaming about your fairytale Cinderella wedding? You know, the kind of wedding where you get to dress up like a princess for the day, get treated royally and then head off into the sunset to live happily ever after. Even if you are not an actual princess, you can still have the Cinderella wedding from invitations to location and more. And you don't have to kiss a lot of frogs along the way!

A Princess/Cinderella themed wedding is all about lots of magic and glitz. The first place you can create this is with your wedding invitations. There are many choices in Cinderella themed wedding invitations, such as castle, coach or even shoe shaped cards. Pick one that makes you feel extra Cinderella-ish and make sure to include lots of glitter inside so when the invitation recipient opens the card the glitter will tumble out like magic dust.

Remember the beautiful ball gown glass slippers that the fairy Godmother bestowed upon Cinderella? Well, with all the choices in wedding apparel, you will be able to find your own gown and tiara befitting of any princess. Dresses that include lots of fullness in the skirt and a high waist make the best choice for a Cinderella themed wedding. Shoes now come in clear sparkly styles that will complete the look for your and your bridesmaids. Grooms can find regal styles and add accessories like sashes or swords.

Location...well of course you will want to be married in a castle. But you don't live in a kingdom so you will have to improvise a little. Your castle can be anywhere, with lots of space to include castle themed murals or décor. You may be able to find a lodge or church with that medieval look or arches. If you have the money, you can look into booking a destination wedding and get married in a real castle in Europe. Either way, be sure to have a red carpet rolled out for your royal-ness on your big day.

Horse drawn carriages are always a nice touch to a Cinderella themed wedding. Your Prince and you can be whisked off to the reception hall by the wonderful treat of a carriage and experience the charm of this romantic tradition. You can find carriage companies in your local directory and this can be booked well in advance.

Be sure to have the wedding of your dreams with a Cinderella themed wedding.

Getting Married? What it Means to Your Car Insurance


After the first kiss, the cake-cutting and the honeymoon, couples often find themselves back to reality with stacks of bills from their Big Day piling up, as well as the costs of other life expenses that come with sharing life together. There is one expense, however, that may decrease once you get married - your auto insurance premium.

Understanding how car insurance for couples works

So, why does your car insurance premium usually decrease after you are married? Statistics show that married couples are less likely to file claims to their insurance providers and get fewer tickets. As a result, car insurance for married couples often drops because statistics show married couples tend to be more responsible drivers.

Even though statistical data shows that married people are less of a claims risk than their single counterparts, your premium also depends on your driving record and other important information, so get all the facts before making any big insurance changes.

Getting the most from your couples car insurance

Before you tie the knot, contact your insurance agent or representative to let them know you will be combining car insurance because of marriage. Doing this can not only lighten up your to-do list once you are back from your honeymoon, but also it can put discounts in place as soon as you tie the knot.

In addition, if you are turning 25 or have recently turned 25 around the time of your wedding, you may be eligible to receive an additional discount. Many insurers typically drop car insurance premiums when drivers turn 25 years old.

Depending on your situation, it may be in your best interest to evaluate your current policies and determine if they will fit your needs as a married couple. In addition, you may want re-examine the liability limits on your auto insurance policy.  You probably will have additional joint assets that could be exposed to liability, so you'll want to make sure that your policy adequately protects them if a serious accident ever occurs.

Saving money is an important goal to most newlyweds, so it's helpful to understand that saying "I do" isn't the only way you can save money on car insurance. Keep in mind the following four other ways to receive discounts on your car insurance once you've tied the knot.

Other ways to save on couples car insurance



  1. Multi-vehicle discounts - Combining car insurance is an easy way to lower your premiums once you are married. Insurance companies typically give multi-vehicle discounts to couples and families with more than one car, so get on the same policy and start reaping the benefits.

     


  2. Safe driver discounts - Maintaining a driving record clean of accidents, tickets and other traffic offenses is a surefire way to keep your premiums to a minimum. Remember that your spouse's driving record will be linked to your own. Therefore, if one of you receives points on your record, it can affect both of your insurance premiums. So, always drive safely.

     


  3. Safe vehicle discounts - Car insurance companies reward driving in safe vehicles, and many offer discounts for added safety features within your car. You may receive lower insurance rates if your cars have air bags, security alarms, factory-installed mechanical seat belts or antilock brakes. If you and your spouse do everything possible to ensure that your cars are as safe, you just might see your rates drop.

     


  4. Multi-policy discount - Not only will you receive a discount for having multiple vehicles under the same policy, but also you may be rewarded if you buy your other insurance policies with the same company. Whether it's your renters/homeowners insurance, life insurance, boat, RV or motorcycle insurance, insurance providers are likely to give you a multi-policy discount as a "thank you" for the extra business.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

How to Choose Hindu Wedding Cards


Hindu wedding cards are available in a wide variety of designs, colors and styles, making it difficult for buyers to choose one out of the lot. Moreover, with the amalgamation of Western and Eastern Cultures, the popularity of Hindu wedding cards is growing in the West as well. A lot of Hindu families settled in the US and other parts of the world look for traditional Indian marriage cards. Thanks to online shopping, finding wedding program has become easier than ever before. However, buyers need to pay attention to certain factors when purchasing these cards. Read this article to know some useful tips on how you should choose Hindu wedding cards.

Tips on Choosing Hindu Wedding Cards

Choosing the best card for you will depend a lot on the budget and theme of the wedding ceremony. While some people settle for lavish and extravagant arrangements, some may prefer small gathering with close friends and relatives. Moreover, you can earthier chose traditional or contemporary style of wedding. All these factors may mean a lot when choosing perfect invitation cards for you. Following are the top three tips on choosing Hindu invitation program:


  1. Designs - Hindu invitation cards come in different designs. Traditional cards feature embroidery works. You can also customize these cards and use hand-painted drawing in these cards. Some cards are available with colorful rhinestones and beads. One good idea is to compare among several program to choose a design that goes well with your budget and wedding theme.

  2. Religious Icons - Whether or not to use religious icons in the marriage card is something that you need to consider. Traditionally, Hindu invitation cards features icons of Hindu gods and/or goddesses, such as Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha. However, some modern families may choose to avoid using any religious icons. If, however, you choose to use these icons, be sure to consider about the size and placement of the icon on your card. Ideally, you can print an icon on top of the invitation card.

  3. Wedding Scroll - One way to make your wedding card different from others is by being creative when choosing invitation scrolls. You have many alternatives, such as using paper scrolls, gold plated cases and/or invitation card boxes.

Another good idea is buying cards that mimic mehndi or henna tattoos. In any case, be sure to buy these cards from a reputable store that is well-known for selling Indian invitation cards.

