Classical Car Insurance - Advantages & Disadvantages

Do you own a car that is more than 15 years old?

Cars that are at least 15 years old can be considered "Classic Cars" with which they are eligible for cheaper insurance but most of the owners of these car owners don't realize this and miss out on these potential savings.

But what exactly are the advantages and disadvantages of classical car insurance?

Advantages:

1. Classical car insurance insures some concepts that normal car insurances don't. This includes things like insuring the car to be lent out for a wedding as this tends to happen more with classical cars than with normal commercial cars (note: lending out your classical car occasionally is not the same as running a wedding car rental business!).

2. Unrestored Classic cars get an additional discount because possible claims tend to be lower since there are no expensive restoration jobs to be redone. The disadvantage is that pictures of the cars need to be sent yearly to prove to the insurance company that it remains unrestored.

3. If you are a member of a recognized classic automobile club you are eligible for additional discounts. This is because insurance companies assume you are less probable to be involved in an accident and less prone to driving recklessly.

Disadvantages:

1. Maximum mileage with classic car insurance is quite limited (normally you can opt for 1500, 3000, 4500, 6000 or 7500 miles per year). The idea is that you shouldn't be using your Classic Car for your daily commutes, etc. (some insurances do have unlimited mileage options but obviously the premium will be higher).

2. Sometimes eligibility for Classic Car insurance depends on your mileage of the previous year and is limited to for instance 2500 miles. Don't let this set you off: there are various insurances that don't consider this.

3. The way you look after your car greatly affects the price. Insurances might ask for driving records of the driver, what the car is going to be used for, number of people that might drive the car, age and experience of the driver(s), where the driver lives and whether the car is kept in a garage.

Portrait Photography Using Natural Window Light

Natural Window Light

Light from a window can give an amazing, soft light for portraits and produce beautifully tender photographs.

Unlike in a studio, you move the camera position to change effect of the lighting.  Starting with the camera between the model and the window, move in a semi circle to behind the model.  This will change from no shadows to total shadow.  The position of the camera determines how much of the model is in shadow.

Now you can also turn the model around which will determine just which part is in shadow or light.  Shooting the model from the side will place half in and half out of the light.  You can then move the model so that most of the window is in front of her or behind her and this will change the quality of the light falling on her face.  More of the window behind her will give a softer darker light.  Most of the window in front of her will give stronger shadows and highlights.

Moving the model closer to the window will give a stronger harder light and moving away from the window will soften the light.

If the sun is shining through the window onto the model it will produce much harsher shadow and a harsher light, but if the light is early morning or late evening it can have quite a soft warming effect.

If the sun is high in the sky then the model can go quite close to the window without being in direct sunlight.  Placing net curtains over the window catches the light and diffuses it over a large area producing a lovely large, soft light.

If the room side of the model is too dark then use a reflector to bounce some of the window light back on to the model.

So with the size of the window, curtains, time of day, position of the model and position of the camera, there is a lot to practise and many different ways to achieve beautiful, soft lit portraits.

Wedding Gift Ideas for Brides and Grooms

If you are like most people you receive at least one wedding invitation each year, if not more. As a result you are constantly trying to think of creative wedding gifts that you can give the bride and groom. You don't want to give the same gift to every couple you know, unless it is money, and it is always nice to come up with a great gift that is creative and appreciated by the couple. If you have run out of your own ideas then the following suggestions just might help you. Keep in mind, however, that the majority of brides and grooms today are registered at several stores so you can see what they like and buy what they need. This is great if you want to buy casual dinnerware, china dinnerware, or Waterford crystals, but not so great if you want to pick out your own gift to give. Remember, however, that buying off someone's registry is a surefire way to give a gift they will love and doing something on your own could backfire. But, if you want to give it a shot these ideas are usually pretty popular.

Help with the Honeymoon

This gift idea is becoming more popular and couples can even sign up on a honeymoon website where people can give them a meal on their honeymoon, pay for a night's stay, pay for an outing, or even airline tickets. When you help with the honeymoon you know the couple will love it because it's their honeymoon and they will always remember you helped them have such a wonderful time!

Coffee Club

If the bride and groom are coffee lovers you might sign them up for a year's worth of coffee. That way every month they receive a new coffee in the mail. This is an excellent way to ensure the couple has a gift that keeps on giving each month for a year and a great way to expose the couple to coffee from all over the world.

Of course, if you know the couple very well then you should be able to come up with a creative gift that is not casual dinnerware but reflects the likes and dislikes of the couple. It may take some time and a lot of thought, but you can come up with a great idea!

Ideas For Wedding Invitation Kits

Calling all couples out there who wish to cut the cost of their wedding.

A big must for all couples is to have a realistic budget and stick with the budget plan. Easier said then done I hear you all say. Just think if you don't then costs could spiral out of control very quickly. Important thing to remember is your wedding is for one day whereas marriage is for life.

All couples who are planning a wedding will know that the cost of printed invitations can be over 1500 dollars. That is a large chunk of money out of your budget right away.

Why not purchase wedding invitation kits at a fraction of the cost of wedding stationery invites. Have a go at making your own invites with the kits. You will see how talented you really are.

A recent wedding invite we received from a cousin was made from one of the kits. The front page showed a photograph of the happy couple on a recent trip overseas with a beautiful back drop. On the reverse of the wedding invitation the couple had inserted the wedding invitation words. The invites not only looked professional but had an added sparkly personal touch from the couple.

Invitation kits come ready supplied with all the materials you require to make your invites. The only thing you need to buy is glue. An example of what is supplied if you have selected an ivory colored invite. You would receive envelopes, paper, card, buckle and ribbon directly to your house. Once you ready to make your invites. Glue the buckle and ribbon to the front of your card. Insert the wedding wording and you are ready to send.

Brides may select a heart shaped invite kit. You will receive a sash, ribbon, paper, card, and envelopes. Again once you are ready to begin. Glue the sash to the side of your invite. Secure with a ribbon around the sash. Insert your printed wedding words on the inside of the card. The invite is finished ready to send out to your guests.

Good Luck with your do it yourself wedding kit.

Become a Top Wedding Planner - 5 Tips For Selecting a Name For Your Wedding Planning Business

Your wedding planning business needs a name that projects a professional image and clearly communicates what you do. It is the first thing people see or hear when you market your services so choose carefully.

Here are 5 tips for selecting a business name:

Tip 1 - Select a name that is easy to say

The easier it is to say, the more likely it is that someone will remember it and spread your name by word-of-mouth.

Tip 2 - Select a name that is easy to spell

Use real words with common spellings so people can easily find you on the Internet. Some people make up words or spell their own name backwards and create a new word. It works for Oprah, whose company name is Harpo, but it may not work for you.

Tip 3 - Select a name that will appeal to your niche

You don't want to name your business "Budget Wedding Planning" if you intend to target the upscale bride and plan high-end weddings. Use a name that would attract your audience.

Tip 4 - Select a name that you will like for a long time

Stay away from a cute or trendy name, in a year or two people may not understand it. You want to project a professional image and be able to use your business name for a long period of time so stay away from trends and references to pop culture.

Tip 5 - Make sure it is available as a ".com" URL

You want to select a name that you can get as a ".com", for example "yourbusinessname.com." You don't want ".net", ".biz", or ".org", if you are in the United States because people just assume your web address is a ".com". You don't want them finding someone else when they are searching online for you. Also, don't put hyphens in your name to get a ".com" because people seldom remember to type them when they search online.

If the name you want is taken, add a word to the beginning or ending of the name. For example, if you want "wonderfulweddings.com" and it isn't available, you could try "perfectlywonderfulweddings.com."

And don't forget...

You must check with your local government offices to make sure the business name you want is available in your area. Also, check with the government trademark agency in your country to make sure you aren't selecting a name that infringes on any registered service or trademarks. You might want to trademark your business name so no one else can use it. Check trademark agencies for information or ask your attorney for assistance.

Peacock Theme Wedding - 10 Ideas to Decorate Your Venue and Have the Right Look

Many couples decide to give their wedding an original look that will make it one of a kind and memorable to all of their guests. An in their task to achieve this many couples decide to host a theme wedding.

While there are as many themes as couples getting hitch each year, one of the most popular themes nowadays is the peacock wedding theme.

The main colors for this theme are truly gorgeous and couples just adore celebrating and giving this theme their own signature. Blues and greens in different shades are usually combined with silver, white and gold.

But also the peacock theme can take a very different look with non traditional peacock colors. Just using the peacock design, more couples decide to use a different palette. Pinks, purples, lavenders, yellow and red are the most popular unconventional colors used for a peacock theme wedding.

And this theme adapts to almost any type of celebration, whether you want to have a vintage or modern look.

Wedding decorations, attire and favors are just some of the areas where you can make the theme come to life.

Here are 10 quick ideas on how to incorporate the theme to your wedding celebration.

1. Use peacock feathers to enhance a simple wedding invitation design. Tie them to the invitation with a silk ribbon or glue them at a corner for a creative look.

2. Wear a peacock inspired shoe. From the painted ones to those that include peacock feathers around your ankle or over the toe area, they are a great item to enhance your bridal look.

3. Have a peacock feather centerpiece. From the simple single long peacock feather in a vase to more elaborated arrangements combining feathers and flowers, you are sure to have a unique centerpiece with this item.

