Thursday, May 8, 2008

Wedding Cake Toppers

Wedding cakes are as varied as the couples who order them. Everyone has different tastes and everyone has a different idea of what they think the perfect cake should look like. Making wedding cakes is probably a very fun career, as there is a lot of variety, and this can not be a bad thing. When making cakes, colors, flavors, and size are always a little different per couple, and this also means that the wedding cake toppers for each cake will be a little different too. This might even be more important to the couple than the color of the cake.

Some people like to have the standard bride and groom wedding cake toppers on their cake. This is most common and most popular. These aren’t really standard any longer, as they come in different designs, and the people on this type of topper can be any color or nationality, which fits in better with the world that we live in today. There are also some that might have children with them if the couple already has children or are uniting children from other relationships into their new life together.

There are many other types of wedding cake toppers though, and they are as special and unique as each bride. One popular one is doves, and this was the one I choose for my cake. Doves symbolize peace, and who doesn’t want peace in their marriage? Others like the wedding cake toppers that have bells, which are a popular wedding theme and decoration item. Flowers are also popular, and many cakes are being decorated with real flowers, and the topper is made with real flowers as well.

The best thing about finding the wedding cake toppers that you might like is that there are hundreds of different ones, and the prices range from cheap to very expensive. There is something out there for everyone. If you can’t find what you want at your baker or in a local store, it is easy enough to find them online. The selection of wedding cake toppers that can be found online is much larger than any local selection, and if you can’t find something online, you probably can’t find it anywhere. There may be auctions on eBay or web sites that sell wedding decorations and other items. These are the best places to begin a search for something unusual or even personalized. Don’t forget to add cost of shipping and insurance to the final price when deciding if it is affordable or not.

Wedding Ceremony

Though some of the traditional wedding ceremony is still being used in many weddings, there are new customs and traditions that are being invented to suit the new way people are relating and even meeting. The world has changed very much since weddings became what they are, and this means the those ceremonies have to change with the times. Though there are some who stick to the traditional wedding in every way, many are making adjustments, whether they are large or small, to fit what they think a marriage should be.

One common change to the wedding ceremony is to change the vows. When I married, our minister gave us a selection of vows from which to choose, and also told us that we were welcome to read our own if we wished. Since we both thought we would not like to read ours, even though it would be neat to write them, we decided to go with some traditional vows. We did, however, made some modifications. Our first modification to the vows was that the word ‘obey’ would not be included. The thought of obeying each other was funny to each of us.

Some people are altering their wedding ceremony to include any children that may be involved. Some have their children in the wedding as flower girls, bridesmaids, ushers, or groomsmen. Others turn their wedding ceremony into a family union ceremony. This is always a brilliant idea, as the children feel that they are being joined in the new family and they feel important and loved. Though not everyone chooses to do this for various reasons, it is becoming more popular.

The basics of any wedding ceremony remain the same however. Most couples make vows and exchange rings with each other. Other than that, what a couple wants to do is up to them. Come faiths will not allow such changes, but many will. The ceremony should reflect the life of the couple, and should be something they will cherish forever. The wedding ceremony should not be built to please the guests, but rather to please the couple. However, it is always a nice touch to keep the guests comfort in mind while planning. They will love you for it. Though people are always honored to be invited to a wedding, some brides and grooms don’t think about them while planning, they sometimes they end up having a very miserable time due to long length of ceremony or time between ceremony and reception.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Designer wedding dresses

A wedding gown is often one of the most expensive aspects of the day itself. Every bride has a vision of what she wants her dress to look like. She may have even planned it for years. Many brides spend hours in the months before their wedding leafing through wedding magazines. These are often filled with designer wedding dresses which are luxurious and elegant. They are also incredibly expensive, and for a bride who wants the look without the price tag, there are ways to accomplish it.