Registry Easy Complaints - Read This to Know Whether Registry Easy Complaints Exist


Are you looking for Registry Registry Easy complaints? It's always a good idea to look for a product's complaints before making a purchase. Isn't it? That's how I buy any stuff online. I usually search with the product's name and add the keyword "complaints", "complains", "scam", "rip-off" or "cheat". I never search with word "review" since I rarely get any honest review because for some or the other reason, promoters and the advertisers favorite word is "review".

Anyhow, let's forget all that and look more closely at Registry Easy. To tell you honestly, if you have searched for "Registry Easy complaints" and you have come across this article, I am really sorry to tell you that their are no active Registry complaints at the time of writing this article. Do you know why? Simply, because it's the best registry cleaner available in the market. After searching for more than 15 minutes for registry easy complaints and negative feedbacks, I have come across only one user complaining about some minute installation problem which was later resolved by the registry easy team. Can you trust any other registry cleaner which cares so much about their customers?

To my surprise, till today their are so many review sites which lists Regcure and Perfect optimizer as #1 registry cleaner. But if you just Google with one of the software's name and add complaints, you will spend your whole day in reading the complaints which user's have been doing for years. At the end of the day, even if someone offers you to install Regcure or Perfect Optimizer for free, you won't do it since you might fear that they might dysfunction some of your programs or even your whole system. That's what hundreds have people have been complaining for years about these softwares.

But Registry Easy is not like any of them. Recently, many review sites have realized how this extraordinary software have been complaints free for so many years and have rated it is the #1 registry cleaner which also includes some top authority sites. I have personally used Registry Easy for quite a long time and can say it is the best Registry Cleaner I have ever used and has some cool unique extra features. I have used many other Registry cleaners and haven't seen any Registry Cleaner which speeds up your computer instantly after scanning and fixing the errors. Here are some of the features of unique features of of Registry Easy.

- Repairs most of the corrupted dll files of your system.
- Makes backup of the registry before performing the scan.
- Repairs all the registry errors it locates.
- Repairs your browser to the default state.
- Startup manager with option to disable and remove programs.
- Optimize your system
- Optimize your Internet
- Tweak your memory to make your system faster.
- Remove unused browser plugins to experience faster browser experience.

Wedding Party Favors - Say Thank You to Your Bridal Party


Sometimes, the only way a man or woman can get through the very emotional wedding process is with the help of family and friends. Some of these special people are also usually members of the wedding party, those wonderful people who agree to wear tight suits and funny dresses you tall them they will "wear again" to stand up and support you in your marriage. They deserve some recognition, which is why we give them wedding party gifts to say "thank you for being part of our special day", and "I could never have done it without you."

What Should I get My Bridal Party?

One of the most traditional bridal gifts for women is jewelry which they can wear on the wedding day. This often includes pearls or personalized jewelry, which make an elegant gift which can be worn for years to come. For men a traditional gift is often an engraved flask, filled with liquid to help soothe the stress of the day. If attendants don't drink or are underage, engraved money clips or cufflinks are also another popular option. Of course, you don't have to stick with the traditional. You can get your attendants different gifts to suit their personalities, or you can make them something if you are of a creative bent. A lot of the old rules have gone out the window. Now the boundaries are only ruled by what you think your attendants would like best.

Tips and Tricks

More so than any other guest at your wedding, you want to be sure your attendants find their gifts useful and memorable, or if not useful then of heirloom quality. Your maid-of-honor may not wear the shawl you made her every day, but you can bet she will treasure it for a lifetime and pass it on to her children. Just put real thought into what you are gifting your attendants and the effort will show.

Weddings can be frightfully stressful times, and your bridal party are the people who help get you through this major life event. Show your gratitude by putting some thought into their wedding party favors, and let your love for them shine through.

Make Your Wedding Invitations Elegant Enough For President Obama


Planning your wedding is a big event. Take time to enjoy some extra special fun. You can make your wedding invitations elegant enough to send to President Obama.

When you make your wedding invitations so that everything matches, the will be elegant. You can almost see how special your guests will feel when they see their name in beautiful matching script on the envelope. By creating such a nice classy look, you can go beyond the traditional.

Send one to The White House. Here is the address:

Honorable Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama

The White House

Greetings

Office Rm. 39

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, DC 20500

As you can guess President Obama will probably be a no-show. But you will receive a letter of congratulations. By learning to make your wedding announcements you will be able to send a beautifully addressed envelope. Chances of it getting opened will be much greater when it looks good.

Even if you aren't a democrat you can do this. Imagine your friends face when they see the letter you receive.

Learn to make some very elegant invitations. This will put your invite ahead of the many others that the President and Mrs. Obama will receive. Having everything match will put a good foot forward.

You want to include the RSVP card so that the address is accurate. You may want to put your address after the wedding. Sometimes they get so many that it takes time to get a response back. Having a nice wedding announcement will make yours stand out.

By addressing the envelope to match everything it will be professional. So if you want to make your wedding announcements, why not. Learn to make them elegant enough that you can invite the President of the United State. It will be a fun idea.

You will get a congratulations letter that you can show you children and grandchildren. You might want to consider making some changes to President Obama's invitation. For example you may add wording that will be different than the rest of your quests.

When you make your wedding invitations this can easily be done. So consider the idea of making your invitations and making them professional looking. By addressing them in the same font as the invitation you have a nice clean look. Why not send them to President and Mrs. Obama. Be proud enough of your own custom wedding announcements. Send them to the President of the United States.

5 Trendy & Fabulous Ideas For Bridal Shower Favors


Your bridal shower is a highly anticipated event for all the women in your wedding party and the female guests who are attending your wedding. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is the theme of the day - the women look forward to showering the bride with gifts and sharing a special "girls-only" moment. So why not shower your guests with a trendy, modern and oh-so-girly bridal shower favors they'll be sure to enjoy?

Here are some of our favorite and most popular bridal shower favors for a modern shower:

1) Pink Polka Dot Purse Shaped Manicure Sets - these miniature purses are simply fabulous! Each pink and black polka dotted "purse" holds a nail file, tweezers, clippers, and scissors and comes with a pink purse shaped thank you tag. Measuring a whopping 5 ½" inches, these are sure to wow your guests. These are also one of the most popular bridal shower favors this year.

2) It's A Shoe Thing - shoe shaped bottle openers are very trendy as well. What woman doesn't love a pretty shoe? With a designer display box, each shoe looks like it's in a boutique window display. Made of heavyweight chrome, this is one shoe that won't go out of style.

3) Personalized Theme Lip Balm - luxurious vanilla flavored lip balm labeled with a design that reflects your personality is sure to win over your girls. Customize in 21 different designs and 27 different color schemes to make a sweet match. Each lip balm is the perfect size to slip into your purse.

4) Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend - especially when you give your guests a diamond shaped paperweight, a larger than life "diamond" engagement ring key chain, or a diamond shaped bookmark. All "diamond" items are extremely popular this year for shower favors.

5)Shower them with Shower Gel - whether you select designer "It's Her Shower!" shower gel available personalized in many themes, or a "Showers and Flowers" gift set with re-usable tub caddy - "shower" gifts are a perfect favor with a play on words for your event.

Custom Wedding Invitation Design Tips and Ideas


Want something really unique and special that will set you apart from the other people getting married around the same time. It is time to think about your wedding invitations. Wedding invitations are a very important part of any wedding. A wedding invitation is often the first impression that your guests will have of your wedding and they therefore set the tone and theme for the whole wedding. It is important therefore to make sure your wedding invitations style, look and feel match your wedding theme. If you truly want to have a unique wedding and unique initiations then you have only two options really. You can use a professional designer to do a customer wedding invitation design for you or you can come up with your own wedding invitation design. A third option that might work for you would be to have a friend who has an artistic background to design the invitations for you.

Below are four easy steps to either doing your own wedding invitation design or paying someone to do it for you. Either way you will want to make sure you follow through these four steps to ensure you

Step 1: Plan The Invitation

The first and most important step is to get some sort of plan for the customer designed wedding invitation. While you might not be the artist doing the final work you can do some rough sketches and start getting some ideas of what you would like the design to look like. It is important to think about the tone and theme of the wedding and how this will be communicated through your wedding invitation.

Step 2: Don't Overcrowd

One of the most important design tips to making a wedding invitation is to not overcrowd things. The more negative or open space you leave in the design the better the more elegant the overall look and feel of the invitation will be. If you can start planning out the rough ideas you want. Are you looking for initials to be on the card or a dove? What themes do you want and where will you place them on the invitation. You can either finalize these early sketches yourself or have a professional designer do the work for you.

Step 3: Check The Facts

One of the steps that can easily be missed when designing your own wedding invitations can be to leave out some of the important details. For example the location of the church, reception an RSVP phone number and etc. You might want to write down all of the details you need before looking at the design of the invitation. That way you can check off the details one at a time when you do look at the invitation.

Step 4: Check The Details

Next you want to check all of the small details of the invitation. For example carefully check and double check the spelling of everyone names. Make sure thre are no spelling or grammar errors. You want to work all of these fine details out before sending the cad to a printer.

If you are planning to have a custom wedding invitation design done for your wedding start by planning ahead. Follow the steps outlined above and most importantly have fun. Take your time with the product and be creative. Let your ideas flow freely and the design will be outstanding.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Beautiful Story Telling With Modern Asian Wedding Photography


The first thing to note is that Asian wedding photography is an interesting term which means more than photographing at an Indian or Pakistani wedding. It is the art of telling the story of the Indian or Pakistani wedding beautifully, artistically and unobtrusively.

You are likely to find that wedding photographers who specialize in Asian weddings offer a combination or reportage or photojournalistic coverage together with artistic couple portraits, but good Asian wedding photographers need to have far more than excellent reportage and portraiture skills.

Setting the Scene

To tell a complete story of your wedding day, your wedding photographer will need to be a story-teller and able to photograph the events, people and details in a way which sets the scene. Like the elements of a written story, the setting and mood needs to be conveyed.

In photographic terms this means capturing the venue of the wedding in the most flattering manner, giving a sense of weather and the season. For example, at winter wedding, you will want your wedding photographer to brave the elements to capture the couple's venue and establish the place and time- be it the country house screened through raindrops on bare branches or a starburst of sun coming out from behind the temple.

When the day starts at the bride's or groom's home, there may be details of the welcome decorations over the doorway or a scene through a window and open doorway.

Telling the Story

Just as in any great story, there is a beginning, middle and an end, and this is filled plot and subplots, with characters and their actions and emotions and details which reveal more about the mood and style of the story.

Conveying the action of what is happening at an Asian wedding requires knowledge of the traditions and ceremonies. Many wedding ceremonies and traditions take place quite quickly, the mother of the bride welcoming the bridegroom and his family with a garland or blessing, the throwing of petals, the tying of the knots and pouring rice into the fire, and the photographer has to know what to expect and be ready to capture it beautifully and creatively.

Capturing the Family

The members of an Asian family are often very close-knit, so it is important to photograph not only the bride and groom, but their parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and grandparents.

The emotions and closeness of parents and aunties and uncles are some of the most beautiful and treasured details of the wedding day. Asian wedding photography specialists will endeavour to photograph the couple's parents during the wedding ceremony and capture the tears and smiles of pride.

Revealing Detail

Details can reveal so much about the day and the personality of the bride and bridegroom, and it is important to photograph these details. The flower arrangements, table settings, favours, jewelery, car and elements of the Hindu wedding, Islamic or Sikh ceremonies make beautiful and thoughtful photographs which can really enhance the design of the wedding album.

Wrapping it up

Finally, like a good ending to any story, it is important to photograph the final moments of the wedding day- the venue lit up at night under a starry sky, driving away or simply enjoying a well-deserved moment away from their guests.

Asian wedding photography done well require the skills of architectural photography, magazine-style details, photojournalistic moments of the ceremony and emotions and creative portraits to completely tell the story of the wedding artistically and completely.

How To Properly Use 'Save The Date' Cards For Weddings: A Look At Important Do's and Don'ts


Planning a wedding requires good organizational skills, a large dose of creativity, a firm grasp of wedding traditions, and a strong sense of humor. There are literally hundreds of decisions to be made regarding decorations, venue, food and drink, apparel, the honeymoon, transportation, and the ceremony. Weddings are a major event for everyone involved. From the bride and groom, to parents and siblings, and family and friends, everyone wants to be involved, which makes it especially important to ensure that everyone is able to attend.

As with any major event, creating the guest list is the first step. This allows you to select the best date and location possible, based upon the needs, abilities, and schedules of your guests. While it is never possible to please or accommodate everyone, save the date cards have become the best way to give guests advance notice of important events. They provide guests with the time they need to make travel, house-sitting, pet-sitting, and other arrangements necessary to assure that they can attend and freely enjoy your special event. Being a relatively new aspect of nuptial etiquette, there are several Do's and Don'ts that should be known ahead of time.

Using Save The Date Cards - Do Send Them Out In Time

Save the date cards are used to notify guests well ahead of time of a formal event date and the location so that they may set aside that needed time and make any necessary travel arrangements. They are sent out six to twelve months in advance, providing ample time to allow guests to make arrangements, hotel reservations, and other necessary adjustments to their normal schedule such as taking time off from work. Very often, guests must travel significant distances to attend. The notice provided by this correspondence is a courtesy that makes it far more likely that all of your guests will be able to attend your special day.

