Our Wedding Songs

The Wedding: Who Pays

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:29:59 GMT

Weddings can be very expensive. It is not outside the realm of possibility that a wedding will cost as much as $50,000 dollars or more. So how do all the expenses get paid. The following is a look at who pays for what and how to ask for money when you need it.

Who Pays: Traditional Wedding

Traditionally, the bride pays for wedding gifts and lodging for her bridesmaids, thank-you notes and the wedding program.

The groom pays for all licenses and fees, the engagement ring, his formalwear, gifts and lodging for the groomsmen, boutonnieres and the bride’s bouquet.

Solve Your Wedding Problems Before They Happen

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:33:17 GMT

This is it! Your day is coming. And who wouldn't want a perfect once in a lifetime wedding ceremony?

Well you probably have attended a few wedding ceremonies before (You wouldn't think of being married if you haven't encountered a wedding ceremony, would you?). And you can't deny that for once you imagined yourself to be on that altar getting wed with your future spouse.

The Bridezilla Syndrome?

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:32:46 GMT

A new addition to the list of psychiatric disorders is a conditioned diagnosed as the Bridezilla Syndrome. This malady reportedly turns a sweet and radiant woman in her wedding gown all of a sudden into an obsessed and unreasonably perfectionist bride. Symptoms are said to include ranting, screaming, being out of control, and being impossible to deal with.

So have you imagined yourself turning into this monster with bulging veins, bloodshot eyes and gnashing teeth on your most awaited day - a supposed vision of loveliness turned to horror? And have you toyed with the idea of being tormented with the memory of ruining your own wedding and having to live with that memory the rest of your life?

Wedding Cake Trends

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 07:30:39 GMT

Gone are the days of white and tiered wedding cakes. Today cakes can be any color or shape the bridal couple desires. Many cakes today are works of art which integrate smoothly into the overall theme of a wedding. And, in addition to being showstoppers, they also have to be delicious.

Confused about what type of cake to purchase for your wedding? Take a look at the following six modern cake trends.

Using Pinterest for Wedding Planning

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 07:30:23 GMT

In today's high tech, digital world couples are using the Internet to plan for and get ideas for their weddings. This can take several forms. It can be as simple as looking at vendors' websites for information you once had to call about, or it can be as involved as joining a wedding forum and setting up a profile for yourself.

Brides today have another option for their wedding planning. Gone are the days of looking through wedding magazines and tearing out pictures we liked. Instead we are in the brave new world of "pinning" our favorites to virtual Pinterest bulletin boards or, as Pinterest puts it, organizing and sharing all the beautiful things on the web. Once you've pinned your ideas, others can comment on what you've posted.

Choosing the Best Wedding Music

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 12:38:22 GMT

It doesn't matter whether you'll have a live band, a DJ or are planning on using an MP3 player; the type of music you choose for your wedding and reception sets the tone for the entire day. Your choice of music should reflect both you and your partner's tastes and should also include songs that have an important meaning to you. So how do you make sure you make the right music choices?

Keep in Mind

You'll be picking music for your ceremony, your cocktail hour and your reception. The music you select for each should reflect that part of the wedding. Think of your wedding like a movie and you are picking the soundtrack.

When planning music for your ceremony, talk to your officiant. This is especially important if you are having a religious ceremony. There may be rules regarding what types of music can and can't be played in a place of worship.

Choosing Your Wedding Flowers

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 12:38:03 GMT

Flowers are an important part of a wedding. And, because there are so many styles and colors to choose from, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Generally flowers are 8 percent of your total wedding budget. Before making any decisions, sit down and determine what your flower budget will be. Be sure to share this number with your florist.

What to Wear to a Wedding

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 12:37:42 GMT

If you've been invited to a wedding you might wonder what you should wear. How formal is too formal? How casual is too casual? Even members of the bridal party might be wondering this as many modern brides are no longer picking out their bridesmaids' dresses. No matter your situation, take your cues from the couple.

Attendants

Today's bride often chooses the style and color of her bridesmaids' dresses but leaves it up to each individual attendant to choose a dress. If you are in this situation, be certain you understand the type of dress the bride expects. If you're unsure what the bride is looking for even after you've spoken to her, take some pictures of the dresses you like before making a purchase. Let the bride make the final decision.

Types of Weddings

Unfortunately, wedding guests do not have the option of running their attire past the bridal couple for approval. If you're a wedding guest, take your cue from the wedding invitation about the day's dress code. Many invitations will indicated the expected style of dress.

