What To Look For When Buying Wedding Cufflinks Online

Online shopping has many benefits, especially when you are in the process of organising a wedding. You can shop online at any time of day or night, which means that you can cross things off your 'wedding to-do' list much more quickly. As a traditional gift for your groomsmen, it's likely that you'll be looking to purchase multiple pairs of cufflinks so it's important that you're happy with your final purchase. To guide you, we've compiled these helpful tips for shopping online for your wedding cufflinks:

1. Style

Look for cufflinks or silk knots that tie in with your wedding theme. Cufflinks are available in a wide variety of designs featuring various textures, colours, and patterns. Silver cufflinks are perfect for black tie and classically themed weddings. Alternatively, you may like to pick up on the colour theme chosen for the wedding day or tie in with the colour of the bridesmaids dresses. Cufflinks are available in a wide variety of colours so it should be easy for you to find something that matches perfectly. Other choices include fun novelty designs that suits the location of the wedding or perhaps the unique styles, interests and hobbies of your groomsmen.

2. Quality and Durability

It is customary for cufflinks to be given as a gift to groomsmen because they are a lasting token of gratitude and friendship and signify the many special memories created on a wedding day. Often cufflinks become family heirlooms so it's essential to select quality pieces that will last for many years. Don't settle for cheap products that are most likely to fall apart after only a few uses. Pay close attention to the materials used to manufacture the cufflinks you are considering. Research and evaluate the benefits of different materials.

Rhodium is recommended over silver for example, as it has more durable qualities that will stand the test of time. As a guide, you can expect to pay around $39.95 for a good quality pair of rhodium cufflinks. Multi-Purchase Discounts. Just like shopping in regular stores, it pays to shop around. Reputable wedding cufflink stores generally offer multi-purchase discounts to thank and reward you for buying multiple items.

3. Quality Site

As a general rule, only purchase items from a good quality website. If an online retailer cares enough to make their online website look good, then chances are that they really care about the product they are supplying as well. The site should be configured in a logical way and the menus should be easy to navigate and clearly labelled. Product information should be easy to find and each item on the site should be professionally photographed.

4. Returns and Refunds Policy

Always check this prior to making a purchase online. Look for the returns and refunds policy, there will usually be a link at the bottom of the home page. Only purchase from online retailers that give you the option to return a product if you are not satisfied or even if you simply change your mind.

Keep these tips in mind so that you can evaluate an online shop easily and quickly when shopping for cufflinks online. To ensure peace of mind, speak to your bank or credit card provider about their online shopping insurance policies. This comes as a common feature with some credit cards.

The Thai Wedding Ceremony

There is a certain charm and romance in getting married through a traditional Thai wedding ceremony. As one of life's important moments, a wedding is made more special the Thai way with its sacred customs.

PRE-WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS

Following Thai tradition, one of the closest friends of the groom formally asks for the bride's hand in marriage from her father. He also helps in negotiating the amount of dowry (sin sod) to be paid to the bride's family as a way of expressing gratitude for their daughter's good upbringing. In setting the date for the wedding, an astrologer is usually consulted regarding the auspicious day for the ceremony, which is usually held in August. On the evening before the ceremony, the couple must pay respect to their ancestors in a Buddhist ceremony officiated by nine invited monks.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

The actual wedding ceremony takes place early in the morning at around 6am. Nine monks are invited once again to bless the couple. A string forming a circle binds the couple. After the monks' prayers are over, the couple gives the monks each an envelope containing money. The newlyweds then eat lunch with the monks, concluding the morning ceremony, and will be making a donation to the local wat (temple) for the wedding blessing.

The main event of the wedding ceremony, called rod nam sang, is held in the afternoon. A flower chain connects the hands of the bride and groom as they are held in a wai (Thai symbol of respect). Usually the most senior and respected member of the group officiates this event. The couple's hands are soaked in the conch shell containing water, followed by wishes of good luck. The parents, close friends, as well as other selected guests will also proceed to follow and soak the newlyweds' hands.

The ceremony continues on until dinnertime, which is held in great revelry. Whether it be a buffet, a cocktail, or a formal sit-down dinner, expect around 100-300 guests to come to your wedding day, as the people you may have invited will most likely bring along their friends and family as well. Also be prepared to stock up on cases of whisky, as Thai people like to drink together during celebrations like these. After the dinner reception, the elders hold a traditional send-off for the newlyweds with decorated roses.

MARRIAGE REGISTRATION VS WEDDING CEREMONY?

In Thailand, a lot of people do away with the legal aspects of the marriage, opting for having a traditional Thai wedding instead. However, it is recommended that you register your marriage at the local amphur (Civil Registry) so that you may be able to refer to this later on for legal matters. For foreigners, you will need to present an Affirmation of Freedom to Marry fom your embassy, along with your passport. You Thai bride/ groom will be asked to show a copy their National ID Card and House Registration. The Marriage Registration process need not be done the same time as the wedding ceremony, but can be done after the wedding day as well.

Since the Marriage Registration process involves a significant amount of time to be spent on paperwork, along with translation and legalization of documents, it would be best for you to seek the services of a Thai law firm who can not only handle the legal aspects of Marriage Registration in Thailand, but can also help make your wedding day an unforgettable event with their efficient wedding coordination services.

Personalized Wedding Favors - Say Thank You With Personalized Style

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

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

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

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

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

The History of Wedding Invitations

Invitations are as much a part of a wedding today as the bride and groom! While many couples send traditional formal invitations, casual invitations are gaining popularity in today's society. Whatever invitation the happy couple chooses, there is little doubt that for every wedding planned, invitations will be created and sent by one means or another.

When did wedding invitations first come into use? Most people agree that the tradition began in the 12th Century with the town crier, who would walk through the town and announce important events to the public. Word of mouth was an important means of spreading news, and anyone within hearing of the town crier was, by default, invited to the wedding!

During the Middle Ages, when great numbers of people were illiterate, noble families would commission monks to hand-letter and illuminate wedding announcements in calligraphy. These invitations often included a family crest or coat of arms, an important symbol that helped identify the family of the engaged couple. Many people today include such a family crest or coat of arms on their wedding invitations as a nod toward tradition and heritage.

In the 1600s, literacy increased and it became common for weddings to be announced in the newspaper. At the same time, the technology of engraving emerged as a new way to print announcements. Soon, middle class citizens began to send customized, engraved wedding invitations. To create an engraving, a metal plate was engraved in reverse with the desired text. Then the plate was inked and stamped onto paper to create the finished product. Engravings were often covered with tissue paper to prevent the ink from smearing. Many modern invitations still include tissue paper, though it is largely a decorative element now.

In the late 18th century, the art of lithography was developed, making it possible to create beautifully printed invitations without engraving. Invitations at this time were generally still delivered by hand, so they were often sealed within a second envelope for protection. This is another tradition that modern society still observes.

Modern wedding invitations became more widely-used after World War II. The development of thermographic printing allowed more sophisticated designs to be stamped on invitations at less cost than tradition engraving. Thermographic printing creates a raised effect that is often used for letterheads, business cards, and even Braille. Its versatility lends itself perfectly to the artistic nature of modern wedding invitations.

Today, invitations are often creative and individual expressions of the couple's personality. Some couples might send a small gift as an invitation, such as a box of chocolates. Other couples may send an invitation with a framed photograph and a personalized letter. Some people choose nontraditional papers, such as handmade stock with flower petals pressed into it. Invitations may even include favorite cartoon characters, symbols such as an Irish claddagh, ribbons, bows . . . the list is endless!

So next time you open your mail and find that distinctive envelope amongst your letters, take a moment to ponder the history of how that invitation came to be. Just think, it all started with the lowly town crier!

Wedding Save the Date Cards-Best Ideas and Wording

The sole purpose of save-the-date cards is to give the people you intend
to invite to your wedding plenty of advance notice. If, for example, you
are planning to marry during the holiday season or a holiday weekend,
you'll want your guests to reserve you wedding date on their calendars
months in advance. If you will be inviting guest from out of town who will
need to fly in for the wedding, they will need time to make the necessary
travel arrangements.

You should send save-the-date cards to all of your intended guests
when either of these circumstances fit your situation. Even friends and
family members who you already know will attend should be sent a card.

On the other hand, if you are not sure whether a particular person or
couple will be invited to the wedding, don't send them a save-the-date
card. And there is really no reason, and it's a waste of your precious
money, to buy and send these notices when all of your guests live
relatively nearby or the wedding will not occur during a busy time of the
year.

Planning and Sending

Once you know all of the basic details about your wedding plans, place
your order with your stationer. As with invitations, having these cards
printed can take up to several weeks, so give your stationer plenty of
time. You can mail these cards out up to six months before the wedding
date.

Save-the-date cards can be designed to match the rest of your wedding
stationery and ordered at the same time, or they can have a completely
different look.

Getting your guests' attention

Some brides-to-be really want these cards to be eye catching so that
they truly standout and serve as a visual notice. If this is what you have
in mind, look for something unusual, such as scratch-off cards or
magnets (that can be posted on your guests refrigerators). Maybe you
will want to make your own cards, incorporating one or more of your
wedding colors, a graphic design, or a photo.

