Diy: wedding programs & announcememts

It's interesting:
"On behalf of the bride and groom, I'd like to thank everyone for coming here today. Some of you have travelled considerable distances in order to be here and celebrate Paul and Linda’s happy day. Africa, Continental Europe, the Americas and Asia are not actually places where anyone has travelled from, but I hear that Uncle Jim and Auntie Morag had a 5 hour drive down from Glasgow."

Although weddings are joyous occasions, preparing for one is expensive and time consuming. The more "homemade" your wedding is, the less you pay for your special day. Creating your own wedding announcements and programs not only saves you money, but it also gives you the freedom to experiment and design your own theme. Use custom programs and announcements to add a personal and unique touch to your wedding day.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock
• Decorative paper
• Ribbon
• Printer or access to a print shop
• Scissors
• Engagement picture
• Envelopes
• Vellum
• Glue

Instructions

1. Wedding Announcements

   • 1

     Search your local craft stores or the Internet for card stock to match your wedding theme and color scheme. Also purchase some vellum (a somewhat see-through paper) at a local stationary store.

   • 2

     Determine the size of your announcement and cut the card stock and vellum. Four by six inches is the standard paper size.

   • 3

     Use a program such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Creative Suite to print your wedding announcement information onto the card stock. Choose a font that fits the wedding theme.

   • 4

     Crop your engagement pictures to the dimensions of the card stock and vellum or smaller.

   • 5

     Place a sheet of card stock followed by your picture and a sheet of vellum together and punch a hole in the top left corner. Cut a strip of ribbon and tie it through the hole.

   • 6

     Place the announcements in the envelopes and mail.

   Wedding Programs

   • 7

     Search local craft stores and the Internet for card stock, decorative paper and ribbon to match your color scheme and theme.

   • 8

     Cut the card stock and decorative paper to your desired dimensions and shape.

   • 9

     Use a program such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Creative Suite to print the wedding program information onto the decorative paper. Personalize the program with your specific musical choices, and on the back of the program list the names of the people in the wedding party, directions to the reception and a public "Thank You" to all of your guests.

   • 10

     Glue the decorative paper on the card stock lightly and cut two holes at the top of the paper.

   • 11

     Poke a piece of the ribbon through the back of each hole and tie a bow on the top. Ask a friend or family member to greet guests and hand out programs as they arrive. It's the perfect way to give a special role to someone special who isn't a bridesmaid or a groomsman.

Tips &- Warnings

• Since the announcements and programs are handmade, expect slight aesthetic differences.

• Use scrap-booking tools when creating your programs and announcements, such as acid-free papers, decorative punches, decorative-edge scissors, etc. This will ensure that your programs last through the years.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: card stock, your wedding, card stock, decorative paper, Adobe Creative

Dog rules at folly beach, south carolina

It's interesting:
"There are those who accuse Paul of being unromantic. Well, all I can say, Linda, is that he'll prove them wrong on February 14 when he celebrates Valentine's ..."

Have fun with your dog on Folly Beach, a barrier island in South Carolina. Understanding all beach laws and restrictions concerning dogs is necessary prior to your arrival. As with many beaches in the United States, Folly Beach allows dogs only certain hours a day during its busy season.

1. Dog Beach Hours

   • From May 31 through September 30, dogs are not allowed on Folly Beach between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. As this is summer beach season, the beach normally gets very crowded during these hours. Dogs on the beach during this time presents numerous problems including dog waste pickup in crowded areas, excessive heat which can affect dog health, and potential dog attacks on fellow beach-goers. Walk or run with your dog before or after these designated hours to avoid any problems.

   Leash and Waste Laws

   • It is the law in Folly Beach to have dogs leashed at all times. Unrestricted dogs generally result in a fine for the owner. Owners are also expected to remove all dog waste from the beach and dispose of it properly. Most South Carolina beaches follow the same rules in terms of dog waste and dogs being leashed, or are prohibited from the beach at certain times of day, though areas like Sullivan's Island allows dogs to be off-leash between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. from April 1 through October 31.

   Veterinarians

   • Folly Beach is conveniently located near veterinarian offices in case your dog gets injured or becomes sick. Options include the Ohlandt Veterinary Clinic (no website- 1509 Folly Road, James Island, SC- 843-795-7574), which features three vets on staff. An emergency vet clinic, the Mount Pleasant Animal Emergency Clinic (no website- 930 Pine Hollow Road, Mount Pleasant, SC- 843-216-7554), is also available for evening visits and weekend visits in the day and at night.

   Pet-Friendly Accommodations

   • Stay in pet-friendly accommodations while visiting Folly Beach, including Tides Folly Beach Resort (no website- One Center Street At Highway 171, Folly Beach, SC- 843-588-6464), which allows pets for a one-time, $85 fee per stay as of the time of publication, and guests receive welcome bags filled with dog treats and sanitation supplies. Turtle Bay Villas (no website- address upon request, Folly Beach, SC- 843-530-5168) allows pets with prior approval from the homeowner, though you must inquire as to fees and restrictions. Other pet-friendly accommodations, such as cottages and bungalows, on Folly Beach are also through private homeowners.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Folly Beach, Folly Beach, allows dogs, allows pets, beach south

How to be respectful when visiting a catholic church

be respectful when visiting a catholic church

It's interesting:
"It seems that just a couple of days before the wedding, he chose a tall, striking blonde behind his fiances back. He voted for Boris Johnson on Thursday…"

A visit to a Catholic church can offer the visitor a wealth of insight into the Catholic religion. Some older and historical buildings may have interesting architectural features as well as precious artifacts and beautiful depictions. However, when entering any house of worship there are a few things to remember to remain respectful at all times.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Pick the right time. Visit Catholic churches on days that do not have special religious significance. Check the Catholic calendar (see resources) and avoid holy days, memorials and solemnities. For obvious reasons, do not enter if there is a wedding, baptism or other event taking place.

   • 2

     Check the dress code. As you would expect in any religious establishment, it can be offensive to show too much flesh. Ensure that shoulders and thighs are not exposed and remove headgear as a sign of respect.

   • 3

     Follow the rules. Larger and busier churches may have rules displayed in the church. Read these and make sure you understand any areas that are out of bounds or equipment such as cameras or recording equipment that are not allowed in the church. Even if no rule is displayed, assume that smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted.

   • 4

     Be appropriate. Behave in a manner that takes into consideration your surroundings. Avoid talking in a loud voice or making offensive or thoughtless comments. Do not answer cell phones inside the church or make excessive displays of public affection.

   • 5

     Keep your hands to yourself. Don't touch any artifacts, paintings or anything else that may have religious significance. Watch your step when walking through aisles as many Catholics kneel to worship.

Tips &- Warnings

• Avoid taking alcohol or open containers inside.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: catholic church, religious significance, respectful when, respectful when visiting, that have, visiting catholic, visiting catholic church

Places to have a wedding in arizona

It's interesting:
"I know it's Catherine and Stuart's wedding day, but all week I've only been thinking about what might have been … We were this close to a British ..."

Finding a place to get married is never a quick or easy decision. Thanks to Arizona's warm weather and plethora of spas and resorts, wedding sites with all types of packages and locations are available for various budgets and personal preferences.

1. El Chorro Lodge

   • Celebrated for it's old Arizona Charm by both the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Magazine, the lodge's reception site, Casa Paloma, is able to accommodate a cocktail party of 300, a sit down dinner for 250 or a gathering of 200 with a stage and dance floor. Casa Paloma is available for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception and brunch. An Arizona landmark since 1952, the entire lodge was renovated to include expanded views of the nearby Camelback and Mummy mountains, and reopened in February 2010.

     El Chorro Lodge
     

     5550 East Lincoln Drive
     

     Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-4120
     

     480-948-5170
     

     www.elchorrolodge.com

   Aldea Weddings

   • Located in the Northwest Valley, Aldea offers wedding packages for a variety of budgets up to 250 guests. Some of the packages include a weekday wedding package, venue only package, and a summer cocktail reception package. Tons of extra items can be added, including decorating and a chocolate fountain. The center allows the option to bring outside catering and alcohol.

     Aldea Weddings
     

     4150 West Peoria Avenue
     

     Phoenix, AZ 85029
     

     602-866-2222
     

     www.aldeaweddings.com

   Tre Bella

   • Offering a wide range of choices, including packages for the reception and ceremony or the reception alone, Tre Bella is an incredibly affordable, elegant wedding site. Accommodating up to 175 guests, Tre Bella, located in downtown Mesa, offers two rooms each with unique and different decor to hold your reception. All receptions include an on site consultant, gold chivari chairs, linen napkins, and a gift table. The more expensive packages include items like floral centerpieces, a photographer and DJ, wedding cake, and a photo montage on a projector.

