Home Security Systems - Using Home Security Sensors to Burglar-Proof Your Home

Getting a home security system is not something to put off for the future, to jot down on that list along with getting fit and picking out a great outfit for your cousin's wedding. It's something that should qualify as a top-level priority for anyone seriously concerned about their own well-being, that of their family and that of their personal possessions. These days, installing a security system is far from being the colossal hassle it was in previous years, when the technology was still fresh and adequate knowledge confined to those with an understanding of sophisticated electronics and complicated, arcane computer user interfaces. Wireless security cameras and home security sensors, of both the infrared and contact variety, are sufficiently easy to install that you can learn all you need to know in an hour of web-surfing. What's more, they're cheap enough to make the cost-risk equation a real no-brainer.

Wireless security cameras: simple and easy to install

It's possible to set up a wireless webcam to serve as your personal, wireless security camera, even if you possess the tech-savvy of an 8-year-old. These devices, which are getting smaller by the day even as the resolution available increases to levels of sharpness far beyond the human eye, can be concealed in any desktop ornament - you can install them, Hollywood style, in teddy bears, toys, paperweights, even behind two-way mirrors. It's as simple as drilling a hole in your table or mantelpiece for a feeder cable, cutting a sufficiently wide lens-hole in the side of the ornament to be used as their disguise, and arranging the camera within it. By running the feed cable to a USB port on your computer, you can simultaneously charge the device and record footage. Simple motion detection software, such as that available for download at Bit.ly, can ensure that your computer records only when there's a disturbance in the camera's visual field, making your new home security system both functional and efficient.

Save disk space by making the most of your home security sensors

It's also possible to have the device activated by various kinds of home security sensors. Infrared sensors activate when an object of sufficient heat moves across their detection field. Contact sensors, by contrast, are activated by the opening of a window or door, an action which either opens or closes the circuit made by the two installed sensor pads, which in turn sends a signal to the central home security system hub to which the sensors are wired. Another type of home security sensor utilizes UWB (ultra-wideband) radar. For the purposes of motion detection, these sensors function by 'staring' over a fixed range and sensing any change in the average time taken for the signals the device emits to be returned.

These are the same kinds of motion sensors that activate your porch light when someone walks across the driveway. The technology has been around for a long time, and has just about been perfected, to the point that upper-range home-security systems incorporate sensors with pet-human discrimination technology. PIR detectors can be made to discriminate between pets and humans by use of a modified lens or mirror that vertically stretches the zones in regions closer to the sensor, an effect that reduces the size of the 'blip' created by, say, a cat, and increases that created by a person. The industry term for such discriminator home security systems is 'pet immune'. Wireless security cameras can be programmed with software for a similar effect.

If you plan to install a home security system incorporating wireless security cameras and home security sensors all by yourself, there are a few important considerations you'll want to keep in mind. One is location. Ideally, cameras and sensors should cover those areas through which an intruder will have to pass in order to access the house. So doors, windows and skylights should be first. Be more concerned about those entry points that are off the street and shielded from public eyes, as they're the ones morel likely to be used by intruders.

Sign up with a good security agency

Perhaps even more importantly, you'll need to think about the monitoring of your system. If you're going fully independent with your system, the best thing you could possibly do is install a loud alarm siren to be activated upon intrusion, or, if you're really willing to go the extra mile, an automated telephonic system to contact the police with a looped, pre-recorded voice message. Neither of these options is as effective as being signed up with a good home security company. Home security companies, such as ADT, offer better response times than police in most parts of the world. Furthermore, if consulted from the beginning, such security companies will install your wireless security cameras and home security sensors in a fully integrated home security system that they'll be responsible for monitoring - which, for a relatively small fee every month, will really be the ultimate assurance of peace of mind.

Battery Operated Candles

Love the fragrance of a burning candle? Do you enjoy the ambiance of flickering light?

Now you can have that same comforting candle experience with a battery operated candle.

Don't get me wrong, I love traditional candles! What I don't love are the flame soot on my walls, the way some candles melt unevenly, and even the danger of a lit candle in my house (which is overrun with four children, two cats and a dog).

One of technology's recent innovations is the battery operated candle. These candles can be made with real wax, but the light is generated from LED bulbs powered by batteries. These special LED bulbs flicker like a real flame, so you get the feeling of real shimmering candles.

They come "pre-lit," that is, the candle center shows an area that has been "melted," just like the flame burned down into the wax. The wick is dark, as thought it had been lit by a flame!

You can get any style of battery operated candle, from the pillars we know and love, to the tall, elegant tapers (like you might put on your dining room table for romance), to tea lights and votives. You can even find solar operated hanging lanterns for entertaining on the deck in the evening. Another innovation is the submersible candle, including a "water lily" candle that floats on water. The water lily lights when it comes in contact with water, a lovely idea for a wedding or other formal occasion.

Restaurant owners love these kind of candles since they don't need to worry about little children playing with a candle flame on the table, or other possible fire dangers.

What about the fragrance, you may ask? Not a problem! Battery operated candles are available with - or without - the scents we love.

How long do the batteries last? Good question. Your candles may use Lithium batteries or rechargeable batteries. Generally tea lights will burn for 48 to 50 hours on one pair of batteries. Taper candles last longer, about 250 hours. One website that states their tapers will last one holiday season, if used to light a window each evening. Pillars seem to average about 180 hours on one battery charge.

You can see why battery operated candles are a good idea, for both environmental and safety reasons.

20 Questions to Ask a Wedding Caterer Before You Hire One

1. What can you recommend for my budget, based on the style, time and date of my wedding? How much does it cost per person?
A caterer usually charges on a per-person basis. You will need to know the number of guests you plan to invite. The caterer should also give you a date deadline for submitting your final number of guests.

2. Do you specialize in a particular type of cuisine? Will that style fit my budget? Can I request a special recipe?
Be sure the style of food fits what you envision for your wedding reception. Maybe there's an appetizer or entre that is special to you and your family. It would be a definite plus for the caterer to work it into the menu.

3. Do you have other weddings booked for the same weekend or the day and time?
Be sure your caterer has a concrete plan for handling all the business they have lined up for the time of your wedding.

4. Do you hold a license?
This applies to health department requirements and liability insurance. Beware of a caterer that doesn't readily provide this information.

5. Does the cost-per-person work differently for a buffet style setup versus a sit-down dinner?
The answer is probably "yes," but it is worth asking.

6. Do you include all charges in the cost-per-person?
Some caterers include the cost of the staff, rentals, linens and food in their cost-per-person. Find out if this is the case, so you can comparison shop smartly.

7. Can you provide a detailed list of included and additional charges?
Caterers are going to charge you for every service provided (at a premium price). Be sure you know what all the charges are. A good caterer will list out all charges including for-instance charges in case the reception starts late (overtime charges), gratuities and set-up/clean-up charges.

8. Do you provide any extras?
Some caterers provide the glasses and other dinnerware, linens, tables, chairs, serving dishes, etc. You will want to know their price and find out the price it would cost for you to arrange these items from a wedding equipment vendor. It may be worth the extra money to have the caterer handle it.

9. If you do provide linens and dinnerware, do you provide options in color and style?
Caterers often have a selection of dinnerware and linens in a limited range. It may be possible for them to obtain a special request from a wedding equipment vendor. The price will increase if this is the case.

10. Who will be responsible for the catering the day of my wedding?
You will want to meet the person who will be in charge of your wedding catering. It's important to insist on this because you want to trust they will do the job you are hiring them to do.

11. How long will it take you to set up and break down?
You will probably be allotted a timeframe by your reception location for setup and cleanup. Be sure the caterer can work within these timeframes.

12. Do you make wedding and/or grooms cakes?
This may be a plus if the caterer can either arrange for a baker to create your cake(s).

13. If you don't provide cakes, can you cut and serve one that we provide?
The caterer may charge you a cake cutting and serving fee, but it may also be included in the catering package price. Be sure to find out because you will have to enlist some help if they do not provide this service.

14. How does your beverage service work? Can we provide our own alcohol?
Some caterers require you to buy the alcohol through them. Others will just charge you a corkage fee for the stemware and service.

15. Will you setup a station for the other wedding vendors to eat (photographer, musicians, DJ)?
The caterer may include a vendor food area, but they may also charge for it. Check out what pricing is involved. These vendors do not have to eat the same meals as your guests. A simple beverage and hors devours station may suffice.

16. Can you provide meals that are "kid friendly"?
The caterer may be able to provide a discounted "kid's meal" option that you can use in a children's area. This is a good way to save some dollars if you are expecting a lot of families with children.

17. Will you let us look at your standard contract?
This should be a no-brainer for an experienced caterer. A caterer who operates without a contract on an event as large as a wedding is not practicing good business judgment. Be sure to get everything in writing just in case circumstances change. You never know.

18. What is your required deposit to hold the date? When do we pay the rest of the bill?
This is a very important question because the deposit seals the deal. You should receive the contract with these terms outlined.

19. Will you let us sample dishes proposed for our wedding?
Sampling the food is a great way to determine whether a caterer is worth hiring. A caterer should receive a major plus if they do let you sample. Most should.

20. Do you have any former clients we can call?
Word of mouth is the best way to find out about a business' true dealings. Speaking with a former client can help you make the decision on this very expensive wedding cost.

