Top 10 Indian Wedding Decor Trends

Diagram the d矇cor much in advance keeping in mind the weather, theme, colours and current trends to ensure that it is perfect. While richness does not always mean opulence, the key to a perfect d矇cor can lie in innovation. Explore all options before making the final choice.

The wedding d矇cor must explore the colourful, vast, vibrant and rich culture of boundaries of Indian weddings. It is the one aspect that can make or break the look and feel of that special evening. It is ideal to know what's exactly trending before deciding. But before setting out on this journey, just clear your mind of all fixed ideas. This doesn't mean that you can't set preferences and expectations, but the way forward is to not be rigid.

1. Flower Power

Flowers continue to be the popular choice this season. They genuinely spread cheery vibes all around. While roses are classics, tulips are refreshing, and lilacs breathe elegance. Flowers must be used in tandem with other aspects like the stage d矇cor, theme of the wedding. Different types of flowers including artificial ones can be combined beautifully using ribbons and then be strategically placed. Ask the florist for a mock setup!

2. Lighten Up

Candles and lanterns add the much-needed softness to an otherwise grand affair. It not only lights up the place, but also looks beautiful. Special arrangements are created to fill up empty places.

3. Fab Fabrics

Multi-coloured and different fabrics draped together create a dramatic effect. Just be sure of not using cheap quality fabric that might rip apart damaging the look.

4. Match-much!

The decor of core areas like entrance, stage, seating, photo-opt, lounge areas and the linens is colour-coordinated. This is upped a notch when the bridegroom's outfit matches the colours of the locale.

5. Tent It

Shabby shamianas are history! Tented weddings do not mean cutting down the cost or capacity anymore but widening the chances of customization. Depending on the weather, choose to have a transparent or covered roof, and then the choice of fabrics, crystals and flowers.

6. Stylish Seating

Make sure there is ample seating for your guests, and it is stylish! Be sure to dress up the banquet chairs with nice linen, which is not torn or damaged. Pretty it up with coloured sash, ribbons, flowers or crystals. It can be made more interesting by adding tassels and brooches is a good idea!

7. Colour It

Pastel and soft colours are really in! Using different shades of one colour look very nice. From invitation cards, floral balls to fabrics being used, ensuring that the colour is the same for all can perfect the Indian wedding decor like nothing else.

8. The Central Point

With proper seating plans, centrepieces catch all the attention. Regular floral or crystal ones are the usual choices; but edible options like a fancy chocolate candles or fresh fruits look great too! Innovation genuinely begins where convention ends!

9. Food Layout

Laying out the food, and displaying it well is an art. Make sure that the display of food, ingredients and chef's techniques is superbly creative so it engages the guest more.

10. Sweet Nothings

Vanity vans for guests to refresh or touch-up before entering the venue is really helpful. A grand welcome with sweets, fresh petal shower and other such gestures add the finishing touch to the otherwise perfect setup.

Creative Wedding Invitations

One great idea is to make your wedding invitations rhyme. Rhyming wedding invites not only bring a smile to people's faces but can also help with the slightly awkward wording of informing the guests about your gift list or requesting contributions to the honeymoon (if that is what you are doing). While it is now considered quite acceptable to do this, wording the request in a polite and un-pushy manner can be quite a challenge.

Here's a few verses that can slot into your wedding invitation, or just use as inspiration to compose a rhyme of your own.

The date has been set

And we'd love you to come,

To our wedding in (place name),

A long way for some

All you must do,

Is decide what to wear,

Put on your jewellery,

Perhaps comb your hair

There will be music and food

And people you don't know,

Just please RSVP,

And pray it don't snow!

We've not done a wedding list,

For reasons which we'll explain,

But it will save you hassle,

As shopping can be a pain

We've lived together for quite a while

And already have a kettle and two toasters,

Our kitchen is filled with pots and pans,

Plus dinner plates and coasters

If you really do want to give a gift,

To help us celebrate,

Some money for our honeymoon,

Really would be great

Now please don't think we're cheeky,

Or that this comes from greed,

But we've lived together for quite a while,

And there's really not much we need

But obviously the most important thing,

Is the purpose of this request,

We'd love to see you on our special day,

As one of our wedding guests

Feel free to use the above exactly as is, or add in a few verses of your own. You'll certainly receive compliments from your guests for the originality. You don't even need to make the whole invite rhyme. You could just address the wedding gift list issue through rhyme, and make the rest of the invite normal.

One other nice idea I have recently seen in a wedding invite is, in the RSVP, the couple had asked for you to recommend a song for the playlist for the wedding reception. This gets your guests involved and lets them all feel like they are contributing. Plus, you can guarantee they will be straight up on the dance floor when their song is played!

Online Sikh Wedding Cards

For every Indian, wedding is the event of a lifetime. All Indians look forward to be a part of the marriage functions, rituals and ceremonies. Exclusive, well designed and coordinated wedding cards can work wonders and set the right tone for this auspicious ceremony.

In the Sikh community, marriage is recognized as an event where two souls merge. And in the prelude to marriage life, it means merging of two families and friend circles. Sikh marriage ceremonies are well known for their spirit of extravagance in terms of food, clothes and dance. A Sikh marriage ceremony lasts for nearly a week celebrating joyous activities like Mehndi, Cocktails, Sangeet Night, and so on. Sikh wedding cards are unique and exquisitely alluring. These are available in a wide range from simple and elegant to flamboyantly styled ones. Some are even tailor made for adding gaiety and splendor to the occasion.

The Sikh wedding cards come in a wide variety of colors, studded with kundans. Some cards contain messages from their holy book, Adi Granth (also known as Guru Granth Sahib). Like normal Indian wedding cards, these also come in varied styles, colors and designs. The customs followed by the Sikhs are more or less similar to those followed by the Hindus. These marriage ceremonies are conducted in a traditional manner, keeping alive the old rituals and culture. For fulfilling the occasion and to end it happily, immense planning and preparations are needed to be done. Planning includes many things like- organizing the occasion, decoration of mandap, making wedding dresses, finalizing the menu list, inviting and taking care of the guests, and so on. Of these things what is of the most importance to a Sikh? Wedding invitations, of course!

The Sikh wedding invitations are not only some messages written on pieces of paper. Each style has attractive color, distinctive feature and unmatched finish. This form of invitation has become a signature of many weddings around the world. The cards are made from art sheet, handmade silk paper and other materials.

Wedding Insurance - Financial Protection for the Biggest Day of Your Life

Like most soon to be married couples, you've probably spent months preparing to insure that your wedding day will go smoothly. However, there are events that can take place on or before your wedding day that are beyond your control. An Event Insurance Policy Plan can cover you for unforeseen events, such as and illness in the wedding party, or an act of nature.

Wedding Cancellation Insurance Plans

Most policies will cover the financial impact of rescheduling a wedding reception if cancellation is caused by the following events:

Cancellation Due To Severe Weather

The cost of rescheduling the wedding because of severe weather will be covered only if a majority of your guests can not attend the wedding.

Absence of Key People in the Wedding

You are covered if people critical to the wedding ceremony or reception can not attend because of injury or illness, or if the officiant does not show up.

Military Leave Withdrawn

You have coverage if the wedding must be cancelled because either the bride or groom is called for mandatory military service.

Other Wedding Insurance Coverage

Also be on the lookout for policies which include coverage for the following wedding specific items:

Wedding Photographs and Videos

If the photographer does not show up, the film is defective, or if the negatives are destroyed or lost, the cost of retaking photos is reimbursed.

Wedding Gift Insurance

The insurance policy should cover the loss or theft of your wedding gifts.

Loss of Wedding Deposits

The policy should also include reimbursement of any outstanding deposits should one of your wedding vendors go out of business prior to the wedding day.

Wedding Jewelry and Attire

If the special attire of one of the attendants is lost or destroyed, or special jewelry is lost or stolen.

Additional Expenses

Blanket coverage for unforeseen, extra expenses incurred to side step the cancellation of your wedding.

Professional Counseling

The Event Insurance Policy should cover the cost of doctor recommended counseling for the bride and groom to deal with the stress of a wedding cancellation.

Timing the Purchase of Wedding Event Insurance

You should buy the insurance as soon as you begin making deposits to wedding vendors. Insurance can generally be purchased as late as two weeks prior to the wedding reception date.

Once you have made deposits to all your vendors (most of which are non-refundable) this type of wedding reception event cancellation insurance can protect your investment by insuring you against unexpected events leading up to your big day.

Nine Inspired Picks For Chic and Cheap Wedding Venues on a Budget

Have a wedding budget that's all soda-pop-and-bread, but you can't stop swooning over a champagne-and-truffles kind of celebration?

Don't fret - you're about to expertly combine "beautiful" and "affordable" in your wedding planning, because you'll discover 8 creative, fun and smart ways to pull off a blockbuster wedding on a tight budget!

1. Choose a wedding location that offers discounted space on a weekday or weeknight and book it for 25% to 50% off, depending on the facilities they offer. These times are typically in low demand, so most vendors, especially in small towns or remote/suburban locations, will readily consider a better wedding venue rental rate.

2. If you're having a religious church or temple ceremony, try and plan it around a festive time of year, such as a major holiday or after someone else's wedding. This way, your place of worship will already be gussied up for the main event, and you'll only need to weave in some wedding trimmings or small wedding accents to complement the existing decor.

3. Opt for romantic, cost-effective and simple touches, if you're planning to wed in a church or similar religious venue, by saving on artificial lighting and air conditioning costs. Plan for a short and intimate ceremony at dusk inside the premises, and get married by candlelight! It's gorgeous and offers great soft lighting for flattering photographs. Plus, it's romantic and easy on the pocket!