The following are the most common wedding dress codes.

A How To Guide on Seating Arrangements

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 12:36:52 GMT

If you're like most couples about to get married, you and your partner know how important the seating arrangements for your reception can be. Maybe the planning has even caused a small amount of anxiety. Well, it doesn't have to. Here are some tips for taking the stress out of seating arrangement preparation.

When You Need Them

Some couples may be confused as to when they need to make seating arrangements and when they do not. The general rule of thumb is if you are having 50 or fewer guests, than you do not need to pick where everyone is sitting. Guests would be able to comfortably seat themselves without it causing chaos or confusion. If you are only serving cake, hors d'oeuvres or cocktails and you have more than 50 guests, than it is also fine to forego seating arrangements.

However, if you plan on having 50 or more guests and you plan to serve a meal, you need to have thought out your seating arrangements. This is true regardless of whether you will have a sit down meal or a buffet.

Wedding Registries and Gifts: A How To Guide

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 12:36:30 GMT

Giving and receiving gifts is an old wedding tradition. In the past, couples were given items they would need to set up their household once they were married. Today, most couples have left their parents' homes long before the wedding and already have everything they need. Modern wedding guests give gifts to show they couple how much they love them.

So what do you need to consider when setting up your registry?

Second Marriages and Beyond

Wed, 02 May 2012 11:22:44 GMT

In today's modern society it is not uncommon for people to have second or even third marriages. Traditionally, these "encore marriages" were celebrated quietly. Today, however, they can be as formal or informal as the couple wishes and is considered a celebration of two people finding each other and celebrating their new lives together.

Who to Tell

The first people you should announce your engagement to are your children. Be prepared; there might be some shock or resistance after the announcement and you will need to answer any questions they might have. Try to calm their fears and explain how their lives will changes.

After your children, the people you should tell next are your parents. If you have joint custody with your ex-spouses, tell your ex next.

Wedding Guest Etiquette

Tue, 01 May 2012 07:24:18 GMT

You've just received an invitation in the mail to a friend or loved one's wedding. Now what? What can you do to be a gracious guest and still have a good time?

RSVP

RSVP within three weeks of receiving your invitation even if the deadline is still far in the future. Not only is this considered good manners, but it prevents you from forgetting or losing the invitation.

Check your schedule before you respond. If something comes up and you must cancel, do so as far in advance as possible.

Picking The Right Bridesmaids

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:27:51 GMT

Your maid of honor and your bridesmaids are an important part of your wedding. Deciding who to choose and how many attendants to have should not be taken lightly. At the same time, it doesn't have to be a stressful situation. Here are some tips for making the decision easier.

Think It Over

While you may feel like planning your bridal party the day after your engagement, it's best to wait. You are riding high on emotions, so sitting back until things calm down will ensure you make clear, informed decisions.

Traditionally, the rule of thumb is one bridesmaid and groomsman per 50 guests. However, in today's modern world, rules are changing. Now, you no longer have to have an even number of attendants nor do all the bride's attendants have to be female and all the groom's attendants male. If you have a good male friend, feel free to make him one of your honor attendants or even the man of honor.

Must-Have Wedding Photos

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:39:50 GMT

In this age of technology where every moment, every real emotion and every memory can already be captured by video and photograph stills can be produced from the video footage itself, what is standard photography for? Search your soul. Do you really want your wedding party standing in a straight line like prim and proper elementary students and get the same tired shots as all the others have or would you opt to be adventurous and prefer an artistic interplay of composition, light, color, texture, tone contrast, elements and drama, mood, emotion, intimacy or intensity?

If you hire a professional photographer, that means you trust his creativity and have faith in his ability to capture, freeze and immortalize your memories. If you hand him a list of must-have pictures, it is almost like slapping an insult to his face. Any photographer worth his or her weight in lenses should be able to do better than rely on a list. Better still, he must be able to produce original and creative shots that are not an echo of a hundred weddings before yours.

Invitations and Bridal Shower Etiquette

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:57:10 GMT

Weddings can be stressful enough without having to worry about figuratively stepping on someone's toes or hurting their feelings. Yet, wedding etiquette doesn't need to be complicated.

Of course, wedding etiquette is broad topic covering everything from the engagement to the thank-you notes sent after your ceremony. Here are some tips on wedding invitations and bridal showers.