Creating Save The Date Cards -- Do Use A Personal Design

Save the date cards either take the form of an actual card or a magnet, which provides the added convenience of being able to be placed on the refrigerator, where it will be seen as a reminder prior to the event. They also serve as mementos of the event, so they are created using the same color schemes, themes, fonts and artwork as the invitations, thank you cards, and other correspondence. Very often, they feature a photograph of the happy couple, the wedding destination, or some other meaningful image.

Creating unique correspondence and address labels is made fast, easy, fun, and affordable by using online resources where you can design your own correspondence and preprinted address labels from the convenience of home. As anyone who has ever organized a wedding or other major social or business event knows, time is always at a premium and convenience is a valuable commodity that allows you to focus on details, dilemmas, and other decisions that require your attention.

Common Save The Date Card Mistakes To Avoid -- Don't Use Email And Other Tips

While there may be a strong attraction to use email save the date information, these are formal affairs and email is simply not appropriate for this type of event. Email is fine for casual gatherings and day-to-day correspondence. (Though who doesn't enjoy receiving a custom designed photo card from someone they love?) Formal occasions deserve formal mannerisms, correspondence, and etiquette. Sending your guests formal advance notice gives them a peek into what you have in store for them and sets the tone for the entire event.

Another common error that occurs is to include an RSVP. A response request is only sent with the wedding invitation. This advance notice is simply a courtesy to guests to help them make time for your event. Including an RSVP in this advance notice can easily confuse guests when they are then asked for yet another response in the formal wedding invitation.

Finally, do not forget to send the actual wedding invitations. Some individuals assume that save the date cards are adequate notice and they couldn't be further from the truth. While save the date cards notify guests of the event, wedding invitations are what invite them to the wedding.

With so many details to juggle in planning a wedding, save the date cards, preprinted address labels and thank you cards, and the help of a few dear friends and family members can make all the difference. This is a special day and the correspondence you select will play a major role in setting the tone, the look, and the feel of your wedding day.

Tips for Selecting Towels for Use in a Hotel


If you are in charge of choosing the towels for use in a hotel, you might think that this is just a simple decision. However, towels can be a very important part of the experience that your guests have when staying at your hotel.

Your guests will judge the quality of your hotel based on many factors and one of them will be the luxuriousness of your towels. If they step out of the bath or shower and wrap themselves in a soft and fluffy absorbent towel, they will get a feeling of luxury that will create a very positive impression. If you want to ensure guest satisfaction, you will take your time when choosing towels so that you can be certain that you have the right ones.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when choosing the towels for your hotel:

  • Choosing all white towels for your hotel room bathrooms is always a good idea. White towels work well in hotels because they are easy to launder and you don't have to worry about colour fading. They can be bleached and boiled so that they are clean and sanitary. Your guests will associate the classic white towel with a luxurious hotel experience.

  • Consider investing a little more money in a higher quality fabric such as pure Egyptian cotton. This fabric usually provides a very luxurious feeling. It is more expensive, but it will last longer and withstand multiple washings better so the price can be justified.

  • Most hotels have towels in three common sizes, small hand towels, medium sized bath towels and large bath sheets. In each room you will need at least two of each, if you will be having two guests in the room. It is also a good idea to have plenty of spares so that you never run out.

  • If you are a hotel that is near the beach or a pool, you might also want to provide your guests with a beach towel. These beach towels will need to be of a harder wearing quality and should be as large as a bath sheet.

  • If you have a gym facility in your hotel, you might also want to provide towels in the gym that guests can use to dry themselves off with. They can simply be in a neat stack or in a wicker basket on a shelf somewhere in the gym, with a laundry basket nearby where they can drop the dirty towels.

  • Towels that are designed for hotel use will have header bars, which are a small strip of colour along the top of the towel that helps to identify the size quickly when putting them in and out of the washer or dryer. This helps to keep the towels organised when they are being all washed together.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when selecting towels for use in a hotel, so that you can create a luxurious experience for your guests.

Engagement Gift Ideas: Things To Consider First


Engagement party serves as a very important occasion for a couple soon to tie the knot. It is an event full of fun and mix emotions for the soon to be husband and wife and as well as with their guests, primarily composed of their immediate family members, relatives and closest friends. It is traditionally hosted by the bride's parents, nowadays; the hosting can be done by the groom's family or either of the couple's friends.

It is significant in setting engagement gift ideas to have a pre-plan approach, extra effort and well accounted budget for the party. Every single detail must be taken into account for the party to become successful and memorable.

Here are some things to consider for an engagement party:

Budget

In order to arrive at an effective program for the engagement party, the first thing to look upon is the budget. Trying to make a list of every stuff required with the planned party will sum up everything.

Venue

Ideally, parties such as engagement are practically thrown out either of the couple's place when trying to cut the cost of the party. Others consider restaurants, beach, hotels, reception halls and many other ideal places that they will surely afford.

Date

The schedule of the party depends on the availability of the majority of the participants and also with the engagement period of the couple. It is not proper to have the occasion close to the wedding date when they basically don't have a long term of engagement. In addition, the main purpose of this celebration is to announce to their families and dearest friends of their special moment it is considerable enough to ask for their available time.

Invitation

Similar to the wedding, engagement ceremony is the initial step for the couple's life transition from being single to becoming committed, thus deserves an announcement. Engagement party invitations are fun to select, there's a wide range of designs, styles and colors to choose from depending on the party's theme. Before printing, the couple must conduct a thorough review of everything written in the invitation to avoid misspelled names, the right date, time and venue.

Decorations

The party must come out with colorful and attractive decorations to give a happy impression to the event. The right choice of such detail must be appropriate with the theme of the occasion. The venue must also be properly decorated to enlighten the mood of the guests.

Party Favors

Party favors play a significant role in any party, signifying the thankfulness of the host to all the people present in the event. These little things remind the invitees of the wonderful moments shared with the couple during the occasion.

Theme

The engaged couple must consider the budget in choosing the appropriate theme for their engagement party. The theme must perfectly match with the decorations, the more complicated the theme is, the more expensive the decorations become.

The Benefits of Owning a Greenhouse


England is notoriously known for the unpredictable weather which often consists of plenty of rain. For all garden enthusiasts, it must become frustrating when you are unable to get out into your yard to plant some pretty flowers and maintain the beauty of your garden. Also, with the price of grocery shopping rapidly increasing, a greenhouse is a great way to keep you occupied whilst helping you to save your money and grow your very own tasty food.