4. Call up your favorite restaurant and ask for frequent diner benefits. If you can't rent the full restaurant, you can reserve a private room, or even the back garden if the landscaping is pretty, for hosting the ceremony and maybe a bit of dancing!

5. Check with the local city park authorities whether they issue permits for hosting wedding celebrations. Some have fountains, covered patios or arbors that can be easily transformed into beautiful and cheap wedding venues with a bit of clever outdoor wedding decor, such as paper lanterns, snow spray, reflective wall art and so on.

6. Other great budget wedding venues you can ask about are local theaters and performance halls. Apart from being dramatic and unique, these can provide a historical or contemporary backdrop for planning theme weddings. The Brooklyn Academy of Music is a fantastic wedding venue for local residents who get a discount on the rental rates! Or, if you live in a town boasting one of those retro movie theaters, plan your wedding ceremony here to add some unusual variety-show charm and get married on stage!

7. If you were lucky enough to go to college at one of those campuses full of stately, architecturally-significant period buildings, why not find out about cheap hall rentals? Rates are usually lowered for alumni! Ivy-fringed halls, grand chapels and even some modern educational buildings, like those created out of renovated industrial structures, make for unusual and affordable wedding venues!

8. Need to keep a wide variety of wedding guests amused at your wedding? Why not plan it next to a fairground or amusement park (avoid peak hours for best prices) to ensure your wedding guests are suitably entertained and that affordable refreshments are close at hand, too!

9. For a cool mix of history, local lore and adventure, arrange a nature ramble to the old mill or barn owned by family/friends and host the wedding there. Or book the famous beer brewery in town and prepare to give your wedding guests an 'ale' of a time!!

How To Pick The Perfect Wedding Invitation Templates

Sometimes the hardest part of the process of getting married isn't planning the reception or the wedding. Sometimes it just so happens to be the process of picking out or designing wedding invitation templates. This is because there are so many options out there for people to choose from. It can be really tough to pick one out and to have one that is truly the best one and the right one. However, this article will try to help those who are having troubles with this issue by discussing what to really look for when trying to put together or pick out a greatly designed wedding invitation.

It's important to first realize the correlation that needs to exist between the wedding invitation templates and the envelope that the invitations will be sent out in. It's important to have them mesh well together, so they should be sort of picked out or designed at the same time. It's mainly all about making sure that the colors and any key designs are the same in the invitations as well as over the envelope. Other than that, it should be a pretty easy process to matching them up.

The font being used is a really big part of all wedding invitation templates. This can be one of the hardest decisions, too, because there are many different fonts out there. It's most important to make sure that the font is one that can be easily read because if a font can't be read, it's pretty much worthless. So, try to pick out a font that is stylish and is unique but is also easy to read. If it's not, maybe increasing the size of the font can change that, so keep that in mind.

The last part to picking out or designing wedding invitation templates is figuring out what designs will be included in the invitations. For example, some templates have ribbons, vertical and horizontal bars with designs in them, or just general pictures of a variety of things, such as flowers. This is where it is really up to the bride and the groom to figure out what they want. However, any design should work well with the colors being used in the template and should also mesh well with the font style being used. In the end, it's just important to keep every little detail in mind before making any decision to make sure it all meshes well in the end.

Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Baby Shower Ideas

If the baby shower is near a holiday, take advantage of that and use it for your theme. This will make decorating so much easier since you probably already have plenty of holiday decorations. If after looking through your things you still need more, you can always call up friends and family members and ask them to lend you some of their decorations for the shower too. In this article you will find ideas for 3 different holidays baby showers: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Easter Baby Shower
Easter is a representation of new life so celebrating the new baby with an Easter theme combines beautifully. A large part of decorating for an Easter shower is having lots of flowers. The typical Easter flower is a white lily but you can also use daffodils and tulips. If your budget is tight then at least have a few white lilies put into vases and spread around the foods tables. Make Easter baskets filled with Easter eggs and rainbow confetti. These can be put on the tables as centerpieces. Use pastel colors as the basis of the decorations. Light yellow, green and pink balloons can hang in the entrance way and behind the cake table. If you have children coming to the shower, create a corner where they can go and paint Easter eggs. Make sure to have long plastic aprons so they don't get their clothes dirty. You can also have them hunt for Easter eggs in the yard. For the favors fill a plastic carrot with jelly beans. Another favor idea is to have lots of chocolate eggs together with cellophane and tie it with a satin bow.

Thanksgiving Baby Shower
Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for what we have so it will fit in perfectly with the celebration of the new baby. For hand made invitations, use colorful cardboard to cut out the shape that you choose. Some ideas for shapes are turkeys, pilgrims' hats, cornucopias, and pumpkins. A good way to word the invitation would be: "We are so thankful for the newest blessing from above". The best colors to use are orange, brown, beige and accents of green. For a fun game, prepare cards beforehand with thanksgiving terms and play win lose or draw with the guests. It's a lot of fun and the winning team can get turkey candies as treats. For the food, you can have a roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, squash casserole, pumpkin pie, or even pecan tarts.

Christmas Baby Shower
Christmas is such a wonderful festive time. Having a Christmas baby shower will be as much fun planning as the actual party. The invitations can be any one of these shapes: a garland, a tree, gingerbread, a gift or even a candy cane. For the wording on the invitation you could write something like: "In this magical season let's celebrate the beauty of a new bundle of joy." For the centerpiece of the foods table, have a small Christmas tree with twinkling white lights. You can also put lights on top of the table in between trays of food. As for flowers, poinsettias are the favorite Christmas flower and make great decorations for the tables where the guests will be seated. If your budget is tight you can decorate with gold, red, and green balloons instead of using flowers. For entertainment have the guests play musical chairs to the sound of Christmas music, play Christmas bingo, and Christmas words unscramble.

Civil Ceremony

The Ceremony.

If you want the joining together of two people in marriage to be legal, especially in Ireland, you must have either a civil ceremony in a registry office or a religious ceremony, that is recognised by civil law as a civil contract.

Did you know that in Ireland the only Religious denominations whose marriage ceremonies are recognised by civil law as legally binding are Roman Catholic, Church Of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Society of Friends and Jewish communities. So what if you are a member of a faith whose marriage ceremonies are not legally recognised, that is not a problem as you may still have a religious ceremony in your own church but interestingly you must also have a civil ceremony. Only then will you be considered legally married in Ireland. I can hear you asking does that mean two different wedding outfits - perhaps if that is what you wish.

While I lived in Poland I was invited to a few weddings over there and it was obligatory for the happy couple to have a civil ceremony in a registry office and a religious ceremony in a catholic church if you were catholic. Some couples conducted both on the one day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, while other couples opted for these to take place on two different days. Yet all of the brides wore a different attire to both. They would wear a fashionable outfit to the registry office while reserving the wearing of their wedding dress for the church wedding.

The Civil Ceremony

Whereas we do have new locations to have our civil Ceremony, we would still need the venue agreed and approved by the Registrar and this needs to be complete in advance of the Registration. Marriages by civil ceremony may take place at the Office of a Registrar of Civil Marriages or at the newly agreed venues throughout Ireland. It is from the Registrar, that the Couples who are undergoing a civil ceremony, will be issued with a Marriage Registration Form, which does not necessarily have to be the same registrar who is performing the ceremony. There will be additional fees for civil marriages at venues other than the Registry offices. The Registrar will advise you of what fees are due when you are giving your notification. At one stage to be married in Ireland there were residency issues but as of the 5th November 2007, there are no longer any residency requirements for civil marriages. There is one strict stipulation and that is that the ceremony must be performed in the presence of two witnesses who should be both over 18 years of age, and I do believe that this rule would apply no matter what country you choose to have your civil ceremony.

Can we get married wherever we like?

Yes of course you can, but this needs to be vetted by the Registrar. So if you wish to have a civil ceremony at a venue other than a Registry office, you must contact the Registration Office in the area where the venue is located and apply to have the venue approved for the solemnisation of your civil marriages. This may involve the Registrar making an inspection of the venue. In order that the venue can be inspected in good time for your intended marriage, it is recommended that you make these arrangements well in advance of your notification appointment with the Registrar. The option to marry at a location other than a registry office is currently only available Mondays to Fridays. Being able to get married in a location of your choice is very new but a fantastic idea as this enables your civil ceremony to have your personal touch, which also empowers you to come up with your own wedding vows and love poems or whatever wording you choose. So enjoy your wedding ceremony and make it your own.

Etiquette For Addressing Wedding Invitations

Addressing your wedding invitations is not as simple as putting your guests names and addresses on the envelopes. There is a specific etiquette for addressing wedding invitations. If you are having a formal wedding, there are certain etiquette guidelines to follow when addressing your wedding envelopes.

• Do not use abbreviations.


• Do not use the "&" sign, spell it out.


• Use numbers for the recipients address; do not spell out the numbers.


• Spell out words like "street, drive, avenue, apartment, and state names." If the state name does not fit, then you may abbreviate.

All titles other than Mr. and Mrs. should be completely spelled out. A good example would be Doctor instead of Dr., Reverend instead of Rev. Any type of elected official like the Mayor would be addressed as The Honorable Mayor. If only one of them has a title, use that person's name first.

If a guest is in the military, use appropriate titles like Sergeant or Major before their name.