You can buy save-the-date cards through most wedding stationery
manufacturers and retailers. If you want to create your own cards or save
money, look for a card-design software program. Michael's arts and
crafts stores sells a good software program called "Wedding Invitation
Kit" that costs under $25. The program is designed mainly for making
your own wedding invitations, but it does include note cards.

What you should do

Since this will be your first written contact with most of your guests, it's
important that they make a good first impression. Make sure that you
spell each guest's name correctly. If you are unsure about the spelling of
someone's name, look it up or contact someone reliable.

In your save-the-date, include the date, time, and place of the ceremony
along with any other information that your guests will need.

Here is a sample of how your notice might read:

"Please save the date of Saturday, June 25, 2005, 2 PM, for the
wedding of Karen Hinkley and Brian Nelson in Minneapolis, MN.
Invitation and directions to follow."

Always follow up with the expected wedding invitation, which should be
mailed about six weeks before your wedding date.

A nice touch that can truly be helpful to your guests is to list your web
site address--assuming you will be updating it with more details.

What you should not do

Keep in mind the purpose of these cards. Don't include unnecessary or
inappropriate information such as directions, the rehearsal dinner
location and time, or registry information. (Incidentally, if you do list your
name with a bridal registry, the only place that information can be
included is in a shower invitation. Generally, good etiquette demands
that you rely upon friends and relatives to circulate such details by word
of mouth and only if asked.)

Since you are not trying to elicit a response, do not include a reply card.
And last but not least, you should not e-mail your save-the-date
information. Of course, there is always an exception to every rule, but try
not to break this one.

Planning the Perfect Wedding

 Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life - so you'll understandably want to ensure everything runs perfectly up to - and on - the big day. But with so much to consider in coordinating a wedding, how can you ensure the stress of the planning process doesn't get the best of you and your spouse-to-be? Here are just a few pieces of advice to help ensure your wedding turns out as perfect as you want it to.

First and foremost, you'll want to give yourself plenty of planning time. While many couples get engaged far in advance of an actual wedding date, many don't realise just how long it takes to plan such a significant event. Start planning as early as possible, to ultimately give yourself more time to dedicate to the details. And if you're unsure as to how far in advance specific wedding-planning tasks should be undertaken, refer to one of countless wedding planning checklists out there. Checklists can help you get your planning tasks done on time, as well as help ensure you don't leave any important tasks out.

That being said, it might be worth considering hiring a wedding planner. Someone who specialises in planning weddings will know exactly what to do, and when to do it. However, if you find that a wedding planner is out of your budget, or if you simply don't think you'll need one, you still might want to seriously consider a 'day-of' wedding coordinator. A day-of coordinator can see to any last-minute snags that arise on the actual day of the wedding, and ensure the entire day runs smoothly - so you and your new spouse can enjoy yourselves.

In planning a wedding, it's also important to ask for help if you find you need it. Many brides and grooms-to-be take on too many tasks themselves, and end up feeling overwhelmed with the planning process. While you might ultimately be making all the decisions with regard to planning your wedding, there's nothing wrong with asking someone - such as those in the wedding party - to help out with certain tasks.

Last but not least, consider taking out wedding insurance for your big day. With the excitement of planning a wedding, many couples don't realise that a lot can actually go wrong. Whether the bride's dress is ruined, the wedding photos are lost, or the wedding has to be cancelled at the last-minute, wedding insurance can help alleviate the stresses that can arise from wedding mishaps.

Above all, you'll want to make sure that you and your spouse are able to enjoy your big day. So plan in advance and take all the necessary measures to ensure your wedding day is nothing less than perfect.

Wedding Planning Tips and Tricks

Planning a wedding is an exciting thing, and can be very scary. With some basic tips and tricks, you will be sure to make you day special.

Be sure to setup your honeymoon at the same time as you setup your bridal registry! This will allow your guest to be able to choose the perfect gifts for you and even help you with your honeymoon. We have put together some wedding tips and tricks to help you speed up the process a little.

Pay all deposits on your credit card. Do not give any money without a contract, and never pay deposits by check! If you paid by credit card, and they do not provide you with what they agreed in the contract, you can always have the transaction taken off your account. A check is harder to collect on you will be required to take them to court.

What to Do First

The first three things should be done right away.

1) Choose the church, temple, or other ceremony location, and the date you want to be married.

2) Choose the reception location, date, and time.

3) Choose your photographer.

Most brides think they can always just choose the day they get married and that is the end of it. Nevertheless, this is not the true in most cases, be prepared to give up the date you have chosen for your special day unless you are fortunate enough to get the reception location and church available the same day. It is a known fact that you really are not the one that decides when you want to get married the place of the ceremony and reception halls do.

Our Recommendations

Choose at least three dates that you would consider getting married on

Choose one or two places you would like to have the ceremony and reception and book them immediately

Start on the wedding guest list as early as possible, this will then give people enough time to plan for your wedding.

Start picking out what decorations and flower arrangement at least one month before your wedding.

Arrange and book honeymoon travel as early as three or four months ahead, this will allow you the best possible price.

Prepare as much ahead of time as you can, so that you do not have a lot to do at the last minute.

Try to get your future spouse involved in the decision making process on all things, this will help you to learn to work together on things.

Do not be afraid to ask for help or designate work for others in the wedding party to do. If you choose your wedding party early, you can get all the help you need.

Remember if you need additional sources there is software that will make it easy for you to plan the most special day of your life. In addition, there are resource links below.

Wedding Quotes

Your wedding planning is almost over but you have to have a lot of wedding quotes in your hand. You can use these quotes in various things in your wedding especially when you are to give wedding favors for your guests. Generic and popular wedding favors can be personalized by printing wedding quotes on them and signing your names, the date and venue of your wedding below. You can also have your own quotable speech marks. You can be humorous, dramatic or whatever style you prefer as long as you are communicating clearly and that you are touching the hearts of those who can read it.

When you have chosen a theme from the movies, the best way to present your wedding quotes is to say the memorable and sweet lines from the movie. There are also a lot of wedding quotes available from the internet where you can choose the best works that suit your theme or the story of your love. Some are listed below for your convenience.

Marriage is a book of which the first chapter is written in poetry and the remaining chapters written in prose.

Beverly Nichols

He is the half part of a blessed man

Left to be finished by such as she:

And she a fair divided excellence

Whose fullness of perfection lies in him.

William Shakespeare

Come live with me and be my Love,

And we will all the pleasures prove

That hills and valleys, dale and field,

And all the craggy mountains yield.

Christopher Marlowe

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

Germaine Greer

Two such as you with such a master speed cannot be parted nor be swept away from one another once you are agreed that life is only life forevermore together wing to wing and oar to oar.

Robert Frost

Marriage requires a person to prepare 4 types of Rings: Engagement Ring, Wedding Ring, Suffering, and Enduring

Anonymous

Love is temporary insanity curable by marriage.

Ambrose Bierce

Marrying a man is like buying something you have been admiring for a long time in a shop window. You may love it when you get it home, but it doesn't always go with everything else in the house.
Jean Kerr

Wedding quotes are very useful for encouragement for your bride or groom and for your guests as well. When you have chosen to print a humorous one, at least you can have your guest smile not only because they have enjoyed the ceremony and reception but they are entertained with their favors.

When you do not want to adopt quotes from other persons, you can always make your own. Bring out the creativity in you and say whatever you heart wants to tell to your partner or to your guests. You could be the next romantic writer and write one of the most celebrated love quotes like : Passionate Shepherd of His Love - by Christopher Marlowe. All you need to do is to listen to your heart and pen your wedding quotes that touches the heart.

Brides Do it Yourself Married Name Change Checklist

Congratulations on your recent wedding! Everything went fine, you're all moved in or you're on your honeymoon and things are humming along. So now it's time to tackle the chore of changing your last name to his. How hard can that be? After all, there are only a few places that will need your name change notification right?

Well, guess again... For the average adult there are over thirty agencies, companies and other entities that will require notice of a married name change. Wow, that's a lot! Did you know that the usual marriage name change, if done without assistance, can take over twelve hours?

Of course, there are online and offline systems you can use to help shorten the time. The right package can drastically reduce the time it takes to fill-out and submit all the forms containing your personal information. But that help will cost you a bit of money. Some are inexpensive and others are quite costly.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, you can find most forms online, fill them out and then mail them in. But exactly where do you get those forms and to whom do you send them?

Whether you do-it-yourself or purchase one of the available name change packages, it's still very helpful to have a complete list of agencies and companies that might need to know about your marriage name change. Then, as you complete and mail the proper forms, you can check each organization off your list.

Here's a checklist of the main entities that you'll want to notify about your new married name...

