How to create a free wedding banner with publisher

create a free wedding banner with publisher

It's interesting:
"'I used your site to create my wedding speech. I dropped in lots of clever one- liners and it was a great success. This site gave me everything I needed and more.' ..."

If you are getting married in the not-so-distant future, you may need a wedding banner for the special occasion. Wedding banners often include words congratulating the new bride and groom. You will find them hanging in the reception hall to commemorate the wedding or hanging on the back of the newlyweds' car with the words "-Just Married."- You may choose to purchase a wedding banner or create one from scratch using your computer.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Publisher
• Banner paper
• Printer
• Ink cartridge

Instructions

1. • 1

     Open Microsoft Publisher and select "-File >- New."-

   • 2

     Expand the "-Blank Publications"- option under New Publication and click on "-Banner."- The default banner size in Publisher is 5 feet (width) by 8.5 inches (height). You may change your banner size by selecting "-File >- Page Setup"- and increasing the page size for the width. You can also change the orientation from "-Portrait"- to "-Landscape"- if you prefer and click on "-OK."-

   • 3

     Find a design for your wedding banner by selecting "-Publication Designs"- and scrolling through the designs on file, such as the "-Border Flowers"- design. Expand the edges (handles) surrounding the design until the design fills the entire banner page.

   • 4

     Match the colors in the design with your wedding colors. To change the colors of the background, select the rectangle box and click on the "-fill color"- option in the toolbar. Then find the color you'd like to use and click "-OK."-

   • 5

     Add pictures to your wedding banner or switch your pictures with new ones. To add new pictures, such as wedding bells, to the banner, select "-Insert >- Picture >- From File"- from the toolbar. Browse to find the clip art or picture you want to use. To switch a picture with another, right-click on the image and select "-Change Picture >- From File"- or "-Change Picture >- Clipart."-

   • 6

     Add text to the wedding banner by selecting a text box from the "-Objects"- toolbox. Open the "-Objects"- box if it's not visible by selecting "-View >- Toolbars >- Objects."- Click within your banner and type "-Congratulations Mr. &- Mrs. John Smith"- (for example).

   • 7

     Expand the text box vertically and horizontally. Then enlarge and center the text within the banner, so it fills the banner area completely.

   • 8

     Move the image of the wedding bells on top of the banner. To place the image over the rectangle, right-click over it and select, "-Order >- Bring to Front."-

   • 9

     Print the new wedding banner you just created onto your banner paper or take it to your local printer to have it printed. The banner will be printed on several sheets of paper. If you're using the 5-foot option, you will need eight to nine sheets of paper. To change the overlap option, click on the "-Change Overlap"- button. Then change the settings and click "-OK."-

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding banner, click quot-OK, click quot-OK quot-, quot-OK quot-, your banner, your wedding

Supplies to make fake wedding cakes

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."

A towering wedding cake is often the focal point of a wedding reception. However, if there are few guests at a reception, it can seem wasteful to serve a large cake simply because people expect to see a tall, tiered cake. More and more couples are using fake cakes, also known as dummy cakes, as wedding reception showpieces and serving sheet cake slices to guests. It is possible to make a fake wedding cake with a few supplies.

Does this Spark an idea?

1. Styrofoam Cake Forms

   • Styrofoam blocks known as cake forms are the most essential materials for making a fake cake. You can purchase them in all standard cake-tier sizes and in any tier shape popularly used for wedding cakes.

   Icing Materials

   • It is possible to use regular decorator's icing, royal icing or fondant to decorate a faux cake. Royal icing is a type of icing that is very hard when dry, and fondant is a stretchy, sugary cake coating that helps give cakes an ultra-smooth finish.

     Some bakers, however, use imitation icing. This can be pricey but helps protect a cake from damage. Spackling compound, the home-improvement substance used for filling in small holes in walls, is a popular choice, but a commercial imitation icing is also available. Perhaps the most well-known brand is Perma Ice. This special material handles as well as regular icing but is far more durable when dry and can even be wiped clean.

   Decorating Supplies

   • If you wish to decorate with the flowers and scrollwork that have come to be associated with wedding cakes, you will need the same piping bags and decorating tips you would use for an edible cake. A piping bag is a cone-shaped cloth, plastic or parchment-paper bag that has a small opening in its narrow end and is used to hold the icing with which a decorator details a cake. A decorating tip is a funnel-shaped metal or plastic tip that fits in the small piping bag opening and gives shape to the icing that is squeezed out of the bag by the decorator.

     You can also use other materials to make a fake wedding cake look beautiful. Fresh or silk flower buds and petals are popular for decorating such cakes, as are ribbons and strings of faux pearls or beads.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: fake wedding, make fake, make fake wedding, wedding cakes, wedding cake, fake wedding cake

Super cool places to get married in columbia, south carolina

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."

Columbia, the state capital and largest city in South Carolina, provides a slew of historic buildings for couples to host their ceremony. Many of Columbia's historic buildings are in the historic district in the city's downtown area. While it does not have as many golf courses as South Carolina's Grand Strand region, Columbia is home to the Columbia Country Club, which also facilitates wedding events.

1. Siebels House and Garden

   • Siebels House and Garden (historiccolumbia.org) is in downtown Columbia's historic district. This mansion was built in 1796, making it one of the oldest buildings in the city. Siebels hosts outdoor weddings in its garden area, which features manicured flower beds and a water fountain- approximately 250 guests may attend a ceremony in the garden. For indoor weddings, Siebels House accommodates 80 seated guests. The house provides a checkerboard dance floor for outdoor receptions. Catering and event setup services are available.

