Celtic wedding ring tattoo designs

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 ..."

For the Irish, Celtic symbols hold deep significance, so it's only natural that they incorporate these meaningful designs into their daily lives. With no beginning and no end, Celtic loops, knots and other patterns are the perfect symbol of unity and eternity, much like the traditional wedding ring is for many cultures. Though most Irish people choose to wear traditional rings, the Celtic wedding tattoo is another way of cementing a couple's union, expressing heritage and displaying some creativity.

1. Significance

   • The Celtic design, which most often appears on crosses, is very important to the Irish culture and their Catholic religion. In lieu of wearing a wedding ring or Claddagh ring that may be taken off or lost, some choose to have a Celtic design tattooed onto their wedding ring finger. The tattoo not only signifies a wedding ring, but also the love and commitment the couple share since the tattoo is permanent. This design can stand alone as a wedding band or can be paired with an actual wedding or Claddagh ring.

   Types

   • A Celtic wedding ring tattoo can be chosen from a variety of patterns and designs. There is the traditional wedding band, which looks like a braided rope. There is the Claddagh band, which resembles a Claddagh ring. And there is the traditional Irish engagement ring and the unity band, which entangles two ropes within a larger Celtic pattern. These are only some of the popular Celtic tattoo designs that the Irish typically display on their wedding fingers.

   History

   • Celtic designs date back to around 800 A.D., when Irish monks produced intricate, repetitious designs that were ultimately placed in the Book of Kells, a famous Irish manuscript. Celtic tattoos have been around for centuries and were typically used to designate someone's lineage. The Celtic wedding tattoo is a more recent development in Irish culture, brought about after wedding and Claddagh rings gained popularity. Though you don't see many Celtic wedding tattoos in the United States, some Americans do have the name of their husband, wife or partner tattooed on their wedding ring finger.

   Features

   • There are many different Celtic patterns for a couple to choose from for their wedding ring tattoo. They can pick an established design that symbolizes something like bravery or trust or intelligence, or they can choose to create their own design based on the Celtic cross or an original pattern of their own. Keep in mind that a Celtic wedding ring tattoo will always feature a complex design that features intricate knots, mazes, ropework or spirals. Some are inked in only black and gray, while others incorporate green (which is naturally symbolic to Ireland) or other bright colors. The width of the tattoo can vary based on the Celtic design, but it is typically as wide as a traditional wedding band would be.

   Considerations

   • Some women choose to wear both a traditional wedding ring or Claddagh ring and get their finger tattooed. This combination can make it appear as if she is wearing a wedding ring and an engagement ring, though the color of the tattoo and the gold or silver of the jewelry may not necessarily complement each other well. People who are in professions where rings aren't practical may opt for the Celtic ring tattoo, such as construction workers, doctors and athletes, as well as anyone who can't or doesn't like to wear jewelry.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding ring, Celtic wedding, ring tattoo, wedding ring tattoo, Celtic wedding ring, Claddagh ring, their wedding

Japanese marriage customs & traditions

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."

Japanese weddings are typically small, private and filled with tradition. Some Japanese-American couples prefer to mix the two cultures' traditions and customs. The mix can combine wedding attire, traditional gifts and reception ideas. Some couples also combine traditions from their religion whether Christian, Shinto or Buddhist. Many customs and traditions are available to choose from to create your perfect wedding.

1. Wedding Attire

   • White symbolizes a new beginning in the Japanese culture. Some brides choose to paint their faces white, paint their lips red, wear wigs with fancy clips and traditional dresses.

     The traditional dress is typically a colorful kimono, although some more modern brides choose to wear all white. In some families, the wedding dress is passed down through the generations.

     After the traditional Japanese ceremony, the bride changes from her wedding dress into a silk kimono called an irouchiakake, which depicts a crane. This symbolizes a long life. As the reception draws to a close, the bride changes again into a kimono with wide sleeves- it is usually worn by unmarried women and is called a furisode. This is the last time she will wear this type of kimono.

     Men typically wear a tux, also known as a haoiri-hakama in the Japanese culture.

   The Traditional Ceremony

   • A Shinto ceremony honors the spirits in the natural world as the priest performs a purification ceremony. The ceremony involves a branch, or wand, with folds of paper attached- it is known as a harai-gushi and it meant to bless the couple. The ritual ends with the sake ceremony.

   The Sake Ceremony

   • The sake ceremony is one of the oldest customs performed in Japanese weddings. The ceremony replaces the vows found in Western weddings. Three different sake cups are filled, and the groom, then the bride, take a sip from each. The three cups are then presented to the families. The groom offers a cup to his father and then his mother. The bride repeats the offering to her parents. The ceremony is a gesture of respect.

   The Reception

   • Traditional receptions begin with the bride and groom lighting a single candle at each table in the reception room. Music is played by Japanese drums and stringed instruments. Dishes served in the reception symbolize prosperity, long life, happiness and many children. Fish is a common dish served with the tail and head forced up to appear as a circle which symbolizes eternity. Lobster, which is red, is served for luck. The number of courses can not equal a multiple of four because it is considered bad luck, as the word for "four" sounds similar to the Japanese word for death. A sweetened, gummy rice dessert is traditionally served to guests.

   Gifts

   • The bride and groom typically receive cash gifts as their guests leave the reception. The appropriate amount is sometimes listed on the wedding invitation- if not, it is dictated by the relationship the guest has with the bride and groom, as well as the guest's own economic circumstances. Guests give the cash to the couple in a special envelope called a Shugi-bukuro.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bride groom, customs traditions, bride changes, brides choose, Japanese culture, Japanese marriage, Japanese marriage customs

Ideas for beach weddings

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 ..."

Couples often decide to exchange vows on the sandy beach because the natural setting aids in providing a romantic atmosphere for the ceremony. With sparkling waters, white sand beaches and historic light houses, the background provides plenty of photo opportunities. Couples may accent the site's natural beauty by adding beach-inspired decorations and serving casual, seafood dishes for the reception. They may wish to don more casual apparel, such as a lightweight lace gown or a khaki linen suit.

1. Wedding Fashions and Hair

   • With a beach wedding, you want to avoid overdone gowns and long trains. Stick with simpler dresses that breathe easily and that are shorter, yet still make you feel like the princess you dreamed of being.
     

     The bridesmaids also need to be cautious with their dresses as they do not want to choose anything that may wrinkle during the plane ride. Alfred Angelo designs several destination dresses for both brides and bridesmaids, including his new Jersey knit collection, which travels well and comes in a variety of colors.
     

     The groom may decide to wear a white shirt and tan pants, or he may opt to buy a tailored linen suit for the occasion. Grooms can spend anywhere from $100 to upwards of $1000 on his clothes.
     

     Brides should curl their hair in waves and comb it through and pin back the sides for a natural, tousled look that blows gracefully in the wind. They do not want anything elaborate because either the wind or the humidity may destroy it.

   Decorations and Favors

   • Arrange an open-air canopy tent on the beach to minimize sun exposure and still allow guests access to the ocean's soft breeze. Setting up round tables avoids sharp corners, and you can layer those with colored linens that symbolize the beach, like pale blue tablecloths with gold napkins. For place cards, fill tiny bottles with sand and affix each guest's table number and seat number, like a "message in a bottle."
     

     For centerpieces, get creative and use various ideas. Fill tall vases with flowers, and place votives in beach-themed candle holders around them. For a different approach, use a carved out pineapple as a flower vase. If you stick to a total beach theme, gather beach pails, and stuff them with decorative beach towels, sunscreen and flip-flops for a lucky winner to take home.
     

     Continue the beach theme with your favors. Buy chocolate-shaped shells and package them in pretty boxes, or order mini flip-flop candles for your guests to enjoy later. Fill miniature colored sand pails with personalized M&Ms.

   Food and Cake

   • Keep with the beach-inspired theme, and start the celebration by serving a fruit platter complete with pineapples, strawberries and grapes, and serve it with caramel dip. Offer your guests a variety of summer drinks, including raspberry lemonade, mint iced tea and pina coladas, remembering to serve the drinks with a mini-umbrella. If you serve seafood, consider a traditional fish fry on the beach with French fries, cole slaw and rolls.
     