Agencies

• Social Security / IRS (Internal Revenue Service)


• State DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles


• Voter Registration


• Passport / Post Office (name and address change)

Utilities

• Electric / Gas / Oil (for heating)


• Cable / Satellite TV


• Telephones (Land lines and cells)


• Water / Sewer (may be combined with water) / Trash pickup


• Internet connection provider

Home / Office

• Mortgage / Equity loan holder


• Landlord / Building management


• Property titles / Deeds

Auto

• Auto loan / Lease holder


• Title / Registration


• Vehicle sticker for local municipality


• Roadside service

Employment / Business

• Employer (through HR department)


• 401-K / Insurance / other benefits plans


• Business cards / Business email

Professional Organizations

• State Bar


• Unions / Professional associations


• Business licensing agencies


• Business Clients / Colleagues

Insurance

• Auto / Health / Dental / Vision / Life


• Homeowners / Renters


• Business

Financial

• Checking accounts (personal) / Order new checks


• Checking account (business) / Order new checks


• Direct deposit accounts


• Savings accounts / Money market accounts / CDs


• Trusts / Other financial entities


• PayPal / Other payment processors (online and offline)

Investments

• Broker / Mutual fund accounts


• Individual stock investment plans


• IRA accounts / Business retirement accounts

Credit Cards / Loans

• School loans / Other Personal Loans


• Credit cards

Health Professionals

• Doctors / Dentists / Chiropractors / Therapists / Trainers / Counselors

Other Professionals

• Attorneys / Accountants / CPAs


• Business / Other professionals

Subscriptions

• Newspapers / Magazines


• Reward programs with Airlines / Hotels / Other reward programs

Memberships

• Schools / Clubs / Libraries / Gyms


• Professional Organizations / Alumni Associations

Documents

• Last Will and Testament


• Power of Attorney for Finances / Power of Attorney for Health


• HIPAA (release of medical information to family)

Wow! That's a lot of places to change your name!

If you would like a simpler, more organized method of completing your name name, visit our website and find out how we can help make your married name change quicker and easier.

Cheap Wedding Invitations Simple Ways to Get Them

Attractive cheap wedding invitations would be an ideal way of saving some money and you can utilize this money into buying some other important wedding related things.

A wedding ceremony is a crucial time in every couple's life and weddings normally do cost a lot because there are so many details and things to take care of - from food, d矇cor, dresses and accessories to venue, invitations and thank you gifts.

There are situations where cutting down the budget seems quite difficult like when buying jewelry and dresses, but you can compensate for these buy cutting down your budget elsewhere, such as buying budget invitations.

Actually, cheap wedding invitations do not mean cheap looking second grade invites. Instead, these invitations could even be better looking than the expensive invites, but you should know the places where to search for them. You need not lower your standards to be able to get hold of cheap invitations.

Start looking out for some unique wedding invites online. Unlike physical stores, online shops let you have the shopping comfort with the same goods you'll find at the physical shops and most of the times, you'll find cheaper invites online that what you'll find at the real shops.

You can also purchase blank invitations for the ceremony and you can get them in various styles, shapes, texture and colors of papers, so that the wedding invites can be custom-made according to your choice. These cards can be as pretty, unique and special as the relationship the couple is about to embark on.

When searching for some lovely inexpensive invitations, do ensure that the design you choose is in theme and tone with the overall d矇cor or setting of the wedding.

Like if you send over delicate pink or blue invitations in floral prints, it can signify to the guests that the ceremony would be a lovely romantic nuptial or if you send out invites which have sea shell prints or a beach or ocean scene, then it would imply to the guests naturally that it's going to be a beach wedding.

If you are imaginative, then you could even make your own wedding invitations by getting the necessary accessories from any local art and crafts store near you.

It definitely is great to personalize wedding cards but if you have a restricted budget, then look out for a company offering discount packages. Purchasing wedding invitations as a whole unit can be cheaper than picking envelops, wedding invitations, response card and other things separately.

Furthermore, there are a few stationers that can offer you discounts when you place an order for thank you cards, wedding invites and other stationary with them, all together.

You can find some bridal stores out there that can certainly help you look through different sources to help you find cheap wedding invitations. Normally, most of the bridal shops these days do not themselves sell cheap invites but they can lead you to individuals or firms who do.

Irrespective of where you find your cheap invitations from, make sure that the company has a clear and a well defined return policy for the wedding cards, in case you want to return the cards if you are not gratified with the end product.

Money Saving Baby Shower Ideas

Baby showers are not compulsory. In fact, there are those who prefer to forego celebrating the event in order to save money. There is no denying that in order to successfully host a great party, money is needed. If you are planning a lavish event then expect the expenses to skyrocket. However, the party itself do not have to be elaborate and expensive. In fact, a simple get together will do. Then again, if you are unable to budget your finances then you might find yourself overspending. To keep that from happening one or two money saving baby shower ideas may prove to be helpful.

1. Recycling old but intact baby shower decorations is one of the many money saving ideas you could do. These decorations can be those you saved from a previous baby shower or it can be holiday decorations like Christmas lights. In addition to that, you can also use items like baby bottles, baby blankets, cribs, and mobiles as decorations. In this way, you will not have to spend more in buying new decors for the shower.

2. Instead of buying disposable plates, spoons and forks and plastic cups, make use real plates, glasses and utensils. It might be a lot of work after the party, but it could definitely help save you a lot of money. However, if you do not want to wash a mountain of dirty dishes, then never buy the themed plates as this is more expensive. Try using the ordinary disposable plates that come in various colors.

3. Another budget friendly idea that you should definitely use is by purchasing your food items in bulk. We all know that this can cost a little cheaper compared when bought by piece. Some of the common things that can be bought in bulks are candies, chips and some vegetable dips.

4. We might find cakes a little expensive; however this is something that will always be served in a shower. The best way to save money and make your guests happy is by baking your own cake. This does not have to come in several layers; a simple chocolate cake can always do the trick. Another option is by baking several cupcakes and topping them off with icing and some nuts or sprinkles. Just present it beautifully and your guest will surely enjoy them.

5. Making your own invitations is one perfect example for budget saving ideas for a shower. Baby shower invitations do not have to be as elaborate and intricate as wedding invitations. A simple card will do.

We hope these budget friendly shower ideas would help you host a successful baby shower without spending much money. These practical tips would surely let you save more money.

Wedding Planning Checklist - 2 to 4 Months Before Your Wedding

Less than 4 months to go until your wedding day. At this point, your wedding planning process is about details, details and more details. Perhaps you've taken care of some pertinent details, like sending out the "save the date" cards and coordinating the rehearsal dinner venue, but there is more to do! Following is a wedding planning checklist of tasks to complete when you're within 2 to 4 months of your wedding date.

• Meet with your florist to order your wedding flowers. Bring a sketch or photo of your wedding dress and color swatches of your bridesmaids' dresses.
  
  


• Address all wedding invitations and announcements.
  
  


• Finalize your music selection with the disk jockey or other entertainment.
  
  


• Check with your bridesmaids and groomsmen to make sure they've gotten their attire, confirm arrival times, and answer any last minute questions. Be sure attendants are kept informed of rehearsal plans, other commitments they have.
  
  


• Contact your vendors (caterer, officiant, cake baker, photographer, videographer, florist, musicians, transportation, and hotels) to confirm arrival and delivery times.
  
  


• Write and print your wedding program.
  
  


• Create welcome baskets for out-of-town guests.
  
  


• Send change-of-address information to post office.
  
  


• Ask your mother or maid of honor to contact any guests who have not sent the RSVP card.
  
  


• Plan the ceremony, reception, menus, master of ceremonies, music, and timetables.
  
  


• Finalize plans for the rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids' luncheon.
  
  


• Address and mail the wedding invitations.
  
  


• Plan the reception seating, if necessary.
  
  


• Consult relevant newspapers for requirements on wedding announcements.
  
  


• Have a formal portrait taken in wedding dress for newspaper announcement.
  
  


• Consult your hairstylist about your wedding hairstyle.
  
  


• Consult your makeup person about wedding day makeup.
  
  


• Investigate legal details, such as naming fiancé as beneficiary in will and life insurance, obtaining insurance to cover joint property, consolidating auto insurance, opening joint bank accounts, etc.
  
  


• If you will be changing your names, make a list of where you need to do this and when.
  
  


• If you will need foreign money for the honeymoon, make arrangements to obtain it.
  
  


• Give a list of "important shots" to your wedding photographer.
  
  


• Discuss your menu with your wedding caterer.
  
  


• Meet with your officiant to discuss the service.
  
  


• Write your vows.
  
  


• Attend any wedding showers.
  
  


• Make final alterations and fittings for your wedding dress. Bring a friend along to help you bustle your train and fasten any tricky buttons.

Use this wedding planning checklist as a guideline for tasks to complete when you're within 2 to 4 months of your wedding date.

High Tech Wedding Invitations Versus the Traditional Paper Card Based Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations have gone high tech. This should not surprise you, if you have been tuned in to these things. Gone is the era when everyone's idea of a wedding invitation would be an elaborately done card. In some circles, today, sending people such cards would see you branded a 'dinosaur' with regard to tech-compliance. The way to show that you are 'in' and that you have got 'it' is by sending high tech wedding invitations. These could be anything from email based wedding invitations, to text-message based wedding invitations. We have also seen the rise of e-cards, which can also be used as wedding invitations for good measure.

So, are these high tech invitations better than the traditional paper card based invitations?

Well, one would say that the high tech invitations are better than the traditional paper card based wedding-invitations in some ways, yet also inferior to those traditional paper card based wedding invitations in some other ways.