Examples for military etiquette for addressing wedding invitations:

Outer Envelope:

Major and Mrs. Edwin Williams

352 Martin Drive

Houston, Texas 77678

Inner Envelope:

Major and Mrs. Williams

If they both have the same rank/same last name:

Sergeant Major Edwin and Laura Williams

If they have different ranks/same last name:

Sergeant Major Edwin and Sergeant Laura Williams

Etiquette for addressing wedding invitations uses the person's full name. If you use an inner and outer envelope with your invitations, you may skip the first names on the outer envelope and use full names on the inner envelope without the address. On the inner envelope you may use a more casual tone if you wish.

Example:

Outer Envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

123 Casper Road

Houston, Texas 45678

Inner Envelope Formal Tone:

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Casual Tone:

Megan and John

or

Auntie Meagan and Uncle John

If inviting a married couple with small children, it should read:

Outer Envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith

123 Casper Road

Houston, Texas 45678

Inner Envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Tony, Sandy and Kayla (List by oldest to youngest)

Or

Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Family

Children over 18 years old.

If they have older children, 18 and over, you can send them two separate invitations or a joint invitation. Write the names in alphabetical order for joint invitations on separate lines.

Chris Smith

Andy Smith

Paula Smith

Married couple's names belong on the same line unless there's no room. Unmarried couple's names go on two separate lines with the name of the person you know on the first. If you know both individuals then the woman's name goes first. They will not each get a separate invitation. If you are inviting a couple that does not live together, then you should send two separate invitations.

Do not use nicknames on invitations. If you have a friend that goes by Joe but you know their full name is Joseph you should use "Joseph" on the invitation. If he is allowed to bring a guest, write out his full name "and guest" or "plus one".

Example:

Mr. Joseph Craig and Guest

Addressing the back flap of your wedding invitation envelopes.

You should always address the back flap of your wedding invitations with your return address just in case the post office needs to return your invitation for any reason. The return address must be that of the person receiving the reply cards. You may either handwrite the address or print it out on the computer. Nowadays, you can purchase clear stickers, print them out with beautiful, elegant font, and stick them on the back flap of the wedding envelopes.

In the end, these are your invitations so any wedding invitation etiquette you see fit to change is completely up to you.

Tip: Mail out your wedding invitations eight weeks before your wedding. Average RSVP from guests should be requested three weeks prior to your wedding date.

Making Cheap Wedding Invitation Kits

You can make cheap wedding invitation kits and have nice invites. What are your options for cheap wedding invitation kits.

1. Use standard business size envelopes. Get something nice that you can match with your invitations. There are so many options with these at your local office supply store. Once you have the envelopes, you can get plain white card stock and have it cut to the size you want. You will want a 4 x 9" for an invitation. Get cards cut for a post card and a reception card. If you buy your card stock at the office supply store, chances are they can cut it to size for you. Usually it is a very small charge for this service. If they cut them you will have all the sizes more uniform than if you cut on a home paper cutter. If you found a nice envelope try to use a soft color that matches to give a different look. You might make a watercolor border on these for an added touch. Use your creativity.


2. Try to get a ream of cardstock that is 8 1/2 x 14 inches. If you have to order it go ahead. Now you can have this cut to 6 x 14 inches. These can be made into the seal and send invitations. Seal and send wedding invitations are wonderful. They are only one sheet of card stock so you eliminate the added envelopes. By adding the perforated postcard you can still add the RSVP so it makes it very adaptable. You will have to perf a postcard on the bottom then two more scores and it will be ready to fold and seal. You will print your invitation on this before doing the perfing and scoring. I do recommend having them cut before you start. You can go to a smaller or larger size.


3. Go to your local craft store or the craft section at your local Walmart. They will have packages of cardstock and envelopes. Get a larger size for your invitations and a smaller size for your RSVP cards and envelopes. Using both of these you can create your own kit. Add the reception information to the invitations. You can add clip art or embellish with your own touches. You might add a poem on the front and your announcement information on the inside. You could add a photo on the front also. This will allow some relatives to see both of you. Sometimes relatives don't know who the couple are at first. This gives them a picture to work with.

I hope that this lets you see that you can make cheap wedding invitation kits that will work perfect to having nice wedding announcement cards.

Honeymoon Gifts and Baskets

An engaged couple that is planning for a wedding may look into registering for gifts. Many couples that don't need a lot of gifts for the home may want to think about honeymoon gift ideas. There are many websites that allow a couple to register for wedding gifts for their honeymoon. The couple can then receive gifts that they know they will need and can use on their trip. Some wedding guests may also want to look into honeymoon gift baskets for the bride and groom.

Wedding guests that are interested in personalizing a great gift for a couple to use on their honeymoon may want to consider gift baskets. A personalized wedding basket that includes many useful features such as champagne flutes or a fondue set can be great for a couple to use in their hotel room after a long day out. A wedding guest who really knows the couple will be able to completely personalize baskets for their honeymoon. The guest may be able to include a compact disc of the couple's favorite music or some of the romantic songs that were played at their wedding.

Romantic baskets that include gifts such as bubble bath soap, candles or body lotion may also be appreciated by a couple that will have some free time in their hotel room. Flowers or chocolate covered fruit may also be sent to a couple's room when they are on their honeymoon. These added touches from wedding guests could enhance a couple's stay in the hotel and show them that their wedding guests are thinking of them and hoping they have a great time. A wedding guest may also want to consider adding personal touches to professionally assembled gift baskets. Adding a photo of the couple on their wedding day in a nice frame can be a great touch. The couple can then enjoy that photo in the hotel room of their honeymoon and look back at the fond memories of the wedding.

Honeymoon gift ideas can be found online, especially if a couple has registered for their honeymoon gifts. A couple that is registered with an online company for honeymoon gifts can give all wedding guests a link to the registry. It is easy for the guests to contribute to the honeymoon because they are able to make a secure online payment through the company's website. Those wedding guests that cannot think of good honeymoon gift ideas may find it much easier to simply contribute money to the couple's stay and excursions while on their honeymoon.

After a stressful wedding, a couple deserves to have a great time on their honeymoon. Wedding guests that are looking to enhance the couple's stay may want to consider personalizing honeymoon baskets for the couple's hotel stay. Items such as a photo of the couple in a frame, bubble bath soap or champagne flutes are a nice touch to a gift basket for a newlywed couple. Couples may even be registered online for their honeymoon gifts, making it easy for wedding guests to contribute to their stay.

How Many Wedding Invitations Should I Order?

Ordering wedding invitations seems like a no brainer. It seems like it, but it is not. There are just too many unseen pitfalls along the path. It is somewhat like an Indian Jones movie. If you are not aware of the hidden danger you just might accidentally navigate the course successfully, but probably not. That is where a little planning comes in handy - so you can order your wedding invitations with confidence.

For the sake of this article, we will focus on understanding the process with regard to how many wedding invitations an intended couple should order.

The answer might seem clear - order as many invitations as names on their guest list - but it is not quite as apparent as it seems. There are several factors that any couple considering ordering wedding invitations should think through.

The first one affects the couple's budget. Printers who print wedding invitations often have a minimum order requirement or a requirement that the couple order in predetermined multiples of twenty five or fifty. Thus, a wedding party that is only planning on sending out eighty five wedding invitations might be required to order a hundred.

Next, guest lists have a sneaky way of growing at the last minute and couples who discover that they have run out of invitations could find themselves in an embarrassing situation when they discover an important individual they accidentally omitted when they created their guest list.

Likewise, most wedding parties have someone they want to send a wedding invitation to that they know will not be able to attend regardless of whether that individual is in the military and serving overseas or incapacitated by medical limitations.

Finally, a couple that uses unusual invitations like the beach themed wedding invitation in a bottle should plan to have a few extra's for keepsakes, not just for themselves, but for younger family members such as nephews and nieces who will find the romantic invitations irresistible.

The moral? Plan ahead. Know the capacity of your wedding and reception facilities and work out your guest list very carefully before you order your wedding invitations. Likewise, take the time to plan your seating chart in before you place your order. It will help you figure remember people you might otherwise overlook.

After you have gathered all your information, planned your guest list, and designed your seating chart - order enough extra to make sure you are covered regardless of what comes up. Ultimately, it is better to have ordered enough wedding invitations so you have a few left over to keep for use in a scrapbook than to run out prematurely and run the risk of creating hurt feelings.

Get Data of Jeweler Importers and Jeweler Exporters

Indian ethnic jewelry is fast gaining popularity amongst the western and European countries leading to ample business scope for Indian Jewelry exporters. Not just on exports front, Indian jewelry market has enormous scope for imported jewelry as well. International market is filled with Indian jewelry importers, importing western design jewelry for local markets.

Jewelry is considered as one of the most vital component of a woman's desire. Especially in India, jewelry is not just considered as a piece of ornament, but it is rather an auspicious and valuable aspect of ornamenting. Talking about market trends a decade ago, it was very different. Back then, people had different choices. With changing times, preferences of people have also changed. They admire simple and sophisticated designs that are inspired from Western and European styles. Owing to the rising demand of western styles, jewelry importers of the country are importing lots of jewelry from different parts of the world. Now you can easily spot the elegantly styles designs on display window of the local shops. Besides this, you can also buy imported jewelry from various exhibitions held in different parts of the country. These exhibitions are usually conducted during festive and wedding seasons to utilize the need of the hour. As, most of the Indian families prefer to buy jewelry during festivals or for wedding purposes.

