Wedding Times

When you first become engaged, your mind will be racing with thoughts of who to tell first, how you’re going to show off your ring, and you will imagine rehashing the proposal story (which will still be very fresh!) But another thing and probably one of the foremost things that you will think of is how you are going to celebrate! Perhaps you want to get together with a few close friends to talk about the proposal and upcoming nuptials or have a huge bash to spread the word to everyone you’ve ever known, there are a few things to think about before you start booking venues for your engagement party. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to engagement party etiquette.

Know Who to Invite

Before you decide on who is going to come to the engagement party, you should know who is going to be coming to the wedding, or at least have a general idea of some people that absolutely will be there. This is because etiquette states that no one that is not invited to the wedding should be invited to the engagement party, so that you can avoid hurt feelings and people feeling left out. That being said, not everyone who is invited to the wedding needs to be invited to the engagement party.

Registering and Gifts

Many people don’t know whether to register for the engagement party or not and while it’s certainly okay, and actually encouraged to register with at least one retailer, it’s certainly not okay to tell people where you are registered. Use your parents and your closest friends to spread the word about where you are registered. If you do it yourself, you will look like you are asking for gifts. It’s also important to exclude any registry information or gift information from the invite.

Although it’s not to be expected from guests that they bring gifts to the engagement party, many will in order to offer their congratulations. After accepting them, thank the guest profusely and tell them that you will be opening gifts after the party. As you are opening all the gifts, be sure to keep track of who gave what so that you can send them a thank-you note and specifically mention their gift. It’s also important to send thank-you notes to those who came but didn’t bring a gift. They took time out from their lives to help you celebrate and it’s nice to let them know that you recognize that.

Time to Pay

If you decide to hold your engagement party in a restaurant it’s important to understand that you are responsible for the bill. You invited your guests and so it’s rude to ask them to pay. If this is too pricey an option for you, consider having the party at your house or a friend’s.

When it Comes to Toasting

Your engagement party will be the first of many in the wedding planning process where you will be able to test your toasting skills. When people offer their congratulations in a toast to you, don’t raise your glass. There’s no need to toast yourself. It’s also proper to stand up after a person has toasted you and respond in kind.

Photo by Thomas Hawk

Like most brides, you have probably been thinking about getting in shape for your wedding. It’s important to remember not to obsess about things too much though. Your groom and your guests will think you look incredible regardless. However, if you do want to do some work beforehand and make sure you look absolutely fabulous on the day, here are ten simple steps to follow.

1. Stretching

It’s important to stretch before and after any workout. Not only does this prevent injury but also keeps your body limber. Plus, you’ll feel better after having stretched out those muscles that you just put through a grueling workout!

2. Aerobic or Cardio Workouts

The best way to lose weight is to burn fat. You can do is through aerobic or cardio exercises. These are essentially the things that make you sweat and include activities such as swimming, cycling, hiking, and running. If you’re new to cardio workouts, start with twenty minutes a day and gradually build up as you feel you can. This exercise should be done at least three times a week, but make sure that you are not pushing yourself too hard. The last thing you want is to look tired on your wedding day.

3. Body Sculpting

This is exactly what it sounds like – sculpting your body to make it look better. Also called toning, this needs to be done if you want to be a ‘knock-out’ in that wedding gown.

Toning your arms, shoulders and back is essential if you’re planning on wearing a sleeveless dress but it’s still important if you won’t be exposing so much upper body. It’s also important to pay attention to sculpting your legs, even if they will be buried under your gown.

Sculpting can be achieved through simple weight exercises. Often women are under the misconception that exercising with weights will make you look like a body builder when in fact moderate weight lifting serves to add tone and definition without building massive muscles.

4. Spot Reducing

This area of a workout focuses on your trouble spots. If you have a particular issue with your stomach, you may want to focus on abs crunches and sit-ups. If you think your thighs are a bit on the flabby side, leg lifts and running may be your answer. It’s important to remember your entire body needs to be trimmer in order to get to the trouble spots. Start with the big picture and then work your way to the details.

5. Alternate Routines

The same routine every day can get boring quickly and you may wind up doing more harm than good. Once muscles have been through a hard workout, they need time to relax and heal. Resting your muscles one day will actually improve your workout. If you like doing the same routine, take a day off in between workouts and give yourself a break.