Antique Jewelry Appraisal: An Overview

Antique Jewelry Appraisal - Know What Your Purpose Is

You may own antique jewelry and have an interest in selling the piece. What if you don't know anything about the jewelry's worth? You should definitely get a jewelry appraisal done properly by a professional. Before you take an appointment for the valuation of the item, be sure you know what it is needed for: For insurance purpose, if you are purchasing an antique item or trying to sell one, to confirm the value an item already in your possession, or to update your will with its value.

Antique Jewelry Appraisal - Is Your Purpose More Special Than General?

If your purpose is something special, a family heirloom for example, get a valuation from someone reliable. You can start with an average appraiser, but you may want to see an antique estimation specialist if expensive stones or diamonds or exquisite designs are what your piece is all about. Contact the globally recognized bodies such as the International Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Appraisers or the Appraisers Association of America for getting references or guidance on this matter.

Antique jewelry valuations often cost money for the appointment and guidance. When something more than a formal valuation over-the counter is done, it might cost you a significant amount of money. So, don't spend more than what your purpose demands. Negotiate the jewelry item estimation cost up-front. An experienced jewelry appraiser would be able to tell this based on time he will need to complete the valuation. An antique appraiser should not charge a fixed percentage of the price of an estimated item. If this is the case, you need to find someone else for jewelry valuation.

If you want it for auction purpose, there may be some estimators who organize the auctions themselves ready to give free appraisals if you allow them to auction your jewelry piece.

Jewelry Appraisal For Insurance or Tax Deduction: Get It In Writing

The reasons for antique valuations are not always the same. If you want an antique item to get valuated for insurance or tax purposes, get it in writing. It will definitely help you in estate sales. Just inform the estimator that you need a valuation for finding the retail value of an antique piece, which is normally higher than its market value.

Get Your Item Practically Checked By The Evaluator

It takes more than the images, written descriptions and e-mails to make a perfect antique jewelry appraisal. The evaluator needs to see and check the jewelry. Though photographs can help him to some extent, he can't tell if the jewelry piece is not an original or what kind of quality stones and diamonds are.

Antique Jewelry Valuation- Some Useful Tips

If you are purchasing a gemstone or diamond, don't expect the lowest cost to be the best value always as the items vary a lot in quality and value as well. A real one-carat diamond may cost you more than $35,000, while you can find the same size diamond somewhere else at $500 in a "low grade".

An antique appraisal should be performed by a certified and independent jewelry appraiser and not by any store staff. For the best valuation, look for an appraiser who will be truthful with you about the value of your jewelry.

Vintage Wedding Invitations: Set the Tone

There is something so romantic about the eras of days gone by. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that many brides are interested in putting together a vintage wedding for their big day. Or perhaps it is because there are so many different options available in terms of eras for brides to be able to choose from. Whatever the reason, a vintage wedding is a unique and special event for all who attend, and by choosing the right wedding invitations you can set the tone for your big day early.

The wedding invitations that you send out are the first indication to your guests as to what they can expect from your event. Essentially, your invitation is your calling card and it will clue the guests in to the theme of your big day, the formality of the event, and of course the important details of your day. With all of that riding on your invitation choice, you want to be sure that you make the right design decisions for that small piece of paper that you are going to be sending out.

Before you make any design decisions you need to decide on the era that your vintage wedding is going to encompass. There are many different time periods to choose from. Some of the most popular have been the 1920's, 1930's, and the 1950's. Though these eras are close in their timing they are very different in their style. Knowing specifically which time period your wedding is going to embody will help you to truly choose the right wedding invitations for your event.

Once you have selected the time period you are going to want to choose the colours for your wedding invitations. Often for vintage weddings brides choose invitations that are more muted in colour. They tend to feature pastels, but that is not a hard and fast rule. For example, if you are planning on centering your wedding around an art deco theme you may want to use bolder colours in clean smooth lines that are paired with gleaming metallics.

Additionally, you may also want to give some thought to the printing technique used to print your wedding invitations. For a true vintage wedding you may want to use some of the vintage printing techniques like letterpress printing. However, be aware that this and other techniques like this might make your wedding invitations significantly more expensive. If you are worried about your budget you may want to stick to using a digital printer. Though the ink will lay on top of the paper with this technique it will still look professional and well done without the expensive price tag. Choosing a vintage design and the right font will help to create the feeling you are after.

A vintage wedding is made up of a variety of details, and the wedding invitations are among the most important. Your guests will receive this invitation and it will let them know what they can expect from your big day and what you expect of them. You want to send the right message in the right way so that they get the feel of your upcoming vintage wedding.

Nautical Wedding Invitations

Nautical wedding invitations appeal to many young girls who anticipate having a beach wedding. Nautical wedding invitations can be formal or informal. Still, even if you plan a relatively informal beach wedding you do not want to use what a sailor might describe as a "fly-by-night" invitation adviser.

A number of online merchants offer nautical wedding invitations. The information on any website can tell a future bride whether she should study the information carefully, or whether she should "give a wide berth" to that particular website.

I would encourage a future bride to visit http://shellweddinginvitations.net. They have both white and colored invitations. They also have invitations with a nautical scent. They have chosen scents associated with tropical environments, scents such as lavender, sage and ginger.

Even a sailor knows that a bride does not want things to be "touch and go" during her wedding and reception. She wants her invitation to show the thought that she has put into her wedding. When a future bride loves the sea, she has reason to favor a nautical invitation.

So how does a future bride go about finding a reputable source for her nautical wedding invitations? She most certainly can not rely on the general "scuttlebutt." She needs information from a more trustworthy adviser.

Unlike a sailor, a future bride does not use a telescope to get a better view of objects. She can view many sample invitations by going online. She might want to take a look at what is on http://www.invitationsbykarina.com. Karina offers invitations that have pictures of seashells, starfish, dolphins, boats, palm trees and of course water.

Nautical wedding invitations are not just for beach weddings. They are also the proper invitation for a cruise wedding. I am sure my mother would be amazed at what cruise lines offer today.

My mother and father went on a cruise after they were married. Today many brides take their vows while on a cruise. The wedding is usually part of the cruise package. The nautical wedding invitations are included in that package.

A bride who wants to learn more about cruise weddings should go to http://www.wedding-invitations-n-online.com. The information on that website describes a cruise package that is offered by Holland America Cruise Lines. A future bride should take a look at that website before she decides to put "three sheets to the wind" and to proceed unguided with selecting her nautical wedding invitations.

Gifts That All Newlyweds Need and Love to Receive

With so many weddings right now its hard to go shopping for everybody and get them all the best gift. This is also expensive if you live out of town and not attending the wedding, you don't want to go to the extra expense of shipping a present that they may already have.
 
A great gift if you don't want to just send money would be a gift card. Even if they have a registry at a store, you can still give them the card instead. Usually when they do the registry there is always something that they forgot and will need once they really set up housekeeping and after they see what all they have received and what else they need.
 
There are many choices that you can get that ships easily in an envelope, maybe they will need home repair and decorating items, a hardware store gift card is a great gift that you can be sure that they will use. No matter what they need,  you can find a gift certificate for it.
 
If they are driving to their honeymoon, think about getting them gas cards, restaurants cards to help then budget their money and make their honeymoon less stressful over the budget.
 
All newlyweds appreciate gift cards to help with their housekeeping supplies and their needs as they begin their new lives together. You can find these items with the wedding logo on it and makes it more personalized  which will make the gift more special to them.

Marriage Harley Davidson Wedding Invitations

Harley Davidson has been a classic theme for many years. Until recently the Harley Davidson wedding theme was not seen. Granted it is not a traditional style, but with the popularity why not? This classic theme has brought together thousands of couples, so they should have marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitations.

The bride and groom can now locate not only wedding invitations for their style but also the entire wedding theme. Several printers and wedding consultants have come to realize that many want Harley Davidson for their theme. Everyone wants a unique wedding and the marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitation is a great way to get started. The invitations are in the traditional style, but include different ribbons, bows and artwork. They may have the motorcycle in the background or other themed significance.

A good way that many couples have carried their theme is to include a photo of them on their motorcycle for their marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitation. The invitations give the hint and symbolize what is important in the couple's life. That is what a wedding day is all about. The love shared by the couple. Many love to spend their days riding on their bike to different locations. This should be signified on their wedding invitation. What better way to divulge the couple's story, than on the wedding invitation. Not only can they share their love with their guests it also provides a great way to signify their foundation. Many Harley lovers certainly love their spouse, but their second love is their hobby!

Marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitations are not in most of the stores as of yet, but with growing popularity it is believed that they will be soon. There are a variety of types of paper, color and styles that can be used for the invitation. Many couples have chosen to have their marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitation on a white background with the classic black typeset and an artwork of the famous motorcycle. The styling is up to you just as with the traditional wedding invitation.

Besides marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitations many couples have decided to follow the theme throughout the entire wedding. Many of the couples are suited in their riding gear and having group wedding photos around their motorcycles. Some wedding parties will go onto have the guests share their leather attire with sunglasses. Guests are to arrive on their motorcycles and the couple rides off into the sunset on their Harley! It is a great theme and now you can go all out with the theme with the customized marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitations.

Harley Davidson is a significant theme that everyone recognizes. The following of the motorcycles is huge and it is about time that the followers can share their love with those receiving the invitations. Too many couples have longed for the chance to send marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitations, but could not find them. Not any loner, they are available. Do not mistake the fact that the invitations are not formal. Many of these marriage Harley Davidson wedding invitations are handmade with the finest products. The invitations are very classy and signify a classic theme of a wedding.

