http://www.populate.net/ Articles at Populate.NET en-us http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/maid-of-honor-duties.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/maid-of-honor-duties.html Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:29:51 -0700 Being chosen as a maid of honor is a great privilege, but it also requires a large number of responsibilities in the wedding planning process. The maid of honor will likely be spending a great deal of time with the best man, since their duties are often the same and require them to work hand-in-hand in order for the wedding to be a success. Once you have dealt with the excitement of being part of the wedding party and of wearing a great dress, it's time to start planning immediately. Here is a list of common duties the maid of honor must fulfill:

1. It is the maid of honor's responsibility to shop with the bride and attend all dress fittings. The maid of honor may want to help the bridesmaids shop for their dresses as well.

2. The maid of honor will be required to help with wedding invitations, wedding favors, flower arrangements, centerpieces or anything else at the bride's request.

3. A large part of the maid of honor's duties requires her to throw the bridal shower and bachelorette parties. The maid of honor will be responsible for planning and hosting all of these parties. If the couple decides they want a stag and doe (as opposed to bachelor and bachelorette parties) the maid of honor and best man will work together to plan and host the event.

4. It's the maid of honor's duty to record the names of the guests at the bridal party as well as their gifts. It is also her job to send out thank you cards to all guests.

5. During the wedding ceremony, it's the maid of honor's responsibility to hold onto the groom's ring (the best man is required to hold onto the bride's ring).

6. It's the maid of honor's responsibility (as well as the best man's) to sign the wedding license as a witness.

7. Finally, it is tradition for the maid of honor and best man to dance together at the reception.

If you are a first-time maid of honor and need help planning there are many people who would be eager to help out starting with the bride's mom or the bridesmaids. There are also a number of Internet resources to assist you with bridal planning and ideas.

The maid of honor has many responsibilities, but it's important to remember that the bride would not have chosen you if she didn't think you were capable of fulfilling these obligations.

]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/wedding-reception-tips-for-brides-on-a-budget.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/wedding-reception-tips-for-brides-on-a-budget.html Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:38:02 -0700 (ARA) - The reception is traditionally one of the most expensive aspects of a wedding. However, by combining personal creativity and ingenuity -- the foundation of lifestylist Sandra Lee’s Semi-Homemade(R) philosophy -- with inexpensive, ready-made items available at discount retailers, brides-to-be and cash-strapped parents can host a beautiful wedding reception without blowing through the entire bridal budget.

"Creating a beautiful wedding environment on a budget is simple," says Sandra Lee, entertaining expert and author. "By putting a personal touch on everything from table centerpieces to wedding favors, brides and grooms can save while creating memories for years to come."

While June is still the most popular month for weddings, according to a recent study by Hallmark.com, September and October are quickly gaining in popularity. Sandra Lee offers some great last-minute planning tips this fall for brides and grooms-to-be:

* If renting a reception tent, create a romantic environment by purchasing sheering fabric and 2-inch ribbon from a local discount retailer to drape around the canopy. Create billows of fabric and hang from the ceiling, wrap around poles, and swag in the entryway.

* Whether throwing an indoor or outdoor reception, flowers help set the tone but can quickly add up. A typical flower budget is 15 percent of the overall cost of a wedding. Consider using some of the beautiful and realistic-looking silk flowers available today intermingled with arrangements of fresh flowers to keep the romance high and the costs low. The bride and groom can use the silk flowers in the home for years to come.

* Every bride wants to do something unique at her wedding. Create a dramatic, sweet-smelling entrance for guests by lining a walkway to the reception venue or reception tent with fresh rose petals. Also consider renting a bubble machine, available at retailers such as Wal-Mart, for some added ambiance and fun.

* Renting both table settings and white linen tablecloths can get expensive. Instead, consider purchasing clear glass plates from a discount retailer. Stack the salad plate on top of the dinner plate and place a large leaf between the two for a very pretty place setting. Buying plates is often less expensive than renting and the bride and groom can keep them for the years (and dinner parties) ahead.

* Remember to keep centerpieces either low enough or high enough so guests can see each other from across the table. A simple cake pedestal adorned with sugared fruits and a candle makes a beautiful and an inexpensive centerpiece. Add to the sugary sparkle by placing candles in votive candle holders to illuminate the centerpieces from underneath. Remember to place approximately half an inch of water in each candle holder or glass for easy removal of melted wax.