6. Night and Day Routines

Why not try cardio exercises in the morning and weights at night? Working out this way makes your metabolism kick into gear twice in one day. When your metabolism is revved you burn more calories. Another way to start and stop your metabolism is while you are working out. When you are doing your cardio, go as hard as you can for two minutes. After the two-minute mark, slow it down but don’t stop completely for thirty seconds. Then go flat-out for another two minutes. This will really get your metabolism into gear!

7. Water, Water, and More Water

Drinking water will greatly help you lose weight and become healthier in general. The body is made up mainly of water and so it only makes sense that it needs a lot of it to function properly. Drinking water can increase your metabolism, which in turn will help burn calories faster, making you lose weight. Water also fills you up and keeps you away from those empty calories like soda pop. To determine how much water you should be drinking, divide your body weight in half. The number you come up with is how many ounces of water you should be drinking a day.

8. Restock Your Fridge

It’s all fine and good to work hard with the exercise to get your body into better shape. But the only way you’re going to hold onto that shape is by eating properly. This means getting rid of the simple starches such as white flour and replacing them with whole grains. It also means substituting chocolate and candy for fruits and vegetables. Keep trays of chopped vegetables and fruits in the fridge and you will take out the chore of eating a healthier diet.

9. Cut Out Alcohol

Not only does alcohol contain a high amount of calories, the calories in the alcohol are the first to be processed by the liver. The liver sees alcohol as toxin and needs to get rid of it quickly. After working hard to process and eliminated the calories in alcohol, the body finds it easier to simply turn calories consumed through food into fat.

10. Love Your Body

Realize that all of this is really just to make you feel better. The truth is you will look amazing walking down the aisle. Even more importantly, you are walking towards a new life with the person you love. Don’t go overboard with the workouts in an attempt to be something you’re not. Working towards a healthier lifestyle for yourself is wonderful but not if you are solely doing it to impress others.

Photo by Laura-Elizabeth

Whether it’s a simple sleek cream-colored or an elegant fairytale white ball gown, every bride has her own vision of what makes ‘the dress’. Whatever your vision is, there is always that little nagging voice in the back of your head reminding you that this is a dress that you will only wear once and so, money does become an issue. There are, however, lots of ways to find the right dress at an affordable price.

Look online. Many online merchants will be able to provide you cheaper wedding dresses. If they don’t have a physical store they will have lower overheads and be able to sell at a lower price. You may be able to purchase directly from the manufacture, therefore cutting out the middle men along with their high markups. Be sure to check that whoever you buy from they have a return policy you are comfortable with. Because you are looking at a dress on a computer, and not trying it on in a fitting room, you want to be sure that you can return it for a full refund if you are not happy with what you receive.

Check online classifieds and auctions. You can usually buy these dresses for a lot less than you would pay for a wedding dress from a retailer. Many will be second hand but some will be from brides that changed their mind and found a different gown, and the occasional cancelled wedding. As before, ask the seller if you can return the dress if it doesn’t suit you.

Brush up on your bargaining skills. Whether you are shopping online or at a bridal boutique, as long as it is not a major chain-store, you should be able to get a better price than what the sticker says. Ask if they provide bulk discounts if you purchase your bridesmaids dresses there.

Buying off the rack will save you major money. While having your dress custom made guarantees you get exactly what you want, bridal gowns come in many different shapes, sizes, textures and designs so you should be able to find a dress that is pretty close to the vision you have in mind.

If you are lucky enough to have a friend or family member that is particularly handy with a sewing machine, ask them to make your dress. You will be able to choose the exact fabric and design that you want. Try to keep the overall design simple, then embellishments such as beadwork, sequins, and embroidery can be added later and will cost much less.

Bridal shops plan to raise their prices considerably when it is the peak season for weddings. If you start looking for your wedding dress in April or May, you are likely to pay more money for it than you would if you considered looking in the early fall or winter. Even if your wedding will be during the peak months, consider shopping around for it in the fall before. When shopping, ask the salespeople how long the dresses have been out for and when they are getting their next shipment in. If they are just about to receive new stock, they will be eager to get rid of their old dresses. Always ask for a discount.

Buying something other than a wedding dress can also save you a lot of money. Look at bridesmaid’s dresses, prom dresses, or even cocktail dresses if your wedding is going to be a more casual affair. These dresses will save you a lot of money and can be just as elegant and beautiful as a wedding dress.