Wedding Invitations - Ideas for Your Style

If you, like many brides, want unique wedding invites read ahead. Unique invitations are all about innovation. But designing an original invitation without going over budget can be challenging, so read ahead for all the latest ways to personalize your wedding invites without going over budget.

If you love the tropical look and/or flowers

If you're having a beach theme wedding, then tropical wedding invitations are the way to go for you. A great way to customize wedding stationary is to add subtle little touches that really make it look personalized. So stop by your local craft store to pick up some tropical looking flowers in the scrap-booking section. You can glue them to the corners to create a 'brooch' effect. Want to keep these add-ons cheap? Check out the flower selection at your local dollar store. You should be able to find an exotic flower to help with your low-cost invitations.

Another way to add a floral touch to your wedding stationary is to use real flowers. Find some beautiful flowers that match the colors of your wedding and press them in book. Leave pressed for a month or two and come back to them. Spray them with a clear coat and then add them glue them on to your stationary. This is a great way to make low-cost wedding invitations.

If you love ribbons

Applying ribbons to your wedding invitations is a great way to add color and pizazz without spending a whole lot of money. It can be as simple as one belly-band or an elaborate pattern of bands, either way it can really add dimension to the wedding stationary. Many brides want modern wedding invitations, and adding ribbon is a great way to do that. We've seen ribbons used with a buckle glued on to it to look like a belt, beautiful modern brooches and even crisscrossing ribbon corsets. Ribbon comes relatively cheap and can be used in a number of different ways. Which ever you choose is sure to get you the modern wedding invitations you seek.

If you love different patterns

A growing trend in wedding stationary now-a-days is to incorporate different patterns, but ultimately look unified. Generally if you're going to put this sort of thing together yourself, you need to have an artistic eye. This can also give you modern wedding invitations. Mix three different patterns to create unique wedding invites: stripes, plaid and polka dots will give your wedding stationary a tasteful modern twist. Buying your paper at a craft store can be relatively cheap keeping it easy to decorate low-cost wedding invitations.

If you love fall and nature

Fall weddings are beautiful because the deep colors used are warm and inviting. So when thinking about how you're going to design your wedding stationary, keep in mind the feel and color of the season. You can find ample amount of creative craft paper and motifs around fall time and on sale after fall (which will help with making low-cost wedding invitations). Many craft stores sell papers pressed with leaves, or you can purchase tiny 3D leaves to add to the corners of the wedding invitations. Search around you can find inspiration everywhere. From acorns to bee motifs, you're sure to find something that speaks to your personal style.

Must-Have Bridal Shower Planning Tips For Bridesmaids

If you've had the honor of being a bridesmaid then you know the effort that goes into planning the perfect bridal shower. However, if you've never planned a shower then keep reading for some of our most helpful tips for planning an event that everyone will enjoy and remember for years to come.

Rule #1: Keep the Lines of Communication Open

The Maid of Honor is responsible for communicating with the bridesmaids about ideas for the bridal shower and making sure that everyone is involved. The bridesmaids will discuss and decide on the:

a) Bridal shower theme
b) Venue
c) Invitations
d) Bridal shower favors
e) Food and shower games

The easiest way to organize everyone is to meet in person if everyone is local or otherwise use a service like freeconferencecall.com to organize a conference call.

Rule #2: Choose a Bridal Shower Theme

Bridal shower themes are varied and can be so much fun. The theme should be reflective of the bride's personality and possibly carry through from the theme of the wedding if there is one. Below are some examples and ideas for themes:

a) Pampering or Spa Party Theme
b) Breakfast at Tiffany's Tea Party
c) Wedding Theme Gifts (i.e. Beach Theme Gifts, Wine Theme Gifts, etc.)
d) Lingerie Theme (Tasteful Only - leave the Risque lingerie for the bachelorette party)

Guests should be directed to purchase gifts within the theme and SHOULD NOT be directed to purchase gifts from the bridal registry which is meant for wedding gifts that the couple will share in their new home. Remember, it's all about the bride.

Rule #3: Choose a venue

The best way to choose the appropriate venue for a bridal shower is to 1) decide on the number of guests you plan to invite 2) consider the available budget and 3) decide whether you need a location that provides food or one that will allow you to bring your own. Many restaurants have private rooms that can be rented for a nominal fee, which is usually priced by the number of persons being served.

Rule #4: Select an invitation that reflects the Bride

When selecting the bridal shower invitation, keep in mind the theme of the shower, which should already be reflective of the bride's personality or wedding theme. As a matter of etiquette, your guest list for the bridal shower should only include those who were also invited to attend the wedding ceremony and reception. Plan to send out your invitations at least one month before the planned event.

Rule #5: Gift Bridal Shower Favors that are both useful and reflect the theme of the shower

We all look forward to the end of any party when we receive that special thank you gift. The best Bridal Shower Favors or Shower Thank You Gifts are useful, unique, and ideally reflective of the shower theme. For example, Chocolate Bath Salt is a most fitting bridal shower favor for a Pampering or Spa Theme Shower. The ladies will absolutely thank you for this wonderful indulgence for many days after the shower is over.

Rule #6: Make sure the food is delicious and the games are fun

If you are hosting the bridal shower at a full-service venue, then your selection of food will depend on the available menu and your food budget per person. For a more casual mood, select 4 to 5 finger foods, beverages (mimosa's are great for afternoon showers), and of course it's not a party without a cake.

For your bridal shower games, plan for no more than two games for the guest and one for the bride and purchase a few inexpensive shower game prizes. The classic must have shower game is the one where the bride is asked questions about her husband to be and must show how well she knows him.

Lastly, make sure to purchase a shower guest/gift book to help the bride-to-be remember all of her guests and gifts, have thank you cards on hand for her, take lots of pictures, and have a great time!

Best wishes,

Elements of a Great Wedding Invitation

Your Wedding Invitation is an important part of the wedding planning process, and is something you will want to prepare once you have set your wedding date and secured the location. If you are planning to have out of town guests at your wedding, or are planning a destination wedding, it is also best to send a save the date card 4 to 6 months prior to your wedding date. This will allow your guests plenty of make their travel arrangements, and will ensure more of your family and friends are in attendance. Your save the date card does not need more detail than the date, location (even a city and state will do), your wedding planning website (if applicable) and a note that a formal invitation will follow. Your formal wedding invitation should be sent about 8 weeks prior to your wedding, and you should request RSVP replies 3 weeks prior to your wedding date.

A formal wedding invitation should include the following elements:

- Wedding Response Cards: This will tell you who will and will not attend your wedding reception. The do not forget to include a stamped return address envelope with the response card. Note that the response card should be that of the person hosting the wedding.

- Directions and Maps: This is an important element, especially if you have out of town guests attending. Note that these should be printed individually and not photocopied. Most reception halls will have this information available to download off their website just be sure to double check the details for accuracy before you start printing copies.

- Accommodation Cards: Like the directions and maps, this is another important element if you are planning on inviting many out of town guests. You should include nearby airports, hotel options, area attractions and rental car agencies. If you have booked a block of rooms in a nearby hotel or you have reserved rental cars in their names, you would provide this information as well.

Optional elements for your wedding invitation include:

- Reception Cards: Reception cards should be used if you are planning on having different guest lists for your wedding ceremony and wedding reception. The reception card is used to include details about the wedding reception such as the time and venue.

- Website Links: Some couples have a wedding website to post details about their wedding. If you would like to include a website, a simple card with the web address can be included in the invitation.

Keep in mind that any extra inserts included in your invitation should be printed on a high quality paper that is the same thickness and color as your actual invitation if you do not have coordinating stationary in the same pattern.

Documents Required For Costa Rican Destination Wedding

Many engaged couples looking to have their wedding in Costa Rica are not aware of the required documents, rules and regulations pertaining to marriage in this country. For instance, only a Catholic Priest or a Lawyer can marry a couple in Costa Rica, a Protestant Pastor may not. My husband and I were married in Costa Rica and I decided to write a post to help those interested in a destination wedding in this romantic country. Here is all the up-to-date information needed to have a civil ceremony in Costa Rica...

If both the groom and the bride are foreigners

* Each person must have a valid passport which does not expire for 6 months, and you must submit two copies of each to your lawyer
* You will need to locate and hire a local attorney to marry you and file your paperwork. If you are being wed at a hotel, the hotel will likely recommend an attorney or hire one for you. If the hotel does locate one, it will likely cost around $500 USD; however if you hire one on your own it will likely cost around $300. If one person's first language is not Spanish, then a translator must be present and the ceremony must be held in both languages
* You will need to give your lawyer the following information approximately one month before the wedding:

Full name of both Bride and Groom: first, middle and last. No initials will be accepted.
* Passport numbers and nationality
* Birth dates and places of birth
* Foreign address
* Occupation/Profession
* Marital status certificate - if divorced you will need to provide a copy of the divorce decree. If the Bride has been divorced for less than 12 months, she may need to present a negative pregnancy test to the nearest Costa Rican consulate for authentication.
* Both the Bride and Grooms Mother and Father's full name and nationality, the mother's full name should actually have her maiden name, not married name
* Parent's address

Two Witnesses are required to sign the marriage license. If you are traveling alone, the hotel will most likely provide you with the witnesses. Some people will tell you these witnesses need to be non-family related, however ours were. You will need to present the following information about your witnesses to your lawyer at least one month before the wedding:

* Full name, no initials
* Current address
* Date and place of birth
* Passport number (copy of passport) and nationality
* Marital status
** Please Note* In Costa Rica a notary is not solely one who validates signatures. Here, a notary is empowered to make entries directly to a registry and register documents. All notaries are attorneys, however not all attorneys are notaries, so make sure you hire the right person!