     For the cake, consult with your baker, and see if he/she can create a sandcastle cake. Have the baker use some butter cream frosting and layer it with fondant to prevent it from melting. Then have it decorated it in graham cracker crumbs and shells to mimic a real sand castle.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: beach theme, beach weddings, Ideas beach, Ideas beach weddings, linen suit, with your, your guests

Gluten free restaurants in seattle

It's interesting:
"I would like to say that I have a lot of admiration for Linda. She met Paul during his ‘colt’ years, and has dealt with most of his flaws. She’s a beautiful lady, and an even more gorgeous bride. I hope Paul realizes just how lucky he is. But I still don’t know how he got her to say yes because all she seems to say now is “No! Paul, no!”"

Gluten intolerance affects the health of millions of people every year, according to the Innate Health Foundation. Unfortunately, gluten can be hard to avoid, especially when you're eating out. Luckily, if you're dining in Seattle, Washington, several restaurants offer gluten-free menus to choose from. Eating at these restaurants makes avoiding gluten while dining out hassle-free.

Add this to my Recipe Box.

1. Wheatless in Seattle

   • Wheatless in Seattle is a completely gluten-free cafe and bakery in the Greenwood neighborhood. Currently, Wheatless in Seattle serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week, and also offers many menu items that are vegan and soy-free. Lunch choices include quiche, pizza, lasagna, panini sandwiches and frittatas. For breakfast, diners can choose from omelets, hash browns, French toast and bacon. There is an extensive dessert menu, with cheesecake, cookies, muffins, cupcakes and more, and a large list of breads to choose from. Wheatless in Seattle offers a full espresso bar, and also provides catering services.

     Wheatless in Seattle
     

     10003 Greenwood Ave. N.
     

     Seattle, WA 98133
     

     206-782-5735
     

     wheatlessinseattle.net/

   Flying Apron Bakery

   • The Flying Apron Bakery sits in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood. This wheat- and gluten-free vegan restaurant offers breakfast and lunch every day of the week. Ingredients are organic, and no hydrogenated oils are used. Bakery items include pastries, pies, cakes, cookies and breads- the lunch menu offers soups, vegetable and bean salads, flat breads, and pizzas. The Flying Apron also makes gluten-free wedding cakes and holiday pies on special order.

     Flying Apron Bakery
     

     3510 Fremont Ave. N.
     

     Seattle, WA 98103
     

     206-442-1115
     

     flyingapron.com/

   Araya's Place

   • Araya's Place, located in Seattle's University District, offers an extensive menu with many gluten-free items to choose from. Araya's serves dinner and lunch with a buffet option Monday though Saturday. Choices include appetizers such as tofu satay with cucumber salad and peanut sauce- extensive soup and salad selections- and entrees like Phad Phet Makhua, tofu and eggplant sauté-ed with fresh vegetables, bean sauce, chili paste, and fresh basil. Araya's also provides catering services.

     Araya's Place
     

     1121 N.E. 45th St.
     

     Seattle, WA 98105
     

     206-524-4332
     

     arayasplace.com/

   Andaluca Restaurant

   • For a fine dining experience with a special gluten-free menu, try Andaluca Restaurant in downtown Seattle. Andaluca specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, entrees inspired by the Pacific Northwest, and an extensive selection of sharable plates and pinxtos, or Spanish-inspired bar snack foods. The large gluten-free menu includes breakfast choices like rosemary chicken sausage hash or smoked salmon eggs benedict- lunch selections like a crab tower salad or stuffed chorizo dates- and dinner entrees like seafood paella or bacon-wrapped pheasant.

     Andaluca Restaurant
     

     407 Olive Way
     

     Seattle, WA 98101-1108
     

     206-382-6999
     

     andaluca.com/menu.php?recordID=8

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Wheatless Seattle, choose from, Flying Apron, Andaluca Restaurant, Apron Bakery, Araya Place, Flying Apron Bakery

How to address wedding party invitations

address wedding party invitations

It's interesting:
"Generally speaking, a good wedding speech should sound as if it has been prepared and rehearsed over a long period before the event but the seemingly ..."

A wedding invitation represents more than just the request for friends and family to witness and celebrate the marriage vows of two individuals in love. The style of the wedding invitation also represents the formality of the event, and the wording included in the invitation supplies guests with important information about the special day. The envelopes that hold these details should be addressed in a way that stands apart from a standard correspondence. By following the traditional standard for addressing wedding party invitations, you ensure that invitations will be clear, consistent and adhere to proper etiquette.

Things You'll Need

• Guest List
• Envelopes
• Line Guide
• Pen

Instructions

1. • 1

     Assemble a list of full names, including titles and addresses of all guests.

   • 2

     Follow an etiquette guideline to properly address titles and placement of names. WedAlert.com and SouthWorth.com have free online guidelines. Some invitation kits also include these guidelines.

   • 3

     Create or find a darkly lined sheet of cardstock or heavy paper to serve as a spacing and line guide for address information. The four lines should be evenly spaced apart and should place the address information in the center of the envelope. Many invitation packets provide this guide sheet.

   • 4

     Insert the line guide into the envelope so that the lines show through the front of the envelope.

   • 5

     Write the names of the adult guests on the first line. Follow etiquette guidelines to properly address titles and order of guests listed. Couples who live together receive one invitation at their shared residence. Couples who do not live together receive invitations at their own residences.

   • 6

     Write the street number and street address on the second line. Use numerals to write the numbers such as "1234" and write out the full street name such as "Main Street." Do not use abbreviations.

   • 7

     Write the city and state on the third line, spelling out the full names. For example, write "Sacramento, California." You have the option of placing the zip code on the third line or the fourth. Some full city and state names are very long and leave little room for the zip code.

   • 8

     Choose one of three ways to write the zip code on the fourth line: Stagger the zip code to the width of the city and state line- center the zip code below the third line- or right-align the zip code below the state.

   • 9

     Write the names of all guests invited, including any invited children, on the inner envelope. Names can be addressed in a more casual or familiar fashion such as "Mom and Dad."

   • 10

     Write the return address information for the invitations on the back flap of the outer envelope. Follow the same guidelines, spelling out full names in lieu of standard abbreviations. Save time by having return addresses pre-printed by the invitation company or by using an address stamp or seal.

Tips &- Warnings

• Enlist the help of a calligrapher, friend with excellent handwriting or use a computer to print addresses if your own handwriting is not clear.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: address information, city state, full names, party invitations, wedding party, wedding party invitations

How to create a karaoke music list

create a karaoke music list

It's interesting:
"It is said that a Fall wedding is a very special one, because at a time when so much of the life around us is changing colors and dying, we gather together for a celebration of life and a brand new beginning. Indeed, today we are very privileged to welcome a new married couple into the world. I hope that every time you celebrate your anniversary, you will always think back to this wonderful Autumn day and remember all the love and warmth that you feel in this room right now."

When picking a karaoke song list for your own personal use, you will likely pick those songs that are familiar, that you love and that you can really sing. This process changes a bit if you are using your karaoke machine as a starring event for your next party. To ensure a fun time had by all consider what popular songs your guests may like, as well as those songs that allow for duets and group numbers.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Research most popular karaoke tunes from various sources. Timeless classics include Journey's "-Don't Stop Believing,"- "-Dancing Queen"- by ABBA, or "-Material Girl"- by Madonna.

   • 2

     Pick duet songs for couples to sing together. Examples include "-Summer Loving"- by Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta from "-Grease,"- or Elton John's hit with KiKi Dee, "-Don't Go Breaking My Heart."-

   • 3

     Pick songs that can be sung with a group. Universal favorites include, "-Bohemian Rhapsody"- by Queen and "-Y.M.C.A."- by the Village People.

   • 4

     Dig in different eras of music. Pull some Sinatra with "-My Way"- or "-New York, New York,"- or invoke the British Invasion with the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Blast into the 1980s with legends like Michael Jackson and Madonna, then allow songs from Lady Gaga, Evanescence and the Black Eyed Peas bring your party back into the 21st century.

   • 5

     Keep it fun with B-52's "-Rock Lobster"- to bring a little silliness to your soire.

   • 6

     Explore different genres of music. Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain and Garth Brooks represent modern country, whereas Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline are a throwback to the old days. Disco uplifts any party with hits like "-I Will Survive"- by Gloria Gaynor and virtually anything by the Bee Gees or K.C. and the Sunshine Band.

