Champagne & Crinolines

Daring Colored Wedding Dresses That Shout "I Do" -- Celebrate Your Wedding Day in Color

2008-12-16T15:40:00.005-05:00

It isn't every day that I find an article worth republishing, but this one piqued my interest, since the person writing it clearly has some knowledge of industry trends. Really, it turned out to be a juicy little article with a bit of insider info (or at least opinion) on where wedding gown color is going ... we all know it's going somewhere, with those gorgeous red ballgowns (wish I dared!) or Maggie Sottero selling larger numbers of lovely dresses in "Midnight," aka lavender.

Plus, it's especially fun to learn a bit about what brides in the south are wearing, versus we yanks. K, that's all! Enjoy! - C&C

By Kim Diaz

Guess which favorite wedding dress color made another strong showing on the runway this year? That's right, red. For many cultures -- especially seen in traditional Indian bridal attire and lehenga -- red's the bridal color of choice. And the always popular black-and-white gowns are the trademark of a chic and trendy bride.

More conservative markets that haven't been successful retailing red or black-and-white gowns may fare better with lavender-hued bridal wear. When asked about the inspiration for summer/spring 2009 wedding dresses and her own bridal collection, world-renowned bridal designer Reem Acra said, "Color, a lot of color. A lot of blues, greens and lavender - the link for it all was really the color. I have always believed in color."

Color can be easily infused in any bridal design, whether as a bold splash of color in the train, waist or bodice, or whether the bride's signature color is merely hinted at in the form of embroidery on a classic ivory or white canvas. Lavender's a subtle yet classic color we saw showcased on many runways across the world. As for European brides, they favor blue, or the ever-dramatic scarlet dress. Also, a popular color for the encore bride or the more couture-oriented bride is platinum silver or antique gold.

Color Trends Across the US

Since color is such a personal choice, many retailers steer clear of stocking colored wedding dresses: it's increasingly tough to estimate demand, as sought-after colors vary from year to year. Demand for colored wedding gowns also varies considerably depending on where you're located.

For example, the southern bride is typically more conservative, and doesn't readily embrace colored dresses -- not even the subtler, trendy hues like ice blue and blush pink. It's still the classic bridal styles and shades that sell best in that market.

On the other hand, the northeastern bride is seeking more runway-inspired wedding dresses and couture-influenced bridal fashions in bolder colors and designs.

Then, there are the weddings with strong multicultural influences. Other countries and cultures have long celebrated brightly-colored bridal attire, and continue to make offer bold selections along with more muted western wedding attire.

Sourcing a Hard-to-Find Color
Not to worry, though, no matter where you happen to be -- any bride can obtain her wedding dress in the color of her choice, even if the availability of colored wedding dresses is limited in her area. One option: to commission a custom made wedding dress. It's simple to add colored accents to any bridal style. This is an especially nice option, since most mass merchants like David's Bridal don't offer these specialty services.

Another option is to buy your dress online. Just because a color, size or style isn't available in your area doesn't mean you can't easily buy it in another. Marketplaces like eBay, Amazon and other great online bridal shops make it easier than ever to find just the wedding gown you're looking for.

Empress of Aisle Style

Fall Wedding Flowers on a Bare-Bones Budget

2008-12-16T03:28:00.006-05:00

Autumn brides have always been a curious bunch, and especially interested in the types of flowers that should grace their bouquets (since ultra-traditional choices, like roses in white, pink or red, don't seem quite right).

That easy-going, nature-loving feel is popular in fall wedding bouquets. Historically that's meant seasonally-appropriate, casual blooms like zinnias, Gerbers, astilbe - often accompanied by non-floral touches like berries, twigs and maple leaves.

But what's happening now is that fall brides (and a larger proportion of all brides) are starting to wonder something else, too: not just what to put on their bouquets, but how to cut back on their costs. Here's why.

A Royal Event ... Means a Buckingham-Style Budget

The cost of fresh flowers at a wedding can be staggering. Newly-minted brides are often surprised to find that even a simple order of personal flowers only (wedding party bouquets and boutonnières) is going to run about $600 plus, not including arrangements for the ceremony or reception. That's a big step up from prom!

Now, it's that very cost that makes fresh flowers so alluring at a wedding. After all, even the comfortably-off among us don't usually live our lives surrounded by fragrant, artful florals. Flowers are beautiful, costly and rare -- just perfect for that once-in-a-lifetime event.

But with economic uncertainty hanging around like that kitchen smell after you pan-fry a salmon, brides are cutting back on flowers. They just can't justify the expense for something so short-lived.

Black-Belt Tactics for Cheaper Autumn Flowers

So if you're a fall bride who balks at $600 for personal flowers and another grand or three for the tables, what to do? Must you ask your maid of honor to grab you a sneezy clump of goldenrod ten minutes before the ceremony? Happily, no.

#1) Be Your Own Pro

Know thyself if you go this route: it's hard enough chiseling out the extra 250 hours it takes to plan a wedding without going postal. But major craft stores are always offering basic floral design classes for cheap. This is a great way to gain some confidence and practice, and get to know the quirks of several specific blooms.

#2) Go Alternative

If you emerge from one of these design classes a dab hand in whipping up boutonnières and posies, online floral wholesalers could be your ticket to lush arrangements a lower cost. Another option: try farmer's markets. Inexpensive and locally-sourced, the flowers also have the advantage of being eco-friendly. Look for mini-sunflowers and dahlias, chrysanthemums and Gerber daisies. Tip: while you're chatting with the farmers, see if they can't provide you with delectable fall wedding favors like fresh jam, maple syrup or honey in mini-jars.

But one caution: don't go this route unless you have a dedicated team of proven assistants who can save the day at the last second (thanks, Mom!). Also, this isn't for you unless you have someplace cool and dark to store your blooms until showtime.

#3) Feeling Fine In Aisle Nine

Here's a hybrid option sure to suit many autumn brides: skip the fancy table florals, and go with more bulletproof centerpieces such as pillar candles and hurricane lamps, or bare-branch arrangements. You can always ring these with heaps of rose petals or silk autumn leaves for a luxurious, fuss-free touch.

Then, for personal flowers, check out your local ... grocery store! Here, we've got a semi-legendary chain that produces amazing bouquets in several branches. The quality's top-notch -- you'd never think "grocery store bouquet" -- but the cost is wonderfully low.

And if you want to go even lower (and be even braver), Real Simple has an illustrated guide on whipping together bouquets with single stems from any grocer's floral aisle: "How to Create Beautiful Bouquets from Supermarket Flowers."

Tips For a Hollywood-Themed Sweet 16 That Won't Break the Bank

2008-12-16T02:46:00.005-05:00

So, there's a recession on. But it's hard to marshal that bit of info when your teen comes to you with her puppy-dog eyes and a reminder that her Sweet 16's nearly here.

She wants to go Hollywood, she says -- an extremely popular party theme. (Never mind those world-weary types who sniff that it's been done. Hollywood theme sweet 16s will be over when the world gets tired of watching goddesses sashay down the red carpet on Oscar night in couture and borrowed jewels, which is to say, never.)

So, if you say yes, does this automatically mean you need to tap the 401(k) or downsize the BMW to a '94 hatchback? Absolutely not. You can pull off a party that thrills the diva near to your heart and never once have to turn to Top Ramen for dinner that month. Here's how.

Food: Self-Cater, But Go Mini.

Parents worry that the Hollywood theme calls for uber-swanky food (should you break out the caviar?). But the truth is, it's all in the presentation: stay small. If you can hire just one or two people for a few hours -- or even coerce siblings -- into passing hors d'oeuvres and drinks from trays, your guests will be tickled pink.

But go easy on yourself: hit up a wholesale club. Stock up on pizza and sausage rolls, mini quiche, meatballs -- things you just heat up on trays. Also load up on tortillas, cream cheese and lunch meat: roll together, slice into rounds and secure with toothpicks, and you have a big crowd pleaser. (Don't bother with too much raw broccoli.) Pour something sparkly and sweet into plastic champagne or martini glasses served from trays, and you've got happy teens.

Decorations: Bargain-Hunt Online.

The ace in the hole with these popular themes? You've got tons of props to choose from, and the price is right. Prom sites sell spectacular cardboard Hollywood sets for really reasonable prices. And once you've got a focal point, it doesn't take much to fill out the edges. Gold and black balloons are brilliant for this theme: just get latex so they'll last throughout the night. They'll fill up the corners of your room, or make impressive centerpieces when tied into "bouquets."

Then, when you shop around, everything from megaphones and clapboards to film reels and kitsch plastic Ocars can be found for under $6 each. That's a pretty cheap way to dress up tables.

Scale: Don't Pad the List.

An exclusive guest list not only cuts down on food and beverage costs, it allows you to style a more intimate party that's easier on the bank account. Ask a hundred guys and gals, and you'll pretty much need a dance hall ... and a $100-an-hour DJ with a four-hour minimum.

But if it's mainly her BFFs, you can fill the evening with a screening of 16 Candles and fun party games that will fuel the giggles for hours, and be every bit as memorable as the mega-party -- if not more.

Fashion: Get Your Guests in on the Act.

Your party will automatically hit higher heights if your guests show up dressing the part. They'll get to flaunt their coolest frocks and shoes; all you need to do is hand out inexpensive feather boas and oversized sunglasses to conjure up a VIP lounge. Be sure to have your digital camera charged and ready, and a photo printer if you've got one. Then, provide some clapboard-style photo frames for keepsakes. Your best-dressed guests can slide in their favorite head shots, and go home knowing their stylist hit the mark.

Want more concrete suggestions on planning a Hollywood Sweet 16, from decor to food to games? Check out our « Hollywood Theme Sweet 16 » lens for specific, sanity-saving tips.

How to Have a Candyland Sweet 16 For (Way) Less

2008-12-16T00:57:00.013-05:00

Can we blame it all on MTV's My Super Sweet 16, like writers like to do? Not really, but the truth is that this formerly modest party has morphed into something bigger.

Maybe you're like me and can hardly remember your 16th -- mine sure wasn't a big deal -- but look around today and it's not out of the question to spend thousands on this event, not even counting the Mary-Kate & Ashley ideal of the car in a big, bright bow.

You may think the pricey event I'm describing is over-the-top, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Many parents are amping up their daughter's sweet 16 with an event rental, a DJ, and a couture-style cake. Once you splash out for all these, you need a photographer to capture them. And you can't have a ballroom party without linens ... or florals. And on and on.

If this $10,000 specter doesn't match up with your current economic reality, but your daughter wants a memorable Candyland Sweet 16, not to worry -- you can still have a cute one at home, for much, much less. Here's how to get in scads of sugary sweetness for very little cash.

The Personalized Invitations.

Pricey: A high-style Candyland invite starts with something sweet -- and personalized -- in a box. Have these made, and you're looking at $5 or $6 minimum each, mailed.

Cheap: If you do it yourself, you can order personalized wrappers off eBay, wrap chocolate bars yourself, and package in cute little boxes or bags from Papermart. (Have the wrappers pre-printed with all the party info.)

Or, hand out Whirlypops personalized with handsome card stock rounds. Make these yourself on a printer, and cut into perfect discs with a $12 craft-store circle cutter. Save even more by handing these out to friends, skipping the post office. Savings: $4 an invite.

The Super-Sweet Decor.

Pricey: Hire a venue and a four-hour DJ. Rent linens with candy-colored sashes and overlays. The tables need a focal point, so hire a florist to dye roses in bright candy colors and arrange in high-flying trumpet vases (no, I am not making this up).

Cheap: Turn your home and entryway into a virtual Candyland with clever decorations that play with scale. Your secret weapons: foam board, cellophane, balloons and paper lanterns. Even the craft-impaired, like me, can make great garlands out of giant "candies": two paper plates glued together and covered with a cellophane wrapper.

Check the web for more inflatable candy, and eBay for candy-themed balloons (they're legion). With foam board and dowels, you can easily pull together a great lollipop forest to spiff up the lawn. Amazing "cotton candy" centerpieces are simple to craft. Savings: $6000 and up.

The Main Meal.

Pricey: Catered. It's not like you can serve your guests veggie trays in a ballroom -- you've got to at least give them passed hors d'oeuvres.

Cheap: Pizza. Believe it or not, your guests will eventually get a little sugared-out. Recharge their taste buds with lots of salty, fatty, tomato-y pizza. Savings: $20 per person and up, plus, get it delivered and save yourself the hassle.

The Dazzling Dessert.

Pricey: A three-tier Candyland dream cake with brightly fondant icing.

Cheap: Cupcakes are hot! And they don't call for a degree in structural engineering, unlike the cakes. Make them yourself with super-bright frosting in different colors (use gel coloring). For that high-end look, just pipe on the frosting with a large star tip. Then prop a pretty piece of stick candy (lollipop, swizzle stick, rock candy) into each completed creation.

Done? Now place all your lovely cuppies on a tiered pastry stand. If you don't have a stand, make one with thrifted plates you've glued together with sturdy wine glasses or candleholders in between (use Plumber's Goop to cement). Savings: $300 and up.

The Proof of a Great Time Had By All.

Pricey: A professional photographer to capture the Queen of the Day, and a photo booth to amuse her minions.

Cheap: Maybe you really do want a photographer to memorialize your lovely daughter. Scan Craig's List for talented snappers who want to pad their portfolio, and who'll shoot some pics ahead of time for cheap. As for your guests, create a simple backdrop (sheets), provide some props (boas, pink wigs and giant lollis), get out your digital camera and go to town. A photo printer and some gift frames to display the goods will thrill your girls. Savings: $1000 and up.

Want more tips and specific shopping spots for a visually exciting but survivable Sweet 16 and hundreds of edible favors? Check out our « Candyland Theme Sweet 16 lens » that'll free up some planning time and leave you financially whole.

2009's Boldest, Most Beautiful Wedding Gown Trends

2008-12-16T00:20:00.006-05:00

Finally! 2009's gowns bring brides some real choices, after several years of strapless uniformity. (Thank you, Vera Wang!) If you're the type of bride who wants a couture (or couture-inspired) gown to match the finer shades of your personality and wedding style, 2009 is the year with your name on it! Here are a few of the hottest trends going:

Crumb-Catcher Bodices.

This regal, old-world design twist came from that same lust for luxe that brought us Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, and its subsequent style explosion in the bridal world.

Greek Goddess Columns.

The ultimate look backward, the style takes us back to the lovely goddesses (and early supermodels) of Greece's Golden Age. With plenty of glorious examples to be seen from bridal magazines to the red carpet, this style's not going away soon. Happily, it lends itself to arm bling and the half up-half down style that's still so alluring to brides. Also note: bridesmaids look amazing in goddess gowns when the bride's wearing something more structured.

Asymmetrical / One-Shouldered Styles.

These gowns are sexy attention-getters. Another hot commodity on the red carpet, the asymmetrical top adds up to an exciting departure from same-old strapless, while exuding plenty of come-hither vibes.

Subued Color Plays.

Color's no longer the domain of a bold -- or even distracting -- burst of contrast in the train or cuffed bodice of an otherwise stark-white gown. Instead, next year's color inspiration flows from Vera Wang's gowns in warm toasts and charcoals, St. Pucchi's fabulous champagne and platinum combos, or gowns that ripple with multicolored gardens of embroidery (Claire Pettibone).

The Mini.

No longer the oddball in an otherwise full-length portfolio, minis have become serious business, with layers and ruches and ruffles aplenty. Increasing number of brides find them a brilliant choice for tent weddings on the beach or in the vineyard. And let's not forget those brides who want a gorgeous but mobile second gown to get down and boogie the night away.

Five Seriously Hot Wedding Colors With a Guy-Pleasing Masculine Edge

2008-12-16T00:13:00.007-05:00

Your fiancé has made it clear: he doesn't like pink, and won't be caught wearing it. Or lavender, or any other Easter chick color. As for you, you're not wild about the camo pattern overlays he half-jokingly proposed in response. So what to do?

For some couples, the answer is a color scheme with a distinctly non-frilly feel. Sometimes, it's masculine ... and sometimes, a really modern vibe that's satisfyingly androgynous. Here's a sampler of popular palettes that will definitely look fresh in the year ahead, and won't afflict your fiancé with sugar shock.

Navy.

It's been sadly neglected until now, partly because it so often goes nautical. But navy is making a big resurgence, and no wonder --- it's elegant and adult, and a fresh change from black. Pair navy with yellow or Kelly green in 2009, or combine with warm metallics like copper or gold.

Black & White.

Black and white continues to be huge, but 2009 will bring a greater variation in patterns. Moving on from simple black-and-white damask, we'll see more romantic toiles, modernized florals, and trendy Moroccan or henna designs -- even zebra print, in moderation. Black-and-white is so crisp and clean, you can pair it with almost any color and still stay mod. Add a broad range of purples (from eggplant to royal) for an up-to-the-minute look, or electric cobalt blue.

Chocolate Brown and Red.

Brides magazine popularized the combo this fall, and brides everywhere swooned. Here's a rich, weighty scheme with a cool-season feel that doesn't lean on the familiar fall harvest palette, and won't call for pumpkins. For small far East twist, go with burgundy and copper, and add some shiny textiles and tassels.

Green, Brown and White.

This classic California trio continues to thrill couples who want a natural, unfussy feel. The crisp white base avoids the woodland fantasy look, and light Asian elements like parasols and sandalwood fans bring in hints of sophistication. The green is a restful olive, not a pop-culture lime. Contemporary florals, branches and succulents plus unbleached papers and earthy textured fabrics round out the look.

Black, Platinum and Yellow.

Here's an ultimate urban palette that lends itself to all kinds of sophisticated stationery and signage. Go for a wedding logo instead of a monogram, and choose simple, repetitive centerpieces. Put the bridesmaids in black, pin yellow billy ball boutonnières on the groomsmen, and carry structural flowers like white Callas, yellow tulips and daffodils.

Wedding Planning: Clear Communication with Your Wedding Guests

2005-08-24T17:00:00.001-04:00

By Jennifer Benson

Effective communication between you and your wedding guests is essential in the months leading up to your wedding. But in this stressful time, how can you maintain healthy relationships with your family and friends when you're flooded with questions and feeling in over your head?

You know your wedding guests ask for details because they care about you. They want to feel involved and informed during this exciting time in your life. And admit it, it's nice to have all the attention focused on you and your Big Day! Yet it can often be a bit overwhelming to answer the same questions over and over again. Or maybe you're concerned that important wedding details will be forgotten or misinterpreted.

In just a few simple steps, you can create easy and accessible sources of information specifically for and about your wedding. When your wedding guests feel informed, confusion will be minimized for them and for you. Everyone wins!

Sources of Information:

1) Both Sets of Parents - Of course, your parents will probably know all about even the most minute detail of your wedding, but remember to go over the basics to ensure that they will share accurate, up-to-date information. Chances are, your parents will receive inquiries when you're not around, so be sure to advise them of any details you wish to have passed along.

2) Bridal Party - This involves everyone from your bridesmaids and groomsmen, to your ushers and guest book attendants. Your wedding guests will definitely direct questions at these individuals, and they'll want to be ready to offer assistance.

3) Bridal Consultant or Wedding Planner - Obviously, this individual will be in tune with your wedding itinerary and details, but ensure that he or she has a quick reference to any and all questions that may be presented.

4) Personal Wedding Website or Wedding Webpage - Post all essential wedding details online so accurate information can be displayed 24/7! Send the web address of your personal wedding website to everyone on your email list. Also include the web address of your wedding website with your wedding invitations so your guests can come back often to view any new details you choose to post.

Important Details to Communicate:

1) Schedule of Events - Include expected starting dates and times for the wedding ceremony and reception, along with the appropriate addresses and phone numbers. Relay maps or driving directions and if necessary, any parking specifications or restrictions for each venue.

2) Wedding Gift Registry - Tactfully and effectively share what your wedding guests really want to know: what you need and where they can go to get it!

3) Contact Info - List the "go to" person you've delegated for any further details.

4) Allergy Alerts - A must-have if your meal selections contain ingredients that trigger well-known allergies.

5) Dress Code Guidelines - If certain dress codes are in effect, it is essential for your guests to be aware of this ahead of time.

6) Special Requests - Special care needs to be given to potentially delicate information such as "adult only" requests or "invited guests only due to limited space". These issues should be presented kindly and firmly, but in a sensitive manner.

7) Travel and Lodging Info - Share special rates you've negotiated or related accommodation details such as blocks of hotel rooms reserved under your names. You may need to supply a unique code for your wedding guests to provide at the time of booking.

8) Weather Restrictions - If any part of your wedding celebration is being held outdoors, convey all back-up arrangements should the weather not cooperate.

9) "RSVP By" Date - Have a deadline by which all RSVPs must be sent in. Set your "RSVP By" date far enough in advance that you can deliver an accurate guest count to your caterer and organize proper seating arrangements for your tables.

10) Currently Unknown Details - Your input is needed, even if you do not yet have a definite opinion or a decision made regarding a certain aspect of your wedding. Sometimes it's helpful when your wedding guests can realize that you have not yet finalized a certain element of your wedding, but will be sure to share more once you have reached a decision. This can ease the pressure put on you and your decision-making process. A personal wedding website is especially effective in these instances, since you may post a "More info coming soon!" page on your wedding website.

Your wedding guests will be thankful for the lines of communication you've established for their benefit. With this in place, you can get back to enjoying your family and friends, rather than feeling overwhelmed by their questions. Clear communication is critical to effectively plan a stress-free wedding. After all, informed guests are happy guests...and happy guests are ready to celebrate your amazing, unforgettable wedding day!

Jennifer Benson is Vice President and cofounder of WedQuarters.com Wedding Websites, a leading online wedding service provider. WedQuarters offers complete personal wedding websites, enhanced with online and toll free wedding RSVP services.

New & Hot - Your Garden Wedding

2005-08-20T14:04:00.000-04:00

Jam-packed with ideas for your garden-theme wedding. Check it out now.

Wedding Arch Decoration Ideas -- and More

2005-08-15T22:55:00.000-04:00

Thinking of using a wedding arch? Wedding arches are a way of emphasizing the ceremonial space, often -- though not always -- in an outdoor wedding. Many brides find them essential for a backyard, park or destination wedding.

Find a Wedding Arch

But where do you get your hands on one? Sometimes brides aren't sure where to go.

You can buy a relatively simple white, metal wedding arch at major craft stores for between $20 and $40. If you want something more elaborate -- or wooden, more like a chuppah -- you'll want to either rent from a rental shop or have your family build one for you. Most wedding arches are quick to build for someone with a little wood shop experience.

White Decorative Arch, 8 foot high, with 200 lights

White Tubular Wedding Arch, 72 inches high

If you're having a destination wedding, be sure to check out the wedding arch fees. Sometimes packages merely say, "wedding arch extra," leaving the bride to have a coronary when she finds that renting the arch costs $400 to $500 ... or (gak!) even more. If your guest list contains some handy family members, skip the exorbitant rental fees and ask them to make you a wedding arch. It's relatively easy, even on site.

An alternative to the classic arch is a balloon arch. Balloon arches can be surprisingly elegant, with understated balloons that look like pearls and a soft tulle base. Check into local balloon artists.

Or if your wedding's in the islands, try making a quick easy chuppah out of bamboo poles. Ask around at hardware or lumber stores for a local supplier. Or instead of a chuppah, simply set each post in the sand and attach ribbons organza to the top, to blow romantically in the wind.

Once your wedding arch (or structure) is ready to go, make sure it's secured properly. A gust of wind can blow your arch right over unless it's dug deeply into the soil or sand. Post hole diggers are what you want for all but the most windless days -- especially for the beach, where strong, sudden gusts are the norm.

Decorating a Wedding Arch

You buy your arch. You set it up. Your heart sinks as you wonder, "What do I do with this hard, white THING?" Not to worry. Adding a touch of magic to your wedding arch is simpler than it looks.

The Classic Arch: Many brides want to soften the hard lines of the arch. An effective way to accomplish this is to drape the arch in gauzy material base (tulle, organza) or ivy (grape vines).

Now for the fun: accents can be as simple as a large bow, a pomander ball (a.k.a., "kissing ball"), or a traditional flower arrangement at the top.

Or for a little more complexity, punctuate the arch with more floral arrangements: one for the top, and at least one at each base. Use organza to soften the "bones" of the arch and trail ivy over the organza.

The Gothic Arch: Use a simple, dark arch that comes to a dramatic point; leave the lines clean and unadorned. Hang an enormous floral kissing ball from the apex.

The Floral Arch: Covered from top to toe, the floral arch is a living sculpture that screams, "Occasion." The greens and blooms and on this arch seem to be floating in air, with the flowers appearing immensely heavy and the arch insubstantial. The floral arch is a job for the pro -- grand and expensive.

The Woodsy Arch: Add a more unexpected texture by strapping branches to the sides of your arch. Or instead of a fabric or ivy base, attach garlands of ferns.

The Beachy Arch: Beach wedding arches are often decorated in the classic style, but a beautiful alternative for your beach wedding is to attach organza in simple, free-flowing swags, and dangle large seashells and starfish from the arch (the larger, the better).

The Tropical Arch: Made entirely of palm tree fronds, the tropical arch creates a sharp, dramatic and slightly masculine silhouette.

18 Great Song Options for Your Cake-Cutting

2005-08-15T10:59:00.001-04:00

Cuts Like A Knife - Bryan Adams
Eat It - Weird Al Yankovic
How Sweet It Is - James Taylor
I've Had The Time Of My Life - (Dirty Dancing)
Knock Me a Kiss - Ella Fitzgerald
Let Me Call You Sweetheart - Mitch Miller
Let's Do It - Alanis Morisette
Love & Marriage - Frank Sinatra
Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard
Recipe for Love - Harry Connick Jr
Sugar, Sugar - The Archies
Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
Sweetest Thing - U2
Theme from JAWS - John Williams
Time of Your Life - Green Day
Unforgettable - Nat Cole / Natalie Cole
You Can Leave Your Hat On - Tom Jones
When I'm 64 - The Beatles

Ask the Janitor: Nurse/Police Weddings

2005-08-11T13:40:00.001-04:00

Ask the Janitor Question from 8/8/2005:

> Hello,
> I am planning a wedding for next september 2006 and I was wondering if you had any ideas for creative favors, our wedding theme is policeman/nurse. I am a nurse and he is a policeman, we have found a cake topper, balloons, ect but we are unable to think of creative favors or center pieces. Any suggestions??
>
> - K

Find our answer to this question here:
Ideas for a Nurse or Police Theme Wedding

Save on Wedding Costs and Have That Chocolate Fountain

2005-08-11T09:26:00.000-04:00

With chocolate fountain rental costs running neck-and-neck with the wedding cake, it's no wonder that brides set on the fountain are looking for a better way.