   Columbia Country Club

   • Located in Northwest Columbia, the Columbia Country Club (columbiacountryclub.com) allows wedding couples to host their ceremony on CCC's fairways. For outdoor weddings, the Country Club accommodates 150 to 200 guests. Columbia Country Club provides chair setup and floral arrangements for the wedding. This venue also hosts indoor receptions of up to 300 guests in its Palmetto Ballroom. The Palmetto Ballroom has a dance floor, sound system for DJ music and an adjacent patio area with scenic views of the golf course. The club's kitchen staff provides catering.

   St. Peter's Catholic Church

   • The oldest church in Columbia, St. Peter's Catholic Church (visitstpeters.org), offers its sanctuary as a venue for wedding ceremonies. The church building was founded in 1909 and maintains much of its original stained-glass windows and gothic-style interior dé-cor. The sanctuary seats approximately 450 guests for ceremonies. At least one member of the engaged couple must attend St. Peter's or be a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Couples who are in the process of becoming Roman Catholic -- and will be so by the wedding date -- are also eligible. The Cardinal Bernardin Center, or the Church Hall, is available for wedding receptions.

   The River Road House and Jasmine House

   • The River Road House and Jasmine House (riverroadjasmine.net) are two mansions in western Columbia, located on the shores of Lake Murray. This property was founded in the early 20th century and used for ceremonies and receptions. From spring to fall, outdoor weddings occur in the gardens of the River Road House. The gardens feature manicured gardens, tall bamboo trees and a wedding arch for the altar- during the evening, the venue places candles throughout the garden to provide lighting. The Jasmine House hosts receptions in its main hall, which features antique artwork and furniture. This venue provides catering and event setup services.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Country Club, Columbia Country, Columbia Country Club, Catholic Church, Jasmine House, outdoor weddings

Destination wedding in seattle

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 ..."

If a bride doesn't mind the chance of a little rain on her wedding day (which is considered a sign of good luck), Seattle and its immediate surroundings are ideal for getting married. The city's temperate climate means that a winter wedding won't be very chilly, nor will summer nuptials suffer from extreme humidity. Plus, the city's abundance of parks and its natural geography--it's located between the Olympic and the Cascade mountain ranges--offer plenty of opportunities for great wedding photos.

1. Cruises

   • Couples can have their wedding during a cruise around the city of Seattle, through the Puget Sound, or on lakes Washington and Union. Or they can take a short boat ride to the nearby San Juan Islands. Local fleet Argosy Cruises was recognized as a top wedding reception site in 2008.

   Museum of Flight

   • The Museum of Flight, with its building that resembles an airplane hangar and historic artifacts, is a unique backdrop for weddings. It offers spaces that can be rented for ceremonies and other events.

   Woodland Park Zoo

   • Woodland Park Zoo, the biggest zoo in the state, contains 92 acres that house almost 300 different species of animals. Designated areas for weddings include Thai Village, which is situated within a rain forest, and Taiga Shelter, where guests can watch grizzly bears and otters scamper about.

   DAR Rainier Chapter House

   • This mansion, neatly decorated with green shutters and trimmed bushes, is modeled after the summer home of George and Martha Washington. Located on the city's Capitol Hill, it can accommodate weddings of up to 250 guests.

   Washington Park Arboretum

   • The 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum is located on Lake Washington. The Graham Visitors Center has an event space for smaller weddings (80 to 95 people), and abundant shrubs, trees and plants provide plenty of fodder for picture-taking.

   Seattle Asian Art Museum

   • If need be, the Seattle Asian Art Museum is available on short notice (as little as two weeks). The modern art facility includes Indian, Korean and Southeast Asian pieces in its collections, and its events team will work with you in creating the perfect menu for the wedding.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Asian Museum, Destination wedding, Destination wedding seattle, Museum Flight, Park Arboretum, Seattle Asian

Chinese restaurants in wichita, ks

It's interesting:
"The bride and groom have asked me to make special mention of the bridesmaids who have done so much to help the day run so smoothly. They were charming and decorative and I know gave Linda all the support she needed. In fact you could say they added the finishing touch to a fairy tale wedding."

Wichita, Kansas, is one of the largest urban areas in the state and provides a variety of Chinese restaurants in the eastern and western sections of town. The Chinese restaurants in Wichita primarily serve Szechuan, Hunan and Mandarin-style cuisine- all of these styles are named after Chinese provinces. Szechuan and Hunan cuisine are known for their spiciness, while Mandarin, also called Beijing cuisine, is more mild in taste. Most entrees at Chinese restaurants are Mandarin-influenced.

Does this Spark an idea?

1. Yen Ching Chinese Restaurant

   • Located in eastern Wichita, the Yen Ching Chinese Restaurant offers Mandarin, Hunan and Szechuan-style Chinese cuisine. The house chef specialties menu features the Mandarin combo with bean curd, sweet and sour shrimp and Lover's Prawns. Specialty cocktail drinks include tiki mug, mai tai and Dr. Fu Manchu. The restaurant has a casual atmosphere. Yen Ching is open for lunch and dinner every day of the week. The restaurant offers take-out service.

   Lee's Chinese Restaurant

   • Lee's is on U.S. Highway 54 in western Wichita, right off the Interstate 235 bypass. Opened since 1981, this casual eatery serves lunch and dinner every day of the week. During lunch hours, a buffet option is available. The restaurant serves gluten-free Chinese cuisine upon request. Lee's provides take-out service and off-site catering in the Wichita area. The Chinese menu includes Kung Pao calamari, mussels with ginger and onion and shrimp tofu.

