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Joe’s Handy Tips For Your Reception

Have Fun!

One of the most important tips I can offer potential newlyweds is to have “fun” above everything else. Don’t waste your energy on expecting everything to be “perfect!”

Something unexpected can certainly happen! These are usually unfortunate occurrences, but not real tragedies that you want affecting your perception of your Wedding Day! Newlyweds who simply focus on enjoying their Wedding Day and having fun instead of insisting that everything be perfect will be more flexible when something unfortunate or unexpected happens.

Get It In Writing!

Be certain to have all agreements with wedding vendors in a written form!

These written agreements should contain the complete agreement to prevent misunderstandings in the future. According to statistics, the Clients who didn’t fully understand their contracts cause 40% of all wedding-related problems!

Don’t Over-Plan. Be Flexible.

Listen to the suggestions from your wedding professionals. These experts can offer solid advice based on many years of experience at wedding ceremonies and receptions. They have first hand knowledge! I’ve included links and contact information of many of the area vendors that I frequently associate with.

Have A Good Time!

On your Special Day, plan to relax, smile, laugh, visit, eat, drink, dance, celebrate, and have fun! Your Wedding Day is a special time that you will want to savor every minute of, make sure your number one goal is to have a good time!

Nervous? Try These Suggestions . . .

Many newlyweds share that they are nervous. I offer you the following suggestions to help this your day be effortless:

* Simplify. Remember, the more things you plan for your special day, the more things can go wrong.

* Do not worry about the little things. Don’t sweat the small stuff!

* Leave the important details to the Professionals. If you’ve hired wisely, they know what you want and how you want it.

* Arrange for a calm individual outside of your immediate wedding party to handle last minute details. Do you have a favorite Uncle or special friend who can handle details such as distributing checks to your wedding specialists, run to the store for nylons, etc.

* Enjoy a quiet the day before your Wedding such as a massage, yoga session, or spa visit.

* Take as many photos as possible before to the Wedding Ceremony to allow more time for fun afterwards

Your Wedding Ceremony and/or Reception Site

Once you have selected your wedding date, immediately make reservations for the location of your wedding ceremony and reception. Some locations are reserved more than two years in advance.

Many newlyweds are having both their wedding ceremony and reception at the same location. This is a win-win situation for newlyweds because it usually results in fewer expenses. It is also a plus for their guests who welcome the convenience.

Music For Your Wedding Ceremony

The Music you choose for your Wedding and/or Reception will set the pace for your entire event. Your music selections are usually determined by personal preferences. Religious attitudes of clergymen can also play a role in your selection.

There are five categories of music at wedding ceremonies:

The pre-wedding music sets the theme for the actual ceremony. This usually begins approximately thirty minutes before the ceremony and is scheduled to begin while guests are being seated. The music selections are often light and lively, and played in a low volume allowing guests to speak with each other.

Music for the entrance of the Bridesmaids is usually more formal, and presented at a higher volume than the pre-ceremony music. Although marches are popular, other beautiful classical selections such as Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and Pachabel’s “Canon In D” are often selected.

The first notes of the processional music announce the arrival of the Bride and inform the guests to stand! Because of this, processional music should be joyful and triumphant. Wagner’s “Here Comes The Bride” is the overwhelming choice of Brides to enter their wedding ceremony area. Brides who are marrying for the second time often select a less formal musical selection.

During the ceremony, a soloist may sing or play a musical instrument just before the actual wedding vows begin. Sometimes a reading by a guest may substitute for music. This activity allows the Bride and Groom time to pause and catch their breath!

The recessional music usually begins immediately after the official introduces the new couple to the guests as husband and wife. Like the processional, this music is generally joyful and triumphant. It is often accompanied with the ringing of church bells or chimes. Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” is the music selection chosen by most newlyweds at the conclusion of their wedding ceremony.

Wedding Reception

1.Receiving Line vs. Bridal Party Introductions

Traditionally, newlyweds have followed their wedding ceremony with a time consuming “receiving line.” Today, many newlyweds choose to have the Digital DJ introduce the entire Bridal Party (including parents of the newlyweds) as they first enter the banquet room. This practice often frees up more time for fun later during dancing, which is what your entire day has been leading up to!

