Hand Fans: A Tradition of Beauty and Utility

Hand fans have been around for ages and still continue to be a graceful yet subtle symbol of romance. Many terms have started and ended with them. Everyone associates these fragile creations with daintiness and coquettish behavior. So they can be quite lethal in the hands of feminine power. They are associated so deeply with the feminine character that each woman aspires to be able to handle them elegantly. In addition to having a long history and aesthetic importance, hand fans are great utility items as well.

Besides being beautiful blessings in disguise for the hot and humid countries, they are easy to carry and handy for when the summer sun beats down harshly on you. They can provide the much needed air circulation when feeling hot. They can sometimes be a savior when you are not able to handle the heat of dry sun during the summer season.

Their beauty adds to their value and different cultures have their own versions of it, each resplendent in their own glory. The most frequently spotted hand fans are the ones that originated in the Orient - which can open and shut with the flick of a hand. Each gesture with the hand fan is known to have a significant meaning. According to tradition, ladies took pleasure using their hand fans to express their pleasure or dislike. And men who were worth their could understand them and interpret them. However, these are the stories of the bygone years.

The modern hand fans come in various shapes; the Indian ones being exquisitely embroidered. They are generally made of jute or silk, and are slotted to rotate on a long handle. This gives easy maneuverability and extra flexibility. Earlier, they were used to depict status and power but their symbolism for royal pretenses has diminished quite a lot over the years.

The ways they can be used has creatively and uniquely has definitely grown manifold. They are very popular at weddings - not only as a unique item for the bride to carry but also as wedding takeaways. They can be printed with the couple's names and wedding date as a memoir to carry from the wedding. They also make interesting souvenirs and gifts.

Hand fans are gaining popularity for promotional purposes as well. Several companies get their logos and messages printed on them and use them as a form of ambient marketing. Feminine brands have a new forum to express their message beautifully in a way women would like to see. Also, they are great for decorative purposes too, specially the oriental ones which can be displayed on walls or placed elegantly on a table.

Helpful Tips on Announcing Your Engagement and Inviting Guests to Your Wedding

The days when wedding invitations came in one size and color are long gone. Today couples invest a lot of time and effort in designing a wedding invitation that not just accomplishes the task of inviting guests to the wedding but is also a great memento.
Designing the wedding invitation and getting it printed should be one of the first items in your wedding plan. Ideally, wedding invitations should be sent out to guests at least six weeks before the wedding so that they have plenty of time to make travel arrangements. If your wedding is taking place during the holidays, send your wedding invitations out even earlier.

If you want certain relative or very important (VIP) guests to be there at your wedding ceremony and reception, you should consider sending out advance announcements so these special guests can calendar, reserve and save the date reserved for your wedding. Formal written announcements letting family and friends know you popped the question and are engaged are also a nice way to let your guests know in advance when and where you plan to get married.

There are a number of new items on the market designed just for this purpose. When you get married--they'll be sure to reserve the date on their calendars if you send them a magnet that says "This is the Day--we're getting married!" These Save the Date magnets come with mailing envelopes to make it easy for you to give them enough advance notice. There are 'save the date' magnets with
elegant, three tiered wedding cake graphics or bold, black and white magnets with intricate cut out paper doll like shaped like bride and groom that announce the date of your wedding.. A classy way to announce your engagement. There are pretty pink and white magnets pink hearts, iced wedding cakes or ones with pink roses to get their attention and decorate their refrigerator in the kitchen where many family's post and keep the family's calendar of events.

If money is no object, you can also send your friends, family and VIP guests personalize zed 'save the date' mint candies in tins decorated with beautiful, personalized labels. These wedding mints also are available in adorable designs. The mints are delicious and will be appreciated, thoughtful little gifts. Everyone buys mints at the grocery store in decorative, reusable tins. Sending these creative engagement announcements can be done before you send out the wedding invitations.

The typical format of the wedding invitation consists of the names of the bride and the groom, the invitation to the wedding, the day, time and venue of the wedding and the reception and an RSVP card and address. Within this broad format, lots of variations are possible. The names of your guests can either be written on the card itself or on the envelope. As far as possible, include the names of all the people you are inviting and avoid generalized suffixes like "and family."

The first thing that you need to decide is the tone of the wedding invitation - will it be formal or informal? A formal invitation typically starts with "Mr. and Mrs. Smith request the honor of your presence..." A more informal wedding invitation can start with something as simple as "Please join us...". You also need to decide on who is going to announce the wedding and invite the guests. Traditionally, it was the bride's parents since it was they who paid for the wedding. However, this is no longer the case. It is up to the couple to decide whether the wedding invitation should go out from one or both sets of parents or from the bride and the groom themselves.

Remember to clearly spell out the day, date and time of both the wedding and the reception in the wedding invitation. Specify the time zone if there is likely to be any scope for confusion. Also give the full address of the wedding venue and the reception venue. It is a good idea to enclose a map as well especially for out of town guests.

The RSVP card is now an integral part of most wedding invitations. This is usually a card with a simple message where the guests enter in their names and indicate whether they will be attending the wedding or not. It is the done thing to include a self-addressed and stamped envelope as well with an RSVP card. In case you decide not to enclose a separate RSVP card with your wedding invitation, just indicate by when you expect an RSVP and give them your address, email id and phone number so that they can do so in a way that is convenient to them.

Those are the essential elements in a wedding invitation. Apart from this, it is up to you to use your creativity to design a card that is truly unique. Some couples do this by including a personalized message. Others include a poem or a quote from a favorite book. You can also play around with the look and feel of the wedding invitation. There are many different materials and designs available for you to choose from. If you are having a theme wedding, it is a great idea to include some design elements in the wedding invitation that are related to the theme. After you ask a friend to be your Maid of Honor and decide who you want as your bridesmaids, you can ask them for help in addressing and sending out your engagement announcements, save the date magnets or mints and your formal wedding invitations.

Insurance Coverage For Fine Jewelry

Most people have at least one piece of expensive jewelry: a wedding ring, a class ring, a precious necklace from a relative. However, not all fine jewelry is adequately insured. How many times have stories been heard of wedding rings going down the sink or lost at the beach. These kinds of things do happen all the time. Without adequate protection, the owner of the jewelry may not receive adequate reimbursement for the item or no reimbursement at all. The most comprehensive form of insurance for jewelry is a Personal Articles Floater.

Is Jewelry Covered By Homeowners Insurance

The standard homeowners policy has only limited coverage for jewelry items. Claim payments for any one jewelry item is limited to $1,000 per piece. Furthermore, the types of coverage for the jewelry is limited as well. For example, there is no coverage for lost items. A broader form of jewelry insurance is written on an insurance policy called the Personal Articles Floater. Sometimes it is possible to add additional limits for jewelry to a homeowners or renters insurance policy for high value items, but still there is a limit to the amount an insurance company will offer and the coverage is still limited. The Personal Articles Floater policy offers much broader coverage to include lost items.

How are Claims Settled for Lost or Damaged Jewelry

In Jewelry insurance, articles are valued when the insurance is written. As such, in the event of a loss, there are no claims problems regarding the value of the piece. As such claims under the Personal Articles Floater policies are handled quickly and without too much hassle. The claims payments will be made at the lesser of the cost to replace or repair the item or the limit established when the policy was written.

How To Apply for Personal Articles Floater Insurance

To obtain insurance for jewelry, it is necessary that an appraisal be done by a certified gemologist. Most jewelry stores have a gemologist on staff who can complete the appraisal for a small fee. Do keep in mind that retail values for jewelry trend greatly from year to year. Even though a piece of jewelry might appraise for $10,000 does not necessarily mean that insurance should be purchased in that amount. If a similar item of like kind and quality can be purchased for $8,000, that might be a better deal in the long run. Insurance for jewelry can get expensive. Insuring it for more than is necessary is just a waste of money.

The best place to get a quote for jewelry insurance is from the current insurance company writing your property insurance, the homeowners or renters policy. Most personal property insurance companies also write jewelry insurance and would most likely be glad to offer a quote for the coverage. If your insurance company does not offer specialty jewelry insurance, a separate policy can be obtained from specialty markets such as Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.

10 Tips to Get You to the Proposal Without Losing the Ring

The stress of picking out the perfect engagement ring, purchasing it, and then mustering up the courage to propose can make most men a nervous wreck. It makes perfect sense why the proposal brings so much pressure. According to a survey conducted by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company and featured in USA Today, 35% of people spend between $2,500 and 7,499 on an engagement ring-often coming next in line after the house and car in terms of most valuable household assets. You have a lot to lose.

Proposals gone bad

We all heard the horror stories of proposals going horribly wrong. The guy who arranged for a hot air balloon ride and watched the ring plummet to the ground just has he was about to propose.... The guy who thought it would be romantic to ask for her hand while boating, only to have the ring sink to the bottom of the lake before she could say yes.... The guy who proposed at a clam bake on the beach who wound up digging, and digging, and digging for the diamond ring that would never be found.

If you're thinking about proposing soon, here are 10 tips to help you get from the store to the proposal with your ring intact.

• DO insure the ring before it leaves the store. Even if something does happen to it, you'll be covered and it won't mean money down the drain.


• DO keep the ring in the box and store it someplace safe in your home, like a fireproof lock box.


• DO stay grounded. If you do happen to drop the ring, you can more easily recover it on dry land than from the air or water.


• DO let your jeweler hold onto the ring until you are ready to propose.


• DO use the hotel's front desk safe, never the in-room safe which can more easily get broken into.


• DON'T put the ring in checked luggage, which can become lost or stolen, including all contents within it. Instead, place the ring in your carry-on bag.


• DON'T propose on the beach - rings can too easily get lost in the sand.


• DON'T propose anywhere you have unstable footing - boat, amusement park ride, parachuting, etc.


• DON'T propose in overly crowded areas where the ring could get bumped out of your hand or snatched from a passerby.


• DON'T put the ring in food. It could become lost, or worse yet, choked on. Nothing says "I love you" like a trip to the ER.

Following these tips will help assure that your proposal story has a happy ending and you'll share fond memories with your loved one for years to come. Here's to hoping your proposal goes off without a hitch!