There are many benefits associated with greenhouses such as the flexibility to grow whatever you want, whenever you want. If you decide to grow some fruit, you are able to control the temperature and many other factors depending on the type of glasshouse you own. The simplicity of a regular, traditional greenhouse allows the area to heat up faster and due to the sun reflecting onto the glass. If you are unable to achieve natural sunlight due to the poor weather conditions in which you live, you can also buy specialist equipment to help you to develop your growth at a faster pace. The majority of greenhouses also obtain an opening window which prevents your plants from over-heating when you are blessed with beautiful weather.

A greenhouse is something that can help you to develop a new hobby. Taking time out of your everyday life to enter your glasshouse and concentrate on growing something you can be proud of can help you to de-stress and relax after a tough day at work. Whilst doing this, you will also be on your way to creating your very own organic fruit and vegetables for you and your family to enjoy.

You will never get chance to get bored of growing the same food and flowers as you can find a wide variety of seeds and bulbs at garden centres and on market stalls which gives you endless possibilities or what you can grow. From strawberries to tomatoes, there is an array of delicious fruit and vegetables you can produce in your very own home which will meet a similar standard of the types you buy at the supermarket.

Owning a greenhouse can also be a great way to encourage family bonding. If you have young children they may enjoy joining you and watching their own seeds develop into a fully grown plant. This is a great way to teach your child about the amazing method behind the growth whilst having fun in the process.

Stag and Doe Games


There are a lot of traditional Jack and Jill games that you can play and also make sure that the party is earning some money for the wedding. Below are a few stag and doe games to start you thinking and make sure your party goes with a bang.

Pie in the face

The Pie in the face. This is a great game for any extroverts with a competitive streak. You have 2 people go around at one point in time of the night with two baskets. You ask them to put some money in either of the baskets - one is for the groom and one is for the bride. The person who raises the most money (the groom or the bride) get's to hurl a pie in the face of the other! They can get very persuasive and it is good hearted fun.

Crazy Jokers:

As people arrive just sell them the chance to write their name on a playing card. 52 Cards (a normal deck) is shuffled. Tape each card on a table or board face down. Guests purchase cards for $2 or $3 each. Then have the guests Write their name with magic marker on the back of a card. When all cards are purchased you then turn each one over. The individuals possessing the Jokers win a $ amount higher than they paid to bid on that card.

The cents filled jar!

Get a large jar and fill it full of cents, you can even go around and have people donate their cents, you can even ask them to offer their cents on the door (great way of earning extra cash it all helps) but make sure you have a big jar already close to full of cents. You need at least $75 of cents in the jar to make it worth a guess. The guest pays a $ to guess the amount of cents in the jar (so go for an odd number!) - The person closest to the actual amount wins the jar or a prize of your choosing.

Musical chairs with shots!

The usual game of musical chairs, the difference being when the chair is won, the sitter gets to drink a shot as well! You can do jello shots to keep the alcohol levels down and keep the costs down as well. The participants usually pay $5 to enter the game and you can play this several times in the night.

Bug Insurance

When your guests arrive, you ask them if they would like to buy insurance. You can charge $2.00 per person. If they win a prize, before they get it they have to eat something - we call it a bug but it can be anything with an unpleasant taste. If they have insurance, they will have been given a sticker at the door and they get their prize! No insurance they have to do the forfeit first or buy emergency insurance at double the door rate! This can make some money as a doe game as the ladies tend to favour not eating anything to unpleasant and who can blame them?

Go To Jail Game

This is a fun game for all your guests. You need an area secured off, get creative but it should be visible but away from the action. Aim to be able to fit about 6 to 8 people inside. For $5.00 you can send anyone to jail. Once in Jail you cannot Drink / Talk / or Text Message, and you half to stay in there for 15 min. To keep your guests preoccupied in jail you can buy stuff for your guest to put in the Jail cell, to keep them entertained, such as, blow up animals, hats, fancy dress, basically whatever you want. Now if you want to get out of jail early, you half to pay another $5.00. Lots of fun and makes great pictures for later. This can be a surprisingly effective fund raiser as people start taking revenge on one another.

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Julia Child - Jovial Giant in Women's Chef Pants


Julia Child was one of the pioneering progenitors of America's culinary awakening. She was born in Pasadena, CA on August 15, 1912 as Julia Carolyn McWilliams, the oldest of three children of a well-to-do family. The usual household fare when she was growing up was traditional New England cuisine prepared by the family's cook. Julia attended boarding school where her tall stature and musculature made her excel at such sports as golf, tennis, and basketball. At Smith College she continued playing sports until her graduation with a B.A. degree in English in 1934.

She moved to New York City where she found work as a copywriter for an upscale home furnishings business. After her return to California three years later she continued copywriting and writing for local publications. When the Second World War broke out, she joined the Office of Strategic Services, forerunner of the CIA. Julia worked in women's work shirts for the Secret Intelligence division of the OSS, and in 1944 she was sent to Ceylon to help oversee OSS Asian clandestine operations. Later, after posting to China, she was awarded the Emblem of Meritorious Civilian Service for heading up the OSS Secretariat Registry.

On returning home in 1946, she married Paul Child - an artist, poet, and gourmet. The couple moved to Washington D.C. where Paul joined the foreign service. In 1948 they were posted to Paris where Julia experienced a culinary epiphany during her first supper in Rouen. She later described this meal, consisting of oysters followed by sole meuniere, and accompanied by fine wine, as opening up her soul and spirit. She put on women's chef pants and began attending Paris' acclaimed cooking school, Le Cordon Bleu, and also studied privately with master chefs such as Max Bugnard. She joined the Cercle des Gourmettes cooking club, and there she met Simone Beck. Together with her friend Louisette Bertholle, Beck was writing a French cookbook to teach Americans about French cuisine, and she invited Julia to join the project.

The three collaborators opened their own cooking school - L'Ecole des Trois Gourmandes - in Julia's kitchen. Work on the cookbook - testing and retesting recipes - took a decade. When the 734 page Mastering the Art of French Cooking was published in 1961 it was an immediate success. The book's helpful illustrations, its careful attention to detail, and its knack for making haute cuisine universally accessible, made it a huge bestseller, and it received universal critical and professional acclaim.

The success of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which has never gone out of print in the past half-century, led to a 1962 invitation to appear on a National Educational Television book review program. When viewers enjoyed her live demonstration of how to prepare an omelet French-style, Julia was invited to do a regular cooking program on Boston's NET station, WGBH. The French Chef made its debut on February 11, 1963 and it was a smash hit. The program ran for ten years on national television and won both Emmy and Peabody Awards, including the first Emmy ever awarded for an educational show.