   Kwan Court

   • Eastern Wichita's Kwan Court is on Rock Road, less than a mile north of the Wichita Country Club. This Asian-influenced establishment specializes in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. The restaurant's lunch buffet is available on Mondays through Fridays and Kwan Court serves dinner on Saturdays through Thursdays. Dinner items include the Szechuan spicy red snapper, Kwan Court lo mein and Mandarin chicken. The restaurant offers an off-site catering service. On holidays, Kwan Court offers a special buffet with sushi rolls and prime rib.

   Beijing Bistro

   • The Beijing Bistro is on the east side of Wichita, within a mile of Beech Field Airport. This Chinese restaurant offers healthy options, such as fresh scallops with vegetables, Szechuan-style bean curd and tofu fried rice. Other entrees include Hunan and Szechuan-style shrimp stir-fry and Mamasan's pork chop, which has ginger and garlic sauce. The dining room has a festive atmosphere in the evening and features a full-service bar.

   Great Wall Chinese Restaurant

   • The Great Wall Chinese Restaurant is in Bel Aire, a northeastern suburb of Wichita, and less than a mile from Chisolm Creek Park. The restaurant specializes in Cantonese, Hunan and Szechuan-style Chinese cuisine. Chef specialties include Hong Kong chicken and sesame beef, while the "Healthy Food" section of the menu has steamed chicken broccoli and steamed vegetables. The restaurant has a take-out menu.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Chinese Restaurant, Chinese restaurants, Kwan Court, Chinese cuisine, Hunan Szechuan-style, bean curd

Summer wedding color ideas

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."

While it is true that a bride can choose any colors for her wedding that she wants, a discerning bride will consider the time of year, the wedding venue surroundings, and even consider the opinion of others. For a summer wedding, there are some color ideas that are more suitable then others.

1. All white

   • Summer is the time of year when you can take a white wedding to extremes. An all white wedding is both striking and classic at the tame time. It also works with modern themes. The only challenge with creating a white color scheme is that you must choose a hall with no strong colors in the background or it will read as part of your color scheme. The background of a white wedding needs to be neutral or white as well. To make a white wedding color scheme more striking line the wedding and reception venue with white linen or satin fabric (create an indoor tent) to block out any other background colors.

   Pink and green

   • Pink and green mirrors the season and is a perfect color scheme for a summer wedding. Your option of flowers will be endless allowing you to make economic choices to fill the wedding and reception hall. In addition, the combination of pink and green are fun and lighthearted and will put everyone in attendance in a positive and energetic mood.

   All pink

   • People tend to snicker when they think of an all pink wedding, but when done right, the result can be very striking. By using different shades of pink from powder pink to magenta, you can create a sense of depth and make pink look exciting instead of girly and frilly. To keep it classy, the softer shades of pink should be the base of the design, and the darker shades can be used for accents.

   Lavender

   • For a wedding color scheme that is soft, relaxing, and peaceful, choose lavender. Lavender is the most popular color for a summer wedding and it is perfect for an outdoors summer wedding as it conjures images of the countryside. The perfect floral compliment for a lavender wedding is. . . lavender, of course. Use the inexpensive flowering shrub as the dominant decoration in your floral bouquets and table centerpieces and enjoy the aromatic treat.

   Ocean and Sand

   • If you are having a summer wedding by the beach or a beach destination wedding, you could use ocean tones as your decorating scheme. Turquoise and beige or taupe are a wonderful combination for an ocean-side wedding. For decorations, you can use natural seashells and turquoise candles. The bride can wear a white dress with a turquoise sash and the rest of the wedding party can wear taupe or beige with turquoise accents.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: color scheme, wedding color, white wedding, color ideas, summer wedding

How to stay slim like kelly ripa

stay slim like kelly ripa

It's interesting:
"Our members' speeches are wedding-day highlights, so whether you're planning ... We have the largest collection of original, never-canned wedding speech ..."

Kelly Ripa is known for her slim figure as well as her morning show hosting and past TV roles. Although Ripa is mother to three, she has managed to maintain her trim physique with exercise and attention to nutrition.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Start slowly and work your way up to Ripa's level of fitness, instead of jumping in too quickly. Ripa says she exercises as much as two hours a day and typically alternates between cardiovascular workouts and deep-tissue toning classes.

   • 2

     Try doing cardio like Ripa by hitting the treadmill or running five days a week, with the ultimate goal of running three to five miles per day. Ease into a routine. Ripa is said to have started exercising after nearly 10 years of a sedentary lifestyle.

   • 3

     Attend a challenging muscle-toning class. Ripa has frequently taken a class that consists of body-weight exercises targeting the inner layers of muscle with ballet-inspired movements. Try a ballet toning class at a local gym, or use an intense toning video at home.

   • 4

     Cut portion sizes at mealtime. Ripa admits to typically skipping breakfast in favor of morning coffee and says she eats a small lunch, a snack and dinner. Skipping breakfast is generally considered unhealthy, so simply strive to reduce portion sizes and eat meals more frequently.

   • 5

     Choose naturally healthy foods. Ripa's personal chef creates meals low in cholesterol and high in nutrients. Ripa chooses lean proteins such as fish or steak, eats plenty of dark greens and salads, and chooses chickpeas instead of pasta when cooking on her own.

Tips &- Warnings

• Create healthy and natural snacks by eating a piece of fruit and handful of almonds mid-day.

• Eat leafy salads or dark green vegetables in place of unhealthy side dishes such as French fries or chips.

• Stop smoking cigarettes before undertaking an intense workout routine. Ripa kicked her cigarette addiction first, then eventually lost weight and exercised more.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: kelly ripa, like kelly, like kelly ripa, portion sizes, routine Ripa

Roman catholic marriage ceremony rituals

It's interesting:
"Since meeting Linda, I've seen terrific changes in Paul. He seems much more confident these days. He's surer of what he wants. He's happier, and he's much more willing to bend these days, too. Although he’s still adamant that Arsenal will win the next seasons Champions League."

