Perfect Wedding Bands
Published February 23, 2011 | 
So you want to seal the deal. You've already proposed, she has accepted. Now, it's time to get down to business and make it official.
Aside from your vows, there's nothing more that makes it official than the exchange offering of wedding bands. These are the rings that the bride and groom will be wearing forever, 'til death do us part! So it is important for the bride and groom to purchase a wedding band that they both like and feel good about.
One thing that you should consider when buying a wedding band, is both the personal style of the future husband and wife. This is a joint effort, so both parties should agree. It is essential that both are comfortable with the rings that they choose, because they'd be wearing these rings for a lifetime.
There are a variety of wedding band to choose from, made from different materials. 14 karat white and yellow gold being still two of the most popular choices. A 14 karat gold wedding band is not entirely made of gold. It is mixed with an alloy of gold and other metals such as copper and silver.
Wedding bands also come in silver and platinum. Platinum is heavier than gold. It is considered to be the most precious of all metals. It makes for a beautiful wedding ring because of its stunning white metal that shines after it has been polished.
Silver is not considered superior in quality. Silver metal tend to be very soft. Wedding bands made of silver are prone to discoloration. But they are very inexpensive. So those who are shopping on a budget might want to consider this as an option.
In choosing a wedding band, the thickness of the band must be considered, and whether the bride and groom would want a wedding band with a design, or just a plain set of wedding bands.
Now, it is common for couples to choose the same style wedding band; except, that the woman's wedding band is slightly smaller. It is advisable for couples who are shopping for rings to visit a number of jewelry stores. This way, they'd have a wide selection to choose from. They could also compare prices. If you have any questions regarding the rings, you can always ask a professional jeweler to assist you. He or she can also offer you an expert opinion when it comes to your selection.
If couples chose to have an engraving in their rings, they should already have a dedication in mind. Also, they should be careful in choosing the type of engraving they will put in their wedding bands, because these engravings are lasting.
Most couples chose to have their initials brandished inside their wedding rings while others chose symbols, or dedications as a gesture, or profession of their love and devotion to each other. Engravings are a wonderful thing, because they make the rings more meaningful and special.
Ask your friends and family who are blissfully married to recommend some names of places where you can acquire the wedding bands of your dream.
If you cannot find a readymade ring that suits your style, you can always have them custom made. A lot of jewelers specialize in making wedding bands. Having your wedding bands made, actually is less expensive than purchasing in store wedding bands. The great thing about this is it also adds a personal touch to the ring selection process.
But in the end, it's not really just about the rings, so couples should not stress over the whole ring selection process. Rather they should enjoy and relish this special time, when they are about to be made future husband and wife, and bonded for all eternity.
Wedding Accessories
Published February 23, 2011 | Wedding accessories are important to complete your bridal look. Without wedding accessories, the wedding gown would look bare and incomplete. Below are some of the essential wedding accessories.
Wedding veils
Would a wedding be complete without a wedding veil? Of course you’ve probably seen weddings where brides where a gown without a veil but it sure doesn’t look much like a wedding. A wedding veil, along with the ring, is one wedding accessory that symbolizes the wedding itself. In picking out a wedding veil make sure that it will suit your wedding gown and the theme of your wedding. Traditional veils are very formal and usually measure around three and a half yards long. Veils nowadays come in various lengths. There is even a shoulder length flyaway type that is preferred by many modern brides.
Shoes & stockings
Shoes and stockings are a crucial element to your overall look on your wedding day. All women know how difficult it is to find a shoe that will complement attire. What more if you are trying to look for a pair that would match your wedding gown. Try to look for shoes made of velvet, satin and silk as these materials provide a formal and delicate touch to any event. You can also choose shoes with embellishment like beads, sequins, pearls or crystals. Just make sure that the shoes you will buy are comfortable on your feet because you will wear them on probably the most important event of your life.
Jewelry
Aside from the wedding band and wedding ring, you should also take time to consider the other jewelry you will wear like necklace, earrings and bracelet. Jewelry should always compliment a dress and not be the star of the evening. So make sure the jewelry you will wear would be noticeable enough to get attention but not too loud as to over shadow your wedding gown. Consider wearing family heirlooms because they are proven to be an ideal wedding accessory. Of course, diamonds and pearls would also be very nice.