Starting with the upside, we know for sure that the high tech wedding-invitations are more convenient to send out. In the days when all we had were the traditional paper card based wedding invitations, trying to get the card properly designed and printed, and then sending them out to the desired guests would have been a major logistical nightmare. With high tech wedding-invitations, though, the whole thing becomes easier: you just sit down with your phone or laptop, using some graphics software program come up with a suitable wedding invitation, and then send it to as many people as you want as an e-mail attachment. You don't even have to send different emails. Just a single email, with the e-mail address of the various invitees separated by comas is all you really need. With phone text based wedding invitations, even the designing bit is done away with, so that all you need to do is to make a careful choice of wording, and send it to the numbers of the intended recipients. It can't get any more convenient.

The high tech invitations will also tend to be much cheaper to prepare and send out than the traditional wedding-invitations. Indeed, in the olden way of doing things, the preparation of wedding cards and sending them out used to be a major cost item in the wedding arrangement.

Still on the upside, we tend to see a situation where the chances of the high tech invitations reaching the intended recipients - and doing so in good time - are greater than the chances of traditional paper card based wedding-invitations. These often failed to reach the intended in good time (or at all), thus defeating their very purpose.

But there is also a downside to these high-tech invites, which gives us insight into the main advantage which traditional wedding-invitations still retain. As it turns out, the high tech invitations tend to be 'dry' and lacking in the sentimentality of the traditional paper card based wedding-invitations. In the traditional paper card based invites, the beauty of the cards send, and the amount of effort spent in making them and sending them would often be huge enough encouragement for the recipients to attend the wedding ceremonies in question.

High tech wedding-invitations on the other hand tend to be treated like just other 'appointment' e-mails or text messages. Once the message is received, they are promptly deleted so as not to clutter the inbox. They are, indeed' dry, and lacking in sentimentality. Yet, weddings are all about sentimentality.

Paint Jobs - How Much Does it Cost to Paint? Estimating Paint Jobs

Nobody wants to work for nothing, but many painting businesses do when they don't charge for all the things that are part of each job. If you intend to do a complete job, and your customer is asking for a complete job, then you should be charging for a complete job. Leave something off of the estimate and you are working for nothing. Doing a complete and thorough estimate involves everything that takes time whether it be screwing that switch plate cover back on or painting the altar in that church. Many painters brag about what they describe as an almost mystical experience, like walking into a room and a price comes into their head. I never liked that because it is inaccurate, lazy and likely to end up poorly, at best you will just miss something and work for nothing on that part of the job. Another reason why this lump sum magic is bad is that someone is always surprised when the customer finds something that wasn't done and they thought it was part of the job. And they tell you do it or don't get paid. I talk about this when I discuss the Proposal itself.

Setup - Whether it be driving 100 miles to the job or 2 days setting up scaffolding or 20 minutes unloading drops, ladders and paint, it is part of every job. And because it is part of the job it is included in the cost of the job and needs to be estimated. Some thought should be given to special circumstances as mentioned above, or keep a percentage to use as a formula for each job. For example: if you are scaffolding out that church steeple to scrape and paint, then you need to figure everything involved with this stage including take down. This type of setup is likely to be much more costly than the actual paint job. Whereas painting the interior of your average customers home can be done room by room as a percentage of the total hours. For example: if you are dropping out a room, removing switch plates, moving furniture, etc. Then an easy way to do it is to take the total hours painting and multiply by.1 or.2 or whatever you think is an average time. Estimating setup, prep, and cleanup as a percentage on average jobs saves time when estimating.

Preparation - Lots of times this costs way more than the paint job. For example: we did a paint job on a big 1840's wood clapboard monster of a house. 15 weeks removing paint before one drop of paint went on the house, the painting itself was about 3 weeks. Not only time but lots of sanding disks, respirators, disposable coveralls, cleanup daily, and removal of all dust and chips was all a big deal because of the size of the job and because of the old lead paint. The opposite is the average home interior that can be estimated like the setup example above using a percentage. Most of the time interior prep is just small surface repairs, and some caulking, the stuff that is the same from job to job. Special repairs or problems should be itemized.

Painting - What amount of time does it take to paint 5 wood casement windows on ground level without a ladder? How much time does it take to paint those same 5 windows at 40 feet on a hill when each window is 8 feet apart? Probably more than 2 times what it takes to paint the ones on ground level, each time moving and setting up the ladder on uneven ground most likely involving 2 people to move and setup the ladder for each window. So an easy formula to use on heights above 25 feet would be 2 times or 2.2 times or whatever the time it takes to paint the same window without ladder. Most of the time estimating painting costs can be done with a formula that works pretty well from job to job.

Cleanup - This part of the painting job is likely to be glossed over or ignored from an estimating position. This is a big mistake because it can take more time that the actual painting, depending on the job. If this part of the job is not done well the client may view the entire job as poorly done. And if done really well it may just put the crowning touch on the job. Estimating the time to properly cleanup after each job is critical to your estimate. If you short this part of the estimate, by not allowing enough time, then something has to give and the outcome is likely an unhappy customer. Average jobs can use a factor to estimate time. Example, an 8 hour interior job can be cleaned up in 8 hours x.1 =.8 hours.

When I watch some of these "home remodeling" shows blow through the painting as if it is nothing, I laugh but then I think how much ignorance they create. When Norm does his woodworking magic it is an event to behold; but, when Carlos spends 3 hours vacuuming, dusting and cleaning windows after a paint job, it is nothing, it is not even mentioned. Some many home owners tackle paint jobs and are totally clueless as to what is really involved. Like the time when we were called in to touch up walls in this multi-million dollar mcMansion following a $25,000 audio system wiring job where the technician cut holes in 11 different rooms. Each room had a different color, so we cleaned rollers, brushes, cut buckets etc. after each color. The owner gave me a big argument about charging her for the time to clean our tools. If it is part of the job and you wouldn't be doing it except for their job, then they should be paying you for it.

Tent Receptions - 4 Ideas For Beautiful Wedding Receptions in a Tent

A tent reception can be an exceptionally beautiful and unique experience for the bridal couple as well as their guests. The variety and sizes of tents that are available today make finding something that fits your personal style easy and affordable. Clear top tents let you dance beneath the starlit sky and flat top frame tents provide you with an open and welcoming feel without supporting poles blocking the way. You can choose a tent without sides or one with French window sidewalls. Whatever tent you select, you will need the right lighting, flowers, fabrics and favors to make it a gorgeous oasis for your guests.

1. Use Lighting to Create Drama

The lighting of your reception tent is extremely important. By using some simple tricks, you can create an elegant escape or a fun and festive celebration. Twinkle lights, in white or colors, are often used in tent receptions; hidden in garlands, draped along ceiling panels, or strung in plants and shrubs. Other lighting options include spotlights with colored gels that create dramatic patterns on walls, floors or ceilings. For those who want a classic, romantic feel, candles create a dreamy and mysterious ambiance that could be just the right touch. A plethora of candle holders are available and make wonderful centerpieces. Blinking balloons can create a fun and casual tone to your event that your guests will love. Whatever your style, lighting is an important factor in creating the right atmosphere for your reception.

2. Bring Nature Indoors

Through the aid of well-placed flowers, trees and shrubs, your guests may be able to forget they are even in a tent. Fill corners with beautiful flowering shrubs or trees. Disguise support poles with vines and bouquets. Add fragrance with elaborate floral centerpieces. A nice twist on the traditional cut flowers for the table is to have a living arrangement that your guests can take home and plant in their garden or keep in the house, a continuous reminder of your special day. Flowers can add color and excitement to your event with a subtlety that your guests will surely appreciate.

3. Surround Yourself with Sumptuous Satins

In order to really transform a reception tent, creative use of fabrics is essential. From luxurious panels draped across the ceiling to tantalizing tulle-adorned support poles, fabrics can create depth and contrast to the harsh lines of the tent. Soften doorways by swathing them in flowing chiffon. Emphasize your head table with curtains of lace as a backdrop. Evaluate your tent and accentuate the highlights while downplaying any possible negative aspects. With a little imagination, you can create a completely unique and ethereal feeling for your reception.

4. Finish with Wedding Favor Flair

Complete your décor with corresponding favors that complement the surrounding motif. Very often, a well thought out favor can be the final touch needed to create a cohesive design for your reception, uniting the various elements around them. Whatever theme you use for your reception, you can use favors to heighten your guests' experience. From exquisite floral designs to magical butterfly creations, elegant silver to fun-filled beach mementos, FavorFavor.com has a wide selection of wedding favors that will coordinate with your overall design.

With these simple techniques, you can create a magnificent venue for your reception. However, don't forget the little details, too. Think about if you need flooring for the entire tent or just the dance floor. Are there any sound ordinances in the area that might affect your party? Do you have enough parking and restrooms for your guests? Do you have enough power for the caterers, musicians, and lighting? Is there a contingency plan in case of extremely bad weather? Once you have answered these simple questions and created your own design plan, you will have a wonderful reception that is uniquely your own that your guests will absolutely adore.

Distinguish Yourself As A Speaker

As the solo anchor of ABC television's "World News Tonight" program for twenty-two years, Peter Jennings-according to fellow journalist Lynn Sherr-conveyed "a presence so commanding that dedicated viewers placed their confidence in him to convey everything."