2. To Assign Seats or Not?

Why do newlyweds agree to assigned seating for guests at their wedding reception? Although this idea may sound good in theory and provides some control over their guests, it’s not always popular with the guests! Some newlyweds and party planners sometimes spend hours and hours trying to figure out the perfect seating arrangement only to face the disappointed attendees who were hoping to sit next to friends or relatives. Head tables are a great idea for the bride and groom and possibly the wedding party, but you may find it easier to allow general seating for the rest of your guests. It will also create a more relaxed environment.

3. Toast The Happy Couple!

What would a wedding reception be without your toasts? At many receptions, additional toasts follow these remarks from the Maid/Matron of Honor, Parents of the Newlyweds, or the Bride and Groom. After the meal, additional speeches and/or live entertainment by special guests (singers, dancers, etc.) may also follow. This should all be prior to your dance.

4. After Meal/Before First Dance

After the newlyweds finish their meal, they usually visit their guests while passing out optional favors. Brides may want to ask one of their Bridesmaids to carry the actual basket of favors to allow Brides to more easily converse with guests. This post-meal time is also sometimes used by professional photographers to capture a few additional photos before the start of the dance.

5. Your Special Dance

The Happy Couple should always select a slow song for their first dance. It may sound more romantic to dance the entire song alone on the dance floor, but many newlyweds like to have the Digital DJ invite the rest of the Bridal Party to join them on the dance floor halfway through this First Dance. This takes some of the pressure off the Bride and Groom, and allows their Bridal Party to share some of the spotlight. This is also an awesome photo opportunity for the photographer.

6. The Last Dance

After the Last Dance is finished, the reception is assumed to be over except for last minute congratulations. Make your Last Dance a special song selection for all to enjoy.

Catering Can Make Or Break Your Event

You have three common choices for most receptions.

The buffet meal allows guests to line up and select their own food. Try to have both sides of the banquet tables available for guests to line up to minimize time standing in line. If a large number of guests are expected, consider more than one series of banquet tables, or even “food stations” placed in various areas of the reception area. This prevents your attendees from clustering and creates a mood of chaos while the food is being served.

A formal meal usually consists of three or more courses. Waiters or waitresses then serve guests.

A family style meal is a combination of the previous two. Guests are seated at their tables, and plates of food are passed around among the guests.

Capture This Moment On Film

A growing trend is for newlyweds to take pictures prior to their ceremony. This allows more time after the ceremony for visiting with friends and relatives. It can also be a huge relief that will ensure that you get to actually enjoy the event you’ve worked so very hard to plan.

When choosing a photographer, check samples of their previous work. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the price and payment schedules. Also remember that a professional wedding photographer should be an active participant in the wedding day activities, yet not intrude or dominate the Bride and Groom’s available time. If you’ve selected wisely, you’ll have a participant who blends in well with the other personalities of your wedding.

The Cake

Wedding cakes are available in a variety of flavors and should have the personalities of the newlyweds represented as not only on top of the cake, but within the theme as well.

The Bridal Party’s Flowers

Flowers are used to add beauty and fragrance to a wedding day. Flowers at the ceremony should establish a theme and direct the attention of the guests to the Bride and Groom.

Flowers carried by the Bride and her Bridesmaids should continue the floral theme at the wedding ceremony. Good taste and the particular season will play an important role in the actual floral selections.

You should consider the architecture of the room when selecting your flowers as well. If you have a small room, don’t over power it with outrageous, large floral arrangements

Bridal Party Hair and Makeup

For continuity, I suggest the same makeup professional for the Bride and all of her Bridesmaids. Photographs will look better if everyone is similar in appearance. There are a lot of affordable alternatives as well as professionals who can bring a “cutting edge” look for a little more money.

Honeymoon

The honeymoon is simply vacation time allowing newlyweds an opportunity to relax and allow for quality time between the bride and groom. There are a lot of fun and affordable options for Honeymoons.