Chocolate fountains, once a rarity at weddings, are becoming more common -- but no less beloved. Still, they pose a budget crunch for many brides, coming in at only slightly under the cost of the wedding cake -- and that's for a one-day rental!

If you're like us, there's something that just burns our little Yankee hearts about spending over $400 to rent a machine that granted, costs a little over ten times that, but gets rented out many times. And yet if you're like us, you really want a way to fit that chocolate fountain in.

We're both in luck, because higher-end chocolate fountains are coming to the home market and becoming more accessible ... even to skinflints!

What We Didn't Buy -- And Why

You've seen the early entrants, maybe on eBay -- inexpensive chocolate fountains made by lesser-known brands selling for about eighty bucks. You've probably thought of trying one out, just because the price difference between that and a rental machine was so astronomical.

We did too, but as we read about the small, cheap versions, we ran into a lot of complaints. One of the most worrisome was that the cheap fountains made such a loud grinding noise, you couldn't have a conversation standing next to one -- which was not the ambiance we wanted for our party.

Further, we weren't sure if we wanted to keep the fountain over the long term. We wanted to buy something with good resale value so we could recapture our money if needed.

Fortunately, as our deadline approached, Sephra -- the standard in high-end rental fountains -- began offering pre-orders on their first home market fountains. We snapped one up for about $250, an attractive fountain that holds five pounds of chocolate. The fountains were so new, we had to switch our order from the lovely cherry red we'd wanted to a stainless steel in order to get it in time. But we got it.

Showtime ... And Some Helpful Hints

Once acquired, it was time to test it out in live conditions! The first party we unveiled it at was on the small side, with about 25 people. Set-up was simple. The experience did, however, teach us some tips:

Try out and get comfortable with your chocolate fountain before a really big affair. You won't really understand the logic behind the instruction book until you try it. For example:

1) The chocolate fountain really does need to be balanced to work properly. Sephra models offer adjustable feet to accomplish this. When we first set up our fountain, we were so busy we didn't level it, and it didn't flow well until an left brained type in shining armor fixed it for us. Then things worked 100% better.

2) When melting large quantities of chocolate, don't even bother with a double burner. You need a glass bowl and a large microwave, which your venue hopefully provides. Heat gently, as advised -- no higher than 50% power.

3) Also, Sephra provides you with a little tool for telling whether your chocolate's melted enough to flow well. Err on the side of "too melted" rather than "not enough." Especially given the minute or so it takes to transport it, the chocolate can easily get too thick for easy flowing.

With 25 very interested people, we nearly (but not quite) ran through our first five pounds of chocolate. So you can guesstimate needing a pound of chocolate per five invitees. Just be sure to have extra on hand.

We worried whether it would be difficult to refill the fountain -- for example, whether we would have to lug the whole thing back into the kitchen, disassemble, refill -- but it turned out to be dead simple. You just pour melted chocolate into the bottommost bowl.

Our Chocolatey Conclusions

Sephra is bringing larger versions of their fountain to the home market. For a large wedding or a party of several hundred, we would probably go with a larger version.

Yet you can also do very well with the five pound model. After all, it's hard to melt, carry and otherwise handle more than five pounds of chocolate at once (you wouldn't believe how many "chocolate chips" that is). All you need is someone willing to watch and refill periodically, which isn't hard. Pick someone who can get slightly messy without a problem -- not a bridesmaid in shiny taffeta.

If we'd had more time and a larger party, we'd probably get the largest fountain we could buy, care for it well, and resell it when the hoopla died down. That would save a huge chunk of change over the $400-500 one day rental, and bring the chocolate fountain within reach of a lot more brides (and happy guests).

And if you happen to fall in love with it and the day for selling it never comes?

Well, it happens. Just ask us.

About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas.com." Stop by for a huge selection of wedding favors, Bridezilla's weekly adventures, and free resources for brides: save-the-date eCards, screensaver, wallpaper and web site templates.

For more on home market chocolate fountains, see:
http://www.favorideas.com/chocolate.htm

Keep Your Cool With Hot Bridal Accessories

2005-08-08T09:09:00.000-04:00

By Terrie Needham

So many brides I meet and speak with each day are frustrated, some even freaking out as their wedding day draws near.

Sound familiar?

Here's what's usually going on behind the scenes: You've found the dress of your dreams, but you can't decide on how to accessorize it. Everyone has an opinion-and everyone is willing to share. Such well-intentioned advice can drive you crazy! No one teaches courses in "Bridal Accessories 101," so it's hard to rely on Mom's or your best friend's judgments -- especially when no one agrees. No wonder the months leading up to the big day are turning you into a chain-smoking, nail-biting wreck! It's the most important day of your life -- the day all eyes will be trained on you as you walk down the aisle -- and you're afraid to trust your instincts and inner voice.

That's where I come in -- and it's a role I adore. I watch trends and work as part counselor, part stylist to help each bride-to-be find just the right look. My goal? To make sure your inner glow shines through.

Here are some tips to help you stay sane and accessorize with flair.

Set the Stage
Think of your gown as a stage, and all of the accessories you select are the actors and scenery that create a smash hit. You chose your gown because it called out your name and represents who you are. Regardless of whether its style is vintage, traditional, modern or eclectic, it serves as the backdrop for the jewelry and accessories you buy.

Rule Number One
Follow your gown's motif. If, for example, your dress is adorned with radiant crystals, select jewelry with matching accents. The same goes for gowns with beading or pearls.

Color is also critical.

With taupe and gold embroidery a popular feature on this season's gowns, opt for necklaces and earrings set in glittering gold.

Shine the Spotlight
Jewelry adds sparkle and pizzazz -- the much-needed "wow" factor. You'll use it to draw attention to your best features: eyes, cheekbones, decolletage, neck, hair. You know which features your fiancé swoons over. Accent your gown by playing up these areas with the right jewels.

Before deciding on earrings, talk to your hairstylist about how you'll wear your hair. Bring your dress to the salon several months before the wedding so the two of you can come up with a plan. This will give you time to grow out your layers or bangs, if necessary.

Once your hair plan is in place, it's time to shop. If you're wearing a traditional updo--a chignon, French twist, Juliet knot or similar style--drop earrings add drama. For short hair, chic pearl or cubic zirconia studs or buttons are extremely popular. And if your long, loose-flowing tresses will be accompanied by drop-dead-gorgeous chandelier earrings, don't overpower them with a necklace. Less is definitely more! If your dress is backless, a lariat necklace that cascades down your spine is a breathtaking accessory, and earrings should be subtle.

Make sure your headpiece matches your jewelry. A tiara composed of solid rhinestones will overpower delicate pearl jewels. And if you've chosen modern jewelry dripping with cubic zirconia, a pearl headband will be too coy and traditional.

Most Importantly
Most importantly, remember that you wear your jewelry and headpiece -- they don't wear you. Choose pieces that are perfectly suited to your gown and personality. If you've never been a fan of pearls, your wedding day isn't the time to flaunt them. You're creating a pleasing package, so make sure everything works together.

About the Author

Terrie Needham owns Anna Bellagio, a leader in the bridal jewelry and accessories industry for 17 years. She loves attending fashion shows and checking out new designers so she can offer sensational, yet affordable, selections to her ever-growing customer base.

Bridal Shop Owner Reveals Insider Secrets Every Bride Should Know

2005-08-08T08:23:00.001-04:00

By Susan Cook

Your wedding is nine months away and you decide to start searching for your perfect gown. You walk into a bridal store and start talking to one of the salespeople. They ask you for your wedding date and you tell them. They immediately tell you that you will need nine months in order to special order your wedding gown.

Is this true? In most cases, this is not true. The bridal shop is telling you that just so you will panic and place your order that day. This also helps them in stopping you from looking at other bridal shops. Don't ever be bullied into buying your wedding dress on any given day. You might have found the dress of your dreams -- but give yourself a little time to think about it. You are making a big purchase for a special day and you need to make sure that this is the dress. Even if it is just for one day, make sure you really think about it.

I have suggested to some girls to go eat some lunch, discuss it with family or friends and then come back to make your purchase. Once you buy your gown, that is it. Most shops do not allow returns or money back especially on special orders. Once you put money down on a special order, the dress is yours.

The majority of manufacturers require 8-12 weeks for a special order unless you are making drastic changes to a dress. Did you even know you could change designs on a dress? Most manufacturers will allow you to lengthen a train, shorten a train, take off some beads, or add beads. If there is something you would love to add/change to your dress, just ask the salesperson. Not all manufacturers allow this but some do. It never hurts to ask. If a bridal shop gives you a delivery date of 6 months or more, then I would be very careful.

You have decided on your perfect wedding dress and now it is time to order it. First of all I would pay one one-half of the deposit. If the shop asks for more than that then walk out. You do not want to put more then half down on something you do not yet have in your hands. Also, if the wedding is cancelled, you have lost only one-half the cost of the dress because remember --deposits on special order dresses are not refundable.

Being in the bridal business, I understand why stores ask for more then half. Weddings sometimes get cancelled or the bride decides she does not want the dress. Also, I suggest you put your deposit down with a credit card. This way if anything happens -- like the store closes down or never places your order -- then you have a way of getting your deposit back.

After you place your order and put your half deposit down, make sure you get a receipt. Also make sure that they write down the style number, color, and size down on your copy as well as the store's copy. This way you have proof of what was supposed to be ordered. When I was a bride, I picked out my bridesmaids dresses from this particular store near me. I searched for hours in bridal magazines until I finally found the perfect bridesmaids' dresses. Believe it or not, once the dresses came in, I realized the store ordered the wrong dress. This was only one month before my wedding day. Luckily we caught it in time and the store corrected the problem. It does happen, so make sure you get everything in writing.

In the next couple of days after you place your order, call the store and get an estimated delivery date. This way you can be sure they ordered it. These are estimated dates not actual dates. No one can give you an actual date. This is the real world and things do happen. When a bride places an order with us, we always call them the next day or so and give them the delivery date. Make sure you right this date down on your receipt along with the day and person you spoke with.

One hint: If you have plenty of time then I suggest you move your wedding date up one month. This will help to reassure you that the dress will come in plenty of time before your wedding. This is a trick I use myself. When I order a dress from the manufacturer, I move the wedding date up a couple of weeks just to make sure we have plenty of time to get the dress in. The manufacturer thinks they have the actual wedding date and base their delivery date on it. This gives me a couple of extra weeks to correct a problem if something does go wrong. If your wedding date is 4 months or less away, then you cannot do this because you will incur rush charges.

How to make sure your dress is new: You've found your perfect dress and although the store has the exact size and color in stock, you decide you want to order your dress new from the manufacturer instead of the store's sample. You make your down payment, the dress is ordered and you have an estimated delivery date. The bridal shop calls you to tell you your dress has arrived and you go in to try it on. Before you even try it on you notice makeup stains inside the bodice of your dress and the underskirt looks as though it has been dragged across a dirty floor.

Guess what? It's a sure bet that your dress was never ordered and they are passing off the floor sample as a new dress. At this point you should point out the problems to the shop. Refuse to take the dress and demand they order you a new dress. Never take the dress out of the store and expect to come back later to show them the problems. Once you take a dress out of the store, the dress is yours no matter what.

Sometimes when a dress comes into the shop and we unpack it, we will find dirt or stains in the dress. We notify the manufacturer immediately and they provide us with a new dress at no extra charge. If your dress came in from the manufacturer stained or dirty, you should have no problem requesting a new one. If, in fact, the store never ordered you a new dress and are trying to pass the floor sample on to you, you have every right to demand your money back or if it would satisfy you, to have the store clean it at their expense.

Always make sure you go into the store as soon as you can when your special order dress comes in. This includes bridesmaids' dresses as well. If you go in immediately then you can still get the manufacturer to replace the dress if anything is wrong. Usually most manufacturers give the shop one to two weeks to notify them if something is wrong. After the certain time frame there is nothing you or the bridal shop can do to request a new dress if something is wrong.

This is another reason to plan your wedding a year in advance. When situations do arise and things do happen then you have plenty of time to correct the problem. When dresses are ordered just 8-12 weeks prior to the wedding, if something does go wrong, it is very difficult to correct the problem.

Susan Cook is the author of "Bridal Shop Owner Reveals Insider Secrects Every Bride Should Know". For more useful tips and advice visit http://www.bridalinfo123.com. This article is a clip from her book "Bridal Shop Owner Reveals Insider Secrects Every Bride Should Know."

Planning A Wedding? Tips On How To Attend A Bridal Show

2005-08-07T18:30:00.000-04:00

By Charity Plaster

If you're getting married, a Bridal Show is a great place to get started. Since 1996, I have attended or participated in over 150 Bridal Shows, and I thought I would pass on some tips to you, to make your trip a little easier. You can find local Bridal Shows being held anywhere from malls to hotels, convention centers and wedding facilities. You can expect to see anywhere from 10 to over 100 wedding vendors, and every single one of them is competing for your business. What to do? How to start? What to bring?

If possible, find out which vendors will be participating in the show before you attend. This will help you map out your plan of attack. Knowing who will be there in advance, as well as maybe having a layout of the show itself, you can seek out the vendors you really want to talk to, and those that aren't so important to you.

Wear comfortable shoes and leave your coat in the car. Many shows do not offer coat check and it can become quite a burden to lug your coat, your purse, your brochures, and everything else around! This is why you need to ... see next item!

Bring someone with you! Bring your Mother, a Bridesmaid, and yes, your fiancé may even enjoy himself! They can help you with collecting information and would be happy you included them in the planning process! As for your fiancé? Just tell him that he can win free stuff and eat free cake!

Other than some cake samples, and possibly appetizers, most Bridal Shows will not have food or drink available to purchase. Make sure you eat before you go, and bring a beverage.

Don't take too many people with you. They'll wander off and you'll spend all your time trying to keep everyone together instead of focusing on your goals for the day.

Bring address labels. I recommend printing out labels on your home computer with your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date. I also recommend opening a free email account that is designated strictly for all the wedding info you will receive and then cancel them email account after you have booked all of your vendors! You can also rent a P.O. Box to handle all the wedding brochures and mailings you will receive, and then cancel the PO Box when you no longer want the mailings. However, just remember, these vendors will use the information you provide for them -- if you don't want sales pitch phone calls or mailings, simply do not give out your phone number or address! You may miss a great deal though!

Bring the following items: pen, notebook, date book, checkbook, credit card and a large tote bag to carry everything in. Many vendors offer special pricing if you book with them and leave a deposit with them the day of the show. Still not sure if this vendor is truly the one you want? Ask if they would be willing to extend the special price to you for any length of time after the show. Most vendors won't have a problem working with you. If they say no, it makes you wonder why you need to do it RIGHT THERE AND THEN! Say thank you, and pass on by. Maybe it wasn't meant to be.

Before you place that deposit, be 100% sure that you have read and agree to all the details on their contract concerning the description of what it is you are signing up for and their policies. What sounds like a great deal won't be so great if you later find out the DJ takes an hour break and your cake doesn't come with a stand!

If you plan on attending the Fashion show portion of the day, make sure you arrive at least an hour early. Seating is often first come, first serve, and if you've brought all 12 of your Bridesmaids along, you want to guarantee good seats for everyone!

If attending the Fashion Show isn't so important to you, then use that time to visit with the vendors. Since the majority of brides will be watching the show, you will have a better chance to actually talk to a vendor and it will be a much quieter atmosphere.

If you are provided with a "Bride" sticker, don't be embarrassed to wear it! It can become confusing for vendors to identify everyone that attends, and if they know you are the bride, you are more likely to get special treatment!

When filling out any contest entries or door prize drawing slips, print clearly! Who would want to miss out on winning a free limo for their wedding because no one could read your phone number?

The best place to take notes is on the actual brochure handed out by each vendor. That way you connect a face to your notes, to your brochure, and it will be easier to remember when you make your follow up calls.

Most shows will charge a nominal fee for attendance. Make sure you pre-register if the option is available, and don't be too embarrassed to call the company hosting the show to see if they offer any discounts on admission.

Enjoy yourself! It's just a bridal show! Nothing HAS to be set in stone that day. Many of the bigger shows will be crowded and noisy -- don't let this deter you! Use this time to gather information and enjoy any of the special offers extended to you. You are the Bride; you make the rules when dealing with vendors. It's YOUR day, not theirs!

About the Author

Charity Plaster is the Owner of A Charmed Event, a wedding and event planning company. She is a Certified Wedding Coordinator, Creator of a local Wedding Workshop and licensed Officiant who has helped hundreds of couples bring their dream weddings to life.

Ten Ways to Look Like a Model Bride

2005-08-02T08:15:00.000-04:00

By Lori Dunn

Six Months To a Year Before the Wedding
Start researching and experimenting with different hair and makeup styles to create your individual wedding day look. If you plan on using a stylist, make a consultation appointment and bring lots of pictures of looks you love. Agree on a style that you're sure matches your gown and your personality.

Eight Weeks Before the Big Day
Use microdermabrasion or glycolic peels once a month for two months prior, to give your skin a flawless, smooth surface for makeup and a rich glow. Set up a skin care routine to ensure that your skin will be looking its best for your wedding day.

A Month Before the Big Day
Exfoliate your body daily with a loofah and/or body scrub to maintain shiny, healthy skin all over (if you're going strapless, concentrate on your arms, shoulders, and back). For flaky lips, exfoliate by brushing them gently with a soft tooth brush.

Three Weeks Before the Big Day
See your stylist to get a final trim (remember, nothing drastic!) and consider adding some highlights. Perfectly placed highlights add an instant glow to your face.

Two Weeks Before the Big Day
Gather your products to make sure you have everything you could possibly need. The key to picture-ready makeup is a set of professional makeup brushes. Then, when applying your makeup, blend, blend, blend!

On the Big Day
For the longest lasting lip color that won't move through all that kissing and smiling, apply foundation over lips. Then line with a lip liner, then apply lip color with a lip brush.

For strappy shoes that won't stay put, use wig tape (it's clear and super-sticky) to the back part of the strap, adhering them to your foot.

To eliminate blinking in all your gorgeous wedding photos, use this tip: relax your eyes before the shot by looking down. Then, when the photographer says, "cheese", look up just as the picture is being taken.

To create a thinner line in your photos, angle your body slightly toward the camera. Never stand facing the camera straight on.

Don't be afraid to glam it up: it's your only wedding day, so don't forget to get glamorous! Use some sparkly additions you wouldn't normally wear, like false lashes or hair extensions. Remember, all eyes will be on you and you want to look spectacular!

About the Author

Lori Dunn is a 15-year veteran of the fashion industry. A former model who has graced the pages of elite magazines -- as well as a professional makeup artist and hairstylist -- she's now one of the top bridal consultants in the United States. Lori travels across the country to provide on-location hair and makeup services to brides on their wedding day. She also owns and operates Model Bride boutiques in Manhattan, Chatham, NJ, and online at:

http://www.modelbride.com

The "Right Hand Bling Ring" - The Ultimate New Accessory For Savvy Singles....

2005-08-02T08:10:00.000-04:00

By Alex Miller

When my first marriage faded into oblivion, the engagement ring I'd worn with such joy and love was banished to my jewelry case.

Some years later, older and much wiser, I resurrected the ring and had it re-set by a jeweler friend to reflect my newly discovered independence and style. But back in those days, the sight of those diamonds on my right hand was simply a painful reminder of my failure in the marriage stakes.

Now it seems I was ahead of my time.

The right-hand bling ring is the latest status symbol for women who no longer feel they have anything to prove.

Women are earning more, marrying later and have more disposable income than ever before, leaving them with plenty of room for a little self-indulgence. And it goes without saying that the newest status symbol should encompass the ultimate status symbol, diamonds.

In fact, the trend has become such a major force it's been given its own (albeit lackluster) terminology - "self-purchaser".

According to Greg Distefano, a spokesman for the Diamond Information Center at J. Walter Thompson, "The self-purchase market is now a $3.75 billion business in the United States. Rings are the single largest type in this market. They account for two out of every five pieces of self-purchased jewelry."

Eager to get in on the action, DeBeers, the world's largest diamond producer, has produced a series of ads to tap into the hearts and wallets of this enormous, previously ignored, consumer demographic.

"Your left hand is your heart. Your right hand is your voice," croons their recent print ads. "Your left hand says 'I do.' Your right hand says 'I did what?' Your left hand knows the answers. Your right hand asks the questions. Your left hand rocks the cradle, your right hand rules the world. Women of the world, raise your right hand."

With a market of over 43 million single women in the United States, Ruta Fox, a former advertising copywriter, created the "Ah Ring" in December 2000. "Since I was single, I named it The Ah Ring, and decided "Ah" would symbolize being A, available and H, happy. I thought since married women have wedding rings, and engaged women have engagement rings, single women should have a diamond ring they could buy and call their own," says Ruta.

The Ah Ring was an instant success, generating over a million dollars in sales in the first year, and was featured in Oprah Winfrey's "O" magazine.

Never a group to ignore the latest preoccupation with self-indulgence, celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon and taken the trend for diamond accessorizing to a whole new level. At this year's Oscars 5,000 carats of diamonds strolled the red carpet. Showcasing diamond baubles by jewelry design luminaries like Fred Leighton and Harry Winston, single celebrities Renee Zellweger, Cameron Diaz and Halle Berry shone brighter than the strobe lights.

So, what are the top-selling trends in right-hand bling rings?

Mondera.com, a leading online jeweler, suggests colored diamonds are a popular choice, with pink, canary yellow, and blue diamonds the biggest sellers. The resurgence of brown diamonds, re-named and now cleverly marketed as cognac and champagne diamonds also sell well.

Contemporary settings, such as the sleek bezel-set and pavé, are popular with singles wishing to avoid the look of the classic round solitaire diamond. And for those who aspire to the cool sophistication of Audrey Hepburn, Tiffany's newly released Lucida setting is the ultimate in bling ring elegance.

But for those sassy singles who would have to forego three months' rent to afford a diamond, there are plenty of fabulous alternatives.

For all the bling without the sting, cubic zirconias are made with such precision these days that usually only a jeweler's loupe can spot the difference. From the sublime to the outrageous, the affordability of cubic zirconias means that you can have a different ring to match your outfit and your mood!

"Diamonds are a girl's best friend" may well have become the newly revived mantra for the modern 21st century woman, but if you still need an excuse to go out and get yourself some bling, I like to remind myself of the L'Oreal maxim - "Because I'm worth it!"

About the Author

Alex Miller has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She lists her passions as "diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds" and has turned her passion into an informative website. You can find more great articles about diamonds, engagement rings, bridal jewelry, honeymoons and more at http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. The place to go BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.

Elephant Theme Wedding Ideas

2005-07-31T08:57:00.000-04:00

If you've set your heart on an elephant wedding theme, the first thing you'll notice is that ... even as powerful symbols of good luck and a major player in Indian and African weddings, elephant items are hard to find.

Not that elephants necessarily make up your whole theme. Most people have a wider background in mind, such as an "Out of Africa" wedding theme (bound to become stratospherically more popular thanks to the bonny Prince William) or an "Arabian Nights" theme.

If you're willing to move your wedding to Bangkok or Bali, you and your spouse-to-be could arrive on two elephants, exchange vows, and go for a leisurely elephant ride afterward. Elephants are much harder to come by stateside, though.

Elephant items are fairly rare too, so you have to be creative. One idea is to scour baby shower retailers, where the elephant is more popular. We found elephant cookies and elephant chocolate pops made for baby showers, but totally suitable for weddings.

Here are some of the ideas and items we've found for an elephant theme wedding:

Have your wedding at the zoo. Many zoos have elaborately decorated "Safari" or "Dark Continent" banquet halls, which makes acquiring that exotic air a snap.
Rent elephant gray or animal print tablecloths, and fill the room with large tropical ferns.
Use a blown-glass elephant cake topper on a mirror base. Although these cake toppers are beautiful, it's rare to find the exact kind most brides want, which is two elephants with trunks intertwined. You'll probably need to have this custom-made, but we think the cost will be reasonable.
As the elephant motif slowly makes its way into the wedding industry, you'll have more choices. For now, we found the chrome elephant place card holder.

Some affordable favor ideas we've found include:

Elephant cookie cutters and elephant cookies
Elephant chocolate pops and elephant chocolate molds
Elephant wine charms and key chains
Elephant picture frames
Blown glass elephants in gift boxes and elephant ornaments

Ski Theme Wedding Ideas

2005-07-30T09:43:00.000-04:00

Having a ski theme wedding? Here's some ideas for setting the stage ...

The Invites
Each guest receives a ski pass and safety pin.

The Guest Tables
Name them after resorts:

Aspen , Vail, Whistler , Sun Valley, Breckenridge, Telluride, Jackson Hole, Beaver Creek, Banff, Snowbird, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Taos, Copper Mountain, Big Sky

The Decor
Ice sculptures are a must. Try the "ice luge" type which chills the drink on the way down. Or a glittering snowflake, set off with backlighting. Set white candles everywhere, and use mirrored coasters to spread the light still more. String white twinkle lights dressed in tulle over ceiling and walls. If your venue doesn't offer a towering stone hearth, bring in a fake fireplace. A snow machine that blows dry snow into the air (it evaporates before impact) may be available from a rental agency near you for $300-400 a day.

Ski Theme Centerpieces
Skip the plastic "cheap party" look of foil snowflakes and search eBay instead for fascinating retro winter gear (try looking for vintage ski boots, vintage skates and old wooden snow shoes. Watch for leather lace-up boots and funny old hats. Deck the walls with pastel vintage ski posters (absolutely gorgeous), vintage skis and vintage ski suits.

Or: white roses and calla lilies.

