Vacation villas near mystic, connecticut

It's interesting:
"Now everyone, I'm aware that it's a particularly cold winter's day for a wedding, but don't worry... if anyone is feeling a chill running down their spine it's ..."

Founded in 1654, the town of Mystic is historically known as a shipbuilding mecca in Connecticut. Today, Mystic is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, outdoor parks, beaches and two famous museums, the Mystic Seaport and Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration. Vacationers to the Mystic area will be pleased to find a variety of lodging options available for short trips and long vacations.

1. Inn at Mystic

   • The Inn at Mystic is a quaint hillside resort featuring multiple buildings. The vacation resort is nestled on plush grounds overlooking Mystic Harbor and the Long Island Sound. The resort's main building features guest rooms for families and couples- rooms are decorated with antique decor and luxurious fabrics. The Gate House offers a more intimate lodging option nestled in the orchards. Guest rooms accommodate two adults and feature antique decor and a fireplace. The resort's East Wing features luxurious rooms with fireplaces, balconies, whirlpools and breathtaking views. Guests who wish for the most luxurious accommodations opt for the Mansion. Guest rooms in this building accommodate two adults only, and each room features antique furnishings, plush bedding and a whirlpool. All rooms in the Mansion overlook the orchard, formal gardens, pond or Mystic Harbor. All buildings are set among 15 acres of intricately landscaped ground. Guests of the Inn can dine at the on-site Flood Tide Restaurant, which offers a variety of entrees using fresh, local ingredients whenever possible. The Inn at Mystic considers itself the perfect setting for an intimate and private vacation. In fact, actor Humphrey Bogart and actress Lauren Bacall spent their honeymoon at the Inn at Mystic.

     Inn at Mystic
     

     3 Williams Ave.
     

     Mystic, CT 06355
     

     800-237-2415
     

     innatmystic.com

   The Adams House

   • Just two miles from downtown Mystic sits the Adams House, a quaint bed and breakfast with a colonial atmosphere. The house features historical furnishings and old-fashioned fireplaces. The main house features six bedrooms, and the 1750s-era house has two bedrooms- each room accommodates up to two people. All guest rooms offer air conditioning and private bathrooms. The Inn also features a separate guest cottage, the Garden House. The house has two separate rooms, although they can be adjoined for large groups. One room in the cottage features a small kitchenette. Guests at the Adams House are treated to a homemade breakfast every morning, which includes a hearty entree, fresh fruit, baked goods, juice, coffee and tea. All buildings at the Adams House are nestled among lush gardens, and guests can enjoy hiking, biking and boating in the local area.

     The Adams House
     

     382 Cow Hill Rd.
     

     Mystic, CT 06355
     

     860-572-9551
     

     adamshouseofmystic.com

   1853 Captain Wheeler House

   • Rather than lodging at a hotel or inn, some vacationers might choose to rent a vacation home in Mystic. The 1853 Captain Wheeler House is a historic sea captain's home available for vacation rentals. The house has been renovated to include modern amenities and spacious accommodations. The Captain Wheeler House features large windows, tall ceilings, spacious rooms, plank floors and a fully equipped kitchen. With its six bedrooms and five bathrooms, the house can accommodate up to 12 guests. It is located in a quiet and friendly neighborhood, and a variety of local attractions are available for vacationers.

     1853 Captain Wheeler House
     

     (Contact owners for address)
     

     Mystic, CT 06355
     

     617-267-6980
     

     mysticseacaptain.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Adams House, Captain Wheeler, Captain Wheeler House, Wheeler House, 1853 Captain

Writing your own wedding invitations

It's interesting:
"I can’t imagine a happier way to start married life than in this wonderful venue with all their family and friends around them. Ok, so I can – but it would have to be an exceptionally big Jacuzzi."

Writing your own wedding invitations will allow you ensure that the invitation wording matches the type of wedding you're planning. Certain phrasing will help you convey a formal, traditional wedding style. Alternatively, if you plan to have a more casual wedding, the invitation wording can be more conversational and include contemporary ideas. The basic purpose of wedding invitations is to inform and provide details that are crucial to attendance. Any added details will show off the unique character of the occasion.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Begin by writing the invitation statement as requested by the wedding hosts. Traditionally, the hosts are the parents of the bride, but contemporary weddings often include both sets of parents as the event hosts. Mention the hosts by name or simply write "The parents of..." followed by the bride's and groom's names. Some couples may also prefer to name themselves as the hosts, saying something like "Alex Timothy Smith and Anna Marie Roberts cordially invite you to their wedding." According to Martha Stewart Weddings, writing "together with their families" is also a common way to word the statement of invitation.

   • 2

     List the date, time and location of the wedding below the official statement of invitation. For more formal invitations, write out the long versions of the time such as "eight o'clock" and for more casual weddings, simply write "3:00 p.m."

   • 3

     Include information about the wedding reception underneath the ceremony details or on a separate card. If the wedding reception is to take place directly after the ceremony, simply state something like, "Join us for a reception at The Viewplace Hotel directly after the ceremony." If the reception is to take place later in the evening, however, be sure to include the specific time it begins, such as "Join us for a reception at The Viewplace Hotel later that evening at 8:00 pm."

   • 4

     Provide directions to the wedding ceremony venue and reception venue on the back of the invitation or, for more formal weddings, on a separate card. If the venues are difficult to locate, include a small map as well.

   • 5

     Write the RSVP information on a separate card and include a stamped envelope. Give the invitee the choice to select an "Attending" option or a "Not Attending" option. To add formality and character to the RSVP card, write "Attending with pleasure" or "Not Attending, with regrets." This is also the appropriate place to ask the invitees to list any special dietary requirements they might have so you can make special arrangements for the reception meal.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding invitations, your wedding invitations, separate card, Writing your, Writing your wedding, your wedding, after ceremony

How to ask for formal attire in wedding invitations

ask for formal attire in wedding invitations

It's interesting:
"A wedding is a time for joy and fun, with friends and family gathered to see the happy couple off as they start their new life. But it is a time, too, when our ..."

Every little girl dreams of her wedding, whether it's a simple ceremony in her parents' backyard or an elaborate formal affair at the local country club. Informing guests about the proper attire for the wedding is important for a picture perfect wedding and reception. Plus, making guests aware of proper dress alleviates the uncomfortable feeling of not knowing what to wear, and eliminates guests' fear of being underdressed or overdressed.

Things You'll Need

• Wedding invitations

Instructions

1. • 1

     Select formal wedding invitations. Pick white or ivory paper, use black script printing and consider a gold or silver border. The tone established with your wedding invitation conveys to guests the wedding's formality.

   • 2

     Choose a formal wedding and reception location. Plan the wedding and reception in a location that indicates formal attire, such as a church or synagogue. Follow the ceremony with a reception at a country club or hotel ballroom. Selecting an outdoor or garden wedding with a reception at someone's house or restaurant indicates a less formal affair to guests.

   • 3

     Know the difference between "formal" and "black tie." Asking for formal attire can mean black tie, but some guests may interpret it as their "Sunday best." For others, "formal attire" means a black shirt and slacks or no tie with a tuxedo for men. For women, it could mean cocktail dresses or evening separates. State what you want. Indicating "black tie" on the invitation tells guests that appropriate attire is tuxedos for men and evening gowns for women.

   • 4

     Choose which phrase to use on the wedding invitation, "formal attire" or "black tie." Place the chosen phrase in the lower left-hand corner of the wedding invitation. Use a different font from the invitation, and a slightly smaller text size than the invitation's last line. Try two or four points smaller, depending on the size of the invitation. Do not capitalize the word "tie."

   • 5

     Place the information on the reception card. Another option is to consider placing dress attire for the evening on the reception card. Place "black tie" or "formal attire" in the lower left-hand corner. Use a different and slightly smaller font. Consider working the dress attire into the wording on the reception card, something like, "A formal reception will be held at seven o'clock."

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: formal attire, attire wedding, reception card, wedding invitation, wedding reception, attire wedding invitations, country club

How to plan a wedding in 5 months

plan a wedding in 5 months

It's interesting:
"Wasn’t the wedding ceremony beautiful? The highlight, of course, was Linda floating magically down the aisle. I’m sure we were all thinking exactly the same thing: “How did HE get HER?”"