Embellishments such as beadwork, sequins, and lots of detailing are sure to drive the price of your wedding dress through the roof. If you really want those little extras, consider purchasing a simple gown and ask a seamstress add to it. By finding the right seamstress, this could also save you a lot of money. You would have complete say as to what gets added to your gown making it more personal for you.

Photo by Sarah Parrott

Your wedding invites will probably be one of the first costs that you will run into while wedding planning, as everything else will depend on who and how many people are attending. Fortunately, the invitations are also one of the easiest aspects to save money on. Here are twenty ways to do so.

1. Become a Comparison Shopper

So you’re excited about your wedding and can’t wait to purchase the invitations and start mailing them. Slow down. It’s very important to take the time to shop around to make sure that you get the best deal. Although you may never have thought before to check out office supply stores, visit them and see what beautiful invitations they have to offer! Also check bulk stores and mail-order catalogues.

2. Buy Discount

One of the easiest ways to buy discount wedding invitations is to see what online retailers have to offer. These retailers often offer many discounts due to the sheer number of retailers that are taking their product online.

3. Compare Printing Techniques

When it comes to stationery, different printing techniques come with different price tags. Engraved invitations are very nice for a formal affair but can be costly. Check out thermography and laser printing to give you a better deal.

4. Eliminate Embellishments

Many wedding invitations come with different embellishments. Whether its bows, three layers of paper, or ribbon. All of these embellishments cost money. The classic printed invitation on white paper will still make a great statement and costs less.

5. Look at Packages

It is often nice to be able to have all of the stationery that goes along with a wedding invitation customized. You can save hundreds of dollars by comparing different packages that include the invitation, response card, and envelopes.

6. Only One Envelope is Necessary

It’s tradition that a wedding invitation arrives in an envelope within an envelope. This is to make sure that the invitation doesn’t get damaged en route and that it will still look perfect when it arrives to the recipient. By keeping only the outer envelope, you will save money. The inner envelope is really unnecessary anyway.

7. Stick to Standard Sizes

Many people believe that if they keep the invitation light, it will not cost them more in postage. Most invitations cost more than the regulatory one ounce anyway. Even if you can manage to keep them light, if they are longer than standard sizes or include items that will make them incumbent, it will cost you more per invitation.

8. Leave Out the Reception Card

Even if you’re reception is not going to be held at the same location as the ceremony, there is no need for one more piece of paper and one more cost. At the bottom of the invitation, simply print, “Reception to follow” and then the location of your reception venue. If the reception is at the same location, simply print, “Reception to follow.”

9. Proofread

When a mistake is made not only will the invite need to be reordered but reordered with usually a rush delivery, quickly adding up the bucks. Give them to a friend or someone that hasn’t been directly involved in helping you create them and have them make sure all your information is correct.

10. Order More Envelopes Than Needed

Yes, spending more money initially will save you money in the long-run. Everybody makes mistakes when addressing envelopes for the invitations so again, avoid rush charges and reordering by ordering excess in the first place.

11. Change the RSVP

Most RSVP cards are just that – cards within another envelope that has been stamped (meaning, postage paid) by the couple. Change this formality to a simple postcard and save on postage.

12. Omit the RSVP

Better yet, get rid of the RSVP card altogether. Of course you need to know how many people are planning on attending the wedding but set up the RSVP through emails or phone calls.

13. Use Virtual Invitations

These invitations are available through online retailers. You will never give or receive printed invitations but instead a company will send them all out for you through email. They will also keep track of the RSVPs for you.

14. Hand Deliver

Save more money on postage by taking invitations to those that live close by or that are very good friends and family. This will be more personal anyway.

15. Create Your Own

Software and specialty paper make it easier than ever to boot up your own computer to create beautiful and elegant invitations. The money you spend will be entirely up to you as you can decide what you want to include and where you want to get supplies.

16. Seal N’ Send

This type of invitation is just one small piece of paper. It folds up and after a stamp is sealed onto it, it can be thrown in the mail.

17. Go Black and White

Printing in color is going to make the prices soar even higher. Black and white print is usually already included in the price and gives your invite an elegant traditional feel.

18. Enlist Your Friends

You will call upon those close to you throughout the entire wedding planning process so start with the invitations. Have a party and use this time to get them to help stuff, seal and stamp envelopes. It will save you the cost of hiring someone to do this.