   • 7

     Add songs from familiar movies. Musicals in particular offer a variety of tunes to consider, including "-Grease,"- "-The Rocky Horror Picture Show"- or "-Hairspray."- Other movie favorites include "-Unchained Melody"- from Ghost and "-I'm a Believer"- from Shrek.

   • 8

     Include songs for both genders to shine. Women can take their turn as Whitney Houston, Celine Dion or Mariah Carey, whereas the men can rock their swagger with Bon Jovi, AC/DC and Guns and Roses.

   • 9

     Keep it current. Check the latest record charts to find out what is current now to include those hits on your playlist.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: songs that, create karaoke, create karaoke music, favorites include, karaoke music

Attractions in woodstock, new york

It's interesting:
"Learn connect what's happing in the news to the theme of weddings or marriage, the stereotypical characteristics of a groom, the duties of a best man, ..."

Woodstock, New York, is small Catskill Mountain village located two hours from New York City. It is billed as the "most famous small town in the world," in part because of the famous 1969 music festival named after the town and its longtime title as "Colony Of The Arts." Many activities are available including fishing, antiquing, museum and gallery hopping and even cooling off in an old-fashioned swimming hole and watching vintage hippies on the Village Green.

1. Museums

   • The town is full of artists

     The Woodstock Artists Association Museum, WAAM, is located in the center of town. The Museum consists of three galleries and hosts a full schedule of exhibitions that highlight the work of area artists on a monthly basis. The museum also has a Youth Exhibition Space for talented young people.

     WAAM

     28 Tinker St.

     Woodstock NY 12498

     845-679-2940

     woodstockart.org

     The Historical Society of Woodstock is located in an old farm house on town property and a visit there is like taking a step back in time. The society is a treasure trove of old maps, drawings, paintings and official town records dating back to 1790.

     Comeau Drive

     Woodstock, NY 12498

     845-679-2113

     woodstockhistory.org

   Art and Music

   • A great music venue

     The Byrdcliffe Colony was founded in 1902 as a Utopian community for artists and craftsman from around the country who could enjoy the freedom of expression in bucolic surroundings. The founders of the colony built cabins for the residents and started the first art school in America. Summer walking tours are available, but you can walk the colony year-round. Byrdcliffe is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

     Byrdcliffe Colony

     34 Tinker Street

     Woodstock, NY 12498

     845-679-2079

     woodstockguild.org

     The Maverick Concert Hall was built in 1916 and its concert series is now the oldest continuous chamber music festival in America. This outdoor hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The concert series features world famous musicians appearing from June to September.

     Maverick Concerts

     120 Maverick Rd.

     Woodstock, NY 12498

     845-679-8217

     maverickconcerts.org

   Physical Activities

   • The view from the top

     Rent a bicycle at Overlook Mountain Bikes and tour Woodstock on wheels. The store is located in the center of town and you can rent a bike for an hour or a full day. If you want the bike for an extended period of time, car racks are available. They are open every day except Tuesday- if you call ahead with a special request, these bike professionals will be glad to help.

     Overlook Mountain Bikes

     93 Tinker Street

     Woodstock NY 12498

     845-679-2122

     overlookmountainbikes.com

     The Woodstock Golf Course is a nine-hole course, so you have to do it twice for a total of 5,456 yards to get a full round under your belt. If you are hungry after your game, a restaurant is on the premises for a meal or a drink. The view of Overlook Mountain alone is worth the price of admission.

     Woodstock Golf Club

     8 DeLisio Lane

     Woodstock NY 12498

     845-679-2914

     woodstockgolf.com

     Shadowing the village is Overlook Mountain and the home of one of only five remaining Catskill Mountain fire towers. The hike to the peak and its fire tower is vigorous, but the view from the top at an elevation of 3,140 feet is spectacular.

     Overlook Fire Tower Stewards

     34 Wardwell Lane

     Woodstock, NY 12498

     845-679-2580

     catskillcenter.org

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Woodstock 12498, Overlook Mountain, Attractions woodstock, Attractions woodstock york, Byrdcliffe Colony, Catskill Mountain, center town

How to write a sermon faster

write a sermon faster

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 ..."

Write a sermon, preach it, write another one, preach it... the pace of pastoring is a challenge to keep up with especially with funerals, weddings, and meetings thrown in the mix.

Many pastors struggle to write a sermon in fifteen hours a week. Others claim twenty hours a week are needed to write sermons. How then is it, that some pastors write excellent sermons in less time than that? Why is it that some times a sermon comes together in almost no time at all?

These steps will not take the work out of preaching. However, they will eventually make writing sermons a quicker proposition.

Instructions

1. • 1

     PRAY SOONER.

     Don't add prayer into preaching as an after thought. Spend a few minutes in quiet meditative prayer early on in your preaching process. Then return to prayer throughout.

   • 2

     SHARPEN YOUR LANGUAGE TOOLS.

     A dull axe requires great strength, but skill will bring success. How dull is your ax? Many pastors elect to ignore language study since it isn't 'practical' in their view, and it is hard work. However, if you have enough skill to use an interlinear and a lectionary quickly it can save you an hour every week or more. Often the visual imagery in the original language gives you the metaphor, the illustration, or the key insight you need. Get a software program or take classes. 15 minutes a day working on languages can save you hours a week in the long run.

   • 3

     SHARPEN YOUR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS TOOLS.

     When a passage says 'therefore' do you know what that means? The prepositions for, before, in, through, under, etc. often provide the key theological insight in a passage. Ask yourself how the meaning would be different if another conjunction (so that instead of because) was used. When your structural analysis tools are sharp, the thought flow of the passage jumps off the page at you much more quickly.

   • 4

     START EARLIER.

     This seems like the opposite of writing a sermon quickly, but it is the key. When you start writing a sermon weeks before it needs preached (instead of Monday before Sunday) it has time to percolate, stew, and bubble in the back of your mind. You can read the passage a few times and walk away. Then, without meaning to work on it, your mind works on it. WIthout taking time out of your schedule, thoughts and ideas come to you in the car, in a meeting, in the shower, or in a dream.

   • 5

     MASTER A FEW SERMON FORMS.

     A sermon form is like a sewing pattern. You could probably sew a shirt from scratch if you gave it enough thought and experimented a lot. But a pattern gives you a standard off of which to improvise. Here are some helpful sermon patterns to learn so that you can run a sermon through one of them more quickly:

     - The Lowry Loop (See related article on this page)
     

     - The Four Page Sermon (Paul Scott Wilson)
     

     - Not this, Not this, but This 3-Point Sermon
     

     - A Big Idea with Sub-points (Haddon Robinson)
     

     - The Climaxing Refrain (Repeated Preaching Phrase)

   • 6

     USE PERFORMANCE THINKING.

     Many preachers fall into the trap of trying to craft an oral sermon with silent and written tools. For some this works, for many it's like trying to carve wood with a spoon. Read the passage out loud interpretively. Take a few improvisational preaching attempts to see what comes out. Preach through a point or two to see how it flows. Our whole bodies aid our thinking when we allow ourselves to perform a passage and perform a sermon in the preparation process. Do it as early as possible.

   • 7

     *See more tips on write a sermon faster below*

Tips &- Warnings

• Come to the text with a sense of playfulness instead of pressure. Have fun with it and more creative juices will flow.

• Bounce preaching ideas of friends and acquaintances to see how well they work.

• Ask others how they read the passage you are studying to gain new perspectives.

• Avoid preaching the same form every week. Change up the pitch or you will lose interest.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: hours week, sermon faster, write sermon, write sermon faster, every week, Many pastors

Flower gardens in eastern north carolina

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 ..."

Gardens represent one method to educate the public about flowers and plants native to an area. A variety of gardens types exist, including arboretums, college and university research gardens, and display gardens that are open to the public. Additionally botanical gardens offer opportunities to view floral collections, as do conservatories and historical gardens. Eastern North Carolina enjoys a climate and environment conducive to lovely floral gardens, and the gardens are abundant.

1. North Carolina Botanical Garden

   • North Carolina Botanical Garden at UNC features a number of unusual specimens.

     Located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the North Carolina Botanical Garden features several display gardens. Visitors enjoy strolling through the Native Water Garden filled with aquatic plants native to the Southeast and North Carolina. A more unusual flowering garden includes carnivorous plants found throughout the Southeast, such as pitcher plants and Venus flytraps. UNC features several other display gardens throughout the facility that include a range of native and wild plants and flowers.

