Saturday, July 19, 2008

Wedding Present

Wedding Anniversary Presents -
This summer, we have more than a few weddings coming up. While I look forward to these events with great anticipation, I always have difficulty coming up with an idea for that perfect wedding present. I know I will also be invited to the bridal showers for these events, which leads me to need two presents instead of just one. The good thing is that bridal shower presents can generally be purchased from a wedding registry, and if you go to the store early you can get good pick and wind up with something that you really want to give to the recipient. However, if you wait too long after receiving the invitation, presents will be picked over and you may end up with something that would not be your first choice. In the end, though, bridal shower presents are generally much easier to purchase than a great wedding present. I probably over think things, but I try to give a wedding present that goes along with a theme. For instance, if I know they like being outdoors, one of my favorite gifts to give is a really nice all inclusive picnic basket and a few bottles of wine. Or, if I purchase something like a mixer I also like to include a few personal recipes or even a full cook book purchased from a store. Generally, I think it is nice to try to keep a wedding gift on a smaller size scale because it is difficult to transport gifts after a wedding reception. Trying to keep that in mind, things can get a little dicey! Many times, the type of wedding gift you give can depend on the area the wedding is taking place. Some areas of the country have customary gifts, especially if it is given from a family member. Also, in many areas of the country it is customary to simply give some form of money as a wedding gift. I know in my area of the country, you very rarely see wedding gifts on the table during the wedding, but there are plenty of cards containing money. However, when I go to family weddings in the Midwest, a wedding gift is usually a physical present and not money. I am sure I will find something to give as gifts for my upcoming weddings, and Im sure I will overanalyze what I end up giving. I will have to just remember that it is the thought that counts, and if worse comes to worst I can always give the appreciated gift of cash!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Favors For Weddings

Wedding Planner Books -
Your wedding day is truly a day for celebration. One of the most appealing things about a wedding is that you get to share your joy and happiness with the people who matter most to you. For many a bride, months are spent ensuring that every last detail of the big day is taken care of. However many couples look past the idea of giving out favors for weddings. There is no disputing that weddings cost a pretty penny, or in most cases thousands of pennies. Everything from the dress to the flowers has to be factored into the cost, so small things like favors for weddings are often forgotten about in favor of something more important. However, you must keep in mind that the people attending your wedding want to take something with them to remember your special day by. You dont have to spend a small fortune to create a small and memorable item for your guests. Although some couples give out things like small picture frames as favors for weddings, you dont have to go to that length. Instead you can make something small and elegant that your guests will treasure and that youll feel good about giving away since the cost is reasonable. One idea that has stood the test of time is wedding cake. Most likely you will be serving cake at the wedding, but you can also order another cake that will be wrapped in the wedding colors and given away as favors for weddings. You can even purchase small white favor boxes for this very purpose. If you are creative and skilled in calligraphy you can certainly note the date and your names on the favor boxes. Perhaps a stark black written note thanking your guests written on the top of the favor boxes will make these favors for weddings truly memorable. Another relatively inexpensive idea is to create small scrolls on your home computer. These scrolls can then be printed on parchment and hand tied with ribbon that is a color reflective of the wedding party colors. The scrolls can include a thank you from the wedding couple along with an image of their engagement. These make perfect favors for weddings as they are personalized and they allow the guests the opportunity to open the scroll whenever they wish to remember the wedding. Obviously you dont have to incur much cost to create a small take home gift for your wedding guests. With some imagination and a little creative crafting you can make favors for weddings that your guests will treasure for years.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Vintage Wedding Dresses

Cookie Cutter Wedding Favors -
For most women, one of the most important aspects of her wedding day is the wedding dress. Many women spend months searching for the perfect gown. The main reason is that most women have a very specific design in mind when they picture themselves on their wedding day. Although there are many breathtaking wedding gown styles produced each year, some women are looking for something more traditional. They may consider purchasing one of the many vintage wedding dresses now being made available. With the introduction of the online auction sites can an influx of people selling vintage items. Everything from cars to toys are being sold along with a very wide array of vintage wedding dresses. In fact, there are so many different styles available that it can be difficult deciding on one. Just as you have to consider certain things when purchasing any item of clothing, the same holds true for vintage wedding dresses. If you are purchasing one at a local consignment shop, be certain to try it on first. If you ever have the opportunity to try the dress on, this will guarantee the best fit. However, if thats not possible, as is the case with purchasing vintage wedding dresses online, you can always have them altered. Another consideration to keep in mind is whether the dress is soiled. Although this generally wont be the case in a consignment store, if you are purchasing vintage wedding dresses online, you cant be certain. Most sellers will showcase an image of the dress and its wise to also inquire as the condition of the dress. The difficult with soiling is that on vintage wedding dresses if something has been left to sit, the stain will most likely be permanent. Also give some thought to shipping costs. Having anything shipped is expensive, considering both the postal costs and the insurance. In the case of vintage wedding dresses you will need to have enough insurance on the package to cover the contents in the even that something does happen before it reaches your home. Once the big day has passed youll need to think about how to preserve the gown. The drycleaners is usually the best choice for having vintage wedding dresses cleaned and preserved. If possible, try and have this done as soon as possible after the wedding day. You want to keep the dress looking beautiful forever so its important to leave that to a professional. You want to look your best on your wedding day, so choose a gown that reflects your body shape as well as your personality. Vintage wedding dresses add an extra touch to your already very special day.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Should You Buy A Titanium Wedding Band?