A Catholic wedding is rich with tradition. When planning a Catholic wedding, there are some traditional ritual elements that a couple may or may not choose to include in their wedding. Some of these decisions will depend on who else is attending the ceremony. Selecting the rituals for a Catholic wedding is a way for the couple to express their uniqueness.

1. Confession

   • The Catholic Church encourages engaged couples to make Confession before the wedding. This allows them to enter the Sacrament of Matrimony with consciences clear. If you frequently go to Confession, make individual confessions with your usual Confessor a day or two before your wedding. If you don't, and you wish to follow this traditional ritual, set up appointments with your priest.

   Unity Candle

   • While not officially endorsed by the Catholic hierarchy in the United States, the Unity Candle remains a popular tradition. After the couple says their vows and the priest has given the nuptial blessing, the candle blessing occurs. The priest extinguishes the two candles on either side of the altar, and the married couple lights the single, large candle in the middle to signify that they have just become one.

   Readings

   • The first half of the wedding is called the Liturgy of the Word. During this part of the service, the couple and close family members read passages from the Bible. The couple may choose passages that have special significance for them or that express ideals to which they aspire.

   Communion

   • After the Liturgy of the Word, the couple exchanges vows and gets married, after which everyone gathered may receive Communion. Sometimes couples will choose to skip this part of the service. For example, if only half of those gathered are Catholic, it may be more diplomatic not to celebrate Communion, as the Catholic church only allows Catholics and members from a few other religious groups to receive Communion.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Catholic wedding, catholic marriage, catholic marriage ceremony, ceremony rituals, couple choose, Liturgy Word, marriage ceremony

How to pick music for a catholic wedding

pick music for a catholic wedding

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 ..."

If you've ever watched "The Sound of Music," you remember the grandiose organ, multi-voice choir and bells that played while Maria walked up the aisle to Georg von Trapp. Catholic weddings in the real world aren't quite so dramatic, but often require more musical planning than most.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Find out if the wedding includes mass. A nuptial mass has more songs than the ceremony alone. Without a mass, you'll need a gathering song and a closing hymn, along with a gospel acclamation and responsorial psalm. With mass, you'll need to add to the list a memorial acclamation and communion song, as well as the Lamb of God, Great Amen and Holy, Holy, Holy.

   • 2

     Pick the music yourself or get help. If you have a musical background or just know what you like, feel free to go it alone. Otherwise, enlist the expertise of a parish priest, pastoral associate or music director.

   • 3

     Choose sacred songs over secular, because Catholics view marriage as a sacrament. Popular picks include Catholic hymns and classical pieces like Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," Schubert's "Ava Maria" and Pachabel's "Canon in D."

   • 4

     Attend a practice session with the musicians. You can narrow down your choices and see if you really like the songs by hearing them live at least once before the wedding.

Tips &- Warnings

• Pick songs the vocalists and musicians are familiar with or can learn in the time frame you have.

• Live music is better than recordings.

• You can also include prelude, processional and recessional songs in Catholic weddings.

• The celebrant, pastoral associate and/or parish music director must approve your song list ahead of time.

• Ask the celebrant before picking a song for the unity candle, which can't always be included in Catholic weddings.

• Don't use secular romantic songs during the wedding mass or ceremony. These songs are sometimes all right as preludes.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Catholic weddings, catholic wedding, Holy Holy, mass need, music catholic, music catholic wedding, music director

Indoor water parks in the chicago land area

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!”"

Chicago may have the reputation for the cold Windy City, but that doesn't mean summer fun can't take place all year long. Several indoor water parks are located within 100 miles of downtown Chicago. Each park has its own personality and features, as well as specific slides and similar amenities.

1. Mayan Adventure

   • Located approximately 20 miles west of Chicago off of Interstate 290, the Mayan Adventure is Chicagoland's first indoor water park. This 24,000 square foot water escapade includes the Grand Mayan Falls tube slide and the Howling Monkey body slide. If large slides aren't for you, take a trip around the Oogaboo Lazy River. After a day in the water, relax at the Island Breeze Bar and Grill. The hotel offers vacation and private party packages.

     Mayan Adventure

     624 North York Road

     Elmhurst, IL 60126

     630-279-1100

     mayanindoorwaterpark.com

   Timber Ridge

   • Approximately 100 miles north of Chicago, IL sits the resort town of Lake Geneva, WI. Timber Ridge, Grand Geneva's family friendly hotel, is home to a 50,000 square foot indoor/outdoor water park. The water park features several 35-foot high twisting water slides, a lazy river, and an activity pool for smaller children. Each one-room suite hotel reservation receives four passes to the water park while a two-room suite receives six passes. All suites come with a kitchenette, fireplace and whirlpool tub.

     Timber Ridge Lake Geneva, WI

     7020 Grand Geneva Way

     Lake Geneva, WI 53147

     866-636-4502

     timberridgeresort.com

   Key Lime Cove

   • Key Lime Cove sits about an hour north of Chicago and approximately three miles from Six Flags Great America. This kid friendly hotel's largest attraction is its Lost Paradise Indoor Water Park. Lost Paradise sprawls out over 65,000 square feet and maintains a temperature of 82 degrees year round. The water park offers fast body and tube slides, a lazy river and a kiddie pool. The Lost Paradise Water Park is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Key Lime Cove accommodations offer over 400 rooms and suites- all include admission to the Lost Paradise Water Park.

     KeyLime Cove

     1700 Nations Drive

     Gurnee, IL 60031

     877-360-0403

     keylimecove.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Lost Paradise, Lake Geneva, Lime Cove, Mayan Adventure, Timber Ridge

Do it yourself: italian inspired weddings

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 ..."