How To Avoid Jewelry Appraisal Rip Offs

Pearl Appraisals

If you are investing in fine pearls you should have them independently and professionally appraised for a few reasons.

1) To ensure that the pearls you bought are what was represented by the jeweler in the bill of sale.
2)To ensure that you paid a fair price so that you can exercise your guarantee if necessary.
3) To ensure that you have the necessary insurance in the event of loss or theft.

It is especially important to get an independent appraisal by a qualified appraiser. It is common practice for jewelers to provide their own "retail" appraisals at 2-3 times the price at which they are selling the item.

This makes customers feel like they are getting a deal. If these inflated appraisals were accurate we could start a great business buying pearls and other jewelry and quickly reselling them for double or triple what we paid. If you are able to make money with this strategy you will be the first.

If you're investing in fine pearls insist upon a guarantee of sufficient duration so that you have time to source an independent, professional appraisal of them. You wouldn't value a car based upon what the dealer tells you it is worth, right? Get a detailed bill of sale backed by an iron clad, no hassle guarantee and then get your own appraisal.

Using your appraisal for insurance purposes is a bit trickier. Shocking, I know, because insurance companies usually make things so easy.

Last week I got a call from a client who had recently purchased a magnificent strand of larger, perfectly matched aubergine Tahitian pearls from us. She was excited because the pearls she bought from for $8,000.00 had been appraised for insurance purposes for $18,300.00. Because we sell wholesale direct to the public this is not an unusual occurrence.

But here's the thing. Most insurance policies for pearls and other jewelry allow the insurance company to exercise a replacement option. The insurance company collects the premium on the appraised value of $18,300.00. If my client's house burns down or someone steals her pearls the insurer does not promptly mail her a check for $18,300.00. Rather, they examine the information provided in the appraisal (and it had better be thorough, detailed and supported with photographs if you expect to get back something close to what was lost) to then source a "like kind" replacement. And trust me, they know where to buy it for a helluva lot less than 18 grand.

I advised my client was not to pay the steep premiums on an $18,300.00 policy if she can buy a "like kind" replacement from for $8,000.00. Rather, she should take her appraisal to an insurance company that will sell her a "cash value" policy for $8,000.00.

Here's what you need to know about pearl appraisals and insurance appraisals:

1) You need a pearl appraisal from the seller like a fish needs a bicycle. Get your own appraisal.

2) You want an independent, 3rd party appraisal from a qualified professional. Call the American Society of Appraisers at (703) 478-2228 and ask for a referral to a Master Gemologist Appraiser in your area. Jewelers sell jewelry. Jewelry appraisers appraise jewelry. Selling jewelry does not qualify one to appraise jewelry.

3) A proper pearl appraisal provides a complete description of the item including:

o Type of clasp or setting
o Whether pearls are natural or cultured
o Type of pearl (Tahitian, South Sea, Freshwater, etc)
o Shape (Round, off round, baroque, etc)
o Color and Orient
o Luster
o Complexion (surface quality)
o Size of pearls
o For strands, the length, number of pearls, knotted or not, matching
o Pictures of the item

4) Understand what kind of insurance you are buying. Most jewelry insurance policies include a "replacement option." In effect you buy $20,000 of coverage for something that costs the insurer $5,000 to replace.

5) Buy your pearls from a broker who specializes in pearls, preferably one who sells wholesale direct. Then use your favorable 3rd party appraisal to buy "cash value" insurance that allows you to pay a lower premium and source your own replacement.

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!

Elegant Wedding Invitations - Choosing Red Wedding Stationery

Red wedding invitations are commonly being seen on the high society weddings nowadays. Because of its unusual color being used for weddings, reds get the full attention from everyone. Aside from its attention grabbing qualities, red speaks of intense love and affection that the couple has for each other and gives dramatic appeal yet simply elegant. Black and red combination is the perfect two colors which will give the very lasting emphasis to those who will receive the invitation.

When choosing a very unique color of invitation like red, you must consider browsing the internet for ideas and invitation print shops for red wedding invitation samples. You must consider the overall impact of the red dominant invitation to ensure the expected outcome would be. If by browsing some samples on print shops, it won't harm if you visit a couple of shops to compare the quality of paper that will be used and the budget for each card. Taking these things into consideration is paramount in deriving the best deals on ordering invitations.

You can also use lighter colored fonts like ivory or white to ensure the readability of the information written on the card and contrasting fonts will give balance to your red invitation. You can also make use of vellum or parchment papers on layered red invitations will add elegance and luxury to your card too. When Choosing invitations -you should be given enough time on deciding which one to purchase or order, as invitations speak of what the guests should expect from the event.

A highly traditional wedding should have a very elegantly designed red invitation while a modern and chic kind of wedding ceremony theme should have a more contemporary wedding invitation, still in red but adding some photo of couples or contrasting colors will give a modern touch to the invitation itself, conveying a non-traditional wedding is about to happen.

It is important to hunt for the best know wedding invitation makers, but not necessary very expensive, just make sure they can deliver high quality red wedding invitations. If you fancy one design from a certain print shop, you may request for some customization according to your personal preference like matching contrast color or the choice of paper that you want your invitation to printed on. You must also request for a draft printout to see more or less how the outcome would be.

Aside from the attention grabbing charm of red invitation cards, beautiful red wedding invitation only says how exquisite and special the occasion is. Having this kind of invitation can be very challenging so it is always best to set an ample amount of time when choosing color and fonts combination, complementing each part of the invitation card itself.

Chinese Wedding Customs 1 - Pre-wedding Day

Selection of auspicious dates 看日子

Auspicious dates are required for the chinese wedding, the betrothal and installation of the bridal bed. A chinese monk, a temple official or a fortune teller are able to advice on a suitable date based on the couple's birth dates and times. Some may also refer to the chinese calendar or almanac for good days. Usually, even numbered months and dates are preferred and the lunar seventh month is avoided as it is the month of the Hungry Ghost Festival.

After the selection of the auspicious dates, wedding details such as types and quantities of betrothal gifts, return gifts, bride's price 娉金, and number of tables at the wedding banquet provided by the groom's parents for the bride's parents' guest are agreed.

Betrothal 过大礼/纳彩

Up to a month and at least three days before the wedding day, the groom and a friend or a matchmaker will deliver the betrothal gifts on the auspicious date chosen.

Western and chinese wedding cakes, peanut candies, together with two bottles of brandy, at least six tins of canned pork legs and even number of oranges are included in the wedding gift baskets. Two pairs of dragon and phoenix candles 龙凤烛are also included. Also included is gold jewellery from the groom's parents to the bride such as the cantonese's dragon and phoenix bangle 龙凤琢 or the teochew's four items of gold四点金.

Some include the bride's price with the betrothal gifts whereas some will only present it when the groom fetches the bride.

In the return gifts, the 2 bottles of brandy will be replaced with 2 bottles of orange syrup. An even numbered portion of all the other gifts are returned to the groom's family together with the 2 phoenix candles. The bride's side will light the 2 dragon candles and the groom's side the phoenix candles on the morning of the wedding day.

Some hokkien family will also request for a bunch of bananas and red dates to be included in the return gifts. A red packet for the groom's parents to buy shoes is required. The bride will also present towels to the parents, grandparents, aunt, uncles and groom's siblings.

After the betrothal, the chinese wedding invitations are distributed.

Deliver the bride's dowry 送嫁妆

The bride's parents may include the bride's dowry with the return gifts on the day of betrothal or deliver the dowry a few days before the wedding. The chinese dowry typically include

- beddings such as pillows, bolsters, comforter set, blankets, bed sheets, etc., all tied with red ribbons;

- new clothes in a suitcase for the bride (in the past, wardrobes or wooden wedding chests are used.);

- tea set for the wedding tea ceremony;

- baby bathtub, potty, face washbasin, tumblers, toothpaste and toothbrushes, mirror, comb;

- two pairs of red wooden clogs wedding slippers or bedroom slippers;

- sewing basket with even numbered rolls of colourful thread, needles, pincushion, scissors, and sewing wax with auspicious words on it;

- gold jewellery given by bride's parents.

Install the bridal bed 按床

A good fortune woman will install the bridal bed in the bridal room up to 12 days before the wedding day on an auspicious date. New red or pink bedsheets are used and a plate of dried longans, lotus seeds, red dates, persimmons, sprig of pomegranate leaves together with 2 red packets are placed on the bed. A pair of bedside lamps is lit to symbolize adding sons to the family.

Hair combing ceremony 梳头

Good fortune women will conduct this ceremony for the bride and groom in their respective homes the night before the chinese wedding. After showering with water infused with pomelo or pomegranate leaves, the bride and groom will change into a new set of clothing and shoes. The good fortune women will bless them aloud as they sit in front of an open window with a visible moon or in front of the mirror.

The four blessings are:

一梳梳到尾，(First combing, together all your lives)

二梳百年好合，(Second combing, harmony in your marriage)

三梳子孙满堂，(Third combing, blessed with many children and grandchildren)

四梳白发齐眉。(Fourth combing, blessed with longevity.)

Sweet pink rice ball soup汤圆 will be served after the hair combing ceremony to wish the couple a complete and sweet marriage.

Chinese wedding decorations 大喜装饰

Double joy 双喜stickers will be placed on all wedding items such as the betrothal gifts, dowry, the couple's toiletries and cosmetics. The bridal room furniture, especially the mirror and cupboards will also be decorated with the double joy or other wedding paper cutouts such as pairs of mandarin ducks, dragon and phoenix, etc. Such red wedding paper cutouts will also be put up on the main door, bridal room door and generally around the house.

A red banner 红彩帘 will be hung across the front doors of the two household to announce the joyous event.

Selecting Indian Wedding Cards

A traditional Indian wedding is a perfect way to involve your near and dear ones on that special occasion. Apart from finding the best caterer and the best DJ, it is also important to find that perfect invitation. What every couple looks forward to is to invite people in style.