On a Final Note . . . The Emergency Kit

I like to recommend an Emergency Kit containing some of the following items be readily available “just in case.” It’s better to be prepared so you can enjoy your day. This is a great job for the Maid of Honor or a trusted friend.

Aspirin/Tylenol/Advil, etc

Antacid

Antihistamines

Band-Aids

Bottled water

Camera/camcorder/new rolls of film/fresh batteries

Cellular phone/phone cards/pager

Credit cards/checks/cash

Deodorant

Directions to wedding ceremony/reception

Disposable Razor (not just for shaving, removes lint balls as well)

Extra Earring Backs

Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads, Tampons)

Gum, mints or portable toothbrush

Hair Spray/Brush/Hair Items Such as Bobby Pins

Hand Lotion

Handi Wipes or Baby Wipes

Makeup Bag With Commonly Used Items

Masking Tape (Great for Emergency Hems)

Nail Polish & Remover

Nylons (one size fits all)

Pen & Notepad

Perfume

Phone numbers of all bridal party members (Cell #’s Included)

Phone numbers of all wedding vendors (ceremony/reception locations, wedding officiator, caterer, photographer, DJ/band, florist, bakery, etc.)
Give this list to your emergency back up person as well.

Safety Pins

Sewing Kit

Smelling Salts

Sitting Stool For Bride (In case her train is too long for a chair)

Talcum Powder

Tissues

Underwear (you never know)

Visine, not just for your eyes, but good to put on those surprise zits that pop up.

In Conclusion…

Hire and entrust competent wedding professionals to handle your wedding details, and leave the details to them. That’s their job. You need only to enjoy your perfect day. I’d like to be a part of that special day, contact me and give me the opportunity to earn your trust and your business.

Music has been my career for over 30 years. Many of you, and/or your parents, grew up listening to me in Omaha on Z-92 or CD 105. I have been providing music for special events since the late 1970’s.

No matter what the event: wedding receptions, corporate holiday parties or other special events, Joe Blood - Digital DJ delivers the music you want on a state-of-the art digital sound system. You can rest assured in my experience as a wedding reception coordinator, master of ceremonies, and music entertainer to smoothly organize your entire reception or special event.

You can learn more by visiting our website at http://www.joeblood.com

So you are looking to purchase a women’s diamond wedding
ring? Well you have started off in the right step by
researching your topic before stepping into the world, shopping
around for that perfect ring and diamond for your special other.
We have compiled some information for you to help you reach your
own informed decision.

As you search and shop around for your own perfect women’s
diamond wedding ring you will find that every diamond is
different - even if they present with the same specifications. A
diamond you fall in love with may have a few flaws (or
‘inclusions’ as they call them in the business), say a black
spot… If that inclusion is near the top or in the top of your
diamond, your fiancée will of course notice this defect… more
so if she is the obsessive type. Remember to look carefully at
each diamond you pick up and are seriously considering on
buying. Always ask to see it both through normal light and
through the jeweler’s loupe (their magnifying glass) to examine
for these inclusions.

You probably are inexperienced at buying diamonds so you
probably don’t want to know absolutely everything about the 4
C’s and want to keep it simple. So just follow the procedure
above and consider the following points for buying your women’s
diamond wedding ring. When shopping around you have the choice
of a clear and colorless diamond or a diamond that is yellowish,
D-F grade is colorless. Another option is to have a diamond that
sparkles and that has rainbow colors in the diamond ring. And of
course as you look through the loupe, make sure there aren’t any
spots or any other inclusions that you can’t live with. Of
course, the diamond should not look dark or cloudy. Some I1
diamonds look nice but try to avoid diamonds with a lower
grading.

Shop around for women’s diamond wedding ring that has a
certified diamond. Although you may pay extra in the inflated
value on the appraised certified diamond as a result of
insurance. Also you should request the diamond be tested in
front of you before purchasing.