Shortly after Jennings' death in 2005, one of his longtime colleagues, Tom Nagorski, pinpointed a major reason for Jennings' success. Nagorski came on board with Peter Jennings as foreign editor for the program. He recalled a question Peter asked constantly, "What are we going to do today that will distinguish us?" Nagorski said of Jennings, "He despised predictability," and "he loved it when we were able to do something, even if it was just an angle or a phrase in a piece, that he felt distinguished us."

Let's apply Jennings' advice to giving speeches. Here, too, success depends on avoiding predictability by distinguishing yourself from the hoards of speakers people hear monthly at civic, political, religious, government, business, and social events. Here are five ways to become a memorably distinctive speaker.

FIRST: Never start by telling a joke

You have noticed that a vast majority of speakers try to crack jokes at the outset, hoping they will relax the audience and establish quick rapport. You've noticed also that many times this strategy fails. Why? The speaker botches the timing for the punch line, tells a joke listeners know already, or offends listeners through an off color remark.

Yes, humor during the opening minute can stimulate attention, but joke telling isn't required. Simply offer a quip you thought of as you entered the room. Better yet, use self-deprecating humor. We like speakers who, with good taste, poke fun at themselves.

SECOND: Go note-less

Far too many speakers establish a paper barrier between themselves and the audience, either by turning pages of a full manuscript or by glancing down frequently at more abbreviated notes. This head-bobbing reduces audience attention drastically.

"But," you object, "I've never given an important speech without notes." Really? Did you read your wedding proposal to your beloved? Did you read your request for a raise to your boss? Of course not, because you recognized that unbroken eye contact would elevate your persuasive attempt.

Keep in mind that your speech should resemble a conversation instead of a recitation. Note as well that your audience has no idea what you mean to say, so if you leave something out or change the order, only you will be aware of the change.

No, you don't need a teleprompter to go note-less, just mastery of your topic and an overwhelming desire to relate to your audience personally.

THIRD: Use fresh language

Ordinary speakers will use words and phrases we grew tired of long ago, such as: 24/7, surreal, if you will, what he brings to the table, over when the fat lady sings, gone viral, game-changer, step up to the plate, same old same old, and sea change.

Avoid those examples, and avoid all other clich矇s that may have carried impact initially but have grown tiresome and even offensive.

FOURTH: Create the image that time has disappeared

Customarily, speakers remind their audiences of time as a limiting factor: "In the limited time we have together today," "I wish I had more time to devote to this important topic," or "I'm running out of time, but I've got something else important to tell you."

Nonverbally, you have seen speakers create time awareness by looking at their watches. Did you notice how the audience did that as well?

This is ironic, but true: To make your message both timely and timeless, never refer to time in any way.

FIFTH: Share your inner self

In the vast majority of speech settings, we come away with a rather standard impression of the speaker without feeling that have become truly acquainted. Superlative speakers, though, reveal their inner selves, in ways related to the topic.

Renowned speaker and author Og Mandino changed his entire approach to speaking when an audience member challenged him after one of his keynote addresses. She told him it was easy for him to talk about motivation and success, because he traveled widely, speaking for big fees, staying in the finest hotels, and associating with celebrities. She said he knew little about the challenges ordinary people faced, because he had never been down and out.

After that conversation, Mandino vowed silently that he would never face another audience without describing his early life failures. As a young insurance salesman, everything was going well for him, his wife, and their child. However, he formed the habit of stopping "just for a drink or two" with friends after work. His dependency grew, and his family left him. Mandino painfully recalled the day he wanted to kill himself, but couldn't afford the gun he saw in a pawn shop window. Can you imagine how strongly his convention audiences identified with him when he gave that frank, honest self-portrait?

Of course, my personal story and yours are not likely to be that dramatic. Still, we will become distinctive when we tastefully tell audiences who we really are-and even reveal what nobody would have guessed about us.

For your next speech, reword Peter Jennings' question this way: "What am I going to do today that will distinguish me?" Then use these five key strategies that will make you delightfully different.

Wedding Invitations - Should You Choose Printed Or Electronic?

The days when wedding invitations had to be engraved on white card with silver or black writing are long gone. Nowadays the bridal couple have a huge choice of designs and almost anything goes. So much choice in fact that you can even do away with the printed invitation altogether and go electronic if you want to, carrying on all your wedding correspondence via e-mail. Let's have a look at some of the pros and cons of electronic compared to printed wedding invitations.

Pros of electronic

Electronic invitations are much cheaper than printed invitations. You will only have to pay for the design: no paper costs, printing costs or postage costs to budget for.

Electronic invitations are quick to create and instant to send out, so are a great time-saver if your wedding preparations are of the last-minute variety.

Saving on paper is a positive move if you are trying to keep your wedding as green and environmentally friendly as possible.

You can link your electronic invitations to your wedding website and make it easy for guests to find all the extra wedding info, such as directions to the venue, wedding gift lists and so on.

Cons of electronic

You will need to make sure that you have current e-mail addresses for all your guests. Follow up if you don't get an RSVP, just in case the e-mail never reached the recipient.

Electronic invitations may be read once and then lost in the morass of an overfull inbox or accidentally end up in the recycle bin. You may need to send out reminders if you haven't heard back from all your invited guests.

Older family members may not be very computer-literate and may find it hard to get their heads around e-mail invitations!

There is nothing to display on the mantelpiece or save as a keepsake for those who enjoy the old traditional way of things.

Printed invitations still have the monopoly on style, tradition and quality, so electronic invitations tend to put across a more modern, quirky, casual image, which may not be what you are looking for.

Pros of printed invitations

However convenient and clever electronic invitations are, we still love printed invitations. They appeal far more to the senses than a mere image on a screen. Think about the texture of handmade paper, the feel of good quality card and embossed or engraved writing. Printed invitations certainly win on style and lasting appeal.

There are many more design possibilities for printed invitations - endless papers to use, 3D folding and embellishments such as ribbons and pressed flowers. You can get really creative and end up with mini works of art.

Beautiful printed invitations are likely to be displayed on the mantelpiece keeping your wedding day firmly in the mind of the recipient.

Cons of printed invitations

The cost - printed invitations can be expensive, though they don't have to be if you choose a simple design and affordable paper. But if you choose a whole range of wedding stationery, including save the date cards, thank you cards, RSVP cards with matching envelopes and so on, all on beautiful card stock, it will definitely make inroads on your budget. Then there's the postage to bear in mind for all of these.

You will need to find out up-to-date postal addresses for all your friends and family - something that in these days of cell phones and e-mail we often don't have at our finger-tips.

So if you've weighed up the pros and cons and still can't decide, why not go for a combination of the two? Have your actual wedding invitation printed and posted, but use e-mail for all the other communication - send out save the date e-mails, ask guests to RSVP by email and send out thank you e-mails afterwards.

You can co-ordinate the design of printed invitation and wedding emails and make sure that style and tradition are complemented by modern convenience and a green ethos. Have your invitations printed on recycled paper using vegetable inks and you can still feel eco-friendly and responsible!

Why Event Cancellation Insurance Might Not Cover You Against the Snow or Adverse Weather!

Event Organisers such as Trade Show, Conference, Exhibition and Consumer Show Organisers will purchase Event Insurance which includes Cancellation as a way to mitigate the financial risks to their event budget.

On the face of it you would expect that an Event Cancellation Insurance policy would protect the Organiser against Event Cancellation and Disruption caused by such circumstances as Adverse Weather or Snow. You would be right to a degree.

To best understand what Event Cancellation Insurance policy you are buying you need to read the policy wording. Or better still; speak to an experienced specialist Event Insurance Broker.

Organisers will consider buying Event Cancellation Insurance to protect them from what they consider unforeseeable circumstances such as heavy snow or adverse weather which might lead to there event being disrupted.

Unfortunately this disruption does not necessarily mean that the Organiser is covered by their policy.

In all situations two things must occur if a claim made be made.

1) The Organiser must suffer a loss and be able to quantify it financially.

2) The incident that caused the loss must be covered (or not excluded) by the policy.

Whilst adverse weather itself is not excluded for indoor events. Some other losses or claim scenarios are actually excluded by the policy wording.

Due to the nature of adverse weather and indoor events, the event itself will not normally be completely cancelled. The reason being is that the Venue will normally be operating fine, so there are no funadmental reasons why the doors should not open as normal.

Where we have seen the biggest impacts due to snow and adverse weather are actually on the Reduced Attendance at the Event.

Many organisers rely on the "foot-fall" for on the day ticket sales, food & drink sales and ultimately the positive PR a good attendance generates. On certain consumer shows this may account for a huge proportion of the actual event revenue.

Unfortunately many Event Cancellation policies do not often extend to cover losses due to "Reduced Attendance". Irrespective of why the attendance has been reduced.

It is important to check your policy wording for the terms "reduced attendance" or "pre-contracted revenue cover". You might be surprised that you are missing the one item of cover that you were taking for granted.

In most circumstances this cover can be included very easily. Just speak to your broker.

A specialist event insurance broker can help you when making your decisions on cover. Visit www.heartlandevents.co.uk/resources.php for more helpful resources on Event Insurance.