Wedding Invitations are usually selected soon after the guest list is created. Normally, selecting the card 3 to 6 months in advance provides ample time for ordering, hiring the calligrapher, proofreading the content and sending out invitations. Cards which need to be sent via mail must be mailed a couple of month before the wedding so that the guests can save the date and make necessary arrangements.

Invitations are very important for guests, especially if it is sent via mail. It is like a formal introduction and invitation to your party. Indian wedding cards provide guests with the details of the time, date and venue of the wedding.

Numerous functions like Mehendi, Sangeet, Cocktails, etc. are held prior to an Indian wedding. So see that the enclosures are securely attached with the Invitations. Apart from the enclosures some also like to attach the Map of the location to make it easy for guests to find the venue without trouble.

If you are not sure about selecting that perfect Indian wedding card, then start looking for cards on the Internet or at a local Invitation store and smaller printers. This will give you a fair idea of the current trend and also about the colors and styles which make you excited. You can also customize a card you have liked by changing the wording and changing its style. One can also switch colors of the Invitations and match it to the theme of their Wedding Dress. There are several Indian wedding card experts who will cater to your wishes and taste and yet stick to the traditional means. They leave no room to make the wedding card unique and traditional.

There are some who prefer beautiful fabrics to paper for creating Indian wedding cards. Exclusive Paper is not the only option for designing wedding cards; there are many other materials such as Velvet, Tissue, Cloth, etc. which you can consider. Some also choose environmental friendly materials for making their cards widely known as Handmade Papers.

Similarly for printing the wordings some prefer Screen Printing, Foil Printing, Offset Printing and so on. The most commonly used method is Screen Printing, which can also have a raised effect if desired. Consider the method which you like the best or you can consult the Invitation expert.

A general trend that is followed these days is to seek advice from the company that you are ordering the Invitations from. Just explain them the theme of your wedding and they will design the cards based on your requirements. Matching accessories such as RSVP Cards, Thank You Cards, Gift Bags, Chocolate Boxes, etc. can also be designs matching to the Invitations.

Once the design of the card has been selected, you will be left with selecting the right wording for inviting the guests. Ask for references from the vendor and they will provide you with different options on the text should be. You can then modify the text as per your programs and events.

Cheap Wedding Invitations - Saving Money Without Sacrificing Style!

Cheap wedding invitations do not have to look cheap!

Wedding invitations can be one of the most expensive pieces of your wedding budget, but also one of the most important. The wedding invitation is the first clue that your friends and family receive about the style and tone of your wedding.

A great invitation is the first step to setting the stage for a beautiful day that everyone will remember. Unfortunately, too many brides try to skimp on their wedding invitations and make mistakes that leave them with invitations that they would rather forget!

You can save big money and still end up with invitations that you can be proud of by following these few simple strategies:

Stay flexible - Too many brides get tunnel vision when they shop for \invitations. They find "the one" design and nothing else will do. This type of pickiness is a good thing when choosing a mate, but not such a good thing when trying to get the best deal on invitations!

By staying flexible, you can save hundreds of dollars. The key is to find a general category of invitation style that you prefer and then shop for the best deal within that style. Be willing to accept slight differences in style and you will be rewarded with big savings!

Know your options - Now, more than ever, you have an amazing variety of ordering choices available to you. The old days of having to visit your local printer and spending hours looking through their catalogs are long gone. You now have the option of ordering online, shopping at major retail stores, utilizing national copy chains and, of course, still visiting your local printer.

Leveraging all these resources is the best strategy for saving money on your wedding invitations. You'd be surprised at how different the pricing can be on the very same invitation, at different companies. Only by spending the time to shop all the different invitation outlets, will you be sure you are getting the absolute best deal!

Be prepared - Once you've done your research, the next step is to organize the final details of your invitations. Make sure you calculate exactly how many invites you'll need, what the wording should say, etc. By being prepared, you'll avoid the "budget creep" that causes so many brides to go over budget!

Different Aspects of Fine Art Nature Photography

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there are still encompassing aspects that differentiate fine art from simply taking pictures in nature photography.

First and foremost, the photographer interested in producing art needs to accept the fact that he or she will usually need to take a hundred pictures for every one that may be a contender. Often times, there is precious little a photographer can do when the subject matter is organic and unpredictable beyond having a stockpile of patience and the reactive reflexes of a stalking spider. The first aspect of fine art in nature photography then is capturing the natural moment when it happens. Anyone can photograph lions sleeping in the grass or a storm pelting a reservoir, but it's the patient and focused photographer who can immortalize the airborne moment before a pounce, or the first of a thousand spreading raindrop ripples.

Another important aspect of creating fine art nature photography is to be sure one has the proper equipment for the job. A tripod, for example, is essential when shooting in nature not only to ensure the consistency of the shots, but also to minimize photographer movement as much as possible as to not disturb the immediate environment. The proper lens for the type of photography one is doing is also important, for a 300/4 lens will produce a much different effect than will a wide angle 20mm.

Lighting is another aspect that carves canyons between fine art nature photography and the Sunday shots at the zoo. Natural light is usually most abundant, and in fact best, but only if it isn't too harsh as it is midday. One should also be familiar with not only the source of light, but also the ability to control it. The use of white boards and reflective foils, umbrellas and the like may not be necessary for all nature photography depending on the time of day and the composite of the landscape. Again, here it is important to know what equipment is necessary and what is not in order to produce the effect one desires. A photographer who is able to master lighting techniques, including not only how to find the right source, but how to manipulate it if need be, is far ahead of the pack in the quest for creating fine art.

As mentioned, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but certain techniques and practices will be evident in all photographs worthy of bearing the title "fine art." If the goal is to produce fine art nature photography, one must be patient, ready, must know the difference between necessary equipment and the excessive, and finally, must master the range of lighting techniques useful in creating the desired effect. The rest is up to nature and chance.

How to Assemble Your Wedding Invitations in Five Easy Steps

How to assemble your wedding invitations in the proper fashion, whether you're using more traditional or formal style of wedding invitations or just a simple flat or folded style with one two enclosures.

On the inner envelope, write the invited guest's name only and nothing else. The inner envelope is optional; it's just a more formal way to mail out your invitations but it's certainly not necessary. If you buy a kit to do your invitations yourself, chances are the kit will only come with one envelope to mail the invitations out with, but not a second/inner envelope. The Response or RSVP Card's envelope should be pre-addressed and stamped for your guest so all they have to do is mail it back to you without having to pay for postage.

Before assembling, make sure you have everything together first, so lay out all the pieces of your wedding invitation ensemble:

• Outer envelope (if you're using one)


• Inner envelope (this is the envelope that everything else goes into)


• Response Card and matching envelope (Make sure the envelope is pre-addressed and stamped)


• Reception Card (if you're using one)


• Tissue paper (if you're adding just a touch of tradition to your ensemble)


• The Invitation

How to assemble your wedding invitations - the assembly order:

1. Place the invitation face up with the tissue paper over the printed area


2. Place the Reception on top with other enclosure cards (Response card, direction card, etc.) on top of the Reception card.


3. Gather the stack together and place all into the inner envelope with the printed sides facing you and the folded edges of the cards go into the envelope first.


4. If you're only using one envelope, place the above into that envelope in the same order as in steps 2-3.


5. If you're using the outer envelope, the inner envelope is then put into the outer envelope, with the handwritten guest's name facing you so that when they open the outer envelope, this is the first thing they'll see.

Mailing tips:

1. Use Wedding Stamps to mail out your invitations and to pre-stamp the RSVP envelope for your guests. If you don't feel like running from one local Post Office location to another, simply go to the USPS.com website and order the stamps online.


2. Handwrite your return address or apply your return address label on the back of the envelope at the top of the flap, not on the front of the envelope. Make sure you do this with the RSVP envelope as well.


3. Hand deliver your invitations to the Post Office counter. Do not drop them in a box, even at the Post Office. You want to ask the postal clerk if they will please hand cancel the envelopes without running them through a machine. This will keep your envelopes looking great and avoid any damage the contents that could otherwise be caused by the automatic rollers. This is especially important if your invitations have any jeweled embellishments on them or ribbons that could end up tearing through the envelopes if canceled by a machine.

Musicians Insurance - Do You Need It?

A lot of people working as professional musicians make a very big mistake when it comes to running their business - sometimes they don't pay enough attention to taking out the right kind of insurance coverage. It doesn't matter whether you play gigs in a band on a professional or semi professional basis or whether you simply play in a band every now and then. You may still find it useful to have musicians insurance in place.

Nobody really likes paying out for insurance at the end of the day. But, if something does happen then the insurance policy you have backing you up could be the best thing you've ever spent money on. You aren't just buying peace of mind. You're buying a helping hand that could give you specific financial assistance just when you need it most.

So, why might you need musicians insurance? What kinds of things can go wrong? Let's take a look.

· Your instrument(s) - how much would it cost you to replace your instrument if it were lost, stolen or damaged? Your instrument is the tool of your trade and without it you can't play;
· Your audience - could you afford to pay legal fees and compensation costs if a member of your audience got hurt at one of your gigs and a court ruled that it was your fault? This is where public liability insurance may help;
· Your employees - if you or your band employs anybody then you are in most cases legally required to have employers' liability insurance. If they get injured or are made ill by something you do when you they work for you then you may have to pay legal and compensation costs.

As a musician you have very different insurance needs to the average business. You may, therefore, simply find it easier to buy a specialist musicians insurance policy from the start. With a specialist policy you often stand a better chance of getting an 'off the shelf' policy that gives you all the protection you need in one package or with extra benefits available to add on as you need them. You may not get the same kind of cover from a general commercial policy at such a competitive cost.

How to Put Photos on a DVD in Ten Easy Steps

Putting your photos on a dvd requires two software programs. You will need one for organizing your photos and one for burning them on to a dvd. In this article we will be covering Windows Movie Maker since it is a free program that comes with Windows XP users. You can also get it free through Microsoft if, you don't already have it installed. Your computer must also have a dvd burner and software for the burning process. Since many new computers come with Nerovision Express 3.0 software we will be using this program in the following steps.

Let's give it a try shall we...

Step 1. Bring your Windows Movie maker software program up on your computer screen.

Step 2. Look for the task tab, under the capture video category, click on import pictures.