The price of a women’s wedding diamond ring varies greatly
depending on the quality of the cut. Diamond rings can be
purchased at a jeweler or at the jewelry section of your
department store. Your department store may offer a promotion,
or extra lifetime guarantees so shop around. Also, consider the
weight of your diamond. If your diamond is slightly under the
standard weights (1 carat, half a carat etc ) then you may get a
discount. Remember that 10 karat gold is cheap and anything
below 14 carat will need to be worn daily to avoid tarnishing.

This article “Women’s Diamond
Wedding Ring” can be found in our Wedding Jewelry and Accessories
category.

Ask someone why they had, or are having an affair and you may hear something like this: “I have a lousy marriage. My marriage is dead. There is no intimacy, no sex, and no excitement. The love is gone. We’ve grown apart. I can’t stand the marriage. There was nothing happening in the marriage and the affair just happened.”

These statements are rationalizations and fail to “get at” the underlying issues.

Key points:

1. It’s as if a marriage is an animal gone bad. A marriage does not have a life of it’s own. In reality, there is no such thing as a “marriage.” One is “married” as a result of making some promises and signing a paper at one point. After the paper is signed, two people continue communicating and acting toward one another in particular ways that they hope will help them get what they individually want. Just as there is no “marriage,” there is no such thing as a “relationship.” There are, however, ways of relating for which each person is responsible. Remember the comedian Flip Wilson (that dates me) and his “The devil made me do it” skit?

2. We idealize “marriage” or “romantic relationships” with the expectation we will get what we want, without much effort to boot. The movies, popular public press and romance novels/stories don’t help much here. A “marriage” is behind the eight ball from the word go. “IT” can’t win.

3. From day one most of us don’t have a clue about how to get, build, nurture and maintain healthy and intimate ways of relating. We need ‘love 101′ and it’s not there. We rely upon experimentation or bad models.

4. If the “marriage” is dead, why in the world would one choose to have an affair? Talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire. It really is stupid. You add a whole layer of deceit and shame that eventually will result in consequences more dire than approaching your spouse and saying, “I’m really unhappy. What I’m doing with you obviously is not working. I want out.” Oh well, maybe some people need more problems and suffering.

5. If the “marriage” is bad, obviously, I don’t have to look at me. I can blame “it” or the other. Some of us find it difficult to look at me. Some of us don’t know how to look at me. Some of us never think of looking at me.

Tip: If your partner/spouse is having and affair and blames it on the “marriage,” don’t buy into it. The “marriage” is not the problem. You are not the problem. Your spouse/partner chose the affair out of ignorance, fear or inadequacy.

The “My Marriage Made Me Do It” is just one of 7 affairs outlined in my E-book, “Break Free From the Affair.” For more information on the issues behind the other kinds of affairs and tips for dealing with them, visit my site.

Dr. Robert Huizenga, The Infidelity Coach, has helped hundreds of couples over the past two decades heal from the agony of extramarital affairs and survive infidelity. Visit his website at: www.break-free-from-the-affair.com

Teen relationships are touchy things. Girls are often ready for
serious commitments within their relationships while boys want
something more laid back in their relationship. Of course, this
is never a definite scenario either. Teen relationships are just
that, unpredictable. If you are in a teen relationship or have a
teen in a relationship and are worried about them, you need to
understand how things work, so to speak.

Parents want to control each and every aspect of their teen’s
life. While they want to do this simply because they want to
protect their teen, it is not a good way of teaching your teen
about life. Instead, you have to provide them with the
information they need and hope that your teen takes it to heart.
Trust is the key. But, in teen relationships there is much
information that is vital. From drugs to sex to love there are
things that all teens need to know about before getting too deep
into that relationship. What are parents to do? How are teens
supposed to know right from wrong in their relationships?

Teen relationships should be centered on positives. Being with
someone who is a good friend is a good start for most teens.
While peer pressure pulls teens in, parents need to take the
time to explain to their teens what is necessary to know about
teen relationships. Teens need to know about the ups and downs
in all relationships.

It is important for teens to take the time to listen to their
parent’s advice on relationships as well. Teen relationships
aren’t meant to last a lifetime. Teen relationships should be
fun, easy going experiences. Teen relationships are foundations
for learn experiences for later parts of your life. To learn
more about teen relationships and dating, visit
http://www.getdatingtips.com.