The majority of wedding planning books and magazines will swear you need at least a year to plan a wedding. But you can plan a wonderful wedding in 5 months or less. Yes, you'll have to act quickly. And if you've got your heart set on a princess affair complete with horse-drawn carriages and twittering bluebirds, you'll probably have to tone things down a bit. Still, as long as you're organized and keep a realistic outlook, you can have the wedding of your dreams 5 months from the day you said yes.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Start setting priorities with your fiance 5 months before the wedding. Discuss your visions for the event: how formal it will be, how many guests you want, the location, the music, the flowers, the food and, of course, the wedding date. Once these issues are settled, start looking for your wedding venue and dress. Ask potential bridesmaids and groomsmen if they will participate.

   • 2

     Book your wedding venue 4 months before the wedding. Your guest list should be final. Send out save-the-date cards (emails are faster) so your guests don't make other plans for that day. Keep scouting for your wedding dress. Start thinking about your ceremony: Who will your officiant be? Will you write your own vows? What rituals would you like to include? What kind of music will there be?

   • 3

     Design and order your wedding invitations 3 months before the wedding. Decide how your event will be catered, and pick a menu (don't forget about the cake). If you are having bridesmaids, choose their dresses, or tell them what you would like them to wear. Confirm your officiant. Pick a photographer/videographer.

   • 4

     Contact your favorite florist 2 months before the wedding. Make sure the flowers you want will be in season and available from your florist. Create a wedding registry, and book the musicians that will be playing during the ceremony and reception (ask for a demo tape, or attend one of their performances). Address and mail your wedding invitations.

   • 5

     Research your state and county's marriage license requirements 1 month before the wedding. Fulfill all the criteria. Follow up with guests who have not responded to your invitation. Create a seating plan for the wedding dinner (if you're having a sit-down dinner). Buy gifts for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Decide upon and buy wedding favors. Start planning your honeymoon, and make sure your passport/visa is current. Pick up your rings, and go for that final dress fitting.

   • 6

     Relax a week before the wedding: go to the spa, exercise and eat healthy. If you're relaxed, you'll be able to handle those last-minute minor crises that pop up, such as "Who is picking Grandpa up at the airport?" and "Why didn't anyone tell me earlier that Clara's husband was vegan?" Pick up your dress and your marriage license.

Tips &- Warnings

• Write down everything related to wedding planning in a notebook. Keep this notebook with you at all times, so you can jot down ideas and information as they come to you.

  If you're having trouble finding a wedding venue available during your time frame, consider having your wedding on a weekday instead of a weekend. Think about alternative venues, such as a private home, a public garden, beach, forest or your favorite restaurant.

  If you're having trouble finding a wedding dress in time, check vintage, consignment or rental shops. Off-the-rack dresses require less alteration time than those made from scratch.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: before wedding, your wedding, months before, months before wedding, plan wedding, wedding months, wedding venue

Alternatives to unity candle ceremonies

It's interesting:
"Henry told me he's had a little upgrade in time for his wedding night. ... Gillian Simon's wedding has been better attended than this year's Liberal ..."

A wedding ceremony not only officially makes a couple husband and wife, but it also showcases their love for each other. Those wanting to symbolize this union in a nonreligious way often opt for a unity candle ceremony, when two flames become one. Yet there are many alternatives to this ceremony, including a unity sand ceremony, rose exchange, rope weaving, and a wine box and love letter ceremony.

1. Unity Sand Ceremony

   • Unlike a unity candle ceremony, a unity sand ceremony will give a bride and groom a lasting memento of their union from the wedding. This ceremony is similar to its candle counterpart, yet instead of flames it combines grains of sand. Start with two small vases full of colorful sand. Choose a color that represents both the bride and groom. During the ceremony, the bride should pour a bit of her sand in a third larger vase, followed by the groom pouring in some of his sand. In the end, the couple should pour both their sands in the vase together, mixing the grains and symbolizing their union that is impossible to undo.

   Rose Exchange

   • A rose exchange is one romantic ceremony a couple can perform instead of a unity candle. This ceremony begins with two roses. When it's time, the officiant should cue the couple to give each other a rose, marking the first gift they've given each other as husband and wife. This ceremony can serve as a lifelong symbol of love. The Officiant Guy website suggests that couples who perform this ceremony can always turn to the rose as a symbol of their love. Even during arguments, a spouse can giving a rose as a way to say "I remember our vows."

   Rope Weaving

   • Another alternative ceremony that will symbolize your intertwining lives is to weave a rope together. Start with two strands of rope, ribbon or thread. They can be as thick or as delicate as you choose. The bride and groom should each pick a color that represents them. Before the ceremony, secure these two strands together with a safety pin or knot. During the ceremony, wrap the two strand around each other until they become one rope. This ceremony will symbolize your bond, as well as the idea that you're stronger when you work together.

   Wine box and Love Letters

   • A wine box and love letter ceremony during your wedding is a union idea that will be new and intriguing for many guests. Before the big day, write your spouse-to-be a love letter describing what you love so much about her and why you can't wait to marry her. Both the bride- and groom-to-be should write one, but don't read what the other has written. Also, pick out a favorite bottle of wine. During the ceremony, place the letters and wine in a cushioned box and seal it shut with a few nails. This memory from your wedding shouldn't be opened until your fifth anniversary. Only then can you drink the wine and read the letters.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: unity candle, each other, bride groom, During ceremony, love letter, Alternatives unity, Alternatives unity candle

How to identify fine porcelain dolls

identify fine porcelain dolls

It's interesting:
"Wasn't the wedding ceremony beautiful? The highlight, of course, was Linda floating magically down the aisle. I'm sure we were all thinking exactly the same ..."

Collecting porcelain dolls is a popular hobby among youngsters and adults alike. While many children collect porcelain dolls simply for the beauty of the dolls and the joy that collecting them brings, many adults often collect porcelain dolls with an eye toward finding the finest, most valuable antique porcelain dolls they can locate. Learn identify fine porcelain dolls that will add value to your collection.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Look for mold numbers or other markings. This is the best place to start when trying to identify a fine porcelain doll. Doll makers took pride in their work in the early days and identified each doll made by etching an identifying name or number on the back of a doll's head, nape of the neck or shoulder plate. Locate these markings and use a guide (see Resources) to help you identify the maker and era of the porcelain doll.

   • 2

     Learn to recognize fine porcelain dolls by material and design. Porcelain dolls made in the 1800s will not have rooted hair. Porcelain dolls of the late 1800s and early 1900s, especially by German doll makers, are likely to be all-bisque composition. Bisque is unglazed porcelain, found chiefly in doll heads and limbs. What are the clothes made from. French and German doll makers were fond of using kid (soft leather) to outfit their porcelain dolls, especially in the 1800 and early 1900s. Composition dolls bodies (wood, sawdust, glue) are also a sign of early dolls.

   • 3

     Look for deterioration from age. Crazing, or little criss-cross cracks in the porcelain, forms with age. A doll with heavy crazing is a very old doll. Fragile clothes are another indication of age.

   • 4

     Identify dolls by physical characteristics. Eyes set into the doll head that don't move were common in the 1800s. Big round eyes with a sideways glance were popular the early 1900s. Some dolls from the 1800s were considered character dolls, made to look like living children and not stylized like other porcelain dolls. Often doll makers used their own children as models. These dolls look unique and very different from other porcelain dolls.

   • 5

     Have your doll professionally appraised if you are in doubt. Locate a local doll appraiser in your phone book or find one online (see Resources). Someone skilled in appraising fine porcelain dolls will be able to help you out.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: porcelain dolls, fine porcelain, fine porcelain dolls, identify fine, identify fine porcelain

How to create a wedding announcement

create a wedding announcement

It's interesting:
"You know, I’ve been to lots of great weddings, but today may have been the best. The small, ornate chapel – the beautiful music – the sincere words that Paul and Linda wrote themselves. Ladies and gentlemen, we all witnessed something very special."

Wedding announcements are a special way to let the people in your life know that you have tied the knot. You can send them out to people that you wanted to invite, but were not able to because you had a small wedding, or if you eloped. Another reason may be to let people know that you have changed your last name. Wedding announcements should include information on where and when you got married, as well as an address if you changed your last name. You can design a personalized wedding announcement on your computer.

Things You'll Need

• Wedding Picture
• Microsoft Word
• Printer
• Card stock or photo paper
• Envelopes

Instructions

1. • 1

     Open a new document in Microsoft Word. Insert your wedding picture by going to the "Insert" menu and selecting "picture from file."

   • 2

     Below the picture, type the contents of your wedding announcement. Include important information such as your names, wedding date and location, and contact information. See the Resources section for examples of wedding announcement wording.

   • 3

     Add any wedding-related clip art in blank areas of the document if you'd like. For example, you could include a picture of wedding rings or a scroll in the top corner. See the References section below for a link to wedding clip art.