19. No Calligraphy, Please

Hiring someone to write this beautiful script on your invitations is very pricey. Simply ask a friend with nice hand-writing to do the addressing for you or print the envelopes out yourself on your computer.

20. Invite Less, Save More

This may seem like an easy solution but it can be tricky. Decide whom you must have at your wedding and invite only those people. The less invites you send out, the more you save.

Photo by gorriti

Wedding flowers are one of the few things a bride doesn’t need to micromanage. Once you have decided on a few basics, a skilled florist can take over. It’s important that you can place your trust in your florist, so choose wisely. Here are five things to look for when choosing a florist.

Personal Recommendations

This is the best way to choose your florist. Ask people you know to recommend a florist that has catered for a large event, preferably a wedding, and start with those first. If one of your friends or relatives has been married, ask about the florist they used and whether they were happy with their services. Ask what they did and did not like about them and what, if any, problems arose.

Another way to get a great referral is to look to the weddings that you have attended. Is there one ceremony that really stands out? If so, get in contact with someone directly involved in the event and find out who their florist was.

If you can’t get any referrals, talk to your wedding venue. They may be able to suggest some preferred vendors. Remember some locations have restrictions on which vendors they work with so check in advance.

Sensible Pricing

After gathering a few names, start visiting them to obtain quotes. It’s important to remember that the cheapest isn’t always the best but that doesn’t mean the most expensive will be either. Find out what’s included in the price. You don’t want to be surprised when the bill comes and you find things such as delivery and set up have been charged for when you assumed they were included in the package.

A good florist should be able to help you choose flowers within your budget. They should be able to suggest seasonal flowers, which will generally be cheaper along with other ways to stretch your flower budget while maintaining a beautiful and elegant look.

Their Shop Appearance

While visiting florists take a minute to look around at their displays. The shop’s appearance speaks volumes about their service. Are things organized and kept clean? Is there a variety of displays and arrangements? Does the shop give the impression they work in a professional atmosphere?

If a florist can’t be bothered to keep their own shop tidy and professional, they will probably take the same approach when working on your wedding.

Answers to Your Questions

Take a list of questions you want to ask prospective florists. Their answers will give you a better idea of what to expect from them. Here are a few questions to ask:

• When looking at samples or photos of their work, ask who did the arrangements and if that same person will be looking after your arrangements as well.

• Ask for their opinions and ideas. This doesn’t mean that you have to take them to heart but they are professionals and they may be able to add on to your ideas.

• Do they have rental supplies?

• Find out if they will need directions to the different locations where you will need flowers delivered.

• If you change your mind, how easy is it to change your order?

• Are samples of your bouquets going to be available?

• Have they worked at your wedding venues before?

Professional Rapport

You will get a good idea as to whether or not you will enjoy working with this florist while you are visiting with them. If you feel pressured at any time, or you feel as though they will not be able to give you their full attention, look elsewhere.

As with every other aspect of wedding planning, if you feel like you can’t work with one vendor, there are many others just waiting for your call. Walk away, and be happy with your decision about finding someone that will suit your needs, someone you will love working with.

On your wedding day, your photographer is one of your best friends. This is the person that you have trusted to take your memories for you to treasure forever. This is why so many couples agonize over the decision of photographer to hire before their wedding. Besides experience and price, you will want to know what style of photography the photographer specializes in and it’s one of the most important criteria you can look for. This will decide if in ten years, when you look through your wedding photo album, you are happy with what you see.

There are two main types of wedding photography, classic and photojournalistic. Classic photography is what you probably immediately think of when you think of wedding photos. There are pictures of the bride and groom. And then there are pictures of the bride and groom with the wedding party. And then just the groomsmen. And then just the bridesmaids. And then the bridesmaids with the groomsmen. You get the idea. A classic wedding photographer will capture your wedding with posed for pictures.

Photojournalism is more candid. A photographer who works with this style will be catching the candid moments, focusing on what really happened that day, instead of poses. This type of photographer will be there snapping away on their shutter when you don’t even realize it.