She became the most widely-viewed television personality in a cook shirt of all time because of her unaffected manner, her distinctive, charming warble of a voice, and her cheerful enthusiasm. In 1972, The French Chef became the very first television program open-captioned for the deaf. Julia's second book - The French Chef Cookbook - was a collection of recipes which she had demonstrated on the television program. Her third book - the second volume of Mastering the Art of French Cooking - was also written with Simone Beck as collaborator. Julia's fourth book - From Julia Child's Kitchen - featured photographs of scenes from episodes of her television show, and illustrative photographs taken by her husband Paul.

The Rules of Good Gift Giving


Did your parents ever give you advice on gift giving? Did they tell you what to buy and what not to buy for people on your gift list? If they were like mine, they gave good advice on many subjects but they were not experts on everything. Here is a list of tips for giving the right gift every time to you family and friends, including you wise, sage like parents.

It is not always a good idea to give a woman an appliance as a gift. It is a message that they should be spending time cooking and cleaning. For some women, they may like to spend hours in the kitchen slaving over a hot stove. However, most women are pretty clear what they want as a gift. The exception to this rule is when you buy an appliance as a wedding gift. Appliances are usually listed on gift registries if you are unsure.

Have you ever given a really cheap gift to someone, only for him or her to make a strained smile? Do you like cheap gifts? Other people do not like them either. Cheap does not always mean expensive. It can mean that is was poorly made or lacked style or pizazz. Spend time shopping and pick a nice gift rather than sending the message that you are a tightwad or that you did not care enough to get the person a nice gift.

You do not have to spend a million dollars to but the right gift. Make sure you spend the time to buy the right gift. If the person has no use or is not interested in the gift, it will be put away and forgotten. Not only have you wasted your money, but the person really did not get much of a thrill receiving the gift. You can choose inexpensive gifts that have a special meaning or invoke a special memory you shared.

Every time they look at the gift or use the gift, they will be reminded of that special time you shared with them

Laughter is the best medicine. Gifts do not have to so formal and serious. This is unless they have asked for a specific gift. Try to find gifts that are silly and fun. Do not give someone a gift to see the smile on his or her face. You can make a person's day by giving them a gift that will make them laugh now and throughout the day. A good silly gift will have them laughing and smiling for a long time.

Did your parents ever tell you never to give money as a gift? Did they tell you that money showed that you did not care or showed poor taste? Who does not like money? Sometimes a person wants to buy something that is more expensive than what one person would buy. If they get money, they can add it together and spend it on what they want too. Money is appropriate for someone that you do not know well, children's birthday parties and especially weddings. In some cultures, money is expected as a gift at a wedding.

How Not to Lose Your Deposit to Your Wedding Supplier


How many suppliers does it take to stage a wedding? Sounds like a joke, doesn't it? Well it isn't when you start to add up just how many different professionals you're going to have to hire and pay for to have the wedding of your dreams. Suppliers are a central feature of the wedding planning process - and they have the power to create some major headaches.

Today in the UK, the average wedding will involve 4-6 suppliers, all working towards the big day. Chief among these suppliers is usually the wedding venue - a hotel, stately home or perhaps a ship - but in addition there are the caterers, the florist, the wedding vehicles, the photographer (who may or may not also be the video cameraperson); not forgetting the dressmaker, the outfitter for the wedding party and the entertainment. That's quite a list. No surprise, then, that some brides talk about 'project managing' their wedding because when you've got this many suppliers to juggle, a project is what it becomes.

Choosing and hiring suppliers is an important time for most couples in their wedding planning because it's the time you have to start spending money. As soon as you start paying deposits, you're exposing yourself to financial risk. The more suppliers you have, the greater the risk that something could go wrong.

The price of disappointment?

Deposits are, of course, a key part of dealing with suppliers and often have to be paid many months in advance. With the average deposit running into the region of 10% or 20% of the total price, that can mean coughing up 瞿600 for catering and 瞿200 for the wedding dress well in advance of your wedding.

The prices for a wedding venue will come in anywhere between 瞿50 for the village hall up to 瞿20,000 for a romantic castle, which means you could be looking at a deposit of up to 瞿2,000. That's a lot of money to part with so early in the wedding process. But here's the real kicker: once you've paid your deposit, if that supplier hits the business buffers, you're in trouble. When suppliers go into liquidation, they often take your deposit with them.

Wave goodbye to your deposit

When any business goes into liquidation, customer deposits are frozen and may never be refunded. There's a strict process by which the assets of a failed business are paid out, with employees taking precedence. Customer deposits are a long way down the list so the 瞿1,000 you paid for your hotel booking may be lost forever or only partly repaid. Anyway you look at it, a failed wedding supplier is going to be bad news for you and your big day.

Picking up the pieces

Once you've recovered from the news that your caterer or venue has gone out of business, the next question is: what are we going to do about it? If you're close to your wedding date, time to find a replacement is going to be short. And what about money for another deposit? If the failed supplier has kept your original payment, you're going to have to dig deep to find more funds - and quickly.

Wedding insurance is a huge help at this stage of the proceedings. With wedding insurance, lost deposits will be reimbursed promptly, thus allowing you to get on with booking your replacement florist or jazz band as quickly as possible.

Insuring against disaster

Suppliers should be something to smile about: they're here to make your wedding day a wonderful experience for all concerned - particularly the bride and groom. So make your choices carefully and, if possible check for recommendations and speak to other couples who've used them. Taking out wedding insurance can also give you the protection you need against supplier failure and stop them wiping the smile from your face - which is going to be pretty important for your wedding pictures.

3 Cheap Wedding Ideas You Must Follow!


The greatest day of your life might still be in front of you. It may be off in the distance, or just around the corner, but it is coming. This day will be joyful, unforgettable, special, and life changing. The day I'm talking about, of course, is your wedding day. A wedding is one of life's greatest celebrations and all of the most important people in your world will be there. You want to make it extravagant, precious, and fun. You want it to be perfect. In fact, you may have started planning it! You have your flowers in mind, your friends standing in the order you want them to, and, as a side note, a spouse picked out. The only thing you can't imagine is how you are going to pay for it.

How can you have a great wedding and a cheap wedding? Ideas discussed in this article might help you save a pretty penny without looking like a cheapskate.

Cheap Wedding Ideas: Reception

The first of these three cheap wedding ideas has to do with the longest part of the wedding, which is the reception. The reception is a time for the guests to express their joy and love to the bride and groom and enjoy each other's company. Due to the fact that weddings have traditionally been held in the evening, dinner is often served to each guest at the reception. The food makes things comfortable, enjoyable, and lively but it comes with great expense. Actually, it may be the most expensive part of your wedding. There is a way to bring down costs and still have a great reception, though. It all depends on the time of the reception. There is no rule that demands your wedding to take place in the evening. That being said you can have your wedding at an earlier time, for example, 1:00 p.m., and your reception at about 2:00 p.m. People do not expect a meal at two o'clock in the afternoon. Therefore, it seems totally appropriate to only serve beverages and finger-foods. You still look sophisticated but, obviously, you save money.