Or: Martha Stewart's glowing snowball topiaries.

The Food
Hot chocolate in crisp snowflake mugs, personalized with your wedding date. Hot mulled wine. Old-style swiss cheese fondue paired with cubes of French bread. Substantial mountain entrees like beef stew (with plenty of red wine) and warm spinach salad. Your cake can boast a cascade of spun-sugar snowflakes and stars, or even glitter with embedded Swarovski crystals.

Favors
White chocolate snowflake favors, snow ski wine charms, snowflake cookie favors, silver Hershey's kisses, sparkling ornaments. (More winter wedding favors)

Celebrity Wedding Beauty Secrets

2005-07-30T02:07:00.000-04:00

Getting Gorgeous Like the Stars

(ARA) - When it comes to planning their wedding day, it's no surprise that women want to look their absolute best. According to a recent survey of women, looking fabulous was a top concern … beat out only by getting through the actual vows. However, the number one wedding day beauty fear is that they will look too much like their everyday selves, so it is easy to see why 61 percent want to have the look of a celebrity bride.

"Hollywood's celebrity bridal beauties truly set the stage for women across the country," says Star magazine beauty director Tara Kraft. "And looking like a star for your own wedding day can seem effortless with a few easy beauty tips and tools."

Creating a "picture perfect" make-up look for a wedding or any day is all about using the right tools. To help women "get gorgeous" and look like an A-lister on their most important day, celebrity make-up artist Mally Roncal offers her favorite make-up tips:

"It's easy to get the look of your favorite celebrity with the help of Q-tips cotton swabs," says Roncal. "They are the ultimate beauty tool for blending, applying or removing make-up because they are gentle, convenient and allow for precise application so you can look gorgeous on your special wedding day."

* Glowing Bride -- Hollywood is about glowing skin. For a natural, "girl-next door" look, use a Q-tips cotton swab to apply light pink or nude colored shimmer to your cheekbones highlighting your most prominent features. These convenient make-up applicators are versatile and do the job of many brushes. To complete the golden, radiant look, apply bronze or peach blush across the apples of your cheeks and blend.

* Long, Lovely Lashes -- Eye lashes need a little extra ‘oomph' to really show up in wedding photos. An easy tip to achieve long willowy lashes is to simply apply a few extra coats of mascara. First apply one coat of mascara, then dip a Q-tips cotton swab in translucent powder and sweep over lashes. They allow for precise make-up application, especially in hard-to-reach places like the eyes. Finally, cover with a second coat of mascara and prepare to flutter away!

* Glamour Eyes -- For a dramatic eye, apply a dark colored eye shadow on your eyelid and use a Q-tips cotton swab to smudge and blend to create a smoky, sultry look. Blending eye shadow is essential in order to avoid a harsh, overdone look. Q-tips are disposable so you can use a fresh one every time without mixing colors and can also help prevent eye irritations that may occur with reusable brushes.

* Sleeping Beauty -- If you have been stressed or losing sleep as the wedding date draws near, simply use a Q-tips cotton swab to apply concealer under the eyes to hide dark circles. They are soft and gentle making them perfect for the delicate skin around the eyes. Then apply a light eye shadow or white powder on the inner corners of the eye to create a bright, wide-eyed look with minimal effort.

* Secret "I Do" Beauty Tool -- If you are worried about getting a little weepy when you say, "I do," try tucking a few Q-tips cotton swabs inside your flower bouquet before walking down the aisle and use them to touch up runny mascara. This trick can prevent those tears of joy from ruining your look … and your pictures!

For more make-up tips visit www.qtips.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Retro Wedding Favors

2005-07-30T00:56:00.000-04:00

Having a retro wedding, complete with ginger-ale-and-sherbert-punch in the VFW? Even if you're not going quite that far, you need ideas for retro wedding favors -- ones that set that delirious post-war mood like no others can -- and we're here to help.

They'll be singing How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm After they've seen Paree while you roll out one of these retro sizzlers at each place setting.

Retro favor #1: How Sweet it is
Possibly the easiest and most evocative way to revive times-gone-by, retro candy will be a powerful conversation starter among those old enough to remember it (and those who aren't will pretend). We suggest old favorites like Bazooka gum, candy cigarettes, Bit'O'Honey, Necco mini rolls, Boston Baked Beans and perhaps most retro of all, Pez (plus the cute dispensers). Or you can browse (and order) candy by the decade (50s, 60s) here.

Retro favor #2: Coming up Daisies
For a perfect retro feel, pick a daisy-theme favor such as a picture frame or votive, and embellish with pink gingham ribbons. Later on, your guests might find themselves with a sudden urge to whip up giant jello concoctions and sport aprons, sensible heels and curlers.

Retro favor #3: Shaken, not Stirred
Serve quality European bonbons in mini martini glasses for a memorable blast to the past. Or cut straight to the (chocolate) chase with the chocolate martini favor.

Retro favor #4: Built for Two
That cute little black and white couple -- the Ken and Barbie of wedding cakes past -- is perfect for your trip down Memory Lane. Rather than hand out little plastic toppers, though, look for the motif in irresistible favors such as sweet retro bride and groom cookies, or one of our personal favorites, the bride and groom soap favor.

But wait, there's more ...
Let your imagination run riot. How about Elvis themed favors, such as Elvis chocolate mints (in a guitar-shaped tins) or blue Hawaii mints (in a mini surfboard)? Or a set of candles modeled after that rowdy retro pasttime, bowling? Need more ideas? How about a jukebox candle -- or a foil-wrapped chocolate "45" rpm record -- to inspire surprise and delight at your jumpin', jivin' reception.

High-End Chocolate Fountains Hit the Home Market

2005-07-26T21:05:00.000-04:00

See Sephra's home market chocolate fountains here
Click here for 30+ ideas for chocolate fountain "dipper" foods
See how our home market chocolate fountain trial turned out!

If you've priced a chocolate fountain for your wedding, you probably got hit with sticker shock. Sure, they're delightful, but with rental agencies charging $400 and more for one day's use -- which, let's face it, is a substantial fraction of the fountain's total cost -- the average bride will start sniffing around for alternatives.

Perhaps she'll find it in Sephra's new top-of-the-line "home" chocolate fountains. They're designed for smaller parties, and so would require more upkeep -- but the $250 model holds five pounds of chocolate. All you need is a devoted helper to refill periodically ... and how often does five pounds of chocolate need replacing, even at a large reception?

We're so excited about this idea ... a savvy bride can drop $250 for the five pound model or a little more for the larger versions slated to come out this summer, have the affair, and sell it on eBay to recoup her money ... unless she wants to keep it around to add bang to some future soirees. We like this idea so much we're going to test it out -- and we'll report back on how the "home model" did at a large bash. And whether we could bear to part with it after the fact. (We did report: read all about it here.)

There's a difference between the Sephra models and the cheaper ones sold on eBay, by the way. Not only are the inner workings worlds apart in terms of quality, the cheaper models are so loud as to discourage conversation around the fountain. Not so with the high-end Sephra line. At $250 or around $350 for the soon-to-be-released even larger models, you'll find the quality within reach, and the resale market seems likely to be strong.

The Bridezilla Syndrome: Do You Have It? Ten Ways to Avoid All the BS!

2005-07-25T16:35:00.000-04:00

By Gina Romanello

In a fast-paced world of wedding planning, stress levels are high; immune systems are low; and over the course of the past 20 years, brides have transmitted, what has become a bridal epidemic of our time.

The number of victims has steadily increased; and to date, there is no cure. It's been dubbed various clinical names: Multiple Personality Disorder, Schizophrenia, Temporary Insanity. But in the world of matrimony, anyone who's been exposed – fiancés, family, friends, and victims themselves -- this broadening illness has been commonly termed "Bridezilla Syndrome" or "BS."

A contagious condition, BS has become more prominent and has plagued today's busy, wedding-planning woman. In a preliminary study, the disease has spread at an alarming rate. Symptoms of victims of BS -- better known as Bridezillas -- include reoccurring mood spells, bouts with selfishness, signs of controlling behavior and feelings of meticulousness.

Unfortunately fiancés, bridal party members, friends and family eventually fall victim to the actions and attitudes of a Bridezilla.

Research suggests that symptoms are recognized most often by the fiancé and Maid of Honor, and are completely undetectable by the actual victim. In some cases, a bridal party member, who having had too much alcohol to drink, confronted the Bridezilla. Most often, an emotional, breakdown of the victim would follow, thus intensifying her condition. In a survey of 100 Maids of Honor, an alarming 85% said they avoided confrontation with the victim for fear it would only exasperate the illness.

So we must ask the underlying questions: Where is all this BS coming from? How does one know when she's full of it? Unfortunately the source has not been found, though it is believed that it has existed since the dawn of the institution of marriage. A short-term condition (symptoms persist about 1-2 years depending on one's wedding date), Bridezillas seem to have been unfairly blamed for their actions, for which some believe they have no control, albeit their control over everything else. In fact, it's been clinically proven that a Bridezilla actually does have feelings -- feelings of selfishness, insecurity, anxiousness and stress!

Though it's been said there is no cure, there are ways to prevent infection of BS. A survey of healthy brides, whom successfully planned their weddings without contracting the disease, was conducted. Results showed commonalities of the actions performed to avoid the disorder. Doctors, psychologists and wedding planners strongly suggest the following preventative therapy:

1. Keep Perspective - remind yourself that the wedding is only one day in your life. When things get out of control, close your eyes and remember the reason why you are planning this wedding in the first place.

2. Don't Assume Your Groom Doesn't Want to Help - ask him what he'd like to take responsibility for; and then let him. (note: some grooms may follow the cliché and decline this offer.)

3. Know That You Can't Control Everything - realize this and accept it!

4 Delegate. Delegate. Delegate - If you act like you can handle everything, people will let you. Spread the duties.

5. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff - people won't remember whether or not your invitations had those cute little tissues enclosed.

6. Treat The People You Cherish with Love - the wedding is one day; your family and friends are forever.

7. Allow Others to Vent - give your fiancé, family and bridesmaids permission to tell you when you're going off the deep-end.

8. Take the Heat - give yourself permission to hear them.

9. Do Something for Yourself Every Day - the catch is that it must not involve the wedding.

10. No Wedding Talk After 10pm.

Although preventative therapy is available, some brides inherently fall victim and still contract BS. But there is hope! This is not a terminal illness. In fact in most cases, the bride has been known to be miraculously cured once she has returned from her honeymoon. Doctors and psychologists theorize that the change in altitude from flying coupled with excessive levels of the love hormone, Oxytocin counteracts the disease by boosting the immune system, thus eliminating symptoms.

In cases of remission, the disease has been known to resurface when a person, under certain circumstances, may be planning her wedding again. According to research, those brides with a higher IQ score avoided the reoccurrence of symptoms by simply eloping.

Whatever your situation, whether a Bridezilla, fiancé, friend or family member of one -- join in the fight! With love, hope and education, our brides of the future and their bridal parties will have a winning chance against all the BS!

Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul NOW available at all bookstores and at discount online at amazon.com.

THE PERFECT WEDDING BEGINS WITH INSPIRATION! Romantic, humorous, touching and true. This books brings to light the true meaning of love and commitment, whether you are newly engaged, recently married or reflecting on the years of married bliss. Makes the perfect bridal shower gift!

Visit www.bridesoul.com for more information about Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul.

Footnote: Preventative Therapy of Bridezilla Syndrome provided by www.WeddingQuestions.com.

About the Author

Gina Romanello is the author of Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul.

A graduate from Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism, Gina was thrilled when given the opportunity to join the Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul team. Her temporary position turned into eight years of employment in their book production department.

Her position as Executive Administrator to Patty Hansen & Irene Dunlap has played an integral part in the compiling and marketing of Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, Christmas Treasury for Kids, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul II and Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul.

Noticing many friends and family members endure the stress of planning a wedding, Gina saw a need for Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul, a Chicken Soup title sure to comfort and enlighten a stressed-out bride planning her big day.

Contact Gina at gina@chickensoupforthebridesoul.com or visit her website http://www.bridesoul.com

10 Common Wedding Reception Mistakes

2005-07-23T11:16:00.000-04:00

by Matt Campbell

Don't make the same mistakes at your wedding as so many other brides and grooms. Every bride wants a fairytale wedding -- so this article tries to help you minimize any problems you might have at your wedding reception. Listed below are more common mistakes made by brides and grooms. We'll tell you what to do!

Don't leave early. Your guests came from near and far to see you on your wedding day. Not staying the whole time of the reception would be a slap in the face. This will be the only time most of your family and friends will be able to see you as you will be very busy with last minute preparations the days leading up to the wedding.

Set up all the tables. Your wedding vendors will need to know where to set up. Be sure there is a table for the wedding cake, music entertainment, catered food, sign-in near the entrance, gift table, tables and chairs for all your guests to eat and any other tables you may have planned for specialty items.

Pre-plan with your vendors a day or two before the wedding. Be sure all your wedding vendors know exactly what you want. Clarify times and location so you don't need to worry about them.

Don't arrive late to the reception. It is customary that guests do not start eating until the bride and groom start the food line. Be sure to get as many of your pictures taken BEFORE the wedding. There are many ways to accomplish this. One is to have the entire bride's family pictures taken. Then, have the bride return to the dressing room. Next, take pictures of the groom and his family as guests can see the groom before the wedding. This way you will not compromise the groom seeing the bride before the wedding. Therefore, all that is left after the ceremony are pictures of the happy couple.

Don't seat the "young at heart" directly in front of the music entertainment. Older generations are at a wedding typically to socialize with their family and friends. If they cannot hear each other talk, an unhappy situation may occur. So try to seat your older guests near the wedding party but away from the entertainer's speakers.

Don't have one particular type of music. There are many different types of people in the world. And yes, they include your family and friends. For example, the bride and groom may love country music. It doesn't mean you have to play country music the whole night. There is a lot of celebration music besides what you like.

Start the food line or meal as soon as possible. Guests plan their meal times the day of your wedding around your reception. Guest will not eat a big meal before your wedding because they know they will be eating at your reception. Don't starve them.

Know what it will cost you if the reception goes into overtime. Ask the reception facility exactly how long you have the hall to rent and what time you must be out. Please allow time for cleanup if you are the ones doing it. What is the overtime charge for the facility, music entertainment, photography, etc?

Greet and say hello to all your guests. Finally and most importantly, greet all your guests. Make an effort to have a conversation with each and every person. They are there to celebrate your marriage. Give them the common courtesy of thanking them for coming to your wedding.

Don't get drunk and obnoxious. Often, the only time brides and grooms eat during the wedding day rituals is at the wedding reception. There's not much food in your stomach and alcohol will affect you much faster. Try and eat throughout the day and watch how much you drink. You want your guests to remember how beautiful the bride looked, not how you acted.

About the Author

Matt Campbell is the owner and webmaster for Weddingmuseum.com. Weddingmuseum.com is a place to plan, book and rate your wedding day. You can email him at matt@weddingmuseum.com or visit www.WeddingMuseum.com.

Wedding Photography - Tips for a Wonderful Session

2005-07-21T00:22:00.000-04:00

By Juan Carlos Torres

Every couple wants wonderful photos of their wedding day that capture the celebration, details, romance and beauty. Here are a few tips for a successful photo session:

1. Hire a professional qualified wedding photographer. Don't be tempted to hire "Uncle Harry" to do your wedding photos. Focus on quality wedding photography. At the end in won't matter how much you save or spend if you end up with bad photos or no photos at all.

2. Take the time to select the best wedding photographer that you can have. Make sure that you are in agreement regarding the style of photography.

3. Don't give your wedding photographer a long list of must have photos that you printed from the Internet. You will only hinder the photographer's creativity and the capture of true spontaneous photographs. Hire a photographer with a style that you like and then give him or her artistic freedom to capture your wedding day photography.

4. If you are going to have a ceremony outdoors please plan it away from the harsh sun. Shaded areas and afternoon sunlight are best.

5. Try to have an engagement session with the same photographer that will photograph your wedding. It will allow you to interact with the photographer before your wedding day and will help the photographer evaluate your best angles.

6. Plan enough time for your photographic session. Even if the wedding photographer is good he or she won't be able to give you wonderful photos in just five minutes.

7. Take your time to do your hair and make up and to take care of all the details so you look good and fresh. The wedding day is not the time to try new makeup or a new hair look. If possible hire a professional hair and makeup artist and have a trial session before the wedding.

8. Plan your photo session for afternoon or evening light unless it is an overcast day. The light will be better and you will end up with beautiful photos. Contrary to popular belief midday sunny time is the worst time to take photos.

9. Please don't forget to rest well the day before the wedding and eat and stay hydrated during the day. If you are tired, thirsty or hungry it will show up in your photos.

10. Don't make photography of groups the entire focus of your wedding day. A few group photos are ok to record the friends and relatives at the wedding. There is nothing more boring that a wedding album full of group photos.

11. Be yourself. The goal of the wedding photographer is to capture the true you. If the photos are nice but show a fake person you won't be happy.

12. Have fun and treat the photographer like a human being. Enjoy your day, smile a lot and relax.

About the Author

Juan Carlos Torres is a respected and award-winning wedding photographer in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. He is a member of the several professional photographer organizations including the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers of Oregon, the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and the Oregon Wedding Photo Guild. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines. For a sample of his works please visit Portland Oregon Wedding Photographer and Eugene Oregon Wedding Photographer. For a discussion on wedding photography see our Blog at Oregon Wedding Photographer.

Planning Your Outdoor Wedding Reception

2005-07-18T08:46:00.000-04:00

by Randy Wilson

An outdoor wedding reception can be host to an almost unlimited number of guests and has the aura of nature that can never be duplicated in an indoor ballroom. Some of the following outdoor wedding reception ideas should help to get you started with planning this special day, including avoiding some of the dangers involved with an outdoor setting.

One of the great advantages of outdoor wedding receptions is the cost. If you have your own suitable parcel of land, you can save thousands of dollars over the rental of a reception hall. Even renting someone else's private land for the event is generally cheaper than a ballroom.

Hosting an outdoor wedding reception at a public park is not recommended because public parks are just that: public. It can be difficult to control who will and will not end up wandering around eating the hors d'oeuvres. There is plenty of private acreage for rent just about anywhere, quite suitable for a large outdoor wedding reception. This allows you more managed access to the event.

A great thing about the outdoors is that you can have games and entertainment that wouldn't be possible indoors. Outdoor games such as horseshoes and croquet are always a hit and can help to keep the younger guests occupied and out of trouble.

The one thing you simply can't control is the weather. Outdoor wedding receptions are always at risk of being caught up in a storm. Plan for rain, hope for rain, even pray for rain! This way, the worst streak of bad luck will result in a beautiful, sunny day. Set up plenty of sheltered space to ensure adequate coverage from the elements. Even if the weather stays clear, large canopy tents provide your guests with some relief from the sun.

Even when the sky is beautiful, any open space is subject to being hit by gusts of wind. Assume that anything able to blow around, will. Some things to keep in mind are tablecloths, napkins, disposable cups and plates, centerpieces, seating arrangement cards, and SCENTS from trash cans, neighboring pig farms, etc.

Supply bug spray and sunblock for your less-prepared guests. Perhaps a small booth off to one corner of the lot could be dedicated to this task. Citronella candles around the perimeter can also be quite effective in this regard.

Distribute a large number of trash receptacles throughout the outdoor wedding reception area. Guests are more likely to pick up a fluttering plate or napkin when they are near a place to discard it. You will also want hire an attendent whose sole job is to patrol the site and keep things stocked up and litter-free.

About the Author

Randy has more articles on wedding information, such as Honeymoon Vacation Ideas and Australia Honeymoon Vacations. Also has a blog: Weddings Information.

Wedding Reception Perfection: Tips and Suggestions

2005-07-16T14:57:00.000-04:00

By Ron Carpenito

Over the past years I have performed at many, many wedding receptions. From my experiences I've come up with some keys to help insure a smooth, enjoyable and trouble-free day. I'd like to share them with you.

DJ Location and Setup

Since your entertainer will need to be heard by all attending, he/she needs to be in an area that is open and visible to all. Do not hide your entertainer in a corner or in the back of the room. The music levels required to reach the dancers and guests would be most uncomfortable for those near the DJ. If you must have your entertainer in the back or corner see if the hall can provide a stage, this will help with visibility and sound quality.

The Seating Plan

Make an effort to seat older guests and young children away from the DJ area. The sound levels needed to cover the entire hall will be too loud at the source for your older guests. Young children tend to run around and could trip on equipment, wires, video light setups, etc. Seat the young adults to middle aged guests by the DJ area, they are typically not upset by the music nearby.

Most halls, without prior word from you, will set up the entertainers, videographer, and photographer in a separate room for dinner, this is inadvisable. The DJ needs to be in the hall to keep the music going during dinner and to interact with your guests. The videographer and photographer should be there as well to capture any spontaneous acts by you and your guests. If you are going to provide a meal for your professionals I recommend setting up a smaller cocktail style table (to save space) next to the DJ area for the entertainers. If a separate table is not possible then seat them at the closest table to the DJ area.

The Plan of Events

Your entertainer should finalize your plan of events in a reference style format for you and your event professionals. This reference sheet should also be shared with your wedding party during your rehearsal dinner. This way everyone in the wedding party will have an idea of what will be happening the next day.

Party On!

With any wedding the main focus will be on the bride, groom, and wedding party. It is imperative that these key players are in the room, and together at all times. Should the bar be located far from the dance floor, or in another room more often than not the groom and ushers will congregate there. This leaves bridesmaids without dance partners (which is sometimes how they like it!). Keep this in mind if your hall gives you an option as to the location of a mobile bar. Position the bar as close to the dance floor area as possible.

Everyone loves children, however children's behavior (running, sliding, jumping) can effect your dance floor environment. Ask your function hall if there is an area (photo room, separate room) that is available to you. Ask a friend, family member or even a baby sitter to monitor the kids, help them with their meals, and entertain them with games, stories, and activities. This will give their parents a chance to relax and really enjoy the evening knowing their children are being taken care of. Plus you'll be saving the dance floor for the dancers!

It's great to give your DJ a list of your favorite selections to play. However, sometimes your favorites are not the ones that will move your dance floor. Give your DJ the flexibility he/she needs to work in your guest's requests, sure hit selections, and your personal favorites. Have confidence in your entertainer. Since they have played to many audiences they are best qualified to find the right mix to motivate you and your guests.

The night is a success and there is only one hour left. This is the time to let the entertainer know that you wish to extend the services. This way they can tailor the music accordingly. Also, be sure to check with your function coordinator and other professionals on their charges and requirements for time extensions.

Changing At The End

Should you decided to change clothes before your last dance, you should determine ahead of time how long it will take, then plan to be changed and ready 15 minutes before the end of the event. This will give you time for your last song (4-6 minutes) and time to say good-bye and thank you to your friends and guests (9-11 minutes).

About the Author
Article Written by Ron Carpenito, DJ and owner of http://www.WeddingMusicUSA.com - a Nationwide Web Directory of Disc Jockeys, Live Wedding Bands, Classical Ensembles, and Wedding Soloists/Vocalists.

Win a Free Wedding

2005-07-12T15:04:00.000-04:00

Interested in an all-expenses paid New York City wedding + reception for fifty guests, followed by a free seven-day honeymoon in the Bahamas?

Send in the sweetest essay to M&M's(r) Chocolate Candy and you might be the lucky couple.

Entry involves a brief 300 word story of your romance, a digital photo showing your "fun loving nature," and a favorite M&M's memory, as well as a "fun, creative" ten word phrase that will be incorporated into the vows.

Celebrity wedding designer David Tutera, known for high-wattage weddings ranging from Star Jones to Jennifer Lopez, will plan the affair.

Learn more here, but don't wait long -- entries close July 23rd.

Planning an Outdoor Wedding? Don't Forget the Details

2005-07-12T09:35:00.000-04:00

(ARA) - An outdoor wedding is a dream for many couples, and there are a variety of locations to consider -- scenic landmarks, historic estates, parks, the beach, or even your own backyard. Getting married outside in the sunshine, surrounded by the beauty of nature and your friends and family, makes for a lovely celebration.

But hosting an outdoor wedding takes planning, forethought and attention to details. For example, you can't take things like running water, bathrooms or electricity for granted. To ensure a successful event, be sure you know what's available at the venue you have chosen and ask specific questions about hosting a large event there. Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you plan your special day.

Outdoors Doesn't Have to Mean Roughing It

Treat your outdoor wedding as you would any first-class event, and make the comfort of your guests your first priority. After all, you want people to remember how beautiful the bride was, not how bad the mosquitoes were.

Walk through the event from start to finish making sure you've taken care of all the details. Begin with the invitations; make it clear that guests understand they're attending an outdoor wedding, so they can dress appropriately. Make it easy for them to reach your location. If there is no convenient parking at the site, consider having guests park in a nearby lot and shuttling them over. Also make sure that the site is accessible, especially for elderly guests and others with limited mobility.

Consider renting a tent for both the ceremony and the reception. Having a tent adds a touch of glamour to an outdoor event, and it means that your guests won't be scrambling for cover if it rains. A tent also provides welcome shade on a warm, sunny day.

The Comforts of Home

Make sure you'll have access to the amenities you'll need for a successful event. You'll probably need electricity (for the caterers, the DJ, fans or lighting, etc.), which is not usually found in nature. Find out if you need to rent a generator and mobile air conditioning or heating.

Are there restrooms available? If not, you'll want to rent portable restrooms. Before visions of Port-a-Potties fill your head, you'll be happy to know that a new generation of mobile restrooms is available to provide luxury accommodations for you and your guests.

Kohler, a leader in plumbing products design, offers mobile restrooms featuring amenities like porcelain lavatory sinks and toilets, chrome faucets and luxurious trim and finish materials such as cherry wood and marble. Tasteful artwork, music, air-conditioning and full-length mirrors are also part of all restrooms, which can be powered by Kohler generators if there is no source of electricity onsite, making them perfect for outdoor weddings.