   • 4

     Print the document onto card stock or photo paper. Insert the announcement in matching envelopes.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding announcement, changed your, changed your last, create wedding, create wedding announcement

How to make bridal shower centerpieces

make bridal shower centerpieces

It's interesting:
"There's something special about a church wedding, but most of us here have to admit that we rarely set foot inside a church these days. In fact ..."

The bridal shower is the time to make the bride feel overflowing with love and support from her family and friends. Aside from showering her with love and affection, gifts should also be traditionally given, picked from a registry that she establishes prior to her wedding. The maid of honor and mother of the bride typically put together a bridal shower, but---due to the raunchiness that can come along with a bridal shower---some showers are put together entirely the bride's girlfriends. During the decorating of a shower, it's important that centerpieces not be forgotten, as this sets the festive tone for the whole event.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Consider what you want the bridal shower centerpieces to look like. Envisioning the overall look that you want can result in the best centerpieces. Ask the bride about the colors for her wedding in a discreet way, so that she will not suspect that her shower will also reflect her dream wedding colors.

   • 2

     Think of a good theme. If you are going towards giving her a fun, "naughty" party, you want to make a perfectly presentable centerpiece, then stick something a bit risque in the middle of a traditional floral display or candle holder. Perhaps a black or white garter can be placed amidst a pure setting. One could also choose to include the bridal tradition in the centerpieces: something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

   • 3

     Determine the number of tables that will be at the party. Think about how many tables you are going to set up for eating and playing. Keep in mind that, in addition to eating at the table, you will be playing games at the table, and the bride will likely be opening her presents there as well.

   • 4

     Start with a basic place mat for the centerpiece foundation. Get as many mats as you have tables for the shower. Put it a small vase or flower bowl in the center. Fill the vase with the bride's flower of choice. If flowers aren't her thing, choose potpourri or something that can bring a lovely scent all around the room.

   • 5

     Decorate around the vase. Candles work well in the bride's favorite colors and scents, but they shouldn't be lit for the party, especially if held during the day. Because of the sensitive nature of other things on the centerpiece and the games that will be played, it's best to avoid fire dangers. Keep the candles as gifts to the bride. That's why it's important to pick her favorites.

   • 6

     Put wedding movies in the centerpieces. At the end of the shower, the bride gets to keep all the DVDs about weddings. This can make a fun movie marathon for the hopeful bride. Some suggestions are "Father of the Bride," "The Wedding Singer," "Rachel Getting Married," "The Brady Girls Get Married," "Mamma Mia," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Three Men and a Little Lady," "27 Dresses" and "Muriel's Wedding."

   • 7

     Include part of the game in the centerpieces. One of the games played at bridal showers often include asking the bride about herself. By providing some facts about the bride to those at each table, it can inspire more exact and fun questions.

   • 8

     Finish the centerpieces by putting your own special touch for the one placed at the bride's table. Only you know the bride. Go for something that you know would make her truly happy. Perhaps it's a rendition of her favorite wedding doll as a child or that wedding episode of "Cheers" with Sam and Diane.

Tips &- Warnings

• Let your imagination go wild with creating centerpieces. If the party is only for a more free-spirited crowd, get more risky than a garter in your displays.

• Don't try to put too much into the centerpieces. While you want to have gorgeous tables, sometimes less is more.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bridal shower, bridal shower centerpieces, shower centerpieces, that will, bride about, make bridal

How to create free wedding programs online

create free wedding programs online

It's interesting:
"Kick things off with a topical wedding-themed icebreaker, as this will show everybody that you've been thinking about the speech right up to the last minute."

Weddings can be expensive. However, savvy couples know that there are ways to save on a number of details, such as your wedding programs. Wedding programs are often kept as sentimental keepsakes- therefore, it is okay to make them unique and personal. Take the initiative to create your own wedding programs online, utilizing a free wedding program template.

Things You'll Need

• Cardstock (if applicable)

Instructions

1. • 1

     Visit a free template web page such as LCIPaper.com, Southworth.com or MariasWeddingBoutique.com.

   • 2

     Search through the free wedding templates and select the template that you like the best.

   • 3

     Click the option to download the template onto your computer. Save the file to your Word Processor program.

   • 4

     Launch the Word Processor program on your computer and open the saved template file. Select your font and text color.

   • 5

     Follow the template instructions to provide the information requested of you. Most wedding program templates request that you add the name of the venue, the names of the individuals in your wedding party, a special note to your guests and a bit of background on how you and your spouse met.

   • 6

     Spell-check your program and proofread the document at least twice to catch any grammatical errors.

   • 7

     Save the document to your computer. Insert cardstock into your printer and print one program as a sample.

   • 8

     Look over the printed program. If the document does not need changing, continue printing the remaining programs.

Tips &- Warnings

• Make sure the ink is dry before folding the program.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: free wedding, programs online, wedding programs, wedding programs online, your computer

How to make authentic italian meatballs

make authentic italian meatballs

It's interesting:
"Linda and I first met about 18 months ago, when it quickly became clear to me that here was a woman of many attributes - beauty, brains, wisdom and, fortunately for Paul, a disarming love for dumb animals."

Meatballs are a wonderful addition to pasta dishes, such as the classic Italian dish spaghetti and meatballs. But they can also be a meal on their own. If you're looking to make hearty meatballs that have an authentic Italian flavor, it will require a little bit of extra time and preparation, but the end result will be well worth it.

Add this to my Recipe Box.

Things You'll Need

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/2 lb. ground pork
• 1/2 lb. ground veal
• 3 oz. grated onion
• 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil
• 2 tsp. oregano
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 egg
• Olive oil
• Vegetable oil

Instructions

1. • 1

     Put the ground beef, pork and veal in a large bowl along with the bread crumbs, onion, parsley, basil, oregano, Parmesan, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, egg, and 3/4 cup water.

   • 2

     Use a fork or your hands to gently combine all of the ingredients.

   • 3

     Shape the mixture by hand into meatballs. Size is a matter of preference. This recipe will yield about 15 2-inch meatballs.

   • 4

     Pour an equal blend of vegetable oil and olive oil into a 12-inch skillet. The oil should be about 1/4-inch deep.

   • 5

     Heat the oil over low to medium heat. Because there will be a substantial amount of oil in the skillet, keep the heat low to decrease the risk of dangerous hot oil splashes.

   • 6

     Add the meatballs to the skillet in small batches. Turn the meatballs slowly and frequently with a fork to brown them evenly all the way around. Expect to do this for about 10 minutes per batch.

   • 7

     When the meatballs are brown all over, take them off the heat and place them on a plate with a paper towel.

Tips &- Warnings

• If the meat mixture is too soft, more bread crumbs can always be added to make it firmer.

• Parmesan is the suggested cheese for this recipe, though finely grated romano cheese can be substituted to delicious effect.

• Though this recipe combines beef, veal and pork for a more complex flavor, these meatballs can easily be made using 2 lbs. of ground beef, which is more readily available from most stores.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bread crumbs, ground beef, authentic italian meatballs, basil oregano, black pepper, black pepper nutmeg

Napa valley weddings & average costs

It's interesting:
"I hope you like these wedding suits. To make sure I would be able to fit into mine I 've been watching my weight. As you can see I've had it right out in front of me ..."

Rolling green hills, temperate weather, and over 100 private vineyards make Napa Valley, California, one of the most romantic wedding destinations. A Napa Valley wedding can be anything from an intimate, inexpensive ceremony with close family and friends to a lavish, unforgettable affair attended by a hundreds.

1. Event Weddings

   • If you have your heart set on an event wedding in Napa Valley, you have many options from which to choose. The Carneros Inn, the Silverado and the Auberge du Soleil all offer elegant customized wedding packages, as does the Vintage Inn in nearby Yountville, which can accommodate over 1,000 guests.

   Intimate Weddings

   • For simpler and more intimate options, consider one of the intimate wedding packages offered by Calistoga Ranch, the historic White House Inn and the Churchill Inn. These venues in 2009 offer wedding packages for anywhere from 20 to just over 100 guests starting at $5,000.

   Vineyard Weddings

   • Only a few Napa Valley vineyards host weddings, including Aaron's Vineyards, which features a two-story Plantation-style home set amid 10 acres of vineyards and offers wedding packages in 2009 under $10,000. Other local vineyards available for weddings include V. Sattui and Silver Rose.

   Adventure Weddings

   • You could plan a more adventurous setting for your Napa Valley nuptials. A river cruise with Napa River Adventures in 2009 costs under $500 for private cruises of up to 11 passengers. For a more elegant option, consider a customized wedding package with the Napa Valley Wine Train.