* For more formal wedding receptions, assigning guests to tables is considered proper etiquette but that doesn’t mean it has to be stuffy. Purchase large sugar cookies and pipe romantic words like "joy","hope","love", and "forever" on each cookie. Place one cookie in each centerpiece to replace traditional numbered tables and have your place cards direct your guests to these romantically identified tables.

* Wedding favors that double as place cards can be made by purchasing sugar cookies from a local bakery that are iced in white. Pipe each guest’s names on the cookies in colored icing a day or two before the wedding. Place in cellophane bags, tied with a ribbon, and set at each guest’s place setting so guests know where to sit.

* Handmade keepsakes given out during the wedding reception are an easy and thoughtful way to thank the wedding party. Create beautiful, unique cards for the bridesmaids by purchasing simple white note cards, decorated with the wedding’s theme colors embellished with different fabrics or small trinkets purchased from a craft department. Write a cherished memory or personal note inside the card, which bridesmaids can keep for the years to come.

* And don’t forget the wedding cake, which can be very expensive, depending on the number of guests attending. Consider purchasing a decorated sheet cake from a local bakery in addition to a smaller tiered cake. Then marry them together as one elaborate cake with piping and rose petals. Brides and grooms may find that bakeries like those at a Wal-Mart Supercenter can make unique and cost-conscious tiered wedding cakes that are beautiful as well as delicious. Remember, all cakes are created equal -- flour, sugar, and butter -- so there’s no need to spend a fortune on one.

For more information visit Lee’s Web site, www.semihomemade.com, or the online wedding center available at www.walmart.com which has a bridal registry, cake ordering forms, budget forms, reception planning guides, and more for the bride and groom.

Courtesy of ARA Content

]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/bridal-bouquet-ideas-what-is-perfect-for-your-wedding-day.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/bridal-bouquet-ideas-what-is-perfect-for-your-wedding-day.html Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:12:16 -0700 There are several images that automatically come to mind when we think about weddings.  We might think of a church decorated with flowers and layers of tulle, the aisle strewn with petals.  We might think about bridesmaids in pretty identical dresses and sweet-looking flower girls looking thrilled to be at the center of attention for the few minutes they will be walking down the aisle.  But the most prominent image that we associate with weddings is the bride in a white ball-gown dress, her hair covered by a long translucent veil, cradling a beautiful bouquet of flowers in her hands. 

The tradition of carrying a bridal bouquet is almost as old as weddings themselves.  Flowers symbolize fertility, but very little research is done on the origin of the bridal bouquet and the tradition of throwing the bouquet and passing on the fertility to another woman in the wedding.  Nevertheless, the wedding bouquet is a time-honored tradition that is observed in different ways. 

Bridal bouquets can be either a single, long-stemmed flower tied with a colorful ribbon, a large bunch of many different flowers, or something in between.  Most brides say that choosing the flowers to go with the bouquet is a difficult decision to make.  However, there is no such thing as the “right” or “wrong” bouquet.  The only right bridal bouquet is whatever you want it to be.  If you’ve always wanted a bridal bouquet of dazzling tropical Philippine flowers enhanced by glittering Swarovski crystals, then you should definitely go for it.  A single red rose wrapped in lace would be just as stunning. 

If you’re having difficulty deciding, here’s a tip: think of a way you can connect the flowers to your wedding gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses.  If your wedding dress is ivory white while your bridesmaids are wearing peach, a coral rose bouquet will make the colors stand out. 

For a colorful bridal bouquet, remember that colors that are shades of each other will give your bouquet a more subtle look.  If you’re wearing a simple dress, try a bouquet with contrasting colors as the flowers will stand out more than your dress.

Another area for variety is the bouquet’s shape.  The most popular arrangement is the round one, but you can always add a unique twist to it by giving it a downward point of greenery and lace.  You can also place beads or crystals and allow them to trail over the bottom edge to make your bridal bouquet sparkle. 
 
There is an incredibly array of options for brides when it comes to choosing the flowers, styles, and arrangement of the bridal bouquet.  With florists offering a dizzying array of options for weddings, you’d be hard-pressed to find the right bridal bouquet to complement your dress on your wedding day.

]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/british-couples-slash-wedding-spending.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/british-couples-slash-wedding-spending.html Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:48:36 -0800
Low cost flights too helped change party planning from the local pub and club with alcohol and girls to a bar or club with alcohol and girls in Spain, Greece and Cyprus. And for some Florida and New York wasn't out of the question either.