Learning how to dance together is the most romantic, entertaining, fun activity you will ever do together. Its not hard, and the return on the investment of a few hours of your time is a lifetime of pleasure. The “First Dance” has become a pivotal part of most weddings. You don’t want to look silly, or have it be boring, but you also don’t have a lot of time, and of course cost is, naturally, a factor. Still, try to make learning how to dance together an opportunity, not a chore!



First: relax, don’t worry. If you can walk, you can dance.



Next, if you have a special song that you want to use on the Big Day, great; work with someone to decide what the best style of dance is for that song. If you don’t have a specific, special song, it won’t be a problem, and great dance songs are everywhere you look. Just take a little time. Most dance instructors suggest giving yourself six months. That doesn’t necessarily mean they are saying you need to take two lessons a week for half a year to do one dance(!), but rather that starting six months before the wedding will give you ample time to,


a) check out the options available to you,

and


b) comfortably learn how to move together, without feeling pressured and under the gun those last few weeks before the wedding - when you will be juggling a thousand other last minute things.



Wherever you are located, there are lots of options for learning how to dance, but choosing a quality Dance Studio or instructor does take a little research and some common sense. The internet makes the research part easier, but don’t overlook various other local listings, referrals from friends, or flyers and/or cards at your other wedding vendors’ locations. Also if you are shopping around looking for the cheapest thing you can find, keep in mind that you generally do get what you pay for - you may learn how to do a few steps, but you might not be learning how to dance, and people will be able to tell the difference. It won’t be much fun to do, and haven’t you been to weddings and watched the couple move like wooden automations while they danced? Yes, sure they learned the dance, but they didn’t learn How to Dance together, as one. Married life is hopefully going to be a long and wonderful dance through the years together, giving and taking, leading and following. If you can, make that First Dance a perfect symbol and springboard for your future together.



One of the things I have noted in the past is that students work best when they are comfortable and relaxed, so be sure that you actually like your instructor! That should be the first thing you decide. Take advantage of Trial lesson offers, introductory lessons which are either low cost or free. (But be prepared for the interview afterward, when the instructor or studio presents their comments, recommendations, and of course the Pitch. After all, the Studio does want you to take lessons - it has to, to stay in business. But do not let a Hard Sell trap you - if the studio has to resort to Used-car-salesman techniques, it may not have a lot of confidence in its instructors.)



Look for atmosphere. Are people friendly? And is the Studio clean?



When you are dancing, remember to always have fun. That’s the most important thing. Learning a dance and its specific steps and rhythm patterns are just tools you use to make the dancing (the communication between two bodies) easier. But it is your
First Dance! Remember to keep it stress-free so that you can enjoy it!

Peter Jones has been performing, dancing and teaching in New York City, London and Dublin for more than 20 years. Choosing to focus on beginning dancers to share what he feels is the most exciting, entertaining and engaging social interaction possible, he discovered a special connection with wedding couples, facing that daunting First Dance without a clue about how to do it. His relaxed, low-key approach makes couples immediately comfortable, and carefully constructed lesson plans optimize whatever amount of time wedding couples are able to devote to learning how to dance.

This article is written by Peter Jones of Ballroom NYC
http://www.ballroomweddingdance.com/

917-375 3027

Favors are traditionally given to wedding guests as a sign of
appreciation for their coming to the wedding. Many times they
have driven or flown from other parts of the country to see the
couple, so sending them home with a little something is a good
idea.

Do it yourself

When you’re on a budget, or just have a crafty side, then you
may want to create your own wedding favors. Even if you’re not
domestically inspired, these are really very easy.

You will first need an idea. For this example, we will be
describing how to make little sachets. The great part about
these instructions is that you can adapt them to include any
sort of filling (chocolates, candles, etc.) into the bag.