Every year new dresses are introduced. Each designer of gowns works hard to present a new selection of original creations year after year. For a bride who is interested in designer wedding dresses she is likely to know what’s new and what’s not. Chances are no one else at the wedding will. For this reason it’s often possible to find a dress from last year’s collection at a fraction of the cost of the new designs. The bride will still look just as stunning, she’ll be wearing a designer label, and she’ll also have more money left to spend on other things.

Typically a few months before the wedding, the bride, her mother, the attendants and a bunch of friends make the rounds at the local bridal boutiques. It’s here that all the females in the bride’s life get their first glimpse of her in her wedding gown. Many women fall in love with the first dress they try on. This is natural as almost every wedding dress looks beautiful. However, it’s important to try on many so you can be sure that you’ve found the ideal dress for you. Ask the salesperson to choose both designer wedding dresses and more inexpensive versions so you can have a variety.

Another common occurrence during this traditional wedding dress shopping outing is everyone having a different opinion on what looks best. Many brides want to step away from the stuffy look of a high collar with long sleeves and a train. Instead they tend to find designer wedding dresses that are strapless and off the shoulder more appealing. At the end of the day, the only opinion that really counts is the bride’s. Since it is her wedding day and hopefully it’s a once in a lifetime occurrence, she must choose the dress she falls in love with. After all, she’ll be looking at herself in wedding pictures for years and years to come, so she needs to be happy with her choice.

Once the dress has been chosen and paid for, it will likely need to be altered before the big day. Even designer wedding dresses need a bit of tucking and pulling here and there to make them a perfect fit. It’s advisable to visit the seamstress a month before the wedding and then again a week before for a final fitting. This ensures that on the big day, the dress fits like a glove.

Affordable weddings

As a wedding and event planner, I am subject to more than my fair share of indignation and rage. You see, until people plan their first wedding, they never think about how much weddings cost. They want to have affordable weddings, yet they also want to have all of the glitz and glamor. The problem is that, even if you buy affordable bridal gowns, affordable wedding cakes, cheap bridesmaid dresses, and all the rest, it will still add up to a lot of money. The bottom line is that, if you want to have an affordable wedding, you have to be willing to make sacrifices.

I am not saying that having affordable weddings is impossible. If you are willing to have a small wedding ceremony with only a few of your very closest friends there, you can do it for quite a reasonable price. The problem is that, if having affordable weddings is your intention, you have to plan everything around it. That means that you have to have a small guest list, make reservations at an inexpensive place, have an affordable wedding dress, rent a tuxedo for the groom, and generally scrimp and save at every opportunity. Some of my clients have actually taken their own wedding photographs to save on the cost of hiring a wedding photographer!

The bottom line is that the most affordable weddings are done in a judge’s office. Everything else that you do costs extra money. Some families go into debt for years because of what they spend on holding a grand, elaborate wedding. To me, it seems like a pity. When I meet clients who really want to have affordable weddings, I tell them to have them in the back yard. That way, they can save on wedding reservations. If they are really ambitious, they can even cater it themselves. If there are going to be more than thirty people there, however, this is usually not a very good idea.

I guess that it all depends on what you expect from your wedding. When I first got married, all I wanted was a simple ceremony to dedicate my love to my wife. If this is all that you want as well, it will be quite easy for you to plan an affordable wedding. If, on the other hand, you want to have an elaborate party with all of your friends and family, you will have to pay for it.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Honemoon Getaways After A Perfect Wedding

The honeymoon is the beginning of your new life as husband and wife. These first few days as a married couple you begin your new adventure based on your likes, dislikes, dreams, budget and time constraints.

For the couple short on time, and possibly cash, a destination close to home can prove to be just the honeymoon getaway a couple needs. Many cities offer a variety of beautiful inns and hotels along with fabulous dining and entertainment experiences throughout the year. Larger cities, or those geared specifically to tourist and convention activities, will offer a wide array of shopping, theatre, dining and sightseeing opportunities. For those with a greater sense of adventure, hiking, rock climbing, rafting and outdoor camping are other low cost options which can be scheduled for as long or as short of a time as you have.