     North Carolina Botanical Garden

     100 Old Mason Farm Rd.

     Chapel Hill, NC 27514

     919-962-0522

     ncbg.unc.edu

   Gene Strowd Community Rose Garden

   • The Gene Strowd Community Garden displays more than 130 varieties of roses.

     The Gene Strowd Community Rose Garden honors the memories of Gene and Irene Strowd. The garden displays more than 350 rose bushes. Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department maintains the community garden, and it is open to the public. Wedding parties and special events may reserve the garden for private functions.

     Gene Strowd Community Rose Garden

     120 S. Estes Dr.

     Chapel Hill, NC 27514

     919-968-2784

     strowdroses.org/roseGarden.htm

   Fearrington Village

   • Fearrington Village maintains several different gardens, including an herb garden.

     Find the Fearrington Gardens on the grounds of the historic Fearrington Village. The property includes several formal and informal gardens, featuring more than 50 planting beds. Flowers from the cutting garden are used in the property&rsquo-s restaurant and inn. Many of the gardens feature native plants, including flowering bushes, bulbs and shrubs. The gardens and property are open year round.

     Fearrington Village

     2000 Fearrington Village Center

     Pittsboro, NC 27312

     919-542-2121

     fearrington.com/village/gardens.asp

   Sarah P. Duke Gardens

   • Irises were among the original flowers in the Sarah B. Duke Gardens.

     The Sarah P. Duke Gardens offer several different garden experiences for visitors. These public gardens, located at Duke University, contain five miles of walkways through rose gardens, native plants, a waterlilies garden and an Asian arboretum. Ellen Shipman, a pre-eminent American landscape designer, designed the gardens. Originally funded by Sarah P. Duke--widow of a founding member of Duke University--the gardens were rebuilt in the 1930s as a memorial to Mrs. Duke.

     Sarah P. Duke Gardens

     426 Anderson St.

     Duke University

     Durham, NC 27708-0341

     919-684-3698

     hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/index.html

   Cape Fear Botanical Garden

   • Camellias and daylilies feature prominently among the flowering displays.

     The Cape Fear Botanical Garden features more than 2,000 floral and ornamental displays and several specialty gardens, including camellias, daylilies, and hosta gardens. The property, situated on 79 acres of forestlands, offers a variety of walking trails throughout the facility. Along with the garden displays and tours, Cape Fear Botanical Garden offers educational programming, workshops for children and adults, and a variety of special events.

     Cape Fear Botanical Garden

     536 N. Eastern Blvd.

     Fayetteville, NC 28301

     910-486-0221

     capefearbg.org

   Wilson Rose Garden

   • Old garden and modern roses bloom profusely at the Wilson Rose Garden.

     The Wilson Rose Garden includes more than 1,100 plants and 165 varieties of roses. Among the varieties, visitors find old garden roses, modern hybrids, and modern English roses. The Wilson Rose Garden is a public garden located in the city of Wilson. The city parks and recreation department maintains it. It is an accredited All-American rose garden, recognized by the American Rose Society.

     Wilson Rose Garden

     1800 Herrington Ave.

     Wilson, NC 27894

     252-399-2261

     wilsonrosegarden.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, Fearrington Village, more than, Wilson Rose, Wilson Rose Garden, Cape Fear

The best wedding color combinations

It's interesting:
"Learn connect what's happing in the news to the theme of weddings or marriage, the stereotypical characteristics of a groom, the duties of a best man, ..."

The best wedding color combination is different for every individual- it will depend on personal taste and the time of year the wedding will take place. Numerous color combinations can create the mood you seek for your wedding and set the tone for the ceremony and reception. It's important to choose a wedding color combination you like because it will be seen in several aspects of your wedding. Be sure to consider the place where your wedding and reception will take place, so you don't choose colors that will clash with its interior.

1. Chocolate Brown and Light Blue

   • Sophisticated and modern, the combination of chocolate brown and light blue sets a sultry tone and is ideal for any time of year. Groomsmen can wear brown tuxedos and bridesmaids can wear light blue gowns with chocolate brown sashes. Light blue flowers in bouquets with white roses, chocolate brown cloth napkins tied in light blue ribbon, and a wedding cake featuring brown and light blue decorations make for a timeless look.

   Celadon Green and Tangerine

   • Fresh, crisp and perfect for spring or summer weddings, the combination of celadon green and tangerine is bold and bright. Bright floral centerpieces can brighten a room at your wedding reception. The beautiful orange and green tones can make a splash on wedding cakes and in floral bouquets. This color combination is one that is a bit daring, but it will also be unforgettable.

   Several Shades of One Color

   • You can take a different twist on the conventional color arrangement for a wedding theme by choosing several different shades of the same color. Different shades of blue, yellow, white or any other color you desire can be used throughout your wedding in a number of ways. Bouquets with an array of different hues of one shade and wedding cakes sprinkled with lavender, purple, and deep plum, for example, will make for an attractive and polished look.

   Red, Black and White

   • Sophistication comes to mind with the color combination of red, black and white. Red roses are a classic symbol of love and affection and they can be used throughout the wedding with this color scheme. Black bridesmaids' dresses with red or white accents look stylish and modern, while black tuxedos with red boutonnieres create a put together and handsome look for groomsmen. Wedding cakes can be adorned with fresh red roses and black ribbons.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your wedding, color combination, wedding color, best wedding, best wedding color, chocolate brown, color combinations

How to create a wedding budget spreadsheet

create a wedding budget spreadsheet

It's interesting:
"They say that a wedding is a sapling that grows into a mighty tree called marriage . Well ... In a way, the jubilation of today's wedding reminds me of the recent ...""

Creating a dream day can be done if you are patient, optimistic and, above all, organized. There are many details to consider when you create a wedding. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, scattered and ready to throw in the towel. A wedding budget spreadsheet, however, can relieve a lot of that stress.

Things You'll Need

• Spreadsheet or word-processing program

Instructions

1. Create Your Document

   • 1

     Open up your computer's spreadsheet program. If you have Microsoft office, simply open up a new document, and, instead of choosing a word-processing document, choose an XL spreadsheet. If you are unsure where to find a spreadsheet program on your computer, enter "spreadsheet" into the search function.

   • 2

     Label the columns. The first column will be titled, "item." The second column's title should be "estimated cost," and the third column's title should be "actual cost." The fourth column can be "notes."

   • 3

     Label your rows. Take the first box on the left under "item," and fill it in with "venue," which is where you will be holding your wedding. Then, under "venue," continue to list all of the expenses of your wedding, including the following (if appropriate): apparel, gifts for bridesmaids, music, bouquets, announcements, invitations, reception meals, reception-hall rental fees, transportation costs and any others that may apply to your wedding.

   • 4

     Make the spreadsheet longer than you think you will need. There will always be expenses that you don't think of until you are in the throes of planning, so leave a few blank rows at the bottom of the chart.

   Fill in the Chart

   • 5

     Update the chart each time you get an estimated cost. You may want to enter the name of the person giving you the cost estimate in the "notes" column, so you have a go-to contact in case of any disagreements later.

   • 6

     Print the chart and carry it with you when you are out looking at dresses, flowers, sites, invitations and other wedding details. Fill in the appropriate amounts on the chart, and update the electronic version when you get home. It also helps to have wedding professionals, such as the caterers or florists you may be working with, glance at the chart and offer their opinions on whether anything is missing.

   • 7

     Keep a running tally at the bottom of your spreadsheet, so you always know what the ballpark total is. Twenty reasonably priced items can still blow a budget, so have an idea of what you are willing to economize on or even cut out of the wedding if push comes to shove.

Tips &- Warnings

• Not only does a wedding budget spreadsheet keep you from breaking the bank, but it's also a handy list of everything that needs to be taken care of for the wedding. If you want, you can add an additional column to your spreadsheet that lists the names of any friends you may have delegated certain tasks to.

• If you have no spreadsheet application, simply open a word-processing document and create a table with four columns across and at least 20 down.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: budget spreadsheet, wedding budget, wedding budget spreadsheet, create wedding, your wedding, column title

How to decorate a dance floor at a reception

decorate a dance floor at a reception

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 ..."