Planning an Italian-themed wedding can be a challenge when you get down to all the specifics. Italian-inspired themes, such as a traditional Italian wedding or a bright Tuscan wedding, make for a beautiful ceremony and reception that will leave everyone talking for a long time, even if you are working on a limited budget. Whichever you choose, make sure that there is plenty of room and food as there are usually large numbers of guests who come to celebrate the joyous occasion. Don't worry about being "over the top" as Italian celebrations tend to be extravagant.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Bridal shower gifts should be items for the home.

     Plan a bridal shower. It is an Italian tradition that when the groom asks for the bride's hand in marriage, she begins to collect things for her home. This has now become the bridal shower. Traditionally, a family member throws the bridal shower.

   • 2

     Vineyards are popular for outdoor Italian weddings.

     Pick a large venue for the wedding to be held. Whether you want to have your wedding indoors or outdoors, the venue should be able to hold a lot of people. Traditionally, Italian weddings are huge- on average, there are approximately 200 guests. A vineyard or Catholic church that can hold hundreds of people is a good option.

   • 3

     Grapes are a perfect Tuscan wedding theme.

     Use wine- or grape-themed invitations. Tuscany is a wine country that is rich in red grapes. A wine or grape theme can carry throughout the whole wedding. Traditionally, Italian wedding invitations are hand written. You can have them done by a calligrapher, or hand write them yourself. Having them printed is generally frowned upon in Italian culture.

   • 4

     Sunflowers are popular for a Tuscan-inspired wedding.

     For a wedding with a Tuscan twist, select bright colors such as fuchsia, golden yellow, bright blue and purples for your flowers and bridesmaids' dresses. Popular Tuscan flowers include sunflowers, purple mums and wildflowers. For a more traditional look, choose red and white roses or other in-season flowers in rich colors. Use food cans with Italian names in bright reds and rich yellows as unique centerpieces. Decorate the tables, banisters and pillars with grape vines and garlands.

   • 5

     Wine corks can make an original name placard.

     Make name card holders from wine corks. Slice a cork halfway through, lengthwise, with a sharp knife and place the name placard in a slit on the top. Your guests can take home the corks as a memento.

   • 6

     Spaghetti is a favorite at Italian-inspired weddings.

     Cook a lot of food. Italian weddings have a minimum of 13 courses&mdash-before the cake. Although a Tuscan wedding includes lighter food, there are still traditionally 13 courses of food. Courses include soup, salad, pasta, chicken, lamb, salmon, gelato and other Italian desserts. Of course, an Italian wedding would not be complete without copious amounts of wine. If you have people attending that can't or shouldn't drink, San Pellegrino mineral water is a decent option that looks just like wine.

   • 7

     Make mixed CDs for your reception.

     Choose classic guitars or a string quartet if you are having live musicians. If this isn't something that can be worked into your budget, create some mixed CDs of popular Italian love songs or artists. Look into Pavarotti, Dean Martin and classical instrumental Italian music.

   • 8

     Miniature oil and vinegar favors will remind people of your Tuscan wedding.

     Purchase mini bottles of balsamic vinegar and olive oil for wedding favors. Personalize them with a specially designed label or tag that can be added to the little bottle. Items decorated with grape vines are also popular at Tuscan weddings.

   • 9

     Italian wedding ceremonies generally take about two hours.

     Rest the day before. Italian weddings are an all-day event. They usually start with a church service early in the morning, followed by wedding preparations, the ceremony, then a very long reception of dancing and partying.

   • 10

   • 11

   • 12

Tips &- Warnings

• Keep in mind that if people are drinking at your wedding, you are legally responsible for them if anything should happen to them.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Italian wedding, Italian weddings, Tuscan wedding, bridal shower, yourself italian inspired, food there, grape vines

Cheap wedding party favor ideas

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 ..."

Wedding favors are a popular part of the ceremony and reception, and the ideal favor is an inexpensive sentimental item that continues the theme of the wedding. Budget-friendly favors are gaining popularity as brides try to cut costs without cutting corners, and do-it-yourself creative favors are winning out over the typical almond-filled bag of tulle. With craft stores, online merchants and wedding websites offering supplies and tutorials, cheap wedding favors are more attainable--and attractive--than ever.

1. Inexpensive Pre-made Favors

   • Buying favors in bulk will often allow you to save on the overall cost, as well as the shipping, for the favors. Purchasing items on sale or clearance, as well as looking for items that are not directly labeled "wedding favors," can save money without losing quality.

     Candy kisses, miniature candy bars, and other personalized candy options are a traditional and classic wedding favor. Use promotional codes with websites that sell these favors, and join the site's mailing list for advance notice of clearance sales to save even more.

     Small vials or bottles of bubbles are also traditional favors, and are generally available in colors to match the wedding's theme. They can be personalized with labels, ribbon in the colors of the wedding theme, or different shapes for the handle of the bubble wand. Online merchants and discount merchants, as well as party stores and discount stores, often carry these items in high quantities.

   Inexpensive Homemade Favors

   • Do-it-yourself favors are gaining popularity, and often present the opportunity for more customizable and offbeat favors than pre-made items. Creative license also gives the bride-to-be a chance to involve crafty friends and the bridal party, saving time and money alike.

     For a nature- or garden-themed wedding, print the couple's name and wedding date, as well as a cute phrase or scripture verse, on an oak tag label and affix it to a seed packet with raffia.

     Customized candy can also be inexpensive and fun, especially with the variety of candy molds available in stores and online. Using candy melts in the wedding's colors, or tinting melted chocolate, the candies can be grouped in colored cellophane or paper bags or bundled in small favor boxes.