If one person is a foreigner and the other is Costa Rican you will need to provide His/her "c矇dula" (Costa Rican identity card), A Certificate of Civil Status issued by the Civil Registry. This document is to prove that the Costa Rican spouse is single. You will also need proof from the foreigners country that the foreign spouse is also single.

If you or your future spouse is divorced, she/he will require a copy of the divorce paperwork certified and with the proper stamps, or a copy of the previous spouse's death certificate with the proper stamps and a document certifying his civil status sworn before the notary in addition to the above required documents.

If your future spouse is a Costa Rican female and has been divorced or is widowed, she can remarry. However, she must wait three hundred days after the official issuance date of the divorce decree or publication of her former spouse's death certificate. The other alternative is to have the future wife prove that she is not pregnant before the marriage ceremony, so that the the above mentioned requirements can be waived. This can only be proven by taking a pregnancy test administered at the Forensic Medicine Office in San Joaquin de Flores in Heredia. Marriage can occur immediately if the test results turn out negative.

Only a lawyer (notary) or Catholic Priest in Costa Rica can perform the ceremony and the marriage is considered official when the document has been registered with the Registro Civil (Civil Registry). This can take anywhere between 3 months to almost a year.

Marriages legally performed and valid in Costa Rica are also legally valid in other countries; however you may need to have it certified by your countries consulate in Costa Rica.

For Canadian and American citizens, the marriage certificate must be translated into English by an Official Translator who is accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and then authenticated at the "Yellow House" in San Jose by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. You will then have to take it to your countries consulate and have it signed by your embassy's Consular Section. Your lawyer may offer to do this service for you as well for another fee.

We paid $300 USD for our lawyer. Some lawyers raise the price for foreigners to $500 or even $1000! Do not be fooled, this is not a good price! If you are looking for a lawyer, contact us and we will help you find one at a decent price!

Using Skype Creatively to Stay Connected

For many, Skype is more than an opportunity to video chat. It's an opportunity to bring those most special to us into the rhythms of our daily life. Here are some creative ways people are using Skype to connect.

Using Skype to Connect With Children:

Show and Tell - scan the camera to different parts of your home, showing your collections or gifts and drawings sent by them; aim your camera outside the window to show your view?

Play games - e.g. Simon Says or children's board games such as Candyland, etc.

Sing songs together - use a children's?CD or be brave and sing without?

Use puppets to entertain?

Read a book together - send the book in advance?

Celebrate birthdays - arrange for cake in both places and choose games can do over Skype

Use flash cards - see how many the child can answer?

Draw or paint together?

Do science projects - e.g. plant a seed and watch it grow??

Using Skype to Connect With Teens or Adults:

Facilitate a family book club

Organize a family fantasy sports league

Cook together - send recipe in advance, buy ingredients and make dish simultaneously

Play board games - e.g. chess, checkers

Conduct a regular family teleconference with extended family - e.g., aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews etc.

Have a baby or wedding shower - eat together and watch new bride or mom open gifts sent in advance

Eat holiday meals together

Continue the rhythm of daily life - keep camera on while go about daily life. ?Until a family could be reunited with a parent who was transferred to another part of the country, each left their Skype connection open. They ate dinner at the same time and each then went about their normal routine knowing the other was on the other end of the line.??

With seniors in assisted living or with dementia - Use Skype to connect with?those in assisted living who often have difficulty talking on the phone.? Many assisted living facilities are discovering the value of Skype and now offer it.

There are numerous ways others?are using Skype to stay connected. But whatever way people use to help make the connection, it's the connection that's valued. ?Said one user, "I record the sessions just to listen to family members when I'm alone."?????

Legal Issues for a Destination Wedding Photographer

Shooting wedding photos on a foreign location is fascinating. The out of the ordinary scenes and locations can really make the creative juices ebb and flow. However, whenever you are photographing outside your country of residence, you have to take care of ALL the legal issues connected with photographing on a foreign land.

If you are a new destination wedding photographer, here are a few things you will require to address while planning such a foreign assignment.

Passport and Visa

It is obvious that you need to carry a valid passport that is definitely not close to expiry. Visa applications can take really long time depending upon the destination. You will have to apply for a business visa. Hence, make sure you have sufficient time to get your visa ready. For other passport and visa requirements, contact your embassy in the destination country.

License/Work Permit

Some destination wedding resorts require that the outside vendor carry a license for the services he or she is providing. For more information, clarify with the resort your clients have chosen and also with the tourist information center at the destination.

Some destinations, such as Mexico require that you obtain a work permit as a freelance photographer (even if only for a few weeks). The best place to clarify such doubts is to call the local embassy of that country (For example, calling up Mexican embassy situated in the USA for more details).

Insurance

These days it is always better to be equipped with cover-all travel insurance. While travelling, a photographer will have to carry equipments that cost thousands of dollars. Unless you insure them against damage and theft, you cannot be at peace. Make sure your insurance agent covers the theft, loss or damage on a foreign land as well. Thus, you need to look for travel insurance, which not only covers medical problems, but also extends the insurance to personal belongings.

Usually a small fee is involved in all of these. You might want to include all the legal fees in the final bill that you present your clients. Inform your clients before hand on what additional charges you will include apart from the photography charge.

Once you have taken care of these legal issues, everything else is just easy. You might still have to consider whether or not to take assistants with you. If yes, then all the above is applicable for them too. You must make sure to ask your clients regarding your travel, transportation and stay arrangements. If there are chances that you might have to fend for yourself with regard to transport or travel, you might have to look for budget transport options.

A destination wedding photographer needs to be prepared in every way to make the experience memorable for the clients and an incredible work experience for oneself.

Wedding Insurance - Is it All Just a Bit of a Con?

Are you one of the many people who are planning a wedding, but haven't yet decided on wedding insurance? Perhaps you may even be wondering whether you need it at all?

It's a common enough question, and a lot of people are confused as to whether they really need a wedding policy when not only do they have several insurance policies already, but so do the companies and service providers they're booking.

Many people will already have home contents insurance which will cover any damage at home or loss of items, and if you have a good policy you may well be covered for damage or loss of items taken out of the home too.

You certainly have car insurance for getting there and back, and if you are having your wedding abroad you'll probably have travel insurance. Then there are credit cards, because many of these will offer an insurance scheme which will give you your money back in many situations.

Having considered all of these, as well as anything else you have such as health insurance, you may feel that wedding insurance is simply an extra you don't really need. After all, besides your own possessions, travel and transport, the only other aspect is the venue and service providers, all of whom will almost certainly have their own forms of insurance.

It's easy to lull yourself into a false sense of security, feeling that almost everything is covered already, and that there is so little that isn't covered that statistically it is highly unlikely that anything will go wrong, at least, nothing too serious. Wedding insurance doesn't cost a lot, but it's an extra cost, and if you choose not to have it you may even be able to afford an extra couple of bottles of wine for the guests at your reception.

However, wedding cover is not there as a means for insurance companies to make a small profit out of your romance. Wedding insurance policies do help to cover aspects of your wedding which are never likely to be covered by any other policies you or your service providers may have, no matter how comprehensive those policies might be.

For example, if any of your service providers go bankrupt, then insurance won't be of any help to them or to you, unless you have your own wedding insurance. If a service provider gets the wrong date, double books, forgets or confuses the details of your order with someone else, then no insurance cover you have other than wedding insurance is going to cover you.

Your home insurance or credit card cover won't help you if any of your wedding presents are stolen, lost or damaged, and if any of your wedding guests have an accident at the venue then you'll almost certainly require the liability insurance that's included in most wedding insurance policies.

Once you start to look in to it properly you find that actually there are a huge number of potential problems for which there would never be any form of cover or protection other than that provided by a wedding insurance policy, and quite apart from such issues being reasonably minor inconveniences, they're usually pretty catastrophic in nature. If it means having one or two fewer bottles of wine on the table it's a price worth paying rather than paying for the entire wedding twice over.

Texas Landlord Home Insurance Product Review

There are a number of good choices available for landlord home insurance in Texas. I have experience selling policies from four different companies. All offer a package of coverage's based on state guidelines described as Texas Dwelling Policies; TDP1, TDP2, or TDP3. TDP1 has the least coverage and TDP3 is the most comprehensive package. Then there are options to select the amount of deductible and extra cost options. I have listed a short summary of my opinion about the differences.

Farmers Insurance offers a dwelling policy that has very good pricing. They are a top rated company and known for superior claim service. For customers that want to pay monthly instead of a single payment, the terms are excellent. At the time of this article they are not writing new dwelling policy business in many coastal areas. Also Farmers requires a separate flood policy to go with the dwelling policy in certain zip codes. For some areas they require a high deductible for the tropical cyclone coverage.