Headpieces
Headpieces such as combs, headbands, back pieces and Juliet caps are generally used to hold the wedding veil in place. Often, headpieces are decorated with beads, pearls, crystals or flowers to make them look attractive. It seems like a small detail but a headpiece can spell the difference between boring wedding attire and an exciting one. Actually, a beautiful headpiece can even replace a veil altogether if you really don't want a veil. Examples of headpieces that can stand alone are tiaras, crowns, half-crowns, wreaths and bun wraps.
Gloves
Gloves make great accessories especially if you are wearing a strapless or sleeveless gown. The general rule is that the shorter the sleeve the longer the glove should be. Gloves simply provide an air of sophistication to any outfit.
Handbags
Of course you shouldn’t be carrying a bag with you during the wedding ceremony or even during the reception. But still it would be nice to have a small purse where all the things you will need, particularly make up for touch ups, would be contained. It doesn’t have to be a big shoulder bag. Clutches will work just fine.
For weddings, the little details provided by accessories can make all the difference. That’s why it is very important to give as much attention to the wedding accessories you will wear or carry on your wedding day as you would to your wedding gown.
Posted in Weddings | 
wedding, wedding accessories, wedding dress, wedding planning | 
Leave a commentWedding Cake History
Published February 23, 2011 | Marriage has evolved in so many ways from the different cultures all throughout the world throughout the ages. For each culture, there are diverse ways of celebrating something like marriage. But in each culture, there has always been one thing that has remained the same – that in every culture, and every tribe, marriage has always been one to be celebrated with the utmost of festivities, with singing, eating, and celebrating.
Along with these festivities, man has also adopted a growing, and evolving number of traditions each filled with meaning and – believe it or not – shocking origins.
The Wedding Cake
Today’s tall, elaborated, and delicately crafted wedding cakes evolved from the simple grooms-cakes made by family members for the bride. Before the wedding day, one of these cakes was put under the pillow of the bride. The bride would then sleep and “dream” of the groom, and yes, squish that cake into oblivion.
The real wedding cake would be a pound cake that would be “pound up” and crumbled and tossed at the couple as a sign of fertility. That is where we get today’s custom of sprinkling the couple with rice after the wedding.
Cakes during weddings are usually stacked up in large layers; the higher the stack, the more ‘glamorous’ the cake. People usually regard these arrangements are mere style. However, they were done so in the past as a symbol of fertility. Couples would stack these cakes to symbolize how many children they wished to have. So in the past, the higher the stack, the more children.
Wedding Gifts
Published February 23, 2011 | Attending a wedding soon and you still don’t know what to give the couple-t be? Tired of the usually home appliances or home décor? Please, not another blender, vacuum cleaner or oven toaster. Money of course will be very much appreciated but it would deem to impersonal.
Giving gifts to the couple is part of the traditions on wedding. Your gift symbolizes your good will towards the couple. It represents your wish for them to have a happy life together.
Of course, your first consideration when buying wedding gift is durability. You would want to give a gift that would last a long time. But of course you would also want a gift that is individual and would reflect your personality. A gift that the couple will remember is from you because of its uniqueness. This means the wedding gift you should give should make a lasting impression about you.
Below are several unique gift ideas that will surely make you unforgettable with the couple.
Jewelry
Jewelry is a very “safe” yet unique wedding gift especially for the bride. We all know that most women love jewelry and the bride would simply be happy upon seeing your gift of jewelry. The bride will be definitely be surprised and fascinated when she open your gift. Choose simple yet very elegant pieces like brooch pins, hairpins, earrings, pendants, chains, necklaces and bracelets. If you have the money and if the bride really matters to you (a sister, best friend, etc.) then of course you could give her diamonds. You could also include a\n elegant jewelry box along with your jewelry gift.
Bags
Again, this will be another hit with the bride. Next to jewelry, shoe and bags delight women You can give her a beautiful and exquisite evening bag or hand bag. If your want something smaller then give her a clutch bag. You could also put a small make up kit inside.
Gift ideas for the groom
Of course you shouldn’t forget the groom. They say that it is easier to give gifts to men because and it could be true. Some ideal gifts for grooms include writ and pocket watches, ties and tiepins, gold, silver or diamond studded cufflinks. You could also give the groom formal suits and shirts. You could also consider his hobby. Give him a musical instrument like a guitar or drums if he is into music or a set of golf clubs, basketball or baseball set if he is into sports.
Naughty items
Naughty items found in most novelty shops like naughty t-shirts, hast, caps, wedding night kits, underwear are always a hit with couples. However, be sure hat you know the bride and groom very well before considering buying such items for them. Naughty items may seem impolite and offensive to some individuals.