   Inexpensive Distinctive Favors

   • Distinctive wedding favors will prevent your time and efforts from landing in the trash as soon as your guests return from your reception. From customized temporary tattoos to themed cookie cutters, unique favors may well endure to your first anniversary.

     Building a candy buffet gives guests the chance to personalize their favors, and allows the bride-to-be to control the costs involved by purchasing candy and goody bags in bulk. Print customized labels at an online printing outlet and often the cost is little more than shipping.

     Customized buttons with clip art, the couple's wedding date or names, or simple patterns are fun and funky favors that are especially popular among couples in their 20s. Renting or purchasing a button machine and the button pieces can vary the cost of the favors, though the cost is still often less than the cost of a more traditional favor.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Cheap wedding, Cheap wedding party, favor ideas, favors gaining, favors gaining popularity, gaining popularity

Georgia civil ceremony information

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 ..."

Civil wedding ceremonies offer a variety of benefits for couples of all ages. Not only are these marriages quick and simple to plan, but also relatively inexpensive compared to a traditional religious wedding ceremony. For a marriage to be considered valid in the state of Georgia, couples must first obtain a marriage license, as in other states. Once the marriage license is obtained, couples can select the time, venue and officiant for a civil ceremony in Georgia.

1. Regulations

   • Couples can get married in Georgia even if they do not reside in the state. Non-resident couples must obtain the marriage license from the county in which they plan to marry. However, if the bride or groom resides in Georgia, the marriage license can be obtained from any county in Georgia. To apply for a marriage license in Georgia, both parties need to present one approved form of identification and must be at least 16 years old. Individuals who are 16 or 17 years old must obtain consent from the parents or legal guardian.

   Time Frame

   • There is no waiting period to get married in Georgia. However, check with the County Clerk's office in the county where you received your marriage license. Some counties impose expiration dates on marriage licenses.

   Pre-Marital Education

   • Although premarital education is not required, successful completion of an approved course results in lower or no fees for obtaining a marriage license in Georgia. The course must be at least six hours long and should be completed within 12 months before applying for a marriage license. The course should include information on conflict management, financial responsibilities, communication techniques and parenting responsibilities.

   Officiant

   • According to Rose Ministries, a member of the Association of Independent Ministries, any of the following government individuals are allowed to officiate a civil ceremony in Georgia: state judge, federal judge, city recorder or magistrate. Additionally, religious leaders can also officiate a Georgia marriage, as long as the individual is authorized to perform marriage ceremonies by his specific religious society or sect. Within 30 days after the civil ceremony, the marriage officiant must deliver the marriage license and marriage certificate to the judge of the Georgia probate court. At this point, the marriage is legally recognized and recorded by the state.

   Venue

   • A civil ceremony in Georgia can be held in a variety of locations. Typically, the most convenient option is to simply get married at City Hall with a justice of the peace or at your county's Magistrate Court. Many counties offer specific days and times they will perform marriages- check the county's specific rules regarding the performance of wedding ceremonies. As an alternative to the traditional option, civil ceremonies can also be held in gardens, parks, backyards, restaurants or banquet halls.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: marriage license, civil ceremony, ceremony Georgia, civil ceremony Georgia, ceremony information, ceremony marriage, civil ceremony information

How to cut a topsy turvy cake

cut a topsy turvy cake

It's interesting:
"Congratulatory remarks about the wedding ... Wasn't the wedding ceremony beautiful? That row of handsome men and a parade of gorgeous attendants. And ..."

A topsy turvy cake is a whimsical addition to any party table, and its presence will have guests scratching their heads as to how it was constructed. Each of the three cake tiers is set at an angle, giving the entire concoction the look of a surreptitiously set cake that seems like it could topple at any minute but in actuality is stable and solid. If you want to bake and decorate your own topsy turvy cake, you can easily create it, as long as you know the secret cutting technique to allow the cake to sit steady and strong.

Add this to my Recipe Box.

Things You'll Need

• Buttercream icing
• 10-inch round cakes, 3
• 8-inch round cakes, 3
• 6-inch round cakes, 3
• Sharp serrated knife
• Parchment paper
• Pencil

Instructions

1. • 1

     Spread a layer of buttercream icing on top of one of the largest cake layers then place another layer of the same size on top of the icing. Put icing on the second cake and top it with the last largest layer so you get a three-layer stack of large cakes.

   • 2

     Stack up the middle and smallest sized cake layers to make two more individual three-layer cakes. Use icing between each layer to hold the cakes together. Line the three cakes up in order of largest to smallest.

   • 3

     Cut into the top layer of the largest cake starting from the left, upper edge and cutting down at an angle. The knife should come out along the lower, right edge of the cake to create angled surface on the top of the cake. Cut the middle and smallest cake in the same way so all three cakes have angled tops. Make sure you only cut through the top tier of each cake.

   • 4

     Place the middle sized cake on top of a piece of parchment paper and trace its base with a pencil. Pull the paper out from underneath the cake and cut out the circle. Make a parchment circle from the smallest cake in the same way.

   • 5

     Lay middle-sized parchment circle on top of the largest cake and center the paper so it is in the middle of the cake. Trace around the parchment circle using the tip of a knife then remove the paper. Repeat with the smaller circle on the middle-sized cake.

   • 6

     Cut into the top layer of the largest cake along the traced circle. Don't cut further than the top layer or you will make the cut too deep. Remove the cut-out circle from the top layer to create a round indentation in the cake.

   • 7

     Cut out the traced circle from the top tier of the middle-sized cake in the same way you did with the largest cake. Proceed with assembling the cake with whatever methods you want.

Tips &- Warnings

• Set the cakes in the freezer in between cuttings to firm up the icing and make slicing into them easier.