Christmas Wedding Decoration Ideas -
One of the hottest trends in marital rings is the titanium wedding band. There is good reason for the interest in this attractive metal for the purpose of making jewelry but there are even better reasons for choosing a titanium wedding band. The symbolic meaning behind the rings and the natural properties of the metal make the material the perfect choice for newlyweds. A titanium wedding band has unusual properties not shared by its gold, silver and platinum counterparts. The material is remarkably light but it is quite strong. The combination of lightweight materials and strength is really appealing to many who dislike wearing jewelry. Just about everyone knows someone who hates to wear jewelry of any kind. Purchasing wedding rings for these individuals can pose a great challenge. My husband always felt annoyed when he wore his fathers gold ring. The item seemed to weigh down on his fingers and he was sensitive to the odd pressure the jewelry pushed on his skin. The irritation was really obvious and he wore the sentimental item briefly and on rare occasions. This made me decide to shop around for an alternative to the traditional gold marriage rings. The titanium wedding band was the perfect choice for us because its lightweight nature made the ring wearable. My husband doesnt even realize that he is wearing the ring and this is a real benefit for him. He finds heavy jewelry to be burdensome and distracting especially when he is trying to work. The titanium wedding band is nearly invisible to his sense of touch. The metal is also very masculine as well. The color to the titanium wedding band is not quite as lustrous and shiny as its gold and silver counterparts. The finished product resembles brushed stainless steel rather than shimmering metal. This is a really attractive feature for a lot of guys who dont really like to sparkle. Those who do want some shine might want to consider browsing through some of the different options this metal has to offer. We were really attracted to the black titanium wedding band but the color was just too dark for the ring. However, the polished material is really eye-catching especially in the light. The black titanium wedding band offers a glass-like finish that resembles a dark mirror. I was so drawn to this particular style that I decided to purchase a black ring for my husbands other hand. He actually likes to wear this jewelry.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Wedding Dresses on the Cheap

Popular Wedding Reception Ideas -
There are so many expenses for a wedding and reception that many brides choose to cut corners here and there. Some of us even try to find cheap wedding dresses to offset the cost of the special event. While many would never dream of skimping on this particular detail, I have to admit that I bought my gown for 25 bucks and I couldnt have found a better dress. Following are some ideas for finding cheap wedding gowns that are remarkably beautiful. Buy used. I know that this is not the ideal but you can often find fantastic deals on cheap wedding dresses if you check out your local consignment shop. Some of these dresses have never been worn at all and you can score your dream gown at a fraction of the price. These stores are filled with lovely items and some consignment shops will dress you from head to toe. I chose to look in my local newspaper for my cheap wedding dresses. I found several different choices and immediately started making phone calls. Once I got the details on the cheap wedding dresses I decided whether or not I was going to take a look. One gown was 25 dollars and I figured that I wasnt going to be interested. Fortunately, the lady who was selling the gown lived in a town that was on my way home from work. I took a quick stop to see the dress and I am so glad that I did. I couldnt believe that cheap wedding dresses could be so magnificent. The gown is so beautiful that I immediately reached into my purse and handed the lady the 25 bucks. I also ran off before she could change her mind. I have no idea what possessed her to sell a Pricilla of Boston gown for so little. She mentioned that the dress belonged to her cousin who moved away. The dress was never worn. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time but you never know when cheap wedding dresses turn out to be designer gowns. It is always a good idea to check around before investing a lot of money on a dress. There are some other options as well for anyone who isnt quite as lucky in their search. Stores like Davids Bridal offer amazing gowns at really reasonable prices (some as low as 99 dollars). These stores are ideal for finding cheap wedding dresses that arent used.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Wedding Speeches