Step 3. Drag and drop your photos in the storyboard arranging them any way you like.

Step 4. Under the edit movie category you can add video effects and transitions. Drag and drop them also in the storyboard. Try all of the them to see which ones you like the best.

Step 5. To add one of your favorite songs change the storyboard view to the timeline view. Under the capture video category, click on import audio or music. Drag your music into the timeline, under your photo scenes, where it says audio/music.

Step 6. When you are satisfied with your preview choose, save to my computer located under the finish movie category. Your video will be saved with a wmv extension.

Step 7. Bring up your Nerovision Express software program and click on make DVD - DVD Video. Under the content screen, click on add video files. Locate the video you just created in Windows Movie Maker. (Remember it will have a wmv extension.) You can add more than one video here. When you see that your video and or videos have been added click on the next button.

Step 8. In the select menu screen click on edit menu. This is where you can choose from a wide range of layouts, background pictures, etc. Play around with the different options you have. When you get the menu just the way you want it click on the next button. (Click on save as template for saving your menu.)

Step 9. Now preview your video by clicking the play button on the remote control. If you are satisfied with the results click next.

Step 10. From the burn options screen, click on burn to located in the parameters for burning box. Locate your dvd drive. Click on the burn button when you are ready. This process takes a while so you have to be patient. Try not to do anything else on the computer while the burning process is in effect.

Note: If you find that the software won't let you burn, you may need to purchase an additional plugin. If that is the case, you should see a pop up window with instructions on how to get it.
Note:You will not be able to burn without it.

That is really all there is to it! Now wasn't that easy?

Copyright © 2005 Lynn Quario - All Rights Reserved

Please feel free to reprint this article providing the links and author stay intact.

Purple Wedding Theme: The Best Ways to Use Purple As the Theme of Your Wedding

Purple is a great color to use for a wedding. Most notably known for being the color of royalty, purple is both captivating and luxurious. There is something mysterious about the color, but it is definitely enchanting. Purple comes in many different shades, there is a shade for almost any occasion. A purple wedding theme in the spring or summer months should make use lighter shades of purple such as lavender or lilac. During the fall or winter months, deep rich shades of purple should be used instead.

Purple looks good next to almost any color, so it's a pretty versatile color to work with. Your purple wedding theme can consist entirely of purple, using different shades of purple to contrast each other. Or it can be paired with a number of other colors. Popular colors to pair with purple include blue, pink, white and silver.

The bride can incorporate the color purple into her wedding day look in a number of ways. The most dramatic way to use purple is to wear an entire wedding gown in that color instead of a traditional white wedding gown. This look would work wonderfully if your purple wedding theme had a medieval twist. In order to look like a medieval princess on your big day, try to find a velvet purple dress to walk down that aisle in. If that style is completely out of the question for you, but you would still like to incorporate the color somehow, try to find some beautiful purple accessories to match your wedding dress. Try some amethyst jewelry or hair accessories.

Whether they wear light or dark shades of purple, your bridesmaids will look like pure sophistication. Light purple dresses are perfect for an intimate garden wedding while dark purple dresses are more suitable for large fancy affairs. Another great thing about this color is that no matter what decade you are in, purple always seems trendy and will not go out of style.

There are many purple flowers to choose from as well. A purple wedding theme will not be complete without lots of purple flowers. Look for purple tulips, lisianthus, freesias, orchids, hydrangeas, lilacs, pansies, delphiniums or lavender. Pick your favorite purple flower and pair with other flowers in white, pink or red for a vibrant and whimsical bridal bouquet. Recreate the look for the centerpieces of your wedding reception. You will end up with a divine floral arrangement in the middle of each table.

What's amazing about the color purple is that it's the perfect contrasting color to white. If your reception hall consists of tables with white tablecloth, adding purple place settings gives it just enough splash of color. A white wedding cake would look amazing with either light or dark purple designs. Add some silver for an added sleek and sophisticated look. There are plenty of creative ideas you can come up with using the color purple. Just let your imagination run wild, there are bound to be many decorative ideas to make your wedding memorable.

Car Insurance and Wheel Trims

Car insurance protects your vehicle in case of accident, loss or theft. It's therefore essential that you take out quality insurance which will protect all parts of your car - including wheel trims - rather than cheap car insurance which may only cover the basics.

Wheel trims are a predominantly aesthetic feature of a car to add class and style to your vehicle; however they do also help keep the wheel in good condition and protect it from damage. Trims are decorative disks that cover the central part of the wheel; cars that have stamped steel wheels will usually use a full wheel cover over the entire wheel, whereas cars with alloy wheels have smaller trims, also known as centre caps.

If you have specialist or expensive wheels, you may find that your vehicle is more at risk from theft. If you leave your car unattended for a long time or parked in a poorly lit spot, thieves may well take the opportunity to steal your valuable wheel trims. Thieves may even be so audacious that they take your expensive wheel trims, and replace them with cheaper ones - so you may not even notice and be able to report the crime until some time later.

You can take some precautions to secure your wheel trims, but the best precaution is to secure your wheels and your entire car with good insurance. Your car insurance policy may give you financial compensation if you're a victim of theft, however you should check with your insurance provider to ensure the details of what is covered in your policy document.

Car insurance could also be a valuable investment if your wheel trims are damaged in an accident. Whilst insurance won't usually pay for general wear and tear on your wheels, it may cover the cost of replacing or fixing your wheel trims after an accident.

You can take good care of your trims by cleaning them and inspecting them for damage on a regular basis. If something goes amiss you will therefore spot the damage before it becomes a serious issue. You can also secure your wheel trims with some small plastic ties to ensure they do not come off the car whilst driving at high speeds.

If you're not sure whether your car insurance protects your vehicles trims, then speak to your car insurance provider to double check. Wheel trims might be an aesthetic part of your car, however they are still an essential part which should be insured with your car insurance.

Some Beach Wedding Do's, Don'ts, OKs and FYIs

Please note these are just some personal observations based on attending and photographing countless weddings. You might read similar experiences elsewhere, and some are Ocean City and Delaware Beaches specific.

DO - Book in advance. This might seem a given but you might miss out on locations or service providers you wanted based on availability and the summer window of opportunity.

DON'T - Do Not have your wedding at NOON or anywhere around that time if you can help it. It's the worst time for photos as it creates dark shadows under the eyes for example, not to mention its right around the hottest time of day. Instead, aim for the sunset time which is the best, maybe an hour before sunset for the actual ceremony and gives you 40 or so minutes for photos after.

OK - Sunrise or Morning weddings. As these early morning weddings on the east coast beaches are nice, it works well for elopers or very small groups. It's hard to get everyone together and on the beach so early in the morning with coffee. And photos can turn out really good or really bad, if you don't know what you're doing. Try and use the flash when shooting against the sun and for point and shooter camera users get closer to your subject when shooting against the sun and use a flash.

DON'T - Do Not use bubbles, unless you do it right. It seems like such a waste of money if you don't do this right. You might imagine your guests showing up and someone handing them a mini container of bubbles and they go to their seats. What you didn't consider is when you say your "I Dos" and kiss, I now pronounce you husband and wife people are sometimes caught off guard or lost in emotion they forget they have this thing of bubbles. Too late, you just walked back down the aisle and the moment is gone and no bubbles. Tip, get a bubble machine they have them battery operated, and assign someone to turn it on. Or assign some bubble people to get the others started.

DO - Wear sandals or flip flops on the beach. People in heels or nice dress shoes do not walk well in sand. And let your guests know this, to bring a pair of sandals or flip flops and if you're wedding reception venue is somewhere else to bring a back up pair of footwear.

DO - Get a professional photographer. More and more I see, couples either saving money by having an aunt or uncle or inexperience friend take their wedding photos. Don't let your friend who thinks they are a professional photographer after buying a $600 camera and never been to a wedding before. Reasons why the professional is better - better equipment usually in the $3000 - $10,000 in equipment coming to photography you. More experience - the countless weddings has taught your photographer about lighting to look your best, placement, posing, and to anticipate various wedding situations. And because this is one of the most important days of your lives you want to have something really nice to look back on and show others.

DON'T - Do Not use a wedding aisle runner. They might be nice to look at, but ultimately as waste of money. People walking on them tears them up and often time's trips on them if they get bunched up. And having one at the beach is so wrong. That is what having a beach wedding all is about, having the sand under your feet.

FYI - there will be other people on the beach unless you have access to a private beach. If you don't have a private or secluded beach, be prepared for other people you don't know to be in your photos, unless your professional photographer knows how to hide them or make them disappear. You wouldn't want an awesome photo of you and your new spouse and have some unattractive person lying out on the beach behind you in the photo.

DO - Pick the perfect wedding gown. Some dresses are better for the beach then others. You wouldn't want to pick a dress that as you walk across the beach it collects a lot of sand and becomes really heavy. Think about choosing a dress that will flow with you, that is not too long, and that will be comfortable in the heat of the summer weather.

FYI - Unity Candles or a Sand Ceremony? Candles would be hard to keep lit on the beach, instead consider incorporating a Sand Unity Ceremony in place of lighting the unity candles. And to start the Sand Ceremony off, be sure to collect sand from under your feet on the beach where you are getting married. Then you can combine your colored sand in your unity vase.

DO - Make sure you have your beach permits. Some beaches in Maryland and Delaware require you to have a permit to hold a function such as a wedding ceremony on the beach. Assateague Beach is crazy when it comes to permits and there will be an entrance fee for getting on those beaches. Delaware beaches will require you to have a permit for specific beaches, and getting married around Rehoboth beach parking will be limited and be prepared to keep feeding the meters.

DO - have a Plan B or Location B ready in case of rainy weather. You can always count on Mother Nature as being unpredictable, so you should have an alternate plan in case that beautiful beach wedding doesn't happen as you have dreamed. You will find that a lot of wedding venues located on or near the beach will have enough space to have the ceremony in doors. Just make sure what the cost will be on having it in doors so you can plan to have that in your budget, just in case.