The centerpieces are dazzling, the wedding cake is a piece of edible art, the bride and groom look stunning, but in the middle of the reception hall, there is a blank void: the dance floor. Rather than letting a boring dance floor suck the life out of a beautiful reception space, jazz it up with some decorations. With the right dance floor decor, the dance floor becomes more than just a practical spot for dancing, but rather an important part of the reception's style.

Things You'll Need

• Dance floor decal
• String lights
• Paper lanterns
• Pillars or columns
• Tulle or other light fabric
• Balloons

Instructions

1. • 1

     Decorate the dance floor itself by applying decals similar to window-clings. Chose decals that are relevant at the wedding, such as the word "-love"- or heart shapes. While these decals will not destroy the surface of the floor, they add a special touch to the dance floor.

   • 2

     Focus on the space above the dance floor. Stringing brilliant white lights over the space creates the look of stars in a night sky. Alternatively, paper lanterns suspended over the dance floor illuminate the floor with a romantic warm glow.

   • 3

     Shine a decorative spotlight upon the dance floor, imprinting the floor with colorful text or designs. For example, have the spotlight beam down your monogram, or keep the energy of the space going with interesting patterns, similar to a kaleidoscope.

   • 4

     Create a decorative arch to span over the dance floor. Pillars posted at the corners of the dance floor and sheets of tulle create a romantic, dream-like space. For a more whimsical look, make an arch out of a string of balloons, which can float over the dance floor.

Tips &- Warnings

• Check with your wedding planner, event coordinator or the venue's manager to learn if they have any rules regarding decorating the dance floor.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: dance floor, over dance, over dance floor, dance floor reception, decorate dance, decorate dance floor

Do it yourself invitations kits

It's interesting:
"You may never see a wedding like this one again … not now that they've banned ... 26-Mar-201As an extra special wedding present, I've organized a ..."

Do-it-yourself invitation kits bridge the gap between expensive pre-ordered invitations and laborious homemade invites for your wedding or special occasion. Kits typically come with invitation cards, at the very least, but most come with reception and response cards and envelopes. Part of the beauty of these kits is that you can customize them as much as you like, choosing a kit that fits your style, budget and the amount of crafting you want to put into the process.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Shop around for invitation kits. Look for kits that fit into your budget, are visually appealing to you and go with your wedding design.

   • 2

     Create a checklist for elements you absolutely want in your invitation kits. Note if you want RSVP or reception cards included, or if you want single-sheet invites. If you only want pre-decorated kits, put that down. Narrow down your choices based on this list and step one criteria.

   • 3

     Order the kit you've chosen. Purchase enough invitations, plus several extras in case you add to your guest list or have an invite printing blooper.

   • 4

     Read and follow instructions on the kit. Kits vary in customization options, template use and printing processes, so this is important.

   • 5

     Read the wording on the invitation template. Adjust it to reflect your own personal style and your wedding theme. Traditional, formal wording may not be for you, or you may be looking for the most elegant invite possible.

   • 6

     Spend time choosing the font that's just right for your invitation. Fonts can make or break your invitation's visual style. Calligraphy works well for more formal invites, and contemporary, sleek invites look better with slim, simple fonts.

   • 7

     Add embellishments such as paper flowers, ribbon, buttons or even embroidery if your kit didn't come with pre-decorations. A simple rose or bird stamp in the corner also works well if you want to save time and labor.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: come with, invitation kits, kits that, your invitation, your wedding, yourself invitations kits

What bridal bouquets accent an ivory wedding dress?

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."

Ivory wedding gowns are a universally flattering choice for brides of any age. The warm, golden undertones of an ivory dress flatters all skin tones and makes the skin radiant, whereas snow-white gowns can look harsh and drain color from paler skins or can highlight lumps on even the most svelte bride. Choosing a bridal bouquet to accent your ivory wedding dress means selecting the right flowers to enhance your gown.

1. Pastels

   • Romantic pastel blossoms enhance the vintage feel of an ivory wedding dress. Roses in peach, soft pink or pale yellow increase the allure of an antique-style gown, with lavender hyacinths or sweet pea blossoms as fragrant additions to the bouquets. Light blue flowers such as cornflowers and hydrangeas are an unexpected choice that offsets the yellow undertones of an ivory gown. A multicolor mix of delicate flowers lends a country garden ambiance to a formal ivory dress, whereas a monochromatic array of big, bold flowers in one color scheme lends a sophisticated charm.

   Jewel Tones

   • While pastel flowers bring out the ethereal charm of ivory wedding gowns, jewel-toned bouquets imbue an ivory dress with a dramatic air. Deep purple or plum shades of sculptural flowers like calla lilies and irises are radiant against an ivory backdrop, while roses or cosmos in espresso hues amp up the underlying warmth in your ivory dress. Burgundy-black orchids are an edgy, modern choice, while Rococo parrot tulips in burgundy and gold give an ivory gown an opulent finish.

   Finishing Touches

   • Most leaves and ferns in bouquet filler work well with ivory wedding dresses- the vintage attitude of ivory will make lady-fern and baby's breath look sweet instead of dated. If you are striving for a modern look with your ivory gown and are using jewel-toned blossoms, you may wish to forgo delicate accents, and instead choose a sleek filler like banana leaves or another glossy, dark green leaf. Wrapping the stems of your bouquet in ivory satin or velvet ribbon visually ties the bouquet to your gown- stud the wrapping with pearl-tipped pins for an elegant, finished touch.

   Flowers to Avoid

   • Unless all your flowers are in a shade of ivory that closely matches your dress, an all-white bouquet can clash with an ivory gown. Ivory typically contains hints of yellow, and pure white flowers can make your dress look dingy or aged. Bright colors in neon hues should also be avoided. Although florists can order blooms in novelty colors like electric blue or shocking pink, these brights tones will clash with the restrained elegance and old-world air of an ivory dress.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: ivory wedding, ivory dress, ivory gown, ivory wedding dress, wedding dress, your ivory, accent ivory

Small wedding chapels nearest to joplin, missouri

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 ..."

Couples looking for small wedding chapels near Joplin, Missouri have a number of options. Whether they are looking to have a very small, quick wedding or would like a venue that allows them to hold both their wedding ceremony and reception in one spot, this area has something to offer everyone.

1. Springhouse Gardens

   • Springhouse Gardens is a beautiful location to hold both your wedding ceremony and reception. The venue is primarily outside, and is complete with a large courtyard, a fountain, covered terraces and old stone structures that give the property a romantic charm. A small, stone springhouse serves as a bridal dressing suite. It is complete with a separate restroom and kitchenette.

   Cedar Meadows Event Center and Wedding Chapel

   • The Cedar Meadows Event Center and Wedding Chapel offers a one-stop location for your wedding and reception. The facility makes wedding planning much less stressful for couples by providing things such as tables, chairs, table linens, and place settings. Couples have the option of holding their wedding ceremony in an outdoor garden.

   Silver Creek Park Wedding Chapel

   • The Silver Creek Park Wedding Chapel offers a number of packages and a variety of add-on services. Some of these include things such as a wedding officiant, the bride's bouquet, the groom's boutonniere and a wedding cake. A number of times of day are available for your ceremony.

   Lavern's Wedding Chapel

   • Located approximately 30 minutes from Joplin, Lavern's Wedding Chapel offers an intimate and hassle-free venue for couples to exchange marriage vows. Couples can get their marriage license across the street from the chapel and have their wedding ceremony all in less than hour, which is perfect for those who are so in love that they cannot wait to be married. Added touches such as bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, garters and wedding signs are available for an extra charge.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Wedding Chapel, wedding ceremony, Chapel offers, their wedding, their wedding ceremony

Ideas for a unity wedding ceremony

It's interesting:
"You may never see a wedding like this one again … not now that they've banned ... 26-Mar-201As an extra special wedding present, I've organized a ..."

Many weddings feature unity ceremonies for two simple reasons. First, they show a symbolic "joining" of the couple (for example, in combining two individual candle flames to light a larger candle), which is what a wedding is all about. Second, they offer an almost infinite range of customization possibilities. Customizing your unity ceremony lets you engineer a wedding modeled on timeless traditions that still reflects your passions, personalities and priorities.

1. Object Representing Passion

   • Wine lovers could pour their cups into a larger goblet.