The mobile restrooms are available in 24-foot and 32-foot units, and include separate male and female suites. Kohler Event Services takes care of all the details, including delivery, hookup, on-site service and removal. "These luxury mobile restrooms are designed to offer the ultimate in functionality, privacy and comfort," said Steve Hoffmann, product manager for Kohler Event Services. "One of our roles is also to help our customer determine how many portable restrooms they'll need. We have a formula that helps determine the right number of restrooms, and that's based on variables such as the number of guests, the ratio of males to females, whether alcohol will be served, and the duration of the event."

Food and Drink

Be sure the professionals you hire have outdoor experience. Your decision to have an outdoor wedding may limit your menu choices, as caterers need to provide foods and food displays that keep well under warm conditions. Alcohol is dehydrating. Make sure there are nonalcoholic beverages available to quench people's thirst on a hot day.

Relax and Enjoy

Knowing that you've done all you can to plan makes it easy for you to enjoy your special day.

Kohler Event Services has six offices and more than 80 service locations throughout the United States. For more information on Kohler's luxury portable restrooms, visit www.KohlerEventServices.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Affordable Centerpieces for Your Wedding Reception

2005-07-05T16:40:00.000-04:00

By Mia LeCron

When it comes to decorating your reception tables, the centerpieces for each table play a major role in setting the tone and style of your wedding. They will be one of the major focal point for your guests while they are eating their meal, and spectacular or unique centerpieces can add an element of sophistication or surprise to your event.

The most established kind of centerpiece is flowers and it is the most expected. There are literally hundreds of floral centerpiece designs, from tall lilies to tightly packed roses.

You should really shop around and check out different wedding supply shops and online specialists to see the different possibilities, and look at the varying prices. You must also remember that you will need a centerpiece for every table, so it could get expensive if you are planning to invite a large guest list.

For a cheaper option, buy the flowers yourself from a wholesaler, and produce simple displays such as six tulips in a glass vase. You could also use the bridesmaids' bouquets as centerpieces to really get the best value out of them.

Believe it or not, this happens all the time. Instead of fresh cut flowers, consider using potted plants as centerpieces. You can decorate terracotta pots and pick plants that flower in co-coordinating colors to your scheme.

These centerpieces will last long after the day has finished, and provide a lovely gift for those you would like to give them to.

Popular alternatives to floral centerpieces include candles and fruit. Candles are a wonderful way of creating an air of romance and enchantment for your wedding, and look particularly effective if your venue is dimly lit. However, if you plan to hold your reception in the afternoon, with plenty of natural daylight, candles may not produce the appropriate dramatic effect.

You could purchase candelabras for each table for an elegant look, or consider the less formal appearance of floating candles in a large glass bowl.

You must ensure that any holders or bowls you use are heat-resistant, and also check with your venue for any restrictions they may have on the use of naked flames.

Fruit is a nice and decorative choice, and can also be eaten later in the evening! Other edible choices include candy, chocolate lollipops or Hershey's Kisses. Use your imagination to display whatever treats you choose in an exciting way, using glitter, streamers or balloons.

You can be as original as you like when it comes to your centerpieces, and you could choose something really personal such as hand-written poems or family photographs in ornate picture frames.

If you are having a themed wedding, create a unique centerpiece that reflects the wedding motif. A wonderful centerpiece for an oriental themed wedding is a bonsai tree, or large origami creations. Anything that matches your theme is best.

About the Author
Mia LaCron is the founder of Cut-Wedding-Costs.info - http://www.cut-wedding-costs.info - devoted to helping individuals live out the wedding of their dreams on a realistic budget they can afford.

Unique Beach Wedding Themes

2005-07-05T16:38:00.000-04:00

By Cindy English

If you are considering a beach wedding, the ideas are as endless as your imagination!

One thing about choosing a beach wedding theme is that it allows you total creative freedom. Depending on the time of day, the beach can set the mood. At sunrise or sunset, it is a place of serenity, beauty and romance. Mid-day, it is the hub of excitement, activity, and fun. By nature, a beautiful scene has already been set for you. There is no need for many decorations! Are you planning an intimate wedding with just a few guests? Let the beach help you set the stage for your romantic wedding ideas with a dawn or dusk seaside ceremony. The sunrise or sunset will provide a spectacular background for your wedding photos.

On the other hand, if you want to "tell the world" and have a large gathering of people, consider a mid-summer day "beach-side bash" or fantasy beach wedding that includes your guests. That's the fun part of a beach wedding - your guests can participate. Everyone has fun!

Here are a few ideas to get you started...

* Be Cinderella with your Prince Charming. Have him place the "glass slipper" that fits on your foot as a symbol of your perfect union. You could hire a professional sand sculptor to build a beautiful sand castle as a background for your fairytale theme. Leave in a horse drawn carriage.

* Have a Pirate Wedding. Rent costumes and decorate with treasure chests fake gold coins and jewelry. Have a real treasure hunt. When you leave, sail off into the sunset.

* How about an "I Dream of Jeannie" beach wedding theme? Decorate with pretty, colorful bottles in the sand like the one she was found in. At the end of the day, disappear in a cloud of smoke!

* A Western beach wedding theme would be fun! Many beaches allow horseback riding. The reception could be a good old fashioned fireside "camp out" under the stars. Leave on horseback.

* Have a Rainbow Wedding. Create a rainbow to wed under out of brightly colored helium filled balloons tied together. Hold them down with the "pots of gold" at each end. Have everyone bring a colored umbrella to decorate the aisle with. Great back plan up in case it rains!

* Butterfly weddings are popular. Shades of yellow and orange with butterflies woven amongst the flowers in your tiara and bouquet would be beautiful. Use butterflies as boutonnieres for the guys.

* A Surfing theme would be neat. Of course surf boards and "The Beach Boys" come to mind here!

By the way...

Don't rule out you beach wedding ideas because you don't live near an ocean. The definition of a "beach" is - "the shore of a body of water, especially if sandy or pebbly". That includes lakes and rivers. For that matter, you may have a "beach" right by your swimming pool. There are no rules. Be creative!

It is your beach wedding...it can be anything you want it to be - wherever you want it to be! Most of all...have fun!

About the Author
Cindy English is the publisher of:

Beach-Wedding-Themes.com
Beach wedding themes full of fun, fantasy and romance!

All-Florida-Beach-Weddings.com
Plan your wedding celebration in Paradise!

Planning Your Wedding Reception

2005-06-29T23:24:00.000-04:00

By Mia LeCron

Great deals can be found when you know how much money you are working with. It really doesn't matter how small your budget is for the reception because all budgets can be accommodated.

Your reception budget should consist of approximately 30% of your wedding budget or more. Most wedding receptions are so expensive due to the fact of providing meals, decorations, hall rentals etc.

For the purposes of this article, I will give two different examples of common receptions and an idea for cutting costs on the food and drinks as well as give you the best tips for throwing your reception on a budget.

Renting a Hall

If you prefer to rent a hall or space for your reception, you must consider many things before making this decision. You will have to think of the prices for the hall rental, the cost of using their servers (most halls include servers in price and they are not negotiable), decorations, flowers, meals, drinks etc.

When you wish to rent a hall for your reception there are some things that the hall will include in your rental that you can't avoid paying for such as: servers, decorations, and wine. However, some halls will give you the option to pick and choose the extras that you want.

Depending on the type of hall that you choose to rent, the costs can vary greatly. For example, if you rent a large hall, you could pay more than if you rented a legion hall.

You might also want to consider that if you are starting with a small budget, that renting a hall might not be worth the effort and money, or it may leave you with less options.

There are a few tips when renting a hall that could keep a great deal of your costs down. Let's take a look at them.

1. You should only consider renting a hall if you have invited 50 or more people to your reception.

2. When renting a hall, you have to decide if you are opting for a cash bar or an open bar. A good compromise is to purchase a few cases of beer on your own and host a cash bar for those who want mixed drinks if you are trying to keep costs down.

3. Rent a hall that you can decorate yourself.

4. If you must have servers, rent a hall that includes servers in the price of the rental or go with a hall that lets you bring your own.

5. Choose a hall that will cater to whatever your needs or budget is.

6. When it comes to the food, you should go with a hall that will allow you to bring your own food if you would prefer to not pay extra for catering.

7. Serving vegetable and fruit trays, as well as finger foods such as finger sandwiches will be of great value in accommodating vegetarians.

8. Opting for a casual reception will allow you to serve your food buffet style which will be predominantly cheaper.

9. Opting to tell people to forego giving you a wedding gift and serve a completely cash bar is a great way to accommodate guests and recover some of the money for the hall.

10. Opt for non-weekend dates, because these are not peak hours for the hall and the prices may be cheaper.

11. You should choose to host your event during the winter for the best rates.

12. Negotiate a special discount by paying cash instead of credit card. Most reception halls will do this.

13. Choose to go with a non-dinner reception offering instead snack foods and munchables.

Hosting a wedding reception at a hall does not have to cost through the nose if you know how to get around the basics which I have just mentioned.

Most people would like to host their reception at a reception hall because they feel that it is more elegant than hosting it outdoors; however, this is not always the case. Sometimes, hosting your event outdoors is more fun and it is also much cheaper.

About the Author
Mia LaCron is the founder of Cut-Wedding-Costs.info - http://www.cut-wedding-costs.info - devoted to helping individuals live out the wedding of their dreams on a realistic budget they can afford.

The Second Time - Another White Wedding?

2005-06-29T23:20:00.000-04:00

By Elena Masters

That first wedding was a dream, a gorgeous long white wedding dress, a beautiful church, luscious bridesmaids and the groom in tails. Plus all the trimmings and a heavenly reception and a great honeymoon.

Upsetting as it is, at least 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. But we don't give up do we? Some 80 percent of us marry again. Hopefully, we're a little wiser, a little more experienced and a little more sensible the second time. And a little more relaxed.

The formal, traditional white wedding is not only expensive, it can be incredibly stressful despite the power of our dreams and fantasies and the years we spent imagining just how it would be. For most, the second time isn't seen as particularly suitable for a traditional white wedding.

While many of us settle for a simple exchange of vows and a much less formal party for friends and relatives, you may want to consider a couple delightful alternatives.

Remember, a second wedding is still a wedding. You and your other are making a real and significant commitment to a life together. It deserves to be marked off from the more mundane events of everyday life.

Events that are significant markers in our lives are normally weighted with significance by traditions, unusual activities, special psychological and social meanings. This makes them stand out and marks transitions from one phase of our life to a new phase. Anthropologists call them rites of passage and weddings are a prime example.

One lovely new development has been the growth of both theme weddings and destination weddings. They can be especially well suited to the second wedding. Theme weddings can be nearly anything you can conceive of - from medieval with antique styled Gothic wedding dresses to the extremely casual styles associated with a beach wedding. You can truly let your imagination run riot. For you and your guests it can offer an absolutely unique experience that will be remembered forever.

Alternatively, destination weddings can be of any type. While the basic idea is that it takes place in some beautiful, exotic or historical setting, far from your day-to-day life, you can arrange for anything from a full-blown white wedding to a small cozy informal exchange of vows outdoors in a natural setting so lovely that no added frills are necessary.

Normally, a destination wedding combines the elements of the wedding and the honeymoon. You are already out of your daily existence. You've chosen a place you've always wanted to go. And you've shared it with those close to you. For your guests this is also an opportunity to enjoy a break from their day-to-day and combine the pleasure of being with you when you marry and a great vacation.

While I'm a great fan of the destination wedding, it can become complicated and you need to carefully check out all the details, from the local wedding laws to just who will marry you, where and how. Even within the US, laws vary significantly from state to state. For foreign destinations please don't jump into without doing your research.

You can find wedding planners, travel agents, resorts and hotels that can greatly ease the problems of organizing from a distance. Many resorts and hotels offer packages that include these services or can recommend local resources. Do not neglect checking references.

Obviously, economics play a significant role. You'll need to consider just what you can really afford and just what your guests can afford. Of course, it's always possible to make a destination wedding just the two of you. Sometimes an elopement is the best solution - and then the whole thing from beginning to end can be a dreamy honeymoon.

Whatever your dream, you don't need to feel limited any longer by outmoded traditions and ancient etiquette. There's a new freedom we are all reaching for and it includes the option of structuring the important events in our lives to be more personally relevant and meaningful. From the wedding itself to the type and style of wedding dress, alternatives have grown incredibly in this new age. Why not make your marriage an expression of your uniqueness?

About the Author

Elena manages http://www.All-Wedding-Dresses.com with articles and resources about weddings and, particularly, all kinds of wedding dresses from traditional white wedding to maternity and theme wedding styles.

The Modern Bridesmaid Has Style!

2005-06-29T23:17:00.000-04:00

by Sher Matsen

It's a whole new day, and there is a whole new look for bridesmaids. It's a welcome change from the past years. At it's not just the bridesmaids look that has gotten a facelift, the brides are sporting a whole new look too.

Traditional wedding gowns and traditional white will always be a choice. That's a tradition that's just not going to disappear. And that's okay. But the choices now available for the modern bride are welcome change, allowing those creative juices to flow, and one's own personality to stand out.

The history of the bridesmaids attire is quite interesting. In past centuries brides wore elaborate colorful gowns, and bridesmaids wore similar gowns. This was to disguise the bride and protect her from being kidnapped by evil spirits. By the Victorian era things had changed producing brides that wanted to stand out in the crowd. Thus the formal elaborate white wedding gown entered the wedding fashion scene. However the bridesmaids attire didn't change, remaining bold and frilly.

Well this century bridesmaids have a lot more to say about what they wear. Not only have the traditional dresses taken on a more sophisticated and elegant look. Many brides now let their bridesmaids choose their own dress based on the chosen color scheme. All bridesmaids weren't created equal. By allowing them to choose a dress that flatters them, you have happier bridesmaids and better photo ops.

Gowns and dresses worn by the modern bridesmaid are often functional enough for other formal events and gatherings. A much smarter alternative to the expensive gown that's worn once then buried deep in the closet never to be seen again. We all remember wearing one of those "awful" dresses at some point.

There are also no longer fast and set rules on how many bridesmaids you must have. The size of your wedding often relates to how many attendants, and these days the choice is entirely up to you. Tradition has gone out the window, a pleasing thought for many future brides. You can even have more than one maid of honor if you wish. The rules you must play by are your own rules.

The same new rules apply to your flower girl[s] and ring bearer[s] -- choose more than one, have only one, have one of each. The best age range for this very important little people's job is between 5 and 7. Younger children have a harder time staying focused. Now if you don't mind if they mess up a little bit, then by all means you can choose a younger child. After all they can be a great source of amusement! Older children will also be thrilled to be chosen to man the guestbook or help guests. It makes them feel extra special.

The more bridesmaids you have the more coordination and communication your going to have to take care of. Remember you'll have plenty of issues to deal with from dresses, to nails, to hair, to jewelry. So don't choose more bridesmaids than you think you can handle. This is supose to be a happy time for you and stress doesn't make a person happy.

Forget the old theory that if you don't include everyone that's close to you, there will be hard feelings. Most women have outgrown this childish thought pattern, and recognize that the modern bride has tough choices to make to stay within budget and fulfill her special day. Sometimes a future bride just has too many close friends to have them all in the wedding party. Relax! Invite them to the wedding, and if you want ask them to do special favors such as perhaps your nails or your hair, depending on their own unique talents.

The maid of honor has a role to play besides in the wedding party. She needs to be the brides right arm and help with any wedding tasks she can. She can help select the wedding gown, get the invitations in order, arrange a wedding shower, help with choosing a reception location, help decorate, or even help prepare the food. The duties that can be assigned to your made of honor are endless, just be sure not to overwhelm her with too many requests. Your maid of honor is like the brides personal first aid kit. Ready to fix anything that's broken.

Bridesmaids also play an important role by planning the bridal shower, preparing munchies, cake, or sandwiches for the shower. They are also there to support and help the bride whenever they can.

For the modern bride these are happy times, choices are endless, you can make your fashion statement and let your bridesmaid's make theirs. No more having to follow traditions unless you want to. Planning the perfect wedding has never been easier!

About the Author

Sher from Estate Jewelry International have been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.

Bridal Hair Stylist Goes Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

2005-06-24T19:27:00.000-04:00

By Perriann Rodriguez

You are locked in your seat on the most famous roller coaster in the world, the Cyclone in Brooklyn, New York. Your fiance is right next to you, both of you dressed in wedding attire. As you go up the steep climb the preacher, who is seated behind you, begins reading your vows. At the pinnacle of the climb, you are pronounced Mr. and Mrs., only to let out a loud scream as you plummet almost 60 miles per hour at a 60 degree incline. On the second time around, your hair stylist, who is seated next to the preacher, reaches over and fixes a few hairs that have fallen out of place in your fancy bridal updo ...

Okay, so the hair stylist didn't actually sit behind you next to the preacher, but other than a few other minor details this is a true story for Gretchen Maurer, an on-location wedding day hair and make-up specialist. She has been taken to many places throughout New England from Connecticut to Pennsylvania, Newport, Rhode Island, Manhattan and New York State with her bridal clients, including many different venues such as the Cyclone roller coaster, Bed & Breakfast Inns, small homes, even elaborate country clubs.

There are many important qualities that a top wedding hair stylist must have in order to have a thriving bridal beauty business which includes satisfied bridal clients. These include being flexible, being able to determine face shape and designing a hair style to suit, knowing the latest trends and fashions, continuous training and education in formal hair styling, being on-time and also having the ability to assess a women's overall image.

Maurer began doing bridal hair right in hairdressing school in the early 80's. "I loved the sculpturing, balance and texture that bridal hair design challenges me with," she says. "The key to being successful in the bridal business," says Maurer "is the ability to read a woman's style and face shape so that I can design a balanced look for the total image and balance the bride from head to toe." Maurer first looks at pictures of the bride's dress, considers the time of day of the wedding, then she moves on to face shape, ethnic heritage, personal image, hair type and length, headpiece and puts it all together in a fabulous bridal hair style designed specifically for each individual bride.

Face shape knowledge is very important for a hair stylist. Maurer says, "I have a new bride coming up who has a heart shape face. This means a broad forehead and temple area with a small chin. Plus she is very petite. So a low chignon in the back is a perfect balance for her." Maurer adds, "Height will come from her tiara and veil." Face shape is used in the hair style selection process since one style may look great on someone who has an oval face, but simply awful on someone with a square face. This is also an important factor for brides who bring in hair style photos they like from magazines. Some stylists will simply create the hair style for you, disregarding the fact that the photo, for example, may show a model with a heart face shape, and you may have a round face shape.

Maurer recommends that her clients bring in sample photos of hair styles that they like, along with any other photos such as photos of brides dresses, headpieces, tiaras, etc. so that she can get an overall sense of the brides likes and dislikes. From there she can design a hair style that suits the bride's overall image. Staying in tune with fashion trends and styles that her clients like is very important in the overall bridal look.

The age of the bride is also very important in the design of the bridal style. A bridal hair style will be very different for women in their 30's or 40's compared to women in their 20's. Maurer says, "I have a freelance team of hair stylists that I work with and I always try to give the younger bridesmaids to the younger hair stylists."

Maurer has expanded her bridal business beyond the salon in her website, www.weddinghair.com by offering a broad spectrum of wedding hairstyles designs and hair lengths and textures that the bride can pick out and order a hair kit. The hair kit is simply the hairstyle photographed step by step with directions and many after shots. Some brides will try to do the hairstyle themselves, some will have a friend or family member do it and some will take the hair kit to the salon and have a professional stylist do the wedding hair style. Maurer says, "Brides, for the most part have never been a bride. They need help choosing a look and www.weddinghair.com is designed to do just that. The hairstyles represent a broad spectrum of designs and hair lengths and textures. My articles also provide useful information. It is a one of its kind website."

In short, selecting your wedding hair stylist is an important part of creating your overall wedding look. Gretchen Maurer, and her website www.weddinghair.com , gives us insight into what a successful wedding hair stylist goes thru for each bridal client and what you should look for in selecting your stylist.

Gretchen Maurer is the author of The Business of Bridal Beauty, published by Milady Publishing. She is creator and owner of www.weddinghair.com Maurer's articles and hairstyles have been published in numerous publications and web sites including The Knot, www.NewYorkMetroWeddings.com , Modern Bride, Modern Salon, Passion, American Salon, WeddingBells, Bridal Star Hairstyles and Teen Star Hairstyles. Brides Magazine has awarded www.weddinghair.com as the "Best Beauty Web Site."

About the Author

Author Perriann Rodriguez is the founder of Hair Resources, http://www.hairresources.com and http://www.hairresources.net , a global website for current hair styles, hair extension info, beauty salons and everything else related to hair. She has published the number one best selling E-book, 2005's Most Popular Hair Extensions, and also the E-Magazine, Wedding Hair Styles. Rodriguez is listed in the United States Register of American Writers and the 2004 Who's Who of Business and Professionals.

How to Save Money on Wedding Photography

2005-06-24T19:22:00.000-04:00

By Jessica Bonilla

All brides want that one photograph that perfectly captures the wedding day. But to get it, you have to hire a skilled photographer--and unfortunately, they usually cost several thousand dollars. Here are some tips to cropping your photography budget down to size:

1. Post an ad in the art department at a local college or university for a photographer. You'd be surprised at the talent and skill available--and for a lot less. Just be prepared to assemble your album from the developed photos.

2. Lose the prints and go digital. Many photographers now offer this as an option; so instead of getting proofs/prints you can get your 'photos' on CD. Then check out an online photo editor/developer like Shutterfly for printed photos. (Shutterfly even offers the first 15 prints free for signing up--so you can try it risk free.)

3. Make your own wedding album. Depending on your photographer and the number of photo taken you can save hundreds (or more) by putting together your own album.

4. Reduce the number of hours you'll need a photographer. For example, instead of having the photographer follow you around while you're running to the salon to get your hair done, have your bridesmaids snap those photos.

5. Forego the photographer at your reception and provide disposable cameras for your guests. You'll get a better variety of pictures because the guests will be sure to take some photos of each other--and not just the bride and groom. (Trust me, this is a good thing. You'll get tired of sorting through hundreds of pictures of yourself that all look the same.)

About the Author

Jessica Bonilla is the owner and editor of http://www.e-wedding-planner.com/ -- the source that makes online wedding planning a lot easier.

Help is Here for Your Wedding Ceremony

2005-06-24T19:13:00.000-04:00

By Mia LeCron

When it comes to your wedding services, nobody wants to spend too much and yet have to foot the bill for the reception. Really, it all depends on where you want to your wedding to be and what type of service that you are hoping to have.

There is a way to satisfy all types of weddings as long as you know what your options are. Let's take a look at the different types of ceremonies that you can choose from that can save you a great deal of money.

Church Ceremony

When you want your ceremony to be in a church, you will often have to pay for the rental and the priest or minister to perform the ceremony.

Some churches will decorate for you while others will not. If this is an issue, be sure to ask first. How much money you will pay for the ceremony will vary and will depend on how the policies of the church.

Here are some tips on how you can save money on a church ceremony.

Look for a church that offers complete services or all inclusive packages rather than separate fees
Try to bargain deals for outdoor weddings
Rent the church alone and hire your own minister
Have your services on a day where there are no church services because it may be cheaper
Decorate the church yourself
Offer to volunteer at the church for awhile in exchange for a discount
You can save some money by hosting your ceremony in the church basement rather than in the worship center.
Churches will often offer more inexpensive prices if you are a member of the church.

Outdoor Ceremony

You can save a great deal of money by hosting your ceremony outside like in a beautiful park, at the beach, on a hilltop or even in your yard.

Of course, having the ceremony in your backyard is the cheapest. Here are some of the formalities that go with having an outdoor ceremony that can save you money all around.

The best way is to have the service in your backyard
Choose an open public forum that does not generally have a great deal of people trying to access it, and get the right permits etc. beforehand
Opting for an ordained minister rather than a priest etc. is often cheaper. Just be sure to check that whoever you choose can legally perform wedding ceremonies in your area.
You can forego the chairs and have the guests standing as long as you host a short ceremony. A nice white or themed linen on the ground for guests to stand on is an elegant touch
When going with outdoor ceremony, people often opt for the portable arch because it is easy to transport and just as elegant
Of course, you can always host your ceremony at city hall and save your money for the reception. Record the ceremony and host a viewing during the reception

Outdoor ceremonies open the door to many themes that can greatly reduce the cost of your wedding and reception. Hawaiian themes and beach themes can help you save money on formal wear, and decorations and so on, because people having an outdoor wedding are often casually or island dressed.

It makes the ceremony more comfortable for the guests too, because they are also dressed casually.

Outdoor ceremonies can immediately switch from ceremony to reception which saves some extra money on travel fees too, such as limos etc. The Hawaiian theme will be a great way to have a luau or pig roast reception. You might want to consider a theme that lets you have a picnic for your reception party or a beach party or bonfire, but I will get into themes in more detail in a later section.

All of these tips were designed to help you find deals and discounts. You can also choose to have your ceremony at a courthouse or city hall building; record the services and play the recording during your reception instead. It is a nice way to share your vows with your friends and family without spending a fortune on the ceremony.

Wedding Chapel

When most people think of wedding chapels they think of Las Vegas style chapels, but that is not all that chapels are. If you are a religious person, it is very easy to solve the question of a wedding chapel because you can choose to get married in your usual place of worship.

This may be a church, synagogue, mosque or other religious temple. However, if you have not had a religious upbringing, are marrying someone of a different religion or culture, or simply would rather select a different venue, it is important to discover what wedding chapel options are open to you.

If you would still like a ceremony in the style of a particular religion, most chapels have a host of different officiates who can provide the appropriate wedding ceremony to suit your own specific needs.

The majority of wedding chapels are designed in the style of churches. Most couples seek this traditional type of scene, even if they do want a non-denominational ceremony.

Chapels advertise features, such as stained glass windows, oak flooring, historical buildings, chandeliers and more. If you would prefer a modern building, it is possible to find chapels that are less traditional, such as those that are located in art galleries but you will need to research them well if you want to get a good deal.

Wedding chapels come in various sizes, and you must calculate how many guests will require seating at your wedding before committing to a particular chapel.

The majority of chapels seat between a hundred and a hundred and fifty guests, but there is one to suit every size of wedding. In Las Vegas, for example, there are chapels just large enough for the Bride, Groom, officiate and witness.