Cheap Wedding Invitations Ideas

Getting married is definitely exciting. Planning one, however, comes with a lot of hard work. There is so much to think about. Details about the best wedding dance that you can use to cap off the celebration are not part of the mud work. It is one of the easier and more exciting things to plan out. There are more serious aspects to a wedding plan including the dresses, the accessories, the reception details, the wedding favors, and even wedding photography tips. Aside from all the time and effort that organizing a wedding requires, there is also the big issue on cost.

Weddings are always extravagant occasions. If you are getting married on a budget, however, there is no need to worry. There are definitely ways you can save up on your wedding cost - from the little details to the bigger ones.

Wedding Invitations
One of the more important concerns with regards to a wedding is the invitation. Of course, every couple would want theirs to be elegant and neat. It must be presentable enough so that the guests would be excited to attend. Your wedding invitation will help make the first impression. There is no need, however, to spend so much money for your wedding invite to impress.

If you are looking for cheap wedding invitations, you can take a cue from the following ideas:

Make your own. If you think you are creative enough and you have the supplies available, you can make your own wedding invite. This will save you almost half in cost. It will even allow you to personalize your wedding invite, putting your own words into it and designing it according to your preference.

If you cannot make your own, find a good supplier that asks a reasonable price. With the Internet, you will have better access to wedding invitation suppliers that offer considerable amount of discount if you order wholesale. Always compare prices and quality before settling down with a specific wedding invitation supplier. That is the best way to get a smart deal.

Online, there is such a thing as a wedding invitation kit. This will help those who cannot make their own wedding invitation guided. The kit usually costs a little higher as opposed to making the invites without them but definitely lower than having it printed by a professional.

Save up on postage cost by using a postcard for the RSVP.

Choose pretty stamps and make hand-written addresses elegant. There is really no need to sacrifice style for you to save money. You can have the best of both worlds - style and sufficient savings - if you are smart enough.

It is never wise to spend a good slice of your wedding budget to the invitations, especially since it is but a miniature detail of the whole event. What is wise is to scout for cheap wedding invitations ideas so you can enjoy savings that you can use for other things. It can be quite costly to get married. There are ways, however, that you can maximize the budget that you have, no matter how big or small it is.

Five Reasons to Buy Baby Shower Gifts Wholesale

Baby shower gifts are like wedding presents: no one wants to buy something that the recipient will just repackage and give to someone else. Consequently, the temptation to overspend in hopes of nabbing a great present can be hard to resist. If you have a budget for buying a gift, and you know that mall shopping would make it difficult to stick to your plan, shopping with a web-based wholesaler is a great alternative from several reasons.

Cost

Because they purchase items in bulk and have lower overhead than conventional stores, sellers of wholesale baby gifts often charge lower prices than brick and mortar retailers. Some people equate price with quality, but that equation doesn't apply to buying baby shower gifts wholesale. You can find quality items for a great price; and the selection can be almost limitless.

Selection

Because they keep products in a warehouse instead of on a sales floor, web-based wholesalers often have a better selection than conventional retailers. Instead of removing old products from shelves to make room for new items, web-based sellers can keep inventory available for an unlimited period of time. If you want great selection, don't drive to the mall; visit the website of a wholesale baby gifts seller instead.

Quality

Because wholesalers sell to retailers as well as individuals, the quality of their products is usually rather high. In store retailers don't buy products that won't pass customer inspection. This fact alone serves as a kind of quality assurance for the products of online sellers of wholesale baby products. If you don't feel comfortable buying an item without inspecting it, you can refer to positive customer reviews to feel more confident about making a purchase.

Buying Options

When you buy baby shower gifts wholesale, you can purchase items in bulk without breaking the bank. This is why retailers buy from wholesalers, but buying in bulk is also practical for individuals, especially when it comes to products that babies need in large supply, such as bibs, burp cloths, towels. Gifting a mother to be any of these products in bulk is a great idea.

Convenience

It almost goes without saying that online sellers offer shoppers more convenience than in store retailers. Instead of getting into the car and using costly gas, then taking the time browse through aisles, online shoppers save time and money by instantly accessing a virtual shopping environment, and moving from section to section with the click of a mouse. Sometimes it's fun to leisurely peruse the mall, but when you need to buy a present fast, nothing beats shopping online.

If you need a present for an upcoming baby shower, shopping online for wholesale baby gifts has several advantages over heading to the local strip mall or shopping center. In addition to offering lower prices, better product selection, and excellent product quality, online wholesalers give you the chance to buy in bulk for an affordable price. Buying baby shower gifts wholesale from a web-based seller is also more convenient than visiting a physical store.

Don't Get Stuck Paying $25 a Plate - Great Cheap Wedding Reception Ideas

It's no surprise that the cost of your wedding reception is supposed to be half of your budget-once you start researching venues and gathering prices, you see right away that wedding reception venues are meant to clear out an excited bride's wallet. You don't have to go that route! There are some awesome cheap wedding reception ideas that can save you a lot of money.

o If you want to save the most money possible, rule out any venue that requires you to use their in-house caterer. This will always be more expensive than price shopping-independent caterers are more responsive to their customers' needs and are more willing to work with your budget.

o In the event that you really want to have your reception at a hotel or banquet hall that uses an in-house caterer, consider booking a "party", not a "wedding reception". Many people have booked a party, then called and booked a wedding for the same night, same amount of guests, and same amount of food. In just about every case, the price quote for a wedding reception was considerably higher than a party price quote-for no reason other than the fact that it was a wedding! Be careful if you do this-at some point, they'll realize it's a wedding, and you have to think if it's worth it to you possibly getting charged more once they figure it out.

o Compare, compare, compare! Look at as many different caterers' menus as you can-you'll get the best idea for pricing in your area and have a bargaining ground to start with.

o If there's a certain restaurant or type of food you love, even if it's not traditional wedding food, check it out! My wedding reception was catered by Qdoba-hardly typical wedding food, but everyone loved it and it was a lot cheaper than a regular caterer.

o Some reception halls and reception venues don't require that your food be from a licensed food distributor. If you have a large church family or group of friends that love to cook, think about doing a potluck-homemade food is delicious and most of the times, better than restaurant food. You will save lots of money and everyone will get to contribute to your wedding!

Although this may seem like a more difficult way of planning your reception, it will be worth the money you save! Another perk is that your guests will notice the individuality present in your wedding and remember it forever.

Considerations When Deciding on Wedding Invitation Wording

A wedding is a beautiful occasion to mark the union of two souls in love in the presence of beloved family and friends. As such, the wedding invitation wording speaks louder than one can imagine as a faltering step can lead to a disastrous outcome. Before embarking on what the printed words are to be, it's advisable to make a few decisions before sending anything to the printers. If the wedding is leaning towards a more conventional ceremony, hence a more formal tone is appropriate to set the correct expectations.

Otherwise, it can be worded in a relaxed manner if the bridal couple is planning a more informal or whimsical service. Upon reaching whichever decision, this certainly helps whoever's working on the wordings to come up with appropriate options. Avoid abbreviations as wedding invitations are not sent out via instant or text messaging services. More, in this case, is the advisable method as clear spelling of names and other pieces of information can set a certain level of expectation and excitement.

On the rare occasion whereby the bridal couple is able to foot all expenses for the wedding, there normally is some financial assistance from more than willing parents. Depending on who's paying or sponsoring for what, the wordings have to reflect accordingly so as to allow acknowledgment. Even if there is no sponsorship from the parents, it is still befitting to include their names in the invitation as love is supposed to surpass money.

Short and simple is the recommended way to go for the wedding invitation wording. When people receive an invitation, their eyes normally zoom to the main section on who's inviting them. Their eyes then follow the details to date, time and venue. This instantly allows them to decide on how to RSVP. Hence, it's important to ensure all important information is clearly printed with minimal ambiguity. Select suitable fonts for easy reading, not curlicues which require calligraphy experts to decipher. Further information such as directions and map to venue can be printed on the opposite side of the card in suitable size and color schemes. Alternatively, direct them to per-defined websites.

As it's advisable for the bridal couple to delegate most of the planning work to either trusted family, friends or professional wedding planners, ensure all involved are aware of relevant details. There is nothing more disastrous than having inaccurate information disseminated among the wedding party and ending up printed on the invitations. A minor oversight such as date, time and venue or misspelling of names can lead to unnecessary levels of stress. Ultimately, get the couple's green light before signing off anything for printing.

Haemmer Men's NDC-07 Navy Diver Rotating Bezel Chronograph Steel Watch - Luxury On a Budget

Indeed, it has been a year you have been together, and the very important he of yours has been right there with you in all your ups and downs. Now the time of year has come to celebrate the blessed moment when you promised to be together. If money was not the issue, you could have brought him the treasures that even queen Sheba would have died for. However, since the notes in your purse limit and dictate your buying options, then why don't you have a look at the Haemmer Men's NDC-07 Navy Diver Rotating Bezel Chronograph Steel Watch? Let the watch be a silent reminder of the wonderful minutes you have been together, and also, make it a soundless spectator of the many beautiful moments which are awaiting you.

For Your Man....

Just like the love of your life, this watch is big, masculine, bold and incontestably dependable. Its polished and rugged stainless steel case is bound to remind him of his "tough guy" camouflage that he reserves for the reserves of the world, only to offer you the mushier aspect of his character. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window makes the watch survive any accidental fall and scratches which can befall on it, and the magnifying lens takes care that he doesn't have to strain his eyes much to check the time. With its water resistance up to 200 meters, the unit can be an ideal companion of your betrothed while he treats himself with the amateur scuba diving sessions.

Let Us Talk About Its Style

The amazingly sturdy stainless steel bracelet of the watch proudly flaunts its extremely polished gold center links, and it looks more awe-inspiring with its gold screw-down crown. The deployment clasp, with its push-button makes the unit stay tight around his wrist. Who knows, he may take it as a representation of the eternal adherence that he shares with you, a bond which can never be severed by any force. To complement the look of the watch, the designers have given it a jet black dial, which stands in sharp contrast to the bright, yet soft gold-toned hands and markers and the triple inner sub-dials. Finally, it comes with a black and gold PVD coated bezel with gold numerals and markings that rotates unidirectional.