     Choose a "unity object" that reflects a passion shared by both members of the couple, rather than using a more generic (or, some would say, universal) symbol like candles or wine. Unity objects can be almost anything. If you cherish handmade crafts and take pride in supporting local artisans, hire a craftsperson to make a custom-painted wooden heart made from two interlocking halves. Each member of the couple can start with one half at the beginning of the ceremony and combine it with the other half to form the heart. Inked couples can dramatically reveal complementary tattoos, whether silly (a piece of macaroni on the bride, a wedge of cheese on the groom) or sweet (each other's initials surrounded by a heart). Adventurers can tie a knot in a climbing rope together, pledging always to have each other "on belay." Techies can whip out their cell phones and simultaneously change their social networking statuses to "married."

   Share Symbolic Meaning

   • Write the text of the ceremony to share with everyone the symbolic meanings of the objects and actions in the ceremony to imbue the actions with significance. For example, as you each hold a single lit candle while looking at each other, the wedding officiant could say, "These solitary candles represent the people you were on that summer day five years when you first met. Now, as you use the small candles to light this larger one, you pledge to share your love and energy to help each other burn brightly and joyfully in love, family, health, work and play." Choose the verbs based on the symbolic object you used. Consider emphasizing one core value, principle or pursuit that you and your loved one hold deeply important, whether that be faith, family, the pursuit of social justice or the pursuit of perfect surfing waves.

   Involve the Attendees

   • Flower petals can also be used to represent well wishes.

     Design the unity ceremony to involve everyone in attendance. This will not only help people feel connected to the couple and the ceremony, but also make it more memorable--and can provide a great photo opportunity. For example, give each person a tiny vial of bubbles. Have the officiant invite the audience to think of a loving, supportive wish or burst of energy to "send" to you and your loved one in your new life together. Then invite the audience to blow their good wishes toward you in bubble form. Or, in a small wedding, give each attendee a flower and ask him to contribute the flower to a bouquet representing the community and family support for the couple.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: each other, give each, Ideas unity, Ideas unity wedding, invite audience

Tips on writing wedding vows

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 ..."

Writing their own personalized wedding vows is a tradition that many couples choose to follow. Using your own words to express your feelings about your fiance and your hopes for your future is a beautiful ritual. It takes time and thought and requires some work, but it is worth it.

1. Get Permission

   • Prior to making the final decision to write your own vows, you may need to consult your officiant. This is especially true if you'll be having a traditional church wedding. Once you have permission, your officiant may give you advice about the vows and may require you to present the vows for approval prior to the wedding. For a civil or less formal wedding, permission will probably not be required.

   Make a Plan

   • Sit down with your intended and make a plan for writing your vows. Decide whether you will have a theme. You may each choose to read a poem that's meaningful to you or tell a story about your early relationship. Sometimes it is best to spend time separately writing your feelings about each other, your favorite stories and your ideas for your vows. Then, share what you've written with each other and decide how best to meld it all into one cohesive theme.

   Write an Outline

   • Once you've decided on a theme and have an idea of how you'd both like your vows to turn out, organize your thoughts in an outline that will help you with the actual writing. Decide how you want the vows to start, what the main elements of the vows will be, and how you want to end them. Choose your poems, if you are going to use poems.

   Edit

   • With wedding vows, less is often more. Short vows will be more effective than long ones. Once you have the first draft written, let it sit for a day or two, and then start editing. Keep in mind that the most important parts of the vows can be said without too much elaboration. Your guests will appreciate your restraint in keeping your vows brief. This may be your day, but many people are sharing it with you.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your vows, wedding vows, about your, each other, feelings about, Once have, Tips writing

How to word a wedding reply card

word a wedding reply card

It's interesting:
"Extended anecdotes at a wedding are like a porn star's professional pride and joy; long, hard and difficult to swallow. There are, of course, exceptions; tales so ..."

Reply cards are included in a wedding invitation to enable invited guests to easily inform the bridal couple whether they will attend the wedding. Sometimes reply cards are also used to ask guests to indicate meal choices. Reply cards will usually have similar graphics as the wedding invitation. The wording of a reply card is quite standard and should be as simple as possible to ensure that guests return the reply cards in a timely fashion.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Begin the first line with a capital "-M."- Immediately after the "-M"- place a long underscore line extending throughout the remainder of the first line. This will be the blank line where the guests fill in their names. The "-M"- is the first letter of the title "-Mr.,"- "-Ms."- or "-Mrs."-

   • 2

     Place a three-character underscore line followed by the word "-Accepts"- and another three-character underscore line followed by the word "-Declines"- on the second line. This is where the guest fills in their acceptance or refusal of the invitation with a check mark in the appropriate space.

   • 3

     Type the words "-Number attending"- on the third line, followed by a five-character underscore line. The guests will fill in the number of people in their party in this space.

   • 4

     Include meal options on the fourth line, if desired, followed by a three-character underscore line after each option. The guests can fill in the number of each meal they desire.

   • 5

     Place the words "-Please reply by"- and then the date you wish to have the reply cards returned to you on the last line.

Tips &- Warnings

• Buy extra cards just in case you make some mistakes.

• Practice on a few index cards before beginning on the real thing.

• If you have trouble writing in a straight line, place a darkly lined piece of paper underneath the reply card so you can see the lines through it. If you're using especially thick card stock, you can write on a light box to have the lines come through better.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: underscore line, reply card, line followed, quot-M quot-, three-character underscore, three-character underscore line, fill number

How to become an ordained secular celebrant

become an ordained secular celebrant

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."

A secular celebrant performs the regular duties of a member of a clergy, such as officiating at marriages, funerals, memorials, baby namings and other ceremonial life events. However, unlike a member of the clergy, a secular celebrant does not prescribe to a particular faith and any ceremonies he conducts will have a decidedly nonreligious stance. Anyone who wishes to serve the community and has good public and people skills can become an ordained secular celebrant.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Research state laws. Each state has different criteria and regulations for becoming an ordained celebrant and what duties that celebrant can perform. Some states automatically authorize clergy and county clerks to perform ceremonies, and in some jurisdictions friends and family members of a married couple can apply for a one-day celebrant license in order to perform the ceremony. In several states, celebrants must register with their local county to perform ceremonies.

   • 2

     Become certified a certified secular celebrant. Organizations that certify secular celebrants include the Council for Secular Humanism, the American Humanist Association's Humanist Society, and The Celebrant Foundation and Institute. Each organization has different criteria for certification. The Humanist Society requires people interested in becoming certified to submit an application, provide references and be interviewed by a member of the American Humanist Association.

   • 3

     Undergo training. The Celebrant Foundation and Institute offers courses to celebrants in conducting various ceremonies, including marriages, funerals and baby-naming ceremonies. There are textbooks available, such as the "Rituals Resource Book," which provide education on design and perform ceremonies. Also, experienced secular celebrants can provide valuable information to new celebrants.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: secular celebrant, become ordained, become ordained secular, ordained secular, ordained secular celebrant, perform ceremonies, American Humanist

Easy bridesmaid hairstyles

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."

Bridesmaids have an important role during weddings. And their hairstyles are often chosen by the brides. However, the actual hairstyles must be complementary to the bridesmaid's hair length and type. Try one of these easy bridesmaid hairstyles for your wedding party.

1. Low Bun

   • An easy hairstyle for bridesmaids with medium-length hair or longer is a low, tight bun. This is a basic hairstyle that looks lovely on its own, or with additional hair accessories. Sweep the hair back and pin it into a bun. If the wedding is more casual, like a beach wedding, allow a few tendrils to frame the face. Add a flower clip or a sparkly headband to dress it up.

   Half-Up

   • An elegant and easy hairstyle for bridesmaids is to wear the hair half-up and half-down. This hairstyles is ideal for women with long hair, past the shoulders. Curl the hair using hot rollers or a curling iron. Pull the top part of the hair back, starting about one-inch above the ears, and secure into place with a decorative clip. Make sure that there is plenty of volume on the top.

   Pin-Up

   • An old-fashioned pin-up hairstyle is easy and unusual. It also works well with short or long hair. One option for bridesmaids is to make finger-waves in the hair using pin curls. Another option is to create romantic waves that are reminiscent of old Hollywood stars. Do so by using hot rollers or a curling iron. Use a decorative barrette to pull one side up and off of the face.