4. Carry a flower bouquet with some peacock feathers included.

5. change into a peacock inspired gown for your reception

6. Use a pair of decorative peacock birds as cake toppers

7. Carry a peacock feather fan instead of the traditional flower bouquet

8. Make a candle arrangement suitable for the theme by adding a peacock feather string at their base.

9. Have your groom wear a peacock feather as an original boutonniere.

10. If your peacock theme wedding happens around Christmas tis the season by creating an original arrangement placing the classic ball ornament in peacock like colors inside a tall glass vase.

Just with attention to detail you can create an spectacular look for your wedding day. Incorporate one or more of these ideas to have the wedding you always dreamt of.

How to Decorate Your Wedding Car

When it comes to decorating wedding cars there are two distinct ways to do it; dependent upon whether the car is carrying the bride to the ceremony, or whether it's the vehicle in which the happy couple are making their getaway from the reception! In the first instance the dressing is distinctly formal and in the second it should be as completely mischievous as possible!

The wedding car taking the bride to the church should be decorated according to the wishes of the bride and should reflect both her personality and the wedding theme. For some that will be a serious and sincere statement with elegant ribbons, for others not so formal and with an injection of humour. But, the overriding principle is that the bride should approve; after all it is her last journey as a single woman and she should arrive at the place of marriage in a non-agitated state.

However, unlike the rest of the wedding which is normally planned and executed with the consent of the bride and groom, dressing the 'getaway' car is a privilege reserved exclusively for friends and family, traditionally the best man. Done properly, the bride and groom will be the last to know what their honeymoon transport will look like and by then it will be too late to make alternative arrangements.

Designed to draw attention to the fact that the occupants of the vehicle are newlyweds, the wedding car is traditionally adorned by beer cans tied with string to the bumper, a large hand-painted 'just married' sign and the obligatory ribbons. But, these days' people tend to break with tradition to write their own unique messages and dress the car in 'alternative' ways.

Whatever message is scrawled on the car or the windows, the golden rule is don't obstruct the driver's view. After all, when the groom applies for future car insurance quotes, he doesn't want to have to declare that he lost his no claims bonus because he had an accident on his wedding day. Another good tip is to use liquid chalk to write such messages as that is easily cleaned, as opposed to emulsion paint which is guaranteed to make you incredibly unpopular with the owner of the vehicle.

Specialist companies also supply hearts and other shaped magnets that attach easily to the exterior of the car on which they will print the names of the bride and groom. These are also easily removed with a slight tug once the newlyweds decide it's time to 'undress' their wedding car.

Lastly, don't forget the aerial. It has to be turned into something humorous with the attachment of a suitable object, or even just a balloon. Use your imagination and remember that the purpose of dressing a newlywed's car is to draw attention to it.

A Guide To Making And Printing Transfers And Stickers Using Your Inkjet Or Laser Printer

Making stickers is a relatively easy and fun craft to get involved with. The types of projects vary widely so this article will cover the various types of sticker and transfer paper that you will need depending on what you wish to create.

Simple projects around the home might be to create bedroom door stickers or stickers for kitchen jars, pots and containers.

Simple sticker making projects around the home

For these projects you'll need a little imagination, your PC and some Matt or Glossy White Sticker Paper A4. Quality does vary so if you are going to be printing pictures or fine text onto your stickers, I'd recommend that you spend around 瞿1 per A4 sheet. Spending less may mean that your print clarity is not as clear as you would like.

Your sticker paper should have a bright white side to print onto with a dull paper backing which peels away to reveal the adhesive. Print your design onto the bright white side.

One recent sticker making project that I did was to create several strawberry jam stickers for some clear glass jars that I had. For this project I started at Google and clicked the images button at the top of the Google home page. From here I typed the word strawberry jam.

If you do the same now, you will see lots of pictures of jam as you would imagine. What I look for are the pictures or illustrations on white backgrounds. In many cases you will see ready made sticker pictures too with both image and text ready for you to save for your own project.

When you see an image that you like, right click and "save as" whatever you wish. Then open up your word processor and click the "insert" button usually found in the top menu bar and "insert picture". Then find and select the picture that you just saved.

At this point you can check the size of the image. It needs to be big enough for you to use. If it's small, do not attempt to drag it bigger as this will distort the picture. It is OK however to drag the image smaller to the exact size that you need for your sticker. If you are using Microsoft word just hover over the corner of the image, left click and drag the image to the size you wish to use.

Once you are happy with the size you may wish to customise the design with some text. Do this by going back to insert and hitting the "text box" option. This will allow for you to add some text and drag the text into the centre and below your image.

As I had 6 jars, I used the "copy and paste" function which allows you to quickly duplicate what you have created instead of going up to the insert picture several times. To use the copy and paste function, hover over your image and right click your mouse. Then click "copy". Then move to the open space next to your design, right click again and click "paste" you will see that you design drops into your document.

Once you have filled your A4 size page with your designs, you are ready to print out.

Ensure that your sticker paper has been inserted into your printer so that the print lands on the white face and print out.

With your filled sticker sheet now printed upon, simply cut your designs out of the sheet, peel away the paper backing and apply to your projects surface smoothing out any air pockets.

Specialist transparent sticker film - Clear adhesive film

If you need your stickers to have a clear background as well as being translucent you will need to use some clear adhesive film which is manufactured for both inkjet and laser printers. This material is a sheet of plastic with a plastic backing that peels away to reveal a clear sticky side which also dries clear. Again, good quality clear adhesive paper will retain excellent print clarity for both text and images.

Clear adhesive paper is sometimes used to make transfers for plastic models as a quick alternative to water slide papers as the process is as quick and simple as the regular sticker making projects as described earlier.

It can also be used to create a decorative effect on glasses. For example, if you wished to customise the glass water jugs for instance at the tables of a wedding. For these projects there is no need to "mirror image". Simply print, cut, peel and apply.

Creating your own stickers for plastic miniature models

With the creation of new waterslide papers, it is now possible to create your own transfers at a fraction of the cost of buying them ready made.

Waterslide papers are a clear coated film with a paper backing and come in clear and white for both inkjet and laser printers. The white versions of waterslide paper provide a white background and are used when applying pictures and designs to dark surfaces.

When using inkjet waterslide papers, clear acrylic spray is required to seal your print onto the film. Varnish is not required however when using the laser versions of the paper.

The paper is valuable so it's best to fill it with the images that you require before printing onto the shiny coated side of the paper. Again, Google images are a good place to start when looking for suitable transfers or sometimes the transfer shops themselves have good images that can be saved and used on your own models.

Once you have printed onto the decal paper (for inkjet printers), take your sheet and wait for 30 minutes before applying your first coat of clear varnish. This is to allow the printer ink to dry. Give the whole sheet several even sprays with the clear spray holding around 30cm away. Do this quickly three times, separated by ten minute intervals.

Now that your sheet is printed, sealed and completely dry, you are now able to cut each transfer out, close to the edges. Once cut the first decal can then be placed into a bowl of water for around 30 seconds. The backing paper will start to slide off the coated film. However, keep the backing paper on until the transfer is out of the water and near the surface which you aim to apply it to. Now, slide the backing off and the decal onto the surface. You will be able to move the transfer around but do this gently and the decal is in a fragile state at this stage. Once applied, feather away any remaining water from under the transfer and wait. The transfer will soon harden and look superb.

Laser printer sticker paper

Some recent papers available for laser printers include the clear adhesive film and also gold and silver sticker paper. These can be used to print black or colours text or images onto a gold or silver background, then cut, peel and apply. I have seen some interesting scrapbooking projects and wedding invites using gold adhesive paper for laser printers.

One Unusual Gift - Mini Stained Glass Window Light Display

Is it possible to give a handcrafted piece of useful art as a gift to a loved one or friend that they can use in their apartment or office? And for under $100.00? Yes, you can. And you will be remembered for it.

A mini stained glass window will not only be a beautiful welcome surprise for someone for whom it is hard to shop, but will remind them of your thoughtfulness for years to come.

What are Mini Stained Glass Windows?

These displays are miniature works of stained glass art are very affordable, and can really enhance or emphasis the look of a room for very little money. They fit well into any room or decor.

They not only have a small footprint, but they do not require the sun to show off their beauty. Being roughly 9" high and about 6" wide, they come with a stand and small electric candle socket. Handcrafted in real stained glass, using Tiffany's copperfoil method, each mini is a unique masterpiece. It will brighten an office or room that has small or no windows by supplying a back lit mini window.

Uses of Displays

These displays make wonderful house warming gifts for apartment dwellers, who cannot attach decorations to their walls and windows. They are great Christmas or birthday gifts for any home or office. They can be placed on shelves, tables, mantels, desks, credenzas, or wherever a person wants a piece of art. It can also be used as a night light.

These displays come in many varied designs and decorating styles. There are fishes for the outdoorsmen and women; there are birds, flowers, patriotic, pet designs, and religious themes and styles to fit any personality or interest.

It is a gift they will proudly display on an office credenza, home office desk or in the home bringing an eloquent of whimsical touch to their surroundings. It will be a conversation piese and serve as a reminder of your thoughtfulness, good taste and originality.

Of course, full size stained glass window panels also make great gifts. There are panels in many styles such as: landscape, Lodge, Tiffany, Americana, Contemporary, and Victorian styles. Some are exquisite works of art, and some are just just downright fun. They will fit into an eloquent home or a rustic summer cottage - fromal dining room to game room.