The location of your wedding chapel is key. There are numerous choices in cities and towns, but you may opt for a more natural or dramatic position. There are wedding chapels located anywhere from the Smoky Mountains to Hawaiian beaches, from Lake Tahoe to Disneyland!

If you have connections to the military, you could consider holding your wedding in a military chapel on a military base. There are long waiting lists for these facilities, but they are usually free (except a charitable donation).

Some facilities offer a choice of chapel depending on your religion, and it is possible to find Protestant, Catholic and Jewish chapels. However, there may be restrictions on decoration or numbers of guests.

There is also a vast array of novelty, or themed, wedding chapels springing up everywhere these days. The first themed chapels originated in Las Vegas, but it is now possible to find outlandish chapel designs anywhere.

Aside from the ubiquitous Elvis chapels, there are options such as a neon wedding at the luminous chapel in New Orleans, or a Cowboy chapel in Nevada. Try to incorporate the theme into other aspects of your wedding, such as your attire, the music and food. Some chapels even supply costumes for the guests which can really make your day a great deal of fun.

About the Author

Mia LaCron is the founder of Cut-Wedding-Costs.info - http://www.cut-wedding-costs.info - devoted to helping individuals live out the wedding of their dreams on a realistic budget they can afford.

Wedding Receiving Line Etiquette -- Greeting Your Guests with Style

2005-06-22T20:17:00.000-04:00

by Jean Bachcroft

Even though it's a great tradition with a long history, some couples choose not to greet their guests in a receiving line fearing that this might take too long. Frank Gregoli, a top New York party planner says realistically, one should allow 30 minutes for every 100 people in the line. If this time allotment fits within your plans and you'd like to be certain that you personally welcome and thank each of your guests, read on.

Know the Basics

Being familiar with the basics of what a receiving line is all about will immediately help you to feel comfortable with this elegant formality.

Exactly when and where the receiving line is formed is really based upon your particular situation. In general, people like to form their line either in the vestibule right after the ceremony or at the entrance to the reception area.

With the exception of the groom, this is really a lady's affair. Here's the lineup: first in line is the bride's mother, followed by the bride, the groom and, next to him, his mother.

Dads, groomsmen, bridesmaids, and children in the wedding party generally are not a part of the receiving line. If for some reason you choose to include any of these people, keep in mind that every person you add will cause the line to proceed slower.

Short and Sweet

Once everyone is in position, the rule should be to keep greetings brief yet warm and sincere. This will avoid a bottleneck. If there is time before your wedding day, review your list of guests with the groom and parents. A little homework never hurts.

Since your mother and you are the first in line, it's expected that relatives and friends of his side of the family will introduce themselves to each of you. As your relatives and friends proceed, you should introduce them to the groom and his mother.

Include the Pleasantries

Consider adding a few pleasantries if your receiving line will not be in a house of worship. This will liven up everyone's mood, get conversations going, and make waiting in line easier for your guests. For instance, you could:

Include music—Have the band or your dj positioned close enough so that there is music in the background. Plan ahead though. You don't want to have to take time to make these arrangements at the last moment.

Pass the tray—Ask your caterer to set hors d'oeuvres and champagne on a table nearby or have a waiter offer these on a tray.

Receiving Guests Like a Pro

There are always instances where, for one reason or another, a person's name is not ready to roll off your tongue. You can handle these moments as if you've been in receiving lines all your life by saying something like: "I'm so glad you came. (Groom's name) and I hope you'll have a wonderful time." Or you could say, "It's great to see you again. Please say hello to my husband, (Groom's name)." Or "Thank you so much for coming. (Groom's name) and I feel lucky to be with so many good friends."

Keeping these simple ideas in mind will help you look and feel like a savvy new bride.

About the Author

Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director, 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, you can visit her web sites at http://bachcroft.com and at http://alohalabels.com. For shopping bargains from around the world, visit http://townandcountryshoppingbargains.com.

Selecting Men's Formalwear For The Wedding

2005-06-20T09:58:00.000-04:00

By Rose Smith

Have you ever noticed that weddings seem to be all about the bride? There's information available for the wedding dress, shoes, makeup and accessories. But...what about the groom and his ushers? After all, they need to wear something to the wedding too!

So, what should the groom (and his attendants) be wearing to a wedding? In most cases, it depends on the time of day that the wedding is to take place. If the wedding is to be a very formal evening affair, a tuxedo is required. For a morning or afternoon wedding, the attire of the men will depend more upon a combination of preferance and the type of wedding theme you've chosen.

For example, the groom should not be showing up in a formal black tuxedo for a wedding on the beach. A lightweight and lighter color suit would be more appropriate. If you're planning a very casual wedding, then lightweight dress pants, shirt, tie (optional) and blazer would be appropriate as well.

The groom, father-of-the-bride, and groomsmen should all visit a professional formalwear shop for guidance and information on the type of attire that is available. Most men don't realize just how many decisions go into choosing a wedding suit or tuxedo. You'll need to choose from single-breasted and double-breasted jackets; collars that are peaked, notched or shawl; cummerbund or vest; bow tie, ascot (these are double-knot ties with ends folded over) or a casual tie.

Also, it's very important that everything coordinates with the attire of the bride and bridesmaids, so make sure you know exactly what they will be wearing and the colors chosen. (Take a fabric sample or a picture of the dresses).

Unless you plan on attending a lot of formal occassions after the marriage, most men are better off renting their formalwear as opposed to buying it. There are a lot of men's stores that carry large selections of wedding attire and they will do alterations on rented suits. However, before you rent anything, make sure you know what comes with the package. Do you need to buy the cummerbund and/or vest? Are the shoes included? What about the tie and shirt? Make sure you get a written receipt that states what is and is not included in the rental.

The groom and other gentlemen should be measured for their suits approximately three months before the wedding. For any groomsmen who live out of town, they can go to a local shop for measurements, then send the information to the groom so he can set up the rental. Please make sure your ushers understand that they are not to make their own rental arrangements in another city. You will have no way of knowing if they actually picked the correct suit, color, or accessories until they show up for the wedding, at which point you will have one very unhappy bride - not a good thing!

The groom should look after all the rental arrangements at one store only. Any groomsmen coming from out of town should arrive at least 2 to 3 days before the wedding for final measurements in case there needs to be last minute alterations done.

Most rentals can be picked up a day or two in advance. Check the suits/tuxedos over carefully before leaving the store with them. Look for any stains, rips, snags or possible cigarette burns. Everyone should try their suit on to be sure it fits properly and the length of the pants and jacket sleeves are correct. Be sure to wear the shoes you will be wearing at the wedding for this. Check the cuffs and collar for frayed material, and make the jackets don't have any buttons missing.

After the wedding, the bestman usually returns his own and the groom's suit to the formalwear shop by the next business day. The groomsmen are responsible for returning their own suits, also within the next business day to avoid late charges. Small food or beverage stains can usually be removed easily enough, however if a suit is heavily damaged, be prepared to pay for it. So fellows, be careful during the wedding!

About the Author
Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you discover your perfect wedding theme. Find more great ideas, resources and articles regarding wedding tips for the bride and groom, visit http://www.wedthemes.com/bride-groom-tips.shtml

Wedding Invitation Tips and Advice

2005-06-20T09:52:00.000-04:00

By Rose Smith

You're well into planning your wedding and have finally decided on the design of your wedding invitation. The wording has been chosen and the guest list is well on its way to completion. Here are some additional wedding invitation tips and advice that you should also be aware of.

* If children will also be included as guests, you can choose to write out their individual names on the addressed envelopes or put "and family." For example:

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson, Cathy and John
or
Mr. and Mrs. Bob Simpson and Family

* If the children are older teenagers (say 16 years of age or older), you may wish to send them an individual invitation, just like you would an adult.

* If you don't wish to include children at the ceremony, do not include their names or "and family" on the outside of the envelope. It's suggested you add "Sorry, but children are not invited", "adults only" or something similar somewhere on the invitation to make it clear. If you wish to include them at the reception, but not at the ceremony, you could note this information on the response card ... or on the invitation itself at the bottom in some fashion.

* When issuing invitations to a guest who is single, it is polite to put "and Guest" on the outside of the envelope so that they have the option to bring along a companion. For example:

Mr. Ralph Jones and Guest
or
Miss Sarah Campbell and Guest

* Be forewarned. Usually 7% to 10% of the guests who respond with a yes will not actually attend the wedding. In addition, 20% to 30% won't make it to the reception. This can wreak havoc when budgeting for a sit down dinner. You may want to consider a buffet style dinner instead.

* In some cases, you'll want to invite people to the ceremony, but not the reception or vice versa. If so, then you will need two sets of invitations printed. One that includes reception information and one that doesn't.

* If you don't receive a reply from some guests by your reply date, do not hesitate to call them. It is important that you know how many are attending so you budget accordingly.

* If you decide to order invitations, be sure to do so at least 4 to 6 weeks before they are scheduled to be mailed. If you plan on mailing your invitations around the 15th of March, order them between February 1st and 15th.

* Double, even triple check everything before it gets printed. This includes invitations, response cards, envelopes, wedding programs, etc. whether you're doing them yourself or your having them professionally printed. Check for spelling errors especially.

* Always order extra invitation envelopes and response card envelopes. There will inevitably be a few mistakes when addressing these and you'll want to have a few extras on hand.

* You should mail your invitations at least 6 weeks before the wedding date and indicate that you would like a response at least 3 weeks before the wedding date. So if your wedding date is July 1st, mail your invitations by May 15th and ask that they respond by June 7th. This will give guests time to receive their invitations and reply by mail, which in turn, gives you time to firm up catering plans, seating arrangements, etc.

* If your wedding is going to actually be held on a beach or other outdoor area, be sure that you let your guests know this, so they can dress appropriately.

Rose Smith has been providing helpful information on wedding planning for many years. For wedding theme ideas, articles and resources, visit her website Wedding Themes and More at http://www.wedthemes.com. Visit Wedding Planning Guides for a full range of wedding planning books at http://www.wedding-planning-guides.com

Bridal Shower Etiquette

2005-06-19T11:28:00.000-04:00

by Melanie Doetsch

While showers have evolved and become more relaxed in recent years, there are still certain rules of bridal shower etiquette that should be observed in order to avoid offending anyone. Since there will be a variety of groups there - friends, family and coworkers in most cases - it's important to understand how everyone should interact. Especially in the case of family, mothers and grandmothers can place a great deal of importance on proper bridal shower etiquette, so make sure you know what the "rules" are!

The Maid of Honor is usually the person expected to plan and organize the bridal shower. If she lives out of town, however, it's fine for someone else to do the honors. Don't take over without checking with her, though. It is her privilege, and you should always ask her before assuming anything. If you are going to do it for her, make sure you keep her as involved as she would like to be through frequent emails and phone calls.

Bridal shower etiquette traditionally says that a shower should be at least four to six weeks before the wedding. This is for purely practical reasons - the bride is going to be too busy any closer to the ceremony - but if she's coming home only two weeks before the wedding, talk to her and see how she feels about having a shower in her honor so close to the wedding. She may think this is fine if most of her friends will be able to be in attendance at that time.

There has been an uncomfortable trend in recent years for large showers with nearly everyone the bride knows invited. This is not what the bridal shower is supposed to be. A bridal shower is supposed to be a small, intimate gathering of the bride's closest friends and family. Proper bridal shower etiquette dictates a group of no more than ten to twenty guests.

The guest list should include the wedding party, the mothers of the bride and groom, sisters of the bride and groom, and the bride's closest friends and/or coworkers. It shouldn't include every female invited to the wedding.

Finally, bridal shower etiquette means being sure to include the wedding party and the mothers in the shower itself in some way. Ask each person to take on some responsibility, whether it is recording a list of the gifts and givers as they are opened or organizing the group for games. This will make everyone feel they've been part of this special day.

About the Author
Melanie Doetsch is an author at eBridalShowers.com where you will find further bridal shower ideas. Be sure to check out our new wedding planning guide and much more at http://www.ebridalshowers.com.

How to Save Hundreds on Your Wedding

2005-06-19T11:21:00.000-04:00

It's easy - get stuff on eBay.

Tiaras. Guestbooks. Ring bearer pillows. You'll save hundreds.

But how do you buy all that stuff at rock-bottom prices without becoming a slave to your computer, pointing and clicking with bleary eyes at three a.m. in hopes of being the highest bidder?

Simple. You use sniping services. They're drop-dead easy. You enter the eBay number for the auction you want to win, enter the highest price you're willing to pay, and walk away.

Most sniping services charge, but you can snipe for free. Sign up here for instant free snipes, and then spread the word. The more people you tell, the more free snipes you get. It's a beautiful thing. You're sure to save gobs of money, and if your final bid is high enough, you'll almost always win your auctions.

Quite a change from the old days, right?

Auction snipe and win more items.

Wedding Save the Date Cards -- Best Ideas and Wording

2005-06-18T13:36:00.000-04:00

By Jean Bachcroft

(For more Save-the-Date wording ideas, please see our Favor Sayings Database.)

The sole purpose of save-the-date cards is to give the people you intend to invite to your wedding plenty of advance notice. If, for example, you are planning to marry during the holiday season or a holiday weekend, you'll want your guests to reserve you wedding date on their calendars months in advance. If you will be inviting guest from out of town who will need to fly in for the wedding, they will need time to make the necessary travel arrangements.

You should send save-the-date cards to all of your intended guests when either of these circumstances fit your situation. Even friends and family members who you already know will attend should be sent a card.

On the other hand, if you are not sure whether a particular person or couple will be invited to the wedding, don't send them a save-the-date card. And there is really no reason, and it's a waste of your precious money, to buy and send these notices when all of your guests live relatively nearby or the wedding will not occur during a busy time of the year.

Planning and Sending

Once you know all of the basic details about your wedding plans, place your order with your stationer. As with invitations, having these cards printed can take up to several weeks, so give your stationer plenty of time. You can mail these cards out up to six months before the wedding date.

Save-the-date cards can be designed to match the rest of your wedding stationery and ordered at the same time, or they can have a completely different look.

Getting your guests' attention

Some brides-to-be really want these cards to be eye catching so that they truly standout and serve as a visual notice. If this is what you have in mind, look for something unusual, such as scratch-off cards or magnets (that can be posted on your guests refrigerators). Maybe you will want to make your own cards, incorporating one or more of your wedding colors, a graphic design, or a photo.

You can buy save-the-date cards through most wedding stationery manufacturers and retailers. If you want to create your own cards or save money, look for a card-design software program. Michael's arts and crafts stores sells a good software program called "Wedding Invitation Kit" that costs under $25. The program is designed mainly for making your own wedding invitations, but it does include note cards.

What you should do

Since this will be your first written contact with most of your guests, it's important that they make a good first impression. Make sure that you spell each guest's name correctly. If you are unsure about the spelling of someone's name, look it up or contact someone reliable.

In your save-the-date, include the date, time, and place of the ceremony along with any other information that your guests will need.

Here is a sample of how your notice might read:

"Please save the date of Saturday, June 25, 2005, 2 PM, for the wedding of Karen Hinkley and Brian Nelson in Minneapolis, MN. Invitation and directions to follow."

Always follow up with the expected wedding invitation, which should be mailed about six weeks before your wedding date.

A nice touch that can truly be helpful to your guests is to list your web site address—assuming you will be updating it with more details.

What you should not do

Keep in mind the purpose of these cards. Don't include unnecessary or inappropriate information such as directions, the rehearsal dinner location and time, or registry information. (Incidentally, if you do list your name with a bridal registry, the only place that information can be included is in a shower invitation. Generally, good etiquette demands that you rely upon friends and relatives to circulate such details by word of mouth and only if asked.)

Since you are not trying to elicit a response, do not include a reply card. And last but not least, you should not e-mail your save-the-date information. Of course, there is always an exception to every rule, but try not to break this one.

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, you can visit her web sites at http://bachcroft.com and at http://alohalabels.com

All The Details: 25 Ways to Make Your Wedding a Unique and Truly Memorable Event

2005-06-18T13:32:00.000-04:00

If you've been to one wedding, you've seen it all. From the flowers and the candles to the dress and the music, the typical wedding can be as predictable and generic as your Uncle Leo's dance moves. For your wedding to stand out, you need to involve your guests in the sentiment and process of the day. It's not the cake or the great food that will be remembered, but all the little details that will make your wedding as unique and memorable for your guests as it will be for you. These 25 ideas on how to personalize your day will make it the event that will be talked about for years to come:

1. Write a welcome note for your out-of-town guests on postcards from the city your wedding takes place. It's a nice personal touch that shows tremendous thought as well as a keepsake that can be saved with photos of the wedding.

2. Include an "About the Wedding Party" section in your programs or on the reception tables for your guests to learn more about the members of your bridal party. Not everyone will know that you and your Maid of Honor have been best friends since preschool.

3. Hang your dress on a pretty silk coat hanger the day of your wedding. People will be taking photographs of the dress before you put it on and you'd like to avoid having it on an old wire coat hanger.

4. Send your invitations to Loveville, Maryland first -- they've developed special wedding postmarks that add a nice "love" touch to your envelope. Call 301-475-5243 for details.

5. Invite the President, Pope, and the Queen of England for a special wedding surprise. Be sure to send their invites out early.

6. If you're planning on taking pictures prior to the ceremony, clear everyone out of the ceremony site and have your groom at the end of the aisle. Walk down the aisle, so it's only the two of you. It's a very sweet and special moment that you can share... and the pictures of the tears in his eyes will be priceless.

7. Place tissues or personalized embroidered handkerchiefs in the rows where family will be seated for their "tears of joy".

8. Write a letter to your mom and dad and have it waiting for them at their seat during the ceremony. It could be about anything: a thank you, how you hope your marriage turns out like theirs, your gratitude everything they have done for you, etc. They will be so touched and honored that you took the time to arrange for this and you'll have them in tears before you begin to walk down the aisle!

9. Have each bridesmaid carry a bouquet made entirely of their favorite flower. Your bouquet will be a combination of all of their flowers.

10. Dress your flowergirl in a bright color rather than a replica of your dress so that the dress can be worn again.

11. Read your vows to candlelight. All your guests will receive a candle on their way into the ceremony. When it comes time for the vows, have your ushers or groomsmen go around and light the candle at the end of the row and let them "pass the flame." It's a nice romantic touch to a very sentimental and powerful moment.

12. For family members who have passed away or cannot physically be there with you, wear something of theirs so that they are with you. It could be a lapel pin tied to the ribbon of your bouquet, your great aunt's pearls, or your grandmother's handkerchief.

13. Pick a special ceremony start time, like 5:17 -- the exact time he proposed to you.

14. Serve your cocktails from a "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" menu. Take recommendations from special people involved in the wedding for their favorite old/classic drink, a new/modern drink, a favorite borrowed unique drink recipe, and a blue cocktail. It’s a festive way to get the party started!

15. If an ice sculpture is a must have, go for a martini luge. It's a great accent to every bar and it will certainly give your guests something to talk about!

16. Write special love quotes on the inside of everyone’s place cards.

17. Forget the clinking glasses and ringing bells. Have your guests sing loves songs to get you and your groom to smooch during the reception.

18. Have guests sign a tablecloth or guest book platter to be used at special dinners in the future in lieu of a guestbook.

19. Set small photo albums, notecards and a disposable camera at each table. Create a sign asking each guest to write some words of wisdom on the notecards and put the card into the photo album. Make sure they take a photo of everyone at the table. After the wedding you can combine the notecard on the same page as the photograph and you'll have a special keepsake of every guest at your wedding.

20. Be sure to have your parents and married siblings first dances played at the reception- and make sure the DJ or band recognizes them when its played!

21. Rather than doing the money dance, do a "wish dance". The bride and groom start off dancing together, then guests cut in for 10-20 seconds of dancing and their chance to give you any last minute marriage advice and parting words.

22. Assign table numbers by age and accent the decor with pictures of you and fiancé from that time. For example...at table sixteen you could show pictures of your fiancé with his new car and you at your sweet 16 birthday party.

23. Be sure to have a kid oriented table. Lay down block paper for them to draw on, have them make you cards, serve hot dogs, chicken fingers, ice cream sundaes. Perhaps even have a side room for them with Disney movies playing or a magician for entertainment. Your guests will love you for getting the kids out of their hair for the night!

24. Wrap a "keep out" or "no trespassing" sign around your leg outside of the garter. Your groom will find a shocking surprise when he dives in and your guests will find it to be quite humorous!

25. Race through a tunnel of swords, ski poles, sparklers or boat oars for a different grand exit.

Remember that this wedding is about celebrating your love and inviting your family and friends to see a glimpse of who you are. Don't be afraid to do things a little differently... your guests will appreciate and remember your day all the more for it!

About the Author
Ashley Rader is the owner and editor for Moments of Elegance Bridal, an online boutique specializing in discounted wedding favors, personalized gifts and wedding accents that will truely make your event unforgettable.

The Cost of Being a Bridesmaid

2005-06-17T17:46:00.000-04:00

by Nancy Tessier

How much can you expect to pay if you were to accept the role of a bridesmaid in a friend or family members wedding?

Before saying yes and accepting this position, there are a few things to consider. Besides the time and effort it will take for the next eight to twelve months (depending on how far in advance you are asked to stand in the wedding), there is also the financial obligation involved.

The following is a short list of items you should take into consideration before making that all important decision to include or exclude yourself from the festivities.

The Dress:

The bride will most likely expect a specific style of dress and will be instrumental in choosing what you will be wearing. If it's a lavish wedding and the bride has already picked out her gown, that would dictate the level of formality and therefore could end up costing you upwards of two to three hundred dollars (or more) for the dress alone.

The Shoes:

Those satin shoes don't come cheap! The bride in all likelihood would expect you to wear satin dye able shoes to match the dress. Shop around for the best deals on the shoes and find a retailer who will provide the dying service for free or at a reduced rate if the entire bridal party makes their purchases through them.

Accessories:

Hats, special brassieres or bustier, pantyhose, hair accessories and jewellery. Normally the jewellery is bought by the bride as a thank you gift, if not, be prepared to pay for the items the bride picks out for you to wear.

Hairstyling and accessories:

You may be required to pay for your own hairstyling for the wedding day. Unless you already know the styles that look best on you, the procedure would be the same as that of the bride. First find a style. Second find a stylist you trust. Third, do a dry run by having the stylist try the style on you.

The Bridal Shower:

Bridesmaids and the maid of honour are required to host a bridal shower and divide the cost among themselves. Depending on what you have planned, this could be very costly.

Childcare:

If you have children, you may need to get a sitter for the day. Do not assume they are invited guests simply because you are in the wedding party. If they are invited, you may need to make special arrangements to have childcare available during the wedding ceremony and reception since your job really isn't over until after the dinner and speeches have wrapped up.

Gifts:

Even though you have already spent a great deal of money to get ready for your friends wedding, you still have to purchase a gift for the bride and groom. A sentimental gift is best, but most often bridesmaids choose to give money in an envelope with a nice card. How much to place in the envelope is entirely up to you as well as the standards and trend in your area.

Thank you note:

Finally after the wedding you should sit down and write a nice note to the newlyweds, thanking them for allowing you to be part of their important day.

After taking all this into consideration, you will be able to make a more informed decision and should be able to either accept or decline this invitation.

About the Author
About the author: Nancy Tessier is owner of Bridal Basics and is an industry professional specializing in the design and creation of wedding related items. For other articles, please visit her site at http://www.bridalbasics.ca

Gothic Weddings of Las Vegas -- For a Unique Wedding

2005-06-14T19:08:00.000-04:00

by Randy Wilson

Just when you thought it would never happen-- it did! Not for the fainthearted, Gothic Weddings offers an unusual twist on an ageless service. Now you and your dearly beloved can tie the knot in this intriguing las Vegas chapel buried in the underworld of the renowned Sin City.

This las Vegas wedding chapel presents Count Dracula or the Grim Reaper as your wedding host. A fog-filled chapel that eerily resembles a graveyard will welcome your wedding party with bated breath. The bride can choose from virginal white or blood red roses, along with a few other selections to match her ensemble.

Borrow a coffin for the evening. Dress in Victorian Goth or a favorite Halloween costume for your exchange of vows.

This wedding chapel in las Vegas offers a unique experience for clients who are interested in the macabre. If you have special costume needs, music preferences, or ceremonial adjustments, discuss these with the wedding coordinator (most if not all las Vegas wedding chapels have coordinators) to find out whether your wishes can be accommodated.

It is always a good idea to plan well in advance of your event when possible. This themed wedding chapel books way in advance, so you will want to check your calendar and contact the coordinator to get your date on the schedule. When you book a wedding package at a certain price, you may be able to get a free one or two-night stay at the nearby hotel. Check with your wedding coordinator about a room upgrade if desired.

Your Gothic wedding can be presented on the Internet live and free under certain conditions, so be sure to check with your consultant when planning your ceremony. Ask about the free limousine service, although the drivers must be tipped since they depend heavily for their economic survival on their customers' good nature, and typically offer great service in return. You can also find out about marriage licenses, fees, gratuities, and special discounts or events when you contact a wedding coordinator. Get in touch to learn more about the possibilities as you start planning your unique celebration!

You hope to have just one Las Vegas wedding, so make it as enjoyable and memorable as possible by working with your wedding planner to make the most of this inspiring occasion. You can visit this chapel online at Gothic Weddings.

About the Author
Randy is owner of Las Vegas Weddings. Randy owned and operated a very successful storefront/mailorder business from 1988 to 2003. Currently full time owner/operator of several online businesses.

The Chocolate Fountain - Chocolate Fondue Times Ten

2005-06-14T19:06:00.000-04:00

by Anthony Tripodi

Does a waterfall of melted chocolate cascading down onto an awaiting strawberry sound appealing to you? Or have you ever wanted to serve chocolate fondue at your birthday, wedding or other catered event but didn't have 100 fondue pots to accommodate all of your guests? Well look no further, the chocolate fountain is perfect for you.

A chocolate fountain takes the best of chocolate fondue and reworks it into a more crowd friendly form. Chocolate is heated up into liquid form and pours out of the fountain in a beautiful display that's sure to attract the most attention at the dessert table. Usually there are two or three tiers to the fountain that give the chocolate waterfall the shape of a multi-layered wedding cake. Guests choose a pre-cut dessert of their choice such as fruit, cakes, marshmallows or anything they can put on their fork and coat it by holding it in the chocolate flow for a moment.