Foremost Insurance is another top rated company with good pricing and superior claim service. They have a very good finance option for their policies. At the time of this writing they are not writing new business in some coastal areas.

Voyager Insurance has excellent dwelling policy rates. They are currently writing new business in most areas including most coastal area dwellings. They have a finance option but the finance terms are not as good as Farmers or Foremost. Voyager is A rated and a good company to do business with. One drawback is that they will not offer coverage for homes that are over 30 years old unless they have upgraded electrical and plumbing.

Pacific Insurance is another A rated company with excellent rates. They are currently writing in most areas and homes over 30 years old are accepted. Their customer service is excellent. Terms for premium financing are not the best with this company. However their rates are low so many customers elect to pay in full or bill their escrow account.

Be sure to have your agent explain coverage options when you select a policy. For dwelling policies liability coverage is often optional so that is something to ask about. It is also a good idea to require that tenants purchase a renters insurance policy that includes personal property and liability coverage.

Five Invicta Watches With Timeless Style

The Swiss are universally regarded as the world's best watchmakers and have been for centuries. They set the standards for the nascent industry when they established the first watchmaker's guild in Geneva in 1601. Though they were a small country with only a few million inhabitants, the Swiss would come to dominate the world of horology. Because they could not compete on price with the more populous and industrialized European nations, watchmakers in Switzerland focused on quality. Their watches were prized the world over for their accuracy and durability. There was just one problem. Swiss sites like Geneva were quickly becoming overcrowded with ambitious watchmakers.

Space was limited and competition was fierce. Many were forced to relocate to more agreeable environs. Small towns in the Jura Mountains along the French boarder became the destination of choice for thousands of watchmakers. A disproportionate number of them settled in the village of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Hundreds of years later, the former village is now home to dozens of internationally known watchmakers. Though they are far from the most famous, Invicta is one of the oldest and most respected local businesses. In this article we will take a look at five of their most popular models.

Russian Diver

Invicta has always had an affinity for rugged timepieces that can be worn in any environment. Their Russian Diver Watch is a bold black and silver timepiece that features a canteen style watch cover and crown with a screw-cap top and chain. The luminous white hour hands and indexes are easy to read, even in lowlight conditions. The watch band is made of durable black leather with an adjustable clasp buckle for a comfortable and secure fit. Large Arabic numerals are also easy to read, as is the magnified date display just under the twelve o'clock hour marker. The oversized stainless steel case measures 52 millimeters and attractively frames the midnight black watch dial that displays the Russian Diver logo right over the date window. With a water resistance of 330 feet (100 meters) the watch is suitable for recreational scuba diving.

Speedway Chronograph

Designed for business and casual wear, the Invicta Speedway Chronograph features three eye-catching subdials that can measure time in minutes, seconds and tenths of a second. Popular with runners and swimmers alike, they can be used as miniature stopwatches to help athletes improve their time. The round watch case is made of silver-tone stainless steel and measures 43mm and has makers for units per hour on the bezel. The watch hands are silver and the watch dial is midnight black with silver subdials. Protected by a scratch-resistant mineral crystal watch cover, the Speedway Chronograph is safe in up to 660 feet (200 meters) of water. It even has a handsome date window beside the four o'clock hour marker.

Venom Chronograph

The Venom Chronograph is quite simply one of the best diving watches on the market today. It has been tested at depths of up to 3,280 (1000 meters), far deeper than any human being has ever dived. Not to mention the fact that it is an attractive timepiece. The oversized black stainless steel case houses a handsome deep blue watch dial. The hour hands and indexes are luminous, so that they can be read in low light conditions. A durable black rubber watchband closes with a comfortable toogle-clasp. The date window beside the 4 o'clock hour adds a bit of class to this rugged timepiece.

Pro Diver Collection

Compared to the Venom Chronograph, watches in the Pro Diver Collection don't come close to reaching its abyssal depths. Of course, they were not designed for diving alone. Like most of their models, watches in the Pro Diver Collection toe the line between sporty and casual wear. They can be worn to the office, the bar or outdoors. Their bold and distinctive design features luminous Arabic numerals and watch hands that can be read at depths of up to 200 meters (660 feet). They even have date windows next to the three o'clock hour markers.

II Collection

Though most of their watches are inspired by traditional designs, the company has slowly changed with the times. Many of their newer models are sleeker and more sophisticated than their predecessors. They are designed for the boardroom and for the beach. Watches in the II Collection have chronograph features that allow them to measure time in 30-minute and 60-second intervals. These stopwatch functions are ideal for recreational runners, swimmers and bikers. Silver-tone stainless steel watch cases and bracelets make them attractive timepieces for more casual wear. They even have date displays next to the four O'clock hour markers. Watches in the II Collection have a water resistance of 330 feet (100 meters). All of the Invicta models we discussed today are available on the internet and at select stores.

What You Can Do With Dried Flowers

Dried flowers have so many uses especially in all occasions where flower arrangement is needed. The most common use of dried flowers are so numerous, like; decorating in wreaths, gift packages, masks, hats, candles, stationery or in creating unique pictures or picture frames.

Things you can do with dried flowers

The uses of flowers are seemingly endless. They can be used to decorate in all aspects of beautification such as; home, school, wedding, programs, floral arrangements, and lots more.
Detailed uses of dried flowers

Stationery. You've to use a quality paper. Apply a thin layer of glue to the paper and attach the dried flowers based on your design and arrangement especially for cards, envelopes, and other stationery you desired.

Picture frames. With the use of a brush dipped in glue, attach flowers to an unusual paper until they're dried. When totally dried up, you can now form the picture frame in any design you want.

Paper weight. Using two pieces of glass, stones, woods, or plastics, cut them to your desired size and position the flowers on the bottom and secure them with the glue. Once the glue is dry, place the pieces of glass, stones, woods, or plastics in position.

Lampshade. To decorate your lampshade, attach the flowers with the use of a glue. Before the glue dries up, place a semi-transparent rice paper over the lampshade and pat a layer of diluted glue over the paper.

Flower arrangement. With the use of a rubber band, fasten them and wrap with a brown craft paper and secured with a twine. Your finished flower arrangement can used as your centerpiece or simply hang them from your door.

Candle decoration. Using a glue, apply them at the back side of each flower, press them gently onto the candle. To firmly lay them on the candle, wrap them with a waxed paper and hold fix with a tape to hold them in place.

Making a corsage. With the use of a glue, attach to a small piece of cardboard and simple jewelry pin backing.

Window decor. Decorate your curtains with dried flowers on the corners of the curtain rods. Choose the ones that go with the style and match the color of your interior design.

Get a Cheap and Personalized Unity Candle Online

The unity candle ceremony uses a large pillar candle with two taper candles on both sides. In the US, the lighting of a unity candle is a recent addition to the traditional wedding ceremony. That said, it is customary to use candles that are stylish and pleasing to the eye to enhance the beauty of the ceremony. Online, you can purchase beautiful unity candles at really affordable prices. Presented below are some of the current best sellers, but you can easily find a whole lot more in other websites.

Personalized Floating Candle & Vase

The vase measures 3 職 by 12 inches and a 3 inch long white candle votive is included in this beautiful personalized unity candle. When you fill it up with water and put the lit votive on top of it, this exquisite etched glass vase is an impressive sight. It will certainly serve as a beautiful addition to the unity candle ceremony. Apart from that, you can make use of it time and time again as a bud vase, an elegant floating candle, or simply a souvenir of your blessed union. And the best part is it only costs $36.00.

Corinthians Candle

This lovely personalized unity candle has an inscribed bible verse 1 Corinthians 14:4-7. Designed with a cross and two interlocking rings, this three-piece set includes a 3 x 9 inch unity candle, a candelabra stand, and a pair of 10 inch tapers. Priced at $29.95, all candle sets come either in white with silver candelabra, or ivory with gold candelabra.

Flower of Love in Romantic Red Candle

Have you ever thought of using a red personalized unity candle? Why not add the Flower of Love in Romantic Red Candle to enhance the romantic feeling at your wedding ceremony? This pillar candle showcases a lovely heart made out of parchment roses and has a musical notation background. There is also an elegant white cord wrapped around the taper candles in a bow and with more parchment roses at the center. Available at a measurement of 3 x 9 inches, you can have this lovely red unity pillar candle for only $44.98.

Bridal Beauty Calla Lily Candle & Tapers

If you are looking for class and elegance for your unforgettable ceremony, then you can't go wrong with this gorgeous personalized unity candle. Because it's designed with small and delicate ribbons surrounded by porcelain Calla Lily flowers and accented by a large white sheer ribbon, this candle screams of utmost sophistication. The matching lighting candles also have sheer white ribbon and handcrafted porcelain Calla Lily flowers. The candle has a standard measurement of 3 by 9 inches. Where else can you buy such elegance for only $44.00?

25th Wedding Anniversary Invitations - Celebrate Your Silver Milestone!

Your 25th wedding anniversary invitations signal to your friends and family that you would like them to join you in celebration of a very significant milestone for any couple and marriage. Throughout the past twenty-five years it is likely that the two of you have gone through much personal joy, stress, triumph and mourning. It's very possible that you have raised children that are already off to college. You've most likely experienced personal tragedies together like the sickness or loss of different family members or friends that were dear to you. Perhaps you've gone through several different jobs and careers with periods of financial stress. You've withstood everything and now it's time for people to raise their glasses and toast your accomplishment!