     Tre Bella
     

     119 West Main Street
     

     Mesa, AZ 85201
     

     480-677-1387
     

     www.trebellaaz.com

   The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa

   • One of the more expensive places to have a wedding in the State, the spa is located in the Sonoran Desert. The resort can accommodate as many as 500 guests and can host a rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception. There is a spa, golf range, eight tennis courts, and 215 rooms onsite for the wedding party and guests to take advantage of before or after the wedding.

     The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa
     

     N. Tom Darlington Dr.
     

     Carefree, AZ 85377
     

     480-488-9009
     

     www.theboulders.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: ceremony reception, have wedding, Aldea Weddings, Boulders Resort, Boulders Resort Golden, Casa Paloma

How to get a gay marriage certificate

get a gay marriage certificate

It's interesting:
"I think you'll all agree that it's been a wonderful wedding so far. ... But I never received a formal invitation to the wedding, so I just hope I haven't eaten a meal ..."

Several states have adopted civil union statutes in recent years, but Massachusetts is currently the only state that allows gay marriage. Two people of the same gender may get a marriage certificate in Massachusetts if they reside in the state or declare their intention to reside there.

Things You'll Need

• Birth certificate or passport to prove age
• Proof of residency or documentation of intent to reside

Instructions

1. • 1

     Appear at any city or town hall within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with your partner, and request a notice of intention of marriage. In addition to providing their names, genders, dates and places of birth, occupations and addresses, both partners must disclose information on the number and statuses of previous marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships, if any.

   • 2

     Fill out the notice of intention of marriage, pay the associated processing fee and swear before the city or town clerk that all of the information therein is true and that there is no legal impediment to the marriage. The amount of the processing fee varies, but you can call the city or town clerk where you plan to apply to learn the exact amount.

   • 3

     Complete a supplement to the notice of intention to marriage that is provided by the clerk. This supplement is forwarded to the state Registry of Vital Records and Statistics and can be made available to other governmental agencies for various legal purposes including child support enforcement. The document includes basic information such as name, address and social security number.

   • 4

     Return to the clerk's office where you filed your application after a 3-day waiting period, and receive your marriage license, which remains valid for 60 days.

   • 5

     Solemnize the marriage by having a wedding ceremony within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts within 60 days after you receive your marriage license. This ceremony must be conducted either by a clergy member or by an official such as a justice of the peace. This presiding person must be duly authorized to perform a marriage ceremony and must then transmit the license back to the clerk, who will officially register your marriage and provide your marriage certificate.

Tips &- Warnings

• If you are unable to marry in Massachusetts because you do not reside there or intend to reside there, you may wish to consider a civil union or domestic partnership under the laws of one of the states that provide such an option. These states include Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire for civil unions and Maine, which allows gay partners to form a legal domestic partnership. Entering into such a relationship is not a hindrance to later marriage in Massachusetts, provided that the partners involved are the same individuals.

• Consider contacting Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) at 617-426-1350 and the state attorney general's office at 617-727-2200 if you experience any obstruction or discrimination in your effort to get a gay marriage certificate.

• Do not falsify any information in the paperwork that you file when you get a marriage certificate, or you could be punished with a costly fine. Although a 1913 law has been used in some cases to try to deny marriage certificates from out-of-state gay couples, this obstacle can be overcome if the couple truthfully declares an intention to reside in Massachusetts and provides some documentation of this intention.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: marriage certificate, your marriage, city town, intention marriage, notice intention, notice intention marriage, reside there

Japanese sake wedding traditions

It's interesting:
"I know they have both put a tremendous amount of effort in to the planning of this wedding, and can only hope that, apart from this speech, everything has ..."

Sake, the Japanese rice-based alcoholic drink, plays a role in a number of Japanese traditions. The traditional Japanese wedding is no exception. Although modern weddings do not always adhere to the traditional cultural practices, many do include the sake wedding traditions. The two sake traditions most closely associated with the wedding celebration are the Yui-no and the San-San-Kudo.

1. Yui-no

   • The Yui-no is an engagement ritual especially popular with those who have met through an "omiai." The "omiai" is somewhat like an arranged marriage between adults -- with either partner free to not pursue the relationship. Couples who meet more conventionally in modern times can opt to have a Yui-no as well. During the Yui-no, the parents of the bride and the groom meet and the families exchange gifts. One gift is a sake cask made from willow tree wood. Giving this cask represents a wish for a peaceful and obedient partnership.

   Meaning of San-San-Kudo

   • The San-San-Kudo is the sake ceremony that takes place during the wedding in a traditional Shinto ceremony. In modern Western-style weddings or Buddhist ceremonies, the San-San-Kudo may take place at the reception and not at the ceremony. The title of the San-San-Kudo means "Three, three, deliver nine." The reason for the ceremony is to make a formal gesture tying two families together. Traditionally, drinking sake together represents forming a strong bond.

   The San-San-Kudo Set

   • The San-San-Kudo set for serving sake is unique to the celebration. The San-San-Kudo set consists of a sake serving pot and three flat cups, each one slightly larger than the last. Before and after the ceremony, the cups remain stacked upon each other in ascending order from largest at the bottom to smallest at the top.

   The San-San-Kudo Ritual

   • During the ritual, the groom takes three sips of sake from the top cup. His bride does the same, followed by the groom's father, the groom's mother, the bride's father and the bride's mother. In traditional ceremonies, the matchmaker takes three sips after the parents, but some couples omit the matchmaker if none was involved. However, even if the couple met through means other than an "omiai," there may be a matchmaker -- such as, the mutual friend who introduced them. The groom, the bride, their parents and the matchmaker repeat this process with the middle and then the bottom cup, taking three sips each time.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: sake wedding, sake wedding traditions, three sips, wedding traditions, Japanese sake

Newspaper wedding announcement ideas

It's interesting:
"For those of you who are attending their first Jewish wedding, there may be some customs you're unfamiliar with. Like when Paul stepped on the glass at the end ..."

Newspaper wedding announcements are a way to alert family and friends to your impending nuptials. After the immediate family of both the bride and groom-to-be are informed of the wedding plans, a newspaper announcement is the easiest way to let everyone know the details of your wedding. Most newspapers have guidelines that can be requested with an e-mail and the announcement and accompanying photo can often be submitted online. Most papers will run photo of the couple along with the announcement.

1. Traditional Wedding Announcement

   • For an old-fashioned couple who loves tradition, a traditional wedding announcement contains basic information about the engaged couple. When submitting this information to a newspaper, be sure to include the couple's full names, where they graduated from high school, where they went to college, any degrees they hold and their current jobs. Most of these announcements also include a photo of the couple. If the announcement is running after the wedding, a wedding photo is typically used.

   More Informative Wedding Announcements

   • If couples have access to a paper that does not have a strict word count policy regarding wedding announcements, this opens up the possibility for more creativity. Include information about the bride and groom-to-be's parents, grandparents and other family members attending the ceremony. Share details such as where the wedding will be held, what the bride will be wearing, and where the couple plan to honeymoon. Sentimental couples may even include details of how they met.

   Funny or Non-Traditional Announcements

   • Some papers are more lenient than others regarding the details couples can include in their announcements. Humorous couples can detail the way they met or their first date in a way that draws other readers into their courtship. Some couples may feel like submitting non-traditional photos of themselves, perhaps in a funny situation, on vacation or even during a holiday. Some couples may scan photos of both of them as babies, children or teens and bring these photos together for their announcement.

   Wedding Announcement Tips

   • Be sure to understand the guidelines of the newspaper you are submitting to. Information submitted late will not be published. Some papers have templates for wedding announcements so the same information will be included for each couple who submits. Other papers charge per word, but have no restrictions on length or content. Photos can be submitted in color or black and white, and the newspaper staff will be able to scan a color photo and convert it to black and white if that's your publishing preference.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Newspaper wedding, announcement ideas, black white, bride groom-to-be, information about, Newspaper wedding announcement

Do it yourself wedding cake ideas

It's interesting:
"It was a stipulation for the wedding that the groomsmen weren't allowed to look better than the Best Man today and I'm pleased to say they have accomplished ..."

Some couples love the idea of serving up a home-cooked dessert to their friends and loved ones at their wedding. However, figuring out create that perfect cake without succumbing to stress on your wedding day can be tricky. Try to do as much work in advance as you can and enlist the help of a few experienced friends. While a homemade cake won't look like a bakery confection swathed in fondant, it will come straight from the heart.

Does this Spark an idea?