Artwork
Paintings and sculptures are very ideal as wedding gifts. They are also very practical since the couple can use them to beautify their future home. Just be sure that you know the preference of the couple when it comes to art or else your gift would simply lie around in the garage of attic.
Personalized items
You could give the couple personal items like photo albums, pillows and pillow cases, photo frames, wedding plates, etc. There are many companies specializing in personalizing different things so for sure you wouldn’t have a hard time looking.
Posted in Weddings | wedding, wedding etiquette, wedding gift, Wedding Party Favors, wedding planningWedding Vows
Published February 23, 2011 | A well-versed and well rehearsed wedding vow, especially when it comes from the heart, sends a certain chill to everyone who hears it. Vows have been a long time tradition in wedding ceremonies. The promise of a lifetime commitment to each other despite of difficulties and differences guarantee that true love really exists. Isn’t that a nice thought?
Both the groom and bride exchange wedding vows. Commonly, the vows would include a pledge of unselfishness, faithfulness, and unconditional love. If you are in the dark on what to write in your wedding vows, don’t be! You can find one of a kind wedding vow just by a click of your mouse. Surfing the internet for wedding vows proved to be a good source of ideas and tips that you can readily use on your wedding day. You may need to pay for the service on some sites, but you can scout one for free too.
Free wedding vows do away with the traditional and scripted promise one hears over and over again in common wedding ceremonies. The good thing about free wedding vows on the net, aside from the fact that they are free, they give you the freedom and flexibility to write what you want to say from your heart. You can modify the free sample vows or if you find the writing incredibly heart-warming, you can go ahead and use it without revisions.
There are different vows you can choose from. Like everything, vows can be customized according to the circumstances that you are in. There can be vows specially written for second marriage couples, couples with children, religious variations or wedding anniversaries. Using poetry as part of a vow is a common practice too. Those of Gibran, Keats and Browning are popular choices. You can browse on some internet sites that can even offer a free worksheet format and questionnaires that you need to fill out for you to easily modify your chosen wedding vow. These will serve as your guideline so that you can re-evaluate what you want to say.
Before that big day, preparing your wedding vows is very crucial. Writing your vows together is a very special activity that is highly recommended.
When writing a wedding vow together, set a specific time and place where the two of you can have some privacy. You can jot down your promises on a separate sheet of paper and agree to compare what you’ve written after an hour or so. First, write a letter professing your love for your partner. Do not hesitate to elaborate what you are feeling. Be creative and be sure to take note of your favorite and memorable times together, either good or bad. Some suggestions are the first time that you met, the moment when finally said ‘yes’ or when a trying situation happened but still your love for each others endure. Grab sweet lines from songs, books or scriptures that translate your love for your partner. After writing down your letter, get back together and read each other’s writings. Reading the letters can be truly heart-warming. Prepare to share a laugh or even occasional crying. Share your thoughts on the best part of the letter and from there start your outline for your vows.
The secret of a good wedding vow is making it a personal commitment to your other half and make sure that the message you convey are made clear and simple. Nothing beats anything that genuinely comes from the heart.
Wedding Speeches
Published February 23, 2011 | You’re sitting in your couch watching TV on a Saturday night, minding your own business and then your Best friend calls you up, tells you he’s getting hitched and wants you to be his best man. You sweat, but can’t decline, so you end up agreeing on a toast at the wedding. After you hang up the phone, you go straight to the net and search for Free Wedding speeches.
Get the picture? Statistics have shown that more people are afraid of public speaking then they are of more common fears, and it is indeed a very fearful act, speaking in public, anything you say cannot be taken back, and if you say something bad, you’ll get foot “in” mouth disease.
But does looking for free speeches on the net really help? Most of the time you’ll find some cheap tips on how to make the perfect, speech or how to say it. Or maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find one that is already made, and you’ll just have to print it. But these speeches tend to be rather, impersonal and very general, and if you’re the best man, you’ll probably just end up boring your friends and family.
When making speeches, the simpler the better, you won’t have to depend on free wedding speeches off the net if you have memories of your friends.
What you are asked to do on a wedding toast is to tell the people something about your friends, the ones getting married, how they were meant for each other and how you wish them happiness for the rest of their lives. You don’t need a factory made, winding speech, all you need is memories, and your genuine care for your loved ones.
If you’re still having the jiggly stomach about giving your speech you can follow these free wedding speech tips, they may not be ready made but they’ll surely help.