On the other hand, due to the effects of globalization, countries have come closer to each other. Despite having territorial boundaries, Indian culture and its ethnicity has traveled places. European people visit India to experience its culture and beauty that has a pristine appeal. In the western countries, Indian ethnic jewelry is in great demands. Indian Jewelry exporters are minting money by exporting good quality products from our country that are specifically styled for purpose of exports. Ornaments manufactured for the purpose of exports are specially designed keeping in mind the likes and preferences of European customers. Indian silver ornaments are exported in bulk quantities every year to countries like Dubai, China, USA, UK, etc. Besides silver, gold ornaments are also popular amongst the foreign buyers.

Putting up an import export data trade is very costly, especially when it comes to ornaments. First of all, it requires a huge investment as the manufacturing cost of jewelry is pretty high. After investing such enormous amount of money in the trade, every trader wants to reap maximum profits from each and every deal. In addition to manufacturing or buying quality products, Jewelry exporters and importers require database records of jewelry exports import to access valuable information. For authentic and genuine information, you can refer to the services of Infodrive India. It provides an exhaustive list of jewelry importers and exporters from all over the world.

Top 10 Must Ask Questions for Your Wedding Photographer

During every consultation with a potential client, the bride opens her wedding organizer and flips to her copy of the ten most important questions to ask a wedding photographer.

No question is a bad question. I'll politely answer any question she asks. But these top-ten-lists printed in wedding magazines don't go far enough. So, take your list of ten questions and add a few more that I've written in this article. They will greatly improve the information you get from photographers.

Do you accept family portrait lists?

Every photographer should accept this list. It's essential to accomplishing the job you've hired him for. Write down the name of every family member to appear in each portrait. Review the list with your photographer, and he'll tell you how much time will be needed to take every picture.

Do you carry liability insurance? Every wedding vendor should have a minimum $1 million liability policy. This insurance covers accidents or damage the photographer may cause while working. You don't want to end up responsible for their damage. Protect yourself.

Will you make changes to the contract?

Many photographers object to changing their contracts for any reason. You don't have to work with them. Never sign an agreement that you're uncomfortable with. I suggest the following list of additions to every photography contact.

1. The photographer you are hiring should be named explicitly as the photographer who will photograph your wedding.

2. The contract should list any prepayment as a deposit. It should not say retainer. In some states, you may have a difficult time being refunded a retainer if the photographer fails to perform the contract.

3. You should provide limitations on things he shouldn't photograph, such as the bride or groom undressed.

4. If you're receiving digital negatives in the package, you'll need the photographer to grant you a copyright license to use the digital files for unlimited personal printing.

5. The contract will have a "Failure to Perform" section. It should state that you are entitled to a full refund of all money paid, including the deposit, should the photographer not photograph your wedding.

How do you provide wedding proofs?

Few photographers provide printed proofs anymore. Every photographer I know posts the photographs in a private web gallery or mails a DVD to the client. I do both. The web gallery accepts print orders from the couple and their wedding guests, and the DVD includes all of the photographs in a printable format.

How long will the wedding photographs be online? Every service is different. They should be online for a minimum of one year.

What file format do you shoot?

Every professional photographer will use the RAW setting, which gives the client the best possible results. This file format captures 4,096 levels of color per channel. The JPEG format, used in every point and shoot camera, captures 256 levels. That's a massive difference in the subtleties of color tone within an object.

RAW has the greatest dynamic range, which means you'll see a lot of detail in the brightest and darkest areas of a photograph.

Does your rate include any photo editing?

Anything is possible when your photographer has great digital editing skills. But don't count on it being free. Editing is a very extensive process that often costs more because of the time that is involved.

As part of the photographer's day-rate, he should include a RAW conversion. This means that the photographer opens each RAW file and adjusts all of the settings to create a nicest printable photograph. It will improve the skin tones, contrast and sharpness of the photographs.

Many clients think the conversions look so wonderful that they can't suggest any other changes. RAW conversions create proofs that blow away proofs made from film.

Your tab will start adding up when you ask the photographer to change things about your appearance. Want a different hair color? I can do it. Want a digital nose job? No problem. It's cheaper than plastic surgery.

You can save money. Ask your photographer to provide free editing with your album order. I do this as part of my regular service. I will make any edit to an album print that the client requests at no additional charge.

Do you provide digital negatives?

Selling the digital negatives is a very contentious issue among professionals. Photographers never gave film negatives to the client without charging a bundle. Since digital files are the same thing as negatives, many photographers charge upwards of $1,000 for them. So, the couple is forced into buying an album or prints if they ever want to hold their photographs.

Younger photographers, including myself, realize that the market has changed. Wedding clients demand that they receive the digital negatives as part of the day-rate package. I agree with them.

I give my clients the digital negatives, and they still spend plenty of money on the new, innovative wedding albums and other products. My clients are happy, and my business prospers.

Do you grant a copyright license to print from the disc?

Why pay for the disc if you're not allowed to use it? Ask to receive a copyright license to use the disc for personal use. Photographers won't sell you the copyrights, but they will grant you the license to print from the disc. You could even choose to make your own album. I always give my wedding clients the license.

How long do you archive the client's files?

Digital image files are huge. They quickly fill hard drives, and some photographers won't spend the money to save years of photographs. The photographer should tell you how long he archives the files before deleting them.

Do you print on exclusively on real photography paper?

If you know nothing about photography and want a high-quality, life-long lasting print, then ask your photographer to print on Fuji or Kodak digital papers with a Lustre finish

These two brands of paper look identical. The brand you receive will depend on the professional lab where your photographer orders his prints. They will last for your lifetime. That's much longer than your parent's wedding prints, which have probably faded in their album already.

The Lustre finish has a fine sheen. It's not glossy, nor is it matte. The colors really pop, and it resists fingerprints and water droplets. If you ever spill water on a print, drain it off and air dry. Don't dab or wipe it, and you might save the print.

What is included in the album rate?

The price should include a fixed number of pages and photographs. The photographer should edit the photographs to your satisfaction.

If you're receiving a coffee table book with a unique layout, you should request final approval before printing.

Don't allow fake photo paper in an album. Albums with rigid pages most likely have real photography paper. If the album has flexible pages, then it's probably a fake photo paper. This is nothing more than coated cardboard designed to imitate the real thing. It will fail in your lifetime. I've seen interior folds fade within a few months.

Many coffee table books, however, use real photo paper. Make sure the photographer knows what he is selling you.

Copyright Rich Dutchman 2010

Article may be reprinted in its entirety with proper crediting to the author.

Car Insurance and Misfuelling

It's surprisingly easy to fill your car with the wrong fuel - which is why some insurance companies provide optional misfuelling insurance as part of standard car insurance. We've all done it: perhaps you're thinking about work, or talking to your passenger; you reach over for the petrol pump, pull the trigger and begin to fill up your car. You happen to look down at the pump in your hand and horror strikes - it's the wrong pump! With good car insurance, however, you should be able to fix the problem relatively easily.

Your car insurance will usually pay for:

* Draining and flushing the fuel tank on site using a specialist roadside vehicle. This is especially useful as once you have realised you've filled the car with the wrong fuel, you should not move it any more.
* Recovery of the vehicle, the driver and up to 6 passengers to the nearest repairer
* Replenishing the fuel tank with 10 litres of the correct fuel.

You may be allowed to make a claim up to 瞿500 in any period of insurance; however you will be responsible for any extra costs.

Some insurance companies such as John Lewis even have a 24-hour Misfuelling Insurance Emergency Helpline. This is very helpful, as you will be put in touch with a professional who will tell you exactly what to do, depending on your situation. When you call the helpline, you should have your insurance policy number, vehicle registration number, exact location and contact details to hand. Your support line will then tell you what to do next.

There will usually be some exclusions to misfuelling insurance. For example, you will not be covered for misfuelling that happens outside the UK, for misfuelling commercial vehicles, or where your vehicle has been modified outside of the manufacturer's specifications. There are other exclusions, so it's worth checking your insurance policy to find out exactly what will be covered.

How to Choose Indian Wedding Invitations

If you're going to be hosting an Indian wedding in the near future, your first concern is to choose appropriate Indian wedding invitations. But, this is a tricky job. After all, Indian wedding invitations are rich and luxurious and emanate pomp, splendor and luxury. But you want to send out invitations that look stunning without busting your budget. So, how what's the secret?

Here are a few tips to help you choose Indian wedding invitations:

Budget: The first thing to do is to set your budget. It is possible to find Indian wedding invitations that suit all kinds of budget. So, whether you want expensive or affordable, there's something for everyone.

Colors: Typically, Indian wedding invitations are colorful and spectacular - with lots of reds, gold, saffron and green in them. These vibrant colors symbolize the love, passion and energy that characterize the wedding. Therefore, if you want a traditional wedding invite, it is only natural to select one of the more traditional colors.

Designs: Designs play an important part in Indian wedding invitations. Through the use of delicate patterns and motifs, wedding invites are made to look highly decorative and traditional too. Typically, most wedding cards use traditional motifs and designs. Sometimes, religious motifs dominate. Therefore, it is necessary to decide beforehand whether the card is to be religious, traditional or modern.

Decorations: In addition to the use of rich colors and patterns, Indian Marriage invitations also make use of fake stones, golden threads, mirrors and other materials to add to the glitz and beauty of the card. In fact, if you have sufficient spending money, it is possible to buy Indian wedding invitations that can steal your breath away! However, additional weight could be a problem if the cards have to be sent by mail.

Deity: Typically, Indian wedding invitations have the picture of a deity. This is done for two purposes: first, to give a sense of identity to invitees and second, to invoke the blessings of the deity. The most common deity is the 'Ganesha', who is the God of good fortune.

Size and print: It is important to take care of the factors such as size of the card, print area and so on. A small wedding ceremony with too much information is undesirable.