1. Familiar Recipes

   • Don't attempt anything new or untested on your wedding cake. Use this as an opportunity to make your favorite cakes and enjoy them with your friends and family. If you have a recipe that you love but have only made once or twice, practice baking it once a week until you've got it down. Since it's easier to make several smaller cakes, choose two complementary flavors. White cake is the standard for weddings, but flavors like coconut, lemon or even a fudgy dark chocolate work well for wedding cakes. Keep the season in mind. Though red velvet might be your all-time favorite, the rich frosting and deep flavors are best suited for a winter wedding. If you are baking your cake to save money, remember that baking for hundreds of people isn't exactly cheap. Calculate the cost of ingredients for various recipes before you proceed if your budget is tight.

   Freeze It

   • Your freezer will become your best friend if you're making your own wedding cake, as it allows you to spread out the work over the course of several days or weeks. Once you've settled on recipes, bake, freeze and defrost cakes to see how they fare. Some flavors develop more once they've aged a bit. Wrap your cakes in several layers of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze them for a few weeks or as long as you think you'll need in between baking and the wedding day. Defrost cakes at room temperature, and pay attention to the clock so you know exactly how long it takes. Taste the cakes to ensure that the texture is right and that the cakes haven't developed any unpleasant flavors.

   Frosting-Free

   • Frosting and fondant are hard to work with unless you're a master decorator. You are better off sticking with simple toppings that taste great and drive home the relaxed theme of home-baked cakes. Top your cakes with whipped cream, sugar glaze or powdered sugar or cocoa instead. They'll look beautiful in an undone, rustic way. You can keep your whipped cream from melting and sliding around if you stabilize it with a bit of gelatin or cornstarch. Make the whipped cream the night before and store in the fridge. Have your friends mix the sugar glaze right before applying it to your cake for best results. If you're worried about how glazes and whipped cream will hold up during the day, do a trial run with a few test cakes under the same weather and setting conditions a few weeks beforehand.

   Simple Styling

   • Keep your presentation simple for best results. If you're not skilled at assembling large layer cakes, your wedding isn't the time to try it. Instead, purchase a few lovely cake stands and create a table-scape of individual or two-layer cakes. If you have your heart set on towering layers, simple is best. Fill the layers with just a bit of whipped cream and dust with powdered sugar. Any irregularities will be a natural part of the decoration instead of an unsightly distraction. To avoid stress on your big day, have the cake layers transported to the venue and get a few experienced friends and relatives to assemble them for you. Tell them beforehand exactly what you're looking for so there are no surprises.

   Fresh Fruit and Flowers

   • A sprinkling of fresh ingredients can turn your cake from a ho-hum dessert into an eye-catching masterpiece. Lay pieces of fresh sliced fruit around the edges and on top of your cake. Or, incorporate a few colorful flower buds into your cake design. If you are serving several different cakes, use the same fruits and flowers as a unifying element. Choose fruits and flowers that match your color scheme for the biggest impact. Apply the fruits and flowers right before guests arrive so they look fresh without wilting or drying out. Check with your florist before adding flowers to your cake to ensure they're not toxic and won't affect the taste of your cake.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your cake, whipped cream, wedding cake, your wedding, fruits flowers, yourself wedding cake

How to word a wedding bulletin

word a wedding bulletin

It's interesting:
"It seems that just a couple of days before the wedding, he chose a tall, striking blonde behind his fiances back. He voted for Boris Johnson on Thursday…"

Wedding bulletins, or programs, are becoming commonplace at wedding ceremonies. Distributed before the ceremony, the bulletin gives guests a snapshot of what to expect and can make them feel a part of the wedding. Whether a wedding is trendy or traditional, simple or extravagant, the program can be tailored to fit any style and is a keepsake that will last long after the "I do"s are sealed with a kiss. Though specific wedding bulletin wording is unique to each couple, there is some fundamental information that should be included.

Instructions

1. • 1

     List the wedding day particulars. A wedding bulletin should begin with the names of the bride and groom followed by the date of the marriage. Depending on bulletin space and personal preference, the specific locale, city and state of the wedding may also be included.

   • 2

     Acknowledge the wedding party. List each member of the wedding party, members' role in the celebration and their relationship to the bride and groom. Is maid of honor Jane Smith a cousin of the bride or a sister of the groom? Be succinct. Though some couples use this section to recognize the immediate wedding party only, it is not uncommon to include parents and grandparents, officiants, musicians and readers. Because guests will use the program to identify key players, it is customary to list the wedding party in the order they will appear in the ceremony.

   • 3

     Outline the ceremony. If you are having a short, informal wedding, ceremony information is not necessary. If you are having a formal, religious ceremony, however, it will be helpful to guests that do not share your religion. Confer with your officiant for the precise order of the ceremony. List all parts of the ceremony so guests can follow along. Be specific. Include titles and composers of musical selections, names of any poems and cites of any Bible verses. If you have any special family or religious traditions guests may be unfamiliar with, include a brief description.

   • 4

     Say thank you. Your wedding guests have taken time out of busy schedules to witness your nuptials. Some may have traveled great distances. A simple, heartfelt sentence or two thanking them for being with you on your special day will let them know how much their presence is appreciated. It is also appropriate to give a special thank you to your parents for their continued love and support.

   • 5

     Pay tribute to deceased loved ones. If you choose to honor close friends and family who have passed on, try to honor their memories without casting a pall over your joyous occasion. A listing of the deceased or a sentence dedicated to the memory of those not with you on your special day, followed by a short poem, will allow you to share your day with those living only in your hearts.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding bulletin, wedding party, with your, bride groom, share your, with your special

Wedding party program wording

It's interesting:
"Linda is an extraordinary woman. Resilient and fun-loving. If anyone had told me Paul would find a woman who loves gourmet cooking, travelling to exotic places and debating the merits of the Arsenal back four as much as him, I wouldn't have believed them. Yet here she is. You two are going to have quite a life together. "

When planning a wedding, there are many important elements that make the affair one to remember. One essential piece of a wedding planning is creating the program for your wedding ceremony.

1. Cover

   • A wedding program can have many formats, but most often there is a cover to the program. On the cover, most importantly, should be the names of the couple who is getting married. In addition, many couples include the names of their parents as the invitees to the ceremony on the cover. In addition to the couple's names, you will also want to include the date of your special day, location and time of the ceremony. You may also find that you would like to include some sort of design that is meaningful or significant to you as a couple, and have that stamped, embossed or otherwise placed on the cover of your program.

   Inside

   • Inside of the wedding program you will want to include an introduction. In the introduction, thank guests for coming to share such a special event with you. You can also describe the significance of the day, time or location of your wedding. Include all of the events of the ceremony in order so that guests know how the ceremony will flow. This is particularly important for a religious wedding which may have guests of various faiths in attendance. The names of all of those involved in the ceremony should also be included. The names are often listed under headings for the titles of their roles in the wedding or their relation. Examples are: parents, grandparents, maid/matron of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, ushers, etc. Finally, it is important to include the names of anyone who is officiating the wedding (i.e. a priest, minister or Minister of the Peace), musicians and the formal wedding planner, if there is one.

   Memorials

   • If any of the parents of the couple is deceased, it is common to include a memorial in the wedding program to acknowledge that parent. There are a variety of ways to word a memorial in a wedding program. Some ideas are: "The couple would like to remember __________, a loving father and role model, on this special day." Or, "A candle will be lit in the memory of _________ during the ceremony."

   Formatting and Formality

   • Remember a program can take any format that you like, be it a tri-fold, one card, or a folded card with an insert. Allow the level of formality to be reflected in your wording and style in the program. More formal weddings should include font that is clearly fancy, and more upscale wording, while more casual weddings can use whatever font, wording and format they choose.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding program, include names, memorial wedding, memorial wedding program, party program, party program wording, program wording

The chinese marriage tea ceremony

It's interesting:
"Now, I think you'll agree, after seeing the amount of free booze available at this wedding, that it's a good job it's a Bank Holiday this weekend. And if you do ..."

During a Chinese wedding, the marriage tea ceremony is performed when all of the members of the family are present. The use of tea, China's national drink, symbolizes respect for those being served. It is a significant part of the Chinese wedding because the bride is formally introduced to the groom's family through the tea ceremony. Sweet tea is preferably served because it symbolizes sweetness in the new union of the bride and groom, as well as a wish for sweet relations between the bride and her new family.

1. Significance

   • Specific traditional Chinese sweet teas are usually used for the tea ceremony because of the good connotations of their names. First choice is the lotus seeds and red dates tea, which signifies that the newlyweds will bear children quickly and continuously, meaning lots of grandchildren for their parents. Another favorite is the longans and red dates tea. The longan represents a dragon and a wish for having male children.