   Short Updo

   • For bridesmaids with short hair, a creative updo is easy to pull off. To create the look, just pin the hair in the back of the head up toward the crown. Use sparkly clips to make it look more wedding-appropriate. Pull out tendrils of hair around the face and curl them using a curling iron. A sequined or lace headband finishes off the look. Use hairspray and an anti-frizz serum to smooth down any small pieces of hair that stick out.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bridesmaid hairstyles, curling iron, hair back, bridesmaids with, Easy bridesmaid hairstyles, easy hairstyle, easy hairstyle bridesmaids

Harley-davidson birthday cake ideas

It's interesting:
"The best way to get a wedding reception crowd on side is too say something nice about the bride ... You could also add that it's been a wonderful wedding so far."

The Harley-Davidson Motor Co. has become a staple of the motorcycle industry. It is arguably the most popular motorcycle brand on the planet, with its logo on its bikes and every conceivable product on the market--coolers, clothes, dishware, lighters, towels, ashtrays, clocks, even funeral markers are stamped with that distinctive shield.

Does this Spark an idea?

1. Logo

   • Re-creating the logo is an easy way to make your cake a Harley-Davidson cake. Print the logo off the Internet and use it as a stencil, or just dive in and freehand it. Just make sure you get that distinctive logo front and center.

   Colors

   • Your cake isn't going to be a Harley-Davidson cake if you use pinks and greens. Harley-Davidson cakes need to feature the Harley-Davidson colors: orange, black and white.

   Motorcycles

   • It's not a Harley-Davidson cake without the original Harley-Davidson product--a motorcycle. Building an edible motorcycle takes some serious ability, so you can cheat by buying a motorcycle toy or model. Put it in a place of honor on your cake, but clean it well before you do.

   Scenery

   • Paint road scenery in icing on the face and sides of the cake--grass, some sidewalk, and most importantly, the open road. Black icing for the street and yellow icing center lines look great.

   Professional Cakes

   • Don't feel like making your cake? No problem. Get a cake made at a specialty bakery. Just bring in a photo of your bike or anything else that you feel screams Harley-Davidson. Work with the cake maker to design it, then sit back, relax and wait for the motorcycle monument to take shape.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Harley-Davidson cake, your cake, birthday cake, birthday cake ideas, cake ideas

How to word a wedding invitation when the reception is somewhere else

word a wedding invitation when the reception is somewhere else?

It's interesting:
"What about the bride then, ladies and gentlemen? How wonderful she looks today. And Paul has scrubbed up quite nicely too – it’s amazing what a flannel and a bar of soap can do. But it’s a bit rude of him to have copied my outfit eh!"

Writing your wedding invitation wording can be tricky since there are so many etiquette rules to follow and important information to convey to your guests, such as where they should be to help celebrate your big day. Guests will need to know ahead of time that the ceremony and reception are at two different places so they can plan their transportation and time accordingly. Make it easy for guests to recognize there are two locations with your invitation wording.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Use a format and wording that best reflects your personalities, the style and formality of your wedding and conveys who is hosting the wedding. The first part of your invitation should tell guests the "who" of the wedding by including the names of the hosts and bride and groom. For example, an invitation to a formal wedding taking place at a house of worship:

     "Mr. and Mrs. James Robertson

     request the honor of your presence

     at the marriage of their daughter

     Alicia Anne

     to

     Marcus Henry Jones"

     Follow that up with the "when" written out in proper form on the next line. For example:

     "on Saturday, the first of Month

     at five o'clock in the evening"

   • 2

     List the "where" of the wedding ceremony on the line directly after including the name of the location, street address, city and state. For example:

     "Wedding Chapel Church

     123 Main Street

     City, State"

   • 3

     Skip a line and add the reception information. For example:

     "Reception immediately following the ceremony

     Grand Wedding Hall

     222 Lovers Lane

     City, State"

   • 4

     Include a separate reception card rather than writing the information in the invitation if it looks too crowded. The reception card would include the date, time, location and address of the reception venue.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding invitation, City State, invitation when, invitation when reception, invitation wording, reception card

A checklist for two weeks before the wedding

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 ..."

Wedding planning involves simultaneously coordinating many wedding pieces. Checklists help couples keep track of important wedding details. Keep several copies of the wedding checklist nearby at all times. Include copies in your purse, wallet and car. Create a virtual wedding checklist on your cell phone, to ensure your wedding details are covered.

1. Venue, Entertainment and Food

   • Contact the wedding and reception venue two-weeks in advance for a pre-wedding walk-through. Walk the room several times, noting any potential problems or safety hazards. If children attend the wedding or reception, cover electrical sockets with childproof protectors. Ask the DJ or live band to participate in the walk-through. Finalize where your entertainment will setup during the wedding or reception. Call your caterer and bakery to confirm menu selections and the cake details.

   Lodging and Transportation

   • Contact the local hotel reserved for out-of-town guests to confirm your room reservations. Call the limousine company to verify wedding transportation from the ceremony to the reception and the reception to the airport or hotel. Confirm personal transportation for guests from the train station or airport to the hotel for out-of-town guests.

   Legalities

   • Call the courthouse for a list of necessary documents for your marriage license. Gather documents and secure the marriage license at least two weeks before your wedding day. Some states require blood tests before purchasing a wedding license. If applicable, arrange for blood tests at least two months before your wedding day.

   Wedding Officiant

   • Contact the wedding officiant for a pre-wedding meeting. Discuss your vows, ceremony timeline and the rehearsal details. The ceremony timeline should include time for readings and musical performances, if applicable. Confirm the wedding officiant fee.

   Invitations

   • Send out the announcements or invitations to members of the wedding party for your rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Double-check the address, time and contact information, before sending. Add several RSVP numbers, including your home phone number and cell phone number.

   Honeymoon

   • Visit the human resources department at work to verify vacation dates. Contact the travel company or airline to confirm travel itinerary. Verify the hotel accommodations for the honeymoon. Give a friend a copy of your house key, so that she can deliver wedding presents after the reception.

   Personal Preparation

   • Contact the salon for your wedding day appointments. Attend your final wedding gown fitting and purchase items for the wedding survival kit. Make an appointment for a massage the morning of the wedding. Wear your wedding shoes around the house, to break in the shoes before your wedding day.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your wedding, before your, before your wedding, wedding reception, weeks before, airport hotel

Places to get married in smithville, tennessee

It's interesting:
"The best way to get a wedding reception crowd on side is too say something nice about the bride ... You could also add that it's been a wonderful wedding so far."

Choosing the right venue is one of the most important components of wedding planning. If you intend to get married in Smithville, Tennessee, you can choose to host your ceremony and reception in a private event space or at a place of worship. Investigate the atmosphere, seating capacity, cost and amenities of potential wedding venues to find the location that best suits you and your spouse-to-be.

1. Inn at Evins Mill

   • The Inn at Evins Mill (evansmill.com) in Smithville offers several options for intimate indoor and outdoor ceremonies. You can also reserve the inn's Grand Lodge, which seats up to 175 guests, for your rehearsal dinner and reception. Choose a full sit-down dinner catered by the inn's executive chefs, or a lighter hors d'oeuvres buffet. Evins Mill will provide a wedding coordinator and facilitator to help you organize and oversee your wedding. Staff will take take care of furnishing, setting up and tearing down your ceremony so you can focus on enjoying the day.

   Churches

   • Churches with a wide variety of denominational affiliations, including Baptist, Methodist and Eastern Orthodox, are available for weddings in Smithville, Tennessee. Choose a church based on its beauty, atmosphere and seating capacity to ensure the space is neither too cramped nor too large for your expected number of guests. You will also want to double check your selected church's policies on music and decorations as whether they offer wedding packages. Reserve your chosen church as early as possible in your engagement to get your preferred wedding date.

   Lakeside Resort

   • With a 250 seat amphitheater, Lakeside Resort accommodates couples planning an outdoor ceremony. Center Hill Lake, along with the resort's landscaped grounds, will provide the backdrop for your wedding. You can also reserve the resort's Italian-style Villa for a catered reception with both indoor and outdoor seating. Lakeside Resort offers wedding packages that allow you to book the villa for both your reception and rehearsal dinner for one rate. You and your guests can stay in the resort's lodge rooms, private cabins or hotel suites for added comfort and convenience.