• Do not use very light or crumbly cakes for topsy turvy construction, because the cake will not be strong enough.

Source: www.ehow.comTags: largest cake, topsy turvy, topsy turvy cake, turvy cake, cake same, circle from, parchment circle

Expensive table setting ideas

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."

A beautifully set table creates a mood for you and your guests. It is a pleasure to look at, inviting and makes eating the meal there all the more enjoyable. Just because a table is set with expensive, high-quality wares does not mean it can't be set simply. It's up to you and the type of meal being served.

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1. Table Linens

   • Gorgeous fabrics, stunning weaves and textures, a touch of metallic thread along a scalloped edge---tablecloths quickly make a table come to life. Choose one that rests on the tops of your guest's legs or one that falls elegantly to the floor for a more dramatic look. Layer fabrics, textures, shapes. Set a contrasting runner on top of a tablecloth. If your cloth is busily patterned, choose simple china so that it doesn't have to compete with what it is set upon. Patterned china is shown off beautifully against a solid tablecloth. If you wish to highlight your table---if it is unusually shaped or made of beautiful wood---you may not want to cover it with a tablecloth. Consider using a runner down the center of the table instead to add color and texture. Place mats are also an option, though less formal. Or skip it altogether and set the place settings on the bare tabletop. Don't forget cloth napkins, which can be folded into various forms and placed on the center of each plate. They can also be folded under the silverware to the right of the plate. An easy way to add height to a table setting is to neatly stuff the water glass with the napkin and fan it out in folds.

   China

   • Set a charger under the dinner plate for added depth. This helps define the setting and, because a charger can be made of metal, glass, bamboo, etc., it can also give an unexpected boost of color or shine. Choose high-quality china like traditional Wedgewood or the more modern Vera Wang. If starting the meal with a soup, set the bowl on top of the dinner plate (which is on top of the charger)- if starting with a salad, set the salad plate atop the dinner plate. Bread plates sit alone to the left of the fork. Make the place settings as complicated or as simple as you'd like. Play with complementary but contrasting colors and patterns, or choose to use only white.

   Glassware

   • Crystal and hand-blown glassware are essential. Make certain they are free of fingerprints and smudges. Choose uncolored glass so that the diners can appreciate the color of whatever they are holding (wine). For a formal event, use glasses with gold rims. Always place them to the right of the dinner plate, starting with the largest glass (water) and ending with the smallest (dessert wine) if you're using more than one glass.

   Centerpiece

   • The ideal centerpiece can be admired by everyone at the table but does not get in the way either physically or visually. A flower arrangement is a popular (and potentially expensive) centerpiece. If your table is long, consider making a "runner" of flowers---perhaps a line of low, small arrangements set close together all the way down the table. Don't forget to consider what is holding the flowers. This is the perfect excuse to buy a beautiful vase. Candles are another popular item on a table's center, and with the variety of holders and candelabras now available in metal, crystal and other materials, the cost of a candle-lit centerpiece can quickly add up.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: dinner plate, table setting, Expensive table, Expensive table setting, place settings, setting ideas

Destination weddings in tuscany

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."

If you're looking to plan a destination wedding in Tuscany, there's no shortage of sites to do so. Whether you're looking for a simple countryside wedding overlooking a vineyard or a a larger ceremony in an old medieval church or a family-style reception with great Tuscan food and wine, you'll be able to find exactly what you're looking for. What may be difficult, however, is making a decision with so many choices!

1. Florence

   • Florence is cultural and historic -- after all it is the place where the Renaissance was born. It is home to Michelangelo's "David", along with a plethora of palaces, castles, and churches. The Palazzo Vecchio Wedding Hall, for civil ceremonies, overlooks Piazza della Signoria, a famous part of Florence, and was once home to the Medici family. If you're looking for a more historic setting, the town of Fiesole, only a few miles from Florence, boasts ancient architecture from castles and spectacular views from the hills. Ceremonies can also take place at Palazzo Vescovile and the town hall for civil ceremonies and the Renaissance Catholic Church, located on a hill with magnificent views, for a religious ceremony. If you're looking for Catholic churches in Florence, there are many near Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River (which flows through the city).

   Chianti

   • The Chianti region of Tuscany is located between Siena and Florence and is known for its vineyards, olive groves, and medieval-esque towns. Marrying in the Chianti region allows you to have a wide selection of great foods and even better wines. Greve is the main town in Chianti and features a triangular town square. On the square is the town hall and Church of Santa Croce, two places for ceremonies. A civil ceremony can take place in the town's wedding hall and religious ceremonies can take place in one of the many medieval or countryside churches.

   San Gimignano

   • San Gimignano is a medieval town that is surrounded by walls. Inside the town are 14 medieval towers, each one built by families who lived there. The families considered the tallest towers a status symbol. San Gimignano is almost perfectly preserved--the towers are climbable and inside the town's two squares are a church and a 13th century well. Civil ceremonies can take place in the town hall--an old palace--and Sala di Dante, where poet Dante Alighieri once gave speeches. Religious ceremonies can take place at the Tuscan church, which has a typical Romanesque exterior while the inside is inspired by the Renaissance, with art and sculptures. Receptions can take place in villas overlooking the hills and olive groves, a Tuscan restaurant, or even an castle.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: take place, ceremonies take, ceremonies take place, Chianti region, civil ceremonies, Destination weddings, Destination weddings tuscany

How to make a moist white cake

make a moist white cake

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

This basic white cake turns out moist and tender every time! Perfect for birthday cakes, wedding cakes, cupcakes, or just for a treat! Tastes just like it came straight from the bakery.

Add this to my Recipe Box.