Font: It is important to choose the color and type of font used in the invites. Highly ornate fonts may look attractive and traditional but they may not be so readable. It is important to choose a font that looks good and is easily readable. Contrast in colors between the face of the card and the print is an excellent idea as this has an immense impact on the beauty and readability of the card.

Stationary: Finally, it is important to choose high quality stationary as this is the most important characteristic of a great looking wedding card. Since wedding cards are generally put in an envelope, it is necessary to choose envelopes that match the card in color, design and print.

Which Window Tint Color Should I Buy?

If you want window tint for your car, then you have probably already thought about the color you want as well, right? If you don't have the color that you want already picked out, then that would be a good thing to do right now. Most people assume that all colors are going to look good, however, this is not what happens. Just think, how is a red car going to look with bright pink window tint? This will look rather funny.

You must understand that any tint that you get will change the look of your car and blank tint will work no matter what color your car is but it won't add much more style to it. That is the reason more people are using colored tint in order to give their car the look they desire. There are more colors that you can get but make sure you read this article to understand what will work and what won't. Trust me, there are more colors than just plain black that will work for you and your car.

Tint Colors To Choose From

Black - If you want to tint your car windows, then there is no way you can go wrong with using regular black film. Also, being that black matches with almost everything, you won't have any issues getting it to look right. This will make your car look a lot better but if you are looking for something that will give your car a different style, then this might not do that.

Silver - Silver tint is another color that you might want to consider. What you will like about silver is that it gives your car a slightly different look but not one that is really different from black. There are a lot of colors out there and after black, silver is the best color that you can go with as it matches with anything.

Blue - Are you looking for a color that is different and makes your car stand out from the others? If that is what you want, then you can't go wrong with a good looking blue tint. What many people like about the color blue is that it looks good with black cars, white cars, silver cars and blue cars as well.

Red - Red is very similar to blue, however, it matches better with a red car. Adding a touch of red will get your windows to look really good, so make sure you check out this tint. Trust me, you won't regret using red tint in order to add a little bit of style to your windows.

These are some of the most popular colors, so choose between one of these colors and you will be just fine.

Of Groomsman Gifts, Bridesmaid Gifts and Wedding Gifts

In your wedding, you give gifts and you receive gifts. Always remember these wise words of Seneca, an ancient Roman Stoic philosopher:

"We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation;

for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers."

How to Choose Gifts for Groomsmen

Your choice of groomsman gifts depends on many factors. However, these gifts should be the sole domain of the groom since in no way should your "blushing bride signature" be found on the items.

However, you can assist your groom in choosing his groomsmen gifts. Here are some tips to be helpful instead of intrusive:

* If you are also friends with the groomsmen, you can help the groom decide on the best groomsman gifts to reflect both his personality and those of the groomsmen. Just suggest based on what you think is best but never cross the line of actually insisting otherwise.

* You can direct your groom to stores and online sites where he can source out possible ideas for his groomsman gifts. Often, your man will need just a little push in the right direction and then you should trust him to make the right decisions. After all, he did make the right decision to marry you, didn't he?

* If he appears to be going beyond the budget, you can gently remind him that there are imaginative ways to express his appreciation even on a tight budget. You can consider your gentle persuasion as practice negotiation for marriage!

How to Choose Bridesmaid Gifts

Unlike the gifts for groomsmen, you have full control over the bridesmaid gifts. Here are some useful tips in this area:

* You should opt for useful items that can be used during the wedding ceremony and after it. For example, you can opt for jewelry and accessories to accent the bridesmaids' dresses. Or you can give everyday items like scarves, purses, vanity cases, make-up kits, and perfumes.

* You should consider the personality of the bridesmaid. It is not necessary that every bridesmaid have the same engraved item; you can give varying items of the same amount to reflect the unique personalities of the bridesmaids. Consider how you felt when you were a bridesmaid receiving an item the bride knew you could not care less about.

Wedding Gifts

Unfortunately, you really do not have much control on the wedding gifts you will receive. Although you can enroll in a wedding registry, your guests still have the final say on the gifts they will present you with. However, you do have control over the theft of your wedding gifts. You can prevent these by:

* Having all your gifts sent directly to your house or to your parents' house. This is the accepted way anyway so you will not have much trouble in this area.

* Foregoing a gift table. Sometimes, cash gifts are presented during the reception. You can table-hop to get these gifts instead of putting them on a gift table.

* Asking gate crashers to leave. Only movies romanticize wedding crashers but reality does bite (and steal).

* Buying a wedding insurance. Your stolen wedding gifts will be covered by insurance as long as the theft is reported right away.

And do not forget to send the appropriate thank-you notes!

The Nifty Fifties - The Butcher's Shop

My Dad came from a proud line of Master Butchers - and his shop and the house I was born in reflected this on the verandah signage, boldly declaring - 'GRAHAM'S MEAT SERVICE - Quality at Lower Prices'.

The shop was typical of its day - out front, a mosaic tiled wall beneath large glass display window, with the same proud sign-writing on the glass - and of course, the obligatory small, set-back, step-up entrance into the 'customer front' of the shop. This was a roomy space, to enable some people to be perusing the window display, whilst others waited their turn to be served in front of the neatly organised serving counter that divided the sales and working areas of the shop.

In Japan they rake coarse sand and fine pebbles to make symbolic shapes, patterns and designs to define their world and their most basic spirituality. In South Australia, in the 1950's, one Butcher's young daughter raked the sawdust that covered the floor of your average, suburban Butcher's shop. The practicality of the sawdust was to absorb any blood drips from the meat. And it extended into the front of the shop, where the customers stood, because my Dad would come out to the front window display to carry the chosen 'cuts' back to the counter for wrapping.

But my deepest pride came from the perfectly even and artistic patterns I could create, whilst walking backwards, so all designs were perfected. Diamonds, swirls, chequer-board - ALL patterns were possible - only limited by one's imagination. How come it never mattered that the first customer of the day would ruin all a young girl's creation in just a few unthinking steps? I have no clue - I just DID it, that's all!

The wide counter defined the customer side and the 'business' area - and it was memorable. Firstly, there would be discussion about the meat required, usually with my Dad establishing what the customer was planning for their dinner - and making recommendations on the cut and often the cooking method as well. Then the trusty scales played their part - wherein the meat was placed on a piece of greaseproof paper and checked against the customer's wishes and approval.

Next came the old silver cash register - a work of art looming huge in my memory. All those rows of press down keys, and the magical pop-up tabs in the 'window' at the top, showing the individual prices and then cleverly calculating the sum of the price multiplied by the weight. No message of how much change was due - in those days, all who served the public knew their 'sums' exceptionally well - and every Butcher scribbled the individual prices on the white wrapping paper with the trusty pencil tucked behind his ear - and quickly totalled them - so the customer had a written record of their purchase, actually enfolding their meat.

The white wrapping paper came on a large roll, cut (by the apprentice or the Butcher's son/daughter into big tidy squares, and piled up, ready for action, with greaseproof paper on another roll, to lay down first for safe and total wrapping. The only other thing I can picture on the counter is an order book, where my Dad would take notes about future requirements. And maybe also a daily turn-over calendar.

The customer paid, and then came a pull of the handle to make the cash drawer of the register open (and the important thing to remember was the size and bulk AND weight of this drawer when it 'sprung open'). One collision was usually adequate to indelibly impress upon your mind the need to make a hasty sidestep or backstep to avoid contact.

What a treasure trove when this drawer was opened. Numerous compartments with curved bottoms towards the front, to enable 'scooping out' of change. And wire spring clips to hold down the various denomination notes - and this whole arrangement was a complete lift out, with important things like cheques and special delivery dockets hidden below. And let us not forget the trusty spike to push the dockets onto.

These were written in a docket book by the person manning the cash register, as a record for my Dad to reconcile the monetary takings of the 'till' (or cash register). In quieter times, my Dad dealt with these matters, but when the busier days happened (like Fridays), then my Mum was there, taking the money and doling out change and conversation with all the locals.

And so this was the 'sales' side of the shop - on the other side of the counter was the 'working' side of things, where the Butcher plied his trade.

穢 2011 Christine Larsen All Rights Reserved

Give Your Home a Make-Over With Crepe Paper Flowers

Is your home in need of a make-over all those walls looking dim the carpet not so new anymore then give your home a make-over with crepe paper flowers. Take your attention and your guests off the walls that need to be painted and the carpet that needs to be replaced by altering your room using decor with colorful crepe paper flowers.

It is not only easy and enjoyable but cost effective to give your home a make-over with crepe paper flowers. You can choose any color you like and make any floral arrangement that suits your fancy.

Crepe paper floral arrangements are easy to make. Being surrounded by bright beautiful colors is always certain to chase the winter blues away. And know that the rainy spring months will bring real flowers just like your paper flowers in a few short weeks.

If you really want to brighten up your home you can use summer flowers such as roses, daisies or lilacs. Make them in any color you want and make a centerpiece or a few for the rooms you spend the most time in.

Let us look at some ideas for floral arrangements. A nice idea is to fill a window box with bright colored flowers and of course set it in the window then whenever you look outside at the piles of snow or mud you will be reminded by your window sill paper flowers that warm weather is not far away.

The living room or family room is another ideal place for your paper flower arrangements. A nice medium to large size centerpiece made up of several colorful assorted flowers will always brighten your day.