Features:-

• Stylish masculine luxury watch in budget.


• Anti reflective, scratch-resistant dial window.


• Analog display.


• Screw-down crown.


• Stainless steel case.


• The case of the watch measures 46 mm in diameter and it is about 13.5 mm thick.


• Standard sized stainless steel band.


• The band is about 24 mm wide.


• Unidirectional rotating bezel.


• 3 sub-dials showing 12 hours, 60 seconds and 1/20th of a second.


• Quartz movement.


• It has date display at 8 o'clock


• It is water-resistant for up to 660 feet or 200 meters.


• It is backed by 2-year limited warranty if purchased from Amazon.

Consumers' Opinion

Though the Haemmer Men's NDC-07 Navy Diver Rotating Bezel Chronograph Steel Watch has been reviewed by only one customer at Amazon.com till date, the customer seems to be pretty satisfied with the unit. The reviewer has commented that the watch has lots of detailed design and it has a beautiful color combination. No wonder, from the buyer, the unit has gained a perfect rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Do you want to save really big with this buy? Then why don't you log on to the Amazon website?

Wedding Invitations - All the Stationary Explained

Deciding on wedding stationary can be very confusing. But just like every other aspect of wedding planning, you have to decide what exactly it is that you want for your stationary. So read on to see what every single little card is for, and which ones you could probably go without.

Save the dates

These are generally sent out six to nine months before your wedding date. These wedding announcements are especially handy for brides planning a wedding on a popular holiday weekend or getting married in a destination. So one of the reasons you may want to skip on these in the wedding planning is if your planning on getting married close to home. Save the dates are fine to send out in a blast e-mail which will help you save money.

The actual invitations

These are the most important aspect of the wedding stationary because they give your guests the date, time and place of your nuptials. There are many different ways to accent and design your invitations, so be creative when looking for invitations. Included in the invitation suite are: invite itself, response cards, directions and sometimes the menu for the reception. Wedding invitations can be on the expensive side, so if you're looking to save money consider making DIY invitations.

Programs

Programs let your guests know what's going on during the entire ceremony, and will give them a relatively good idea on how long it's going to last. It also outlines the bridal party, songs being played, meaning of any religious customs, etc. Keep in mind you can put anything you want into your programs. You can even go as far as to design them completely on your own. Doing them yourself is a great way to cut back in the wedding budget and wedding planning.

Place cards

This part of the wedding stationary marks the guests' seats. If you already have escort cards directing guests to tables then place cards aren't absolutely necessary. The great thing about place cards is if you want your friends to mingle this can get them to chat. If you're wedding planning calls for a small wedding of only 25 people, you may want to skip this wedding stationary all together.

Menu cards

Menu cards are a great wedding stationary whether you're having a buffet style reception or a full five course sit down dinner. It gives your guests the opportunity to know what they are eating or what choices they have for their meal, before their plates come out. Of course if you're trying to make cuts in the wedding budget you don't always have to have menu cards.

Thank you cards

These are a must have for the wedding stationary. You must send a personal thank you card to everyone you received a gift from or attended your wedding. It doesn't matter if they were engagement gifts, shower gifts or wedding gifts. A great tip to keep this under wraps during the wedding planning, is to write out thank yous as soon as you receive a gift. This will make it a lot easier than sitting down at the end of things and writing them all out at once.

How to Start Your Own Wedding Invitation Business From Home

How to start your own wedding invitation business from home.

You love the whole wedding planning and you enjoy the energy that comes from all of it. So why not make a business out of it. Making wedding invitations is not difficult. It isn't even that expensive. You can start with a few basics and build on it. There are only a few things you need to start.

You will need a good printer. I recommend an Epson printer. The best reason for using this is that you are getting a very good quality print. It uses a waterproof ink, it is more durable than most. These are inexpensive too. I have bought Epson printers for years. I even prefer them to laser because, I have found laser print will offset sometimes. Since you can purchase these ink jet printers for around $100 they are perfect.

Now for the software. I recommend starting with Microsoft Works. It is inexpensive and you may even have it on your computer now. It has basic features. You can even set up a data base and do envelope addressing with it. That could help you to promote your business. People love the envelope addressing.

How to start your own wedding invitation business from home is easier than you think. Now we have gone over the printer and the software. Now it is just learning to use it and starting to promote yourself.

You should learn the proper wedding invitation etiquette. This will help to put the proper wording on your announcements. The more you learn on this the better authority you will become. You may even try to come up with some of your own wordings. Casual invites are popular now and some future brides love the idea of having a funny verse to announce their special day.

Theme weddings are popular so you can make some sample invites and use those for ideas for your brides to be. Getting a some samples together will be a good start. Put them in a notebook for advertising. Once you learn to print your invitations you can choose to add special papers or details that will make them even nicer. Again this will come as you learn and earn.

If you look in your area you will probably find some wedding fairs, wedding stores, or other outlets that you can find brides to be at. You can even promote yourself online. There are lots of avenues to take.

These are a few things to keep in mind. I hope you know more about how to start your own wedding invitation business from home. There is a lot of opportunities once learn the basics.

7 Swiss Legend Watches That Suit Your Style

There are some men who crave attention and have a burning need to be the most visible guy in the room. Their overbearing demeanor, loud clothing, and eye-popping accessories guarantee that they will be noticed wherever they go.

And then there are those men who prefer a quiet, traditional style. The ones who are confident with who they are and what they're about. They eschew glitz and trendiness for more substantive and noble pursuits, and they earn respect wherever they go.

For these gentlemen, Swiss Legend has created numerous wristwatches which exude superior quality and handsome design without shouting it to the corners of the earth. Here are seven Swiss Legend watches for the man who embraces a more traditional style.

Swiss Automatic Tungsten Bracelet Watch

This watch is easily recognized by the rounded rectangular tungsten case which matches the silver tone bracelet and dual-deployant push button clasp. A unidirectional rotating bezel in silver tone on the front complements a stainless steel exhibition back. A coin edge screw down crown completes the exterior.

The white or black mother-of-pearl dial supports silver tone Roman numerals with matching luminous hour and minute hands. A date window appears at 3:00, and the entire timepiece is powered by a Swiss Claro 888 Automatic movement.

Windmill Swiss Quartz Chronograph Leather Strap Watch

The Windmill is ideal for the modern gentleman who favors a distinguished look. The round dial is available in gold tone, blue, or black and is sprinkled with luminous hour markers and silver tone index markers. The chronograph sub dials float beneath the luminous hour and minute hands, and the silver tone seconds hand sweeps past a date window at 4:00. The watch gets its power from a Swiss G10.211 Quartz movement.

The simple black leather strap with white contrast stitching fastens with a buckle. A stainless steel round silver tone case backstops a timepiece with plenty of accents. The stainless steel back is dressed up by gold tone function pushers and a coin edged screw down crown, while the gold-tone unidirectional rotating bezel is adorned with six screw accents in silver tone.

Commander Swiss Quartz Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch

The Commander offers the perfect blend of handsomeness and sportiness. The round black case and bezel are constructed of sturdy black ionic-plated stainless steel. The bracelet secures with a push button dual deployant clasp, and a screw down crown and stainless steel back complete the sleek look of this wristwatch.

A round brass white, black, yellow, or red dial showcases index markers and Roman numerals. Swiss ISA 2331 Quartz movement is responsible for keeping the luminous accented minute and hour hands moving. There's also a seconds hand along with a date window in the 3:00 position.

Traveler Swiss Quartz GMT Leather Strap Watch

Sturdy craftsmanship meets classic style. The round silver tone stainless steel case features a black bezel accented by six silver tone screw accents and a coin edged screw down. The black strap sports contrast stitching and attaches with a buckle clasp.

The outer edge of the round white or black dial is lined with a seconds track, while a GMT track encircles the inner edge. Between the two tracks, Roman numerals sit at all hour positions. The seconds hand, along with the luminous hour and minute hands, are powered by a Swiss Ronda 505.24H Quartz movement.

World Timer Swiss Quartz Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch

Bold and powerful, this design will never go out of style. Luminous silver tone stick markers and matching Arabic numerals provide strong visibility, while a white GMT hand and a bright red seconds hand practically leap off the dial. A date window sits at 3:00, and both a GMT track and a world time track run along the dial's outer edge. The luminous silver tone hour and minute hands are powered by a Swiss Quartz Ronda 515.24H movement.

The silver tone stainless steel case is embellished with a matching bezel with a black scale. In addition to the traditional coin edge screw down crown, a textured world time crown is positioned across the case from it. A push button dual deployant clasp attaches the silver tone stainless steel bracelet firmly to the wearer's wrist.

Monte Carlo Swiss Chronograph Rubber Strap Watch

It's just the right watch for a man on the go who isn't made of money. The black rubber strap and buckle clasp support a round black, silver tone, or rose tone case which is made of stainless steel like the watch's back. The look is finished with a black bezel and a screw down crown with function pushers.

Luminous index hour markers complement three chronograph sub dials and a 4:00 date window. The hour and minute hands match the index markers, while the chronograph hand is luminous tipped. They are all powered by a Swiss G10.211 Chronograph movement.

Neptune Pilot Swiss Quartz Date Rubber Strap Watch

Sporty and graphic, this watch provides multifunctionality at an affordable price. The coin edged unidirectional rotating bezel features a luminous indicator. The black round stainless steel case is protected by a black silicone rubber ring. The strap matches the ring, though it has a pyramid texture pattern and secures with a buckle.

The black or white dial boasts contrasting luminous Arabic numerals and stick index markers. The hour and minute hands are skeletonized with contrasting tips, while the seconds hand is either red or red tipped. The date window is at 4:00, and the watch runs on muscle provided by a Swiss ISA 2331/103 Quartz movement.

When searching for that special watch, don't be constrained by the phrase "traditional style." If you prefer a simple, subtle, and powerful wristwatch, Swiss Legend has the precise timepiece to suit your lifestyle.

Fireworks For Weddings - Thinking of Fireworks For Your Wedding?