   Elopements

   • For a romantic, and truly cost-effective, wedding option, choose an elopement package. As of 2009, the historic Churchill Manor offers customizable elopement packages beginning at $1,500, and both Aaron's Vineyards and the Hacienda Tuscan Villa offer all-inclusive packages starting around $2,000.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Napa Valley, wedding packages, Aaron Vineyards, average costs, customized wedding, Napa valley

Vineyard theme wedding ideas

It's interesting:
"Your opportunity to wow the audience and create a moment at the wedding people will be ... The Internet's largest collection of original wedding speech material, ..."

A vineyard is a beautiful venue for a wedding. It offers a private, romantic location for your wedding that is different from the typical church and reception hall. Vineyards also offer a variety of settings, from rustic indoor areas, to airy decks, and of course, the lush vines of the vineyard itself. Vineyard weddings also offer you a theme as well. Embrace the look and feel of the vineyard for a beautiful wedding location.

1. Grapevine Invitations

   • Incorporate your vineyard wedding theme into your invitations. Grapevines can be elegant and sophisticated if printed or embossed around the edge of the invitations. For a simpler look, use a soft colored ink or just a shinier ink in the same color to print the grapevine. For a more rustic look, use beige colored paper with gold ink to print the vine. And if you want to add a little color to your invitation, use a dark purple or burgundy color, drawing inspiration from the color of red wine.

   Wine Bottle Centerpieces

   • Wine bottle centerpieces are not only soft on the wallet, but they are also good for the environment as well. During the months before your wedding, save all of the wine bottles you drink at home, and also ask to take empty bottles home from friends' parties as well. After you have collected enough bottles for each table, remove the labels and all of the leftover glue and paper. Use the wine bottles like a vase, placing flowers or decorative branches inside. If you'd prefer a candlelit effect, purchase candles that look line wine corks and place them in the top of each bottle. If you can't decide, use candle wine bottles on some tables, and flowers on the others. Wine cork candles can be found online at websites such as Candles4Less.com or at stores such as Target.

   Wine Cork Place Cards

   • Wine cork place cards are also beneficial for your budget, and an effective way to recycle. Similar to the wine bottle centerpieces, save wine corks during the months before your wedding, and ask friends to do the same. You'll need enough corks for each guest. Simply shave off a small amount of the bottom of the corks so, when placed vertically, they don't roll away. Then cut a slit in the top of the cork and slide your place card in the slit. You'll have an easy place card holder that will look great at each place setting.

   Mini Wine Bottles

   • There are a variety of favors that can be used at a vineyard, but mini wine bottles are favors that your guests are not likely to forget. Place a miniature bottle of wine at each table setting. You can have wine labels for the bottles specially printed with your name and wedding date on them. The guests will be sure to grab theirs as they head out the door, but if they don't, you won't mind keeping the leftovers.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wine bottles, your wedding, also offer, before your, before your wedding, each table

How to plan a wedding for under 10 000 in manhattan

plan a wedding for under $10,000 in manhattan

It's interesting:
"I can’t imagine a happier way to start married life than in this wonderful venue with all their family and friends around them. Ok, so I can – but it would have to be an exceptionally big Jacuzzi."

It seems impossible, but a nice wedding can be planned for under $10,000 in one of the world's most expensive cities. With some innovative cost-cutting solutions, you can have something unique and special to remember for the rest of your lives together. Read on to learn plan a wedding for under $10,000 in Manhattan.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Use a venue that is inexpensive or free. If you crave the idea of a beautiful outdoor wedding in Manhattan, you have several great options for a venue that can cost you nothing. Central Park, Brooklyn's Botanical Gardens and Prospect Park all have areas that you can reserve for your wedding, free of charge. For venues inside that are less expensive, think outside the box. The East Village's St. Mark's Church rents out its space for both weddings and performances at a fraction of the cost of many other churches. Also, alternative spaces like theaters are fun for New York City weddings, and are cost-effective, too. You can have the reception in the same place.

   • 2

     Go vintage with the dress and suit. Shop vintage stores and thrift shops for gowns and suits. If you find something that you like that's a little too big, have it tailored to fit you. The cost of the tailoring will be a mere fraction of what the cost of a wedding dress from a boutique would run you.

   • 3

     Ditch the DJ. With the advent of the portable MP3 player, the obnoxious and overpriced DJ is obsolete. Put together a playlist with your fiancee and make sure that the venue you're having your reception at has a PA system. After the ceremony, plug in the MP3 player, press "Play," and have a worry free dance party.

   • 4

     Get your friends to help. From the music in the ceremony, to the pictures, the little bits and pieces of the wedding that add up can be covered by creatively employing friends to help you. If you have a friend who works in photography, have her snap the wedding shots. Even if you end up paying her, it will be a lot less than someone you find in a wedding magazine or on a website. Many times, your friends will be obliged to help and consider it a wedding gift.

   • 5

     Simplify the food and let the guests serve themselves. Make the food theme basic, but fun. If you love barbecue, and you know everyone else coming does too, then have a buffet style barbecue reception. Always do the food buffet style to save money. This cuts down on labor for the caterer and work in the kitchen, which in turn cuts costs all around. Also, do a wine and beer bar, only. This will cut your costs exponentially.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: plan wedding, plan wedding under, wedding under, buffet style, friends help

How to make a zebraprint cake

make a zebra-print cake

It's interesting:
"Sorry if the speeches drag on. Wedding receptions can be a bit like an X Factor results show. You just want to skip through the talky bits to find out ..."

Zebra cakes can be made in a variety of styles. Some Zebra cakes are made with a striped icing, and some use a plain buttercream icing with a striped marble cake. Both types will gather praise from your guests, but a zebra cake made with black and white striped icing will be more noticeable at first glance. The black and white colors provide a stark contrast that can make any occasion into a party.

Add this to my Recipe Box.

Things You'll Need

• Cake mix
• Icing
• Baking pans
• Food coloring
• Butter knife
• Icing tube
• Number 5 tip

Instructions

1. • 1

     Bake a cake by following the directions on a white or yellow commercial cake mix.

   • 2

     Spread butter-cream icing all over the cake after the cake has cooled down from baking. Use a flat butter knife and even strokes around the cake to give the white icing a smooth, polished look.

   • 3

     Cut diagonal lines into the buttercup icing with your knife. Do not cut the cake, just cut rivets in the icing about the width of the butter knife.

   • 4

     Mix chocolate icing with blue food coloring to make black icing.

   • 5

     Fill in the cuts with black icing, using an icing tube and a number 5 tip. Make the black lines thick enough to spill over onto the butter-cream icing. This will give the black icing a raised look and complete the zebra effect.

Tips &- Warnings

• For additional flare, finish decorating the cake with a bright color such as hot pink.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: black icing, icing with, black white, butter-cream icing, cakes made, made with

Country music wedding ideas

It's interesting:
"The best man at my own wedding told me that one and it worked - for 15 years anyway, before she left me for someone short, fat and balding, who happened to ..."

Brides and grooms who prefer a country music wedding genre are not alone in their preferences, and many disc jockeys or bands can accommodate your ultimate reception request. With a variety of both fast and slow, classic and current country music songs, there is an almost endless supply to play from the wedding start to the last dance.

1. Country Music Tempo

   • Vary the wedding song selections in the country music genre to include both fast and slow songs. Slower-type music is played during the dinner and cocktail hours- slow love songs are enjoyed by couples attending the wedding to share in a romantic dance. Fast songs are necessary for dancing but use caution as some country music selections are mid-tempo songs which may confuse guests as to what type of moves are required and they may clear from the dance floor.

   Line and Partner Dances

   • Consider inviting a country line dance instructor to your wedding reception to take a break from the typical non-stop dancing to teach step-by-step line and partner dances to your guests. Specific songs are often used with specific dances so ensure that the list of songs is provided by the dance instructor to give to the DJ or band. The guests may appreciate the impromptu dance lesson as a break from the traditional wedding reception format.

   Country Selections

   • When choosing a song for special dances from a list of country music, pick one that speaks to both you and your fiancé-e. Country love songs from classic artists like Vince Gill, Conway Twitty, Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton as well as more current artists like Taylor Swift, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and Trisha Yearwood can be appropriate for the formal dances. Include country songs during the cake cutting and the garter and bouquet tosses as well.

   Tips and Warnings

   • Country music may not be the preferred genre for every guest attending the wedding and in spending the amount of funding to produce and decorate for the event, retaining guests until the reception's finish is often a priority. In addition to the country music selections, incorporate typical wedding songs in a variety of genres as well as interactive and fun dances such as the "Electric Slide" and the "Chicken Dance," which cater to all age groups. Consider allowing your guests to make musical requests during the dance portion of the wedding to be intermittently added between country songs.