You can find great prices on craft items at your local craft
store, but online is always a good resource too. Many times, you
can buy in bulk when you’re online, so that saves you money in
the end. Determine how many small bags that you need and what
color you would like them to be. Something to realize: if you’re
getting bags of a finer material, the picture on the Internet
will look darker than it is in real life.

Also online or at your local health food store, you can go and
buy herbs and flowers by the ounce. Realize too that one ounce
is A LOT when the item is dried. This is why it’s best to go to
a store in person for your ingredients–lavender, dried roses,
and other flowers are best. This way you can see and smell off
of the things that you have chosen. Find something fragrant.

If you have smaller bags, you won’t need as much, but the larger
the bag, the more filling you need.

Easy as can be

All you really have to do is mix up your ingredients and put
some into each bag. Many bags will even have drawstring closures
so that you can tie them up to look very pretty.

If you’re inspired, you can include a small card about the
significance of the herbs that you included–perhaps there’s an
old wives’ tale about weddings that is related.

And like it was said before, you can always change the
ingredients to be something that suits you. Enlist the help of
the bridal party if you have a lot to make!

The popularity of beach weddings has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, and the popularity of beach wedding favors has been growing right along with it.

Having a great wedding on the beach can be a lot of fun, and choosing the right wedding favors for that wedding can make a great day even more exciting and fun.

Shop Early To Ensure You Have A Better Selection Of Favors To Choose From

Choosing the perfect beach wedding favors is never easy, but it is important to shop around as early as possible.

The earlier you are able to shop for the wedding favors you need the better off you will be and the better the selection of wedding favors you will have to choose from.

Places To find The Perfect Favors

There are of course plenty of places to shop for the perfect wedding favors for your big beach wedding.

Some of the many places that sell all kinds of wedding favors include specialty party planning stores, department stores, discount retailers, stationary stores, office supply stores and even the internet.

There are many great web sites that sell all kinds of wedding and party favors, and these web sites can be a great way to find the beach wedding favors you need at prices you can afford.

The Many Different Kinds Of Beach Wedding Favors To Choose From

There are many different kinds of wedding favors on the market of course, and it is important to shop for the ones that best suit your own personal taste and style.

There are an increasing number of different styles of beach wedding favor on the market these days, and it is important to look at as many different styles as possible in order to get the very best deal on the very best wedding favors.

The right wedding favors can make an already exciting and memorable day even more exciting and memorable, so it pays to consider this important purchase very carefully.

When most people think of weddings, what comes to mind is
usually basic information that’s not particularly interesting or
beneficial. But there’s a lot more to weddings than just the
basics.

While many different religions and nationalities have their own
well established traditions, it is becoming increasingly common
for couples of mixed ancestry to marry. Inter-racial couples are
marrying more and more often and with this increase in
inter-racial marriages comes a need for weddings that have a
multi-cultural feel. With so many wonderful traditions that hold
a great deal of importance to many families it is important to
plan a wedding that will celebrate the cultural diversity rather
than spotlight one of the cultures while neglecting the other.
Even if the couple themselves do not feel strongly about having
their heritage represented, it is important to consider the
feelings of family members as well. While the wedding is for the
couple and in general they should plan it as they see fit, this
should not be done at the risk of hurting the feelings of family
members by neglecting their culture in the ceremony and
reception.

One of the easiest ways to handle a multi-cultural wedding is to
allow one culture to dominate the wedding ceremony while the
other culture dominates the wedding reception. At the ceremony
care could be used to ensure that the attire, words, music,
decorations and procedures adhere to the culture of either the
bride or the groom. If the culture of the bride dominates the
ceremony then you could allow the culture of the groom to
dominate the reception. This could be done by providing food,
entertainment and toasts that reflect on the time-honored
traditions of the groom’s cultural background.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not
immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

While the preceding solution of having one culture control the
ceremony and another culture control the reception is one way to
plan a multi-cultural wedding, many couple choose to blend both
of the components of the wedding instead. While this can be more
difficult, it may be a better solution because neither family
feels left out of a party of the wedding. There are countless
variations for blending the traditions of two cultures into the
wedding ceremony. For example you might want to consider having
both the bride and the groom dressing in the traditional attire
of the one of the families but having them enter the ceremony to
traditional music of the other family. Another variation on this
idea is to have the bride dress according to her cultural
customs while the groom dresses according to his cultural
customs. This would symbolize the joining of the two cultures
with the union of the individuals. You could even consider
having the bride and the groom dress according to each other’s
cultural customs as a symbol of their being willing to embrace
the other culture in their union.