Elegant Cream and Black Wedding Invitations

Most people don't think of black when they think about weddings, but black is one of the main colors this year. Especially popular is the combination of "butter and black" better known as cream and black. For evening or formal weddings, nothing is more elegant than simple black invitations especially when they are embellished or ribboned to match your colors. From the moment they arrive, these invitations set the tone and help you create the feel you want. Here are a few design suggestions to consider when choosing your invitation.

1. Printable Black Pocket Folders: When choosing printable pocket folders you accomplish two goals in one, you can choose the style of invitation you want and save almost 50% of the cost by printing them yourselves. Most internet sites allow you to choose from a variety of ribbon colors to accent your pocket folder and here is where you can be very creative. You can go with a cream and black motif so that the pocket folder is black and the card stock, RSVP cards and ribbons are cream, or you can vary the ribbon color to burnt sienna, purple, gold, silver, or any other color that reflects your style and imagination.

2. Printable Black Layered Invitations: If you are on a limited budget or want a simpler invitation, or are using this for the many other wedding related events that require invitations, the layered style is for you. Here the background is a black card and the cream invitation card is attached to it giving a "layered" look. There are many designs to choose from here, you can have the invitation card attached by a colored ribbon of your choice or you can "sash' the invitation card around the middle with a ribbon of your choice or you can embellish the ribbon with beads or jewels. And as these are print it yourself kits, you again can save 50% or more. You can also use this style of invitations to compliment the pocket folder. So, for example, you may use the pocket folders for your wedding invitations and the layered invitations for the Bride and Groom Shower, or Rehearsal Dinner invites.

3. Printable Black Bordered Invitations: Let's say you only want a hint of black, then the bordered invitation is the one to look for. Here you can choose from a simple white or cream card with a black border, or a layered invitation where the invitation card is large enough that only a small border of the black background card is showing. These can serve equally well as the main wedding invitation or as rehearsal dinner or shower invites. And they also give you the same great savings.

Whichever style you choose, black wedding invitations are an elegant and beautiful choice.

Online Party Linen Rentals Make for a Fun, Affordable Event

Unless you run a large-scale event planning company and have access to endless storage space, chances are high that you'll have more luck saving if you get your napkin and tablecloth rentals online. In addition to offering a larger selection than locally owned party linen rental companies, you'll find that online linen rental is cheaper, simpler to order and, like all online shopping, much less time-consuming than looking for local businesses and dealing with people directly. While a number of local establishments that offer table linens for rent will provide you with great service, they can't match the selection of online vendors. Here's why.

For Party Linen, "Rental" Means No Cleaning and No Worries

Unless you have professional experience with large scale cleaning, you probably have no idea what cleaning a room's worth of table linens. For rentals, this isn't an issue. The vast majority of tablecloth rental businesses that operate online (or at least the majority of the ones who are worth the money) offer cleaning services and set-up. Smaller operations are often shorthanded, so even if you find table linens for rent from a smaller company, you may need to pay more and do most of the set up work.

You Can Come Up With Your Color Palette Far in Advance

Because online linen rental companies tend to post their entire inventory online, you'll have a much better chance to examine their offerings and decide on your preferred color palette weeks, or even months, before your event. By deciding on your tablecloth rentals online, you'll be able to make other critical decisions, including your cutlery, flowers, and even what to wear to the event. In many cases, online party linen rental companies even include algorithms that make suggestions as to which table linens you should rent, matching napkins to tablecloths and even to centerpieces. Compared to going to a warehouse and sorting through linen swatches, scrolling through a selection is much more efficient and allows more creativity.

Finding Coupons for Online Tablecloth Rentals is Easy

It doesn't matter what the occasion is-saving money is always welcome. The internet is known for its great deals, and searching for promo codes and other offers is incredibly simple. You can either do a search or simply go to the online linen rental company's website. During certain seasons, you'll be able to save quite a bit of money, leaving you with the means to go all out on catering and other event essentials. Look for bundle deals-discounted napkins for every order of party linen rentals, discounts when you order a certain number of table linens, or coupons for future rent services.

Special Ways To Create Personal Intimate Memories At Your Baby Shower

A new baby is a memorable time for both the new parents and extended family. You can record the memories of the baby shower and all of the events surrounding the pregnancy and birth in several ways. There is video tape, photo albums, scrapbooks, and baby books, and calendars. All of these together will create a comprehensive collection of treasured memories.

NOTE: Some of these have to be planned in advance so you might have to ask for something in the invitations themselves. Put in BOLD LETTERS what they need to bring. Be sure you have your Guest Checklist filled out properly in case you have to contact every one again to fulfill a new idea you might come up with! (And don't be afraid to ask for extra help.)

Some activities can create something very special. An example here is the "Labor Necklace."

Labor Necklace: On the invitation, ask everyone to please bring a bead, trinket, charm, or item suitable for stringing for the making of a "Labor Necklace". Ask them to have a little story about whatever 'bead' they bring that will show their love and support and well wishes for the mom-to-be. You can also by a handful of beads for people to use if they have forgotten. Then, at a point in the party, ask everyone to sit around the mom-to-be. Have a leather strand or special string to make the necklace and explained to the mom-to-be that you are making a necklace to focus on in the birthing room, and that each bead or item would remind her of all of her friends here, their support and their love and their good wishes. One by one, have the guests bring up their item, give their little story about it, express their love and wishes, and hand it over to you for stringing or have the mom-to-be do the stringing.

Here are a few examples: One guy (Yes a guy) brought his daughters hair beads, saying that every time he saw them, he was filled with joy, and to remember you are on a joyous path. Another brought a stagecoach charm, to symbolize the travels and journeys ahead. A niece brought a money charm, to symbolize how much money she would make babysitting! Her mother brought a heart, as she has hers, and has created another.

Don't be surprised if the mom-to-be is moved to tears with each and every blessing and really loves the necklace.

Photographs and Video

Prior to the baby shower, a specific person needs to be assigned to take still photographs and video. The best way to do it is to take as many and much as possible. The video can always be edited and digital photos allow you to print only the best shots. This way you will have more than enough to make all of the albums and scrapbooks you want. Choose someone who is a friend, but not the closest friends or family members to do the picture taking. By using a friend to take pictures, closer relatives will be in the pictures and able to focus on enjoying the party.

A common practice at most wedding receptions now is also a fun idea for a baby shower. Put a disposable camera on each table and let the guests take pictures of each other then drop their camera in a basket on their way out. You can also involve guests in gathering photos throughout the pregnancy and from the parent's childhood to use in creating a photographic family tree for scrapbooks and albums.

Scrapbooks

Scrapbook making has become an extremely popular hobby across the United States in recent years. This is one way to organize keepsakes from the baby shower in a way that will get looked at over and over again throughout the years.

Beginners can purchase complete scrapbook kits just with a baby theme from any scrapbook store. These kits make it easy to simply add your photos to the pre-printed backgrounds and add your handwritten journal entries.

More experienced croppers (the name for scrapbook fanatics) will know just how to place each napkin, matchbook, ribbon, or gift wrap scrap to make a beautiful background for the photographs. Just be sure to collect and keep a copy of everything from the invitations and game rules to the flowers so they can become a part of the book.

If you are not at all into expending the amount of time and creative energy a scrapbook takes then photo albums are also lovely keepsakes. You can choose a fabric covered album that matches the gender of the baby or nursery theme then fill it with photos of everything from the pregnant mom to baby's first bath. Of course, you can always delegate this creative task to someone else with the time and talent to create a great memory book.

Keepsake Keepers

You don't have to limit yourself to albums or books for storing keepsakes. A sterling silver box can hold a lock of baby's hair. Shadow box frames can display Christening gowns and baby bracelets or safely hold that first precious stuffed teddy bear. There are also available for purchase silver plated tubes that hold the rolled up birth certificate securely. This also makes a thoughtful shower gift.

A journal can hold a wealth of keepsake words of wisdom and advice from shower guests. Passing a fabric covered or leather book around as guest eat and mingle, you can ask that they offer their best advice to the new parents in writing. One wise grandmother might write that you should always sing to your baby, while an experienced young mother may tell you to be sure to take time for doing your nails each week, as it will make you feel like your old self even when there's spit up on your shoulder! Be sincere, creative and have fun!

Drying Your Car Out After the Big Wet

Accidentally left a car-window open in heavy rain and your car insurance doesn't cover the damage? Here's some tips to help dry out your car. Be quick! You don't want to spend hundreds of dollars in cleaning costs after it gets smelly or mouldy.

• Run your car's air conditioning on recycle with the windows closed. This will tend to remove humidity from the air inside the car and draw moisture from the trim. Make sure that you replace the air inside the car regularly to avoid the air inside the car becoming stale.

• If your car does not have air conditioning, make sure the air setting is on fresh and drive the car with the windows open a few inches.

• If your carpet is soaked in rain water see if you can remove some of the simpler trim near the doors so that the carpet can be lifted. Place an object under the carpet to keep an airspace to assist drying.

• Try to park in the sun with the windows opened a fraction. Be careful not to leave the windows too open so as not to tempt thieves.

Got a leak from somewhere else?The water's getting in somehow and it could be coming from a number of sources. The sun-roof drain channels are not working or are blocked, the windscreen seal is broken, or one of the rubber grommets that allows wiring to pass from the engine bay to the cabin may be missing or broken. You will need to find the leak first before you can dry out your car.