There are now home versions of the chocolate fountain available. They are nifty little devices that bring the luxury of the chocolate fountain right into your home. Chocolate & vegetable oil are melted and poured into the appliance's reservoir and that's it. Switch the fountain on and you're ready to start dipping. Even clean up is easy because some of these home fountains are dish washer safe.

Chocolate Fondue is an intimate dish best enjoyed by a few friends sitting cozily around a fondue pot. But for larger parties and events, the chocolate fountain can't be beat. Not only will it bring an elegance to your dessert table but it will also deliver in the taste department. Who can resist a delicious chocolate covered treat?

About the Author
Anthony Tripodi is the webmaster of GoFondue.com - The Home of Fondue. For more information about fondue including recipes, ideas and equipment, visit GoFondue.com

How to Buy a Wedding Dress not a Wedding Mess

2005-06-13T14:11:00.000-04:00

by Victoria Williams

Every bride dreams of finding a Robert Legere Dress for under $500 and it have it brand new. As impossible as this sounds, it can be done. You just have to make sure that you don't get scammed.

The Old But Still Effective Bait and Switch

Yes. Not only does it happen in the car industry, it also happens in the wedding industry. Make sure the dress that you have ordered is not the same dress that you tried on at the shop. Some bridal shops try to dump their unwanted sample dresses on you to make an extra buck.

Also make sure that the dress is not a counterfeit knock-off. If your wedding dress is supposed to be a silk Robert Legere, go to a high-end store and feel and touch the silk fabric from the same designer. This way, you know what to look for.

Keep track of all of your receipts. Make sure that the receipts describe everything about your wedding dress. The size, color, style number and manufacturer should all be included on the receipt.

Give it more time

Don't wait until the last minute. If I was a bridal shop saleswoman that liked to scam women, I would love to see a desperate bride coming through my door with only 3 months left until the wedding. Pressure tactics that they like to put on you would triple in size. If you have less than three months left, you are better off buying your wedding dress off the rack and then altering it.

Be Less Anxious

Don't buy the first dress that you put on. First loves don't only come in boyfriends, they also come in "fairytale" wedding dresses. Its a phenomenon that bridal shops love. Don't we all wish we had a bridal shop saleswoman like Judge Judy who will tell you like it is?

About the Author

Victoria Williams is an author at Wedding Planning From Wedding Dresses to Receptions - NuptialParadise.com

The Right Food and Wine Make for a Memorable Reception

2005-06-07T09:10:00.000-04:00

(ARA) -- Your reception will most likely be the most expensive part of your wedding, especially if you opt for a sit-down dinner and an open bar. But there are other alternatives. Here are some tips to help you get the most bang for your buck.

An experienced caterer is your best resource as you plan your reception. If you don't already have a caterer in mind, don't resort to the yellow pages. Instead, ask friends and family to recommend caterers they've used. The reception hall may also have some recommendations for you.

The caterer can help you choose where to spend your food dollars -- what to splurge on and where to cut back without people noticing. You should be able to sample the food that will be served at your wedding, and, at the very least, to see photos of how it will be presented. In addition to the quality of the food, guests will also notice the level of service, so make sure the caterer has enough staff on hand to ensure smooth sailing.

If you are looking for ways to save money on your reception, consider hosting a cocktail reception, afternoon tea or dessert reception. These can all be lovely affairs, and much less expensive than a formal sit-down dinner. If you do opt for a sit-down dinner, be sure to advise the caterer of any menu alterations for guests with special needs, such as your vegetarian cousin or your diabetic great-aunt.

A trend that has been gaining ground for wedding receptions is food stations. These are similar to buffet style dinners, but with more pizzazz. Stations feature several tables highlighting different foods. Food stations offer a more casual atmosphere and give wedding guests a chance to mingle while getting their food.

Now you need to decide on a cash or open bar for the reception. Offering a cash bar is obviously the least expensive option, but be sure to inform your guests ahead of time that they will need to bring money to pay for drinks. If money is no object, you can host an open bar where all drinks are free.

A nice compromise is to provide beer and wine only. This way guests can enjoy a drink or two at the reception and you can stay within your budget.

When choosing wine to serve at your reception, consider the menu as well as the guests. If you're serving beef, consider a Merlot or Cabernet. For fish or seafood, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice. And Chardonnay is a safe crowd pleaser that pairs well with chicken and pork. To make it easy for guests to help themselves to their wine of choice, consider placing a bottle of red and a bottle of white at each table.

Of course, you'll want to have a sparkling wine on hand for the obligatory toasts and to serve with the wedding cake. "People typically serve dry Champagne with wedding cake; unfortunately, the sweetness of the cake brings out the sourness of the champagne, basically making the wine taste awful," says David Frakes, executive chef, Beringer Vineyards.

As an alternative, consider serving Beringer's Sparkling White Zinfandel. "This wine has some residual sugar and sweetness, and therefore is a much better match -- the wine tastes like the winemaker intended and the cake tastes good, too," says Frakes. Not only that, but the lovely rose color adds a festive look to the table.

The price will make you happy, too: Beringer's Sparkling White Zinfandel sells for under $10 a bottle. Since one bottle of Champagne will fill five to six glasses, you'll be able to serve a delicious, versatile sparkling wine for under $2 per glass. And as a side benefit, you'll get to enjoy it every time someone offers a toast in your honor!

For more information on Beringer's Sparkling White Zinfandel, visit www.beringer.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Tips for Making a Meaningful Wedding Toast

Whether it's you, someone in your bridal party, or a family member making a toast at the wedding, here are a few hints to make it less stressful and more meaningful:

You can offer a traditional wedding toast (just check the Internet or an etiquette book for ideas), or give an original toast. If you choose to give an original toast, prepare it ahead of time.
Practice your toast; if you're afraid you'll blank out when the time comes, put your thoughts on note cards.
Humor is good, but don't make inside or off-color jokes during your toast.
Keep the toast short and sweet.
Make sure everyone's glass is full before starting your toast.

Financing Your Wedding and Your Married Life

2005-06-06T13:56:00.000-04:00

(ARA) -- For most couples, the time between getting engaged and celebrating the big day is a whirlwind filled with a myriad of details that need lots of personal attention: booking the wedding location, recruiting members of the wedding party, organizing the reception -- the list goes on and on.

In all the excitement and activity, one thing that may get overlooked is discussing who is paying for everything and how it will be financed. The typical wedding costs between $20,000 and $25,000. "Most people won't be paying for their weddings entirely with cash," says Maxine Sweet of Experian, a company that provides consumers with products and resources to help them understand, manage, and protect their personal credit profiles. "Whether the bride and groom are paying for the wedding themselves, or their families are picking up the tab, chances are at least some of the wedding expenses will be put on a credit card." There may be the need to spread the expense over time, or it could simply be because of the convenience of using credit for phone orders or remote contracts.

Figuring out how to pay for the wedding gives couples an opportunity to discuss their feelings toward money in general and more specifically, how they feel about using credit. These are issues that may not have come up previously, since each individual was handling their own money. A good way for couples to start dialogue on these issues is by looking at their credit reports.

Web sites like www.Experian.com give you quick and easy access to your credit report and credit score to learn what positive and negative factors are affecting your credit. Each of you should obtain a copy of your credit report and then spend scheduled time reviewing them with your spouse-to-be.

Check pertinent information such as your name, previous and current addresses, Social Security number and account details. If you find any inconsistencies in your report, you need to report them and correct the information. Once you've covered these basics, review your partner's credit report for clues on how they deal with money and credit.

For example, if your significant other has a history of late payments, that could indicate a problem managing money or that they're overextended. Or it could simply highlight a devil-may-care attitude toward paying interest and late fees. Either way, it is important for both of you to agree on using and handling credit, because your access to new credit and to better interest rates very likely will be affected by your spouse's credit behavior and vice versa.

You'll also discover whether your partner prefers to pay credit card debt off in full each month or pay only the minimum fee. You'll want to commit to staying well below the limits to demonstrate strong credit management skills. If a large portion of your income each month is already committed to paying off other debt, future lenders may wonder if you will have trouble paying back an additional loan. You want to protect the privilege of using credit for all the benefits it brings, including monthly statements that make it easier for the two of you to monitor all your transactions every month and manage your expenses.

Before you justify using your credit cards to finance the perfect wedding, keep in mind that those pending balances could be with you for a long time. While you may not want to settle for a less expensive wedding gown, or a less exotic honeymoon trip, just remember it will be even more expensive when you tack on the interest charges that will add up before you pay it off. Have a definite plan for how and when all of it will be paid. "If at all possible, you don't want to begin your married life burdened by debt and arguing about money," says Sweet.

Taking control of your spending now will also make it easier to save for your future -- new furniture, a special trip for your 10th anniversary or (gulp) college tuition for your kids. And having your credit report up-to-date and in order means that when you need to apply for a car loan or a mortgage, you'll know that your credit history is in good shape.

For more information on checking your credit report, visit www.Experian.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Personalization is the "Something New" for Brides in 2005

2005-06-06T13:34:00.000-04:00

(ARA) -- When it comes to "Something New" for their wedding day, most brides start with the all-important wedding dress. The latest news in finding the wedding dress of your dreams is to seek a look that expresses your special personality and style.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the belle of the ball; make sure you try a variety of silhouettes in various fabrics to find a gorgeous dress that is uniquely you," says Diane Forden, editor-in-chief of Bridal Guide. Reading bridal magazines and surfing bridal Web sites, is a great way to get a feel for the latest trends and to start thinking about the styles you like. However, says Forden, "Just because a gown looks great on the model in the photograph, doesn't mean it's the best 'fit' for your figure or your personality." Her advice: Be open minded about trying different looks, especially those suggested by your bridal consultant.

Trying on a range of styles can be simplified by choosing a store such as David's Bridal that offers a wide selection of gowns that reflect all the newest trends in wedding dresses as well as classic styles. While many local bridal shops only receive new merchandise once or twice a year, a larger, national store has a continual stream of new designs, and hence, more options for brides.

"Affordable luxury" is a buzzword for today's brides, who want an upscale look without the couture price tag. Try shopping at a store that has a great selection of wedding dresses in a variety of price points and that carries a wide range of sizes in stock. After all, if you're a size 18, you don't want to have to squeeze into a size 8 sample dress and try to imagine what it will look like on you. Addressing this issue, David's Bridal has a great selection of the latest looks, available in all sizes, including an entire collection of gowns tailored specifically for plus size brides.

What's New?

"2005 bridal fashions evoke a more romantic feel than recent years," says Jeff Moore, senior vice president of bridal product development at David's Bridal. Dressing up and feeling fabulous is back in style, with ladylike silhouettes that are both classic and dreamy.

If you've been reading the bridal magazines or surfing the net, you know that sweetheart necklines and updated halters are everywhere; strapless gowns continue to be a bridal mainstay as well. "All of these necklines offer great opportunities for accessorizing, which once again allows you to personalize your look," says Moore.

A-line silhouettes, which complement just about every body type, are a perennial favorite. Ballgowns and sheath style dresses, both in keeping with the trend toward romance, are also popular. One of the newest silhouettes is also among the most figure-flattering -- side-drape dresses, which look graceful and gorgeous, while hiding any figure flaws. For more intimate or destination weddings, choose from among a great selection of tea-length dresses, in lace as well as other "packable" fabrics.

You'll also see a bevy of elegant embellishments on bridal gowns in 2005. Traditional embellishments such as lace, pearls, appliques and hand-beading adorn many dresses. Embroidery using metallic thread is putting an updated twist that lends a sparkling effect to the latest designs.

If you're wondering how you'll ever find your perfect dress among all the options out there, Moore has two pieces of advice. "First, bring along a friend or relative when you shop so you have someone to help you compare the dresses you try on. Second, trust your bridal consultant. They work with brides every day and have an innate sense about what will look good on you. Plus, they know the store's selection inside and out."

Dressing the Bridal Party

Allow your bridesmaids to showcase their individuality as well. Make a Match separates from David's Bridal allow you to select a color scheme, and your bridesmaids to create their own unique combinations from a choice of several styles. "Our unique Make A Match collection allows each bridesmaid to choose a look that is their own and fits them best, while remaining true to the theme and color chosen by the bride," says Ramona de la Rosa, senior vice president of bridesmaids product development at David's Bridal. Complete the bridal party look by accessorizing with color-coordinated shoes, matching purses and complementing jewelry.

This spring, bridesmaids silhouettes are updated with alternative lengths and asymmetrical hems. With brides leaning towards utilizing more color in their weddings, bridesmaids dresses can now be found in a varied color palette -- from soft pastels to warm, bright hues. In accordance with bridal trends, bridal party dresses also include embellishments such as flowers, ribbons, bows, sashes and beading.

Today it's common for bridesmaids to be scattered across the country. Brides should take this into consideration when selecting a store at which to purchase their bridal party dresses. With 240 stores across the county and a state of the art website, David's makes it easy for brides and their bridesmaids to coordinate their dresses, even if they're not in the same area.

Accent on Accessories

Bridal accessories go way beyond the veil this year as jewelry, gloves, handbags and more all play an important part. The softer look in bridal dresses is reflected in the gentler drape of veils this season, and veils carry through the trend of embellishment as well. You'll see veils bejeweled with crystals, gold thread, fresh water pearls and rhinestones in addition to classically simple scalloped veils.

The embellishment theme is also reflected in wraps and handbags, for example, with a beautiful floral pattern on a handbag. The sophisticated look of pearls and gold will also be strong, especially in tiara and jewelry collections. The classic string of pearls is always appropriate; for something trendier, consider sparkling rhinestone chandelier earrings.

Gloves are making a comeback this year, in keeping with the romantic direction of bridal fashion. You'll find them from wrist-length to over-the-elbow, in 2-, 12- and 16-button styles, and even gauntlets are making a return.

To find the David's Bridal nearest you, and to view the latest bridal fashions, visit www.davidsbridal.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Celebrate Your Individuality When Choosing an Engagement Ring

2005-06-05T21:19:00.000-04:00

Colored gemstones provide a fashionable alternative to diamonds

(ARA) -- When it comes time to choose your engagement ring -- or to drop some not-so-subtle hints for your fiance -- don't limit yourself to simply deciding what shape diamond you want. Colored gemstone engagement rings are a fashionable option, and one that allows you to express your personality and style while celebrating your love.

Perhaps the most famous gemstone engagement ring is the one that Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana when they were engaged. The beautiful blue sapphire ring was as lovely and unique as the woman who wore it. More recently, pop star Jessica Simpson celebrated her engagement with a gorgeous pink sapphire and diamond ring.

"Engagement rings are a fashion statement as much as a declaration of love," says Natalie Parman, a trend watcher for Jewelry Television. "After all, you'll be wearing this ring every day; if a traditional diamond just simply isn't your style, you should feel empowered to choose a ring that is."

Just as diamonds can be cut into a variety of styles and shapes, so can gemstones. And chances are you'll be able to afford a bigger stone than if you bought a traditional diamond – an added bonus. "There is more competition in the marketplace for gemstones, since they are found in many different parts of the world. Diamonds are mined in only a few places, which means prices are kept high by producers," notes Parman.

Exhibiting the purest form of every possible color, you'll find gemstones come in a wide range of breathtaking hues. With the variety of gemstones ranging from red sparkling rubies to blue sapphires, green emeralds, and more, there truly is something for everyone.

You can base your choice on personal color preference, or let the romantic in you choose according to the traditional significance of each gemstone. Blue often symbolizes peace and tranquility, for example, while red is the universal color of passion and symbolizes beauty and love. Green reflects the vital energy of life, awakening us to growth, nature and the possibilities of a vibrant existence.

There is more to gemstone beauty than the ability to glitter and glow. Gemstone quality is determined by its beauty, rarity and durability, determined by examining its carat weight, color, clarity and cut. Just as with choosing the more traditional diamond ring, making a good choice involves learning all you can about gemstones.

That's where Jewelry Television can help. Not only does the company have the largest selection of loose gemstones in the world, but they are dedicated to helping their customers learn as much as possible before making a purchase. A visit to Jewelry Television's Web site provides a wealth of information about gemstone lore and quality to help you make an informed choice.

No matter how well-informed you are, when buying a gemstone, you need to trust the seller. Jewelry Television stands by its merchandise -- many items come with free appraisals. Since the company focuses exclusively on the sale of fine jewelry and gemstones, it offers a huge variety at fantastic prices.

Since you'll be buying a loose gemstone, you'll have even more opportunities to customize your ring by choosing a unique setting. "You can choose to work with a local jewelry designer to make the most of your gemstone, or you can choose from the castings and settings available through Jewelry Television," says Parman.

Jewelry Television is the only shop-at-home source for loose gemstones. You can watch Jewelry Television and order over the phone, or visit the company's Web site at your convenience to see what's new. Check local listings to find the network on your cable system, DirectTV or the Dish Network, or visit www.jewelrytelevision.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Seven Tips to Make Your Wedding Day Sing

2005-06-05T08:21:00.000-04:00

Wedding Music Experts Offer Advice for a Day to Remember

(ARA) - After the date has been set, the flowers have been ordered, and the dress has been fitted, the focus of wedding planning turns to the more intricate details of the ceremony and reception -- especially music. But because of the sheer number of songs to choose from, the task of selecting the right wedding music -- and the right musicians -- can be overwhelming.
With performances at more than 200 weddings between them, piano-playing brothers Tim and Ryan O'Neill have combined their wedding music expertise and recorded their latest CD, "A Day to Remember." The CD and corresponding sheet music book are designed to help busy brides and grooms select the perfect music for their big day.

"Music helps set the tone for the entire event, whether it's traditional, contemporary or religious," says Tim O'Neill. "Many couples have a favorite melody or style in mind, but often struggle to find exactly the right music." Having planned their own wedding ceremonies in recent years, Tim and Ryan have a new perspective on what brides and grooms go through to get everything just right.

According to The O'Neill Brothers, these suggestions will help make the walk down the aisle a harmonious one:

Consult with your spouse-to-be. You might be surprised at his or her interests or preferences. Your husband-to-be might have his heart set on a particular song, or your wife-to-be might want to include a traditional family favorite.
Look at the big picture. Determine the best style of music to use based on the overall theme and feel of your wedding ceremony. Is it traditional? Contemporary? Religious? Romantic? Fun? Not all music is the right fit for all types of weddings.
Not all musicians are created equal. Select musicians who are comfortable with your chosen style. If your ceremony is traditional, how about a string quartet? Contemporary? Maybe just a solo pianist, or perhaps a saxophone player. Religious? Check with the wedding coordinator at your place of worship to get the names of the most sought-after musicians on her list.

Does someone in your family sing beautifully? Consider inviting them to sing for your wedding to make the experience even more special. But remember that if you ask someone who's not a professional, you'll have to cut them a little slack if they're not exactly perfect. You might want your uncle to play the accordion, but be sure to find a song that fits your style and his ability.

Determine the parts of the ceremony that you'd like to set to music. You can select as little or as much music as you like for the ceremony, but keep in mind that your guests will be there to celebrate with you, not listen to a concert. Make sure that you select just enough so there are no "bare spots" during which your guests might become fidgety. Potential parts of the ceremony to be set to music may include the prelude, the processional (you may select separate pieces for the wedding party and the bridal entrance), congregational hymns and religious ceremony responses, the lighting of the unity candle, the recessional and the postlude.

If you're having trouble narrowing your selections, you can always save some of the songs for the band or DJ to play at the reception rather than trying to cram them all into the ceremony. If you're marrying in a place of worship, remember to get your list of selections approved by the wedding coordinator or celebrant.

Ask for advice -- if you need it. If you're particular about your musical choices for the big event, you may want to wait to book instrumentalists or vocalists until you've made your music selections. If you're not fussy, and would welcome the help choosing music, hire professional musicians and trust their advice. They've likely played for many weddings before, and will have great song ideas.
Provide the necessary tools. Once you have finalized the song list and booked your wedding musicians, don't forget to provide the sheet music for the pieces you've chosen. Work with the contact person at your venue to arrange for a practice session in the space prior to the event.
Trust your instincts. Bottom line -- it's your wedding. Don't feel pressured to include a particular song just because Cousin Merle says you should.

For more wedding music suggestions and to listen to samples of the songs included on "A Day To Remember," visit www.pianobrothers.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

Wedding Survival Parties, Feb. through March

2005-03-02T20:54:00.000-05:00

Planning a wedding? Check this out: From Feb. 17 through March, Fortunoff is hosting Wedding Survival Parties throughout New York, New Jersey and Long Island.

Newlyweds-to-be will compete against each other and the clock in professional sports such as:
- Bed-Making
- Drink-Mixing
- Table-Setting

and the prizes for the fastest couples include:
- flat screen TV
- furniture
- china service, jewelry and more.

Other activities and highlights include a bridal fashion show featuring gowns & tuxedos, wine and cheese tastings (mmmmmmmm), cake tastings, a band and various wedding experts, including a fitness trainer.

All registrants win a prize, from gift cards to diamond rings, so log on to Fortunoff now for more information!

Anything Goes When It Comes to Weddings

2005-02-21T17:20:00.000-05:00

The nontraditional wedding has morphed into the really nontraditional wedding, says Daytona Beach News.

Rev. David Carter recalls some nontraditional weddings past. One one, he arrived expecting a beach wedding, but upon arrival he was asked to officiate via two-way radio while the couple floated overhead in a parasail.

Things have changed since 2000, says bridal consultant Joe Hearn. More types of couples are marrying, including subsequent weddings and older couples, which means more innovation. Weddings can be as innovative as your mind can imagine, he adds.

Among Hearn's next and recent weddings are Asian-themed, Venetian themed, mermaid-themed (in Melbourne), and masquerade ball themed affairs.

The trend to nontraditional is, "to put it mildly, because they find the routine wedding boring," says Ginny Holder, of Affordable Weddings and Notary Services. "Couples feel more freedom now to do something different, whereas it was frowned upon years ago."

Holder thought she "had seen it all" when it come to nontraditional wedding attire, but found herself surprised when she arrived at a beach wedding where the couple had asked to wear their bathing suits.

The bride was wearing a thong.

Holder explained she couldn't officiate the wedding without a bit more coverage. The bride put on a wrap, and the wedding went on.

Custom Rings are Getting Hotter

2005-02-21T16:08:00.000-05:00

The solitaire diamond and band of yellow gold aren't going away, just yet.

But "totally custom" wedding rings are hot and getting hotter.

The Star Tribune covers this trend. The featured bride sports a swooshy rose-gold ring encrusted with pink diamonds. The green gold in the groom's band refers to his love of Green Lantern comics.

This couple's not alone in their longing for something unique. Today's jewelers see requests for bands adorned with meteorite chips (to show one's love for the sky), greenstone (the "official state gem of Michigan," with an attractive "turtleback" pattern), sapphires and wave patterns (to show affinity with water), or sapphires and diamonds in honor of a loved one's eyes.

Times sure have changed, says a Minnesota saleswoman, Linda Mantalas. Back then, the "guy came in and picked it out and you took it even if you didn't like it,"she says. Like many of her customers, Mantalas wants something more. "This ring is about me. If I'm going to wear it for the rest of my life, it should reflect who I am."

Perhaps the most surprising thing about custom rings is that the price is often comparable to pre-made settings.

The process of getting one made isn't as hard as it sounds, either. The jeweler sits down with the client, sketches out a design, and makes a wax casting to mold the metal. Custom rings typically take about a month to produce.

Tuxedo Trends for the Clueless

2005-02-21T14:47:00.000-05:00

Okay, you don't have to be clueless to benefit from this article. But tuxedos warrant an entire dictionary of their own, which is why you literally tend to find dictionaries at every largish tuxedo related web site.

Isn't it amusing that guys, so known for their hands-off approach to wedding planning, get thrown head-first into a world where common parlance includes "ascot, cravat, besom pockets, pique, self fabric, four-in-hand tie, cutaway" and so on? It ain't French; it ain't English; it's a curious pastiche guaranteed to make the worldliest stockbroker feel like a wee child.

That said, let's move on to some trends ... and tips, courtesty of PA's Patriot News.

Tip: Guys, expect a lot of female input on your tux. "Most of the guys who come in here, they know what they like," explains Gregory Spiese of Strictly Formals, "but they leave it up to the bride."

Trend: The big decisions facing guys today are: one-button, two-button or three-button jackets? Vest or cummerbund? Bowtie, four-in-hand, Euro style tie, or cravat?

Trend: A trendy look is the cutaway tux. The proper accessory is a cravat, worn with a pearl stickpin.

What is a cravat? "The cravat is the new ascot," according to Spiese. More helpfully, a cravat is a wide scarf or necktie "knotted so the broad ends are laid flat upon each other."

But I thought an ascot was wide, you might say. What's the difference? After all, on Ebay, you'll find neckwear being advertised as a cravat/ascot. (Way to go, people.)

Basically, an ascot is more of a scarf, and a cravat is a wide tie, often pleated for that cute bunchy look around the neck. They both look rather similar when stuffed under a tux. They look so similar that vendors can't seem to tell the difference much of the time.

So let's go with pics where words fail us.

Here is a pic of an ascot with a velcro neckband (we kid you not). Here is a more traditional ascot, possibly indistinguishable from a cravat, and here is a cravat. (Confused yet?)

Here is a pic of a cutaway tux, vs. a regular two-button tux. That one's a lot more clear.

Tip: What's the diff between a tux and a formal suit anyway?
Satin. The tuxedo has satin lapels, satin treatment on pockets, satin stripes down the pant leg.

Trend: Classic accessories: cummerbund and bowtie. Newer accessories: long four-in-hand tie, worn with the laydown collar shirt or the wing collar shirt.

What's a four-in-hand knot? Something more familiar than it sounds.
What's a laydown collar shirt? A shirt with a collar resembling those on your button-down oxfords. In fact, it's sometimes called a regular collar shirt.
What's a wing collar shirt? One with a stand-up collar ending in short triangles. You know, the perky one you always see under a bowtie.