     Many country songs can be exciting to listen and sing to but not acceptable for dancing. Keep that in mind when choosing the dancing selections for the country music wedding reception.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: music wedding, country music, country songs, wedding reception, artists like, attending wedding, both fast

About irish weddings

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?"

A traditional Irish wedding honors the history of the Emerald Isle. Many of the traditions date to before St. Patrick converted the natives and back to the time of the old Celtic gods. They blend in with the Christian traditions, making an Irish wedding one of a kind.

1. History

   • St. Patrick came to Ireland as a missionary in the fifth century and history reveals that he converted the population to Christianity, but the old traditions did not disappear. The same can be said about when the British invaded Ireland beginning in 1066. They tried to obliterate the Irish history and traditions, but did not succeed. It was illegal to teach Irish history or speak the Irish language, but it was done in secret and the history, traditions and language survived to be become a part of modern Irish celebrations. The ancient Irish had a very interesting approach to marriage, including one tradition known as handfasting. It was a trial marriage where the couple lived together for a year and when the year was over, either one could decide to leave.

   Features

   • While the tradition of handfasting is no longer legal in Ireland, it is still a part of the Irish wedding ceremony, although now it is just ceremonial, a tribute to the traditions of their ancestors. The day of the week the wedding takes place is also important. Wednesday is the most preferred, followed by Monday and Tuesday. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are frowned upon for a very good reason. An Irish wedding can last as long as three days and if it is held on one of those days, the celebration would carry over to Sunday--not a day for singing and dancing. Weddings are also not held on Christmas or during Lent. Lent is a time of fasting and prayer and not for celebrations.

   Considerations

   • Consider adding some Irish wedding traditions to your ceremony. If you want to honor Saint Patrick, use blue for your color scheme as it was his color. Incorporate traditional Irish music at the wedding and reception. Not everyone will know do a reel or jig, but those who do will appreciate it. Choose the claddagh ring for your wedding ring. The claddagh symbol is a heart held in two hands. When you wear the ring with the point of the heart facing away, it is a friendship ring- when the point is facing you, it is a wedding ring. A traditional Irish wedding cake is like a fruit cake, similar to the Irish Christmas cake. It is the perfect ending to a perfect Irish wedding day.

   Significance

   • No matter what type of ceremony you have, religions or civil, it is always special when you honor your Irish heritage with centuries old traditions. The older members of your Irish family will appreciate it and the younger family members will learn from it. The Irish have a saying, "Keep the Traditions Alive." By incorporating some of these Irish traditions in your wedding ceremony, you will keep the traditions from the ancient times alive for the next generation.

   Benefits

   • When you make your wedding an Irish wedding, you can rest assured that it will be a new experience for many of your guests. The benefit of a unique Irish wedding is that will make your wedding the one they will remember and talk about for a long time. You might even give someone an idea for their own future celebration. Above all, the wedding will be done your way, and that is the Irish way.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Irish wedding, your wedding, traditional Irish, About irish, About irish weddings, history traditions

Christmas wedding cake designs

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."

Bring the warmth and light of Christmas to a wedding and create an unforgettable experience. The season of family and merriment is a happy backdrop for nuptials, offering a lovely range of style from the casual to the grand. Whether you take advantage of the holiday colors or pay tribute to the wintry scene outdoors with blues and frosty whites, there is no better showcase for mood than in the reception's piece de resistance: the cake.

1. Merry and Bright: Designs in Red and White

   • Acclaimed cake designer to the stars Ron Ben-Israel has dreamed up a classic red and white cake, which translates into the season beautifully. A round cake with layers of smooth white adorned with icing in looping gold chains, ribbons, and a pretty fall of red petals, rises to a crown of red roses. Aptly named, "Simply Chic," the cake celebrates the season's colors tastefully. For a more literal translation, the rose topper could be supplanted by holly.

     Promising to bring out the best of the season, Buddy Valastro of Carlo's Bakery has produced a "Christmas Cake." This square-layered cake with burgundy ribbons has sugar-paste holly bundles on each tier. The topper? A bouquet of poinsettias. The cake celebrates the more homelike and family-oriented aspect of the holiday.

   Ice and Snow: Designs in Winter White

   • Celebrated baker Colette Foley offers up her version of the season with a nod to snowflakes in her "Winter White" cake. The fondant on the circle tiers is cut with a diamond-shaped pattern and detailed with glimmering appliques, which recall snowflakes. This versatile cake design can be called upon for lighthearted weddings, as well as the more formal events.

     Buddy Valastro of Carlo's Bakery offers a design called "Frosted Flakes," whose round layers are embellished with glittering snowflakes and pearl necklaces. To top it all off, this creation is presented as a gift with pearlescent ribbons gathered at the highest tier.

   Flora and Fauna: Designs in Blue and Silver

   • The duo behind Cakegirls, Brenda and Mary Maher, have brought the fairy tale into winter with a cool periwinkle three-tiered round cake, trimmed in silver scrolls and brought to life with woodland scenes. A silver doe and buck made of sugar paste graze the top layer while, on the first layer, a glittering forest floor shoots up fantastical mushrooms and flowers.

   The Season of Giving: Designs in Wrap and Ribbon

   • To pay tribute to the true spirit of Christmas, look at the cakes that appear in gift-wrapped splendor, such as Polly Schoonmaker's "Lemon Twist" cake, which features lemony yellow gifts in twisting tiers, dotted over with flowers and pearl-gold ribbons.

   View the Cakes

   • To view each of these cakes, see links in the Reference and Resource sections.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Christmas wedding, Buddy Valastro, Buddy Valastro Carlo, cake celebrates, cake designs, cake which

Invitation etiquette for destination weddings

It's interesting:
"At a time of the year when so much of the life around us is being born and renewed, how appropriate it is that we have gathered on this day to witness Paul and Linda begin their new journey as husband and wife. Spring truly is the season of hope and love, and a great symbol of new beginnings...and I could not imagine a better time to plan such a very special event. For the rest of our lives, I don't believe anyone here could ever think of Spring time without having great memories of today and thinking wonderful and loving thoughts about the two of you."

Destination weddings have distinctive etiquette standards, as they usually entail things that aren't of concern for at-home weddings, such as mentioning attire for unfamiliar climates, inviting people to a separate reception held at home or sending invitations out early to give guests time to book travel. Invitations are an area where brides and grooms need to be particularly careful to avoid confusion, using wording that is easy to understand.

1. Wording

   • Wording for destination wedding invitations is relatively similar to wording for traditional wedding invitations. If guests are invited to attend the wedding, the wording is usually something along the lines of, "Jane Doe and John Smith request the honor of your presence at their marriage on Saturday, the tenth of June, two thousand and eleven at five o'clock, Marriott Resort, Oahu." If the couple are getting married away and having a reception at home, the wording is usually something similar to, "Jane Doe and John Smith are getting married in a private ceremony in the mountains of Tahiti. Please join them at a celebration reception on Saturday, the twentieth of June, two thousand and eleven at five o'clock, Seattle Reception Hall, Washington."

   Timing

   • According to Top Wedding Sites, invitations to destination weddings need to be sent out far in advance--at least three months ahead of time, as opposed to six weeks for at-home weddings. It is also a good idea to send out save the dates up to a year ahead of time.

   Guests

   • While some people believe that it is polite only to send invitations to people whom the couple believes will be able to attend the wedding, The Knot recommends sending invites to anyone that you would like to attend.

   Attire

   • According to Top Wedding Sites, it is a good idea to mention the attire required at a destination wedding, since some people may not know what climate or formality to expect in an unfamiliar area. Simple adding wording such as "Cocktail Attire" or "Casual Attire" will indicate to most people what they should wear on the wedding day.

   Separate Receptions

   • Occasionally, after a destination wedding, some couples have a separate or second reception for family and friends who could not make it to the wedding. The Knot explains that it is traditional to send this invitation out separately if you want certain people to come to the reception but don't want to invite them to the destination wedding. However, if you want to invite people to both the destination wedding and the at-home reception, it is acceptable to send one invitation with both events listed on it.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: destination wedding, According Wedding, According Wedding Sites, ahead time, at-home weddings, attend wedding, destination weddings

Christian wedding program ideas

It's interesting:
"Now, I appreciate that you're all missing the Wimbledon final to be here today, but let this wedding be a reminder that there's more to life than single events ..."