Cultural weddings can also be blended at the reception in a
number of ways. A simple way to do this is to serve foods that
relate to one culture and provide entertainment that relates to
the other culture. This separation may seem too harsh for some
couples and they may want to blend their cultures in a more
subtle way. One way to do this is to serve a buffet style dinner
that serves cultural favorites of both heritages. Also, if you
budget a significant amount of money for entertainment, you
could consider hiring two bands so that you can have one band
that specializes in the cultural heritage of the bride and one
to represent the groom’s heritage. This could not only serve to
unite the families but can also serve to ensure that the
entertainment never ceases. Many live bands play for only about
20 minutes at a time and then take a break. The two bands could
alternate playing their music so that there is never a dull
moment at the reception. If budget constraints do not allow
hiring two separate bands you might want to consider hiring a
band to play the music of one culture and consider hiring
dancers to represent the other culture.

Multi-cultural weddings are on the rise. As the number of
inter-racial couples increases, there is also an increased need
for creative ways to blend two different cultures into a wedding
ceremony and reception that will be enjoyed by all the guests.
Careful considerations should be made to ensure that neither
culture is offended by the festivities and that they are both
prominently displayed and celebrated.

When word gets around about your command of wedding facts,
others who need to know about wedding will start to actively
seek you out.

Whether your wedding will be coming up roses, daffodils, or something
else, choosing the wrong flowers for that blissful day can create a scene
you’ll want to soon forget. But armed with a few basics about flowers,
the arrangements you choose will land you a bevy of compliments and
queries.

When selecting your wedding flowers, the single most important thing to
keep in mind is that all flowers have distinct characteristics. Knowing
what the characteristics are of the flowers you’ll be choosing can mean
the difference between crying because you’re exchanging vows with the
man of your dreams and tearing up thanks to an allergic reaction to the
pollen in some of those beautiful flowers in your wedding bouquet.

To avoid sniffles and sneezes at the alter, know which blooms might
cause you trouble. And ask each person in your wedding party which
blooms they are allergic to before ordering bouquets. Topping the list of
highly allergenic blossoms are lilies and gardenias.

If you are planning a warm-weather wedding, be sure to stick with
flowers that can withstand heat and high humidity. Delicate flowers, like
hydrangeas, are likely to wilt and sag in warm weather. Choose hardier
flowers, such as orchids, roses, or herbs.

The fragrance from flowers will be stronger during warm weather,
therefore take this into consideration when making your selections. You
will want your guests to feel as if they’ve just walked into a flower
garden, not a perfume factory. When planning a summer wedding that
will take place in a small, completely enclosed room, choose
less-fragrant flowers such as orchids or asters. Freesia, tuberose, and
gardenias should be avoided.

Want to take your guests’ breath away (figuratively speaking, that is)?
Near the entrance to the reception area, be sure to have lovely floral
centerpieces, or perhaps candles, at eye level. Stringing garlands,
ribbons, or some other kind of delicate ornaments above windows or
doorways will also add to the effect.

Winter brides should consult a florist before settling on a particular
arrangement. Below 42 degrees, some flowers may turn black. This
doesn’t necessarily mean that those flowers must be excluded from your
bouquet, but it does mean that they shouldn’t be taken along for an
outdoor photo shoot.

Lilies will help you to put on a stunning show, but before you carry them
next to your dress, be sure to have your florist remove the stamens. Left
intact, they’ll stain your dress with bright yellow pollen.

Although charming to look at, some field flowers are best left out in
nature. Once they are cut, most—poppies and bluebells, for
example—will droop and wilt before you get to the altar. Notable
exceptions to this general rule include asters, sweet peas, and daisies.