Now that we've gotten some trends out of the way, here's a great resource for all the tux basics: Tuxedos for Dummies.

All About Wedding Officiants

2005-02-19T21:47:00.000-05:00

Ever wondered about the "officiant issue"?

It really used to be quite a hassle finding an officiant if you didn't go to church much.

These days, though, it's not a problem. In fact, some couples actually find that hiring an officiant gives them more flexibility -- especially interfaith couples, or couples wanting special, non-sanctioned unification ceremonies (such as the "rose" ceremony), or couples wanting to marry outdoors, and so on.

But it often costs more to hire your own officiant. While the standard donation for the minister at your church might be about $100-200, non-parish officiants typically charge more -- from $250 to $600 and up.

On the other hand, it's possible to get a perfect match when you hire your own. If you're set on writing your own vows, pass them by the officiant right away; you'll know if there's a problem. You can search for a open, free-thinking minister if you want handfasting or Celtic elements in your wedding, seek out a judge for a businesslike affair, or track down a traditional Catholic priest who might be willing to incorporate some nontraditional elements.

There's another option, though: having a friend or parent officiate. Some states are easygoing about this; some throw out more red tape. First check out your local laws, and then consider pointing the friend or family member to the Universal Life Church, where they can be ordained "instantly" online. After that, they'll probably have to get a license to marry you legally, but it's a good start in many states.

Go here for more information on your state's laws:
www.northernway.org/marriagelaws.html

But before setting anything in stone, be sure to clarify regulations with your local county clerk.

Monograms in Weddings

2005-02-19T21:32:00.000-05:00

Monograms are getting hotter in weddings. It's hard to say why exactly, except that monograms have a sleek, almost corporate feel. They're modernist without being postmodernist. And most of us just love modernist.

So anyway, monograms are showing up everywhere in weddings, including the dress, the ringbearer pillow, garters, cakes, cake toppers, favors, wall hangings, stationary (of course), placecards, aisle runners, and even chair covers and tablecloths.

When they show up is a bit tricky, though. Brides-to-be are sometimes downcast when they discover it's poor etiquette to use a couple's monogram before the ceremony. That means a no-go on things like save-the-dates, invites, dress and aisle runners, if you're a stickler for tradition.

Other brides say, it's my wedding, which we consider to be sound philosophy whenever anyone puts on a $25,000 party. And these brides put monograms anywhere they want.

One of the trendiest ways to use the monogram -- yeah, slightly corporate but cool -- is the dance floor gobo. Yes, you can project your personal monogram onto the dance floor by ordering a custom gobo (about $119 online) to fit over a special light equipped with a pattern holder. The lights themselves can be tricky to find, but your DJ might have them, or know where to rent them. It's possible your venue might too, if it's swanky.

How do you design a monogram? If you're a graphic design pro, you'll head straight for Adobe Illustrator; otherwise Microsoft Word or Powerpoint'll do just fine. Go here for easy directions on creating your own monogram.

And if you want to tart up wedding favors with your monogram, go here.

The Ann Arbor News on Wedding Trends

2005-02-19T13:15:00.000-05:00

What's hot in weddings, according to the Ann Arbor news?

Wedding themes: music, Mickey Mouse, country western, or anything that tickles the couple's fancy. Not these themes in particular, but themes in general.

Jewel-toned bridesmaid dresses, tea-length dresses and separates. Pink -- a breakout from the color trend -- is still popular thanks to Trista & Ryan.

Strapless, A-line wedding dresses, still in white or ecru. Simple, streamlined and elegant.

Photojournalistic wedding photography. But you knew that.

Couples' showers: tools for him, kitchen appliances for her.

Destination weddings.

Buffets at receptions, both for added variety and lower costs.

Fall weddings. August is the new June. For the past ten years, more weddings have taken place in August than any other month.

"The fashion for sponsored weddings originated in America."

2005-02-19T12:47:00.000-05:00

So says the London Telegraph.

Pffffffbbbbtttttt. Oh please. As if.

Will someone explain to me how selling your wedding to Hello or OK Magazine doesn't amount to corporate sponsorship? Celebrity Brits have been doing that for years.

I suppose what those-who-eat-marmalade (and clotted cream, for which I'm eternally jealous) are referring to is corporate sponsorship made slightly more blatant. As in, thanking your vendors by name during the reception.

It's true, the Trump Way of financing weddings (which is, I'll admit, American) puts corporate contributors a little more front-and-center. But with weddings running over £17,000, sponsored weddings are looking attractive even to mannerly Brits.

A 33 year old expat from Atlanta, GA is currently helping Brits learn to finance weddings "the American way." She has saved about £10,000 on her upcoming event by approaching sponsors for music, flowers, cake, chocolates and decorations.

By terms of the contract, the couple will list sponsors on invitations and thank-you cards, place framed business cards in front of sponsored products, and verbally thank the sponsors during the reception dinner.

"It has been a lot of hard work," said the bride-to-be. "I've e-mailed about 4,500 companies and asked them for sponsorship and got about 20 positive replies.

"I think the key was to convince the sponsors that it was worth their time and money to invest in our wedding. I didn't just contact them and beg them for their products. That would not have worked."

Sniff, sniff, respond several commentators. "British people wouldn't dare be so up front," says the British editor of You and Your Wedding.

"I really don't think the idea would wash with British couples," says the managing director of Alternative Occasions, a wedding planning firm.

We shall see. We shall see.

Read more about corporate sponsorship of British weddings.

Don't Change Your Hair for Me / Not if You Care for Me

2005-02-17T20:16:00.000-05:00

According to a recent online poll by Modern Bride, if money were no object:

28% of respondents would hire a personal trainer before the big day.
27% would bleach their teeth.
13% would consult a dermatologist.
13% would opt for laser hair removal.
11% would venture into liposuction.
1% would line up behind Kerry for Botox ...

And a whopping 7 percent were satisfied with how they looked.

I Don't: Divorce Parties a Growing Trend

2005-02-16T16:52:00.000-05:00

"The divorce party, a hybrid of a bachelor-bachelorette party and bacchanalian exorcism, is emerging as a celebratory occasion, complete with gift registries and a set of social protocols," says the New York Times. "[M]ore people are looking to commemorate the occasion, even on Valentine's Day, with friends and in public."

What is the divorce party about?

Reuniting with friends that get put on the back burner when one gets engaged, says Rachel Bendtsen, a young divorcee who two years earlier put on a $20,000 wedding.

Society's need for rituals and rites to mark life's important occasions, says David Popenoe at Rutgers University.

Some divorce parties are more pointed than others. At one party, the celebrant's mother gave back her maiden name amid ceremonial drumming.

"I figured when you get married it's supposed to be this wonderful occasion," said a recent divorcee. "Sometimes when you get divorced it is a wonderful occasion, too."

Businesses have jumped on the broken-heart bandwagon. You can buy breakup/divorce party supplies at Plum Party, including voodoo dolls, chocolate shot glasses and "she could no longer pretend" cocktail napkins, while www.theytookeverything.com offers gift registries for the romantically bereaved.

Divorce parties have become so popular that even Sylvia Weinstock, wedding cake maestro, makes masterful cakes for the occasion.

Read more about divorce celebrations here.

Buy the Perfect Wedding Proposal for $300 or Less

2005-02-16T16:19:00.000-05:00

The suitor charted a private helicopter, scheduled to land at a spectactular Hawaiian waterfall where a chef busied himself over a romantic meal for two.

Is he the world's most romantic man? Or did he consult a Wedding Proposal Consultant?

Maybe both, say proposal consultants, a new breed of professional problem-solvers.

"That is my comment No. 1, we're not telling anyone how to propose," said Paul Alden, a proposal consultant of seven years.

Proposal consulting is a growing industry. Among the idea suppliers are:

An Amazing Proposal in Cape Coral, FL
You can get five personalized ideas for $25, or hit the high end with the "Perfect Proposal Package," which involves hand-holding at every step.

Will You Marry Me, Hanover, MA
2propose.com
You can access a database of 100 proprosal ideas for $9.99.

An Exclusive Engagement, Fort Worth, TX
anexclusiveengagement.com
The consultant, Michael Bloomberg, offers help at every step for $325, and runs ideas by a "Chick Tank" panel.

Why all the fuss over the proposal?

Allegheny College history professor, Paula A. Treckel, suggests that "Weddings have become all about the bride. The only part men play is in the asking, which has become minimized as couples are dating longer and just agree to marry. You could argue that men are taking back the process of the asking."

"[A great proposal] is something that the couple will have forever. A great proposal is a keepsake," says Michael Bloomberg.

Read more about this article.

Linus and Tweezer united in Springfield, MO wedding

2005-02-16T16:02:00.000-05:00

Two Malteses, Linus and Tweezer, entered into semi-holy matrimony during a canine wedding that took place in a toy factory, with twenty other dogs and owners in attendance.

The groom, Linus (eight months old) wore a tuxedo, while the bride, Tweezer (two years old) donned a flowing veil and a blue garter in a ceremony that involved an eight year old human "charm bearer." The reception's highlight was a two-tier, heart-shaped cake "suitable for human and canine consumption."

The couple departed from the service in a wooden wagon featuring a "just married" sign and several clanging Dr. Pepper cans. The wagon was pulled by two Bichon Frises. Tweezer, the bride, was bounced out several times.

Wedding Trends for 2005

2005-02-15T16:07:00.000-05:00

What's hot in the year ahead? The Knot fearlessly forges ahead on the topic, and brings us back prognostications like these:

- "Carefree elegance is cool." Don't try too hard, or match too relentlessly, says the Knot -- it's hip to look like someone who embraces spontaneity and imperfection. (We suggest you vaseline those teeth or look into "all-natural" Serenity(TM) pills if you happen to be a natural type-A personality.) What does that mean when planning a reception? Mix up the centerpieces and the tableware, and invite the kids.

- "It's retro & romantic for wedding fashion this year." Soft, touseled hair is all the rage. Choose vintage jewelry over classic: go for grandma's cameos, modest dangling diamond earrings, and delicate strands of seed pearls or even diamonds instead of one bold strand of Grace Kelley monster pearls. A soft mermaid silhouette, possibly with a splash of color, is more fashion-forward than the overly structured princess gown of seasons past.

- "Eclectic food, with lots of choice." The Knot recommends finger foods for guests, "suitable for grazing." For dessert, they suggest a different cake for each table, and none of the concrete variety, please. Or for fun, plates of sno balls and ring-dings. Brides who aren't wild about cakes at all might skip the cupcake towers and serve up mini creme brulees, tarts or tiny pies.

- "Safari time?" The Knot says Africa is hot for 2005 honeymoons, as is Canada (Whistler for sports types and Quebec for romantics).

Read more about about trends for 2005 here.

My Daughter's Five Cents

2005-02-14T19:02:00.000-05:00

Recovered from the flu, my daughter writes letters, nickel attached, to random people in the local phone book.

The first letter reads:

Dear Random Person from the Phone Book:

No, you don't know me, and you have never heard of me, and in all probability we will never see each other and this piece of paper will be the only connection we will ever have.

But, my dear person, we are united in mortality, united in the Genus-Species Homo Sapien. We all have the capabilities to become whatever we want, because yes, humans are FREE and we are both united in this freedom.

Enclosed is a nickel that is yours to spend in whatever way you wish, just as your life is yours to spend as you wish.

United in Universal Humanhood,
Name and Address Withheld

PS - This is NOT an advertisement for the Army if that is what you are thinking.

And the second:

Dear Human:

You and I shall in all probability never see each other. We live our lives with no idea each other exists. Yet we each have a story, a complex past and a brilliant future.

We are all here, on this Earth, as humans. We share a planet and a beautiful country together. We are all capable of good and evil, and it is consciousness of this that indeed DOES make us capable.

Your life is your own, but yet, are our lives really so different? Are our dreams truly different? Perhaps in the execution, but truly we dream the same human dream, you and I.

Enclosed is a nickel that is yours to spend in whatever way you wish, just as your own life is yours to spend.

Yours in a united dream,
Name and Address Withheld

P.S. This is NOT an advertisement for the Democratic Party if that is what you are thinking. After this past year I imagine you are sick of them too.

The Janitor and Her Daughter Have the Flu

2005-02-10T13:54:00.000-05:00

A plague on both your houses, wrote the great bard, apparently referring to my twelfth-floor metropolitan condo and my summer house in Newport.

She — my daughter — started it. I nursed her steadily and faithfully, employing my vast stock of maternal instincts, courtesy of the mammalian line, while filling her head with little bon mots like, "I guess we'd better toss the Sponge Bob cereal; it sure isn't doing your health any favors."

Two days later, during the predictably amusing visit to my daughter's physician, Dr. Torpey, in which he said:

Think about how your attitude is affecting your medical treatment, Marisa. I had a long night "on call" and I don't want to give you a strep test today because I don't need the aggravation.

and:

All this fear is no way to live your life, Marisa. We can try to handle it some other way, but it really sounds like you need anti-anxiety medication.

and which prompted Marisa to reply:

Noooo ... that stuff is bad. It just makes people drowsy and dysfunctional.

and to which he responded:

Are you drawing your conclusions from literature or personal observation?

(People figure out my 12-year old daughter really fast, somehow.)

... anyhow, during the actual visit, while I sat in the overlit cubicle of a waiting room, depositing Marisa's serial used tissues into the biohaz container, I found myself getting sick.

And I stayed sick. As did she. My daughter gets high fevers and bugs periodically, but I haven't had the honest-to-God flu since I was a kid.

We both lay on our respective mattresses with 103 fevers in what seemed like an endless twilight, and a time straight out of Little House on the Prairie when the family thinks they've eaten bad watermelons, but really they've all got malaria.

Marisa finally went back to school today, but I'm still sleeping through most of my life, except, of course, for treating you to this little window into our (as Marisa puts it) GLAMOROUS EXISTENCE.

And because I'm still shaking it off, I won't be able to share with you the fruits of our visit to the optometrist, except to report I was predictably asked, "is she always like this?"

So, about this beach wedding template: you came, you throttled us gently

2005-01-26T16:51:00.000-05:00

until we signed away our Google shares, and then you stepped on our toes until we finally offered up this ol' free beach wedding template for your own wedding website.

No charge, it's merely linkware ... that's where you preserve the very tiny, very discreet links at the bottom in exchange for all our work in providing these beautiful templates. It's a win-win, right? We get to buy the next 5 lb bag of Guatamalan dark roast, and you get a free, gorgeous site for your wedding. Yeah. That'll work until Paypal allows you to send us free beer. Now get off our toes, please. Thanks, that's better.

I, the Janitor, spent yesterday at the alignment shop

2005-01-25T09:43:00.000-05:00

to finally get my vehicle inspected for the new state in which I reside. Being a pessimist at heart (actually, a realist), I surmised that I'd probably have to replace the cracked windshield* to pass the inspection, and furthermore, that my insurance company would somehow wiggle out of contributing. Which I did, and they did.

While I was waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the shop guy to come back and tell me they couldn't do the inspection at all, I sat in a room filled with "fire-regulation violating nightclub sofas, circa early 80s," the usual female oppression magazines (lose 10 pounds, and make this four layer chocolate ganache cake for a better love life), and a small television.

Now, I don't have a TV (they collect dust ... I can't abide dust). And one thing I've learned about not having a TV is, you lose your immunity to it. If you don't have a TV, the visual acrobatics of the average commercial is literally mesmerizing. Which is exactly what some hotshot ad agency intended: 60 jump cuts per spot is not enough to sell blue "SuperSparkles" no-carb pastrami bites! Liven it up, Jorge!

And furthermore, I lucked into an hour, or possibly hours, of Judge Judy.

Now, I can't tell you what a warm feeling it gave me to watch Judge Judy in the waiting room. I mean, Judge Judy goes way back. I can't say for sure, since I grew up in a nearly TV-free household, but surely she precedes Regis Philbin's mouthful of K4-hued crowns and veneers.

I mean, wasn't she there, doling out those delightfully no-nonsense character assassinations, before Reagan chilled a generation of young people to the quick by playing "chicken" with The Other Superpower? Wasn't she doing her thing before the Berlin Wall? If if she wasn't, it feels like she was, and that's good enough.

So I watched, transfixed, as she brandished her tongue among three sets of hapless petitioners. And apparent justice was done. For example, one grasping witch had to give back a diamond engagement ring and repay a loan she accepted from her swain shortly before breaking it off with him. How often does that happen in real life?

Hapless Man: And then she called my employer to harrass me. I have the statement from my employer right here.
JJ: So, Ma'am, why did you call this man's employer of 25 years?
Witch: To let them know what kind of man they were dealing with.
JJ: So, you were being miserable and vindictive.
Witch: Not at all, Your Honor, not at all.

Then, a large, mentally unstable woman living on a trust fund had to pay for the damage done to the car of a neighbor when she shoved the neighbor repeatedly against her own car.

JJ: Do you take medication? You should.
Unstable woman: maniacal giggling
JJ: Your parents have done you a disservice with their trust fund. They have created a person with no purpose in life.
Unstable woman: maniacal giggling

And finally, a gaggle of nubile, blond, Tommy Hilfiger-style teens were ordered to pay a excessive amount for the scratches they inflicted on a Toyota by propping a tent on the roof.

Nubile gaggle of teens: Yes, we propped a tent on Johnny's car, but there's no way that caused a thousand dollars of damage. This woman bringing suit owns the repair shop and wrote that quote herself.
JJ: (pause) When you do wrong, you can't expect to be treated fairly by everyone.
Nubile gaggle of teens: whhhhhinnnnnnnne
JJ: Look, beauty fades, but stupid is forever.

Unfortunately, I myself was awaiting a "judgment" similar to the defendants' in the matter of replacing my windshield*, but it was the most entertaining unproductive hour in a waiting room I've spent in a long time.

*Windshield crack courtesy of my former husband, God rest his soul

For those seeking the Trump/Dior Wedding dress:

2005-01-20T13:48:00.001-05:00

Here, let me help.

You want to see Melania Knauss, number three among "til death do us part"-ers of Donald Of Course I Have a Pre-Nup Trump.

You want to see her slender frame holding up a dress predicted to cause a collapse if she doesn't eat a lumberjack's breakfast before walking down the aisle.

You want to take the news polls asking whether you feel the dress is "beautiful," "hideous", or "okay but not worth 200K," and chuckle internally, knowing your middle class stature preserves you from ever leaning so desperately on the posthumous fashion sense of a Frenchman, and then to discover an overwhelming majority voted, "hideous." You know, of course, that everyone polled wasn't really talking about the dress.

You chuckle further when you find an ever-reliable E! online pundit wrote, "It's sort of modern-day Marie Antoinette ... It also looks like one of those things my Aunt Connie knit or crocheted to put over toilet paper."

Finally, however, you head to Vogue, where they're waiting for you, armed with a photo sequence. Vogue is happy; Vogue is comfortable. One of their own, a model (subject, grammatically), is marrying a wealthy modelizer (direct object, grammatically). That's the way it's meant to work.

The holy union of these two, gilded with a quote from one of Trump's daughters (almost old enough to swap glycolic peels with Melania herself), that "they're really in love" and "they'll probably be together forever," proves that all is well in the world.

And the entire media universe is picking it up and inoculating it into every last little corner of the world. Be inoculated now! Check out Vogue's happy smug photo feature!

Oh, and ... if you're looking for Knauss' 15 carat ring? Look no further than Getty Images - click here.

Bridezilla's Back

2005-01-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

Sorry about that sort of unannounced haitus we had going.

In my off-time, when I'm not pursuing janitorial perfection or reading the Oxford English Dictionary, I like to devote my time to animals. And thus, I'm acquainted with the story of a rescue dog who, unfortunately, snatched up and consumed an entire dish towel from a drawer when no one was looking.

Unfortunately, the lovely dog in question didn't survive. But it does provide me with a metaphor for the process of launching the new wedding favors shopping section. No matter how far-fetched it sounds, from what I've seen, its creation pangs were not unlike having an entire dish towel in your stomach (but double the sensation, since you and I doubtless outsize a medium-sized dog).

Anyhow, I've wandered off the point again. Which is, Bridezilla is back. Unless we eat any more dish towels, we expect she'll stay pretty on schedule now. Don't quote us, though. And in the meantime, keep your drawers closed; locked, if you're blessed with a counter-surfer.

Filet Mignon fer nothin' and yer chicks for free

2005-01-14T15:41:00.000-05:00

Sure, English celebs have been doing it for years ... selling spots in their wedding to OK Magazine and the like to lower the cost of a lavish fete for their closest 500. But Americans ... Americans, we like to think, have held out on selling out in one of life's most sacred three events.

No longer, at least among those whose faces make Star. In fact, product placement is becoming the norm among those whose celebrity makes them public property, says CNNMoney. Caterers and vendors, rationally or not, rush to be the one who ponies up the goods for free in hopes of red-carpet exposure.

In Donald Trump's case, that includes catered filet mignon (and a delish-sounding green peppcorn sauce) for 500. For nada.

Diamond rings seem to be the only element even the famous can't get for free; Trump had to settle for 50% off on his 15-carat bagatelle.

"For every [wedding supply need]," says Trump, "there's five people who want to do it. In all cases they don't want anything, but they want recognition."

Other celebrities who got big wedding discounts in return for high-profile mentions are Britney Spears, Tori Spelling and of course -- Star Jones.

The hottest thing going in wedding dresses

2005-01-14T14:32:00.000-05:00

We now wander over to Iowa, where a "news intern" interviews a bridal shop owner and gives us a few tips on what's hot in wedding attire this season.

And that would be:

Strapless wedding dresses with "simple", classic designs, yet featuring more detail work and embroidery than the past.
Tiaras, going as strong as ever.
Shorter shoes, but with more embellishment
Shorter hemlines for bridesmaid dresses.
Black weddings: once popular, then less so, and now, popular once again. Bridesmaids might wear black -- as might the bride!
Wedding gowns and veils in colors other than white.
Pastels for tuxes: pale blues and yellows. (Black is still the overwhelming favorite.)
Choosing a color for your bridesmaids, but letting them pick out their gowns.
Square-toed shoes for the men.

Bridal attire in real colors, while still unusual, are gaining ground. Brides can now find wedding dresses and matching veils in red, black, gold, violet, and even black. Actress Jennifer Connelly memorably wore a black gown at her wedding.

Not-so-brave brides are incorporating splashes of colors in the form of accents, beads, overlays and sashes. Other brides go for colored dresses, but choose the softer route of pinks and blues.

How the West Was Wed

2005-01-14T13:37:00.000-05:00

See also: Dog Theme Weddings

Welcome to the latest stop in our Comparative Weddingology course: Colorado.

Boulder's Daily Camera describes "an increasingly popular trend in which couples put their own creative twists on tradition."

What does that mean, exactly? It might mean weaving fragrant herbs into the ceremony and reception, to show a love of nature. It often means the ceremony's held outdoors during the warm, dry months. And it also means the personal touch with wedding favors, reception music, flower designs and most especially, the overall wedding theme. Drafting the couple's dog as ringbearer is becoming more popular, too.

Western couples try hard to involve their guests and create a sense of togetherness, says one planner. One couple, who designed an arch of aspen leaves, asked their guests to decorate the arch with supplied fresh flowers and "kind wishes and blessings."

Although "nine out ten" Boulder brides she talked with planned an outdoor ceremony, said one retailer, the dresses themselves are as formal as ever.

Baby Mamas Begged to Wed

2005-01-06T18:02:00.000-05:00

You know about Baby Mamas, right? Those women of color from da hood who have few expectations of marrying their children's father, otherwise known as a baby daddy?

You've read the articles where baby mamas and daddies are exhorted to just marry already! despite the fact that most see precious few successful (or even actual) marriages to go by?

The author of Marry Your Baby Daddy is ... seducing/bribing/encouraging/enticing (pick one) ten baby mammas to marry their baby daddies in an all-expenses paid wedding ceremony. Mammas must be living with said daddies at the time.

"I want to turn baby mamas into wives," says author Maryanne Reid.

Okay by Us, But You'll Have to Tell Aunt Sally Yourself

2005-01-06T17:53:00.000-05:00

A reporter from beautiful Kerala, India reports that despite strong families, strong traditions and strong religious convictions, "seriously interfaith" marriages (Hindu/Christian/Muslim) are nonetheless becoming more common -- even in rural areas like Kerala.

The reporter notes that parents overcome their initial pain the prospect in order to avoid hurting their children, but less immediate family members require more convincing.

Oh, India -- I feel a big, big trend coming on

2005-01-04T16:29:00.000-05:00

We're about to get hit by a tidal wave of Indian-national popular culture. I feel it in my bones.

Oh yes, Bride and Prejudice got my attention. I had no choice. Neither did you. We all rushed to Yahoo and Google and searched on its devastatingly beautiful female lead, and checked out that kewl Flash on its website, and if we lived in small towns, clicked in droves to Netflix where we slotted the movie straight into the queue, even if it hasn't hit theaters yet, much less DVD. Bollywood and Hollywood are slamming together at last.

What does this mean for weddings? I have a sense about that too. Because you see, when a Westerner sees a full-bore Indian national wedding, they feel excitement. And jealousy. And if they're systematic and of the British variety, they see an Indian wedding planner not long after. You simply can't outdo the glitz, fun and glamor of an Indian wedding. It makes ours look so corporate and bone-dry in comparison. We feel so Puritan when our gaze finally reverts back to its resting place in the West.

And why should we be so stuffy and Puritan when we ... (well, the Beatles, really, but we had more hippies) ... reintroduced body piercing and hashish to the West not so long ago? Shouldn't we have fun too? Shouldn't our friends and relatives supply video-worthy onstage performances at our nuptials? Shouldn't our closest thousand friends join us for three solid days of revelry? Shouldn't we bare our lovely be-sequinned midriffs at the biggest party we'll ever throw?

I think we should, and they will. I feel it in my bones.

It was cheaper, then ... or p'raps not

2005-01-03T08:20:00.000-05:00

Even before WWI, the typical wedding consumed about a third of a family's yearly income. Costs are higher now ... but not so much as you'd think, eh?