A Christian wedding program serves as a keepsake for your guests to remember your extraordinary day. It also allows for your guests to be more engaged in the ceremony proceedings and see how each detail is of special importance. Consider customizing your program with unique Christian touches your guests will always remember.

1. Musical Selections

   • The musical selections for a wedding ceremony are commonly listed on the wedding program for guests to follow. To emphasize the Christian meaning behind a specific song selection, include the lyrics of the song in the wedding program.

   Wedding Rituals

   • Outline Christian wedding rituals and their meaning for your guests. Provide short explanations in the wedding program of special prayers or vows that will be exchanged. If you are incorporating something meaningful, like the lighting of the unity candle or a unity sand ceremony, explain to guests why this is important to you in the program.

   Readings

   • Notate biblical readings in your wedding program. Also, make mention if anyone of particular importance is presenting the reading during the ceremony. If it is a bible verse or message that is especially profound to you, quote the selection in your wedding program for your guests to enjoy.

   Guest Recognition

   • It is common for the bride and groom to offer a thank you to their parents and guests for attending the ceremony inside their wedding program. As an alternative, consider offering a Christian blessing for everyone in attendance. The more involved your guests feel in your ceremony, the more unforgettable the experience. Your wedding officiant may be able to assist in offering this blessing.

   Family Recognition

   • The back page of the wedding program can be used to remember deceased members of the family in memoriam. You may also consider using this page to add a photo, poem or quote of significance. As a special tribute to the parents of the bride and groom, consider incorporating their old wedding photos and a note of gratitude. This will add a sentimental touch to the program and serve as a tribute to the sanctity of marriage and family.

   Distribution

   • The first thing your guests will notice about your wedding programs is how you distribute them. Instead of having someone hand out the programs to guests, opt for a more creative solution. For an outdoor wedding, consider laying a wedding program on each chair. Weigh each program down with a custom engraved stone. Each stone can serve as a small prayer or greeting for each guest. Simple wishes of “-peace”- or “-love”- will make your wedding program all the more memorable.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding program, your guests, Christian wedding, Christian wedding program, your wedding, your wedding program, bride groom

What to include in wedding invitations

It's interesting:
"'I used your site to create my wedding speech. ... 'Chaps, just got to say a huge thanks for the help your site gave me preparing for my brother's wedding. As best ..."

A wedding is an important event and milestone in life of the bride and groom. The invitation is an important detail because its the first piece of your wedding anyone will see. The invitation not only lets people know where your wedding and reception will take place, it also gives them a glimpse into the type of wedding you're planning, the colors or theme of your wedding, and the overall atmosphere of the event. There are essential pieces of a traditional invitation that you should include no matter what type of event you are planning.

1. Envelopes

   • A traditional wedding invitation will include three envelopes. The first is the outer envelope. This will be where you put the stamp and address of the guests you are sending the invitation to. Inside this envelope, there should be another envelope called the inner envelope. Typically, depending on the budget of the bride and groom, this envelope is lined with a color, generally one of the wedding colors. On the front, the names of the guests should be written and all other components of the invitation should be placed inside this envelope. When you are ready to mail the invitation, the inner envelope should be placed unsealed inside of the outer envelope, which is then sealed and placed in the mail. The third envelope is a small envelope that is self-addressed and stamped to the person handling the R.S.V.P.s for the event. This envelope allows guests to mail back a response to your invitation.

   Traditional Essentials

   • Other pieces that should be included with all wedding invitations include a reception card, a response card and a map or directions. The reception card is only necessary if your wedding and reception will take place at two different locations. The response card will be returned to you or the person taking care of receiving the R.S.V.P.s. This is the card that guests will send back in the self-addressed envelopes to indicate whether they are coming to the wedding or not and how many people will be attending. A map to the location is also necessary, especially for those guests who might be coming from out of town and are not familiar with the area. The map should include directions to both the wedding ceremony site and the reception site, if they are going to be held in two different places.

   Additional Components

   • There are some additional components that you might want to consider including in your wedding invitation. For instance, if you are planning on serving two types of meat for dinner, you might want to know ahead of time what your guests are going to want to eat. This can help control costs with your caterer. You can do this by including a meal choice either on your R.S.V.P. card or on an additional insert card known as a meal card, which should be included when your guests send back the R.S.V.P. This way you can not only get an accurate head count for your wedding, but also plan an accurate count to see how many of your guests will want fish and how many want chicken.

     An accommodation card is another item you might want to include. The accommodation card contains a list of names, addresses and phone numbers of local hotels and rental-car companies. These types of cards should be included for guests who are coming from out of town. Providing them with the information is a general courtesy to your guests.

     Last, but certainly not least, the new trend for invitations is to include a card with the address to a website that the bride and groom have established in order to make things easier on their guests with Web access. On the site, the bride and groom can include all sorts of information about accommodations, the rehearsal dinner, maps and directions, the theme of the wedding and many other elements. They might even establish the website as another means of quickly providing an R.S.V.P. for the event.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your wedding, bride groom, your guests, might want, should included, this envelope

Where can i find themed wedding gowns?

It's interesting:
"August is the month when many folk festivals take place, where the audience stares at a bloke with a microphone and one finger stuck in his ear. In contrast ..."

Themed weddings are events that are based upon a certain theme in which either the bride or groom (or both) have an interest. While certainly not traditional, themed weddings can range from very romantic to downright zany. Themed wedding gowns for such events can be purchased from a variety of sources.

1. Bridal Dress Shops

   • Bridal dress shops should be able to order themed wedding gown for most of their customers. While many traditional shops will not order a quirky gown, a dress for a Victorian or Elizabethan theme can easily be ordered from most bridal boutiques and dress shops.

   Costume Shops

   • Costume shops are stores that specialize in clothes for events such as Halloween and costume parties. While the quality of a costume shop gown will not be as high as from a traditional wedding gown maker, if you are seeking a themed gown, you should find something to suit your desires from a number of shops located in brick and mortar shops and also online.

   Thrift Shops

   • Thrift shops can be a place to locate a unique gown that can be used in a themed wedding. Thrift shops include stores such as Goodwill and Volunteers of America. The dresses that may be found at such locations will most likely be donated by other brides who have had a similarly themed wedding.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: themed wedding, wedding gowns, find themed, find themed wedding, Thrift shops, wedding gown

Why do couples live together?

It's interesting:
"Linda is beautiful. She’s intelligent. She’s funny. She can cook like Nigella Lawson and she’s got the patience of a saint. Paul, I can say with my hand on my heart that you’re one of the luckiest men alive. And she writes a cracking Best Man speech as well."

Sociologists use the term "cohabitation" to describe two people in a romantic relationship living together. While some people believe marriage is necessary, for religious or moral reasons, living together has potential advantages.

1. Marriage

   • Some couples want to try living together to see how they get on together before committing to marriage. Other times, they simply don't have the option to get married. For example, same-sex couples have marriage rights only in a handful of American states, and at one time interracial marriage was socially forbidden.

   Practicalities

   • Living together makes economic sense, as a couple can share the costs of utility bills and other expenses between them. In the lead-up to an expensive wedding, cohabitation could mean big savings. In some cases, marriage can affect taxation and social security benefits, so couples choose to live together rather than marry.

   Emotions

   • At root, many couples live together because they love each other and enjoy spending their lives close to each other. According to social scientists David Knox and Caroline Schacht, in the book "Choices in Relationships," couples who live together are more likely to report a sense of emotional well-being than single people or non-cohabiting couples.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: live together, couples live, couples live together, each other, living together

How to make a trivet out of porcelain tile

make a trivet out of porcelain tile

It's interesting:
"This wedding takes place during a week when the web is all astir over ... 4-Feb-201There's nothing like a wedding around Valentine's Day."

Trivets made from porcelain tiles are a colorful way to add personality -- and personalization -- to a kitchen. Mosaic tiles in colors and patterns to match your motif create coordinated designs, while tiles featuring the painted handprints of children and grandchildren can add a sentimental touch to an everyday item. Tole-painted tiles bring rustic charm to a country kitchen, and fabric-covered tiles coordinate with upholstered dining chairs or cute drapes and place mats. Scrapbook paper, copies of wedding vows, favorite song lyrics or movie quotes can also be used to create unique wedding or birthday gifts of trivets and matching coasters.

Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Porcelain tiles
• Paint
• Paintbrushes
• Sealant
• Cork squares
• Rubber feet
• Felt
• Decoupage glue
• Scrapbook paper
• Fabric
• Craft knife
• Pencils
• Chalk
• Ruler

Instructions

1. • 1

     Purchase basic tiles as a blank template for painted designs or stencils. For sets of trivets and coasters use matching or coordinating tiles, plain white or solid-colored tiles are a classic background, but patterned tiles with stenciled monograms or contrasting designs create a funkier style.