Both styles have their advantages and disadvantages. Classic wedding photography allows the details, such as the wedding dress or the rings to be captured. Everyone who was in the wedding and who attended the wedding as a guest will also be included in the photographs. The classic wedding photographer will also try to get some shots that aren’t just portraits. This means that they will take some shots of the bridesmaids slipping the garter onto the leg of the bride or they will capture a hug between the bride and her mother. Although these pictures may seem candid, they are actually posed. A classic photographer may be at the event for the entire day, depending on what the original contract states but usually, they will be there primarily for the portraits and some candids and then be on their way.

The classic photographer has some disadvantages as well. Because the classic photographer is so busy trying to get pictures of everyone present, they will not have the time to capture all of the details on film. Photographers who have the classic style of photography also seem to be a bit more difficult to work with when it comes to flexibility. Because they are interested in getting the perfect shot, they may need the perfect lighting conditions or the perfect weather.

Because a photographer who uses the photojournalistic style of photography will be more candid, they will also be more casual. They will be sure to include pictures that are of the entire wedding party and they will mix and match to include the same type of bridesmaid’s photo, groomsmen photo, and so on. The difference is that they will not have to take a picture of every single combination that could be taken. They will focus on the most important photos and only take those. They will also take candid photos but the difference here is that these candid moments will not be posed. So they might get a picture of the groom doubled over in laughter. Or they may take a picture of the bridesmaids wiping the bride’s tears of joy away.

The main advantage of a photojournalistic photographer is that they will truly capture the joy and the emotions that you were feeling on your big day. While they may not catch every single shot available, they will catch the important ones. They will also probably be a little more laid-back than a classic photographer and be willing to wait for the rain to blow over if the wedding is outdoors or, they will find amazing photo opportunities in the rain. A photojournalistic photographer generally needs more time than a classic photographer. This is because all of those wonderful moments that they want to get on film don’t all happen within a two hour time period. To get the best shots, they may need to stay for the entire event.

That could be one of the biggest disadvantages of the photojournalistic photographer for you. Because they do need more time, you might be paying more for that time. This isn’t always the case, depending on what your agreement is with the photographer, but many do charge by the hour.

It’s very important that you think about the type of photographs that you want to be looking at not only a month after your wedding but years after your wedding! There is nothing right or wrong about either style, it is completely a matter of personal preference.

Photo by alykat

It’s astonishing how much money drinks can take up within that budget. Thankfully it’s an easy area to cut your costs. Here are three easy ways to save on drinks at your wedding!

Have a Cash Bar

This is a bar where guests pay for their own drinks. The opposite, an open bar, means that guests can drink as freely as they like and you wind up paying the tab. A cash bar is the easiest way to save money on drinks and is not considered tacky or cheap in any way. While it used to be tradition that the bride’s family paid for everything, including drinks, things have changed and it’s becoming more and more accepted that guests pay for their own liquor.

Talk to Your Caterer

Most caterers provide drinks as well as a meal. This is especially true when it comes to things such as champagne for the wedding toasts. When selecting a caterer, ask them if they offer a package deal where you can get drinks and the food together. Doing it this way can save you a lot of money, as opposed to buying the drinks separately.

Also speak to the caterer about providing second line liquor products. Choose liquor that is not brand name and when you end up buying those drinks for your 100 guests, you will really be able to tell the difference! If the caterer is providing beer, ask that the beer come in the form of kegs, which are much cheaper than selling individual bottles.

Also speak with your caterer about the food that will be served. Ask them to cut way back on the salt. This is a healthier alternative and salt makes people thirsty. The thirstier the guests are, the more they will drink.

Have a Dry Wedding

Simply not offering alcohol of any kind may be the right solution for you. You will need to serve something else such as a signature punch but this will cost much less than serving alcohol.

Holding the reception earlier in the day will also make it seem to your guests more acceptable that there is no alcohol present.

Remember too that it is your day. You have chosen not to have alcohol for your own reasons and people should be willing to respect that. It may be a good idea to spread the word beforehand so people aren’t surprised by it but don’t feel that you need to offer any explanations. Simply say, “We thought this was the best decision for us,” and those that respect that won’t ask any more questions.

Photo by salimfadhley

Chances are you have never been to the resorts that you are considering for your honeymoon and so how do you tell if you will be happy there and if it will give you everything you are looking for? With some careful planning and by asking yourself a few key questions, you will be able to decide what is going to be the perfect honeymoon resort for you. Below are the top twelve things to look for.