If the bride and groom desire a destination that’s completely new to them or bit farther from home, assistance from a professional travel agent is invaluable. Whether you have an exact destination warm, or just want to go somewhere warm, travel agents can help make sure your honeymoon plans are a vacation dream come true. These experts can help you decide what the perfect destination may be and handle every minute detail so you and your new spouse can do what you should be; relaxing and enjoying your time together.

According to travel agents, some of the most popular honeymoon destinations include Jamaica, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Australia, and Caribbean cruises. Within the continental United States, the magic of Disney, the romance of the Poconos, western destinations such as San Diego, Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas are great options for a honeymoon getaway. Wherever you choose, there are many details to plan. A qualified travel agent has the knowledge and experience to help you make those plans.

Making reservations as far in advance as possible is very important, especially if you are on a limited budget with a certain destination in mind. The best rates and availability are usually offered months in advance and then become more and more limited as the dates get closer. Plus, once the honeymoon is finalized and reserved, that’s one less thing to worry about before the big day!

One of the most important factors considered when planning a honeymoon is the budget. Many couples are now choosing all-inclusive packages so they know in advance exactly what they will be spending. All-inclusive resorts and cruises generally include your meals and entertainment, but may not cover beverages depending on the package chosen. Paying for everything in advance can give you peace of mind, knowing once you arrive you can relax and do what you want, without worrying about the cost.

With the unlimited options available for honeymoon plans, take this time for yourselves and enjoy the start of your new life together!

Plans And Strategies For The Best Wedding

You will have to determine what are the most important and key elements in determining what makes your successful day. There are so many things to think about and so many things to do. Fortunately there are plenty of guides and other helpful resources available to help both you and your partner, and other people, to organize a special, fruitful, and memorable day.

What may seem like a gigantic and overwhelming task can easily be chopped up into smaller more manageable parts which either you, your partner, or both of you jointly can sort out. By giving other people such as friends and relations responsibilities you can be sure that your day will have the best possible start through the previous planning steps. Then, and only then, can you be sure that you will enjoy your special day.

By determining the key elements and strategies that apply to your marriage, you can signify this “plan” to others and allow them to become part of the overall process. Yes, there are problems and yes there are conflicts and differing points of view. You cannot please everybody and everyone all of the time. But you can expect to be treated well throughout the planning stage and on the day itself. After all, it is your wedding.

Why not talk to someone that has been through the same process as you are going through? This will help you to understand that it is not all doom and gloom and, in fact, the preparations for a wedding can be enjoyable and fruitful.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Best Wedding And Honeymoon In Romantic Locations

This romantic island -- 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela and a four-hour flight from New York City -- ranks as a top honeymoon spot. And that's not all making Aruba such a hot (and dry) destination; the country registers an average temperature of 82 degrees year-round -- and things get even hotter when the sun goes down and the 11 casinos and disco nightlife gear up.

Do you like to learn about new and interesting things? If so, then this article will be right up your alley!

Where to settle? Aruba has a variety of hotels to ensemble different budgets. some participate in the One Cool wedding encode, which presents a envelope of goodies to newlyweds featuring a open container of plum, discounted car charge, a open spool of haze, and more.

Accommodations appeal considering embrace:

Hyatt Regency Aruba shore option & nightclub - megacomplex with nightclub and waterslide, right on the seaside.

For the rest of this article, we will discuss the meaning behind what we have learned about this subject so far.

Bucuti shore option -- an eco-affable luxury low-originate choice located on one of the Caribbean's most open seasidees.

Divi Aruba shore and Tamarijn Aruba shore options -- all-inclusives with gorgeous seaside locations, right next to the Alhambra nightclub.

Sculpted by trade winds, the outstretched arms of Aruba's divi-divi foliage bid accept to honeymooners.

The delightful thing about visiting an island is that you can explore Aruba by

Stspool along the island's seven miles of colorless seasidees -- some of the most gorgeous someplace -- and explore the quiet coves dotting its seaboard.