   • 2

     Clean the tile with cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol. This will remove any fingerprints or dust and other residue. You may need to prepare the tile surface by sanding any rough edges. You will also need to apply a layer of decoupage glue before placing fabric or paper on the surface, but do so after measuring and centering the patterned material.

   • 3

     Cut the fabric you will use to cover the trivet. Lay the fabric out wrong side up, and turn the tile upside down on top of the fabric. Use a pencil or piece of chalk to measure the amount of fabric to cut, leaving extra around each side to fold underneath the trivet. Coat the tile with decoupage glue before affixing the fabric.

   • 4

     Use paper for your trivet top by laying the front of the paper on top of your workspace and placing the tile upside down in the center. You may be able to fold the paper without making any trims or cuts, and fold the excess underneath the tile. Coat the tile with decoupage glue before laying the paper on top of the tile.

   • 5

     Smooth out the paper or fabric using a craft bone folder, plastic smoother or a credit card. Add another layer of decoupage glue to seal the paper or fabric before painting any designs onto the material. Once the painted designs are dry, seal with another two coats of decoupage glue. Allow this to cure overnight, or for six hours, and coat with shellac or sealant. Allow that to cure overnight, as well, before packaging for gifts or using at home.

Tips &- Warnings

• Affix cork backing, felt rounds or rubber bumpers to the bottom of the trivet to prevent damage to tables or countertops.

• Advanced crafters may use trivet frames, mitred wood, shaped and cut tile or broken tiles and grout to make mosaic trivets.

• Use decoupage glue, paint and sealant in well-ventilated areas.

• Use a mask, gloves or goggles when using paints and sealant.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: decoupage glue, decoupage glue before, glue before, tile with, Coat tile, Coat tile with, cure overnight

Ideas for a renewal of vows

It's interesting:
"To both sets of parents * To the bride groom * For being chosen as best man. Congratulatory remarks about the wedding. Beautiful bride * Wonderful occasion ..."

It used to be that the only time you would renew your wedding vows would be for a milestone anniversary, such as 10, 25 or 50 years of marriage. Vow renewals have become more common among couples for a variety of different reasons. For example, if a couple was not able to have a formal wedding, they may renew their vows when they are able to afford a traditional wedding. Others may renew their vows as a sign of their love and to strengthen their bond after going through a rough time together.

1. Escape to Vegas

   • Las Vegas is a popular wedding destination for couple wishing to say "I do" and for saying "I do, again." Couples can renew their wedding vows in a large ceremony at one of the chapels or in a private ceremony with just the two of them on the gondolas at the Venetian Hotel and Casino. The hotels in Las Vegas offer packages for couples to renew their wedding vows, including ceremony, reception, spa services and honeymoon suites. For a more lighthearted ceremony, renew your vows with "Elvis" at one of the many small chapels on or off the Strip.

   At the Park or Beach

   • Gather friends and family for a vow renewal ceremony at a local park or beach, where everyone can stay afterwards for a laid back barbecue. Keep the ceremony quick and simple to allow plenty of time for guests to change into comfy clothes before the barbecue begins. Some local catering companies offer barbecue dining menus for parties or you can do it yourself. Serve guests hot dogs and hamburgers with all the sides and fixings at a traditional barbecue. Since it is a vow renewal party color coordinate plates and decorations with your dress and do not forget the small wedding cake.

   In Backyard

   • If you do not have a lot of money but still want to renew your wedding vows, have it in your backyard. Decorate the yard with tulle, balloons, flowers and an arch. Rent chairs and tables from a local party rental company for your guests to sit at. Food can be as simple as hiring a caterer to serve finger food, pasta or sandwiches or you can make the food yourself.

   Cruise or Destination Wedding

   • If finances were tight when you first got married, chances are you did not have the wedding of your dreams. Once you are settled as a couple and the finances have improved get your closest family and friends together and plan a tropical getaway or cruise to renew your wedding vows. Places such as the Caribbean and Bahamas make for a beautiful background for your vow renewal ceremony and a place for everyone to tour and vacation after the wedding. Other destination weddings can include Europe, Mexico, Hawaii and Australia.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding vows, renew their, renew your, renew your wedding, your wedding, your wedding vows, Ideas renewal

Atlanta country music stations

It's interesting:
"It gives me enormous pleasure and pride to be here today, although I am slightly unprepared for this heat; when Paul told me the wedding was to be held in his ..."

Country music is a popular entertainment platform across America. Atlanta, Georgia has several radio stations devoted to country music. All promote the genre as well as concerts, country music performer interviews, community appearances and interaction with listeners live on the radio or online. With the ability for listeners to link with playlists online, the format of radio takes advantage of the digital age. Local businesses can also benefit from appearances by radio personalities from the stations.

1. WKHX FM

   • Known as Kicks, 101.5 FM and promoting itself as "Today's best country hits," the station is a multi-platform broadcaster promoting country music and artists 24 hours a day. In-studio personalities Cadillac Jack and Dallas McCade take to the road attending promotional events in high schools, retail establishments and arena athletics. Playlists for every day of the month are available online on the station's interactive website and listeners can hear the country music of their choice. There are disc jockey interviews with country music performers such as Carrie Underwood and in-studio performances and contests awarding tickets to Atlanta country music events.

   WUBL FM

   • Found at 94.9 FM on the radio dial and known as "The Bull," the station plays country music. Disc jockeys are often found at live appearances in the Atlanta area promoting their station, country music performers and events. Listeners have input regarding the music played with the station's online request format. Broadcasts on-air or online are throughout the day and night, with playlists available online. The station promotes auditions for "America's Got Talent" and includes links to the Atlanta auditions. Celebrities and entertainers including Jeff Foxworthy have appeared on the morning show, ""Caffeinated Radio," and on Saturday nights at 9 p.m., local Atlanta talent are featured on "Backyard Country." The station offers internship opportunities for broadcasting students.

   WTSH FM

   • Dial 107 FM on your radio to listen to South107's country music station. Broadcasting from Rome, Georgia, they cover the Atlanta metropolitan area. "Moby in the Morning" starts the day with country favorites and afternoon disc jockey Kevin Daniels often interviews country music stars including Toby Keith and Trace Adkins. Contests, blogs and promotional appearances promote the country music station. The station's "Country Club" links members to concert ticket opportunities.

   WDEN FM

   • Broadcasting from Macon and covering Atlanta, FM 99, "#1 Country" offers country music day and night. The "Early Morning Show" offers ticket opportunities to listeners for country music concerts and the website links users to tickets to other opportunities such as rodeos and monster truck events. Community events and sporting activities are promoted and attended by station personalities. Live broadcasts are available online and playlists from previous shows are listed and music selections from those shows are available.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: country music, Atlanta country, Atlanta country music, available online, country music, available online station, Broadcasting from

What are decorating ideas for a camo wedding?

It's interesting:
"You'd think I'd know better than to be out drinking in the early hours of the morning the night before a big wedding - but Paul's a mate and he needed some ..."

If the bride and groom are hunters, fishermen or members of the military, they may choose to have a Camo-themed wedding. With a camo-themed wedding, you want the camo to be subtle because the fabric combination is busy. So, build your theme around the colors of camo. You can even do most of it yourself. Some websites and dressmakers offer camo-colored wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses.

1. Bride and Bridal Party

   • Some wedding dresses have camo-colored lace under the white dress and may also have a trim of camo material on the top. For your bridesmaids, choose a dark green dress with a chocolate brown sash or a chocolate brown dress with a green sash. For the flowers, you can hand-tie them with camo-colored ribbon. The groomsmen can have green or brown ties and cummerbund. The flower girl can carry green and brown petals. For the rings, you can hand-make the ring pillow out of camo-print fabric.

   Tables

   • You can wrap camo-colored fabric around your vase and fasten the fabric using a glue gun. Place fresh or fake flowers in the vases, such as sunflowers, black-eyed Susan's, or daffodils. For table cloths, use a cream-colored table cloth and place a smaller table cloth on top in chocolate brown or dark green. Or you can have chocolate brown table clothes with cargo green napkins.

   Alternate Considerations

   • For your place cards, use cream-colored place cards with a camo trim and use a camo ribbon to tie a bow through holes at the top of the card. A wrought iron lantern with cream-colored roses inside would bring more camo colors to your table. Another centerpiece idea is lining a chocolate brown-colored basket with camo fabric. Inside the basket, you can place one-time-use cameras for your guests to take pictures (these also come in camo colors). For a more woodsy theme, you could drill holes in a log and places candles in the holes.