1. Different Types of Resorts

You first need to decide what type of resort you want. There will probably be at least a few resorts at the destination where you will be staying but they will all offer different services. Do you want a small, intimate resort or a large one with lots of amenities and where you’ll be able to meet new people? Do you want an all-couples resort or an adults-only resort? Deciding on what you want will help you narrow down the playing field.

2. Price

Chances are that you budgeted for your honeymoon just as much as you budgeted for your wedding. You probably know to the cent how much you have to spend before you go. Even if you received cash from some of your guests as a wedding present, you don’t want to spend all of this on your honeymoon. It’s extremely helpful to come home to a little bit of money to start your lives off together! Don’t let price be the total factor in the resort you choose but do give it careful consideration.

3. Location

You don’t want to be so far away that you are going to need to travel for an hour before you start to see other civilization but you might not also want to be so close that you are kept awake listening to noise all night long. Choose somewhere that allows you to walk or drive to nearby sites very easily but where you will still be somewhat secluded.

4. Amenities

Most resorts will offer amenities such as a twenty-four hour front desk, in case you need something at 3:00 am, Jacuzzis, saunas, steam room, fitness centers, swimming pools, and internet access. Having amenities available to you on the resort will make your stay there much more enjoyable and much more convenient. Resorts will generally list their amenities on their brochures but if they don’t be sure to ask. The more amenities they offer, the better time you will have!

5. Food

You will probably eat at the resort a lot on your honeymoon. When you are booking, find out what kind of food they provide and see if it sounds like something you would like. It would be a shame to visit a resort in the Bahamas for example only to find out when you got there that they mainly offer seafood and you have an allergy.

6. Package Deals

A lot of resorts will offer inclusive package deals that will make your honeymoon so much easier and carefree! These packages often include the price of the room, at least one meal a day for both of you, and quite often, discounts on the areas attractions. Package deals are great for honeymoons when you don’t really want to be worrying about money and want to focus on spending time with your new husband!

7. Dollar Value

Even if you get a package deal, you won’t be able to spend your entire honeymoon without dipping into your pocket change a little bit. Make sure that you are going somewhere that will give you a fair return on your dollar. This may not seem like such a huge deal when you are sitting at home excited about booking your honeymoon but when you take your currency in to be exchanged, you don’t want to be shocked at how little you get back.

8. Activities

Many resorts are tailored to certain activities, such as golf resorts. If you are both golf enthusiasts, this type of resort would be perfect for the two of you but even if you aren’t, the resort should offer some sort of activity that you can participate in without having to leave the resort. Tennis courts, basketball courts, game rooms, and media rooms are all often available on many resorts and these will provide a nice way to relax and unwind after a day of touring the sites.

9. Weather

What will the weather be like when you are going? You don’t need to know the forecast for the exact days you will be there but do have an idea of what the weather in that month is generally like. You don’t want to go to a beach resort only to end up staying in your room because its rainy season and you don’t want to go to a ski resort only to find that there’s no snow on the mountains.

10. Security

Most resorts nowadays are gated communities that require a guest or a visitor of a guest to identify themselves through an intercom or by passing a guard at the gate. This type of security can be very important, especially when you are staying in a city that is known for its crime.

11. Friendly Staff

You will be able to tell just by talking to the staff on the phone whether they are going to be trying to make your stay as pleasant as possible or whether you are just one guest out of many. If they seem annoyed or hurried, think about staying at another resort where the staff will be friendlier and help you make your honeymoon all it can be!

12. Medical Services

It’s sad but true that something could happen to one of you while you are vacationing. Because you will probably be out of the country, you may have to pay huge bills if you go to a local clinic or hospital and you may not get the treatment that you need. Some resorts have basic medical care that is very comparable to that of the United States and the services can usually be charged to your health insurance company.

Photo by flickr-rickr

Although traditionally seen as “the bride’s day” your wedding is a day for both of you. Your groom has just as much right to offer input and voice his opinion. Here are a few tips on how to make wedding planning a truly mutual endeavor.

Create a Vision Together

Sit down with each other and talk about your individual vision of the wedding. Are you thinking that you’re going to invite two hundred and fifty of your friends to a grand ballroom and party all night? Does he, at the same time, imagine a more intimate affair with only immediate family? Decide what type of wedding will make you both happy and start your planning with that foundation.