One of our favorite paper flower arrangements is what we call the floral shapes it is very easy to make and can be a family project. Certainly you have seen flowers arranged to form an object. A few good "starters" are a butterfly, a star or a heart. These are the easiest shapes to make. You can allow them to be free flowing and in the shape you desire or you can attach the flowers to a piece of cardboard and hang them on your wall. The flowers should be small this makes them easier to work with. Once you have your paper flowers made just arrange them into the desired shape. If you are going to attach them to a piece of cardboard, cut out the cardboard so it is the shape you want to use, this will also work as a pattern. Using a clear drying glue attach the flowers. You can leave the arrangement on the table or even hang it up.

Another favorite arrangement is a centerpiece filled with an assortment of different colored roses with some baby's breath and greenery. To bring out all the colors of the centerpiece simply layer it. By that we mean cut some of the stems shorter than the rest and you will have one flower that is tall then one that is slightly shorter then a tall one etc... layer the flowers so they alternate between tall and slightly shorter. Place the baby's breath near the center and spread the greenery out between the different size flowers.

These are all great ways to give your home a make-over with crepe paper flowers. I'm sure you can use your imagination and come up with some great ideas of your own as well.

Top Beach House Decorating Ideas

Having a beach house or just decorating your home to give you that free and easy feeling can be done without great expense. Beach house style is cool, breezy, clean and crisp. To achieve a beach style motif you must take all your decorating clues from nature. You can bring the elements of the sand and surf into your home and relax in a serene setting. Below are a few of the top nautical home decor ideas and secrets to making your home reminiscent of the beach.

First thing you will need to do is to get rid of the clutter. Beach decor is a minimalistic tableau. Less is really more when you see the awesome ways you can decorate without having a lot of items strewn around.

Choose sea inspired colors for your walls. Any of the cool hues on the color wheel will do nicely. Pastel blues, pinks, corals and other soft natural colors will give you a great canvas to work from.

Make liberal use of stark whites, this will give an open and airy feel to any room.

Use plank like paneling in the bedrooms to give it that beach shanty appeal. Keep it simple and basic. Using colors that complement each other.

Use wide slat blinds and/or gauzy type curtains for your window treatments. The entire effect should be one that brings to mind a fresh ocean breeze, and the window treatments blowing in it.

Natural wood floors are great in a beach setting. The use of throw rugs that bring out the warmth of the wood will be a good addition as well. Again stick with the lighter colors.

Tile floors can also be a great beach decorating option. You can enhance the cool tiles with rugs; the balance of smooth with texture gives you the contrast found in the great outdoors.

Use slip covers that match the rest of the decor to give your home that "vacation like" feel. Make liberal use of ottomans, not only do they look great, they also provide extra seating, or you can just throw your feet up and relax.

Wicker furniture has long been a favorite of decorators when planning a beach house theme. The furnishings add to the image of being in an ocean front bungalow. Glass vases filled with colorful flowers will compliment any decor.

Do not stop with the indoors carry your theme out onto the patio with a great set of Adirondack chairs and a matching table. Use candle lanterns to add a warm glow to the night as you sip a glass of wine and admire the sunset.

If you follow these tips you are sure to have a home that will take your breath away each time you enter through the doors. Use plants that are found near, in and around bodies of water to complete the effect.

Decorating With a Hall Table

There's more than one way to enhance a home's decor with the addition of a hall table. Many designers and decorators know that a well placed table can improve various spaces in a home such as:

Front Entrance - The front entrance of a home is the first impression that every visitor is given of the space, the decor and even the occupants. Having a strategically placed hall table will anchor what could ultimately be a forgotten space as well as give the eye visual interest and give the arriving guest a more welcome, homey feeling. This is true for any style home from traditional to mid-century modern to contemporary. The right size and shape table will bring the entryway to life and keep it looking more organized and give homeowners a place to display fresh flowers or family photos. It's also perfect for weighing down a fine piece of artwork or a wall mirror.

The Hallway - A long hallway can feel drab and uninteresting. It can simply come off as a way to get from point A to point B. With a hall table displaying a lamp and other decorative objects or one that contains storage in the form of a lower shelf or cabinetry, the hallway will become another feature of the home rather than a forgotten space.

The Family Room - Is an excellent space for a hall table. The table can be placed against a wall or behind a sofa. Many people refer to this as a "sofa table." Placing a table behind a sofa helps to add storage space as well as visual height if a large, tall object such as a big vase of flowers or a statue or other form of art is placed upon it.

The Bathroom - A large bathroom is perfect for this versatile piece of furniture. One with shelving or cabinetry below can be utilized to hold towels, toiletries and extra linens. It can even be used as a vanity that hold makeup and items such as a hair dryer. The hall table in a bathroom can actually make the space look larger and give what can often feel like a cold, impersonal room a more cozy, spa look and feeling.

Other spaces in the home for hall table decorating include bedrooms, dining rooms, dens, home offices and guest rooms. As long as the table is proportionately sized for the space and is not in the way of the normal traffic flow, then feel free to add one to any room. Place it against the wall, at the head or foot of a bed or behind a loveseat or sofa to bring interest to the room and a surface for decorative items as well as extra storage.

Cheap Wedding Ideas To Cut Down Your Wedding Costs

Here are three cheap wedding ideas to cut your wedding expenses dramatically:

1. HUNT FOR BRIDAL BARGAINS

Weddings are big business and there are many wedding vendors out there all wanting your business. ?So where do you start? ?

Well there are many ways to find wedding decorations, cakes, flowers and invitations at very competitive prices, if you just know where to look.?If it is difficult for you to find cheap wedding ideas and items locally, then the internet provides a wonderful resource to search for bargains.

Websites such as eBay, Etsy and wedding forums are a great place to look for cheap deals or exchange ideas with fellow brides. Many brides all over the country as well as overseas, now use bridal forums to swap ideas and share wedding costs. In fact, some brides with weddings on the same weekend buddied?up and shared the costs of furniture hire, lighting, decorations, catering equipment and much more. This is a great way to cut your costs by?half?our costs and still have the wedding theme and decorations you dreamed about.

Another alternative is to ask for help from family and friends. ?Maybe you know someone who sings or plays a musical instrument. Perhaps a friend's mother or sister is a florist or cake decorator. In addition, you probably know someone who is a great cook or who owns a catering business. if you think about your network of family, friends and work associates, you'll be amazed how many people you know or can contact directly for a good deal.

2. BUY PRE-LOVED WEDDING GOWNS

Choosing a stylish and beautiful wedding gown is still achievable even if you need to be mindful of your budget. If you have your heart set on a designer wedding gown, then there are still ways you can achieve your vision without using up your entire wedding budget.?

Wedding gowns are an important element to every wedding and their prices can vary from a few hundred dollars right through to designer gowns in the tens of thousands. So it is no surprise when you start shopping for your wedding gown, how easy it is to become overwhelmed with the variety of styles and pricing options on offer.

Chances are you will end up wanting a gown that costs more than you budgeted for. However, if you plan for this problem ahead of time and have some alternatives in mind, it will help you avoid the temptation of buying a dress way beyond your means. ?

Start by searching online bridal websites for pre-loved wedding dresses. They are a great way to find the designer gown of your dreams for only a fraction of the regular price. Only you have to know your secret, because it will be almost impossible to tell the gown?was worn?before.?In addition, most of these bridal sites allow you to post an ad for the ideal type of gown you are looking for. ?Other brides and wedding gown suppliers can then respond to your ad with suitable offers.

3. DITCH THE BIG CEREMONY

Many couples are now ditching the big ceremony and choosing a civil ceremony instead. Venues such as City Hall or alternative locations without the need for religious elements, are increasingly becoming a popular way to tie the knot?easily without the expense.?

Another cheap wedding option is to get hitched Las Vegas style! ?Las Vegas has always been a cheap, fun and unique way to get married. There are plenty of pretty, fascinating and even quirky wedding chapels to choose from - all of them set up to make your wedding ceremony quick and easy, yet still romantic.

You can easily cut down your wedding costs by half when you look for alternative options. A little imagination plus networking with friends will provide you with cheap wedding ideas that still make for a fantastic wedding day.?

I Now (Cannot) Pronounce You Man and Wife

We have all seen the occasion, either in person or on television or the movies: the beautiful wedding with all the accoutrements. The beautiful blushing bride standing next to her nervous, but happy, groom in the flower-adorned religious facility, flanked by the wedding party in traditional gowns and tuxedos, being lovingly viewed by the congregation gathered. At the apex of the scene, between the bridge and groom, stands the clergyperson delivering customary and appropriate words of inspiration. The entire process leads to the climactic moment when the bride and groom gaze into one another's eyes and the clergyperson says those very familiar words: "by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you man and wife." Exuding joy and elation, the newly married couple shares a symbolic kiss and exits the religious facility in newly wedded bliss to enter a car, dragging tin cans in its wake, to announce their nuptials.

Amidst the joy and happiness, no one stops to wonder at what seems to be a very obvious question: what if the "power" was not "vested" in the clergyperson to marry the engaged couple? One York County couple, however, did think to ask the question in the case of Heyer v. Hollerbush, Court of Common Pleas of York County, Pennsylvania No. 2007-SU-2132-Y08 (September 7, 2007). In Heyer, the couple was married by a Universal Life Church minister. After about one year of marriage, Heyer filed a Motion for Declaratory Judgment against Hollerbush requesting the Court to declare the marriage invalid. Heyer argued that the "power" to marry a couple was not "vested" in a Universal Life Church minister by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania vests the power on clergy to marry individuals under 23 Pa.C.S.A. Section 1503. Section 1503(a)(6) states that "the following are authorized to solemnize marriage between persons that produce a marriage license issued under this part: A minister, priest or rabbi of any regularly established church or congregation." Heyer argued that a "minister" "ordained" in the Universal Life Church does not fit the criterion laid out under Section 1503(a)(6).

