A Wedding Shower Invitation should be attractive and stylish!

A Wedding Shower Invitation should be attractive and stylish!
by: Mike Yeager

Wedding shower invitations should lay out all of the necessary information, yet still be attractive. One way to do this is to have a picture engraved on the invitation. Ask your engraver to add a small design on the inside of your invitation or wherever you have information about the reception. If, for example, an ice cream social is your theme see if there is an ice cream cone or Sundae dish they can emboss onto the paper without taking away from the main body of the invitation. Remember that subtlety is stylish; you don’t want to come across as overpowering with your theme. It may be difficult sometimes to know who to invite to the wedding shower. As a general rule, the wedding shower hostess or hostesses should invite all family members of both the bride and the groom. She should also invite close friends of the bride and the bride's family. She may also want to invite some of the bride-to-be's co-workers. She should be sure to consult with the bride when compiling the guest list. Try to organize the people invited so some will set up the wedding shower game, someone else will set up the wedding shower favor, and so on. What do I put on a wedding Shower Invitation? The wedding shower invitation should include the name of the bride to be, the date and time of the shower, and the address and phone number of the hostess/hostesses. If you are concerned about the attendance at your wedding shower, consider including on the invitation a deadline date for the RSVP. (This is usually about two weeks prior to the shower date.) It may be difficult to make up a wedding shower invitation without prior experience. Because of this, it may be a good idea to have the same person who did your bridal shower invitation to also do your wedding shower invitation.

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Your Wedding Budget: Setting And Sticking To It

Your Wedding Budget: Setting And Sticking To It
by: Ron King

Want to make sure your marriage doesn't end up on the rocks before you get to the chapel? Then set a realistic wedding budget -- and stick to it.In the process of planning a wedding, budget concerns often is a source of disagreement for a couple. They may have different ideas about what kind of wedding they want, and about what they can afford. To make the wedding a truly happy occasion, it is important that the couple discusses financial constraints early.Set A Budget And Save For ItThe first tip is -- discuss finances before the wedding plans begin. Everyone involved in the decision-making process needs to understand exactly how much money is available for the wedding.To maximize that budget, you should start saving early for your wedding. Advance planning and saving will allow you to maintain or even exceed your budget, comfortably. And that will make wedding planning easier and more fun. Get Everyone On-BoardOnce your wedding budget has been established, set it aside for a few days and then review it again. This gives everyone a chance to let the information sink in. The budget review after this waiting period gives the participants a chance to verify that they understand and agree to the budget. This is vitally important, because someone who does not agree with the budget may overspend in 1 area, leaving the rest of the budget in jeopardy. Budget Line ItemsWhen you've decided exactly how much money is available for your wedding, the next step is to divide the total into budget categories, such as the venue, food and drink, bride's attire, groom's attire, transportation, entertainment, photography, favors, centerpieces, and gifts. It is also advisable to set aside money for unforeseen expenses. Who PaysPart of establishing a budget is to be clear on who will pay for what. Shopping And NegotiatingYou will need to negotiate contracts for services, and so you must know the budget for each area of the wedding. If you have allotted $250 for entertainment, look for a DJ whose rate is approximately that amount, then negotiate to ensure that you remain under budget.It's wise to shop around and compare prices for services. A company may come highly recommended, but if they are outside your price range, let them know why you are going to have to choose another company. You may be surprised at how willing they will be to give you a better offer.Substitute Creativity For CashDoing things on your own is another way to stay under budget. Homemade invitations or making your own favors or centerpieces can greatly reduce the wedding cost, freeing up funds for other areas of the wedding. Do not fall into the trap of viewing your budget as restrictive. Instead of thinking about what you can't afford, focus on how you can make your wedding and reception truly unique. You will be inspired to create a wonderful, memorable wedding regardless of your budget constraints. Anticipate The UnforeseenRealize that there are bound to be snags along the way. If you go over budget in 1 area, you will need to cut the budget in another area. As long as you stay aware of your spending and realize the ramifications of all your actions, you can roll with the punches and alter your plans to accommodate any needed changes.Make It A Wonderful MemoryA wedding budget can cause emotional strain on a couple and their relationship. It is important for them to discuss their finances and establish a clear budget for their wedding plans. Doing this early in the wedding planning process can help the couple to avoid conflict during the planning phase of the wedding. It can also make the wedding more fun for everyone, and start out the marriage on a positive note. After all, working together is what a marriage is all about.