   Favors

   • If you are giving out traditional mesh candy bags, you can use a camo-colored ribbon to tie them off. You could also put a votive candle in a green or brown mesh mini-bag. If it's a military wedding, consider having dog tags with the names of the bride and groom and the wedding date made for your guests. If it's a hunting-inspired wedding, give out a mini bow and arrow with the names on the arrow. Or, if your theme is fishing, consider inscribed fishing bobbers.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: chocolate brown, green brown, bride groom, camo colors, camo wedding, camo-colored ribbon

Tours of historic houses in northern new jersey

It's interesting:
"In researching this speech, I’ve tried to find some dirt on Linda, but neither her brother nor her best friends could give me anything. As I'm sure you noticed it wasn’t a problem that I had with Paul. Linda is well liked by everyone, and I have never met anyone who has had anything but good things to say about her – which is wonderful for Paul, but a bit inconvenient for me at this precise moment. It means that I have to continue to shower her with platitudes. But seriously, Linda, you have had a huge positive impact on Paul, and we now speak of Paul ‘BL’ and ‘WL’ - ‘before Linda’ and ‘with Linda’."

Tours of historic houses in northern New Jersey offer an opportunity to experience the architectural, cultural and historic developments of the Garden State. Whether you are a New Jersey native or a visiting tourist, exploring the northern part of the state uncovers a discovery of early American heritage. Tours will guide you through an array of architectural styles and amenities. From Englewood trolley car tours to the historic houses in the Skylands, your travels throughout northern New Jersey will undoubtedly offer a variety of adventure, education and fun.

1. Bergen County Tours

   • Historic house.

     Bergen County is located in New Jersey's northeastern corner. As part of historic New Bridge Landing, three houses---the Steuben House, Campbell-Christie House and Demarest House---display sandstone-style architecture known as "Dutch Colonial." These three homes were strategic landmarks during the Revolutionary War. Information about guided walking tours of historic New Bridge Landing is available from the website of the Bergen County Historical Society.

     Bergen County Historical Society Tours
     

     P.O. Box 55
     

     River Edge, NJ 07661
     

     201-343-9492
     

     bergencountyhistory.org

   East Jersey Olde Towne Village

   • In Piscataway, you encounter the charm of East Jersey Olde Towne Village. Visitors can explore the community lifestyle of 18th- and 19th-century farmers and merchants. A collection of sites includes Fitzrandolph House, Runyon House, Williamson Wheelwright Shop, Brunswick Barracks and other examples of the vernacular architecture. Guided public tours through East Jersey Olde Towne Village are listed on the website of the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

     East Jersey Olde Towne Village Tours
     

     1050 River Rd.
     

     Piscataway, NJ 08854
     

     732-745-3030
     

     co.middlesex.nj.us/culturalheritage/village.asp

   The Skylands

   • Reenactment of the Revolutionary War.

     Nestled in New Jersey's great northwest is the Skylands, a region that covers Hunterdon, Morris, Somerset, Sussex and Warren Counties. Popular tours of historic houses are spread throughout the area. Morristown is synonymous with Revolutionary War history. Morris County is referred to by some as the "Military Capital of the American Revolution." Along the banks of the Delaware River, you can discover the quaint Victorian towns of Belvidere, Frenchtown, Clinton, High Bridge and Phillipsburg. The Ford Mansion and Museum in Morristown is one of several historic houses throughout the Skylands that is open to the public. Other Skylands tours include Flemington's Main Street. The street is lined with Victorian and Queen Anne houses and Greek revival manors.

     Ford Mansion and Museum Tours
     

     6 Court St.
     

     Morristown, NJ 07960
     

     973-631-5151

     Flemington New Jersey Historic Buildings Tours
     

     Hunterdon County Historical Society
     

     114 Main Street
     

     Flemington, NJ 08822
     

     908-782-1091
     

     njskylands.com/tnflemarch.htm

     New Jersey's Great Northwest Skyland Tours
     

     PO Box 329
     

     Columbia, NJ 07832
     

     908-496-8598
     

     njskylands.com/dirtown.htm

     Skylands of New Jersey Tourism Council
     

     P.O. Box 464
     

     Belvidere, NJ 07823
     

     800-475-9526
     

     skylandstourism.org

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: historic houses, Bergen County, East Jersey, East Jersey Olde, Jersey Olde, Jersey Olde Towne, Olde Towne

How to plan a small courthouse wedding

plan a small courthouse wedding

It's interesting:
"Normally, an outdoor spring wedding is a risk. Will there be snow? Will it be cold? Will it be hot? Will it rain? Thankfully, today the risk paid off with no precipitation, perfect weather, and a beautiful backdrop to see the union of Paul and Linda."

A courthouse wedding might not be the fairytale wedding most girls envision, but it can make for an intimate and affordable wedding option. If you are considering getting married in a courthouse, individual states have different regulations and costs associated with a civil ceremony. A civil ceremony wedding is not without any planning. You will not be able to just walk in and declare you want to get married. A civil ceremony also does not mean you need to skip a reception and honeymoon.

Things You'll Need

• Marriage license

Instructions

1. • 1

     Obtain a marriage license. You can do this at the courthouse where you plan to get married. Each state has different laws regarding marriage licenses, including required blood tests, costs, waiting periods and duration of license validity. To obtain your marriage license, you will need copies of both partners' birth certificates, photo identification, such as a driver's license, and Social Security number.

   • 2

     Book your wedding date. You can do this at the same time you apply for your marriage license. Courthouses are places of business, which means your ceremony will have to be on a weekday during normal business hours. The hours vary from state to state, but are typically between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. While you are booking your date, also ask if the courthouse provides witnesses, how many guests are permitted to watch your ceremony and the fee you will be charged. Besides the marriage license cost, you also will have to pay a fee to hold your ceremony in the courthouse and pay for the officiant. Costs vary from state to state, but expect to pay approximately $25 for a courthouse wedding. Most states require that you have at least two witnesses present to verify that you are of sound mind when you agree to wed.

   • 3

     Decide who you want to officiate your wedding. Most states have an officer of the court present to perform your ceremony. However in certain states, if you choose, laypeople are permitted to marry you. An on-day officiant, laypeople or Commissioner for a Day, is a family member or friend that has filed the proper paperwork and paid the fee to be eligible to marry you on your wedding day. Applications must be filed a month before the ceremony date, in some states it is only required to be filed two weeks prior to the ceremony. The fees vary from state to state and this option is not available in every state.

   • 4

     Invite guests. If you want and are able to have a small group of friends and family join you in witnessing your union, send out invitations. You can do paper invites or if you want to be cost-conscious you can send electronic invitations. Keep it intimate because room will be limited. If you are planning to have a dinner or party afterward as a reception, you could send out invitations for that. When inviting guests to your wedding, make sure that the time of the wedding will not be an inconvenience to them. If your guest feels obligated to attend but logistically cannot it could create an awkward situation and put your guest in a tough position. Plan your reception or celebration on the weekend so more guests can attend.

   • 5

     Decide what you are going to wear on your big day. Just because you are having a civil service does not mean that you don't deserve to look like a blushing bride. You do not have to go out and buy an elaborate gown to feel beautiful. A cute dress you love could work, or buying a simple dress also can save money. If you purchase a new outfit you care wear again, it will be a solid investment and won't collect dust in the back of your closet.

   • 6

     Decorate the courthouse to give it a more romantic atmosphere. Many locations allow you to bring in small decorations and items to personalize the room. Usually you can ask to have access to the room approximately one hour prior to the ceremony. If the courthouse is busy or the room is used for other purposes you might not be able to decorate or may only have a couple minutes to do so. Make sure you ask at the time you book your date. Common restrictions are placed on throwing flower petals, rice, bird seed and other items because of the difficulty to clean up quickly. All items you bring must be able to be carried and quickly set-up and taken down.

   • 7

     Ask one of your witnesses to take a couple of pictures for you. You can get them developed and framed yourself for a fraction of the cost a professional photographer would charge. You also could ask the witness to hold a video camera and record the ceremony. You could replay it at your reception later and everyone will be able to view your special moment.

Tips &- Warnings

• Do your research well in advance so that you will know your state laws and regulations.

• You still can have a wedding registry or a money envelope for guests, family and friends to offer their congratulations.

• If money is tight, you could have a delayed reception and re-commitment ceremony a year or two later.

• Do not wait until the last minute to file for your marriage license.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: marriage license, courthouse wedding, your ceremony, your wedding, civil ceremony