25th wedding anniversary invitations should display some delicate design significant of the occasion. For instance, your twenty-fifth wedding anniversary is popularly referred to as the silver anniversary, marking a quarter of a century of love with one person. You may want the engraving of your invite cards; say the initials of husband and wife, the year of the marriage and wedding anniversary, etc. to be done in silver lettering to reflect the occasion. This will go along with the theme of the anniversary celebration, which will likely have many decorations in silver.

The most important part of your 25th wedding anniversary invitations is the wording. Guests need to know obvious specifics like the date, time, location and directions to the anniversary party. Your guests also need to know basics like whether or not the event is a formal or casual affair. You obviously don't want people showing up in their finest clothes for a barbeque or picnic nor do you want people in shorts and sandals for a black tie affair. Also, if you plan on having your guests RSVP, in order to plan your party accordingly in regards to supplies, catering, etc. it is advisable to send out your 25th wedding anniversary invitations sooner than you normally would, to make the party planning process easier on yourself.

You may use traditional print shops or homemade computer programs for your 25th wedding anniversary invitations. Discount Wedding Invitations provide 25th wedding anniversary invitations online at an affordable price with great customer service. Your 25th wedding anniversary invitations come with white envelopes and are printed in full color on 7" x 5" single sided, heavy weight card stock. The final product isn't shipped until you are completely satisfied with the proofs. Your invitation can be as simple or spectacular as you want it to be.

Creating the Most Unique Wedding Invitations

Are you tired of seeing the same old wedding invitations from your friends and colleagues? This is no longer the era where everything has to be in clean, white, and classic format. You can now express your creativity and your real personality even in the most formal event of your life.

You can now find a vast range of unique invitations for your wedding that you can be very proud of. Even the most professional and the most decorous guest would certainly love to get these exceptional invitations from you.

So how could you start creating the best invitations that would tell the whole world that you are ready to tie the knot?

See to it that you already know what would be your motif and the theme for your wedding. Once you have decided what you want to have for this day, then you can easily start to form ideas that you can incorporate on your wedding invitations.

Nowadays, you can see some invitations that look like wizard books as inspired by the famous movies, concert tickets if you want to have a rock star-like wedding theme, Romeo and Juliet-inspired invitations, and so many others. But of course, the designs are limited to your imagination.

There are so many stores where you can order these customized unique invitations for your wedding. But if you want to save as much as 50 percent or more, you might want to consider using a software that can be purchased or downloaded online. You have the power to put all the details that you want without consuming so much time and without spending so much of your budget at the same time. Show your guests the real personality of you and your spouse-to-be before your wedding day through the use of your wedding invitations.

Unique Packaging Ideas for Wedding Invites

The wedding invitation is the vanguard of your bridal experience. It introduces your guests to the theme and formality of your wedding and it gives them a peek into the flavor and personality of your relationship with your future spouse. It is the first chance you will have to make an impression as a couple on many of your guests. Innovative invitations are myriad, but if you want to make a real impression on your guests you may want to consider unique wedding invitation packaging.

Thai silk boxes couch your invitation in elegance. They look a little like they could house jewels or fancy watches. The basic style has a washed silk exterior that opens with a little clasp. Inside rests your invitation. There are many variations on this theme. You can order or design silk pouches with jeweled clasps, book and pocket folios that fold out into two or three segments, and boxes embellished with ribbons and jewels of your choosing. This is a truly royal presentation for your wedding invitation. It would be fitting for a black tie, celebrity, or ultra-formal wedding.

On the other end of the spectrum are electronic invitations. Websites such as evite.com offer still and animated invitations set to music. You can choose from humorous, religious, emotional, and other themes to imbue your invitation with life and personality. These invitations would be useful for a budget wedding where it is important to keep costs low, as many options on evite.com are free of cost. Electronic invitations would also be appropriate for a casual wedding or a wedding for a couple who share a love of computer technology or the internet.

DVD wedding invitations are a kind of hybrid between paper and electronic invitations. They come with a traditional paper wedding invitation insert, but also include a video or photo montage of the wedding couple inviting guests to attend the wedding. This could be a video the couple has made themselves, introducing guests to the couple for the first time, or it could simply be a nice keepsake for the guests: a video/photo favor before the wedding.

Traditional invitations can be layered and embellished to create unique and personalized wedding invitations. Paper invites can be embellished with anything from collage to glitter, creating invitations with personality and flair. Some ideas for embellishments are photographs of the bridal couple, dried or pressed flowers, and tiny crystals or jewels. Invitations can also be decoupaged to create an interesting effect, or they can be layered with interesting backgrounds, calligraphied invitations, and inset or cut-out decorations. The layered treatment creates a stand-out effect that can look eclectic, stylized, or minimalist depending on the desired result.

Playing with wedding invitation packaging is a fun way to show yourselves as a couple to your guests. It is the perfect opportunity to introduce a wedding theme, and it sets the tone for the ceremony and reception. Truly original wedding invitations are works of art worthy of framing and can make touching heirlooms to pass on to the next generation. Let your imagination run, and use original invitation packaging to create wedding invitations that are as unique and full of life as you are.

What You Can Do If You Lock Your Keys in Your Car

Possibly you have had that fear: half a second after your vehicle door locks shut, you realize that the car is all secure and your keys are inside the car. What to do? How can you now make it home? Do you remember if you have a replacement set of keys? All of those things float through your brain aside from the most immediate conundrum: How are you going to unlock the doors?

The easiest open your car is to locate your duplicate set of keys. Generally, at the time you purchase your car, you get two sets of keys. One set you keep with you, and the duplicate ought to be squirreled away somewhere secure. If you know a neighbor who can retrieve the spare key and bring it to your car, then all you have lost is a bit of time stuck by your car, and a little pride.

However, maybe you don't have any friends able to run this errand, or maybe your replacement key is missing. Your second best option is to call your insurance, if you have road service, or any roadway assistance service. If your vehicle is still covered by the standard warranty, then you probably still have a roadway assistance included. If that doesn't apply to you, but you or anyone in the vehicle belongs to a towing club, then that provider can drive to your location to help.

Your third alternative for help is to hire a locksmith. He will quickly come out and unlock your car door without the key. But, that kind of assistance call could cost more dough than you are ready to spend, specifically after everyday business hours.

Your last alternative is to find a way to pop the lock on the spot. You will want to try this on a car door that isn't used on a regular basis, perhaps the back passenger side, just in case something goes wrong. You will need an unfolded wire clothes hanger, or something that resembles it, with a long, slim arm and a strong bend on one end. If it's dark you will require a flashlight or other light source. You also will most likely require something small but unimportant, for instance a ballpoint pen.

Pry the black, rubbery weather strip on the bottom of the window and hold the spot open by wedging the pen or pencil into place. Peer down along the gap you created into your car door. You will see an aluminum rod that works the door lock. Very deliberately shimmy the hanger hook-side down into the space in the door. Maneuver the hook to grab the iron rod and shimmy the metal rod in the same direction that the door unlocks from the interior. When the car unlocks, very deliberately slide the clothes hanger and the pencil out of the door and open your vehicle.

The best course of action is to put in place a back-up plan in case your keys get locked in the car again!

Give Freely When Giving a Free Taste

The key with a free taste is to not sell too hard. Give free information that makes the recipient want more. Build the relationship so that people will become familiar with your style and what they can expect from you. People do business with those they know, like, and trust. The purpose of the free taste is to allow them to get to know you.

Take a look at these ideas for inspiration in developing your own free taste.

• An author could offer a chapter of a book just released


• A musician could offer a free download of a song


• A motivational speaker could offer a complimentary ticket to an event they are speaking at


• A business coach could offer an invitation to a free teleseminar


• A pizza restaurant promoting online ordering could offer a coupon for free appetizer


• A camping store could offer a checklist of items to take on a camping trip


• A software developer could offer a free download to a trial version of software


• A cleaning company could offer a list of "green" cleaning products


• A photographer could offer a free download of a screen saver of their work


• A virtual assistant could offer a time tracking log


• A business tax accountant could offer a schedule of all tax payments due


• A wedding planner could offer a timeline for handling all the wedding details


• An insurance company could offer a home inventory worksheet


• A financial advisor could offer a retirement savings calculator


• A realtor could offer tips for making your home more attractive to buyers


• A general contractor could offer a home maintenance checklist

A well crafted free taste can be used for a long time. It's the key to getting prospects into your marketing funnel and onto your mailing list. Be sure to set up a system that captures an email address before you release the free offer. You want the ability to contact those prospects interested in your offering again. The free taste is only the beginning of the relationship, don't let it be the end.

If you need help in creating and implementing your free taste, enlist the help of a qualified virtual assistant. Your virtual assistant can take your ideas and turn them into a polished product for you to offer to your prospects. Once you have people on your mailing list, your virtual assistant can create and implement a marketing plan to keep your business visible on a continual basis.

Tips for Decorating a Bridal Shower Party

Decorating a bridal shower can be simple and fun. Here are some tips to follow:

1. Follow a theme
If you're concerned with your party seeming "put together" and having continuity from start to finish, it is a good idea to have a bridal shower theme. Themes can be as simple as choosing a few colors you like and threading them throughout the party, or as elaborate as showcasing a specific designer. Most themes are fun and full of potential.