In fact, such was the demand for stag parties abroad that a niche travel industry has sprung up, specialising in making sure the long weekend turned out to be all the groom and his friends expected it to be.

The areas in Europe that benefitted most from the high spending alcohol fuelled weekends include Barcelona, Cyprus, Tenerife and Ibiza. New areas that sprung up as top pre wedding party destinations included Latvia and Estonia.

The bad news for these areas and the companies who get a share of the stag weekends abroad business from the UK is that the credit crunch is changing where stag parties are being held - and going abroad for 3 or 4 days with a dozen friends isn't a viable option for many now.

Five years ago an astonishing 58 per cent of pre wedding parties were abroad. Last year as ppeople became aware that the economy was getting more fragile that dropped by more than two thirds to just 16 per cent. Expect that to fall more in 2009 and 2010.

And the shift away from long weekends abroad to long weekends at home has seen London rise to be favourite destination for the party-goers, followed by Manchester and Newcastle, with each party-goer spending an average of 370 Sterling (around US $500).

With the number of traditional family holidays abroad also likely to be down from the UK this year, some areas are bound to feel the economic winds that are blowing through the European travel industry, but oddly some of the previously popular stag party destinations seem to be doing well - perhaps it's now the married couples with their children from the last decade who are returning to where they enjoyed their last holiday while single!

Cyprus for example did have a good June last year with an 8 per cent increase in visitors compared to June 2007, but that was after four successive months of falling tourist arrivals.

And Tenerife is on course to beat 2007's tourist arrivals, with suggestions that 20 per cent more people took holidays in Tenerife in 2008.

Los Cristianos in Tenerife, previously a small fishing village, is now one of the largest resorts on the island and favoured by some of the stag parties. Located in the southern part of the island, it is home to mass market holidays in Tenerife - the architectural feel of the resort town is very typical Canarian. The town centre is never crowded with vehicles, as the entire area is pedestrian only. Both small and large boats share the large port. A wide array of boats can often be seen docking or parked in the bay. The resort has two large beaches and lots of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops to choose from.

Puerto de la Cruz is a large tourist resort on the northern part of Tenerife. It is a mere 10 minute drive across beautiful countryside from La Oratava. The Puerto de la Cruz resort began as a port for La Oratava and the export of bananas from nearby plantations. La Oratava, Esperanza forest and Mount Teide offer amazing views from the variety of hotels in Puerto de la Cruz. Due to its volcanic origins, black sand beaches offer a very unique beach experience, and swimming is possible for much of the year thanks to the good all year round Tenerife weather. It is not recommended that you swim in the ocean on the northern side of the island, as there is no reef to protect the shores from harsh tides and sweeping currents. Instead, Puerto de la Cruz has a large open-air seawater swimming pool called 'Lago de Martianez.'

But whether Cyprus and Tenerife ride out the travel downturn successfully or not, there will be clubs and bars on both islands who would welcome a new wave of stag parties from Britain this year. ]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/the-planning-of-a-perfect-wedding-reception.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/the-planning-of-a-perfect-wedding-reception.html Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:41:50 -0800
We can create a very beautiful setting for our Wedding occasion by decorating the wedding venue with exquisite floral arrangements, enchanting table settings and other special touches.
The major factor involved in the planning of the Wedding Reception decorations is the venue. The wedding decorations for an outdoor venue such as a beautiful garden will be far different from an indoor venue such as a hall of a church etc.
The Wedding Flowers decorated on each table in the Wedding Reception venue will add a real charm to the Wedding Reception Decorations. The effect of soft music adds an air of elegance to the whole environment. Candles if used can also help in creating a delightful atmosphere. Candles differ in the way they burn and the time for which they last. The duration of the lighting up of the candle should be equivalent to the amount of time taken for the completion of the Wedding.
Wedding Flowers need to be arranged very beautifully so that they can very well shower that charm which they hold with them. A tall wedding cake adds to the spirit of festivity. Even if you are having an intimate reception with a small number of guests then also a huge create would be eye-catchy for all the guests. Nowadays every Wedding is coming with a theme. This means a theme is being attached to every Wedding. This has made the Wedding Reception Decoration act a bit more difficult as the decorations of the reception are required to match with the theme. But if that is not the case, then a theme can also be introduced in a wedding reception and decorations that match the theme can be selected.