In addition, do not forget a gift for yourself. After all, you are worth it, too.

Tips and Ideas For Engagement Party Invitations

When a marriage proposal has been accepted, it is customary to arrange an engagement party. Family, close friends, neighbours and co-workers are invited to the event, which has been organized specifically to celebrate the happy couple.

There are a lot of details to be taken care of when planning an engagement party. Like with all festivities, you will have to compose a guest list, create a menu, order food and drinks, buy a new outfit, and much more. The list of tasks is long and can often be overwhelming. As a result, the engagement invitations are often kept until the last minute. Although this may not seem as such a big deal, it would be better to take care of the announcement earlier on in the party planning.

Engagement invitations are more important than most couples imagine

• They set the tone for the wedding - if you are thinking about a themed wedding you can already incorporate that theme into your party announcements. This will give your guests an inclination of what kind of wedding to expect.


• Through your invitations, you can tell your guests through if this is a traditional engagement party or one where they have to dress up according to a specific theme. For instance, they may need to buy a few accessories if you are hosting a Hollywood style get-together or a biker's bash.


• Engagement invitations with an RSVP need to be mailed as soon as possible so the guests can reply in time. Relatives and friends from out of town may have to request time off work and will probably have to make travel arrangements. If they get their invitations too late, they will have to pass on the party.


• If you do not receive your RSVPs back in time, you may have trouble ordering your food and drinks. Taking a wild guess about the amount of guests you expect can be catastrophic. Either you run out of refreshments because more people showed up than expected, or you have too many snacks and are wasting money you could be spending on your wedding.


• Customized engagement invitations have to be checked for printing errors before they go out. Late orders may not leave enough room to have the invites reprinted if spelling or grammar errors did occur.

Select your engagement party invitations carefully. Whether they are simple handmade cards, or luxurious letterpress notes, through your invitations you will establish the ambiance of the party. For that reason, try to find quality stationary with a unique design. The printer can always add a few extra details to personalize your invitations; he can also add a wedding date, online gift registry information, and any other wedding details that you already have decided on.

Always order a few extra invitations than the amount of people on your guest list just in case you forgot someone, or your parents want you to invite one of their close friends. Last minute invites can always be hand delivered, or sent by express mail. Add a note to explain the delay and everything will be fine. I guess I'll see you at the party then.

Wedding Invitations Etiquette & Wording

By nature of the event, wedding invitations should conform to certain formalities, no matter how informal the ceremony may be. Following the rules of etiquette can save many misunderstandings and hurt feelings later. In fact, by observing the rules and subtle nuances of what most people consider proper, you set the stage for strong and thoughtful relationships later.

Wedding Invitation Wording
Whether you are having a simple wedding in a backyard or an elaborate affair, the proper wording on your wedding invitation is critical in setting the stage for a well organized event. It is not only used to invite those special in your life, it is also used to inform. Whether it is a second marriage, formal or informal, or an adults only event, the wedding invitation makes that clear.

- In addressing envelopes, write out all names.
- Include reply cards with self stamped and preaddressed envelopes so that you can be certain to plan for the proper number of guests
- If it is an adults only event, only address to the adults of the household. It is improper to say "no children" or "adults only" in invitation wording
- One invitation per household unless adult children over 18 also reside at the same address.
- Spell out all words rather than use abbreviations, including Road, Street, and Avenue.
- For weddings held in an informal or not religious setting, use "request the pleasure of your company." For ceremonies held in a house of worship, use "requests the honour of your presence."
- When hosted by the Bride and groom, "Bride's name and groom's name request the honour of your presence."
- If the ceremony is hosted by the bride's family, her parents names should listed first then the names of the couple. The parent's of the groom should be listed after the groom's name such as: "groom's name, son of Mr. and Mrs." The reverse for weddings hosted by the groom's family.
- When hosted by the bride and groom and their parents, "Bride's name and Groom's name, together with their parents" or if the parents are divorced and remarried, "...together with their parents and their spouses"
- If the event is informal, be sure to state so. It is proper to state "informal attire" in wedding invitation wording in such cases.
- If you do not wish your guests to bring gifts, you may add "Your presence is the only gift we request."

Choosing the Right Invitation Style
The style of invitation should reflect the style of the event. Guest take cues from the style of the wedding invitation and try to dress appropriately for the event. The wedding invitation style or template is their guide to know what to expect. There are many on the market, from traditional and elegant to sleek and contemporary so the one you choose can not only demonstrate what to expect, it can also reflect the taste and style of the couple. A trend that is getting more popular each year is "diy" invitations which allows the creative side to come through.

Realize Your Dreams of Living Abroad - Things to Consider Before Moving to Baltic Countries

British expats who have long been working abroad usually end up living abroad upon retirement. Probably because they have been so used to living in other countries that they have adopted the other culture's way of life. If you are one of those British expats who are looking for places to settle in once you have reached your age of retirement then this article will be able to give you a few helpful ideas.

British expats need not look any further because the Baltic Countries also referred to as the Baltic States or Baltic Nations are great places for retirement. These are the Baltic territories that gained independence during the First World War from the Russian Empire: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Retiring to any of these three Baltic Countries after living abroad for a very long time can be viewed as the icing on the cake. The economies of these three countries have seen a huge rise since the 2000s and despite being hit by the financial crisis which affected most economies around the world from 2007 to 2010, their growth steadily increased over the last two years.

Travelling to Estonia and Latvia is easy for any British citizen as no visa is required. Working abroad can be quite a challenge so most expats look forward to retirement and what better way to enjoy retirement but in Estonia or the two other Baltic States. A permanent residency is awarded to those who have resided for at least 5 years.

When retreating to other countries to settle for retirement, there are a lot of factors to consider like medical healthcare facilities, living expenses, accommodation, and the security. Expats will never have to worry because there are comprehensive programs for retirees and other people who wish to seek permanent residency in any of the three Baltic Countries, like expatriate health insurance.

The cost of living in Latvia is not as expensive compared to other European countries so it is safe to say that this is the perfect destination for settling in, especially in one of the major cities like Riga.

It is also to be noted that there are little known crimes in any of these three Baltic Countries so residents and non-residents don't have to worry about their safety should they visit either of the three.

People might think that living abroad will just be too stressful but settling to any of the beautiful counties of the Baltic territories could turn out to be a perfect choice!

Peacock Theme Wedding - 10 Ideas to Decorate Your Venue and Have the Right Look

Many couples decide to give their wedding an original look that will make it one of a kind and memorable to all of their guests. An in their task to achieve this many couples decide to host a theme wedding.

While there are as many themes as couples getting hitch each year, one of the most popular themes nowadays is the peacock wedding theme.

The main colors for this theme are truly gorgeous and couples just adore celebrating and giving this theme their own signature. Blues and greens in different shades are usually combined with silver, white and gold.

But also the peacock theme can take a very different look with non traditional peacock colors. Just using the peacock design, more couples decide to use a different palette. Pinks, purples, lavenders, yellow and red are the most popular unconventional colors used for a peacock theme wedding.

And this theme adapts to almost any type of celebration, whether you want to have a vintage or modern look.

Wedding decorations, attire and favors are just some of the areas where you can make the theme come to life.

Here are 10 quick ideas on how to incorporate the theme to your wedding celebration.

1. Use peacock feathers to enhance a simple wedding invitation design. Tie them to the invitation with a silk ribbon or glue them at a corner for a creative look.

2. Wear a peacock inspired shoe. From the painted ones to those that include peacock feathers around your ankle or over the toe area, they are a great item to enhance your bridal look.

3. Have a peacock feather centerpiece. From the simple single long peacock feather in a vase to more elaborated arrangements combining feathers and flowers, you are sure to have a unique centerpiece with this item.

4. Carry a flower bouquet with some peacock feathers included.

5. change into a peacock inspired gown for your reception

6. Use a pair of decorative peacock birds as cake toppers

7. Carry a peacock feather fan instead of the traditional flower bouquet

8. Make a candle arrangement suitable for the theme by adding a peacock feather string at their base.

9. Have your groom wear a peacock feather as an original boutonniere.

10. If your peacock theme wedding happens around Christmas tis the season by creating an original arrangement placing the classic ball ornament in peacock like colors inside a tall glass vase.

Just with attention to detail you can create an spectacular look for your wedding day. Incorporate one or more of these ideas to have the wedding you always dreamt of.

Do Insurance Companies Cover Lap Band Surgery?

When you plan to have lap band surgery, one important factor you have to consider is how you are going to pay for the weight loss surgery. Insurance coverage for Lap Band surgery is normally granted or denied on an individual basis. For this reason, you have to be aware of your particular insurance provider's policies.

When reviewing your insurance policy, you should look at the area in your policy that states: "What Is Covered" or "Covered Expenses." These are the healthcare benefits that the insurance provider will cover. In this section, search for a statement that says the provider excludes coverage for "weight control, for the treatment of obesity, for the surgery for weight control, or for the complications of the surgery for weight control." Some providers will state they exclude all forms of weight loss surgery while others will state certain areas that they will provide coverage. For instance, they may state they will cover "when deemed medically necessary." The policy will likely state certain conditions that must be met. You need to find out about their exact conditions.

You should also check to see if you can get partial coverage. There may be a way to have some areas associated with the lap band process covered such as hospital fees.