On base, horseback, or by mountain bicycle, wander winding, buried roads primary through the hills to Yamanota, the island's utmost detail. Other pretty acne embrace Palm shore, the astound formations of Ayo and Casibari, the coves of Andicuri, and the Spanish mere.

A tour in a schooner-foot dinghy that has visibility down to 50 feet begins to expose mysteries below the shimmering turquoise waters. Snorkelers and scuba divers at the island's California and Antilla shipwrecks get an even nearer analysis.

Aruba's historical museum, gold granulate ruins of Bushiribana and Balashi, and Indian petroglyphs will deception those with an attract in the older. Golfers may want to try their skills at Tierra del Sol, the island's 18-hollow golf course.

Shoppers can find native crafts, well-made freight from neighboring South American countries, and international reserves in Oranjestad and at the Alhambra Shopping fair, Midtown Mall, and docks Marketplace.

Aruba boasts more than 100 restaurants, and cuisines variety from French to Japanese to Mediterranean to native island dishes. Sweethearts with pleasing tooths can end a meal with kesio (Aruban flan) or take away a few pieces of cocada, a toffee made from coconuts.

From beginning to end, this article has helped you to learn more about this topic than you probably thought you would ever know.

Want to get Married In Aruba: Check this out

# Aruba Marriage License Laws: Waiting period: all documents to be submitted at least one month prior (by courier) to the desired wedding date

# Apostille documentation from country of citizenship verifying neither party is currently married

# Civil marriages are performed in the salon of the historic City Hall building in downtown Oranjestad

# If you are staying at a resort, consult with the manager or wedding coordinator to help you make arrangements to secure your marriage license

# Aruba Marriage License Fee: US $80 during the week; US $200 Saturdays, holidays or after office hours

# Marriage booklet (certificate) US $20.00 or US $32.00 (price difference is based on better quality of one booklet)

# Identification Needed for an Aruba Marriage License : Copies of birth certificates with raised seal

# Proof of divorce or death certificate

# Must hold a valid passport and submit copies of pages showing relevant details

# Copies of passport pages of witnesses

I hope this will help you if you plan to go there and have the time of your life.

Honeymoon Packages At the Best Prices

Planning a great honeymoon can be a blast. It's fun and exciting to ponder all the awesome places and ideas you have at your fingertips. Because let's face it; pretty much any destination is plausible in this day and age. You want to jaunt off to Thailand? Hey, not a problem. Simply hop on the web and plan it out. That ideal honeymoon package is surely waiting somewhere in cyberspace. Pinpointing it may take some time and surfing, but you can do it no doubt. Things are not like they were back in the day. We have it so much simpler now with our outstanding technology. So get ready to plan the honeymoon of your dreams.

Where do you want to go, and what does your spouse have in mind? This is probably the greatest obstacle you both face when planning your honeymoon. Let me tell you what my wife and I did. We each took out a sheet of paper and wrote down the top three places we wanted to go after our wedding. Then we talked and compared ideas. As it turned out, we had one location in common. Naturally we decided on that one. I guess you could say it was fairly simple for us. You on the other hand may not be so lucky. However, finding a perfect honeymoon package that you'll both enjoy can't be too difficult. After all, you obviously have some things in common. If you didn't, you wouldn't be tying the knot in the first place. Therefore it's time to focus on your similarities. The web is overflowing with ideas and honeymoon package deals. If you can't agree on one, then it's time you surfed net-land together and sorted through the infinite options.

Distant getaways are very popular these days. Tons of couples search for that enticing honeymoon package beyond the US borders simply because it's so tangible. So if you're looking to go out of country, you may want to try the Bahamas, Jamaica, or Mexico. These are all popular and desirable getaways. Furthermore you can't go wrong with the Florida Keys, Hawaii, or a sunny Sandal's resort. Browse through their current specials online. Find that honeymoon package of your dreams for the best cost available. You only do it once!