   When to Serve

   • The tea ceremony for the groom's family is traditionally held in the morning, while for the bride's family, it is usually done in the afternoon when the bride and groom have completed the bride's home visit. The bride may also choose to serve tea to both of her parents at home, very early in the morning of her wedding day, right before the groom arrives, as an act of respect and gratitude for all their love and care.

   Serve

   • The general rule being practiced in traditional Chinese tea ceremonies is to position the bride on the left side and the groom on the right side as they serve tea. They will kneel in front of the relatives being served, who all sit in chairs. For example, as the couple serves tea to the groom's parents, the bride kneels in front of her father-in-law, while the groom kneels in front of his mother. They hold the teacups with both hands as a sign of respect.

   Order of Serving

   • The newlyweds customarily serve tea in order of seniority. They start with the groom's parents, then proceed to serve his grandparents, grand uncles and aunts, oldest uncles and aunts, all the way to his older brothers and sisters and elder cousins. They follow the same order during the tea ceremony at the home of bride's family.

   Gift Presentation

   • After serving the groom's relatives, they in return bestow the newlyweds with either jewelry or "lai see," lucky red envelopes stuffed with money. They usually place the lucky gifts on the platter which holds the teacups. In some cases, the relatives prefer that the couple wear the jewelry immediately and even put it on them.

   Lucky Helpers

   • Fortune tellers or the bride's mother choose helpers to assist the couple in the wedding tea ceremony. These helpers are usually women who are blessed with wealth and/or a happy marriage. A sister or relative of the groom can also help in pouring the tea and washing the cups. After their service, the helpers also receive lucky red envelopes containing money, as a thank-you gift from the newlyweds or from those being served.

   Tea Set as Keepsake

   • The newlyweds keep the Chinese tea set used for the tea ceremony as a wedding present, which is part of the bride's dowry. It serves as precious keepsake, which can be handed down to their future daughter when it is her turn to get married.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: being served, bride family, marriage ceremony, bride groom, chinese marriage

Good ideas for decorations for a park wedding

It's interesting:
"The happy couple have picked a beautiful sunny day to get married. It’s perhaps a little too hot for me in this suit though, but at least I now know how Chewbacca felt filming those desert scenes."

If you are getting married in a park, you can choose from a variety of themes for your wedding that will suit the setting. Once you have a theme, it is easy to choose decorations, whether you are in a mountainside forest, at a placid lake shore or in a botanical garden. At your outdoor wedding, you have the opportunity to reflect the beauty of the surrounding area.

1. Colors

   • Choose colors for the wedding attendants and table decor that complement the setting as well as the season. If you're getting married in a rose garden in spring, use the colors of your favorite roses -- pink, coral, cream. If you've chosen a city park in the fall, choose reds, oranges and other autumn leaf colors.

   Tent

   • Outdoor weddings are beautiful, but you also have to deal with the chance of bad weather. Setting up a tent provides not only shelter but a great palette for you to decorate. If you are having an evening wedding, you can string twinkling white lights to imitate the stars. You can also hang Chinese lanterns for bright, easy pops of color or drape colorful pieces of tulle for a more whimsical feeling.

   Garden Picnic

   • If you're doing your wedding on the cheap, you can pack picnic lunches in pretty baskets for your guests. Use them first as centerpieces, and then the meal. Put floral or red-checked cloths on the tables. You can let guests keep the baskets as the wedding favors. In the basket, pack sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit and small bottles of wine or champagne.

   Flowers

   • If you're getting married in a country park, plant flowers in rustic metal buckets to decorate the tables. If you're getting married in an Asian-style garden, try stalks of bamboo and lilies in vases. Potted flowers make a great accent no matter where you are, and you can give them away to guests after the wedding. You can also thread flowers onto string and hang them anywhere -- in the tent, on the trees or behind rows of chairs.

   Fun Accents

   • You can decorate the area with accents that play off the park setting. For an evening wedding, use rustic lanterns to light the paths from ceremony to reception. If you love birds, place small bird houses or bird feeders among the trees and use them as centerpieces for a quaint, charming feel. Guests can take them home as favors, too.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: getting married, decorations park, decorations park wedding, evening wedding, Good ideas

Outdoor gardens or ranches in michigan for a wedding

It's interesting:
"During my research - and yes, believe it or not, this was researched - I looked into the three key elements of a wedding day: first, the aisle, the longest walk ..."

Michigan is known for the auto industry and the Motown sound, but it's also a state of forests, rivers and lakes. In fact, there's no place in Michigan that's more than six miles from a body of water or more than 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes. With all its natural beauty, Michigan is also a great place for weddings. Venues range from lakeside gardens to Western-style ranches.

1. Castle Farms

   • Castle Farms is located in Charlevoix, a town in northern Michigan set between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. The facility offers a variety of wedding ceremony and reception venues that can accommodate up to 350 guests. The complex consists of a stone castle and gardens, and features a variety of courtyard settings with lake and garden views. Castle Farms does not offer catering services, but will recommend local caterers. The town of Charlevoix offers many outdoor activities, including golfing, fishing, hiking and biking. The town also features beaches, art galleries and a variety of restaurants.

   Matthaei Botanical Gardens

   • The Matthaei Botanical Gardens, administered by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, are located along the Huron River, a few blocks from the university's main campus. The gardens feature dozens of outdoor sites for weddings and receptions, including natural settings, like Willow Pond Island, and formal gardens, like the Herb Knot Garden and the Perennial Garden. The gardens were established in 1907, and consist of more than 700 acres of woodland, prairie, tropical and desert landscapes. The Nichols Arboretum, adjacent to the botanical gardens, features native and exotic trees and shrubs in a landscape of valleys, dales and glens.

   Frog Pond Village

   • Frog Pond Village is a 10-acre garden reception center in Interlochen, minutes away from Traverse City. Frog Pond offers a variety of outdoor venues for both large and small weddings. The property's two ballrooms can accommodate up to 400 people, and feature French doors that open to the gardens. The Tadpole Chapel is an outdoor ceremony location that features a wooden pergola. For smaller weddings, Frog Pond offers its Woodside Chapel, which accommodates 50 guests, and a tent reception pavilion that also accommodates 50 guests. Frog Pond does not provide catering, but will recommend local caterers.

   Ranch Rudolf

   • Ranch Rudolf, a 200-acre, four-seasons resort 12 miles southeast of Traverse City, is set on the Boardman River and surrounded by the Pere Marquette State Forest. The resort offers venues for outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions ranging from intimate gatherings to grand affairs of up to 350 guests. The ranch offers an on-site catering service and wait staff, as well as lodging in its 16 motel units and bunkhouse. The property also features a general store and restaurant. Depending on the season, the ranch offers hay rides, sleigh rides, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and snowmobiling.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Frog Pond, Castle Farms, more than, accommodates guests, also features, Frog Pond offers

Hotels near uptown theater in kansas

It's interesting:
"I wish anyone who thinks that ‘bigger is always better’ could be with us right now, because they would surely be amazed at the tremendous amount of happiness and joy that can flow from the right group of well wishers. We are all truly privileged to have been asked to be a part of such a warm and intimate ceremony as Paul and Linda’s wedding, I offer my love and appreciation to the bride and groom for inviting me to play a role in such a very personal gathering. I’m sure we all want to congratulate Paul and Linda on their very first day as husband and wife and thank them for giving us a day we will never forget."

There are a number of "Uptown Theaters" around the country, but few offer the same history as the establishment by that name in the heart of Kansas City. This particular Uptown Theater opened in 1928 and immediately became the town's main movie theater, as well as a performance venue for such legends as Bob Hope.

1. Q Hotel

   • The Q Hotel, which is just off Broadway, less than a mile south of the Uptown Theater, defines itself as Kansas City's "green" hotel for its environmental awareness, including its high level of energy efficiency and the fact that it provides bicycles for guests. The Q hotel has received the "Green Seal," a label of approval given by a nonprofit organization of the same name. Accommodations at the ultra modern hotel include king-sized beds covered in Turkish linens, iPod stereos and even an in-room jacuzzi in some cases. The on-site spa, another major feature of The Q Hotel, offers Swedish massages, hot stone therapy and manicures.

   Embassy Suites

   • About a mile south of the Uptown Theater, across the street from the town's historic Westport Square, is the Embassy Suites. The entire building is made up of suites rather than standard hotel rooms, and at 12 stories high, provides unobstructed views of the surrounding area for most guests. Accommodations inside the suites, aside from the bed, feature a living area with cable television, a separate work area and a mini kitchen equipped with microwave and refrigerator. While breakfast is complimentary, the hotel also provides an on-site steakhouse for additional dining options. The Embassy Suites is family friendly, providing room playpens and cribs on request.