You car is smelly/mouldy? Once the interior of the car does get smelly or mouldy, the only real solution is to remove the carpets and trim and wash them in warm water and detergent and let them dry outside the car. Unfortunately this is not a job for the average person. Get professional help.

Limos in Edmonton

Before booking any limo, check out their website, inquire about payment methods, check out the limos in person, ask about the driver, and go over their contracts. And if it's for any specific events like a Wedding or a Grad, you should know when and where the limo is required so they can ensure there are no complications or misunderstandings, and be where they need to be on time. A low-cost and unlicensed limo service provide is not likely to provide quality and hassle-free service. It is important to look around and see what each company offers and decide what is right for you.

Depending on the event, whether it be a Graduation, a Wedding, a Birthday Party, or just a Night on the Town, it is important to go for the right size limousine. You won't be able to fit 12 people in a Lincoln Town car, so you will have to go for an SUV to seat everyone comfortably. The feature in the limo are also important. Being in a limo where you can't play your own music, is dark and dull, and a bad ride is going to ruin your experience and leave you regretting your decision. There are many places to go in Edmonton for any event. Get a ride to Whyte Ave for a night out, go to the Jubilee Auditorium or Shaw Conference Center for a concert or graduation. Whatever the destination, make sure you arrive in comfort and style.

Picking a clean and safe limo, which is the right size and loaded with feature and lights, will not only give a very enjoyable experience, but also ensure that you arrive in style. Check out the limo before hand and see if will be able to seat everyone and whether will provide a great experience. The company should provide drinks, and pop, and must have a liquor license (from the Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission) in order to service alcohol to those over the age of 18. Not all limo companies in Edmonton have the proper licensing or insurance, so be sure to check that the company is properly certified by the City or the Government of Alberta.

Wedding are a very important day, and can be ruined by choosing the wrong limousine service. Picking an experienced company that will provide quality service by making sure the limousines are clean, drinks are provided, decorations are included, chauffeurs are respectful, are on time, and know when and where they are needed will provide a hassle-free experience. Thus allowing you to enjoy your special day with friends and family, creating the experience of a lifetime. In Edmonton, there are many places where one can have their wedding. There are a number of golf courses, hotels, convention centers, gardens, and halls to choose from for your Wedding.

Graduations are also important, and being late to your own Grad would ruin it for you, so make sure that doesn't happen by finding a quality limo service provider. Being there on time is important, but so is arriving in style. Choosing a limo to get you noticed during Grad can make your Grad even better. Making sure everyone will be satisfied is another key factor when determining which limo and limo company to go with. Pick up all your friends from their house or get picked up from one locations. Ask if the limo company can come to your high school, whether it's Wagner, McNally, or Jasper Place, so you and your friends can see the limo in person before grad.

Pet Photography Trend Brings Families Into The Picture

In the modern American culture, pets are increasingly treated as family members. Dogs, cats, birds, and other small animals have always been an important part of the family. As American culture evolved in the last twenty years, these domesticated companions have taken on an even more important role.

More young couples are not just getting married later in life; they are delaying having children until older. As a result, pets seem to have taken the place of children in the lives of young couples and as such, they are treated much the same way that children are. Indeed, many people refer to their pets as their "kids" and owners are themselves referred to as "pet parents" by those in the companion animal industry.

For middle aged American couples, pets are a welcome relief to empty houses as their children grow up and move out. These pets help make the transition easier. For older Americans, a pet often helps one get through the death of a spouse or loss of a job.

Whole industries have been created to service these pet families. These include dog walkers, pet sitters, doggie daycare, backyard "pooper" scoopers, pet insurance, and of course, the pet photography specialist. Several major insurance companies have even added options for pet insurance. It makes sense that this unique member of the family is included in the annual family portrait and at other family functions. Dogs are even showing up at weddings as part of the wedding party and are included in the wedding portraits as well. More often we are seeing portraits of a dog or cat on a co-workers desk along with their other family members. Some proud pet owners even carry small sized photos of their pal in their wallet.

Unlike thirty years ago, an animal in a family portrait is no longer considered an oddity, but is seen as just another loved family member. Are your "furry friends" included in your family portraits?

Wedding Invitations and Handwritten Calligraphy

What You Should Know.
Before you purchase your wedding invitations or correspondence stationery, you need to become familiar with paper quality. The quality of paper you select is very important. Not only because premium paper makes for a more lovely presentation for your recipient, but excellent quality paper is critical if you are using professional, handwritten calligraphy for your envelopes.

The Heirloom.

Your wedding invitation is your heirloom keepsake. Choose stationery that won't fall apart over time. For example, 100 percent cotton or linen is best. If you are hiring a professional calligrapher to address your wedding envelopes, then avoid the following: thin papers like those of inexpensive greeting card quality, papers made with wood pulp, and handmade or recycled papers. Calligraphy ink may bleed on handmade and recycled stocks.

What to Avoid.
Try to stay away from dark papers or the use of liners in your envelopes. The most formal wedding invitations, at one time, were not accompanied by lined envelopes. Liners have become more popular recently, this is true. However, I often wonder if liners were introduced to create the illusion of "substance" to mask otherwise "thin" paper. If you choose heavy weight premium paper, then a liner is not necessary. If you are "sold" on liners, because you wish to incorporate your wedding color into your invitations, then consider instead: a silk ribbon tied around the invitation with a parchment overlay. Or print an envelope seal in your wedding color on the back flap of our outer envelope. Monograms make wonderful envelope seals. Lastly, because dark colors and liners make envelopes opaque and can also affect writing results, calligraphers may charge more to address these flavors of envelopes.

The Toughie.

How do you choose premium paper? Stationery is usually measured in bond weight. A good piece of paper is thirty-two or forty-pound bond. And hundred-pound offset is roughly equal to forty-pound bond. Heavy cards should be made of three-ply stock. Ask your vendor about their paper quality if you are unsure. Also, here are two great tests for paper quality for envelopes. Hold the envelope up to the light. Is the envelope feathery, very thin and extremely easy to see through? Can you write on it with a good fountain pen, or does the ink bleed? Professional calligraphers use fountain and dip inks. I always tell my clients, "Exquisite calligraphy can only be achieved on the finest paper."

In Sum.

Choose a reputable wedding vendor for your wedding invitations and correspondence. And remember, if the quoted prices are "too-good-to-be-true", then the paper and calligraphy most likely are not.

Insurance Total Loss - A Flawed Process That Victimizes The Consumer

The insurance total loss process is simply a racket! I am sick of reading emails from just about every corner of the country from people seeking some kind of consumer protection. It also seems that every insurance company is guilty as charged. Look, I make my living by dealing with insurance companies, and I truly believe in the societal need for insurance. However, when it comes to total loss claims, the consumer is getting the short end of the stick. Let me explain and I will let you form your own opinion.

The process is designed in such a way that the insurance carrier can make you take what they believe your car is worth. They decide this by finding comparable values in your area. These comparables are often assessed by independent third party companies. Insurance companies argue that they do not have any "control" over this information. However, I argued that this is not the case. The insurance total loss process is controlled and paid by the insurance company.

Who are these companies suppose to advocate for, the ultimate consumer or the person that pays them? Many people argue these companies are paid to act objectively, but in reality, they have few costumers
(big insurance carriers). If the insurance carrier believes that this companies total loss values are high, guess what? They will stop dealing with that specific company.

These third party companies are in business only because of insurance carriers. The consumer has no say regarding which third party company should look at their car. The result is simple. These companies must satisfy their client (the insurance carrier), and what is the best to do that? Low comparable values so the insurance company can settle you for less. Don't believe me? Simply Google "total loss class action".

You will see the amount of litigation for unfair vehicle values. There are ways to protect yourself when
disputing comparables and getting a fair settlement.
To learn how to dispute unfair total loss values, click here.

Offering less than the fair market value of your car is illegal. Insurance companies must be fair, but somehow they get away with very low total loss values. There are other insurance practices that are not illegal per se, but they are unfair an unethical. There are ways to fight those too!

The pressure of the total loss adjuster will be incredible; they want you to settle in the first call. Your car maintenance records will not be even considered. In many states, no new equipment will be looked at in
assessing the value. If you have rental coverage, most states allow the total loss adjuster to cut off your rental three days after the vehicle damage is deemed a total loss. Some states (like Texas) allow the insurance carrier to cut off your rental car the day they decide that there is a total loss. Note: not the day they pay. You are supposed to negotiate the value of your car while you either pay for a rental car out of your own pocket or you take the bus to work.

Cutting the rental car is in compliance with state legislation. Most states allow insurance companies to do this. Next time that insurance commissioner elections and/or your state legislators want initiatives, it is a good time to try to change this. Think about it, even if you settle your insurance total loss the day they call you, it will take at least three business days to get the check on the mail. You will not be compensated for any expenses while you go car shopping (it can take a long time).

Although the technique outline above is legal. I believe it is unfair. This gives unequal footing in a negotiation. Most people cannot afford to be paying for rental cars until they get to a settlement with an
insurance company. They need to get to work.