]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/mena%80%99s-rings-for-weddings-and-for-fashion.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/mena%80%99s-rings-for-weddings-and-for-fashion.html Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:55:36 -0800
With new contemporary alloys like palladium, tungsten, titanium and black titanium choices for the type of metals used are vastly superior to the metals used in previous years. With companies like Artcarved inlaying 18 ct gold into their titanium rings and designers like Edward Mirell making black titanium rings inlaid with grey titanium and three diamond sets, it's obvious that we have reached a new pinnacle in the development of marriage rings for men.

For those of you not looking to make the most important commitment in your lives just yet fear not, rings are not just being made for the men who are getting married. The market has exploded for designers making rings for everyday use. They are looking for rings to relay a sense of style and refinement. Rings designed to shine but yet maintain a rugged look. Today's rings are for the everyday man, which is evidenced by the exclusive Orange County Choppers collection available only from a select dealer. These designs are as radical as the bikes being made in upstate New York and show off a sense of ruggedness that most men dream of.

Every day use of rings to show style has become an important part of our culture. Every professional sports franchise presents rings to their champions at the end of each season which are proudly warn to show the world that they are champions. You may not have a Super Bowl ring to wear but you can easily show the world your fashion style with a multitude of rings like the very limited, highly sought after Timoku style rings made by Edward Mirell. Rings like the Timoku beveled edge band are very hard to find and will be valuable for years to come.

If you are looking for the special design for your wedding day or you are looking for the perfect style for your night out on the town then the world is your oyster! These revolutionary designs are waiting for you but hurry because they don't always last long!
]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/dont-stress-me-out.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/dont-stress-me-out.html Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:21:39 -0800
The Wedding Day brings a visitor called "Stress". Reverend Stephen Ongo founder of specialday speaks freely. Their was a radio show that had a little bit entitled "The Call Of The Day ". What they would do is someone would call into the station with a real life scenario of say a good friend of theirs is getting married and they have booked their hall at such and such and they are very stressed that everything just goes right. Now the D.J. would call up the bride to be and tell her that they are the management of the Hall they had just booked and unfortunately they have overbooked for your day and we are unable to honour your booking. Now this whole telephone conversation is being aired on live radio and whoever is listening to that station is hearing a bride to be absolutely lose it. If it wasn't so tragic it would be funny. She has sent out all the invitations by now, the call comes in maybe on a Tuesday or Wednesday and the Wedding is on Saturday.

There is absolutely no time to find another place or even inform the 100 or more guests of the change. This is Stress at it's MAX ! ! This changes nice girls into another kind of creature. One you do not want to be 100 yards from. Of course you can know some explicits are filling the airwaves, some tears, alot of anger, some tantrums and a whole gamutt of other emotions. Do you think this would be a good time to tell her that this was only a joke played on you by your best friend. And that you are on the radio to boot so all your friends know what you are really like under the gun. Stress is not your enemy. To all the Brides to be it can either make you or break you . You can come up like a shinning penny and actually be the best you have ever been or let it turn you into a tyrant nobody wants to be around.

Stress is natures way of putting the pressure on you to let you know what needs to be done and do it or get someone else to. Stress is not your enemy or an excuse to take some drugs. Stress does not give you licence to be rude, mean spirited or hurt or offend the ones you love. It has a purpose and you should recognize that purpose and use it. Don't let it control your personality to the point people say she's a nice person but don't get her stressed. My exhortation to the Brides to be;" Don't let Stress Change you because it's inevitable it will visit your Wedding. Use it work with it . Stress can get alot of good and necessary things done for Your Special Day so don't treat it like an unwelcomed enemy. Reverend Stephen Ongo over 1000 Wedding Ceremonies in 24 Years. Now shares his expertise on his first ]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/los-gatos-wedding-photographer-traditional-photography-vs.-photojournalism.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/los-gatos-wedding-photographer-traditional-photography-vs.-photojournalism.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:36:50 -0800
When choosing a photographer make sure you go with a trusted professional. Look at several wedding albums, ask to see current stuff and feel free to ask for references.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in San Jose, you can also look for one in surrounding areas such as Atherton, Los Gatos and the surrounding Bay Area. Look for a photographer that matches your style, may it be traditional or a fresh, candid photojournalistic approach.

The main difference between traditional and photojournalism is the posing. Traditional photographs are posed with the bridal couple looking at the camera. Photojournalism captures moments as they happen, capturing looks and tender glances, expressions and funny moments before they disappear. People are natural looking and look like themselves. They are not stiff and uncomfortable.