   Cruise Center Hill

   • You can get married on your own private cruise when you book your wedding with Cruise Center Hill (cruisecenterhill.com). Bring your officiant on board for a small ceremony and immediately celebrate your marriage with a four or eight hour all-inclusive catered cruise experience. In addition to fixed price themed packages, Cruise Center Hill can customize your wedding cruise by providing a DJ, event photographer and round trip transportation to and from the cruise for your guests. If you choose, you can also reserve onshore overnight accommodations through Cruise Center Hill for the nights before and after your wedding day.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Center Hill, your wedding, Cruise Center, Cruise Center Hill, also reserve, Evins Mill, Lakeside Resort

Hotels near gramercy park in new york

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."

Gramercy Park is both a neighborhood and two-acre park in lower Manhattan. As a neighborhood, Gramercy Park is one of the more sought-after places to live or visit in New York City. As a park, it is private, open only to people who live in the area and have a key to enter its fenced-in confines. Hotels in the vicinity of the neighborhood are high-end with more affordably priced accommodations found just a few blocks away.

1. Gramercy Park Hotel&lrm-

   • Opened in 1925, the grand 18-story Gramercy Park Hotel is a New York City landmark, visited by actors, statesmen and corporate leaders. Following a change in ownership in 2003, the hotel's interior was refurbished to include the plate-painting artwork of Julian Schnabel, original works from Andy Warhol and other contemporary artists, updating the Gramercy Park Hotel's Bohemian theme. Union Square, the Algonquin Theater and numerous specialty shops, restaurants and businesses are within walking distance of this hotel overlooking Gramercy Park and Lexington Avenue. Hotel amenities include a fitness center with personal trainers, a health spa, valet parking, concierge services and executive services. The restaurant, Maialino, is an award-winning Roman-style trattoria, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each of the 184 guestrooms at this hotel are individually designed, featuring vibrant color schemes, mahogany wood accents, hand-made imported rugs and Italian linens. Rooms include oversized closets, in-room safes, entertainment centers and refrigerators stocked with refreshments. As of September 2010, rates start at $595 per night.

     Gramercy Park Hotel

     2 Lexington Ave.

     New York, NY 10010

     212-920-3300

     gramercyparkhotel.com

   The Marcel at Gramercy&lrm-

   • Extensively renovated in 2008, the Marcel at Gramercy hotel is three blocks north of Gramercy Park in Murray Hill. This 135-room boutique hotel features contemporary furnishings and dé-cor, with concierge services, a business center and Internet connectivity available. The hotel's restaurant, Inoteca, features a classic northern Italian theme menu and is open daily for dinner and drinks. Each elegantly appointed room features two double beds or one king bed, bathrobes, slippers, a minibar, a clock radio with iPod docking station and a sitting area. Walk to the East Village, Flatiron District, Chelsea and Union Square. Numerous boutique shops, dining establishments and off-Broadway theaters are in the area. Baruch College is on the same block of this hotel. As of September 2010, rooms start at $249 per night.

     The Marcel at Gramercy

     201 East 24 St.

     New York, NY 10010

     212-696-3800

     themarcelatgramercy.com

   Comfort Inn Chelsea

   • The Comfort Inn Chelsea features an ornate facade and is one mile north of Gramercy Park near the Empire State Building and the Morgan Library & Museum. Walk to Penn Station, Times Square, Broadway theaters and Madison Square Garden from the Comfort Inn. No hotel parking is available- private parking lots and garages are nearby. This 101-room hotel features an exercise room, business services, lobby coffee service and complimentary breakfast daily. Each room offers two double or one king bed, a coffeemaker, a refrigerator, a work desk and wireless Internet connectivity. As of September 2010, rooms start at $140 per night.

     Comfort Inn Chelsea

     18 West 25th St.

     New York, NY 10010

     212-645-3990

     comfortinn.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Gramercy Park, Gramercy Park Hotel, Park Hotel, Comfort Chelsea, Gramercy Park, Marcel Gramercy, September 2010

Hotels with a jaccuzi in the room in chatham ontario, canada

It's interesting:
"Tradition decrees that the best man responds to the toast to the bridesmaids and I am happy to be asked to do so. Like everything else about this wedding they were perfection itself."

Chatham is a charming city on the Thames River in Southwestern Ontario. Chatham was one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad of the 19th century, and visitors to the area can immerse themselves in this history at Uncle Tom's Cabin and Buxton National Historic Site & Museum. The city also boasts a vibrant art gallery and theater community, and is a resort destination for golfers and extreme water sports enthusiasts. The city has several hotels, some of which have jacuzzi suites available.

1. Holiday Inn Express

   • Located on the south side of town just minutes from the Thames River, the Holiday Inn Express is a good base for exploring the surrounding countryside. The Buxton National Historic Site & Museum is just a 30 minute drive away. The hotel offers free wireless Internet and the executive suites include a hot tub.

   Retro Suites Hotel

   • The Retro Suites Hotel is housed in carefully restored Victorian buildings that make up part of the historic King William Block. The main staircase in the hotel dates from 1895, and tin ceilings and terrazzo floors complete the historic environment. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown Chatham, with easy access to shopping, restaurants, and Capitol Theatre. There is a restaurant and wine bar on site, and guests can also enjoy free wireless Internet, satellite television. Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces are also available in some rooms.

   Travelodge Chatham

   • Conveniently located close to Highway 401 on the south side of the city, the Travelodge Chatham is ideally located for exploring the nearby Lake Erie coast. This pet-friendly hotel offers complimentary hot breakfast and free high speed Internet, and some suites have a jetted tub.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: with jaccuzi room, Buxton National, Buxton National Historic, chatham ontario, chatham ontario canada, free wireless, free wireless Internet

How to word a thank you note to your bridal shower host

word a thank you note to your bridal shower host

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 bridal shower hostess can spend a large quantity of time planning a party. Tasks include securing and paying for a venue, or offering her own home and preparing it, making or purchasing food, hand writing invitations and mailing them to guests, decorating, and other jobs that may need to be done to insure a successful shower. For all the work that goes into throwing a bridal shower, it is both polite and important that the hostess be honored with a sincere thank you note from the bride telling her how much her efforts were appreciated and enjoyed.

Things You'll Need

• Thank you note cards or pad
• Envelopes
• Black or blue ink pen

Instructions

1. • 1

     Purchase a pretty set of note cards and a blue or black ink pen. Printed note cards can be difficult to write around if the words are printed in the middle of the card, and colored ink can be difficult to read for some people.

   • 2

     Address the hostess with "Dear _____," and then begin writing the note. Avoid using the words "I" and "me" too often, and instead focus on vocabulary such as "you," to insure the focus of the note is on the kind efforts of the hostess. A sample opening sentence can be simply, "Thank you so much for the beautiful bridal shower you threw for me."

   • 3

     Mention specific activities, decorations, and snacks from the shower. Say how much you enjoyed a particular game, or how lovely the table was decorated, or that a type of cupcake the hostess made was delicious. If the shower was held in the hostess's own home, it's also appropriate to comment on her home being lovely.

   • 4

     Thank the hostess for any gift she might have given you in addition to the shower itself. Specifically state how you intend to use the gift.

   • 5

     Sign the note with an appropriate signature such as "love," "your friend," or a similar phrase, sign your name, and neatly tuck the note into a matching envelope to be delivered by mail or by hand.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bridal shower, note cards, thank note, bridal shower host, note your, note your bridal

American wedding facts

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 ..."

American weddings remain lavish events with a strict set of customs for the ceremony and the events leading up to the wedding. Members of the wedding party all play a vital role in the planning of the big day.

1. Parties

   • Bridal showers and bachelor/ bachelorette parties normally occur a couple of months to a few weeks prior to an American wedding. Hosting duties usually fall to friends of the bride or groom, while guests include anyone relating to the wedding party.

   Rehearsal

   • The evening before the wedding, the party usually gathers to rehearse their entrances in the church or the site of the ceremony. Following the rehearsal, the groom's father hosts a dinner for the entire wedding party and immediate family.

   Wedding Party

   • The bride can select as many bridesmaids or attendants as she desires, while the groom normally picks a matching number of groomsmen.

   Wedding Costs

   • In most American weddings, the bride's family pays for the majority of the cost, including the reception hall, entertainment and dinner for all the guests. The groomsmen and bridesmaids usually pay for their own outfits.

   Seating

   • At American weddings, it remains customary for the guests of the bride to sit on one side of the room while guests of the groom sit on the opposite side. Ushers usually meet guests at the entrance to the room to direct them to the proper side.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: American wedding, American weddings, American wedding facts, wedding facts, wedding party