   Fairfield Inn

   • The Marriott Fairfield Inn is about a mile north of the Uptown Theater, in the Union Hill neighborhood of the city. The four-story building houses 100 guest rooms, including 16 suites, and while brick covers most of the traditionally-styled walls, all of the accommodations feature modern hotel amenities, such as wireless Internet and cable television. The hotel also provides guests with access to the on-site fitness center and an indoor pool with separate hot tub. A complimentary "Early Eats" breakfast is offered to each guest at the Fairfield Inn.

   Holiday Inn

   • A mile or so south of the Uptown Theater, in the same block as The Q Hotel, is the Holiday Inn, providing an economical lodging option for visitors to the area. Like most Holiday Inns, the Kansas City location caters particularly to business travelers, providing work areas in each room, wireless Internet and access to the hotel's business center. The Holiday Inn also includes an on-site grille, as well as a bar that offers a daily happy hour special.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Uptown Theater, Embassy Suites, Kansas City, mile south, mile south Uptown, south Uptown

Short simple bridal hairstyles

It's interesting:
"I have been for months trying to write a wedding speech, I wish I'd found this site sooner. It's going to ... You can find speech material to suit any style of wedding."

Short wedding hairstyles are pretty and charming. If you regularly wear your hair short, there is no need to get extensions or try to grow your hair out just for your wedding day. Instead, work with your style to make it more formal, and keep it pretty and simple with some special accessories or styling. Use hair accessories, such as headbands, barrettes and combs, or style it with curls or braids, and your hair will stand out as pretty and elegant on your big day.

Does this Spark an idea?

1. Headband

   • A simple headband can make a great impact in short wedding hairstyles. Add a thin, sparkly headband or a wider satin headband with a pretty accessory such as feathers, flowers or bows. The headband should match the general style of your dress, and essentially your wedding. Teasing the hair at the crown of the head will dress up the style a little and give your hair the volume it needs to last all day. The hair around the headband can be worn in soft natural waves, or it can be straightened. Bangs can be added if you don’-t want some hair to fall in front of the headband.

   Barrettes &- Combs

   • The right barrettes and combs can transform a regular short hair style into a chic, dressy style in minutes. Again, hair accessories should match the theme of your dress. For instance, if the dress features satin flowers or bows, a flower or bow barrette in the side of your hair will bring the look together and dress up your hair styles. Use a pretty sparkly barrette to pull the side of your hair back for another dramatic look. Again, barrettes and hair combs look pretty among waves and curls, or in straight hair styles, so the styling of your hair depends on your personal preference.

   Messy Updo

   • Depending on the length of your hair, you may be able to achieve a trendy, messy updo. These types of styles are often seen on the red carpet, and can be very pretty and chic. Pull the hair back into a messy knot at the nape of your neck, or curl the hair and sweep it back, pinning it into a messy, wavy updo. Even though tendrils of hair may fall out throughout the day, that will only add to the look. Just make sure you use enough hairspray and pins that your hair doesn’-t fall out completely.

   Braids

   • Braids can add a creative look to short hair and dress up the style quite a bit, if they are done correctly. Braid two small pieces of hair on either side of the hair and pin them back with a pretty pin. Similarly, French braid just your bangs back into the side of your hair, a style made popular by Jennifer Aniston at the 2009 Oscars.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your hair, side your, side your hair, back into, barrettes combs

Alternatives to a men's wedding band

It's interesting:
"This wedding really couldn't come at a better time for anyone. Gary will probably be bald by this time next year. And Annabelle's just found out that ..."

Although a wedding band worn on the "ring" finger of the left hand is the traditional symbol of marriage, you don't have to wear a ring to honor your spouse and your vows. Whether a medical reason excludes you from wearing a ring, your profession keeps you from regularly wearing a ring or you simply dislike the look or feel of rings, you can find an alternative that fits your personal taste and lifestyle.

Does this Spark an idea?

1. Tattoo

   • A permanent tattoo is one way to symbolize the lifelong commitment of a marriage. A wedding band tattoo is a good alternative if your profession keeps you from wearing a wedding ring during the day. However, some tattoo artists will not ink wedding tattoos because of the difficulty keeping the finger bandaged for 24 hours and keeping the tattoo out of the sun for another two weeks so that the skin can properly heal. Marriage tattoos are not just limited to the wedding band- a symbol, your spouse's name or your wedding date placed anywhere on your body can represent your marriage vows.

   Necklace

   • If you're not against wearing jewelry, a wedding necklace can be just as meaningful as a wedding ring. A wedding necklace can be anything you desire to represent your love. The Mrs. Gottrocks Fine Jewelry website, Gotrocks.com, recommends soldering a comfort fit wedding band in a gold chain so that the ring sits flat against your chest. Engraving a pendant with your wedding date or designing matching his and her necklaces are also alternatives to the traditional wedding ring.

   Watch

   • With a wedding watch, the jewelry on your wrist will do more than just keep time- it will be a meaningful symbol of your marriage. For added bling, choose a watch with a diamond or two on the faceplate. For a truly original look, work with a jeweler to create a custom watch face. Your spouse can engrave any real metal watch with a special wedding message. A pocket watch is also another alternative that can easily be engraved and personalized.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding band, wedding ring, alternative that, from wearing, keeps from

Winery locations for a wedding in temecula, california

It's interesting:
"Linda’s been the driving factor when it came to planning this wedding, and Linda, it was perfect! All your hard work paid off, and I must say I’m honoured to be part of the only 5 minutes that you didn’t get to plan!"

Looking for a great Temecula winery to be the location for your upcoming wedding? The good news is there are several options to choose from. Your decision is an important one, and while it can be overwhelming, all you need to do is compare what each location offers and see which one best suits your needs.

1. Thornton Winery

   • Planning a wedding is stressful. Having someone assist you every step of the way will make you more relaxed, give you piece of mind and give you the opportunity to enjoy the process of planning your big day. Some wineries offer their assistance planning your entire wedding. The Thornton Winery even offers a complimentary wedding planner when you book your wedding there. Keep this fact in mind when you are reviewing locations. If it could make your life easier, it's worth it.

   Callaway Vineyards

   • It's no secret, weddings are expensive. If you are planning your wedding on a budget it's a good idea to look for wineries that offer discounts if you hold your ceremony and reception and their facility. Most wedding venues offer a discount when you book during the off season. You can still have your dream wedding and big bucks at the same time. Callaway Vineyards and Winery offers a 15 percent discount when you book a wedding between January and April.

   Falkner Winery

   • Your wedding is a special day that you will life forever in your mind. Taking your wedding vows in a unique way will not only make your wedding extra special for you, it will provide your guests with a memory that will last forever. Falkner Winery has the perfect way to make your wedding special and unique. You can say your vows in a hot air balloon while overlooking the scenic and stunning views of the winery.

   Special Extras

   • Some wineries offer help in planning other wedding related activities and events. The South Coast Winery can assist in planning your bridal shower, bachelor and bachelorette parties. You can make it a full weekend at the winery by hosting your rehearsal dinner and an after wedding celebratory brunch the next morning for your family and friends! For added convenience the South Coast has private villas available for a romantic wedding night or stay for your honeymoon!

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: planning your, make your, when book, your wedding, Callaway Vineyards

How to estimate wedding costs

estimate wedding costs

It's interesting:
"After all, this wedding has given me the opportunity to meet many of Paul's ... And I hope, when they look back years from now on this, their wedding day, they ..."

As you probably know, weddings can be very expensive affairs. There are many different costs associated with hosting a wedding and the reception that usually follows it. Many couples and their families set strict budgets for their weddings. As a result, it may be useful to estimate the costs of the wedding before committing to any vendors or venues. To estimate the total cost of your wedding, make a list of everything you would like to be included and try to calculate the cost of each item.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Contact your local courthouse -- or visit its website -- and ask to speak with someone who can give you information about marriage licenses. Find out how much a marriage license costs.

   • 2

     List possible places to hold your wedding ceremony. If you would like to have it in a religious venue, such as a church or a synagogue, determine if there are any rental costs associated with getting married there. If you have to pay an officiant, determine how much the officiant charges or if he should be tipped instead. You may also consider hosting your wedding in an outdoor location or at a nonreligious building, such as a museum or ballroom. Contact a venue that interests you to get a price range for holding your wedding ceremony there.

   • 3

     Contact potential reception venues to determine their price ranges. Many venues charge rental fees to use their facilities for a wedding reception. If there is a caterer on-site at a venue, inquire how much the caterer charges per person for a meal. Make an approximate list of all of the people that you plan to invite to your wedding. Multiply the number of people on your list by the cost that the caterer charges per person. This will probably be your single largest cost.