The other side of the spectrum from red plastic wedding cakes

2005-01-03T08:01:00.000-05:00

The Albuquerque Journal brings us a sweet little article showing that wedding trends really are regional in this huge country of ours. Deep down there in the deep south and the far west, weddings are getting a little softer and slower.

A caterer interviewed by AJ says that people are looking for more natural, organic, slow-cooked foods, are grouping guests together in larger, more communal tables, trying to avoid the "corporate wedding look and feel," and indulging in old-fashioned flowers such as hydrangeas and lilies in larger, cascading arrangements that are anything but minimalist. They're even going so far as to prefer traditional, softer wedding cake frostings to fondant.

It's about warmth and comfort, softness and lace, and a little bit of a vintage flavor, say the article's consultants. Sounds a little Spanish colonial to us, and just about perfect.

Unrelatedly, The Day lets us know that most brides choose French manicures for their big day -- the natural look being an overwhelming favorite. Brides needing more jazz go for French manicures with sparkly overcoats, and brides wanting something blue not uncommonly get blue pedicures. Bridesmaids enjoy a wider range of expression and can paint their nails to match their dress without defying convention.

Wedding Trends in the Far East

2005-01-01T11:29:00.000-05:00

Q: What's the difference between Chinese and American weddings?
A: Less and less.

40% of your modern Chinese couples, the ambitious spenders, plan to dish out about 12K on their wedding. Sure, they're a little behind, by our standards. But look how fast they're gaining! This is an impressive 240% increase over spending levels for the nineties. You know, that decade long, long ago?

If you're a Chinese wedding planner, this time of year is simply crazy. As with their Indian neighbors, the Chinese high season for weddings is now -- right now. What's more, the (lunar) Year of the Rooster, coming up fast, is commonly believed to be poor for weddings -- it lacks the day marking the start of Spring. All this impending unfavorableness gives couples until February 9th to tie the knot.

With the increase in spending, wedding planning services abound -- and now include those formerly American spectacles such as underwater ceremonies, hot air balloon departures, and bungee jumping.

You'll recognize another trend, as well ... increasing pressure to have a colorful, interesting, rich and "creative" ceremony.

Today, Chinese weddings are a 30-billion-dollar industry, with promise of massive growth to come.

And in the beginning was the (Wedding) Word

2005-01-01T11:09:00.000-05:00

Guess what inexorably follows an explosion of wedding magazine titles?

That's right ... an explosion of wedding books!

And not even incarceration and the indignity of those losing cellblock paper cranes can prevent Martha from contributing to the crop.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review pulls out three newcomers from the wire reports:

Wedding Chic: The Savvy Bride's Guide to Getting the Most by Spending Less. Sure, it's been done a hundred times before, but has it ever been done with a title quite so long?

Then, more originally, there's the Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Weddings. This book reportedly goes beyond the basic wedding disasters, dispensing helpful advice should a scarletina-type rash cover your chest and shoulders on your big day, or the groom find himself handcuffed to a bowling ball.

Then, a book churned out by Martha's empire, Our Wedding Scrapbook, is notable for the number of blank pages you fill in yourself. No word on whether "Our Most Embarrassing Moments" is among the headers.

On a beautiful news day, Japan's Princess Mononoke ..

2004-12-31T01:46:00.000-05:00

Sorry, I mean Princess Sayako, age 35 and a professional bird researcher, announced her intention to marry an educated "commoner." Awwwwww.

Unrelatedly, a columnist for the Korea Herald intruigingly notes that cell phones have gotten so messily complex, "no camera" can be billed as a feature. He forecasts the day when more fashion-oriented accessories, such as wedding bands, will also function as discreet, stripped-down communication devices.

Speaking of wedding bands: you've seen titanium bands (you know, the kind you don't want ever to get in a car crash while wearing), and you've seen platinum bands. But are you ready for wedding bands (and engagement rings) made of palladium? Get set for these Chinese-made phenomena to hit a NYC jeweller in 2005, now that palladium goes for less than a quarter of the cost of platinum.

In Today's Wedding Espresso

2004-12-29T14:01:00.000-05:00

We learn that the overseas bookie king, Ladbrokes, is laying odds that Wayne Rooney and Coleen McLoughlin, at the ripe old ages of 18 and 19, are the celebrity couple most likely to marry and reproduce in 2005. Our only question: Wayne & Coleen who? We're better acquainted with the embattled Beckhams. The odds are 4/1 that they'll divorce during the next 12 months, according to The Scotsman.

Jennifer Aniston, reportedly spotted "without her wedding ring," enjoys 9/1 odds that she splits with Brad during the year ahead.

We also learn that, fresh on the tails of wedding magazine success comes a wedding ring picture book (with a few words to give it weight): With This Ring: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Jewelry. Interestingly, the book features close-up photos of the baubles worn by Liz Taylor, Grace Kelley and Audrey Hepburn as well as more mod celebrity couples like Jennifer Aniston and Madonna. The idea is, guys will buy this book and be better informed as to what a diva like you deserves. It's a lovely thought, innit?

People magazine reminds us that the year that brought us so many juicy marital highjinks, two committed by Britney herself, also brought us celebrity offspring with monikers like Phinnaeus, Coco, Kaiis, Roman, Apple, Hazel, Milo and perhaps worst of all, Makena'lei.

Then, all the "most tasteless celebrity antics in 2004" reviews recall that Star ... Reynolds' wedding was underwritten by more than 27 official sponsors -- almost two for each bridesmaid -- not to mention the more subtle product-placement arrangement. Didn't you register at Tiffany's, too?

Last but not least, The San Francisco Chronicle interviews a SF party planner for the upper-crust set, Stanlee Gatti. He tells us that the well-heeled will always spend money on a wedding, whether it's good times or bad, but the guest list will change depending on the economic climate. If the small fry are struggling away at the office, they probably won't be invited.

More on Donations as Wedding Favors

2004-12-27T15:19:00.000-05:00

If you like the memorial wristband theme, but can't quite work those bright yellow Lance Armstrong bracelets into your reception, how about pink bracelets you can purchase from the Donna Hicken Foundation for breast cancer research? They cost $5, fit a pretty wide spectrum of wedding colors, and support a great cause.

Wedding Espresso

2004-12-27T11:54:00.000-05:00

In today's Wedding Espresso, we learn that the number of wedding-theme magazines has increased by 143% percent over the last decade, putting them in the lead of "increasingly popular magazine themes." Wedding magazines were bested by lifestyle magazines, but outperformed dog magazines, also a category with heavy gains.

The Knot informs us that 23% of marriage proposals take place during that season of food, drink, and brain fog between Turkey Day and New Year's Eve.

So if you haven't gotten one yet, it might not happen until 2005 wears out. Our condolences.

DuluthNewsTribune.com announces that chocolate fountains -- yes, those very delicacies that'll cost you $400 at your reception -- are now being made available to rent in a smaller, less pricey form. So you could conceivably trot one out at a bridal shower. Mmmmmm. We love it, just as much as we love the fresh-fried-donut-and-toppings bar (whipped cream, chocolate and raspberry sauce) coming out of LA.

In a paean to that packing and stress-release material of the century, Cox News lets us know that bubble wrap makes a stunning gown for "the bride with nothing to hide."

The problem with quitting coffee

2004-12-21T11:21:00.000-05:00

with too much force and fervor is the prodigious number of frozen chocolate chips you find yourself consuming throughout the day.

Why cats are deservedly oppressed, Part 9

2004-12-15T21:56:00.000-05:00

A cat, when seeking something to bat about and puncture, does not discriminate between a scrap of paper and a lovingly rolled and labelled ziplock bag of Certified Organic Sun Dried Golden Hunza Raisins.

It's a tough year for marrying in India

2004-12-15T14:43:00.000-05:00

If you're one of the financiers, that is.

American wedding planning is nothing compared to the Indian version, which often involves over a thousand people, a wardrobe stuffed with costumes, the swapping of gold, and a progression of separate venues.

But one thing is simpler in India, and that's deciding when to get married. Rather than agonizing over summer, winter or fall, the Indian bride marries on auspicious days during the wedding season that runs roughly from November to February. (The "New Year" is especially favored, since state-side relatives and students can fly in with relative ease).

Just as Bollywood is to Hollywood, so is the Indian wedding to our paltry one-venue version. The strain on the pocketbook, though, is reported to be worse than ever this year, with gold prices reaching an all-time high (much like our heating bills) and an unquenchable ambition to be more glamorous, more conspicuous, more epic than the Joneses (and assembling an ersatz movie set, complete with elephants, isn't out of the question).

It's not just a sit-down affair, though. A proper Indian wedding involves high-rolling, MTV-style entertainment ... put on by the wedding party and friends. No small amount of effort is required to make a group of bankers, mothers, retailers and kid sisters bob and shuffle like Britney's backup boys, so wedding choreographers are hired, and stage lights and professional sound systems duly trundled in.

And if you haven't seen 'this season's' midriff-baring, rhinestone studded, jewel-toned Indian bridalwear, you don't know what you're missing.

Sure, copy like "delicate, sexy little cholis, which emphasise the curves of nubile brides" isn't part of our post-feminist Modern Bride lexicon, but wouldn't it be fun if it were?

Don't you get the sense that our pastel, Eastern seaboard style affairs could stand a little more color, more punch, more skin, more sparkle, more groovin' grandmas, more high-octane rock and roll? A high-profile Indian wedding tends to inspire a little, well, envy, in foreign attendants.

Given that they've out-Hollywooded us on that front, I, the Janitor, expect the Indian wedding to catch fire on this side of the Atlantic, starting, of course, in LA. Yeah, quote me.

Architectural wedding cake trends

2004-12-15T10:31:00.000-05:00

was the subject of a fascinating article in the Philly Daily News, which asked a cake-baker what was hot for the holidays.

She describes an amazing landscape in which cakes are more like "installations" than edibles. Most of this is due to the magical qualities of fondant, an icing which resembles sweetened concrete.

Fondant can be tinted to any hue your heart desires. What's more, it adds strength to the composition so that one can build things like the "crazy tilting Christmas packages" described in the article.

And what's more, fondant has the virtue of being easy to peel off if the colors render it inedible or at the least, unappetizing.

Of course, there are probably other substances that share these happy qualities and yet improve on fondant. Fondant really isn't all that strong, for one. Sure, it's a powerhouse compared to buttercream, but fondant isn't effectively strengthened when you add steel reinforcing rods.

For an icing-like substance with true possibilities -- meaning strength, plasticine hues, and peelability, we recommend the following alternatives:

- American "cheese." It's soft when first applied, but hardens over the course of several days. This substance, being a petroleum rather than a dairy product, is infinitely tintable ... that is, if you choose to stray from that distinctly American "mac & cheese" hue. We prefer to retain its organic form and slap it on like happy yellow shingles.

- Chewing gum. Dries even harder than fondant or American cheese, and peels beautifully (a fact your guests will appreciate). Tinting bubble gum isn't simple, especially after you've chewed it, but why improve on perfection? That dusty pink hue says "true love" like no other. If you simply must tint, we suggest embedding fruit loops in the substrate. Buy several boxes, and segregate out your wedding hues -- or better yet, commission a helpful maid of honor.

- Paraffin. This crafter's friend is practically indistinguishable from fondant, particularly if you toss in some sugar. Take a hint from the "wax lips" and "wax soda bottles" of old; have your baker create a delicious, fluid-filled paraffin balloon for your big event. Or if you're a traditionalist who prefers the filling be cake, leverage paraffin's unique qualities as a fuel. Why put candles on the cake when you can make the cake itself the candle?

- Tree sap. This elegant ancestor of chewing gum offers the greatest range of tinting possibilities, as well as providing your guests with much-needed nutrition. Simply scrape the sap off some nearby trees, and melt in a pot, along with paste coloring (the liquid variety won't do). If you wish, add sugar, and perhaps a touch of paraffin for softness and opacity. Mix well over medium heat. Apply while still warm. Be prepared to field a number of enthusiastic inquiries from surprised and delighted guests.

On zeitgeists and wedding planners

2004-12-14T22:10:00.000-05:00

I didn't even mean to talk about this one ... but got caught up in an interesting article on women who choose not to take their husband's name at marriage.

Apparently, this practice peaked in the nineties, with approximately 23% of women sticking close to their own. Since then, name-keeper numbers have declined to 17%. Figures are higher among highly educated professional women, natch, but they've slid across all demographics.

Anyhow, after a rollicking good time in which all possible viewpoints as to why women keep or toss their original surnames are presented, virtually none of them sustainable, the article closes with this fabulous quote:

"Weddings [noted by Professor Claudia Goldin at Harvard] have become glitzier, more expensive and more public. Goldin suggests that the American fad for expensive wedding planners means that couples opting to marry are out to make an overt statement of togetherness. A shared name thus becomes another stitch in the quilt of commitment. 'It's a return to romance, a desire to make marriage work,' Goldin concludes. 'And people will do anything to make it work. It's as if people say, 'If we add this crazy glue, and everyone witnesses it, we'll be okay'."

How many of us have witnessed this philosophy in the up-close-and-personal romantic lives of our selves and acquaintances?

If we add this crazy glue, and everyone witnesses it, we'll be okay.

It's beautiful, baby. It really is.

And here it is, time to surrender the desktop and pick up the mop, and I haven't even gotten to the topic of architectural wedding cake trends.

Well, next time.

And until then, let me close with the observation that a standoffish cat with an unpleasant repertoire of facial expressions can find their personality suddenly improved several hundredfold by spaying. However, this was not my intent when I had the cat spayed. I swear.

As we were speeding...

2004-12-12T13:53:00.000-05:00

down the highway (well, ok not really yet) in Buffalo, I caught sight of a semi that said 'can you handle it?' with a picture of milk on it.
Mother is slighty allergic to milk, so she said "no".
I myself was curious to see why they put that on a milk truck, so I looked. There were four cartons and on three I read: Intense Strawberry, Intense Vanilla, and Intense Chocolate. Before I could read the last one, however, it passed us. Now, if there had been only 3 and I had seen chocolate and vanilla, I would have known what the other would be, but since there were 4, and we had seen only 3, I couldn't rest till I knew what the next one was.
I urged Mother to go faster, and well... that was why we were speeding.
Intense Cookies and Cream. I was like, OOOHHHHKKKKKK..... Intense Cookies and Cream for crying out loud!!!!

P.S. I'm sure you can guess who it's from.
P.P.S. Have you heard that the Spongebobs from Burger Kings around the nation have been stolen? I love Burger King's Tendercrisp Chicken Sandwich. I highly recommend it.
P.P.P.S. Oh, alright, this message is from Marisa.

Buh Bye

No matter your personal orientation,

2004-12-06T21:04:00.000-05:00

you have to admit, this is priceless:

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."

President George W. Bush,
prior to signing the 2004 Defense Appropriations Bill,
August 5, 2004

How "The News" can drive you crazy

2004-12-06T13:46:00.000-05:00

Observe these excerpts from a recent Daily Herald article (and a thousand other smaller-press knock-offs):

"The number of single and two-person households has soared. One demographic group has increased particularly fast: single women 30 to 35 years old ... It's clear from the new Census figures that compared to the middle of the 20th century, marriage is not nearly a universal status of adulthood ... the Census did note that the proportion of young, never-married singles has increased dramatically in the United States. That's particularly true for women of a certain age. The number of households consisting of single women 30 to 34 has tripled since 1970."

Now, from the same day, read a bit from the much-more-excitingly-titled "Virtuous Virgins Give Birth to U.S. Marriage Boom":

"Forthcoming [US] reports will highlight both an increase in teens who describe themselves as 'religious' and the largest number of young women getting married since the dawn of the so-called permissive age ... In 1999, 12% of women aged 21 to 24 lived 'in sin' with men, while 9% married them. In 2003, according to interim data, these figures were reversed."

To up the sizzle quotient, the article trots out Britney's threadbare intent (of four years ago) to save her virginity until marriage, and Lindsey Lohan's recent revelation that she wants to be a young mom because it's "more fun for the baby."

(Of course, the thought of being a helpless infant placed in Lindsey Lohan's little pink hands by the universe conjures up images not exactly consonant with the word, "fun.")

The article ends by noting that panicked wedding planners all over the country are meeting in an attempt to work out double-bookings for all of 2005 in anticipation of the boom, and estimates that about 80% of these young, cavalier weddings will fizzle out.

That doesn't mean they're a mistake, though. Despite all appearances, nobody makes a $25,000 error. A young, "gorgeous" wedding, no matter how statistically doomed, makes for a more natural and convincing red carpet experience. Twenty-three-year-old fiancees do not have to spend thousands of dollars on personal training, tooth whitening and level-the-playing-field plastic surgery to look fresh, leggy and nubile. Instead, they can channel all those funds into theater.

It is no longer necessary to wax a thousand BMWs or serve up a thousand fat-free frappucinos in the slums of LA, flattery ready on the tongue, so as to meet an A or B-lister and capture their late evening time slot and/or affection. You can go directly to Feeling the Love, so long as you are young, attractive and have a line of credit.

So to wrap up, the sudden upswing in young, virginal, practically-teenage weddings makes great sense as well as great copy, thanks in part to Brit. But the overall trend toward a Danish style society where hip young(ish) chicks trot around with 0-2 children, no husband in sight, is the one with muscle.

one nation?
two nations!
red nation,
blue nation.

black nation,
blue nation.
old nation,
new nation ...

You know you've torqued off the Universe

2004-12-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

When you live in New York and your best friend lives in Alaska.

My daughter meets Dr. Torpey

2004-11-30T19:24:00.000-05:00

[after prolonged engagement in which Dr. Torpey attempts to give Marisa a strep test. Marisa plasters her hands over her mouth for twenty minutes.]

DR: Marisa, what's really the problem here?
MARISA: I dunno, I'm a coward.
DR: Hmmmmm.

Long struggle ensues, during which a long line of more cooperative patients fidget in the waiting room. Finally, Dr. Torpey leaves the room, throwing an exhortation for "us two to work this out" over his shoulder.

During his absence, I myself swab the magic q-tip on Marisa's uvula, at least as far as I can tell. As if anyone knows what an uvula is. I make at least three scrapes to make sure it "takes." I also drop the swab on the floor, so what shows up in the petri dish oughta be interesting.

Dr. Torpey returns, and attempts to advance Marisa's stage of enlightment. "I want you to write out a list," he instructs, "one for your weaknesses, and one for your strengths."

Marisa whispers angrily to me, "Mom, I'm going to kill you. He's NOT MY THERAPIST." She then turns to Dr. Torpey and begins more loudly, "Negative, I'm a coward. Positive, I don't punch the people at school."

Dr. Torpey, easily sidetracked, takes the bait. "No, you should never punch people at school."

"See," replies Marisa, "that's a positive."

MARISA: 1 DR. TORPEY 0

Dr. Torpey, attempting for a graceful finish, writes up some prescriptions, during which time Marisa informs him I've been to law school and grew up in Alaska. "Interesting," he hums. She winks at me.

As we get up to leave, he says, "Marisa, you need to really dig down about what bothers you about seeing a doctor, and come to terms with it. You're 12, and in some cultures that marks the beginning of your adulthood. You can deal with this fear of yours." He pauses and smiles. "I HAVE CONFIDENCE."

Marisa pauses, looks him straight in the eye, and slowly says, "Um, that sounds kind of cheesy."

A silence of five long seconds ensues.

MARISA: 2 DR. TORPEY 0

Dr. Torpey stutters a little, but gets up for the final round. "Well, I do look like John Denver," he admits, "and it used to be even worse."

He exits the examination room crooning "Sunshine on My Shoulders," and yes, oh yes, I laughed hysterically. As I was signing the check, and as I was walking out through the lounge, and in the car, too.

BTW, not one iota of this entry did I invent or even gloss.

Not that I ever would.

Funny what you encounter in civilization

2004-11-29T17:04:00.001-05:00

I might before have alluded to my decade long, top-secret special assignment in an area so remote, the deer founded Methodist churches just for the company. But despite the remoteness, The Area had a dentist.

Not your ordinary dentist, mind you. This dentist almost certainly kept a chainsaw in the cab of his truck, like most denizens of The Area. This dentist looked quite at home with power tools of the oversized variety. This dentist kept a running comic monologue going and frequently referred to his child patients as "wimps."

Still, I really liked him.

The problem is, when I at last completed my assignment and returned to civilization, I returned to more orthodox dentistry. And the more orthodox hygienist immediately discovered four, count them, four cavities in my mouth.

Okay, no problem. A hit that's purely financial (and under 1K) isn't much of a hit at all, right? We're as wealthy as we are healthy, right? So I made an appointment and courageously showed up to have three of them filled at once. Well, actually, I was intending to have one filled, but was in no position to argue once they propped open my jaw.

Well, I was in for a little surprise. Because, you see, the Deerland Dentist handled cavities in a remarkably low-key way. He looked inside your mouth, found the vaguely blackish areas, slapped on some composite, poked in the little "Helioseal" gadget, wrote up the bill, and that was that.

I had no idea that drilling was usually involved in filling cavities. None. So when my more metropolitan dentist asked me if I required novacaine to get my fillings done, I said quite brightly, "uh ... I guess not. I never have before." Oh, the hygienist was so impressed, and so pleased!

Well, here's how a snippet of that dialogue went:

ME: Ahhhhhh .... [jerk] ... arkkk .... [squirm] ... gloobbbburrrl ...
THE PATRIARCH: Yes?
HYGIENIST: removes prop from my mouth so I may speak
ME: Are you almost done?
THE PATRIARCH, UTTERLY DEADPAN: We're just getting started.

Well, when all was said and done, readers, I disappointed the perky hygienist and most definitely required novacaine. Which was not the ordeal in itself that I expected. I remember the Giant Needle from my youth, but these days they apply some goo to your gums even before The Needle, so any trauma involved with said Needle is purely visual.

And the sight of tooth chips flying out of your mouth is disconcerting indeed, but not painful.

So the only problem (other than the $350 hit to the credit card) is what happens when you return home and the novacaine wears off.

Oh ... my ... God.

I still can't believe that a proper dentist has to drill your teeth to fill a cavity. It requires a metaphysical relignment of the second order and a reassessment of my willingness to be an adult.

Yet another....

2004-11-27T17:22:00.000-05:00

message from the Janitor's daughter.

You haven't forgotten me, have you? I hope not, but just in case.. I'm Marisa.

Uh.... have any of you heard of double-lollies? They are SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOODDDD! If you have, you know the ecstacy I am in now. They are like lollipops, but they are sweetarts. They are called "double" because they have two colors, yellow and orange, and blue and red; my preferance is for the orange and yellow kind. They sell for 5 cents at my local store, and I found five pennies in my room recently, so you know what is in my mouth....

And Spongebob! He is SSSSSOOOOOO CCCCOOOOLLLLL as well. Mother Dearest recently got a little surprise for me: Season 1! Despite certain (here I clear my throat meaningfully) MALFUNCTIONS of the screen, I have been having the time of my life!!!!

La la la... the world is cool... La la la...

I could talk to you forever, however Mother is coming. Must go...

Bye bye
Marisa

Thanksgiving was lovely

2004-11-26T11:36:00.000-05:00

This year, I tried my first deep-fried turkey. The frying apparatus was a large "can" powered by a propane tank, so I could fry my very own turkeys, if minded. (Apparently the wives of fire captains go stalking around their respective communities on Thanksgiving Eve, warning of the fire hazards of turkey-frying, but we were left in peace.)

Deep fried turkey is delicious. So, however, is roasted turkey, as long as it's brined. Any brined turkey is a supernatural experience. I really couldn't tell the difference between a fried and roasted bird anyway.

At Thanksgiving, I met a young woman who works for MTV in New York. She got a job there immediately on arrival, fresh from her Boston matriculation, eight years ago.

She says it's hard to meet good men in NY, even though she goes on many dates; really hard. She shares an apartment with a tiny Korean girl who doesn't have a good grasp of unspoken American girly rules, like when you should temporarily vacate your apartment, and stay the night at a friend's. Their rooms are divided by a curtain.

Although she hasn't talked to Britney personally, when pressed, admits that Britney sounds remarkably unintelligent from across the room.

This all felt vaguely 'evocative' to me. I remember interviewing for a job in NYC, some time ago. I was pretty young, and had bought an expensive pair of brown Italian leather pumps somewhere not far from Times Square, the finest pair of shoes I had ever owned, and I had seemingly walked across the entire island in them en route to my interview.

It was with a [...] shop (of course), but we could not agree on my salary. They wanted to offer me less than 40K and I was afraid to try to make it on less in NY. I remember feeling quite clever at the time, since my current employer had footed to bill to send me to NY in the first place. I was to attend a conference there and take notes. I couldn't then, and still can't, believe the yawning suspension of disbelief that powers contemporary business.

At this late stage, I now remember the impetus for this post. The impetus was that I may refer to my readers as "peeps." Although "peeps" has that slightly stale air of something that might, in fact, be "so 1999," it's become darn near ubiquitious in the world of self-publishing over the past few months, so that people who habitually miss the last train of pop culture competency find this word emerging from their mouths and keyboards.

And I meant to bewail the fact that although I have just ordered a $200 "twin-gear" juicer in hopes of upgrading the quality of our small household's diet, two gooey homemade cinnamon rolls (avec frosting) were pressed upon us last night, so I begin this Holiday Season with that oldest of impulses, nutritional self-abuse.

At least I'm sipping green tea, but green tea is commonly found to be contaminated with DDT, not to mention it has a nasty habit of picking up any and all flourin molecules that might be (and often are) present in the soil, which despite what the Crest Commandos might want you to believe, is not a good thing.

So after this, coffee.

Good night, You Princes of Maine, You Peeps of this Planet.

You'll have noticed

2004-11-12T01:40:00.000-05:00

that Socks the Cat was immediately presented with a book deal upon his owner taking eight-years' possession of the White House. The reason being, not that Socks possessed voice or presence or immediacy or contacts in the underworld or Hollywood or the Sudan, or a flavorful recipe for baked chicken, but that it is impossible to conduct any serious business in the presence of a cat. Socks required distraction, even decomission (heard anything from him lately? Thought not). You cannot use a pen, or scratch your leg, or shuffle papers importantly, or eat anything rich in milkfat without being molested by a resident cat.

And you absolutely can't strip the wallpaper from your walls.