The Universal Life Church "ordains" interested individuals over the Internet or through the mail via a simple application. No seminary, training, endorsements, or sponsorship is required; indeed, beyond a completed application there are no requirements for ordinands whatsoever. Ordination is considered conferred upon review of the application by a human as the Church believes that people are born ordained and the completion/review of the application merely acknowledges this fact. The Universal Life Church has no meeting places, no form of religious observance, no holy book or sacred traditions, and is entirely non-ecclesiastic. Its creed consists of one undefined, unexplained and unexpanded upon sentence: "Do only that which is right." Given the preceding, the Court in Heyer ruled that a "minister" ordained in the Universal Life Church does not fit the requirements of Section 1503(a)(6). Essentially, the Court reasoned that as such a minister does not have a "regularly established church or congregation," and Section 1503(a)(6) therefore does not vest the power to marry on him or her. As a result, the Court ruled that the couple in Heyer were never actually married, declaring the marriage void ab initio (i.e.: from its inception).

Following the Heyer decision, the American Civil Liberties Union took on this issue by filing similar cases in the counties of Philadelphia (In Re: Ryan Allen Hancock and Melanie Bilenker Han, No. 080201774), Montgomery (In Re: Marriage of Peter Goldberger and Anna M. Durbin, No, 2008-21497), and Bucks (In Re: Marriage of Jason O'Neill and Jennifer R. O'Neill, No.: 2008-01620), requesting the Court to declare the validity of those marriages. Similar to the Heyer matter, the cases in Philadelphia and Bucks Counties each involved a wedding presided over by a Universal Life Church minister. In each of these cases, the Court disagreed with the Heyer Court and ruled that a Universal Live Church minister does fit the criteria of Section 1503(a)(6). The Court essentially ruled that the Court in Heyer narrowly and incorrectly interpreted Section 1503(a)(6); that a "regularly established church or congregation" does not exclude ministers without a congregation or physical church. Further, the Court was persuaded by the fact that the Universal Life Church is a well-established religion recognized as such by its tax-exempt status. Finally, it appears that the Court simply refused to involve itself in the affairs of religion, consistent with the tenor of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Ultimately in these cases the Court declared the couples validly married.

The marriage at issue in the case in Montgomery County was presided over by a Jesuit priest ordained by the Roman Catholic Church. The Jesuit priest was an itinerant priest who had no congregation of his own and no assignment to any parish. The Court again disagreed with the Court in Heyer using similar logic as found in the other two cases. However, it ought to be noted that reaching this decision regarding a Roman Catholic priest was much less groundbreaking as the previous cases because he was ordained by a well recognized and time-honored religion with extremely defined and established doctrines. This case, however, is significant inasmuch as it lends support to the principle that a clergyperson does not need a physical church or congregation to formally and officially pronounce a couple married.

At this point, there is no standard interpretation and application of Section 1503(a)(6) across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a whole. Only the four counties mentioned above have addressed the interpretation and/or application of Section 1503(a)(6); the remaining counties have yet to make a ruling. It is doubtful that there will be any uniformity on this issue until it is addressed by at least Superior Court, but it will likely require a definitive ruling from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Therefore, if one intends to be married, one should take consideration of whether the clergyperson presiding over the wedding does, indeed, have the power vested in him or her to do so in the county in which the wedding will occur. Who knows, perhaps reviewing a clergyperson's curriculum vitae will become a standard part of wedding planning for the foreseeable future. However, whether these married couples will live together until death parts them is another story altogether.

DIY Wedding Invitations

A wedding is a momentous occasion in a man's and a woman's life. It marks the start of new beginnings for both individuals as husband and wife. Most people plan their weddings a year in advance. For some three to six months is enough preparation. There are lots of things to consider when planning weddings. Most brides and husbands to-be hire professionals like wedding planners or wedding organizers to make sure that attention to detail is paid to every aspect of the wedding. Some couples enlist the help of their very close friends to help plan their wedding. For people who are on a tight budget, the latter is the best option. Weddings are great occasions to bond with another and rediscover friendships.

Regardless if a couple prefers beach weddings or church weddings, the aspects of a wedding are similar. After the exciting proposal and giving of Cushion cut engagement rings or Asscher cut engagement rings, it is time to get ready for the big day. Wedding invitations constitute a large part of the preparations. This is the formal letter that guests will receive informing them about the upcoming wedding. Budget should be allotted for the invitations. These can cost a large sum, depending on the material, designs and the number of invitations. For most people, it is better to purchase DIY wedding invitations kits and make the invitations themselves.

Making Your Own Wedding Invitations

DIY wedding invites are a fun, creative and economical way of giving a wedding flair and style that will stand out from other weddings. Not only will you get to design the invitation itself. You will Invitations can be made by professionals for couples who will soon be married, so why choose making your own. Read the points below to find out why more and more people are choosing DIY wedding invitation kits.

Advantages

繚 Saves money. You could save half the amount you would normally spend on ready-made wedding invitations. If you are the artistic type then this is the avenue you should take. You'll never know, you might even end up beginning a business making wedding invitations.

繚 Gives wedding invitations a unique and personal style. When you purchase DIY invitations for weddings, you are your own master. You can make them look exactly the way you want. When you look for readymade invites, it might be a little difficult to find exactly what you want. However, with DIY wedding invites, there are limitless possibilities. You can make sure that you get exactly what you want.

繚 Makes the invites a sentimental aspect. Most readymade invites are impersonal. They do not really convey the love story of the couple about to get married. DIYs, on the other hand, can be kept as mementos. Do away with the bland and generic design of store bought invites. DIYs are keepsakes that mark the major milestones of a person's life.

繚 Looks fabulous and chic. You can make this happen by using several desktop publishing tools.

Time Issues with DIY Wedding Invites

Most people are apprehensive about making their own wedding invites because of time constraints. There is an answer to this. Get help. As mentioned earlier, enlisting the help of friends will go a long way. Creative friends and family members can help make the project fun, exciting and truly one of a kind. Brainstorm about designs and styles that can be used for the invitations. Use the Internet to pick out papers and supplies. To help speed up the process, use blank cards to make the invites. All that is needed is to print whatever design you like on the outside and design the inside. Use the services of a local copy shop to have the invitations cut and folded. You can also ask them to print text on the paper. This is cost effective and fast. Set aside time each week when you, friends and family members can work on the project. This is not only a great way to spend your time creating the perfect wedding; it is also a great time to bond with each other. Just makes sure to work though, you might enjoy talking too much, you will not accomplish anything.

The Meaning of Declared Value

When you're getting ready to ship something with your courier company you will have to fill out a request for a delivery. This is sometimes done through paper forms that they have given your, or often through an online interface today. One section that your courier service will have on those forms is something called declared value.

This is something that you will have to state for every package that you ship with the courier company. That is because this is the figure that will be used should you ever be forced to file an insurance claim with the company of any kind. When you tell them what your declared value is, you are telling them how much your package is worth. This is the maximum amount that you would be permitted to claim should something happen to your package which required an insurance claim to be made.

Filling out this section isn't necessarily as clear cut as simply putting down how much your package is worth. The reason for this is because of the size of the insurance policies which you courier may take out for packages being transported in certain sized courier vehicles. Their insurance is going to have a maximum declarable value for each package. That means that you can't claim more than that amount as a declared value, even if your package is worth more. This also means that should you make a claim, you will only receive that maximum declared value, not more, even if your goods were worth more.

This is why people sometimes buy their own insurance to add on to the policy which is already in place with the courier company. Many times this is done especially if they are shipping something which is worth a large amount more than whatever that maximum declared value figure should be. That way, they are able to receive adequate compensation should something unfortunate happen to their package.

Keep in mind that the declared value that you have stated does not always mean that you will receive a payout of that size should you be forced to make an insurance claim as well. As always, making an insurance claim is a complicated business in which many factors figure. You will have to provide proof of packaging, for instance, to show that you have done everything which was within your sphere of responsibility to make sure the package did not become damaged.

Some New Ideas to Addressing Wedding Invitation Envelopes

You are all excited and you want to get an idea of how to make your wedding invitations. More importantly addressing wedding invitation envelopes. You would love to have them done by a calligrapher but it is so expensive.

What are your options. If you have beautiful penmanship than hand addressing them would be great. Use a high quality pen and test the ink to make sure that it will look good when it is dry. You don't want a pen that will offset, or have an imprint on something else. Fast drying is a must here!

If hand addressing them scares you, and you are thinking about labels, OOPS! I don't like labels on an invitation. The subconscious mind has already determined that a label with their address delivered to them is junk mail! Some say that a clear label is fine, I prefer not.

So what is the other option. You can't afford a calligrapher, your handwriting is terrible, and you don't want to use labels. What about addressing them on your computer to match the invitations. Use the same font and colors that you have in your invitations. Addressing wedding invitation envelopes can be fun.

If you made your own wedding invites you can easily match your cards to the envelopes. If you had your announcements done from another company than use some scrap and try to match what you chose from them. Fonts are different, but if you come close that will be fine. If you don't have anything close use a font similar to calligraphy. If you can't match the same color use a black ink.

Another point that you can remember is that if you use an epson ink jet printer that uses water proof ink, you won't have to worry about your invite getting wet. This can make them streak and that isn't a good look. If you are using another printer and it doesn't use a water proof ink, spray them with a mist of hair spray this will coat the ink with a protection. Some printers will be fine even if they don't have the waterproof ink. Some streak more than others.