Flowers are sensitive to cigarette smoke. So, if you don’t want your
bouquet to turn colors or wilt, ask your guests to smoke outside.

Some popular wedding flowers, such as euphorbia and daffodils, are
hollow-stemmed, so their sap can drip onto your lovely gown. If you
choose one of these varieties for your bouquet, have your florist
completely wrap the stems.

Many couples begin greeting their guests well before the ceremony is
scheduled to begin. If this is your plan, the groom’s boutonniere may be
completely flattened by the time he has finished hugging and kissing his
and your relatives and friends. Consider ordering a second boutonniere,
which will be fresh for the ceremony and the photo session.

Don’t allow your centerpieces to hinder conversation between guest.
Centerpieces should always be either high or low, never in between,
forcing your guests to crane their necks to speak to someone on the
other side of the table.

Here are a few final points to keep in mind:

Know in advance where everything is supposed to take place. In fact, it’s
a good idea to write down the schedule of where everyone should be
and when. Give a copy to your mom or dad, the maid-of-honor, your
caterer, and your florist. Giving a copy of the schedule to the florist will
help to ensure that the right floral arrangements arrive at the right
location on time.

Reusing the floral arrangements from the ceremony for the reception
areas will help to keep down costs. As long as you’ve planned in
advance by making sure that the color schemes blend, there is no
reason not to recycle wedding flowers.

About the Author

Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, the founder of
Bachcroft and Aloha Labels, and the publisher and editor-in-chief of
Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer
wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels,
visitBachcroft Mailing and
Return Address Labels and
Aloha Return Address
Labels.

For
bargains and
bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping
Bargains.

One of the wedding trends that’s really revving up brides today is the addition of a time capsule to the wedding prep proceedings. Yes, the wedding time capsule is a growing trend — to the point where you can buy a pre-made kit from many web sites.

In kit form, your wedding time capsule takes the form of an attractive tin, in which you place various mementos — photos, videos — as well as predictions for the future; then, you seal it all up with some festive stickers, to help discourage premature peeking. You decide ahead of time how long you’ll wait until you open it again — your 10th anniversary? 25th anniversary? And then you write a stern directive to yourself on the tin to help you keep to the agreement.

Although most people equate “time capsule” with “something you bury in the ground,” burying your wedding time capsule isn’t a great idea. Not only does that subject the contents to extreme temperature variations, but with the US Census recently reporting that the average American moves every five years, chances of you leaving behind a buried capsule before the hoped-for anniversary rolls around are high indeed. Instead, keep yours out of the elements and somewhere relatively kind — avoid damp attics, but a climate-controlled closet would be just perfect.

Some of us just like to do things our own way, and a wedding time capsule is no exception. Of course you can create your own! And a great way to do that is to get close friends and relatives in on the fun. Have them scribble up some predictions — or perhaps marital advice. Take advantage of a pre-wedding party to snap photos of your intimates, and tuck the photos into the capsule. If you really want to motivate people to get involved, hold some kind of drawing for participants, such as a wedding raffle — give away a box of fine cigars, a bottle of bubbly or even an afternoon at a spa.

While you’re letting others in on the action, there are number of ways to go about it. One is to compose a list of predictions for everyone to guess at — the whole experience is similar to filling out a junior high slam book, and just as fun. For example, ask participants to predict:

How many children you’ll have,

what kind of household robots you’ll have,

how many career changes you’ve gone through,

what major nation we’re closest to, and which one we’re mad at,

what animal is the trendiest pet,

… and so on.

Another is to ask your wedding party and close friends to compose short letters to you. Give them each envelopes, and instruct them to tell you on the outside when it’s time to open the envelope. Some will simply say “fifth anniversary,” “10th anniversary,” or “when your first child is born.” Others will get more creative — and you’ll probably find it’s terrific fun to stretch out the time capsule concept in this inventive, unpredictable way.

Blake Kritzberg is editor at “FavorIdeas.com.” Stop by for wedding time capsule kits and daily celebrity wedding news, plus great butterfly wedding favors and butterfly theme ideas.