About the author:Visit http://www.gr8wedding.com/to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

Wedding Video Tips

Wedding Video Tips
by: Shawn Hickman

Some of the same considerations involved in selecting a photographer for your wedding photos also apply to choosing the right videographer. Wedding video, however, is a newer art than wedding photography, and the two forms of preserving your memories cannot really be lumped together when shopping for these professional services.Nowadays, nearly everyone has a home video camera, and the quality of pictures they produce is quite good; better, in fact, than professional equipment could turn out just a few years ago. This has led many people to neglect the importance of using a professional videographer to record once-in-a-lifetime events. Yes, your friend Bob's nifty new handy-dandy super camcorder can turn out some pretty good-looking stuff, but if you depend on friend Bob to provide your wedding video, you are setting yourself up to be sadly disappointed.First of all, Bob's new camera, while quite snazzy, still will not be up to the level of equipment the serious professional videographer will bring to your wedding. When shopping for video, ask the videographer to explain to you what a 3-chip camera is, and why it makes better video than a home camcorder. Also ask him about the various tape formats used by the pros...SVHS, HI8, Betacam, and get him to explain the advantages of these over standard home formats. Oh, and wouldn't it be nice to have great sound quality on your video, so you can actually hear your wedding vows, and your music? Chances are pretty good that friend Bob won't own the sophisticated wireless microphones the professional uses to record even a whisper.Ever sat and watched Bob's 6-hour production of Little Bobby's Birthday Party? This brings us to one of the areas where the pros really excel, editing. No, editing is NOT "cutting out" or throwing away any of your wedding video. Editing is an almost magical process whereby the professional videographer refines and assembles the pictures he carefully gathered at your wedding into a polished, pleasing record of your wedding day. Every videographer has his own style, and there are as many types of wedding video available as there are videographers. Look at lots of sample videos, find the videographer with a style that pleases you, and with a personality you can be comfortable with for six or eight hours on your wedding day.After your wedding is over, all you will have to help you remember a very important day will be your wedding photos and your wedding video. Select these professionals with care and you'll never be sorry!

The Wedding Planning Timeline

The Wedding Planning Timeline
by: Mike Lindsey

The first thing that needs to be considered when planning the ultimate wedding is how much time you will give yourself for the planning. In essence; this means what day that you will set the date of the wedding. This may sound like a trivial matter, but it really is important because it will let you know what the time limit is for making your preparations. Some weddings can take up to 3-4 months to prepare for and plan. This is pretty typical; depending on how big you are planning for your wedding to be and how fancy etc. If you are not giving yourself more than a month, then planning is naturally different. Because of the differences in the time that you are giving yourself to planning the wedding, it is best to give the best planning methods and you may use them or not use them as they apply to your case. One of the most important factors that go with planning a wedding is determining who you will be delegating specific duties to. For example, if you are terrible at choosing flowers, who will you assign to do it for you? It is always best to try to give different duties to others so that you will not be overwhelmed by them yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the various duties that you can hand out:

Catering: Who do you believe would be the best person to handle all of the arrangements for the food and drink at your wedding?

Invitations and seating arrangements: This person will be addressing and mailing out invitations and making sure that people are seated in a fashion that will ensure everyone’s mutual comfort and enjoyment

Decorations for wedding and reception includes center pieces ท Rehearsal dinners etc.

Music and/or DJ

Brides maid and groomsmen gifts and favors ท Gowns, and tuxedos

Bridal showers/bachelor parties etc. All of these things are usual must haves when it comes to a wedding, unless of course, you opt not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen in the wedding. All of these things can be murder to try to do on your own as well. That is why you have to get in touch with people who are capable of taking over some of the menial jobs for you. All of these things seem small at first, but they can quickly add up to quite a bit of money when they are all combined together. After you have delegated the responsibilities, you should next set a specific time period to have all of the tasks completed. Creating a to-do list and time sheet is a great way to do this. That way, when all of the tasks are finished you can easily check them off. You should set up specific times and days to discuss the progress of things as well, just in case things are not going so well. In doing this you will be able to help make sure that all things are running smoothly. You might be wondering what happens when you have done all of this and are ready to get started. First of all, you have to be willing to follow the general wishes of the couple to be wed; that is unless you are the couple and are planning your own wedding. When planning a wedding on a budget you have to lower your requirements just a bit. For example, you can’t try to have to filet mignon if you are throwing the wedding on a fish stick budget. I have broken down the various aspects of the wedding planning to the last details so that you will get a better idea of what I mean. Ideally, you would want to have at least a year to plan the wedding, but that is not always possible or desired. For the purposes of this guide, I have set up a 12 month wedding timeline that will certainly make it a little bit easier to host your wedding. 12 months before your Wedding day:

Announce the engagement

Set your wedding date

Create a budget

Hire a Wedding Coordinator (optional)

Create your guest list

Start brainstorming ideas and themes

Reserve your Ceremony spot

Book an Officiate

Make reservations for your Reception area

Book a Photographer and Videographer

Book Caterer, Florist and Music (Band, DJ, etc.)