Fireworks for weddings tend to be more easily affordable than you could think and additionally are a phenomenal way for you to conclude the wedding evening and leave your friends and family members feeling entertained. If you are thinking of thinking of getting fireworks at your wedding location then make sure to work with a professional firework firm rather than tell a family member or even acquaintance to do this for you. A great professional firework company will certainly take a look at the wedding venue in advance and determine safe distances along with consider additional points eg structures, sound, access as well as visuals into consideration.

They're going to even liaise straight with the venue proprietor or management. A capable provider will employ competent operators, fire the show electronically and have a high cover of public liability assurance. You must do your own research in advance of working with a supplier and confirm they aren't only running from their garage or maybe have just been running a business a short while.

Even though the sky is the limit while choosing the budget the right firework firm should certainly already have numerous deals specially designed for wedding parties and selling prices should start about £1000 so you should spend a maximum of £3000 for a high quality fireworks display. It is suggested that the duration of the show be in between 10 and 20 minutes due to the fact that anything more and you risk your guests getting uninterested.

If you'd like you can actually theme the fireworks to match your wedding. So if you are having a white wedding why don't you ask for an exciting white/silver climax or even should you have themed your wedding around a different colour or even a wedding flower let your firework supplier know. A number of providers can provide devices named set pieces which may be designed into virtually any design, heart shaped, names as well as initials for example. You could spend in between £200 and £400 to get a set piece however it will be a wonderful way of concluding a firework show.

Fireworks for Weddings - check list:

o Choose an established Fireworks Company
o Confirm the particular Fireworks Supplier has a good track record
o Always check the Firework Supplier carries Public Liability Insurance
o See the Firework Provider is definitely a member with the British Pyrotechnists Association (BPA)
o Does the Fireworks Company offer Wedding Deals?
o Verify with the Wedding Venue that Fireworks will be permitted
o Choose the package that matches your budget
o Opt for a package which suits with your own wedding
o Don't be worried to ask for a theme, set piece or simply specific request
o Notify the photographer fully in advance
o To get the perfect results attempt and keep the fireworks show a surprise
o Revel in your Wedding

Photographing Our Beautiful Stained Glass Windows

Very few things can surpass the beauty of a steepled church with beautiful stained glass windows. Taking pictures of these beautiful treasures used to be left only to the professional photographers. Some of these pros have shared their experience by giving tips on how to successfully photograph stained glass. That, combined with the advancement in technology that has giving us cameras with user-friendly features, photographic enthusiasts, even the beginner, can go out with a camera bag and some minimal equipment and take some great pictures of these glass beauties.

The first very important thing to remember is in regards to your camera flash. If you plan on taking your pictures from inside the church, especially on a bright, sunny day, it will appear very dark when you first enter. Your eyes will adjust pretty quickly, but film doesn't. Your camera will see the need for a slow shutter speed or the flash will fire. And, you never want to use a flash when photographing these windows. It will not only cause intense reflection, but it will greatly reduce the beautiful fire in the colors of your subject and cause them to loose their luster. Remember, if your camera has a built-in flash that is going to turn on automatically, turn it off before entering the church. Slightly overcast days are ideal for photographing stained glass. It let's the light in without too much intense brightness.

You can display the wonderful pictures of your stained glass windows in many different ways. They can be framed and put in a grouping on your wall. You can develop a beautiful book of all the different shots to be placed on your coffee table. These stained glass window images would also make beautiful greeting cards. All you need is a card stock of your choice, plain or a pattern to compliment the stained glass window image you'll be using, and you can make a one-of-a kind, gorgeous card to send to family and friends. Remember to get information about each stained glass window you shoot so you can include a footnote about the window in all of your displays or cards.

Because cameras are so technically advanced in exposure metering, low-light photography is not the problem it used to be. And the need for bracketing, taking several shots at different exposures to ensure a good one, is almost never necessary. And, many beginners use a digital point-and-shoot which allows them to immediately see if the picture is a keeper. Taking several shots to get them at different angles and views is still a good idea, since it will give you more images from which to choose. All of this makes photographing stained glass fun and relatively easy.

Stained glass windows come in all sizes, from the huge to the very small. Fill the frame with just the window if you can get close enough and/or the window is large enough. Set you zoom lens at the wider angle if your camera has that capability. If it's a small window that's far away, and your camera has spot-metering exposure mode, use it to get a good shot. If you are photographing a very large window that is in sections, photograph each section and when you display the images, place them together showing each piece as it is sequenced in the actual window. This will make for a very interesting display

Churches and cathedrals are the first structures that come to mind when thinking of stained glass windows. These windows are, however, found in many other locations. Restaurants, private homes, Bed and Breakfasts to name a few. One incredibly gorgeous building that falls in this category is the Wedding Cake Mansion located in historic Savannah, Georgia. This mansion is aptly named. Its stained glass windows are set in a white bay window decorated by ornate iron work. It's cherished by Savannah residents who have long agreed it favors a beautifully decorated wedding cake. If you get to Savannah, don't miss the opportunity to take your camera bag over to the Wedding Cake Mansion and photograph a unique structure, including their beautiful windows.

Before heading out to start your quest for the best stained glass photographs you can take, make sure your camera bag is complete with all the accessories you may need. Extra film or memory cards, extra batteries, extra lenses, and by all means a tripod. Any camera shake will cause picture distortion of those beautiful glass treasures. A user-friendly camera bag with top-loading features that you can easily use in a dimly lit church would be a good choice. One that has a lens cradle for your delicate lens and several pockets to hold all the accessories separately and safely.

Frugal Yet Expensive Looking Wedding Gifts

With the economy still down in the dumps, many people are finding it hard to find room in their budgets for "extra" items like wedding gifts. If that describes you than you're in luck! Here are some cheap gifts that look expensive and are very useful for newly married couples.

A large part of a wedding budget is the photographer and for good reason. Every couple wants to have tangible memories of their special day. This is why frames make a perfect gift for new couples. I know what you're thinking, "Frames? But they are expensive!" It all depends on where you get them. Oftentimes department stores such as Kohls, Sears, or JC Penny will put their frames on sale or even clearance. If you combine a sale with a store coupon, such as a ten dollars off fifty dollar purchase or similar, frames can be very inexpensive. Another avenue to look for frames is garage and yard sales. Of course, if you go this route you need to closely inspect the frames to make sure they are nice enough to give as a gift, but you can often find unused or new frames very cheaply. Craigslist.com is another excellent resource for finding inexpensive frames.

My mom's favorite gift for weddings is a holiday decoration basket. Now this gift requires a bit of forethought, but it is a meaningful and wonderful gift for a new couple. After each major holiday during the year, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Valentine's Day, etc. check out the clearance and sale holiday decoration items. Oftentimes you can find beautiful dishes, tablecloths, wall hangings, pillows, and centerpieces for seventy-five percent off or more. My mother fills a large basket or plastic storage container with some kind of decoration for each holiday and usually spends, maybe $20-25 on a gift that is easily worth over $100. Part of the appeal is that this gift can easily be personalized depending on the couple. For example, if you know they are Irish, perhaps you could simply focus on St. Patrick's Day and get them a whole basket of decorations and dishes for that holiday. Or if they are getting married around Christmas, plan ahead and put together a basket of Christmas decorations. Last year, Oriental Trading Company offered all of their personalized ornaments for around two dollars each. Since they weren't dated, I purchased some and personalized them for a few couples that I know are getting married this year. This idea doesn't just apply to holidays either, if you know of a hobby or sport the couple likes you can search thrift shops, Craigslist, and clearance sections for items that would fit into practically any category. With a little foresight, wedding gifts don't have to be a huge item in your budget and can be wonderful expressions of celebration for the bride and groom.

Handmade Wedding Invitations - 3 Quick and Easy Steps to Design Your Own Handmade Wedding Stationery

Making your own wedding invitations is easy, however a common problem for brides that have never made cards before is that they just don't know where to start.

Don't worry about special tools or cutting equipment, I'm going to explain the easy may to make professional looking stationery at a third of the retail price, you will however require scissors and perhaps a craft punch of your choosing.

First, a note about where to get your supplies, Over the last couple of years making your own wedding stationery has seen a huge growth in popularity to such an extent that there are now dedicated web sites selling everything the D.I.Y bride requires, when making your own invitations these are the type of web sites to purchase from, they know the market and what the bride requires, making it easy for you to find the right products.

Step 1. The first rule of designing is 'keep it simple', and with that in mind your first decision is card blank colour, this is usually white or ivory, think of the card blank as your canvas, a good card blank will already have 'Wedding Invitation' printed on it, always choose a card blank that is of a standard format size such as A6, A5 or DL when folded, this will make life so much easier when you come to print the inserts.

Step 2. Choose a colour theme that will be used in the design of your invitations, at this point most brides will opt for their bridesmaid dress colour, others will choose a currently fashionable colour. When designing your invitation, items such as ribbon, die cut shapes or other embellishments should be chosen with your theme colours in mind.

Step 3. The final stage of designing your own wedding invitations is to select appropriate embellishments, keep in mind that weddings are a traditional social gathering and some convention in your design is expected, popular embellishments are entwined rings, entwined hearts, bride and groom, flowers, or ribbons and bows.

You now have the basic principal of handmade wedding invitation design, all that's left to do is decide where to place the embellishments, ribbons or other decorations to create a pleasing design that's personal to you, and remember 'less is best'

Including Gift Registry in a Wedding Invite

While planning for the wedding, couples often look baffled, whether to include certain information in the wedding invites or not. The issue here is about the gift registries. Some couples incorporate the gift registry information in the wedding invitation cards; while others take it as a poor etiquette practice.

Couples who include the gift registry in a wedding invite argue that the world today is very hasty and busy. No person has enough time to inquire about the stores where the duo has registered. What is more, people do not often want to fuss about buying a present out of their eventful to-do list. For that reason, providing them with the information that might be helpful for them is commendable. Gift registry information will hoard the time of your valuable guests.

It is not a good etiquette to include a gift registry in a wedding invite. When your guests receive your invitation cards, they should not appear up with the notion that you are expecting gifts as well. It gives the impression as if you are demanding for gifts and this is the only reason you are welcoming them, which gives a contemptible and greedy stance of yours. Addition of gift registry will spoil the beautiful outlook of your cards. The invite should be about honoring the wedding day, and not the gifts.