The following is a list of insurance providers that either partially or completely cover Lap Band surgery:

Blue Cross (some states)
United Healthcare
Oxford Health Plan
Medicaid
American Family Insurance
Humana
First Health
One Health
Tufts Health Plan

One will require a Letter of Medical Necessity and a history of your weight loss attempts in order to be granted coverage for the surgery. The following information is usually included in the Letter of Medical Necessity:

A weight that should be 100 pounds or more above your ideal weight.
List of medical problems associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, etc.
Number of years that you have been overweight (at least five or more)
A detailed list of all your weight-loss attempts

Source: lapband.obeseinfo.com.

Most insurance companies will rely on the National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines to determine if a client should have weight loss surgery coverage. The NIH guidelines state that weight loss surgery may be an option for patients who "1) have failed with other weight loss treatments and 2) have a BMI of 40 or greater, or have a BMI of at least 35 and co-morbidities."

If your insurance plan has an exclusion listed for weight loss surgery, you may still be able to get approval. You will have to appeal the exclusion and get a letter from your physician stating that lap band surgery is the best method of treatment for your life-threatening condition. Such health conditions can include: diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. You may possibly get approval for weight loss surgery as a treatment for one of these health conditions.

Lap band surgery is an expensive weight loss procedure. If obesity is a serious health risk, it is important to check with your insurance provider to see if you are covered.

Wedding Insurance - Protect Your Day

The sanctity of marriage is very sacred. There are so many details to go over and so much that can go wrong. One thing that may help alleviate some of those worries is wedding insurance. Many people have invested time and money into this special day and there are no guarantees. Planning for something that may or may not happen can save the day and allow everyone to enjoy their time rather than worrying about potential problems.

A bride and a groom begin their lives together after this day and the worst way to start something is with a handful of problems. Protecting themselves with the appropriate coverage can give them both a peace of mind in case any unforeseen event arises. Not to worry, the parents of the bride and/or groom can also receive the appropriate wedding insurance. Both sets of parents wish nothing but the best for their children and their investment in this ceremony shows their deep concern for their children's contentment. Being covered in case an accident occurs will help them sleep better knowing they are covered properly.

The two types of coverage that are common for this type of ceremony are event cancellation/postponement coverage and liability coverage. The cancellation coverage will protect the financial investment of the ceremony if a circumstance arises where the ceremony cannot take place. Be sure to review your policy as there may be some exemptions to this.

The liability wedding insurance coverage will protect the responsible party from any financial liability that may arise from the ceremony. This type of coverage is required by many venues and the premium for this will vary depending on among other things the location.

The earlier that coverage is purchased the better it will work as the cancellation coverage should protect the ceremony from the beginning planning period up until the nuptials are finalised. Some situations that may cause a postponement are severe weather, traffic accidents, sickness, or death. Financially it can hurt the ceremony if caterer does not show up, the photographer does not show up or loses the photographs, damage to any rental property for the ceremony, and there are many more things which will be dependent on your wedding insurance provider.

Maybe the most important coverage is the liability coverage. There are many reasons for needing this coverage including:

Your venue may require it

You wish to have coverage for any bodily harm or death

You wish to have coverage for any property damage accrued

You wish to be covered for any alcohol related accidents

Worried about any of these things? Have questions that you do not have answers to? Look into it and see if your provider offers the coverage you need. If they do not offer the coverage you can shop around and find the policy that is right for you and your family. As you can see there is protection out there for your special day and it is called wedding insurance. Many people are unaware of this but for those in the know it could change their entire lives forever.

Cheap Wedding Invitations

Every couple has different priorities when it comes to budgeting for their wedding. For some, the dress is a necessary splurge while others focus their money into creating a memorable dining and entertainment experience.

Most wedding budgets allow for anywhere between 2-5% expenditure on invitations and other printed material such as thank you cards, place/seating cards, and programs.

Discount wedding invitations are available direct from the manufacturer through the internet at 25% to 50% off the regular retail price. You can even preview your invitation with your own wording shown in the exact lettering style and ink color of your choice. You can keep the costs low by opting for standard ink colors and using thermography instead of engraving.

Cheap wedding invitations are available to smart shoppers who understand the massive competition among printers and invitation specialists and their desire to secure your business. A couple can receive 50 or more free wedding invitations regardless of whether the order is small or large. Quality is not sacrificed for price with a selection of styles and wording available by well known makers of wedding invitations.

Another way to stay within your budget is free printable wedding invitations. Downloadable templates in Microsoft Word contain sample wording and are already formatted. All you need to do is insert your details and print. Various wedding fonts are also available for download and you can even print in silver or gold with the right RGB (red/green/blue) combination.

Special promotions for free wedding invitations are available through a variety of specialty shops supplying tuxedos, floral and decoration, and even jewelers. Don't forget to book your honeymoon early because some resorts offer free wedding invitations as part of their package. Although your tuxedo rental or wedding related purchase is specific and the card choices might be limited in style and quantity, the cards are from respected and quality wedding invitation makers.

If your main source of communication with family and friends is through email, consider Cybercard sites and resources offering a selection of free wedding invitations. It's not elegant, but it's free and convenient and the ultimate in cheap wedding invitations.

Irish Wedding Favors

Irish wedding favors are wedding favors which reflect the spirit of Irish humor, friendship, love and luck. It is traditional at Irish weddings to give the guests a handkerchief made of Irish linen or lace and an Irish couple usually gives a small piece of the wedding cake in decorated boxes that are marked with the names of the couple and the date of their wedding.

Irish tea makes the best wedding favor for an afternoon wedding and it can also be accompanied by biscuits or tea rings. Iced sugar cookies or foil-wrapped chocolates are some of the other edible treats in an Irish wedding favor. The foil-wrapped chocolates are available in the shape of shamrocks, celtic crosses or claddaghs. Claddagh is a classic symbol of love, loyalty and friendship. It depicts two hands holding a heart with a crown on top. Many of the Irish wedding favors such as picture frames, plaques, candle holders and cups use this symbol to show friendship and love. Shamrock is also an important Irish symbol often used to represent the Holy Trinity. Since the three-leaf shamrock is considered sacred, shamrock favors such as charms, pins, a shamrock corsage or wreath?crown and a small potted plant are widely used as Irish wedding favors.

Almost all of the Irish wedding favors contain the color green which is considered as the symbol of Irish pride and solidarity. Hence, green color is used as the primary color in most of the Irish wedding favors. Traditional Irish blessing can also be given as wedding favors for the wedding guests. Small cards with a blessing printed in calligraphy with a pressed or artificial shamrock is widely used as Irish wedding favors.

Irish wedding favors usually give long lasting memories for the wedding guests of the wedding day depicting their love and loyalty of their friendship. Irish wedding rings such as spirals, triskeles and shield knots are some of the popular favors for the weddings that have an Irish theme. These Irish rings can be presented in personalized boxes. Irish designs are usually printed on these boxes.

Choosing the Best Bakery Displays to Show Off Your Cakes and Complimentary Products

When it comes to bakeries, there is no more effective way of attracting customers than by presenting them with an eye-catching and mouth-watering display of cakes.

Choosing shop displays for such a business may not seem like a difficult task, but there are a number of things that you should consider before you decide which shop fittings you would like to use. And getting the right displays will ensure you maximise your sales potential.

As with any shop display, it is vital that you order items that fit into the space you have available and do not get in the way of customers.

It is always worth taking the time to measure your store properly before placing any orders for display cabinets or shelving and you should also think about which solutions will best fit in with your decor.

Of course, when it comes to display stands for a bakery, you may find that there are a few more things to think about than with other retailers.

Firstly, you need to ensure that any shelving units or cabinets you choose are hygienic and suitable for the storage and display of food products.

You may find that hygienic wire shelving is ideal as you can place trays of different baked goods on it, keeping everything separate and making cleaning a much easier job.

If you use trays in conjunction with shelving, it will mean you can rearrange your display quickly, while allowing you to fill up empty space with freshly-baked goods.

In addition, if you opt for shelving without a back, you will find it easy to reach any cakes or biscuits displayed there, allowing you to provide a fast and efficient service to your customers.

This could be particularly beneficial for a window display, where you need to make sure that your most appealing products are on show to those passing by in the street and also easily accessible by staff.

Setting up your shelving at around eye-level is also a good tip as it means people are more likely to notice your delicious cakes in the window as they walk past. But as your audience may range from children to adults, you need to consider what products to place at which height.

But tempting customers doesn't stop once you've got them through the door. When they are in your bakery, you may be able to convince them to make one or two impulse purchases by making the most of your display stands.

Clear counters showing off cakes and other treats are a good idea as customers waiting will be able to see what else you offer - and it provides you with the opportunity to display all of your stock.

By keeping all of your baked goods covered, you will also be running a hygienic bakery and only allowing staff to handle the products means you are less likely to have damaged items you cannot sell at the end of the day.

Don't forget to make use of the space behind the counter too. For example, if you also sell fresh bread, position a rack of loaves somewhere that your customers will be able to see it - this might just jog their memory and save them a trip to the supermarket later!

Although you may want to keep your countertop clear, you should not discount using well-positioned cake stands to enhance your display.

One or two of these - potentially alongside covered boards or platters - will allow you to single out particular products.

Maybe you run special offers on certain cakes each day and want to promote these - or it could be that you want to show off your best-selling creations in a prominent position. Either way, you are sure to find that cake stands are ideal.