Look for a Wedding gown and Tux, allowing time for alterations and fittings

Register for gifts

Select and call the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Agree on a date to order bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's tuxes

Choose a destination for your Honeymoon

Apply for passports, if required 6 months before your Wedding day:

Finalize your guest list

Decide on the timeline and details of Ceremony and Reception

Order/make invitations, and thank you notes

Make airline and hotel reservations for the Honeymoon

Choose a caterer, a florist and place an order for the wedding cake.

Book Transportation (Limo, Antique Car, Etc.) for wedding day

Shop for any Party rentals 3-4 months before your Wedding day:

Mail out/hand deliver invitations

Confirm wedding details and contracts with all wedding vendors

Choose gifts for your attendants

Set a date and time for the rehearsal dinner

Help make travel arrangements for any out-of-town guests

Make final alterations and fittings for the Wedding Gown and Tux

Set time with your Photographer for the Bridal Portrait or Engagement shoot 1 month before your Wedding day:

Apply for the marriage license ท Buy your wedding bands

Finalize music list and no-play list with band or DJ

Attend showers ท Make insurance arrangements 1-2 weeks before your Wedding day:

Schedule the rehearsal a day or two before your wedding day

Make an appointment with a Beauty Salon for day of wedding

Send a wedding announcement to the local newspapers (optional)

Make necessary arrangements for name & address change, if any.

Discuss final details with the reception Site and the Caterer

Pack for honeymoon

Write out all checks needed for wedding day

Send reminders to the rehearsal dinner attendees about the location & time

Discuss final details of the ceremony and reception with family and bridal party Wedding day or day before:

Visit your Beauty Salon for manicure and pedicure

Host the rehearsal and dinner.

Make sure the ushers have the final guest list.

About the author:For more tips and ideas on planning a wedding, check out The Ultimate Online Guide to Wedding Planning

Wedding Invitations: You Are Cordially Invited

Wedding Invitations: You Are Cordially Invited
by James Brown

A brief or quick view of what you have in mind for your guests is imparted through the invitation. The person that receives the invitations will unthinkingly be attracted to the contents like the color, fabric or texture and printed messages or font.
Most think that invitations are not that important but you are wrong as wedding invitations are part and parcel of any wedding and must be arranged and finalized ahead of time. Starting from the series of guest lists to determining the color, size, design and material for the envelope, every important item or detail will really be significant to have an absolute and complete wedding celebration or festivity.
You must choose or pick out the right invitation because they are important to the wedding aspect. Have time to sit and talk it over with your fiancee with regards the people that you are going to invite, people who are important and have touched both your lives.
Wedding invitations come in different styles, shapes and designs. It may be a casual or informal wedding invitation or having a touch of richness and a luxurious wedding invite. Most of the details like the map or the location as to where the ceremony will take place are inside a wedding invitation.
The current style for invitations are not the typical rectangular shape but any unique shape you can imagine like oblong, square, round and even tri-fold. To make it unique you can have your invitations embellished or place on a fabric with needlework and be mailed and rolled as a scroll or you can decorate the surface of a wood with cut or carved designs. You can even add details, decorations or ornaments like ribbons, buttons, belts and any design that will tickle your fancy.
If you have a limited budget and you are cutting costs then its best if you will make your own invitation instead of ordering or requesting from an invitation store. Not only will your invitation be unique and one of a kind but the thought that you added your personal touch to it makes it special. You can also check from the internet pictures, clip arts and fonts or you can read books about making your own invitation to make it easier. These resources are very helpful on your part. You can also ask a friend who is good in designing and using the computer to assist and help you choose a design that is appropriate and that fits your wedding theme.
After you have chosen the layout of your invitations then go through the wordings to be written. It is quite hard to put the right words together but keep in mind the venue of your wedding ceremony, the theme of your wedding and if you belong to a religious group. Then, you can get a lot of ideas from this. Calligraphy or font also makes a wedding invitation attractive and beautiful.
A wedding has no format. You choose your preferred design, color, size, theme and information that you want to be printed on the invitation like the venue or place where the wedding ceremony will take place, the direction or location of the church ceremony and other particular details that you want to be added.
Create or order your wedding invitation beforehand as this needs to be delivered or dispatched months or weeks before the ceremony.