How do you get people to come to the wedding and the reception? That question brings us to the second of our cheap wedding ideas.

Cheap Wedding Ideas: Announcements and Invitations

Many times people spend a lot of time and money on fancy announcements and invitations. These things are important. However, they are not cheap. Fortunately, we live in a new age of communication where mailboxes and postage stamps aren't necessary. Many couples, especially those of the younger crowd, are now inviting the majority of their friends to their weddings by using social media websites. For example, you can create a Facebook group about your wedding and invite a select group of friends to join it. They see all of your pictures, information, and plans for free! If this seems a bit too informal for you there is another option. Instead of regular wedding invitations, put all of your information on a blog. A blog is a simple website that is easy to update. There are many websites that aid you in making your own blog for free. Follow these website's step-by-step instructions to set up your blog and then email all of your guests a link to it. They can use the blog to RSVP and gather important information.

Cheap Wedding Ideas: Photography

One extremely valuable suggestion I found when searching through cheap wedding ideas was on the topic of photography. Photographers and videographers have caused many a newlywed couples to go broke. It was not unheard of to pay $5,000 for a video or photo album of your wedding ceremony. In the past this expense was unavoidable. However, photo and video is no longer a hard process that only a few people can do. A standard laptop comes with a photo editing application and movie editor these days. Why not allow some of the people coming to your wedding to bring their cameras? Let them take the pictures and video. More than likely, someone on your guest list will do this for a hobby anyway. I have found that many people can make videos and photo albums as well as the experts can. I understand why you may be hesitant about this. I would encourage you to ask some of the friends that may be interested in helping with this to show you what they are capable of. You will be surprised at how well this can be done for free.

These cheap wedding ideas are fast and easy but they work. Don't let money make the greatest day of your life be less than perfect. There is a way to have a perfect wedding for less and still be classy. Keep in mind that traditions are valuable but memories are better. Don't be afraid to use some of these cheap wedding ideas to save money and keep the focus on what's important - the greatest day of your life.

How to Make Vow Renewal Ceremonies Events to Remember


For many couples, vow renewal ceremonies are very personal, a way for the couple to express to each other that they are still so in love that they would marry each other all over again or that their love has deepened because of an event that they recently came through and in the process have realized a deeper appreciation for one another.

And what better way to express that love and appreciation than repeat and reaffirm your marriage vows.

Ideas for Vow Renewal Ceremonies that are Intimate and Romantic

Maybe you've never had a real honeymoon or the honeymoon of your dreams and your children have given you the anniversary gift of a lifetime, like a special cruise or a trip to Vegas, or any number of romantic get-aways for two. You can use your special getaway as a second honeymoon to renew your vows and maybe even exchange new rings as anniversary gifts to each other.

Some other romantic ideas for vow renewal ceremonies could include renting a secluded cabin or a room in at a quaint bed and breakfast and asking a local minister, mayor or district justice to officiate your intimate event.

Or you may want to have a small gathering at your home with your children and other family and renew your vows with your children standing with you to bless your continued union.

But what if this just described your wedding day?

What if you had to put off having your fairytale wedding due to any number of reasons - military deployment where you had a quick uneventful gig with the chaplain in a very unromantic office setting; or financial or even health reasons that kept you from having the wedding ceremony you always dreamed about.

Then you can create your vow renewal ceremony to be the wedding you never had!

Recreate Your Dream Wedding for your Vow Renewal Ceremony

There are some differences of opinion about what a "wedding" is. Some people believe that when you said 'I Do,' no matter how or where you did it or who was or wasn't there to share it, that was your wedding day and there are no do-overs, second chances to get it right.

But in reality, the dictionary definition of "wedding" is: (1) a marriage ceremony usually with its accompanying festivities; (2) an act, process, or instance of joining in close association; (3) a wedding anniversary or its celebration.

So in fact, while there are some etiquette considerations, vow renewal ceremonies or renewing your vows in an anniversary ceremony celebration, by definition certainly are weddings, and you certainly can celebrate it as a wedding if that's what you want to do.

Bridal Showers

As a rule and in keeping with proper etiquette, bridal showers and bachelor parties are reserved for the first-time newlyweds much the same as gift registries. Bridal showers or "hen parties," are parties to celebrate the last night of the bride-to-be as a single woman and congratulate her on her upcoming wedding. The gifts at a bridal shower can range from intimate apparel that she'll be wearing for her new husband to funny gifts like household cleaning items, to remind her that she's going to be moving out of her parents' house and will now have her own place to clean.

So no, you should not expect and shouldn't even ask for a bridal shower before your vow renewal wedding ceremony. It's actually rather tacky to even think of it.

The exception to the rule, again, quick, uneventful civil ceremonies prior to a military deployment, where you weren't able to be given a bridal shower and you're planning your real "wedding" for when your spouse comes home.

Invitations for Vow Renewals

Invitations for vow renewal ceremonies will depend on the formality of the celebration. For smaller, more intimate events, you can simply send an email to your friends and relatives or even book the event on Facebook.

For more formal vow renewal ceremonies, simply follow the same rules for any other wedding invitations, but in this case, you or possibly your children are hosting the event, not your parents. And instead of using words like "marriage" or "join together," you can substitute phrases like "renew our vows" or "reaffirm our commitment."

Some sample wordings are...

The honor of your presence
is requested at
the reaffirmation of the wedding vows of...

Please join us
as we renew our wedding vows
and celebrate (5, 10, 25...) years together...

The children of
(your names)
Request the honor of your presence...

Wedding Party Attendants-Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, etc.

One school of thought is that if you had a big wedding when you got married then you should not include your attendants again or have attendants at all. You and your spouse should walk down the aisle together or the "bride" should enter unescorted. Or if you have children, they can escort you down the aisle.

There are some exceptions to this, however, as there are usually exceptions to any "rule." What if you want to recreate your original wedding because you had so much fun and you're still the fun-loving, happy couple that you were when you got married? Well, if your original attendants agree to it, do it again. You may not want to refer to them as the Maid or Matron of Honor and Best Man. You may simply refer to anyone in the wedding party as "attendants."

And instead of the elaborate bridesmaids gowns that they wore the first time, you may want them to wear something a little more informal - and affordable. And instead of tuxedos, your men can wear nice matching suits.

And if you never had the big formal affair for your wedding, for instance if you said your vows in a quick civil ceremony before a military deployment, then make your vow renewal ceremony the big affair that you weren't able to have the first time, complete with all the bells and whistles.