You can even make use of them as a point of sale display to try and tempt shoppers one last time as they reach the till.

Alternatively, you may want to keep storage jars filled with biscuits in this position - the perfect little indulgence for customers to take away.

And if you offer other items alongside your baked goods - such as hot drinks - you could make use of acrylic or Perspex storage boxes for packets of sugar, small milk cartons or stirrers. In addition, make the most of lunch time trade with Hot food merchandisers for pies and sausage roles, and chilled displays for cold items such as drinks and pre-packed sandwiches.

The choice really is up to you and with such a wide variety of display solutions available for bakeries, you should be able to tailor your store to meet all your needs and present your goods in an enticing way to customers both in your shop and those walking down the street.

By investing in some attractive cake stands or a new window display, you should be able to boost sales by encouraging more shoppers to venture into your store.

The Benefits Of An Engagement And Wedding Ring Set

When a couple gets engaged, the man offers the woman an engagement ring as an expression of his love and commitment. The engagement ring becomes a symbol for all to see that the woman is in a loyal relationship. Sometimes the man will surprise the woman with the engagement ring when he proposes. Other times the man and woman will go as a couple to pick out the engagement ring. Next the wedding ring is added to the engagement ring on the wedding day. Since most people end up shopping for an engagement and wedding ring set after they get married, it is important to know how to correctly match them.

In matching the engagement and wedding ring set it is necessary to use the same precious metals. For example, you would not want one ring to be gold and the other silver because they would look really odd together. Another thing is that the gemstones on both rings need to be the same. Some people want to have diamonds on the engagement ring and then add their birthstone to the wedding ring. Unfortunately, when placed together the engagement and wedding ring set ends up looking tacky this way. So, only choose one gemstone for both rings.

The safest way to make sure that the engagement and wedding ring set looks nice together is to pick them out at the same time or purchase them as a set. Even if the man is looking for the ring on his own, he will want to have an idea of how the rings will look together on the finger of his future wife. Make sure that the engagement and wedding ring set does not end up appearing too bulky. When this is the case it ends up looking like the woman is wearing rings of someone else. A good reason to buy the two rings as a set is because it means there is less chance of the two rings looking odd together.

Engagement And Wedding Ring Set At A Good Price

Picking out an engagement and wedding ring set is a huge decision. Often these sets go for an exorbitant amount of money. So it is necessary to give yourself enough time to search around for the best ring at an affordable price. If you hope to find an engagement and wedding ring set at a good price right away, you will find yourself getting very frustrated. So go into the search with the understanding that it will take time and great deliberation. Sometimes you will find a gorgeous set at a very high price. By looking further it is possible to find something similar that you can afford.

Whenever you purchase the engagement and wedding ring set, make certain that you get a certificate of authenticity with the price written on it. You may even want a warranty or insurance on the set in case some of the stones go missing.

Indian Wedding Cards - Symbol Of Custom And Tradition

Indian weddings are full of grandiose and flamboyance. It has lot of splendor and bright colours. These radiant colours are supposed to bring lot of good luck and love to the newly married couple. Every Indian wedding begins with Indian cards. The couple or the family of the couple decides on the cards and the task is not all that easy. There is a variety to choose from when it comes to Indian cards.

Depending on your budget and tastes, you may want to go in for either simple cards or articulate cards with pictures of gods and this is supposed to be good and holy. Lord Ganesha is the god who is worshiped before worshiping any other God and this photo appears in many of the Indian cards. The first page describes the date of marriage and other details of the venue. By just going through an Indian wedding card, you will be able to judge the opulence and grandeur of the wedding. These are also made highly decorative with gold prints and rhinestones. At some of the grand weddings, along with the card, the couple's family also makes sure they distribute gifts to the invitee.

Dealers of Indian cards tap customers who are simple and also the ones who are sophisticated and want to have elegant and exclusive Indian cards. They accordingly either increase or decrease the price range. There are cards in India that range from ten rupees to hundred rupees. Depending on the quality of the card and printed material, there are price variations.

The feel and overall look along with the design are custom-made depending on the religion of the couple. Indian cards are also categorized into North Indian Wedding Cards and South Indian Wedding cards.

When it comes to shopping for Indian cards, there is definitely a wider choice. There are specific shops and wedding card designers specifically catering to these. You may also want to check out for online dealers if you want to research further. However, it is advised that you physically have a look at the design, pattern and quality of paper before giving your final word for printing.

It also needs to be mentioned here that an Indian wedding is different from that of an American wedding. Thus, the cards also come in varied designs and patterns. There are Indian wedding cards specifying the entire wedding program and the functions along with the timings of these functions.

Make Your Wedding Invitations - What Goes On the Wedding Response Cards?

If you are in the process of planning a wedding, you know how important the invitations are. You have some of the guidelines to follow but not sure about the wedding response cards wording.

Here are 5 guidelines that might help you

1. Your response cards should have a date that they need to be returned by. You can write this date out or you can simply put it on numerically. If it is a very formal wedding it should be written out.


2. You should have a line that a name can be written on. Again if it is a formal wedding it normally has an M just before the line. This is form Mr. or Mrs. etc. Below this will be a line that will have number of guests written next to it.


3. The response card is also the place to offer food choices. If you are having a sit down menu you may offer 2 or 3 choices. You would write the choices with a line before them to allow your guests to write the number of each entree.


4. The address that the wedding response cards are to be mailed to should be the bride's family. If the groom's family is hosting the wedding this could change. If the bride and groom are hosting the wedding and live together it is customary to have just the bride's name on the return address.


5. You do need to put a stamp on the wedding response cards envelopes. It is part of your responsibility to pay for the postage for these. You may however consider a postcard to mail back. These are less expensive and postage is less. Putting the postcard rate stamp on is also part of your expense.

You may choose different wording for the response card. Here are 5 samples that can be used.

1. Kindly respond by ____(date) / M______________ / ___ persons will attend.


2. The favor of a reply is requested on or before / ___________(date) / Name ________ / ___ number of guests.


3. Name ______________________ / __ accepts ___ regrets / please indicate number of each / ___ Prime Rib _____ Chicken Keiv ____ Vegetarian


4. M______________________ / ___ will attend ____ will not attend / number of persons _____


5. We look forward to celebrating with you / please reply by (date) / name ___________ / number of guests ___

I hope this gives you some guidelines to follow for your wedding response cards. You may want to read more on the proper wedding invitation etiquette if you are wanting to make your wedding invitations. You invitations will be your guests first impression of your wedding. Make sure you put forth a good first impression.

About Indian Wedding Cards and Their Relevance in Indian Marriages

Weddings form an essential aspect of life. They are occasions to be celebrated with fun and zeal. Guests form a major part of the marriages. In India, guests are considered next to the Almighty. So they are invited through special wedding cards to give them honor and respect.

Wedding cards serve a dual purpose. Apart from invitation they also remind the guests about the marriage on time. So the cards are designed carefully with detailed account of every event before, during and after marriage. The selection of the cards is based on one's traditions, customs, taste and desire.

Mostly the traditional cards are preferred even nowadays. Such cards have a picture of betel leaf on the cover with the picture of Lord Ganesh on it. Some have depictions of a baraat and palki in the middle of the card and the picture of Lord Ganesha printed on top. A wide range of color schemes is used in the cards like yellow, saffron, golden, orange, red and green.

The cards that are contemporary use silver, grey, blue and pink colors in the backdrop. The cards that are customized have the pictures of groom and the bride printed on the card. The religious marriage symbols that are made use of on the cards are that of Lord Ganesha, swastika, kalash or the betel leaves.

The cards have separate leaflets attached to them for details of the events of the wedding. The card opens with two lines of a Sanakrit recitation or better known as mantra. It is followed by the names of the parents of both sides. Then follow the names of the bride and the groom with the names of their grandparents below them. At the end on the right hand side corner are mentioned the words "With Best Wishes and Compliments" followed by names of the nearest relatives.

Towards the left side are mentioned the venue and timings of the marriage functions. At times the description of the route to the venue is provided for the convenience of the guests.

How Do You Choose Your Wedding Invitation?

Compared to the price of wedding photos and gown, the cost for wedding invitation is a lot lower and some couples may overlook the production of it due to this reason. In fact, wedding invitation should be as important as your photos and gown. You cannot invite your guests to your wedding without a wedding invitation. How to choose the wedding invitation should be one of the essential issues a couple should take care of.

You need to choose a vendor before you really choose the wedding item. It is also true when you choose your invitation. You should firstly choose the wedding invitation provider. Reputation is always the most important point to consider. An irresponsible company will just ruin your wedding.

Besides, you should also observe if the company delivers products with good quality. You would like your wedding to be perfect and the wedding invitation should also be perfect. You should never choose a wedding card vendor which delivers cards with bad quality.

After you have decided which company you choose, you can start to think of the style you like. You may want the wedding invitation to match your wedding theme. In this case you can discuss with the designer what your wedding theme is so that they can make the design to match your theme.

Using your photos as the invitation becomes more and more popular these days. If you are planning to put your photos into the wedding invitation, you should always ask if the resolution of the photo you choose is high enough for printing. A photo with low resolution will just make the wedding invitation a mess.