Look for a wedding photographer that recognizes the fact that every bride wants stunning bridal portraits of herself and her groom. Your wedding photographer should create contemporary bridal portraits where the bride and groom are semi posed, in natural, comfortable poses, sitting or lying down. These photos showcase the bride and groom, but they do not look stiff or uncomfortable, but rather like they are having fun together.

Your wedding photographer should like to capture the personalities of the couple and their wedding party. Your photographs can tell a lot about who you are, they can tell the entire story of your day.

Brides today are very aware of current trends in photography. Look for a wedding photographer in San Jose that uses top notch post production skills to deliver elegant photographs in black and white, sepia, chocolate or an edgy cross processed look. Brides typically want 75 % of their pictures in color with the other 25% being black and white or sepia. Brown and white photographs are the current favorite, surpassing black and white. Brides feel it is new. The warm tone of the brown and white give a creamy look to all skin tones and is very flattering.

One last thing, look for a wedding photographer that also specializes in custom one-of-a-kind wedding album design. Albums artfully display their photographs. And also, look for a wedding photographer that truly listens to the couple and delivers a product that far exceeds their expectations.
]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/how-did-wedding-favors-become-part-of-tradition.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/how-did-wedding-favors-become-part-of-tradition.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:50:44 -0800
So, what are wedding favors and what do they do? Typically, a wedding favor is a small memento or thoughtful trinket that the bride of the wedding presents to all of the guests that have attended. When wedding favors first came about, they consisted of sugared almonds, fancy chocolates, cookies and other delicacies. These have been given for centuries. But these days, edible creations are not the only limitation for wedding favors. Anything that is small, thoughtful and worthy of being made into a gift makes for a perfect favor.

Today, marrying couples may favor more personalized wedding favors. Think of small, highly decorated photo frames, custom labeled wine bottles, packets of floral seeds, personalized candy bars with custom wrappers, even jewelry and expensive cosmetics.

When should a wedding favor be presented? There are several options for when a bride may give out wedding favors. Sometimes a bride will hand them out directly as guests enter or leave a reception. In other events, the favors may be gathered in large baskets, which are then placed in open and public areas for guests to help themselves to. Depending on the type of wedding favor being used, it may fit in with the wedding theme so well that it becomes part of the place settings at the reception.

Planning for wedding favors might take several months. The nice thing about shopping for favors is that depending on the item you are considering for a favor, you'll be able to find it at any discount retailer, or even a dollar store. The internet offers many online websites where wedding favors can be purchased, and specialty shops may also have wedding favors for sale.

If you need ideas for wedding favors, consider consulting with a wedding planner. These individuals are highly experienced with wedding planning, and will be able to help you find wedding favors that are perfect for your upcoming wedding.
]]> http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/wedding-favors-a-thank-you-from-the-bride-and-groom.html http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Weddings/wedding-favors-a-thank-you-from-the-bride-and-groom.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:36:34 -0800
The tip to successful wedding favors is choosing favors that are both thoughtful and unique. Most brides try to pick favors that are simply popular. Instead of following the latest trends, you should instead aim to choose the type of favors that will uniquely reflect your personal sense of style and creativity. A wedding favor should create a lasting impression among all of the guests at your wedding. Additionally, a wedding favor that can actually be used is also a very appreciated type of gift.

So, what type of wedding favors should you seek out? Well, some marrying couples try to find wedding favors that will reflect their own personal sense of style, or perhaps their own culture, religion or sense of beliefs. Others may opt for more casual, fun and whimsical items, the types of gifts that simply bring a smile and provide some sort of function to the recipient.

What's hot right now? There are many different big ticket wedding favors that are making the rounds at weddings this year. Chinese take-out boxes are always quite a popular choice, regardless of culture, religion or heritage. These inexpensive boxes can be colored or decorated so that they match the theme of the wedding, and then filled with delicious edibles, or small personal items. The nice thing about these types of wedding favors is that they are very inexpensive and also very easy to customize. And because they can be colored and decorated to match the theme of any wedding, it is quite easy to adapt them to any wedding, no matter its style.

Other ideas for unique and fun wedding favors include chopsticks, small photo albums, personal snow globes, tote bags filled with personal items, and even gift certificates.

For more ideas on some great wedding favors, consider checking out online shops that sell favors. You'll find a lot of unique and custom ideas. Of course, you can also consult with your wedding consultant or planner, and see what kind of ideas they might have for you.
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