In many cases addressing your envelopes to match the wedding card, will make an expensive looking invitation package the whole way around. If you didn't get your RSVP envelope addressed you can also print that on your computer printer too.

Again I have been doing this for years. It really isn't difficult and I get compliments all the time. When someone new gets into the line of receiving these invitations they tell me how nice they look. I love that! It also makes them feel important to see their name in a beautiful script on your wedding announcement.

So if you are thinking about addressing wedding invitation envelopes, look no farther than your computer. It can do the job much cheaper than the $1.50 an envelope calligrapher. Why not give it a try?

Unique Baby Shower Games

How many of you are tired of attending a baby shower and playing the same old games? How many of you are sick of guessing the size of mommy's belly or tasting melted chocolate in napkins shaped like diapers? You are probably thinking, especially if you are getting ready to throw a shower, that there has got to be something better out there! Surely there are games that exist that not everyone has played and is sick of. Well, you're in luck; we would like to give you a few ideas for some truly unique games.

1.)   What's in the bag? This is a great game, especially if tired of trying to remember what was on the diaper cake. You play by getting several brown paper bags and putting one baby item (rattle, disposable diaper, pacifier, etc.) in each bag. After you put an item in the bag, either tape it or staple it closed and number the bags. At the shower, everyone gets a piece of paper and a pen, and then they try to guess what is in the bag by feeling it through the bag. The person with the most right is the winner.

2.)   Never Say Never. For this game you will need to purchase a piggy bank. You can usually order one offline that are specifically for babies. You might also find one that goes with whatever the mother's theme is for the baby's room. Once you get it to the shower, have all of your guests take out some or all of their pocket change. Be sure to have some extra in case someone doesn't have any on them. Then go around the room and have each guest name something they have never done before (I have never been out of the country, I never learned to ride a bike, etc.) As each person says what they have never done, everyone who has done that places a coin inside the piggy bank. You can either pass the piggy bank around the room, or have each guest come forward. After everyone has had a turn, you give the piggy bank to the mother-to-be.

3.)   Who's time is it? Get an egg timer and set it for five to ten minutes at a time while the mommy-to-be is opening her baby gifts. Whenever the timer goes off, whoever's gift she is opening gets a door prize.

4.)   Baby Name Scrabble. This is a great game if the parents have already selected a baby name. Write the baby's whole name out on a white board or on several slips of paper to pass out. Give each guest a piece of paper and pencil and give them five to ten minutes to come up with as many words as possible using only the letters from the baby's name. The person with the most words wins.

5.)   The Price Is Right. Purchase several baby items (bottles, pacifier, a can of formula, jar of baby food, etc.) and set them out on a table, be sure to remove price tags if they are visible on your purchases. Then give each guest a paper where you have typed up three possible prices for each item. They need to be exact ($3.30, $4.50, $1.24, etc.), and give the price that is before tax, so have your receipt handy when you are typing them up. Each guest files by the table and circles the price for each item that the think is correct. The guest with the most correct wins the door prize.

6.)   Create a Time Capsule. This is a great thing to do if there will be lots of family and close friends attending the baby shower. Before the baby shower, ask each guest to bring something that represents them or era the baby is being born into. Get a good sized, heavy duty card board box. At the shower hand out 3x5 cards and have each guest write what they brought and why their item represents them or the era. You might also have the write a word of advice for the baby. After the guests are finished, have each guest come up, tell about what they brought, and place it inside the box with their card. When everyone is finished, tape the box up really good with packaging tape and instruct the mother to save it and give it to the baby on his or hers eighteenth birthday and a birthday present.

As you can see, there are lots of games out there that are definitely out the ordinary, but still as much fun. A few extra tips would be:

1.)   When purchasing baby items for the baby games, be sure to purchase new items and then give them to the mommy-to-be after the shower.

2.)   When purchasing prizes for the games it is up to you whether you purchase baby type things, that way the winner has the option to give it to the mommy-to-be, or you can purchase things every woman enjoys like hand lotions, journals, photo albums, etc. That way they can keep it for themselves.

3.)   Be sure to purchase extra prizes in case you have two winners for one game.

As with any shower the goal is to make your honoree feel comfortable and make sure your guests are having a good time. Don't ask anyone to do anything you think might make them uncomfortable. Think about the group of people you've invited and their personalities, and try not to play super hands-on games if you don't think the people you invited will enjoy them. Remember, just because you are hosting it, doesn't mean its about you and only what you think would be fun.          

Some Basics of a Muslim Matrimony

The Muslim religion is the second largest in the world and was founded by the prophet Muhammad. Many of the followers of Islam are residing in India. The religion has its emphasis on the community more than the practice and is also a guide to the principles of political, economic and social life. The word Islam means "surrender", so all Muslims are expected to surrender completely to the will of Allah, the supreme God, whose provisions are found in the Koran (Islamic sacred scriptures). So, absolutely everything intervening in the spiritual and earthly life is established in the Koran, including, of course, the rules that guide the family and Muslim matrimony.

Marriage is considered a sacred union as defined by Islamic law, and contrary to popular belief, monogamy is a common practice in the Muslim Matrimony. Women have primary rights on their home and their sons and husbands are obligated to protect and fulfill their basic necessities. For this reason, the ceremony itself is a private, civil and religious contract, which takes place in the mosque (Muslim shrine) and is registered in the registry office as well. The agreement set out in that contract of the Muslim matrimony should be discussed in advance by the bridegroom to be and the closest male relative of the bride to be. The closest male relative may not necessarily be her father. The bride must have consent to the marriage alliance.

The couple needs to appear before an Islamic judge (called sheikh) along with the witnesses for consummation of the marriage. The judge asks the groom to present the bride with dowry, and it must include gold, money and gifts, ensuring to secure the future of the bride. Once the bride and groom reach this agreement, they sign the papers and under Islamic law, the bride and groom are declared as legally and spiritually bound, i.e. married! After the wedding, the bride returns to her parents to plan the "celebration" of the wedding, which takes place in one or two weeks.

On the second or third night, a wedding banquet is held, and it is the time when the bride and groom can friends and family to celebrate the wedding alliance. The celebrations are marked by the traditional music, songs, dances and the traditional dance of the veil for women. At the end of the last night of the banquet, the couple appears and ascends the throne at the place of honor. For this occasion, the bride wears a white wedding dress. Traditionally, after this public appearance, the couple turns to their new home to formally consummate their marriage.

The public celebration of marriage is a series of celebrations and festivals. Festivities continue for quite a long period, where the families of the bride and groom, their relatives and friends gather to celebrate and have feast. The wedding celebrations are done at the bride's home, a hotel or a lounge, and are financed by the groom's family. After the festivities in the Muslim matrimony conclude, the first night after the wedding is a festival for women. The lady members of the family help the bride to get dressed up and her hands and feet are decorated with intricate patterns of henna.

The union between the Muslim religions with other religions is permitted in the Muslim matrimony. However, the problem is cultural union to receive the same protection that exists under Islamic law. The communities usually do not approve such marriages, but legally, it is approved and the non-Muslims can also marry Muslims as per the agreements of the families of both bride and groom.

Assisted Purchase Service - Definition of the Term

Assisted purchase is easily defined by the term's two words, assisted, meaning aided by another and purchase, meaning to buy. Together, these words identify the term's definition: to buy with the aid of another.

As a verb, the term refers to the act of assisting someone to buy something; and as a gerund, the term refers to a service that assists customers in buying the items they want. The latter will be our focus, as this article seeks to define the service, who offers it, who its customers are, why and how it is used.

First of all, assisted purchased is confirmed to be a service term, with the purpose of that service being to aid customers in buying the items they want. That sounds like a service that could be valuable to its customers, but who are its customers?

Assisted purchase customers are those who want and need both the assisted part and the purchase part, because they can't do it themselves. "Why not?" you might ask, so let's take a look at some possible scenarios. Most assisted purchase customers are those living outside the United States, yet who want to buy American goods. One scenario is that of living in another country. Let's say you live in Russia, but want to buy several items from a major US auction site online; however, the payment medium for that site only accepts US credit cards. Another scenario is you live in Canada and have found the cutest little boots online but when you try to use your credit card, the US company's POS system does not accept it. A third scenario is that you live in Hong Kong and want to buy an Xbox game system bad; you have plenty of cash but no bank account. Without assisted purchase, living outside the United States and wanting American items might make you feel like a kid looking inside a candy store window.

Now that we know who the majority of assisted purchase customers are, let's proceed in discussing why and how the service is used. First off, why is this service used. We already know that it is used to assist customers in buying, but why? The main reason why focuses on disadvantage. Customers are generally at a logistical disadvantage, meaning their location is the problem; such as living outside the US. Another disadvantage is that of not having access to a specific designated payment medium, such as not having a credit card, US credit card or account. Yet one more disadvantage would be that of using an incompatible financial medium; such as having an account at non-international bank, having cash but not a credit card or having a debit card rather than a credit card.

How assisted purchase works is fairly straight forward. The customer finds a company that offers this service: US mail forwarding companies are most likely, as it complements their parcel consolidation and forwarding services. Next, the customer tells the company what he or she wants to buy and how much it costs. Usually, the company will want the URL of the item if being sold online. That way, the company knows the exact model or type item the customer wants. Afterwards, the company provides the customer with an invoice that includes its fees and the cost of the item(s) to be purchased, along with any shipping or taxes charged. Finally, the customer wires the monies to the company and the items are purchased.