Insurance adjusters have a duty to act in good faith and fair dealing. It is implied in every insurance policy in the United States. However, this duty is "enhanced" when you are dealing with your own insurance
company. Insurance adjusters must "help you" and "explain" the process to you. They are supposed to explain how you can argue your claim, and how you can document the value of your car. Most will not. They will tell you "this is my last offer, let me know when you want to send me the title of your car, and I
will send you this amount." That is about it.

There is no question that we need insurance and that there is social benefit on having it. However, when it comes to the total loss process, some adjustments must be made to protect the ultimate consumer. Check you state regulations and see what this process entails. If you don't like it, then call your state legislator.

Romantic and Magical Winter Vintage Wedding Ideas

Weddings in the winter are romantic and magical all rolled up into one special and memorable occasion. The majority of weddings at this time of year are held indoors because of the cold; however, you can bring the winter indoors with these easy winter vintage wedding ideas.

Vintage Wedding Gown

Vintage weddings are very romantic and the perfect opportunity to wear your grandmother's wedding gown in an event similar in style to the first time it was worn. If you are purchasing a gown, save money on a classic wedding dress by searching in consignment shops or online for a dress that is vintage in design. If you find a pre-owned dress that suits you, keep in mind that it may need to be cleaned or need minor repairs, so purchase in sufficient time to make the tailoring needed.

Winter Colors

The perfect option for a winter wedding is white, however, with small additions of silver or blue you can add a bit of color and sparkle to the overall color scheme. The bridesmaids' dresses would be stunning in a silvery blue, and bouquets made from white roses with silver ribbon look elegant and romantic, providing a wintery effect.

Vintage Invitations

Whether you order the invitations or make them yourself, they should have a classic vintage look. Paper that is cream-colored with ragged edges and antique printing looks gorgeous and will give your guests a hint about the theme of the wedding. Images such as a horse-drawn sleigh in the snow look great on a vintage wedding invitation.

Winter Decorations

Small items such as glitter, snowflakes and silver-painted twigs go a long way when decorating for a winter vintage theme. Decorate the reception tables with white table linens, blue napkins and glittery snowflakes scattered on top of the table covers. Centerpieces made from white candles, silver-painted branches and white flowers provide an elegant, romantic and vintage effect. Provide mood lighting with small white lights throughout the venue, or have several white candles in various sizes on all of the tables, in candelabras or in decorative votive cups. Arrange to have ice sculptures on the food table and/or the cake table to add a romantic ambiance to the decorations.

Arrival and Departure

For a fantastic addition to the theme, arrive at the wedding in a horse-drawn carriage and leave as a couple in the same way. Should you prefer to be transported in a covered vehicle, ask to borrow a vintage car from family or friends. If you do not know anyone with a classic car, search online for local car rental companies that specialize in vintage vehicles. When renting the vehicle, many companies will also provide a driver for the day.

Mood Music

The music will provide a great deal of the effect during the reception, so choose a band that is known for playing music from the era you love most. When hiring a DJ to provide the music at your reception, make it clear to them what the theme of the wedding is and what type of music you want played throughout the day.

Vintage Wedding Favors

The wedding favors are a great way to enhance your theme in the table decorations. There are several winter vintage wedding ideas that can be used as a perfect favor for the guests. For example, small silver picture frames, decorative gift boxes with a cupcake or cookies inside, or miniature silver birdcages that double as place seating cards all look fantastic on a winter wedding table.

You can find more ideas for this season in the Winter Wedding shop at Just Weddings. For favors and decorations reminiscent of times gone by, browse through the Victorian & Vintage Wedding Theme section. All products are hand-picked with love from the best names in weddings.

Wedding Invitation Boxes & Silk Invitation Boxes Are the NEW Trend!

The perfect wedding invitation with Thai silk wedding invitation boxes or folios?

It is no secret, Silk invitation boxes and silk folios from Thailand are the new trend for a perfect and round wedding.

The times of sending a simple wedding invitation postcard to the whole family are over. More and more brides choose the exclusive way and order one of various invitation products including silk invitation boxes, silk pouches, folios and even silk envelopes.

Thai silk is one of the signature products from Thailand.
No question it suits just perfect to make exclusive wedding invitation boxes with pure Thai silk. There are no limits in creativity and extravaganza. For example embellished invitations with silk flowers or brooches with rhinestone crystals carefully ensembles on a padded silk envelope or silk pouches. My favorite is the rhinestone crystal rings with ribbon bands combined with a gatefold silk invitation box.

To plan a wedding invitation is truly a time-consuming process. Maybe because there are so many formats and possibilities the invitation box can be made in. Padded, not padded, embellished, simple, with or without flower arrangement and so on. It's all up to your time and budget.

Select the right material to meet your budget
Generally silk invitations are made with pure 100% silk or if your budget does not allow with Faux silk (artificial silk). Thai silk looks just so much more exclusive if you hold it against the light, but more and more brides choose the cheaper version of Faux silk invitations. No question, nobody wants to pay the debts of an expensive marriage until the silver wedding. Don't miss to contact me if you need support finding the right wedding favor, silk invitation box or wedding gifts.

Contact your invitation designer early to avoid delays
Thai silk invitations are hand made, so each item needs time to finish. If you place the order late, the manufacturer may not be able to manufacture high quality products. To get the best result, inquire 2 month before you actually need the invitation or wedding favor to arrive your home. This way you have around 4 weeks to discuss the design and look of your dream invitation box or silk invitation holder and the manufacturer has another 4 weeks to produce the order.

Getting a Wedding Ring With Bad Credit

Bad credit personal loans are fast emerging as the most special loans in the American credit market. Bad credit personal loans are specially designed for people with bad credit. There are millions of Americans who are under huge credit card debts. They have either carried high balances or missed out on payments due to many possible reasons. Those reasons could be: lack of experience, illness, unemployment, or over-spending.

Bad Credit Loan Purposes

If you are one of those who have a bad credit, but still wish to buy jewelry, you can utilize bad credit personal loans. Bad credit personal loans can be utilized for buying gold jewelry, electronic goods, a car, a new home, and many other goods. There are different banks that have different maximum loan amounts, security conditions, and eligibility criteria. You can check out the different offers and the dissimilar rates of interest charged and compare prices to see which one best suits your needs.

Loan Amount & Interest Rate

The amount that can be made available to you through bad credit personal loans depends on the kind of credit rating that you have. Banks and financial institutions are focusing more and more on customers who shop or are retail customers and the amounts offered keep growing. As long as your income allows it, the only thing that your credit score will determine is the interest rate rather than approval of the loan.

Gold prices have increased and many people who are fond of jewelry have started looking at bad credit personal loans to satisfy their passion and also for a way of investing their money. Many are requesting loans, buying gold items and selling them later for higher prices making a significant difference.

The sales figures for jewelry reach their peak during the wedding season. The majority of jewelry buyers are women. The minimum amount that can be availed through bad credit personal loans is $200 to $400. The maximum amount can go up to anywhere between $2000 and $6000. The amount of the loan depends upon the bank and the borrower's credit history.

Requirements For Approval

The eligibility for bad credit personal loans depends on the lender's criteria and basically on the credit report of the applicant. An insurance policy, or a pledge for the ornaments, is commonly used for giving out loans to non-working borrowers. However, the most important requirement for loan approval is income. If you can prove that you have a steady and suitable income to afford the monthly payments, chances are that you won't have any problems in getting approved for a bad credit loan to buy jewelry.

10 Questions to Ask Your Caterer

Whether you need a caterer for your wedding or annual New Year's bash, it's important to find the perfect catering company that can provide the cuisine, food presentation, and overall ambiance you are looking for. To ensure you do, here are ten questions you should ask any prospective caterer you interview:

1. Do you specialize in a certain type of food? This is important if you are looking for something specific; the caterer should be able to supply you with sample menus to look over.

2. What is your average price range? Find out if costs are itemized depending on the food you select or if there's an all-inclusive rate. Does the cost include gratuity, taxes, and other additional costs?

3. Do you provide table linens, chairs, silverware, tableware, salt-and-pepper shakers, etc? Find out if the caterer can provide those non-food items and if not, if they will make the arrangements for rentals. If they provide them, ask to see them beforehand to ensure they are acceptable as is.

4. Who will by main contact? Find out if the person you work with throughout the planning will be who will oversee meal service on the day of your event (this should be the case).

5. Will you handle the table settings? Inquire if the catering company will set up the place settings and place name cards and favors or if you are in charge of doing that.

6. Will you provide wait staff? Whether you are having the event at your home or a banquet hall, find out how many wait staff they recommend for an event of your size. Most reputable caterers will use their own wait staff even if the site has serving personnel available.

7. Where will the food be provided? Are there on-site facilities or will the caterer need to make additional arrangements? Find out if there is an additional fee if the caterer is required to bring in their own equipment.

8. Do you have a valid license and proper insurance? A license ensures the catering company has met health department standards and has liability insurance which protects you in case of an accident. Make sure this includes a liquor license from the state if you plan on serving alcohol.

9. Do you provide the alcohol or can I provide it myself? If you can handle the bar separately, find out if there is a corkage fee and determine arrangements to get the caterer the alcohol. If the caterer will provide it, look over the wine list beforehand and find out if they allow special requests.

10. Can you arrange a tasting? If you get a good vibe from the caterer you are meeting with, schedule a tasting to sample their cuisine.