   • 4

     Make a list of other vendors that might be involved in your wedding and contact them to get a price estimate. For example, call a florist, DJ or band, calligrapher, hair and/or makeup artists, photographer, videographer, cake baker and wedding planner and inquire about their prices. You may also choose to include the cost of your wedding dress, honeymoon, rehearsal dinner, invitations, programs, liquor, gifts for your bridal party, party favors and decorations in your calculations.

   • 5

     Total all of the costs you've listed. Realize that this number is only an estimate and can fluctuate depending on a number of factors, such as how many people you decide to invite to your wedding or how much you end up spending on a dress. If the final number is something you and your fiance aren't comfortable with, get started figuring out save money on the various items on your list.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your wedding, associated with, caterer charges, caterer charges person, charges person, cost your

Places for a wedding in virginia

It's interesting:
"But fortunately Giles recovered from his stag do and made it to the wedding today … + Add to clipboard. 11-Feb-201It's been a great week for the groom."

Virginia's state marketing slogan is "Virginia is for Lovers," so it's not surprising that there are many destinations for weddings in the Old Dominion. The historic plantations and mansions that are a common feature of the state are among the most popular and enduring wedding locations. Many weddings also take place at wineries in Virginia's Wine Country.

1. Veramar Vineyard

   • Located at a 100-acre estate at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Veramar Vineyard offers couples a romantic and quaint location for their wedding ceremony and reception. There are two primary locations for weddings at the vineyard--the Grand Fountain Courtyard, which includes a tented area with room for up to 150 guests, and weddings held in the vineyard. Both weddings include use of the grounds for pictures and other purposes, along with private tastings at the winery.

     Veramar Vineyard
     

     905 Quarry Road
     

     Berryville, VA 22611
     

     (540) 955-5510
     

     veramar.com

   Jasmine Plantation

   • The Jasmine Plantation offers couples a chance to get married at a historically important and visually stunning location. The plantation house was built in 1750 and was used by George Washington as temporary headquarters for the Continental Army. Wedding parties can rent part of the estate or the entire plantation, including six guest rooms and 42 acres of landscaped grounds. An indoor hall offers a location for smaller functions, while larger ceremonies of up to 500 are held in outdoor gazebos. Brides looking for a "fantasy" entrance can arrive at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage.

     Jasmine Plantation
     

     4500 N. Courthouse Road
     

     Providence Forge, VA 23140
     

     (804) 966-9836
     

     jasmineplantation.com

   Mankin Mansion

   • Formerly the plantation residence of masonry tycoon Edward Thurston Mankin, the Mankin Mansion lay dormant and in a state of disrepair after Mankin's death in 1953 until California couple Paula and Martin Ramirez restored the 30-room estate in 2002. The renovation process included rebuilding many locations that are used in weddings at the site, including the original brick walkways, gazebos and cottages. Ceremonies occur in the well-manicured garden while receptions happen inside the mansion.

     Mankin Mansion
     

     4300 Oakleys Lane
     

     Richmond, VA 23223
     

     (804) 737-7773
     

     historicmankinmansion.com

   Virginia Beach Wedding Chapel

   • For some couples, the beach is the ideal location for a wedding, and Virginia offers plenty of attractive coastline options. The Virginia Beach Wedding Chapel offers ceremonies directly on the beach or services at an indoor chapel for intimate weddings. Services can be planned months in advance or one week out for couples looking to elope.

     Virginia Beach Wedding Chapel
     

     637 10th St.
     

     Virginia Beach, VA 23451
     

     (757) 495-8003
     

     virginiabeachweddingchapel.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Virginia Beach, Beach Wedding, Beach Wedding Chapel, Jasmine Plantation, Mankin Mansion, Veramar Vineyard

Diy wedding program with ribbon

It's interesting:
"It seems that just a couple of days before the wedding, he chose a tall, striking blonde behind his fiances back. He voted for Boris Johnson on Thursday…"

Wedding programs, similar to theatre programs, provide your guests with a list of your wedding day's cast and a list of the events taking place. A wedding program is especially helpful if you have a large guest list or many invitees from out of town, as it allows them to feel more involved in the ceremony. Traditional wedding programs are made of single-sided cards and designed to match the rest of your wedding stationery. Include a ribbon at the top for a classic style.

Things You'll Need

• Wedding program card stock
• Printer
• Hole punch
• Scissors
• Coordinating ribbon

Instructions

1. • 1

     Determine the wording needed for your programs. Begin with the wedding's hosts or, if you are hosting your own wedding, simply state, "Welcome to the wedding ceremony of..." You may include as much information about the ceremony as you wish, including the vows, readings and songs selected, but the basic template is as follows: greeting from hosts- names of the bride and groom- order of ceremony- bridesmaids' names and titles- groomsmen's names and titles- flower girl's name- ring bearer's name- reception information.

   • 2

     Format your text document so that its measurements are the same as your wedding program card stock. Place your blank card stock into the printer's paper feeder and move the alignment guide over to fit snugly against your program. Print your first program and, if you are happy with its appearance, print the remaining stationery. Allow the stationery to dry before setting the pieces on top of one other, because slick card stock does not absorb ink as quickly as letterhead.

   • 3

     Punch two holes at the top of the card stock, keeping them aligned over the center of the program. They should lie about half an inch down from the top edge and half an inch apart from one another so as to avoid any tearing through the paper.

   • 4

     String a five-inch piece of ribbon through the two holes from the backside, so that both ends stick out the front. Knot the ribbon twice, making sure the paper stays flat. Trim the ribbon's edges at diagonal angles to prevent unraveling. Repeat with your remaining programs.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: card stock, your wedding, half inch, names titles-, program card, program card stock

Doerun, georgia wedding facilities

It's interesting:
"Even world class comics know what it's like to die on stage, and a wedding ... Nobody wants the soundtrack of their wedding night to be a chorus of loud groans."

Choosing the right wedding venue for your reception involves taking into account issues such as proximity to the ceremony and number of people invited. Couples marrying in Doerun, Georgia, can find several wedding reception venues in easy driving distance from the town. These venues offer rooms of varying sizes to accommodate any guest list.

1. Hilton Garden Inn

   • The Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, north of Doerun, features a reception hall. Catering is available in four different styles to create the reception of any couples' dreams. Nine halls are available, accommodating from 20 guests to 900. In addition to the reception facility, the bride and groom can make use of a suite for their wedding night, and out-of-town guests can also find accommodations.

   Quality Inn Merry Acres

   • In Albany, Quality Inn Merry Acres features a hall that can be reserved for a wedding reception. Catering must be brought in from an outside source. The smallest of the six halls available accommodates up to 44 guests, while the largest will accommodate up to 207. Some of the rooms can be combined to accommodate up to 413 guests. Having your reception at this hotel allows guests to find accommodations as well as a room for the couple to enjoy their wedding night.

   Thronateeska Heritage Center

   • Thronateeska Heritage Center in Albany is a planetarium, science museum, history museum and railway exhibit that can be reserved for a wedding reception. Couples can choose to have their receptions in the historic train depot, on the train platform, in one of the historic train cars or in the planetarium. Guests can take the time to explore the different exhibits between the ceremony and reception as time allows.

   Receptions For You

   • Located in Thomasville, south of Doerun, Receptions For You is a full-service banquet hall that also offers catering to its guests. Decorations, event planning, dining necessities and flowers are offered, making it the only venue you need to deal with for your reception. The facility offers a small reception room, as well as a large one. The entire facility can also be rented. Several different catering packages are available.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: their wedding, their wedding night, wedding night, wedding reception, your reception

How to be a wedding crasher

be a wedding crasher

It's interesting:
"I want to welcome each of you to the wedding today. It is a true testament to the bride and groom that you have taken time from your busy schedule to come and witness their marriage. I have never seen a more beautiful bride than Linda, and Paul looks just plain proud, doesn’t he?"

Wedding crashers as a rule get a bad rap, but they are not the mountebanks that most people think they are. The wedding crasher can add life and vigor to an otherwise dull wedding. Most weddings are staid and stuffy affairs that should welcome the wedding crasher with open arms. To be a wedding crasher, a person must follow some basic rules to not sully the reputations of reputable wedding crashers everywhere.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Make sure to dance with as many people as you can. The main focus of the wedding crasher should be to dance with as many unattached wedding attendees as possible. Do not dance with attendees that have significant others at the wedding because that could result in a confrontation.

   • 2

     Bring a nice gift to the wedding. Just because you are crashing the wedding does not mean you should not bring a considerate gift. The bigger the gift you bring the better, because a large box is always impressive even if an inexpensive gift. Be sure that your cover story is solid because the big gift will attract a lot of attention.