Picking a Perfect Engagement Ring

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:56:52 GMT

Choosing the perfect engagement ring is an important part of any wedding whether you're a man buying an engagement ring for your girlfriend, a woman planning to propose to her boyfriend who has bought her own ring, or a couple buying the ring together. But there are countless ring styles and price points. How do you know which one is best for you? Follow these easy steps.

Tips for Men Buying Rings

Gentlemen, if you plan to propose to your girlfriend and it's a surprise, you need to do your homework. Pay attention to comments she makes about other women's rings. This will give you clues to her favorite styles.

Find her size. If possible, ask one of her friends. Otherwise, take a look at the jewelry that you know she wears on her ring finger. Borrow the ring to take with you to the jeweler or trace the inside of the ring onto a piece of paper.

Comparing Real and Silk Flowers

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:42:34 GMT

Wedding planning often requires a number of details that cannot be missed. One detail many brides focus on, the flowers, brings with it a number of choices. Some brides choose to have real flowers at their event, while others decide to use silk ones.

The ladies at Sisters Floral Design Studio in St. Louis, Missouri shared their experience from professional floral designers' viewpoints in regards to choosing either real or silk flowers for weddings.

DIY Wedding Centerpieces

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:58:48 GMT

Feeling creative? One surefire way to save money on a wedding budget and put your own personal touch on your day to design your own special centerpieces.

The traditional wedding centerpiece is flowers. However, flowers can be very expensive, even if you make the centerpieces yourself. If you decide to go with flowers, pick flowers that are in season and grown locally. Make a sample centerpiece in advance to see how long the flowers last before wilting.

Destination Weddings That Wow

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:21:43 GMT

What exactly is a destination wedding? It's any wedding which occurs 100 miles or more away from the bride and groom's hometown. It can be something as simple as the couple traveling to Niagara Falls to elope or it can be as elaborate as the entire bridal party flying to a tropical island.

Many times destination weddings combine the wedding venue with the honeymoon locale. The most common place for destination weddings is the beach.

Why Hire a Wedding Planner?

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:22:46 GMT

Have you decided what will your wedding be like? Is it going to be simple, middle of the road or over the top? Whatever fills your cup best, there is no question that you want your wedding day to be memorable and wonderful. Planning your wedding without professional help is just like producing and directing your own movie and casting yourself as its lead actor. Well, Mel Gibson pulled it off, but hey, let's face it, Mel Gibson is a seasoned actor who has been in the film business for years! So unless you've been married several times and already knows the ins and outs of wedding ceremonies and receptions, then it is wise for you to hire a wedding planner. This may sound like an oxymoron, but when you're on a tight budget, hiring a wedding planner is even one of the best ideas to cut on costs. When you hire one, you not only save on costs, but also time and costly mistakes that can never be rectified unless you wed again.

So what do wedding planners, do?

No, they don't steal your fiancée as J. Lo did in the movie, "Wedding Planner". Rather, they can be your savior and a hundred different other things.

Wedding planners will smooth the progress of everything related to your wedding such as the invitations, wedding cakes, the venue, guests and gifts, jewelry, flowers, stationary, articles, accessories, physical arrangements, limo service, photography, food, music etc.,
They ensure that the wedding theme is reflected in everything, from the bouquets and the entourage's outfits down to the table cloths and napkins.
Wedding planners are highly skilled negotiators, so they can get you the best service and the best deals at the least price - well, they should, for their reputation depends on their performance.
They are experts about colors, flowers and music; knowledgeable about churches, customs and traditions; and can keep up with the latest wedding trends, so they can save you from being bogged down with details.
They do all the legwork, tons of phone calls, paperwork, visits, follow-ups, confirmation, arrangements and take the stress off you.
There are a hundred things that could not work according to your plan. From previous experiences, wedding planners already have an idea what sorts of problems may come up and they already know how to deal with the issues. When things go wrong at some point as they sometimes will, wedding planners are there to smooth out the troubles so you can continue walking down the aisle.
If you get lucky to find a good wedding planner, she will afford you perhaps the most expensive commodity of all - peace of mind - and sometimes, this alone is worth the price.

To sum it up, wedding planners are facilitators, mediators, artisans, finance managers, dream weavers, therapists, shock absorbers, negotiators, consultants, confidantes and trouble-shooters rolled into one.

In other words, wedding planners are fairy godmothers who are there to make your perfect, dream wedding become an enchanting reality.