Ones who bicker about the business of life should also consider that guests go around madly looking for the stores where the couples have registered, slaughtering up their costly time. Couples should also keep this in mind that this is a wedding invitation, not a gift request. A wedding invite is meant to expect someone's presence and not expecting gift. Including a gift registry in an invite shows your discourtesy. We do love taking gifts but demanding one is rudeness.

To notify the guests about the places where the wedding pair has registered in any way, the informing mean should be apt and not violating the wedding etiquette. The best way is to tell your close acquaintances and relations. They will spread the word out or the guests, themselves, will ask them about the gift registry if any or they will give you cash. Another way is to create a wedding website where you can provide additional information regarding your wedding. Couples often include a map on the wedding invitation cards to the venue of the wedding for guests' ease. Using a separate direction card would not ruin the fancy invitations. Add logos of stores, where you have been registered, on the bottom of the map.

Planning a Wedding That Doesn't Kill Your Budget or Your Relationship

If you're planning a wedding and you're concerned about your wedding budget, there are several ways to save. The keys to successfully planning a budget-conscious wedding are having the abilities to be creative, flexible, and opportunistic.

Think of this scenario: You wake up in the middle of the night with a craving for ice cream. All grocery stores are closed, so you run through the options in your head. You can go to the all-night convenience store or coffee shop and pay a premium price for this craving or you can settle for the granola bar in the back of your pantry. Then the thought occurs that you could have planned ahead while grocery shopping earlier that week and had your ice cream at a fair price. The same shopping options exist for every part of your wedding. Do you pay premium prices? Do you plan ahead? Or do you simply do without? There are no wrong answers, but planning ahead can almost always offer the most bang for the bucks.

The key trick in saving money for your wedding is flexibility. Think about your wedding date. It's probably a mild Saturday evening in late Spring or early Fall. I'm no Nostradamus, it's just a fact that the vast majority of couples choose the same dates for their weddings. You can slash your overall wedding costs significantly by changing your wedding date away from Saturday evenings in May, June, September, or October. Go crazy and avoid Saturdays altogether and have a raging Friday night wedding or a relaxing Sunday afternoon wedding. You might not think these date/time adjustments matter, but vendors' schedules are much less likely to be full on a Sunday afternoon in August or a Friday night in March. This availability can translate into staggering deals if you shop around. I've seen $10,000-$15,000 weddings (combined vendor cost) reduced to $2,000-$3,000 with every component of the wedding staying exactly the same, including the venue. The difference? An 11am ceremony time on a Saturday in June versus a 5pm wedding the EXACT SAME DAY. An unexpected perk to avoiding Saturday evenings goes to your guests who can now plan a weekend after your Friday night bash or before the Sunday nuptials. That Saturday night wedding breaks everyone's weekend in half. Having schedule flexibility is huge for all vendors, but specific savings can also be found for each part of your big day.

Wedding venues: The venue is usually the costliest of the wedding investments, but that only means it is also the biggest opportunity to save money. If you want elegance, maybe avoid the country clubs and golf courses and find a shady park or beach and spend a fraction of your budget on elegant tables, string lighting, and candle-lit centerpieces. If you're quirky and fun, bypass a regular venue and rent an old theater or local art gallery. Think outside the box. Depending on the size of your guest list, you can find venues that aren't considered traditional, but will more than fit your needs. Private residences and local restaurants might fit your needs perfectly. With any non-traditional venue, be sure to get all the details. Some places may require additional insurance or have restrictions on attendance, food/drink, etc, so be sure to be thorough in your interviews. If you are looking for a traditional venue, many times finding a location that can host both the wedding and reception is ideal. For both convenience and cost, this option almost always is preferable to separate locations. If you opt for a church wedding, keep in mind that some churches offer weddings a low or even no cost. Call around and you might find a great deal

Caterer: The ideal way to cut food/drink costs is to time your wedding between traditional meal times. Having a 11am or 2pm wedding allows you to escape providing full meals and instead serve small appetizers, sandwiches, desserts, etc. If you opt for this cost-cutting schedule choice, be sure to indicate to guests when type of food/refreshments will be served. Most people will grab a bite to eat before or after the wedding if they know in advance that only snacks will be available at the wedding. If you must serve food, shop around. Some venues require you to use their preferred caterers, so know this in advance. Sample each caterer's menus and ask them how savings can be found. Many times a limited menu with more appetizer options works well. If you decide to serve a meal, buffet style usually costs less than plated meals. And keep this question in mind: How was the food at the last wedding you attended? Most people don't remember. Find a balance between quality, service, and price.

Cake: There are reality TV shows dedicated to cakes. Amazing, beautiful cakes are everywhere. Now for the life-changing reality: Its still just dessert. I know, that sounds harsh and emotionless. But its sugar and eggs and flour, and you're in a market than can charge thousands of dollars for a, yes, dessert. Think about your reasoning behind the cake. Its fun and you want photos of the cake-cutting and subsequent cake-smashing. You can accomplish the same thing with a small but still elegant cake. The photos look the same, and the crowd still gathers around. And when the smashed cake is wiped from the groom's face, all the guests are served cute little wedding cupcakes or pieces of sheet cake that have been cut and are ready to serve immediately. Buy a pretty little cake for the two of you, or for the bridal party, and ask your baker to make a sheet cake or two, or cupcakes, of the same flavor as yours. Everyone enjoys the cake and you enjoy cutting your cake budget by 50% or more.

Photographer: Many couples make the mistake of forgoing a professional wedding photographer and hiring Uncle Harry because he always has a camera, and he'll be at the wedding anyway. Or a niece in high school just bought a really expensive camera and took photography in high school. Remember that your photographs are likely going to be the only tangible reminders of your wedding. When the cake and songs and flowers are long gone, you'll have your photography to enjoy and share for years to come. You want a photographer with wedding experience to ensure all angles are covered and all poses are ideal. This doesn't mean you have to blow your entire budget on photography, however. Search photographers' websites, and only contact those whose photos fit your style. When speaking with the photographer, request a quote that excludes prints, albums, or other photo products. Get the edited photography on a disc or flash drive with a copyright release that allows you to print your photos. Most photographers' profit lies in the printing, so you can save that money and print economically at your own convenience. If a photographer doesn't offer this, move along. There are plenty that will offer a no-prints option.

DJ: The DJ is the vendor that some deem unnecessary and others regard as invaluable. I think both are true depending on the type of wedding and reception you want. If you want a quiet, relaxed ceremony and reception with soft music in the background throughout, just find a venue with a sound system and plug in an ipod playlist of soft grooves. If you want your reception to be a party, then hire a DJ. DJ's styles and levels of interaction vary, so keep this in mind. If you want someone to keep the guests dancing, get someone outgoing and fun. Like the photographer, don't skimp too much and hire the high school tech geek down the street with the loud sound system. Weddings are unique, and you want experience. Ask for deals and compare prices. No real tricks here other than shopping in advance.

Florist: Flowers are beautiful and can enhance any wedding. They also sit in vases and soak up water. Each couple needs to decide whether a little color is pretty or more elaborate floral arrangements are necessary. If you find a venue that is attractive on its own, consider skipping or reducing the floral decorations. Many florists advise boosting the greenery in arrangement and using the actual flowers strategically, which makes a lot of sense both artistically and financially. Some couples are now opting for artificial flowers in lieu of actual flowers. This can be cheaper and offer the advantage of preparing months in advance. They also last forever, so your investment doesn't end up in the compost pile the next day. If you decide to go with real flowers, check independent florists first, as they can often work with your budget with more flexibility than a larger retail chain.

Videographer: Have you ever visited a friend and been subjected to watching their wedding video? It's painful. Now, with the development of high-def and superior editing, today's wedding videos are more like Hollywood features than handheld camcorders of the 80's. they can also be very expensive. The real question is need. After the first few weeks of being married, will your wedding DVD ever be seen? Aside from distant relatives visiting or an anniversary viewing, it likely sits on the shelf. Most budget-minded couples skip the videographer, but if you really want video then find a company that uses multiple cameras and edits in a style you enjoy. Be sure they know the style you want and ask them to work with your budget.

Other: There are several other ways to save that simply didn't fit the other categories:

Wedding favors are cute, but often sit in the backseat of your guests' cars and ultimately get tossed. If you have a budget for them, find something personal (a small framed photo of the wedding couple, a small package of candy or mints, etc). Find something fun or quirky, but cheap. Search online for many creative options.

With any wedding, avoid placing disposable cameras at guest tables. The idea is great, but the execution is horrible. You'll spend hundreds on these outdated cameras, and hundreds more to develops photos of kids' feet and empty plates. Don't even consider this for your wedding!

Limousines: Beautiful and elegant, but really only use if transportation is needed. Hiring a limo to drive you three blocks doesn't allow you to relax or save money. If you're travelling across town and want to splurge, go for it. Ask for wedding specials, and find a service that will allow you to use the minimum amount you need. Don't get locked into a six-hour minimum when you only need three.

Honeymoon: If you're wanting a honeymoon but don't have a big budget, consider registering for your wedding with a travel agent instead of a retailer. Your guests may gift you a vacation instead of cutlery! If you're considering a small wedding, think about a destination wedding for the two of you (or small family), and combine your wedding and honeymoon instead of a reception. Sometimes this is more economical than couples think and provides a romantic and less expensive wedding option.

Craigslist: OK, this isn't a wedding component. But Craigslist can be your best friend. You can find vendors, dresses, wedding locations, and much more in one convenient site. If you have a particular skill, service, or item, consider using the site's barter section to trade for wedding services. Trading your unused timeshare for a wedding photographer or bartering your automotive repair business to obtain catering can be empowering and budget-saving. Read through the section and find ideas that may help you save.

Hopefully a few of these suggestions give you ideas on stretching your wedding budget. Weddings are beautiful, amazing events and should be celebrated, not agonized. Enjoy the process, and remember that this is YOUR big day. Build the wedding you want, and let your guests enjoy the ride with you.