Although the style of the invitation is very important, you should not miss the point that you have to put the details of your wedding into it. You need to put the address of the venue and date of your wedding. You may also need to include a small map into the wedding invitation so that your guests can find their way to the venue.

As a result you need to make sure that you will have enough space to incorporate all the information you need to put onto the wedding invitation. If it is not enough for a piece of card, you may need to make a few cards. For example, the details of your wedding are on one card and the map is on a separated card. If this is your choice, you may need to make a folder of some kind so that you can put all the cards, such as the main invitation, RSVP and map into it.

Furthermore, you should order your wedding card as soon as possible. Even the best company may make mistakes. If you do not order your invitation early, you will not have enough time to do it again if there is any mistake. It will only be a pity if you cannot have your perfect wedding cards just because you do not have enough time.

With all these in mind, you should be able to choose your dream wedding card.

The Significance of Indian Wedding Cards

A wedding is a special event in the life of every individual. Weddings are believed to be made in heaven and celebrated on Earth, the would-be bride, the bridegroom and their families take every possible measure to make the event as joyous as possible.

The celebration begins with the printing of the wedding cards. Since it is the first time that the name of the bride and the bridegroom will appear together on it, it is revered. To make it unique and special the best and the most elegant cards are selected. Generally, Indian wedding cards have shloka's or mantras written on the card to invoke the Gods. Some also have a picture of Lord Ganesha engraved on the wedding card. Wedding Invitations are the first glimpse your guests will get of your wedding. They are the perfect opportunity to set the style and tone for your big event.

Wedding cards give your guest all the info that they would need about your wedding schedule. Some get to know about your wedding only after receiving the card. For some they serve as reminders. So, wedding cards have quite an important role to play during the wedding preparations.

The simple as well as the articulate one's have the Gods adorning the front page. The following pages contain the details of the venue and the marriage date.

A high quality-wedding card replete with gold, silver prints and gemstones indicates an ostentatious wedding. Gifts are usually given to the invitees along with the invitation cards. The cost of cards depends on the type and quality of paper and printed material used. Like in olden days, today cards are also made from transparent stiff cloth.

There are many online stores, which deal exclusively in Indian Wedding Cards and matching accessories. They have great looking cards to offer that to at a very reasonable price. World is becoming a smaller place to live in, manufacturers have made it possible to accept orders from any place in the world and get it delivered at your doorstep. All you have to do is pick a card of your choice and place an order online through the manufacturer's website and they will take care of the rest. Designer Wedding Cards of various religion or community like Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, etc. can now be made accessible to people in any corner of the world.

Indian wedding cards are available online in an array of designs to suit every pocket. These Invitations are crafted by Specialized Designers who have a sense of ongoing trends & style with an ultimate goal of creating a unique yet classy product. The interesting part is that while designing these Invitations, they keep in mind the network of customers they have, which are not just from India but those Indians living in UK, USA and other countries too. The artistic work done on the cards are a big hit among the populace. Many feel surprised to see the touch of Indian culture on the cards even when miles away from India. As a matter of fact, even non-Indian from other countries have started using Indian Wedding Invitations for their wedding due to its elegance.

Before you decide on the card of your choice do some prior planning. Decide on the theme and the quotes or wording you would like your card to have.

Glamorous Indian weddings have given rise to an industry that strives to make wedding an extravagant affair. Indian wedding cards not just attract Indians but people from other nationals too.

Sophisticated Bridal Shower Invitations

For a woman, her wedding is one of the most important and special occasions of her life. There are many types of merriment leading up to a wedding, but this event brings the focus directly on to the bride. It is an event that gives her a final opportunity to spend some quality time with her closest friends and family as a single lady. For nearly all brides, a graceful and sophisticated pre wedding shower for the bride is the best way for her to enjoy a peaceful day before the upcoming wedding. Go ahead and make some sophisticated bridal shower invitations as well and we are half-way there.

Get the Theme Right

The theme is very important for such an event, as the theme will decide everything else about the bridal shower. So if you are planning on having a sophisticated event you will have to make sure to make some sophisticated invitations as well, to go with the theme.

The most common and classic type of such an event would be the elegant bridal shower which is sophisticated, classy and graceful. The decorations are stylish, the menu is full of established and generous treats, and the location is classy but comfortable.

No matter what theme you choose for your elegant celebration, the most important fact is to uphold a formal atmosphere. Make it an all adult party and keep the decorations refined and rather gentle. Model your sophisticated bridal shower invitations to follow this and all will be perfect.

Location and Decorations

Now it does not matter if you send out sophisticated bridal shower invitations if you don't have a sophisticated location to invite them to. Just about any location can be perfect for a sophisticated bridal shower. Conventionally, this event is held in the hostess' home, but it can take place in any number of locations. A glamorous restaurant can give you the perfect setting, especially if it offers a private party room, dedicated wait staff and a traditional menu. A chic bar is an equally perfect location. The bride's likes should be respected when choosing the location. If she likes intimate meetings with just a few close friends, the setting should be comfortable and organized. If the bride is a social butterfly who loves the spotlight, consider renting a section of her preferred restaurant or other sophisticated location where she can invite a larger group of friends and family. So make sure to finalize this before sending your sophisticated bridal shower invitations.

A Wedding can be an enjoyable, as well a stressful time for any bride. A Bridal Shower is one time where she can take her time and relax with her friends. Keep this in mind before getting your sophisticated invitations ready and make sure to act upon it so that the bride can take a breather during stressful time period.

10 Tips for Hiring Children Entertainers

1. The single most important tip we can offer is to check that the entertainer is CRB checked, and that they can prove that it's up to date. Although a CRB check is not currently a compulsory requirement for any self-employed entertainer, most local authorities and schools now insist that all entertainers they hire must supply the relevant documentation beforehand.

2. Do they have public liability insurance? Accidents can happen at anytime, and a room full of excited children bouncing around can be one of the biggest accidents waiting to happen. Regardless of whether you are holding a party in a hall, outdoors or in your home, you should check if the children entertainer holds public liability insurance.

3. Check if the entertainer is a member of any magic societies or Equity. (Equity is the Union of Performers and Artists) Being a member of a society does not mean that you are guaranteed a high quality performance, but it may prove their dedication to their job, and it means you can book the entertainer with peace of mind.

4. What games do you play? All children want to be involved as much as possible with the entertainment, check if the games played require children to remain out for a long time, you want to avoid bored or upset children stood watching whilst others still compete.

5. How varied is the entertainment? If you're planning on booking someone who is predominantly a magician, then a full hour's performance is quite hard to keep a small child's attention. However, if the entertainer breaks it up with use of balloon modelling, some party music or some puppets then even a two-hour show will fly by for the kids.

6. Speak to the entertainer, don't just rely on emails. If you speak to them first, you'll be able to judge their communication skills and they should install confidence in you that their performance will be great.
If the entertainer sounds hesitant on the phone, imagine what they'll be like in front of a room of children.

7. Find out if they have a website. If they do, then you should find plenty of photos online, hopefully with the children entertainer looking well presented and fun, and even some actual photos from some other kids parties they have performed at.

8. How much do they cost? Don't focus on price too much, you get what you pay for in this world, and a saving of a few quid may end up to be the worst decision you make. Professional children entertainers have costs to pay, insurance and high quality equipment doesn't come cheap, so shop around and get a good idea of what people are charging.

9. Ask for recommendations. A professional children entertainer will have acquired a thank you letter or two if they have been working for a while, testimonials can say an awful lot about the quality of performance.

10. Pay a deposit and ask for a booking confirmation, always check with the children entertainers what would happen if they are taken ill. Maybe they have a few friends in the industry who could stand in for them at short notice.

Baby Shower Invitation Wording Verses

First do you know what needs to be included on a baby shower invitation? Of course you know the basics who, what, when, where, why. But more than that needs to be included. Here are the ten essentials that should appear on your invitation:

1. A short introductory verse or poem

2. The invitation

3. The mother to be's name or couple's names and baby's name and gender, with mother's permission

4. Date

5. Time

6. Location and address

7. Name and phone # for R.S.V.P.

8. List baby registry the mother is listed with

9. Include any instructions for activity that will take place

10. Gift instructions (e.g. no baby furniture needed)

Karen and Tim's

baby is on the way

let's help them prepare

for the special day!

you are invited

to a baby shower

date

time

location

R.S.V.P. to Carol Higgins

phone #

by: date

Karen is registered at Kids R' Us

If there is a theme for the baby's room carry it through in your invitations. Winnie the Pooh, Cars, Princess, whatever the parents have chosen, you should plan the shower around that theme including the invitations.

You may want to make the invitations yourself. It is easy, there are free templates available on line that you can use and also free clip art. Just add a verse and the shower details. These unique cheap shower invitations will truly be one of a kind. The soon to be mama and all of your guests will be thrilled.

I know a woman who got a copy of her sister's ultrasound picture and used that as design, then added her own baby shower invitation wording verses.

When my niece found out that she was having twins, her friend created this wording for the shower invitations:

Babies need lots of things

they really do

and will need even more

when there are two

Kelly and Jack

are expecting twin boy

you are invited to a

baby shower

date, time

place

address

R.S.V.P. Susan

at: phone number

If the new baby has siblings awaiting his or her arrival, it is probable that the parents won't need a crib and other nursery furniture and you may want to mention that in the invitation. It would be a nice idea to mention the other kids on the invitation:

Sara and David

Mike, Katie and Billy

are ready to welcome

a new baby to the family

you are invited

to a baby shower

time and date

place

address

hosted by: Joy and Lily

RSVP: to Joy

at: phone number

or Lily at: phone number

When you do baby shower invitations, you can accommodate all kinds of new baby situations: multiple births, adopted children and overseas adoptions. You can write wording to suit all of these and any theme that you can dream up. If possible find out how the soon to be parents are decorating the nursery and base your shower theme on the room. This will help insure that all the "little extras" will fit the baby's room.