   • 3

     Concoct a believable cover story. It is usually best that you are a friend of a friend or long lost relative that forgot their invitation. You also use another guest as a cover story if you make a wedding crasher connection early on during the crash. You can just say I came with Cousin Bob or Aunt Margie if they are amenable to going along with the story.

   • 4

     Be as polite as possible. Drinking and rudeness are not permissible behavior from any respectable wedding crasher. Despite being an uninvited guest you show always maintain proper decorum and treat others with respect. Finally, do not get too drunk when crashing the wedding or you could face social embarrassment or worse.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding crasher, cover story, dance with, crashing wedding, dance with many, that have, with many

How to plan a courthouse marriage a small reception

plan a courthouse marriage & a small reception

It's interesting:
"But fortunately Giles recovered from his stag do and made it to the wedding today … + Add to clipboard. 11-Feb-201It's been a great week for the groom."

Planning a courthouse wedding and a small reception saves money, but it still will require careful planning and organization to make the day go off without a hitch. Each state has different rules and time frames to obtain the marriage license, which you will need to become legally married. Visit your local courthouse's website or USMarriageLaws.com to find your state's marriage license laws. Most states require two witnesses be present during the ceremony, and they often restrict the number of guests. Asking questions early will ensure that you are properly prepared with everything you need on your wedding day.

Things You'll Need

• Marriage license
• 2 witnesses
• Rings
• Camera
• Invitations
• Decorations

Instructions

1. Courthouse Wedding

   • 1

     Apply for the marriage license. Visit the local courthouse and request a marriage license. In most states, either you or your partner can do this with the appropriate identification -- usually photo identification and birth certificates. Requirements vary by state as do the waiting periods, fees and the length of time the license remains valid.

   • 2

     Ask two people to stand as your witnesses. Most states require two witnesses that consent to the union between the two of you and vouch that you both are in your right mind and acting under your own free will. Typically the groom will choose one witness, his best man, and the bride will choose the other, her maid of honor. Witnesses can be any adult over the age of eighteen.

   • 3

     Set the wedding date and notify the courthouse so they can arrange for a judge to marry you on that day. Most locations will require you to choose a weekday for the wedding ceremony, Monday through Friday, as well as a time during normal business hours.

   • 4

     Arrange for a photographer or videographer to be in the room when you get married. Make all the standard wedding arrangements, such as wedding attire, flowers and rings. Most courthouses do not allow decorations or only minimal decorations because of time restraints- make sure to ask prior to the wedding day and plan accordingly.

   Reception

   • 5

     Rent a small venue for the wedding reception. To cut costs, ask if you can host the reception at a friend's or family member's home, or host the reception in your own home. Other options include: local restaurants, parks or community centers. The reception does not need to directly follow the courthouse ceremony- instead host the reception the following weekend or on the evening of your wedding day.

   • 6

     Mail out reception invitations to guests at least three weeks before the reception date. You should mention on the invitation that the invite is for the reception only, as the ceremony was private with no guests. List important information, including date, time, location, RSVP date, contact information and directions.

   • 7

     Decorate the venue with flowers, streamers or balloons to suit the reception theme. Bake or purchase a small wedding cake or cupcakes. Decide on a menu for the reception. If you are having the reception at a restaurant, discuss the menu with their staff. Other food options include: catering, barbecue or a potluck.

Tips &- Warnings

• Research the policies the courthouse has in place for weddings so you are aware of what you need before making any arrangements.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: host reception, small reception, courthouse marriage, courthouse marriage small, local courthouse

How to make a heart shaped wedding program

make a heart shaped wedding program

It's interesting:
"It was 48 hours before the wedding and I had zero best man speech made. 2 hours after I found your site I had logged off with an excellent speech.' Luke Betts ..."

There seem to be endless details to remember when it comes to wedding planning. Don't forget to add a wedding program to your checklist. Guests appreciate being able to follow along with the ceremony, and it makes a nice keepsake. An appropriate design shape for your program is a heart, symbolizing endless love. You can make this type of program with the help of family or friends. Consider adding a Popsicle stick to it, turning it into a fan if your wedding is in a warm season. It saves you money, looks stunning, and keeps guests cool.

Things You'll Need

• Printer
• 8.5 by 11-inch sheets of card stock paper (one per guest)
• Computer
• Clip art
• Writing utensil
• Glue
• Tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks (one per guest)
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. • 1

     Print the text of your wedding program onto the card stock. Center the text so that it will fit once the card stock is cut into a heart. Consider including details such as music, introduction, speakers, exchanging of vows/rings, list of bridal party names, or a thank-you. Limit your text to one or two pages.

   • 2

     Find heart clip art on your computer. Double click on your favorite clip art heart and expand it until it is almost the size of one page. Print the heart clip art on your printer (one copy) on a piece of card stock paper.

   • 3

     Cut out the heart clip art with scissors.

   • 4

     Use the clip art cutout to trace a heart onto your printed program paper.

   • 5

     Cut out the heart shape on your program paper (card stock).

   • 6

     Glue a tongue depressor or Popsicle stick in between two card stock cut heart shapes (your printed programs). You may have only printed on one sheet, so the second heart cutout will have no text on it. If you did print two pages of text, make sure the text is facing out, not glued together. You need to glue the card stock together as well.

   • 7

     Cut approximately 5 inches of ribbon. Tie the ribbon around the tongue depressor or Popsicle stick. You could also glue a bow to the card stock instead.

   • 8

     Repeat steps 4 through 7 for each program.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: card stock, wedding program, heart clip, Popsicle stick, card stock paper, clip your

Diy wedding centerpieces & jars

It's interesting:
"I'd like to talk about Paul's greatest achievement, which happened today, and that was keeping his suit jacket on throughout the ceremony and resisting what must have been an intense desire to turn up in shorts today. But despite the heat and discomfort, it’s been well worth the effort, for amongst other things, the wet patch down the length of his left leg can be passed off as sweat."

Using jars as centerpieces allows you to customize your centerpieces to suit your wedding theme and become conversation pieces at the table. You can opt to use uniform jars for each table or artfully arrange a variety of jar sizes and styles on each table. Collect jars from friends and from yard sales to assemble a wide variety of jar styles inexpensively. The substances you choose to place in the jars should complement your wedding theme, your wedding color palette or both.

Things You'll Need

• Jars
• Candles
• Sand
• Seashells
• Sand dollars
• Star fish
• Coral
• Fruit
• Flowers
• Pebbles
• Crystals

Instructions

1. • 1

     Clean all the jars you intend to use on the wedding tables and remove any labels. The jars can vary from vintage mason jars to baby food jars to tomato sauce jars. Intermix a variety of types and sizes of jars for an eclectic look.

   • 2

     Place a few jars of varying shapes and sizes in the center of the table. Place candles inside each jar for a centerpiece that illuminates the table in a gentle glow. Match the candles to the jars, for example, use small tea light candles for baby food jars and larger candles in the mason jars.

   • 3

     Place a mix of jars in the center of the table and fill each with sand for an island or a tropical-themed wedding. Place seashells, sand dollars, star fish and pieces of coral into the jars with the sand.

   • 4

     Assemble a variety of jars in the center of the table and fill with various fruits. Select fruits that fit the size of the jar. You could also match the fruits to the wedding color scheme. For example, if your wedding color palette is green and pink, fill a baby food jar with grapes, a mason jar with cherries and a sauce jar with limes or sliced kiwis.

   • 5

     Utilize the jars to convey natural and earthy centerpieces. Fill some jars with water and use them as vases by placing a few wildflowers in each. On the same table, fill a few more jars with pebbles and crystals.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your wedding, baby food, center table, jars with, table fill

How to write wedding vows from the heart

write wedding vows from the heart

It's interesting:
"The happy couple have picked a beautiful sunny day to get married. It’s perhaps a little too hot for me in this suit though, but at least I now know how Chewbacca felt filming those desert scenes."

Saying "I do" to your new spouse is the key moment in any wedding ceremony -- and if you've decided to recite your own vows, it can be even more meaningful. Self-written wedding vows add a personal touch to the ceremony, giving your guests a peek into the depth of your commitment to each other. Although you might feel nervous at the prospect of saying the words out loud, the reality is that writing them will probably be the most difficult part. With a little time and effort, though, you and your soon-to-be spouse will be able to craft heartfelt words that your guests won't soon forget.

Things You'll Need

• Piece of paper
• Pen

Instructions

1. • 1

     Decide on the logistics of writing your own vows. Perhaps you and your significant other would like to write your vows together, or you'd prefer a more private approach. More reticent couples will likely choose to collaborate on vow-writing and may recite the same promises to each other.