Forget the preaching go on with the memories
Most people give winding speeches because they tend to give “unasked advice” leave that to the marriage counselor or the pastor, just give ‘em memories. Most couples appreciate the nostalgia of a few well chosen memories. Find a funny or a touching memory you have of the couple and share it with the room, plus a few well wishes and you’re done.
Go for short but effective, rather than long and winding
Many of us know that a long speech is very boring; you don’t want to dull the night with your talks of your childhood, and your games, with your friend. A biography is for a book, one or two memories are for a wedding.
Write a Poem
You may say that poems are for sissies but that depends on every person point of view. But a Wedding Is a very emotional moment and it’s sure that everyone is in the mood for a little emotion and tears and what more to provoke those dams to flow than a few well said lines in the form of a poem?
Don’t forget to introduce yourself
A simple “Jade has been my friend since high school and I’ve never seen her gaga over any guy other than Andrew” Make a basis for what you’re saying, especially if you’re talking about moments in the newlywed’s life. If it was a trial, you’re the witness, and you’ll need credibility. Just imagine would people “feel” your speech if they’re don’t know who the heck you are?
Discount Wedding Invitations
Published February 23, 2011 | Choosing a wedding invitation is very important because it will give your guests a first impression or glimpse of what your actual wedding will be like. A wedding invitation must, first and foremost, reflect your wedding theme and motif. Wedding invitations also often serves the purpose of being delightful keepsakes.
However, the right wedding invitation need not cost an arm and a leg. It is not wise to spend a fortune that can be used somewhere else. The range of kinds and styles of discount wedding invitation is vast. Choosing a particular one can be very confusing. There are discount wedding invitations and if you follow the guidelines below you will definitely never go wrong in choosing one. The key is to be prudent and not letting yourself get carried away. You can even save more money if you follow these guidelines.
Choose wedding invitation style well. As mentioned earlier, your primary consideration in choosing a wedding invitation style is the theme and motif of your wedding. Is your wedding grad or simple? Will your wedding be light or formal? Other than that, it all depends on personal taste and budget. But whatever your taste or budget range is, you will definitely be able to find a good wedding invitation. If you want, you can even buy some cards and design your own invitation by buying a printing kit which is offered by some wedding service providers.
Determine the kind of wedding you’ll have. Your type of wedding invitation will largely depend on whether you will have a traditional or modern wedding. Traditional weddings would require a more formal invitation. On the other hand, a modern wedding will call for a more modern kind of wedding invitation. Traditional wedding invitations would only contain texts. It wouldn’t contain any graphics. Traditional wedding invitations are usually upright and folded with the words engraved on the right side. Cards used in traditional wedding invitations are usually white or cream and the letterings are in silver and black. If you are having a themes wedding then choose a wedding invitation that is appropriate for your chosen theme. For example, you can have a sixteenth century scrolled parchment wedding invitation if the theme of your wedding is Tudor.
Choosing a supplier. Wedding invitations can be obtained by mail order, printer, stationers and stationery designers or you can buy online. Choose a supplier hat provides value added services and features so you will get real value for your money. Some suppliers will help you right the wording in your wedding invitation. Some will even help you with wedding etiquette rules and would help you if you are confused about all the etiquette rules involved in sending out wedding invitations. It would also be nice if the supplier has trained and experienced wedding etiquette and social correctness experts. Choose a supplier that offers personalized service so you can be sure that you are not getting run of the mill wedding invitation.
A good discount wedding invitation supplier will also respond to your inquiries and requests promptly either through email or by phone. But your privacy must always be requested so make sure that any personal information you provide to them is used for the sole purpose of processing your order. Your order must be transmitted across a secure server, so your billing information is kept private.
Wedding Etiquette
Published January 24, 2011 | 
Learn The Secrets Of Proper Etiquette For Your Wedding,
No Matter How Much Time You Have To Prepare! This is instant download with 60 pages of important wedding etiquette.
Are you planning on having a wedding or throwing one in the near future? If so, There's finally a book created just for people like you!
This book covers everything there is to know about wedding etiquettes . In fact, some people have called it the "Wedding Etiquette Manual "!
It's like having your very own etiquette expert. You'll uncover a wide array of tips including interesting facts that made them what they are today!
You're going to discover so many things on how to adapt etiquette into your wedding with little effort! Here's Just "Sneak-Peak" At What You'll Uncover in Wedding Etiquette 101
- How to properly determine who's doing what.
- Discover how to handle invitations and announcements.
- The wedding etiquette breakdown of who's who.