What about gift registries?

Vow renewal ceremonies are, for the most part, anniversary celebrations and since you are already married, you really should not be registering with gift registries. Wedding gift registries are really so your guests know what to give the newlyweds who are starting out on their own. Once you're already married and on your own, you should not be asking for any more gifts from your family and friends.

But what if you had a quick and very uneventful civil ceremony prior to a military deployment? It was just you, your fiance and the chaplain and maybe a clerk or a superior officer as a witness. No festivities. You said 'I Do' and your new spouse went running for the bus or plane and was shipped out of the country.

Maybe you're still living with your parents while your spouse is deployed or you're living on the base alone and you're not actually going to be starting your lives together as husband and wife until he returns.

This is a great example of an exception to every rule of vow renewal ceremonies. In this scenario, you really did not have anything resembling a Wedding. Even your parents weren't there to congratulate you. You really didn't even elope!

In this case, yes, you can register with a gift registry and plan your wedding day for when your spouse returns. Legally you're already married and your anniversary date won't change. But in every other respect, this will be Your Wedding Day.

What kind of wedding dress is appropriate?

That is really a personal choice. If you can still fit into your original wedding gown, feel free to wear it again. If you had a large traditional ceremony when you got married, you can wear a more casual dress for this ceremony. The choice is yours depending on how small and intimate or large and formal the reaffirmation ceremony is that you're planning.

What vows do we say?

For your vows, you can choose to repeat the exact vows you spoke on your wedding day, or write new ones that reflect the time you've been together and how you still feel.

Where should we have our ceremony?

And just like with planning any other wedding, you can choose to have your vow renewal ceremony anywhere you want-outside, at a fire banquet hall, anywhere that will accommodate the amount of people you will be inviting.

Who officiates a reaffirmation ceremony?

Your officiant can be anyone you want. If your first wedding was a civil ceremony and now you'd like something more religious, you can contact a minister to officiate. If you're friends with a local district justice or mayor, you may choose to have him, although it's not necessary because you're already legally married.

You can choose a close friend, relative or even one of your children to be your officiant. It's whatever or whomever you want!

Is It Worth it To Insure Your Jewelry?


If you consider factors like low premium and broad coverage, then insuring your jewelry with a policy can be a worthwhile idea. There is a component of jewelry insurance within the homeowners insurance, but usually, the value for the covered jewelry is very low. So in case of a claim, it is better to have a separate insurance policy that would yield more coverage for you.

Benefits of insuring jewelry with a separate policy:

In a separate insurance policy for jewelry, each item is listed along with a short description of the value of each piece. In case you lose any jewelry piece or some damage is caused during its repair, then with the insurance you can have it repaired or replaced with the help of the descriptive list.

Jewelry insurance procedure:

The insurance industry is usually governed by the state laws. The type of language that is used in the contracts is also mandated by state laws. Before choosing a policy, make sure that you contact a local agent and get information on the procedure. A minimum premium is applicable annually, depending on the insurance company.

Always remember that your jewelry should be evaluated by a professional so that there are no errors as such when you take a new policy or get the existing policy renewed. Ask your insurance agent about the claim procedure. If you ever lose any jewelry piece then you must know whether you will be paid the appraised value or not and whether there will be any deductions.

Try and make a note so that you know whom to approach for a claim. Clarification of special causes must be done when you insure your jewelry. Try finding out if your policy will cover the entire set in case you lose just an earring. Premiums will be based on the place where you are living.

Many insurance companies charge premiums that are based on the jewelry's value. If it is very expensive, the premium will also be high. It is a good idea to get your jewelry insured from the company that has insured your car and house. This will help you in negotiation of a better deal.

There is one thing you must know about insurance companies. The amount that the claimant is paid is always a sum that will cost him to replace the item and not the value that has been insured. If the appraisal was for a particular amount, the compensation will be the cost for replacement, something less than the value insured.

If a piece is damaged, you will get an offer for repair by the company. In case of theft, you will be given a replacement with an item of the same quality. There can be several variations in the settlement options provided by different companies, so be careful. Don't think that the company will simply pay you the amount that was appraised, in case you make a claim. The value that is appraised is only the amount that the company is liable for and not what you will get.

How to Make Your Own Wedding Invitations


Do it yourself wedding invitations have never been more popular and everyone understands why. If you are one of the budget savvy brides to be, you may want to make your own wedding invitations. You can easily save several hundred dollars by creating your own wedding stationery.

Your first decision will be to determine who is hosting and therefore, who is extending the invitation. The following are common options from which you can choose:


  • Bride & Groom Inviting

  • Bride's & Groom's Parents Inviting

  • Bride's Parents Inviting

  • Groom's Parents Inviting

  • Children Inviting

  • Commitment Ceremony

  • Deceased Parents

  • Second Marriage

  • Divorced Parents

  • Destination Wedding - Las Vegas

  • Destination Wedding - Tropical

  • Destination Wedding - Winery/Vineyard

  • Winter / Holiday Wedding


Wedding Invitations are essential. You must send out something in writing so that your guests will know the details of this very important day. You will also need to know how many guests are planning to attend and you will receive this information from your wedding responses. Your wedding response cards are mailed back to you with the number of guests planning to attend, or their regrets.

If you have graphic design capabilities, they will come in handy for the designing of your invites. If you are not a designer, there are many excellent wedding invitation kit templates available that are simply download, type your info, print and mail. It is entirely up to you as to how you approach the design aspect.

You will need to very clearly include the essential wedding information:


  • Who is getting married

  • Who is hosting the wedding

  • Where is the wedding

  • What date is the wedding

  • What time is the wedding

  • The after wedding activities (reception, dance, etc.)

An example of a wedding invitation with the Bride's Parents hosting follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Alexander
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Jasmine Grace
and
Jason Thomas Jackson
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Jackson
Saturday, the seventeenth of July,
at four o'clock in the afternoon
Two Thousand and Ten
Saint Anne Catholic Church
621 Sicard Street
San Diego, California

You will need to decide upon the wording for your response cards. If you have special menu selections available, you can ask your guests to choose. An example would be a choice between Salmon and Filet. You will also need to receive a count on the number of people attending. This will be included on your response card. Finally, you need to ask for a reply by a certain date. This is normally at least 3-4 weeks prior to your wedding.

Please respond by June 17, 2010
M ________________________
__ Accepts with pleasure
__ Declines with regret

A Reception Insert card is also a consideration.

If your invitation includes both sets of parents names, plus your own, and a lengthy location description, you may want to include a separate card. An example of a wedding invitation reception insert follows:

Reception at six o'clock
Grand Ballroom
Marriott Hotel
8757 Rio San Diego Drive
San Diego, California