About the Author
James Brown writes about fairytaleendeavorsbridals.com on-line coupons, Instant Wedding Toasts discounts and eInvite.com deals

Fun Wedding Favor Ideas

Fun Wedding Favor Ideas
by Denise Sanger

There are wedding favors available for every theme, idea, location and personal taste.
One thing you most likely want from your wedding favors is that they are not only practical but fun too. You want your guests to really be glad they've received this memento from you to remember your wedding day and how special it was for not only you - but for them too.
The best way to guarantee your guests will look back fondly on your wedding day is to give them a fun, but practical wedding favor. Think of practical wedding favors as items that may be used in your guest's houses as the occasion arises.
A few great examples of practical wedding favors are bottle stoppers, measuring spoons, coffee scoops and candles. Now, let's add the fun factor to these same practical favors. If you're having a beach themed wedding, beach ball wedding favors are sure to bring a smile to the faces of your guests. Imagine how cute those little beach balls will look perched on top wine bottles at this summers picnics and barbecues.
Ice cream scoops are fun just as they are. What could be more fun than a scoop of your favorite ice cream any day of the year? Having the ice cream scoop in the shape of a heart adds even more fun factor to this particular favor.
What about the coffee drinkers of the world? Are you a Starbucks fanatic? Then for your wedding favor you may want to choose a cute coffee scoop that may be used with either an Espresso Machine or coffee pot. This coffee favor is sure to be used just about daily in your guest's homes. Coffee, not quite your thing but tea is? An adorable little tea infuser in the shape of a heart would be the perfect fun favor for your wedding.
Luggage tags are the perfect fun wedding favor idea. Just looking at a luggage tag allows you to daydream of that perfect vacation. Although your guests may not see this particular fun favor everyday like they would a coffee scoop, you can be sure they will put this cute little luggage tag favor right on their suitcase for future vacations and adventures.
Candle wedding favors are at the top of the list for fun. Think of the many wonderful candle themes available for your wedding. Having a nautical themed wedding in the Northeast? Choose a sailboat candle as your party favor. How about a Hawaiian Luau wedding reception? Then the flip flop candle favor is the fun choice for you.
Are you the princess of the ball at your wedding reception? There are many fun, fairytale party favors you should take a look at. How about a carriage candle favor that will remind your guests of the magical time they had with you on your wedding day. Another fun option for a fairytale wedding could be a teacup candle favor that is so adorable your guests will want to display it in their homes.
If you keep fun in mind when selecting your wedding favors, you are sure to choose a favor that your guests will love to take home with them. Happy Favor Hunting.

About the Author
Denise Sanger is the owner of several wedding planning websites including Buy Wedding Favors Online which carries an extensive collection of wedding favors, bridal shower favors, and wedding accessories.

How To Save Money On Your Wedding Flowers

How To Save Money On Your Wedding Flowers

by Liztiany Zakaria

Face it, weddings can be expensive.
Anytime that you can cut costs without compromising quality you would be wise to take advantage of the opportunity.
There are some things that you can do to reduce your floral expenses but still have beautiful flowers for your wedding.
After all, wedding flowers are the finishing touch to your special day.
Use Flowers that are "In Season"When you go to the market, fruit is more expensive when it is out of season and less expensive when it is in season. The same goes for flowers.
Try to select your wedding flowers so that they will be in season at the time of your wedding.
Give Your Florist Creative FreedomYou can save some money by allowing your florist to have a little creative freedom.
Give them your color scheme, perhaps some swatches, and let them know the style of wedding you are planning.
If you have any flowers that you absolutely do not want, let them know that too. Then let them go about selecting your wedding flowers for you.
Be honest with your florist and let them know that you are on a tight budget then let them find the best floral deals for you.
Take Advantage of HolidaysChoosing to have your wedding close to Christmas or just after Easter could be quite a coup in saving on your floral bill.
Most churches and chapels are already decorated for the holiday so your budget will be cut substantially.
The floral decorating is already done for you.
Consider having your Wedding OutdoorsHaving your wedding outdoors, in a garden can give you the beauty of natural wedding flowers.
A garden full of blooms is a lovely backdrop for your wedding. It is also a very inexpensive way to decorate.
An outdoor wedding has a simple quality and is very beautiful.
There are some special considerations that you must remember for an outdoor wedding, but it can create beautiful, special memories.
Try RentalsRenting large potted plants or tropical palms can be an option. They will fill large spaces and usually cost less than purchasing a bunch of flowers to fill the same area.
They can give your ceremony style and bring warmth to the area. This may be an option that will help you save some money.
Do it YourselfSome creative brides are opting to do their wedding flowers themselves. A few roses set against a spray of babies breath and tied with a ribbon makes a lovely bouquet.
Sprinkling some rose petals on the table and around some pillar candles is very simple, yet stunning.
The options are only limited by your imagination.
Silk flowers or dried flowers may also be an option and you can put them in a vase with some colored marbles or pebbles.
When it comes to decorating for your wedding, remember, it is "your wedding" so do what feels right to you.
Select your wedding flowers to reflect your personality and style as well as that of your groom's.
A beautiful wedding does not have to cost a fortune.
About the Author
Liztiany Zakaria is a flower arranging hobbyist who does flower arrangements at leisure to decorate her home. She also contributes flower arrangement ideas for special occassion gifts at her website http://www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com/