Some popular themes follow:
*Honeymoon: decorate with posters, photos, and items showcasing the location of the bridal couple's honeymoon
*Lingerie: host an adult pajama party and invite a salesperson to do a lingerie demonstration for your bridal shower. Decorate in boudoir silks and reds or in a fifties pajama party theme
*Stock the Pantry: each guest is instructed to bring a gift that can be used to stock the pantry or kitchen of the new couple. Decorate with potted herbs, herbal prints, and flowers.
*Kiss the Cook: for a woman with culinary leanings, have a chef do a demonstration at the bridal shower. For a specific niche of cooking, decorate with the country of origin in mind (eg. France, Italy). For a general cooking theme, decorate with kitchen utensils and retro food prints.

2. Use food as decoration
Potted and fresh herbs make good decorations. Appetizers and desserts can be arranged in tiers. Petit-fours and tea sandwiches or cookies make especially pretty tiered sculptures. Certain foods, like cheese fondue or chocolate fountains, are decorative enough to become centerpieces on their own. Using the food to fill out the decorations keeps both costs and cleanup down and makes a unique look.

3. Create tablescapes
Decorating at a party where food will be served need not be as simple as throwing a tablecloth over a table, setting out place settings, and serving lunch. Take time to contrast and combine colors, textures, and patterns to build a layered, finished look. Use a bold tablecloth in one of the theme colors. Layer with placemats of two more contrasting colors. Integrate antique, thrift-store, or found place settings, vases, and silverware for a unique look. For an example of what this looks like, watch Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee on The Food Network. She creates a special tablescape for each show to go along with the dishes she has made.

4. Use the entire room
Don't forget to use lighting, music, and room elements to aid the decoration of the party. Changing the lighting by using table lamps, fairy lights, or candles can create an incredible difference in mood and ambiance. You can also use or depart from the season you're in to add to the decoration of the party. Allow the scene outside of the window to become a decorative touch. Bring the season inside with found nature objects and flowers.

What you need most when decorating for a bridal shower is creativity and an open mind. No matter your budget, you can make a bridal shower look great. Use what you have, play up the best parts, and tie it together with color or a theme.

Perfect Wedding Flowers

Flowers are perfect for any occasion. They are beautiful, fragrant and lighten up any room. It is no wonder, brides pay particular attention to the types of flowers they want at their weddings. Wedding flowers play a big role in the theme of the wedding. However, flowers are seasonal even though new technology allows almost all flowers to be available all year-round, the costs vary from season to season. So, if they are seasonal flowers, they are much cheaper and much more readily available than unseasonal flowers. Of course, people can not plan their wedding based on flowers.

One of the most popular wedding flowers is Calla Lilies. These beautiful, white flowers are perfect for weddings. They complement the brides dress and look lovely, if used in a bouquet. The most wonderful thing about these flowers is their ability to withstand heat. Most couples opt for a summer wedding, as the warmth and sunshine brings out the happiness of the couple. Calla lilies are especially complementary to summer weddings as they do not wilt easily. They can last longer than regular flowers.

Another wedding flower you may want to consider are Gardenias. Gardenias are very popular choice for wedding flowers. They are wonderful for corsages and their lovely fragrance adds to the beauty of the flower. Gardenias work very well when placed around a closed wedding hall or inside wedding. They are usually placed in shallow bowls of water. Even though Gardenias are costly, not many are needed to show off their splendor. Just a few provide enough fragrance to last the entire course of your wedding. They are also popular when it comes to bouquets as they complement other flowers.

Orchids are probably seen at every wedding and rightfully so. They are available all year-round, so finding some for your wedding is not at all a problem. Orchids are delicate, however they are resistant to heat also. They can retain moisture for long periods of time and make beautiful flowers for decoration purposes.

If you are hoping to have a wedding during the winter, you might want to stay clear of Calla lilies and orchids. They are strong and long-lasting flowers, but they can bruise and wilt easily in cooler places. A flower that is both beautiful and an ideal choice for weddings is tulip. Although tulips are available around the year, there is a drop in the price during the early winter months of the year. Tulips can be used during the summer too, but they are vulnerable to heat and are likely to wilt and lose petals fast. They can last longer in cooler temperatures. A fun fact about tulips is that they actually grow even after they have been cut. So, from the time they are placed around the wedding till the end of the reception, they might actually have bloomed a little more than when they are cut.

Lastly, we have the most popular flower: Rose. Roses are available throughout the year and come in hundreds of different varieties. They are a wonderful choice for wedding as they symbolize love. They can be used as center pieces, in bouquets or even as corsages. Roses may be fragile during summer, because they are more prone to bloom early. However, they can be used during winter as boutonnieres.

The Most Romantic Wedding Traditions from Around the World: Germany, Russia & Ireland

If you'd like to add a slice of your heritage to your wedding ceremony, you're not alone. Millions of couples are embracing their ancestry and choosing to incorporate some of the best traditions from around the world in their ceremonies here at home. Here are some of the most interesting wedding traditions you might find if you attended a wedding in Germany, Russia or Ireland. If you or your family are from one of these countries, why not try adding some phrases from your ancestor's native tongue in your wedding vows for a truly memorable touch!

Germany

To fund her future wedding, when a baby girl is born in Germany, several trees are planted and tended throughout her childhood. When she is to be married, the trees are sold to pay for her wedding and to act as a dowry. To help defray costs of a honeymoon, friends and family of the wedding couple will make a newspaper or newsletter featuring pictures and articles about the couple's youth. This newsletter is sold at the wedding.

A German wedding can last up to three days. There is first a civil ceremony, then the following day is a traditional ceremony. Finally on the third day is a religious ceremony. Guests bring old dishes to the second night's party to break, and the couple sweeps them up. This symbolizes that their home will never be broken.

As the wedding couple leaves the church, they throw coins to the children who have attended. A customary tradition is for the best man to steal the bride and take her to a local pub, where they drink champagne and hide.

The groom must find them, and pay for all they drank. Also, before leaving the reception hall, guests block the door and demand payment from the groom (usually in the form of a promise of a party) before they allow the wedding couple to leave for their honeymoon.

Russia

What are referred to in western society as wedding rings are in Russia called engagement rings. These plain gold bands are worn on the ring finger of the right hand. When a person is widowed or divorced, they will move the ring to the left hand. The groom pays for the ring, although the couple chooses them together.

A holdover from the days of communism is a procession of cars that arrives at the ceremony. Since large cars were a sign of wealth, effort is made to rent one for the bride and groom. In addition, guests to the wedding will each drive to the wedding alone to increase the size of the procession. The groom traditionally takes the bride to the church, but before he is allowed to do so, he must pass a series of challenges put up by her family and friends, including trivia questions, physical obstacles, and even an actual climb up to the bride's window.
Marriage ceremonies are held in the licensing office, and must be witnessed. Although church weddings are held, they have no legal significance, so they are often held after the legal ceremony. At the reception, it is customary to drink to excess, with a series of toasts offered to the bride and groom. Prior to leaving the reception hall, the bride is stolen away by the friends of the groom. He must then locate her and pay her ransom. This can happen several times, so the groom must be ever watchful of his new wife.

Ireland

Instead of wedding bands, more and more Irish couples are choosing to wear the Claddagh ring. This design has a heart being held on either side with a hand, and a crown on top. Wearing the ring on the left hand with the heart facing you indicates marriage, wearing it with the heart facing away means you are single. The ring may be used as an engagement ring or a wedding band, and is often passed from mother to daughter.

As the bride and groom leave the church, they throw a handful of coins into the crowd of waiting guests. The bride will carry a horseshoe with her for luck throughout her marriage. This is usually sewn into the dress, although it might be a plastic cake decoration today. Truly traditional Irish weddings are held only from April through October, but never in the month of May due to superstition. This half of the year is considered the "light" half. Mead, which is a honey wine, is served at Irish receptions, and is believed to be the source of the word honeymoon. It is thought to increase virility and fertility, and is therefore in great abundance at weddings. As the bride and groom leave the reception hall, there are often bagpipes stationed just outside to play them to their waiting car, which whisks them away to their honeymoon spot.

The Wedding Ceremony of a Ukraine Bride

A typical Ukrainian wedding is very colorful and exciting. It is usually an intricate affair that lasts between 2 and 3 days, but there are also a number of traditions that take place before the actual wedding. These are as important to a Ukraine bride as the ceremony itself.

First there is the "dohlyaduny" or the formal engagement. The groom comes to the bride's house with his friends and asks the parents of the Ukraine bride for permission to marry her. The custom is purely formal considering everything is arranged beforehand, but it dates back to ancient times when the "dohlyaduny" was an official proposal to the Ukraine bride. Her parents are the ones to decide whether or not she will marry her suitor.

The length of the engagement varies from bride to bride, but it is usually at least a month and a half, and will range up to a year or more. During this time much has to be done to get ready for the ceremony. A couple makes the lists of the guests, and chooses the restaurant and considers the menu that everyone can enjoy.

They also have to choose the photographer and videographer, as well as the person who makes the toast to the married couple. Choosing the church for the wedding is also an important decision. A Ukraine bride then chooses her wedding dress; usually a white color but lately, ivory and pale pink dresses have become a popular choice.