Invitations

Invitations are one of the first tasks to take care of when planning a wedding and are also one of the biggest areas of discord. You may not like some of his friends and he might not like some of yours. He’s obviously only going to invite people who are important to him and because it is his wedding too, it’s important that those people are there. The same applies for you. However, it is appropriate to stand firm when ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends are involved. If one of you doesn’t feel comfortable with an ex in attendance, they should not be invited.

Compromise

If there are things that don’t appeal to him at all, be willing to listen and prepare yourself, you may have to give in on this one. Small details can be easily worked out. If the issues are bigger however things can be more complicated. Say you have always imagined getting married in a church and he’s completely against the idea, the two of you will need to really talk it out. Employ a little tact. Look at how strong you both feel about your choice and listen to each other’s reasoning. By doing this, both of you will be able to better understand the other’s way of thinking and be closer to an agreement.

Know Your Strengths and Your Weaknesses

Divide up wedding tasks by deciding who is better at specific jobs. If one of you is really good at organization then put that person in charge of receipts, contracts, and other important papers. If the other person has a real eye for décor and how things should look, they should take care of decorations. It’s important to remember that just because someone may be “in charge” doesn’t mean that the other has waived all rights to input.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Make wedding chores such as cake and food tasting a fun event. Plan one entire day around this task and spend the day drinking champagne, testing dozens of cakes, and sampling some of the food that your caterer can provide. This is a great way to get both of you involved in the planning and have fun at the same time!

Get Something You Both Want

While you will probably be ready to fill your registry up with linen, china, and kitchen appliances (the sensible things), there may be some things he wants on there as well. If there are entertainment items such as DVD players or a new gaming system, include those in your registry too. The gifts that you receive for your wedding are to be owned and enjoyed by both of you so there’s no reason to have them tailored to one specific interest.

Be Entertained Together

Whether you are having a live band or a DJ, choosing the entertainment for your wedding can be made into a fun date for the two of you. If you are having a band, pick a week where you can go out and listen to all kinds of different music from local acts. If you’re having a DJ, have them audition for you together.

Make Time for Quality Time

While wedding planning can be a fun experience for both of you, it can also be very stressful and have you clambering down each other’s throats at times. Take a break and go out on a date, just the two of you, where there’s no talk of the wedding. There was more to your relationship before the engagement and there’s still more to your lives now. Reconnect and rejuvenate by taking a breather and spending some time just being together.

Photo by jemsweb

Bridesmaids’ dresses are sleeker, more stylish, and more elegant than ever before. Every bridesmaid is different and will no doubt have an opinion on what looks best on them. It’s important to make sure that your maids are happy in what they wear down the aisle. Here are four great tips for choosing their dresses.

Let Your Bridesmaids Select Their Own Dresses

This is a great way to make sure that everyone is happy with what they are wearing. Give them one color and tell them that as long as the dress is that color, they are pretty much free to choose whatever they like. This works especially well for budget conscious bridesmaids. You may want to set some ground rules such as: no two-pieces, no pant suits, nothing too revealing, and make sure that they let you see the dress before they buy it.

Swap Colors

Most often, the same color just isn’t going to look as good on one bridesmaid as it does the next. A simple way to fix this is to choose two different colors and let your bridesmaid choose which one she would like to wear. This can get tricky because if you have four bridesmaids, you have to make sure that two will wear one color while the other two wear the other color. Also be sure to line them up so the colors alternate as they walk down the aisle.

You may run into the problem of one bridesmaid not being happy with either of the colors. This is really a case of, “too bad.” Have her choose the one that she likes the most and she can wear that. Remember it’s your wedding and your decision. Chances are your bridesmaids will be happy to have any say at all and will pick a color with no complaints.

Make the Dress Versatile

A dress that can be stretched through a few events instead of just your wedding will go down well with your maids. As they are most likely paying for it, try not to choose dresses that scream “Bridesmaid dress!” Cocktail dresses can work very well. They are formal yet fun and flirty and can be used for more than one occasion.

Keep It Simple, Sister!

Sequins may look great on one of your bridesmaids while another may pull off belts, sashes, or scarves with style. All these embellishments mean there is just one more component that everyone needs to pull off in order for you and your girls to be happy with how they look.

When choosing dresses, keep the choices simple. Remember this is your wedding day and you don’t need to attract too much attention to the bridesmaids’.