If the new parents don't have a them then choose an invitation design that suits the personalities of the couple. Have fun creating the invitation design and wording.

Here are a couple of cute sayings for use on baby shower invitations:

Heard the forecast?

A new baby is predicted.

But first there will be a shower

You and your co-hosts should put your heads together and enjoy the process of creating a delightful baby shower invitation wording verses.

Find here great free party invitation templates:

http://www.4n-invite.com
and wedding invitation templates : http://www.2n-invite.com

Australia, The Wedding Project: Getting Married In Australia As An Overseas Visitor

Australia as both a holiday destination and as a place for overseas students to study is increasingly popular. The richness of diversity in Australia's culture adds to the fascination Australia holds as a tourist destination - and not only that.

Australia is frequently chosen as the country of choice for marriages, even for people who don't live in Australia.

The Legal Stuff: is it legal to marry in Australia as a non-Australian citizen?

The Marriage Act 1961 and the Marriage Regulations 1963 make it clear that non-Australian citizens can be married in Australia. Residence is not a factor for marriages in Australia.

Marriage Celebrants will require the same documentation for non-residents of Australia as for residents, and the Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) includes the question "If party born outside Australia, total period of residence in Australia".

Will my marriage in Australia be recognised in my own country?

Marriages solemnised in Australia are legally recognised internationally. If you have any doubts about a marriage performed in Australia being legally recognised in your country, you should contact your Embassy beforehand. A full list of foreign embassies in Australia can found on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.*

Will my Marriage Celebrant lodge the marriage certificate with my country?

The Marriage Celebrant lodges all required documentation with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the State (in Australia) where the marriage was performed. The paperwork may take 1-2 weeks to be processed; however, in cases where the paperwork is urgently required by the married couple (for instance, if the couple is leaving the country soon after the ceremony), they can apply in person at the Registry for the documentation.

The couple must obtain a Registry-issued standard marriage certificate. This will be certified, and it must also be stamped either with an Apostille or Authentication Stamp as required. (Apostille and Authentication stamping is performed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - you can go in person or send your document by mail.)

Your Marriage Celebrant can handle all of this on the couple's behalf if they wish. It is then up to the newly married couple to provide the certified and stamped Registry-issued standard marriage certificate to the appropriate government department of their country.

If the marriage doesn't last, can it be considered void?

A legally solemnised marriage in Australia is not void in another country (unless the government of that country does not recognise Australian marriages). It should not be assumed that a marriage performed outside one's own country is invalid. The couple would need to ascertain that with their own government or check with their lawyer.

The marriage should be considered as valid as if it had been conducted in the bride's and groom's own country.

Can a religious ceremony be conducted later on in my own country?

There is nothing to prevent a religious ceremony from being conducted in the bride's and groom's own country if they wish, and if the legislation in their own country permits it. In many such instances, the religious ceremony has no legal nature - and performs a purely ceremonial and religious rather than legal function.

Do we need to have a blood test?

The only requirement for a marriageable person to be married in Australia is that the couple lodge the Notice of Intended marriage a month and a day before the ceremony. Neither the bride nor the groom need to have blood tests done.

The Marriage Celebrant has the obligation to meet with the couple and to make the couple aware of relationship education (as well as issue the bride and groom with the document "Happily Ever... Before and After" (Form 14A).

But that's it. The couple can communicate with the Celebrant by email, or phone, or fax, right up until the day of the ceremony - as long as the NOIM is submitted in time. If the couple can't sign it in time with the Marriage Celebrant witnessing it, there are other officials overseas who can witness it, and the witnessed document can be mailed to the Marriage Celebrant in time for the lodgement. With the wonders of international communication today, nothing is impossible.

How to Chose Your Wedding Meal

If you haven't yet decided on your wedding menu it may be an idea to keep it simple and concentrate on the ingredients. We've just come back from a week in France and only had one bad meal. Ironically it was the first night in the English pub. The food was bland, uninteresting, poorly presented and simply not worth going back. Even the chips (which we are supposed to be good at) were lukewarm. The pub atmosphere was great but let down hugely by the quality of the food. It was packed that night but there wasn't a Frenchman in sight!

From then on things got better.

We had a huge variety of meals throughout the week from a steaming tartiflette (potatoes, bacon, onions, cream and reblochon cheese baked in the oven) to a simple salad. Every single meal without exception was delicious. The salads were basic but the dressing was to die for, the pasta was tasty with freshly grated parmesan and the chicken just melted in your mouth (not quite the same as the insipid offerings we get over here). We had a particularly great last day, sat outside in the spring sunshine, we pushed the boat out and opted for dessert when there really wasn't any room. Here the French come into their own. A chocolate souffle with ice-cream was simply the most delicious thing I have ever tasted and the lemon meringue pie bore no resemblance in taste to its English cousins.

It's not just the meals that were in a league of their own but the shops. Every village has its own boulangerie bursting with a hundred different varieties of breads, croissants, pain au chocolat and pastries. Why would you ever make a dessert with the quality on offer? The boucheries with joints of dried ham hanging in every window and the shop owners delighted to carve you a slice before you buy. The fromageries that don't conform to our ridiculous health and safety systems over here and have the cheeses on display at room temperature rather than tastelessly cling wrapped at 4 degrees totally killing all the flavour. Next to every cheese there is a little pot with offerings that you can taste before you buy. If you want the perfect picnic don't go further than the high street. Delicious bread, slices of prosciutto, cheese and pate make the perfect lunch.

What does this have to do with weddings I hear you ask? Well its simple. Get the best ingredients, cook them simply and present them beautifully. Use the seasons to choose your meal so that the produce is at its most perfect. Obviously the occasion and atmosphere make any meal and it's not just what you eat. Fresh fish and chips in a newspaper are hard to beat when starving and walking along the seafront and this is the feeling you are trying to replicate when choosing your wedding meal. A salad can be fantastic as long as all the ingredients are at their best. Some locally smoked salmon or thinly sliced smoked duck breast are fantastic or buffalo mozzarella with some freshly grown cherry tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and fresh basil leaves takes some beating especially if you add some freshly baked bread. If you don't fancy a starter just serve bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar alongside some juicy marinated olives and dishes of hummus. If that not enough add trays of thinly sliced salami and prosciutto or pots of rich country pate for guests to nibble on before their main course. If you are having a June wedding why not have spring lamb with jersey royals and fresh asparagus and broad beans. Just get the best cut possible and it will melt in your mouth. If you are getting married in the winter its a whole different ball game.

A wedding breakfast doesn't have to be soup, chicken and profiteroles (if it does it needs to be the best they can possibly be). If you are having a winter wedding why not have pots of beef bourgignonne with buttery mash and roasted winter vegetables. They can be put on each table and everyone helps themselves. Equally if steak and chips is your favourite, have it for your wedding.

Everyone's tastes are different and if you eat at Michelen star restaurants you may want something a bit fancier. However if that's the case it may be worth finding your perfect restaurant and taking it over for the day, have a small wedding of say twenty of your closest family and friends and dine in style. Use local produce. Here in the Lakes we have the most amazing suppliers and farm shops. The Cumberland sausage is amazing, Cartmel has its own smoke house (as well as sticky toffee pudding) and can produce the best smoked salmon ever, certainly giving those French a run for their money.

If you aren't going for a sit down meal then a buffet gives you unlimited options. Seafood looks and tastes amazing and if the budget allows you can feast on fresh lobster, crab, king prawns and mussels. You can add curries, joints of meat, casseroles, stir fries to your heart's content. Salads give a buffet table colour and texture but don't go for the British version with grated carrots, hard boiled eggs and beetroot. Served roasted Mediterranean vegetables with garlic and olive oil, cous cous, rocket with freshly grated parmesan and roasted Spanish onions, feta with toasted pumpkin seeds and fresh water melon drizzled with olive oil, tastes and looks divine. Serve bowls of garlic croutons and tiny bits of crispy bacon and delicious choices of dressing. Finish the table with a 'cut your own' bread display and baskets of seasonal fruits.

If you are having a barbecue don't go with the obvious. Camenbert in wooden boxes wrapped in tinfoil and drizzled with white wine makes a fantastic starter when baked on the barbeque. Serve individual ones to each guest with big baskets of different breads to dip. Whole fillets of salmon or fillet of beef can easily be cooked on the barbeque and it makes it dead easy to serve one per table complete with hot buttered potatoes and big bowls of salad. If you are having a hogroast which is a fantastic (as well as cost effective) way to feed a lot of people make sure they use proper home-made bread buns not Warburtons best pre-cut ones. The apple sauce and stuffing should be home-made and the pig, well they should at least be able to tell you were it comes from.

Afternoon tea has made a complete comeback and is now often offered instead of canaps. Tiny finger sandwiches with crusts off served with tiny freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam accompanied by tiny chocolate eclairs, fruit tartlets, macaroons and our new love affair, decorated fairy cakes can be a complete hit if everything is made to its very best. Serve with pots of tea and freshly brewed coffee or even better glasses of icy champagne or prosecco and you are definitely onto a winner.