   • 2

     Think about the overall tone you want to convey. Your vows can be serious, romantic or lighthearted -- whatever emotion you feel best fits the dynamic between you and your significant other. Once you've made this decision, you'll be able to write vows that fit into that mood.

   • 3

     Take a piece of paper and a pen and start to write. You should think of this as brainstorming time. Write a letter to your significant other, explaining why you love him. Describe some of his most important qualities. You can talk about how the two of you met, the moment you realized you were in love, and how things have changed ever since. Talk about at least two or three of your most meaningful times together -- perhaps a time when he was there for you, when he made you laugh or when he proposed to you.

   • 4

     Write about what you expect out of marriage. Think about why you are marrying this person. It might be helpful to answer questions like, "What am I most looking forward to about marriage?" and "What will keep our marriage strong?"

   • 5

     Encapsulate the best parts of your writing session into your vows. Read over what you've written and look for a theme or two that sums up your feelings. For example, you might have noted when your partner stood by you during a difficult time. You could incorporate that into your vows by saying something like, "Even when things get tough, I will stand by you so that we can accomplish more than we would alone." Although the sentiment should be less than a minute, you should be able to include how much your partner means to you and how you will honor your commitment in marriage.

Tips &- Warnings

• Check with your officiant to verify that he will allow personalized vows in the ceremony. He will probably want to look over your vows before the wedding day.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your vows, significant other, wedding vows, your significant, your significant other, each other, from heart

Ideas for a nautical bridal shower

It's interesting:
"Even world class comics know what it's like to die on stage, and a wedding ... Nobody wants the soundtrack of their wedding night to be a chorus of loud groans."

A nautical bridal shower helps prepare a sea-loving bride for her marriage. The bride and groom might be avid sailors belonging to a yacht club. They might have planned a special honeymoon on a cruise ship. The wedding itself might even have a nautical theme. There are many ideas for a nautical bridal shower. You can make the party as simple or as elegant as your budget allows.

Does this Spark an idea?

1. Decorations

   • Decorate the bridal shower venue in nautical colors like red, white, blue and yellow. Make or purchase inflatable or cardboard anchors and place them around the space. Draw portholes on round sheets of paper and tack them to the walls. Place framed photographs of the bride and groom on the beach or on a boat on end tables and coffee tables.

   Invitations

   • Make nautical-themed invitations using a picture of a yacht on the front. Add a caption underneath the photograph that references the sea, like &ldquo-Celebrate the bride setting sail into married life.&rdquo- Make special "-shower tickets"- that resemble tickets for a yacht or ship cruise for guests to get into the party. Include dress code information if you would like guests to dress in nautical-themed outfits.

   Food and Beverages

   • Continue the nautical theme by serving seafood at the bridal shower. Crab cakes, clam chowder and shrimp cocktail make tasty nautical-themed appetizers. Simple dishes like fish and chips or catfish sandwiches make for delicious themed main meals. A more formal bridal shower may include dishes such as lobster, crab claw or angel hair pasta with shrimp and basil. Rum and coke is a typically nautical drink, but more adventurous guests may want to indulge in a buoy shot, which consists of rum, orange juice and a splash of cherry. Ginger beer is a nautical-themed beverage for younger guests or guests who don'-t drink alcohol.

   Games

   • Encourage guests to bond through nautical-themed games. Find 10 to 15 nautical-themed items, such as a toy boat and a miniature rum bottle and place each item inside a paper bag. Pass the bag around and ask each guest to write down what they think the bag contains, making sure they know that the items are nautical-themed. The guest with the most correct answers at the end of the game wins a prize. Pictionary is another engaging bridal shower game that can fit the bridal shower theme with nautical items. Write down these items on slips of paper and place them in a bowl. Split the guests into two teams and have one member from each team choose a slip of paper from the bowl. Each person has one minute to draw the item for her team to guess.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bridal shower, nautical bridal, nautical bridal shower, bride groom, guests into

Tips on visiting south beach, miami

It's interesting:
"And for those of you who don't know, this special day in the lives of Dave and Sarah also happens to be Chinese New Year! Or, as they call it in China."

Bask in the sunny shores of South Beach, located at the southern tip of Miami Beach, Florida. South Beach encompasses the southernmost section of the main barrier island dividing Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Aside from getting a sun-kissed glow from the beach, get the most out of your vacation by visiting worthwhile spots and soaking in some SoBe culture.

1. Beach

   • Soak up the sun by visiting the famous South Beach from Ocean Drive and Fifth Street to Collins Avenue and 21st. The entrance through the park is located at 1 Washington Avenue, at the southern tip of the area. Lounge and watch cruise ships sail along or rent gear to enjoy water sports like stand-up paddle boarding, boogie boarding and snorkeling. Other park amenities include walking trails and beach volleyball courts.

     Walk straight from your room to the beach by staying in one of the oceanfront accommodations like Miami Beach Resort (miamibeachresortandspa.com), South Beach Marriott (marriott.com) and Royal Palm Hotel (royalpalmmiamibeach.com).

   Peak and Budget Seasons

   • Save money on airfare and hotel fees by visiting South Beach during off-peak seasons. Miami experiences a surge in tourism during winter and fall when visitors want to escape the cold, during which prices also rise. The summer months are the ideal time to go for the best budget deals, but make sure you're well prepared for hot, humid temperatures. Wear sufficient sunscreen and arrive at the beach early to avoid the scorching heat.

   Attractions

   • South Beach has more to offer than white sand beaches- cultural and historical attractions like Jungle Island, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and the Venetian Swimming Pool are also in the area. Jungle Island (jungleisland.com) has animal exhibits, interactive programs, an aviary and a private beach. Tour the Everglades Habitat and walk through a replica of the Florida Everglades, including alligators and other plant and animal life that thrive in the Everglades. Save your money and take the free Jungle Island Express Shuttle from your hotel.

     Vizcaya Museum and Gardens (miamidade.gov/vizcaya) is a National Historic Landmark built in 1916. Stroll along picturesque formal gardens that span 10 acres or participate in events like Moonlight Garden Tours and film series viewing.

   Food

   • Savor food from a South Beach local favorite and a Cuban-style eatery. The Big Pink (mylesrestaurantgroup.com) at 157 Collins Avenue is a bright pink diner that serves dishes on vintage trays in a cafeteria-style setting. The expansive menu includes offerings made from scratch like thick potato chips, spicy ketchup, burger on a brioche bun, multicultural salads, polenta fries and the well-known daily-changing TV dinners served in stainless steel trays.

     Try the authentic Cuban food at David's Café- II (davidscafe.com) located at 1654 Meridian Avenue. This Cuban restaurant has a 24-hour take-out window and an eat-in dining room. Choose from traditional dishes like fried cassava with cilantro dipping sauce, plantain chips and the restaurant's best-selling dish, grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Jungle Island, South Beach, South Beach, beach miami, Collins Avenue

Wedding garter games

It's interesting:
"Ellen told Keith that by their wedding day she wanted him to have the body of an Olympic swimmer. She was thinking of Michael Phelps, but from ..."

Wedding reception traditions include the tossing of the bride's wedding garter. The groom removes the bride's garter and tosses it into a crowd of single male guests. The garter tossing generally follows the bride's tossing of her bouquet. The origin of the modern garter toss goes back to the days when a wedding couple would offer the garter to witnesses as proof that the couple had consummated their marriage.

1. Traditional Toss

   • Many couples enjoy the garter toss and feel the tradition needs no changes. The bride sits in a chair. The groom either removes the garter with his hands or dives under the gown to remove it with his teeth. After the groom removes the garter, the single men compete for it. The groom turns his back to the crowd and tosses the garter in the air. The man who catches it may put it on the leg of the woman who catches the bouquet. The pair may share a dance.

   Find Your Bride

   • Line up chairs and have the bride and the bridesmaids sit. Place garters on all of the women. Blindfold the groom and have him find his bride by touching all of the legs.

   Married Toss

   • When the single males on the guest list are teenagers or children, an alternative garter toss involves inviting the married men to the dance floor instead of the single men. The groom still removes the garter and blindly tosses it over his shoulders. The master of ceremonies tells the married man who catches it to go home and put it on his wife.

   Love Quiz

   • If there are only a small number of bachelors vying for the garter, challenge them with a quiz about the couple. Line up the individuals. The first person to raise his hand and answer correctly takes a step toward the bride. The bachelor who reaches her first wins the garter. Sample quiz questions: When did the bride and groom get engaged? What are all of the names of the bridesmaids? Where did the couple meet? How long have the bride and groom been together? Who asked for the phone number first?

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: garter toss, removes garter, bride groom, garter games, groom removes