- Learn the several key elements to remember for the wedding shower.
- A step by step guideline of what normal wedding showers include.
- Discover the etiquette friendly ways of writing wedding invitations.
- Learn all the different things you should include in the invitations.
- Discover what else goes in the wedding invitations.
- When and when not to accept gifts during your shower.
- What types of gifts you should give to guests at your wedding.
- The gift do's and don'ts list to follow.
- Learn how to nicely return a wedding gift.
- Find out who to tip, for which services & how much.
- Plus much MUCH More!
This new breakthrough book is a guide, really. A guide as a result of years of searching, studying, and scouring hundreds of websites, stores, and magazines.
This easy to read wedding etiquette book is completely comprehendible and won't take weeks to read.
This truly is a one-of-a-kind book that can not be found offline. I urge you to click the link below and place your secure order.
Once payment is made, you will receive an email with a link to download your eBook.
Wedding Games & Activities
Published January 24, 2011 | 
Games & Activities for Your Wedding Day
In this 17 page eBook, you will find various activities, events and games which you can plan out for your wedding day. We will definitely contribute in making your wedding day most eventful and people will remember your wedding for years to come!!!
How can you plan your pre-wedding activities?
Bachelor's party – How to plan it effectively?
Interesting ideas for a bachelor party
Planning activities for wedding locations
Planning the games for seated wedding receptions
Planning the games for active wedding reception
Arranging music in the wedding
Some exciting wedding cake activities
Games and activities involved in toasts
Can bridal bouquet be used for games and activities?
Few bridal shower games
Wedding rehearsal dinner games
Dancing activities- Get on the dance floor
Pre Wedding Reception Activities
Fun wedding photo ideas
Overnight and outdoors wedding reception ideas
Once payment is made, you will receive an email with a link to download your eBook.
Decorating Spaces With Photographs
Published January 21, 2011 | In most interiors art photographs are brought in as the finishing touch. It's one of the elements that can instantly warm up a space and make it feel like home. Photographs can expand a space both visually and emotionally, give us a window to the world, bring interest and color to the wall spaces, and generally liven up the place. Here's concise hints how to arrange photographs in a room. In general, photographs should be hung so that the center point of the photograph or grouping is at about eye level for the average person. While this won't be possible in every situation, it's a good guideline to keep in mind.
Size and Grouping
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Relate photograph to wall size. Choose smaller pictures for narrow walls and larger works for big wall spaces.
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Relate photograph to furniture size. When hanging a framed photograph over a piece of furniture it should not be longer than the width of the furniture.
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Don't hang the photographs too close to each other or you will end up with a cluttered look. Don't hang them too far apart or you'll lose that unified look.
- Proper use of line can set the mood in a room: - Strong horizontal lines in photograph, or in the way it is hung, tend to be calming and can give the illusion of width in a narrow room.
- Strong vertical lines in a photograph or in the arrangement on the wall add to the feeling of height in a room.
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Strong diagonal lines either within a photograph itself or in a line of photographs arranged on the wall add drama and excitement.
- Use symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangements of photographs to create either a formal or a casual feeling. Symmetry adds balance and formality to an arrangement and is generally pleasing and calming to the observer.
- A grouping of photographs should be thought of as one unit.
- One large photograph makes a statement and keeps things simple.
- A number of photographs framed in one mat and frame will have more impact.
Themes
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Support your room theme with photographs, repeating the colors, motifs, and style of the room's interior.
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Landscape photographs visually open up a smaller space. The view of a distant horizon acts as a sort of window.
Color
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Vibrant colors bring excitement to a room, neutral colors are more calming.
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Photographs will have greater impact if matted in a contrasting color to the wall. Choose a dark mat for a light wall and a light mat for a dark wall.
Framing
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Choose frame colors and styles that match the style of your home.
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To harmonize a set of photographs, mat and frame them alike.
Lighting
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Illuminate photographs well. It can be lost unless well lit.
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Depending on a given place, one can use a picture light, track lighting or recessed lighting.
Hanging
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Hang photographs securely. Rate picture hooks for the weight of the framed photograph.
Care of Photographs
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Never hang photograph in direct sunlight: it can fade.
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Never hang photograph above a working fireplace.
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Never hang photograph on an exterior wall without adequate insulation: it can dampen.
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Maintain a constant room temperature and humidity.
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Mat boards and adhesives must be acid-free, otherwise yellowing will occur.
Posted in General Photography | fine art, home decorating, interior design, photo gallery, photography