What seems to let us down over here are our desserts. Very rarely have I been somewhere that does really good desserts and now very rarely order one to prevent being disappointed. However if you are looking for the perfect wedding dessert flavour should always come first. Strawberries in summer are hard to beat but have them in January and you are bound to be disappointed. If you can pick them up and they smell divine nothing can beat them when served with fresh cream. If you want to go slightly more elaborate add fresh raspberries, giant meringue nests and hot chocolate sauce for a decadent feel. If you aren't a pudding person, get big platters of your favourite cheeses on each table and give everyone a slice of wedding cake to keep the sweet toothed happy. Another simple idea is to offer fruit tarts. What can beat a delicious sugar pastry filled with a mixture of mascarpone cheese, cregraveme fraiche and vanilla, topped with an array of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and finished with a dollop of chilled cream. If the weddings in winter simply swap for a crumble and serve custard instead of cream you really can't go wrong. Apples, pears, blackberries are fantastic in autumn and if its early spring you cant beat new season rhubarb. Just make sure its presented beautifully because however delicious it is, if it looks like school dinners it's a turn off straight away.

Don't forget the coffee. Many an amazing meal has been ruined by dodgy coffee. Ask your caterer or venue for a sachet of their coffee and try it at home. It should reflect the quality of the meal you are offering. Don't settle for second best and make sure you don't get mint imperials to go with it! Price

BON APPETIT

Wedding Insurance Or a Trip to the Casino?

Are you wondering whether to take out wedding insurance or not? Perhaps you're thinking about the fact that you already have so many insurance policies, and consider that these might be enough.

After all, you already have home insurance and health insurance, and even a certain amount of insurance protection from your credit card suppliers on purchases you've made using their cards.

Do you really need wedding insurance, or is it simply as new fad that people are into who have a little too much spare cash at the end of their budget?

Let's consider for the moment that you're at a casino instead of at a beautiful wedding. You have about twenty thousand pounds all wrapped up in a single roll of banknotes. You place the roll of banknotes on the roulette table. Now, will you go for red or black?

You have a fifty/fifty chance of being right, but of course you also face the very real probability that you'll lose everything. Still, if your twenty thousand pounds is lost, you'll just reach into your pocket and get another one out, won't you?

The average wedding in the UK actually comes out a little over twenty thousand pounds, and the whole budget is focussed on one single day. This one single day has been chosen in the hope that nothing will go wrong to cause you to have to cancel or postpone your wedding.

As wedding insurance companies will testify, weddings do get cancelled unexpectedly, and not just because the Groom has run off with one of the Bridesmaids, or the Best Man.

Exceptional weather such as heavy snow, heavy rain, flooding, hurricanes, ice and fires can all cause the event to have to be postponed. Illness is another contender, and with so many virulent diseases prevalent at the moment, anyone contracting a disease such as Swine Flu, Bird Flu, MRSA or any of the other commonly contracted illnesses will clearly have to stay away from the wedding. That might be acceptable unless the person in question is the father of the Bride, the Groom's mother, or the Bride or Groom themselves.

From power cuts to road accidents, from death to food poisoning, there are an astonishing number of ways in which a wedding may have to be cancelled or postponed. Perhaps the surprising thing is not that many weddings have to be cancelled or postponed, but that so many weddings take place at all.

Wedding insurance is starting to seem significantly more attractive. Back in our casino, it is now apparent that gambling twenty thousand pounds on red or black is being incredibly generous of us, because in truth the wedding is being selected from any of at least 365 days of the year (and even from a choice of years), so let's imagine a roulette board with 365 numbers on it. Where will you place your roll of banknotes?

If you win, you become happily married with a stack of memories to last a lifetime. Lose, and you could find yourself without the funds to rearrange your wedding for many years.

Whilst health insurance will cover any treatments you require and time off work it won't cover you for any additional consequences like a postponed wedding. Home insurance will only cover you for what takes place in your home, and it's an unlikely venue for a wedding. Credit card protection will only cover you for specific purchases within limited financial ranges, and may only cover physical items, not services.

For complete piece of mind, and the chance to retrieve your roll of banknotes should the roulette wheel not spin in your favour, having a wedding insurance policy in place is a must. If your wedding day means as much to you as it undoubtedly does, then isn't it important enough to protect against adversity, especially when you realise how many adversities are waiting in the wings to catch you unawares?

Wording For Wedding Invitations - The Basics

Regardless of whether you make your own wedding invitations or have these printed professionally the wording for wedding invitations is very important. The wedding invitation wording informs your wedding guests all the important details that they will need to attend your wedding day.

These include setting your wedding date, booking your ceremony and reception venues, knowing your guest list, your wedding theme, will you be having children at the wedding reception, the formality for your wedding, what type of meal will be served at your wedding and the invitation designs.

1. Set Your Wedding Date

It is important that you set and confirming your wedding date early as this will help you set a timeline in planning your wedding. Also by having a confirmed date you will be able to notify any out of town guests of your planned wedding date by sending them save the date cards. With this advanced notice your intended wedding guests can plan to take time off from work and make travel plans.

2. Confirm Your Ceremony and Reception Venues

You need to confirm the time a location of both your wedding ceremony and reception venue as these details will all need to be included in the wedding invitation; you should also get the correct name and address of both venues.

3. Determine How Many Guest You Will Be Inviting

Work out your guest list this will determine how many invitations and other stationery you will need printed. When you have your invitations printed it is wise to have extra copies printed just in case mistakes are made when addressing your wedding invitations. You may also like to have reply cards, thank cards and place cards printed at the same time in the same theme.

4. Choose A Wedding Theme

Decide on a theme for your wedding invitations this can be come from your chosen wedding theme if you have one or if you are not going with a theme chose a design or color for your all your wedding stationery.

5. Will Your Wedding Be Traditional?

It is always nice to inform your guests as to what you expect them to wear to your wedding so you should decide on the formality of your wedding. Will your wedding will be formal, semiformal or casual these details are usually put at the bottom of the invitation.

6. Will There Be Children At the Wedding?

Are you going to allow children to the wedding? If you choose to have an adult only wedding reception you could state this on your wedding invitation or on your RSVP cards by simply stating "Adult Reception".

7. What Type of Reception?

You should also give an indication of what type of reception you will be having so that you guests will know what to expect food wise. So if you are planning on having a two hour cocktail party, it's a good idea to put a start and assumed finish times on the invitation; this way people will be expecting nibbles and not a full meal.

8. Size, Shape and Weight of Your Invitations

Finally you should also consider the size, weight and shape of your wedding invitations as these can increase postage costs especially if you have many invitations that need to be posted.

9. Proof Reading

Now that you have all these details in hand you can make a start on having your invitations made. One very important detail that you must not forget to do is proof read all the details before all your invitations are printed. This is essential as it can cost you dearly if you have to have all you invitations reprinted just because you missed and incorrect detail.

I would suggest that you get two or even three other people to read the details of the invitations as it is so very easy to miss a mistake.

Your Wedding Day - An Arm and a Leg in Costs

Getting married is a very expensive decision, it can cost and arm and a leg as the saying goes, with the average wedding costing around 瞿18,000. With this amount of money being spent on just one day it may make sense to cover your day with wedding insurance. So what contributes to such a large amount of money being spent?

Well you could start with the rings. The bride and grooms wedding rings may cost around 瞿400 or even more depending on what you choose and how extravagant you want to be. Then there is the wedding dress itself, and there is no chance that the bride is going to skimp on this. If you want to budget on the conservative side then you could be looking at 瞿700 at least. If the bride goes for one of the designer dresses and want a total original high end design, then you may be looking upwards of 瞿1500 or even more!

You then have the veil, shoes and accessories, the bridesmaid's dresses and bridal bouquet to add into the equation. This may add on another 瞿850 at the very least, again all depending on what you want, designer dresses to match the wedding dress generally add on even more cash.

This just covers the bride and bridesmaids, the grooms outfit along with best man and father of the bride could add another 瞿600 or so pound onto the already huge bill. Going designer or top hat and tails then expect to pay a great deal more.

Of course a venue has to be booked for the reception and the cost of this varies. If you want an extravagant wedding in a large stately hall for 500 plus guests, it will cost you a great deal more than a hiring a room in a pub for 50 friends and relatives. You could be looking at 瞿200 at least and up to several hundred pounds, just for hiring the room. You then have to account for all the food, drink and entertainment which may add on another 瞿2000 or more!

To add onto the bill you then have printing of the invitations and place cards, buttonholes, and transportation costs to and from the church and photographer. All of these combined may cost well over 瞿1200. A wedding cake costs on average 瞿200 at the very least. Of course there is the honeymoon to account for and unless you want to spend a rainy weekend in Blackpool, you may be looking at 瞿1,500 or more.

The cost of the average wedding is frightening when it's laid out as above. Comparing wedding insurance and having something to fall back on if the worst should happen can bring peace of mind. A typical wedding insurance policy could cover the worst case scenario happening that might otherwise ruin your day, or mean that you have extra expense to pay-out. A policy usually protects against vendors letting you down, inclement weather spoiling your big day, accidents that may occur such as ruining the wedding dress or losing the wedding rings, and so much more.