There are times that a Ukraine bride wears extraordinary garments called a "vyshyvanka", a national Ukrainian embroidered shirt. An indispensable part of a Ukraine bride's dress is the bridal veil. Though in many European countries it is a matter of taste, in Ukraine it is an absolute must, and something that is taken very seriously. The groom's clothes don't have to meet any particular requirements, but he usually wears a suit and tie even though he could get married in just a shirt and pants without the tie.

The wedding itself usually takes place on a Friday or Saturday. As with most American traditions, the Ukraine bride and her groom have to spend the night before separately. The groom has his bachelor or stag party, and the bride invites her friends for a "divych-vechir" or bachelorette party.

The morning of the ceremony the groom goes to his fiance's house and pays what is called the "vykup" or a ransom for a bride. According to another tradition there is only one bridesmaid, and she thinks out different contests for the broom to do, and if he fails he has to pay the "vykup".

Once he passes, he may see his bride. The wedding procession all goes to the civilian registry office where you register to get married, even if you have the wedding in a church. To have an actual church wedding is very important to Ukraine brides because by Orthodox beliefs, a wedding in a church means that the couple will be together in heaven, no matter whether the love lasts or not.

After the ceremony is completed, the couple and their guests will have about 3 to 5 hours in which they spend taking pictures. The dinner is then held either at a restaurant, or at home, depending on the number of guests. The Ukrainian bride is the center of attention of course and people spend time trying to steal her shoes, or the bride herself.

It is a tradition that brings fun and laughter to the ceremony, and the person who manages to do this can ask the bridesmaid or best man for anything he wants. The dancing and singing follows and usually lasts until dawn. The wedding continues into the next day for more fun and dancing. A good time is absolutely had by all.

Wedding Websites - A Review Of Some Popular Providers

What is a wedding website?

A wedding website is a site where all your wedding information is held - making life easier for you and your guests. These can either be built yourself or put together easily using templates available through different companies. You'll get a URL (website address) which leads to the homepage of your site where you can click through to the other pages.

Why have a wedding website?

Save time - The biggest reason for having a wedding website is to save time for both you and your guests. Information on the website can be more comprehensive and easier to use than information sheets - eg direct links to hotels, directions and maps. If you choose a website with an online RSVP/planning service then you'll save time when handling your replies. Think about being able to click through to see your list of RSVPs rather than having to deal with a heap of paper. Your guests will find this much easier to respond to - plus there's less risk of them being lost in the post.

Save money and paper - You may not need to post information sheets at all if your guests are all techno savvy, or be able to just send a few. This is an environmentally friendly benefit and also saves you the cost of some stamps.

Share the fun! - Another reason for a website is to include your guests in your wedding - by sharing photos, having a message board, details of the wedding party you'll get the excitement started before the big day! You can also theme the website to match other elements of your wedding, to give a coordinated feel.

Are they expensive?

The cost varies from free to hundreds of $/£s. Most of sites that allow you to pick templates and have photo storing functionality cost around £30-£60 or $60-$120. This can be a great addition to your day when you consider what you and your guests gain from it.

Are they just for computer experts?

Not at all! It's easy to get started by picking your template. Then you just type in the text you want to go on each page and add any photos. You can log in and edit your site at any time - adding more information as you get it.

Which one should I use?

We've trialled 5 of the most popular providers and compared them on the important areas. You can see the results below. We found that if you want a free site, weddingpath will provide a basic option that's useful to some people. If you're prepared to spend a little bit of your budget, however, we found other options that are easier to use, give you significantly more functionality and be more likely to give you a design to fit in with the look and feel of your wedding. Overall we felt it was worth spending the little bit extra on myevent or wedquarters - if you're spending the time inputting information anyway, then you gain a lot more from these options.

Trial Results

Summary Comments

wedquarters [http://www.raisedglass.com/redirect.php?x=101] - Best budget option. Easy to setup but not as many features as others.

weddingwindow - All the bells and whistles but as a result, a little compicated to use.

eWedding - Possibly a bit expensive but if you want your own URL this could work well for you.

wedpagedesigns - Simple to setup but only has basic designs and limited features.

myevent [http://www.raisedglass.com/redirect.php?x=105] - Although expensive, it has loads of features and some great designs. We love the facility that allows guests to upload photos!

weddingpath - Great as a freebie but lacking in features and choice of designs/colours.

For the full table of results, please see [http://www.raisedglass.com/articles/wedding_websites.php#table]

Glossary of Functionality

Advertising - free wedding websites gain revenue by having banner advertising throughout - both for themselves and 3rd parties. Domain - this is what your guests will type in to get to your site. In some cases it will be [http://www.yournames.weddingwebsite.com], in some you even have the option of [http://www.yournames.com] Photo sharing - you can upload digital photos of you and your other half, wedding and honeymoon, or planning photos. Planning tools - another time saver - extra tools you can use for planning your wedding. The best sites have everything you need, budget tools, meal choice tracking etc - so you don't need to go anywhere else. RSVP tracking - guests can click on their name and in some cases select a menu option. You receive an email, but more importantly can log in at any time to see a tabulated guest list - showing who's replied, yes, no and meal options. Security - all sites have security so that guests can only enter if they have been sent the link. You can only edit your site using your password. Templates - you pick a template design that will appear on every page of your wedding website. In some cases you can choose from around 40 attractive templates, each with different colour options, so you have a good chance of finding a design and colour that fits with the theme of your wedding.

Decorating the Wedding Car

A marriage or wedding is probably the single occasion that involves countless symbolism and beliefs. Thus, preparation for a wedding could be lavishly strenuous and taxing. From the smallest detail of the bride's fingernails up to the decorations set on the wedding car is supposed to be given definite arrangement.

In the area of the wedding car, the task of decorating is traditionally left to the best man that sometimes could turn out funny or weird and can sometimes be unfavorable for the newly-wed couple. Nowadays, many couples who are quite meticulous and like to be in charge of everything that may occur in their wedding preparation also embark on decorating and sprucing up their wedding vehicle.

Aside from the taste that governs the wedding car's decoration, particular discretion should also be applied into action to prevent possible damage to the vehicle or exposing the passengers (the just-married couple) to accidents and dangers when driving home from the reception.

Appropriate supplies and materials needs to be used to protect or preserve the condition of the car. A complete wedding car decorating kit that includes everything you needs from streamers, to pompoms to markers, balloons and confetti may be procured through online stores but single purchase of each necessary material may made from local craft stores. Instead of using a liquid shoe polish or permanent ink marker which are difficult to remove from the car, use liquid chalk or window marker instead. These materials can easily be removed by using soap and water. Use the liquid chalk or window marker to write a message to indicate that you have just tied the knot such as the classic "Just married" or "We're just married". There are also magnetic signs or vinyl window clings that may be attached to the windows and can be peeled off without sticking. These alternatives come in assortment of shapes like hearts and wedding bells, plus they can also be personalized to include the couple's names or additional sayings.

Aside from the writings, another distinct decoration of the wedding vehicle is are the ribbon and/or flowers. The ribbon to be purchased and tied to the car must be at least 2 inches wide. Real flowers of silk ones may be attached to the wedding car with the ribbon. Balloons are also good decorations on the car. The vehicle's antenna, should it have one may be decorated with a streamer, bulb or a flower. Trying out a classical wedding car practice by tying some empty beer cans using strong and durable ropes or strings on the rear bumper of the car.

As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that the car window be not heavily decorated as this may obstruct or block the driver's view out of the window. Confetti and glitters in the interior part of the car may seem appealing and fun but when it is already cleaning time, those decors may take weeks to be completely ridden of.

A wedding vehicle is not really a necessity in a marriage but since this is a special event in the couple's life that they will reminisce forever, some really take pains in providing such decorated modes of transportation.

Wedding Insurance - An Overview

More and more people have started to think seriously about taking out wedding insurance. As with any other product or service, weddings also depend on a number of factors to run smoothly. There is a certain risk that the key people related with the wedding have to take if they want to conduct the wedding without opting for insurance.

There are a number of factors that might affect the wedding event on a given day. These include the inclement weather which might completely spoil the event, various engaged vendors not being able to reach the event due to unavoidable reasons, close relatives of the bride and the groom falling ill and in the rarest of cases, either the bride or the groom falling ill. These are factors which might happen and disrupt the wedding event.

The average cost involved in arranging a wedding ceremony and the reception associated with it has crossed $30,000. So there is a huge sum involved in the event of an unforeseen cancellation of the wedding.

Wedding insurance can be obtained by paying a premium as low as $150. But some consider this an unnecessary expenditure added on top of the wedding expenditure. Others believe it is better for the couple to choose it to protect themselves from unforeseen occurrences.

There are a number of items that can be covered in wedding insurance. Wedding insurance covers the cancellation of wedding due to the inclement weather, sudden unavailability of the photographer and other vendors like the florist or caterer due to illness, postponement of the wedding due to some key people falling ill and any accidents happening in the reception hall due to electrical or mechanical failures.

There are also additional options available that can be opted for, though they are not compulsory, like liability coverage, which can be used to cover injuries happening to any guests in the wedding hall. Other optional coverage includes the coverage for a military serviceperson which covers the cancellation of the marriage event due to the some military development and the bride or the groom has to attend to their call.

Most of the coverage in wedding insurance is providing for the unforeseen cancellation of the wedding event. After a cancellation, the bride and the groom have to again go through the entire process and allocate sufficient money to the new event. If they had insured their original wedding, they could have received back some money, which could have been very useful for a rescheduled wedding.