The Wedding Theme -
One of the most daunting tasks for the best man might be what he has to do at the wedding reception. Tradition dictates that the best man has to give a speech, and today, more and more brides are asking their maid or matron of honor to do the same thing. The thing about these wedding speeches is that no one every really knows what to say. Some people are naturally gifted and writing and delivering a great speech, but most people suffer through it, and have no idea what they should do or say. I have twice now seen people freeze in the middle of wedding speeches out of pure fright. Perhaps there is a lot of pressure to give the perfect speech, and everyone fears their wedding speeches may be memorable for all the wrong reasons. Some people like to use humor, but this can be very tricky. Talking about the couples first date might be funny, but Grandma wont like it if it involves drinking and public nudity. Its hard to think of things that may interest everyone and the speakers often feel the pressure of this before they even stand up and open their mouth. If you have to give a speech soon, you will be glad to know that help is out there. You can find good wedding speeches online that you can customize to the bride and groom. This may help you relax a little, because at least you know at the very least it was a good speech when you started. If you are having trouble personalizing the speech, dont be afraid to ask for help. Just make sure you pick something appropriate for everyone. If you want to write your own wedding speeches, make sure you take some time to think it through, and run it by a few people before the big day. Try to stay away from saying anything you wouldnt want anyone to say about you in front of all of your family and most of your close friends. You can use humor; just make sure you arent going to make Aunt Jane pass out. Remember to keep it simple. Great wedding speeches dont have to be long and detailed; they simply have to come from the heart. If you write something that comes directly from your heart and your love of the couple, you really wont have anything to worry about.

Cookie Cutter Wedding Favors

Wedding Reception Ideas -
I had never seen cookie cutter wedding favors before I got one at a wedding last year. I dont know if they are a new tradition or if they have been around for a while, but I thought they were very cute. What a great idea. They may be more common than I know, or they may just be coming up in popularity now. Either way, if you are looking for a great idea for a favor for your wedding but you are drawing a blank, this might be something you want to consider. You can find a cookie cutter in almost any theme. Just think about what your wedding will be, and then look for the perfect cookie cutter wedding favors to go with your theme. If you have a fall wedding, you may want to get one in the shape of a leaf or perhaps a pumpkin. You can add a poem to your cookie cutter wedding favors and tie it on with a ribbon. You can probably find these in bulk at your favorite home store, or you may want to look online for some good deals. If you cant find what you want anywhere, make sure you check eBay. Just make sure the ones you are getting are brand new and made of the material you are looking for. You can find already made cookie cutter wedding favors online that you can order. They may come with a poem already tied on, and you can in most cases get them personalized with your name, wedding date and anything else that you may wish to include. There are many places that now have them, so go ahead and shop around for the best deal you can find. Watch the shipping prices though. Your good deal might be wiped out with really high shipping prices if you arent careful. This is a huge problem on eBay, so almost look at that before you even consider what they have to offer. To make your cookie cutter wedding favors even more special, you may want to include cookies in a jar with your cookie cutter. You can find these or you can make them yourself. A cookie in a jar is basically the dry ingredients for cookies all put in one jar so you just have to take them home, add the wet ingredients and back your cookies. If you want to add this to your cookie cutter wedding favors, make sure you do a cookie that requires a cutter. One popular choice might be sugar cookies. You can even add a baggie of toppings to add to the cookies.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Christmas Wedding Decoration Ideas

Celebrity Wedding Dresses -
Wedding Christmas decoration ideas are plentiful so consider a winter wedding ceremony this year. You will find that it is the most wonderful and the most romantic time of the year. Snuggle up with your loved one and peruse some wedding Christmas decoration schemes. One of the benefits of choosing a holiday like this for the season to have the ceremony is that you can save a lot of money by using wedding Christmas decoration ideas because you can use your regular holiday decorations to add a little romantic spice to the event. Using items that you already own or that you can re-use later is a thrifty persons dream-come-true. You most likely will not have to decorate the church at all for the ceremony aside from a few wedding Christmas decorations here and there. The church will probably be already dressed for the holiday season so you can take advantage of the ready-made ensemble for your affair. Other items that can be used in the church for the wedding Christmas decoration scheme are poinsettias. These beautiful flowers are lovely in bright reds and soft pinks. You may find that you dont need to add any at the church but the reception is another story. These bright flowers can be used as wedding Christmas decoration in a number of ways. You can use the tradional holiday flower to decorate your bridesmaids as well as the bride. They can each carry a lovely bouquet made out of this icon of holiday cheer. The tables can be filled with centerpieces created out of this flower and the plant is a wedding Christmas decoration that can go home with some of the guests as well. The flowers design can be repeated on the cake as well. The wedding Christmas decoration works well in just about every capacity imaginable. However, there are other great wedding Christmas decoration ideas to consider as well. Since we are on the subject of plants why not consider decking the halls with plenty of mistletoe. This is a great option for getting the romance in the air. Instead of clinking glasses, your guests can hold up mistletoe. This makes for a great wedding favor as well for your guests. Dont forget the tree. You can have your presents collected under this wedding Christmas decoration instead of on a table. I love the idea of bringing the holidays together with a romantic ceremony. You are sure to remember each year with fondness.