Things You'll Need

• Sugar - 1 pound 5 ounces
• Cake Flour - 1 pound 4 ounces
• Baking Powder - 3/4 ounce
• Salt - 1/5 ounce
• Buttermilk - 9 ounces
• Whole Eggs - 5 ounces
• Egg Whites - 7 ounces
• Vanilla - 3/4 ounce
• Soft Butter (unsalted) - 12 ounces
• Two Nine Inch Pans

Instructions

1. • 1

     Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat each pan with butter and line the bottom of each with a circle of parchment paper, if available

   • 2

     Combine dry ingredients (sugar, cake flour, baking powder, and salt) in a bowl until well mixed. Sift the mixture to remove all lumps.

   • 3

     Combine wet ingredients (milk, eggs, egg whites, and vanilla) in a separate bowl until well mixed.

   • 4

     With a mixer, blend the softened butter with the dry ingredients, along with the first half of the wet ingredients. Mix until the batter is completely smooth, and then gradually add the remainder of the wet ingredients in several additions, making sure the batter is smooth before adding each new addition.

   • 5

     Divide the batter evenly between the two nine inch pans, or until the pans are 3/4 of the way full.

   • 6

     Bake the cake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until the center springs back when touched.

   • 7

     After five to ten minutes, turn pan upside down on cooling rack and the cake should easily turn out of the pan. Allow the cake to cool fully before decorating with your favorite frosting!

Tips &- Warnings

• Check on your cake every few minutes after the first 20 minutes to ensure your cake doesn't burn if this is your first time using this recipe. Every oven is different!

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: white cake, bowl until, bowl until well, Combine ingredients, each with, make moist

Spiritual reasons for tattoos

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!”"

Tattoos have been controversial for years among religious followers. While some religious people consider them sacrilege and a defacement of the body, spiritual tattoos have existed for centuries as a way to express religious beliefs. While there is a common thread of faith and identity found in these tattoo-seekers, there are many personal and cultural reasons for choosing a spiritual tattoo design.

1. Celebration of Faith

   • Spiritual tattoos continue to be popular choices in tattoo shops. Many people who get tattoos for the first time request a spiritual design. One common reason people choose spiritual tattoos is that they serve as an outward reflection of their spiritual and religious beliefs. These tattoos symbolize their commitment to their beliefs and serve as constant reminders of their faith.

   Bestowing of Blessings

   • In some religious cultures, tattoos are a form of blessing. At the annual Wat Bang Phra tattoo festival in Thailand, for example, Buddhist devotees gather at a monastery for the sacred art of Yantra tattooing or Sak Yant. In Buddhist culture, a yantra tattoo casts out demons and protects the person receiving the tattoo from harm. Visitors to the temple often choose animal designs so that the tattoo will imbue them with the strength and protection of that animal.

   Exoticism

   • While many people choose tattoos that symbolize their own spiritual beliefs, others choose symbols that are exotic and less familiar to them. In modern culture, it is often people from Judeo-Christian backgrounds who choose tattoo designs symbolizing non-western religions including Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism. Some tattoo-seekers find themselves attracted to the simplistic or artistic style of symbols such as a Yin Yang or Buddha. Other people may be exploring new religions and seeking a change in both spirituality and symbols. There are also those who seek exotic tattoos because they are trendy, but they don't place spiritual meaning on the symbols.

   Death and the Afterlife

   • Spiritual tattoos also have an association with death. In the 11th Century, Christian crusaders wore cross tattoos on their hands to signify their religion and that they wanted a Christian burial. Ancient Native American tribes such as the Sioux believed that they must have a tattoo for their spirit to be granted passage into the afterlife. Aztecs believed that the spirit of one's tattoo would live on to guide lost souls. The Maori tribes of New Zealand believed tribal tattoos would make them recognizable to spirits in the afterlife.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: that they, believed that, people choose, reasons tattoos, religious beliefs, some religious, Spiritual reasons

Honeymoon vacations in tennessee

It's interesting:
"That said, nobody wants the wedding party to go straight from the reception to the divorce courts, so your humour will need to be pitched just right. You want ..."

The state of Tennessee offers a variety of honeymoon vacations to fit almost any personality and budget. Honeymoon vacations in Tennessee range from romantic getaways to enjoy peace and quiet, to mountain destinations with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to keep you busy.

1. The Honeymoon Resort

   • At The Honeymoon Resort, each couple stays in their own private cabin on the property. The resort is surrounded by lush landscaping, which also helps to create a peaceful and serene environment. An outdoor pool is also available to guests during their stay in one of the cabins. Cabin amenities vary slightly by the cabin but include features such as a fireplace, an outdoor hot tub built for two and a fully equipped kitchen. Amenity differences by the cabin are mostly the size of the bed, which has queen or king size options. The resort is situated less than 10 miles from Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, so guests can drive in to one of the areas for shopping, dining, hiking, biking and more.

     The Honeymoon Resort

     P.O. Box 1098

     Gatlinburg, TN 37738

     1-888-247-1270

     honeymoonresort.com

   Alpine Mountain Chalets

   • Alpine Mountain Chalets offers individual cabin rentals in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. One-bedroom cabins are available to rent for an intimate honeymoon stay. Some cabins, such as the Happily Ever After cabin or the Love Shack, are particularly suitable for a honeymoon stay. Honeymooners can enjoy in-cabin amenities such as an outdoor hot tub for two, a fireplace and a jacuzzi tub. Situated in the Smoky Mountains, honeymooners can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking or can head into town for dining and shopping options.

     Alpine Mountain Chalets

     P. O. Box 74

     3066 Veterans Boulevard, Suite 2

     Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

     865-908-4774

   Gaylord Opryland

   • For a more luxurious honeymoon stay in Tennessee, the Gaylord Opryland is in the heart of Nashville. You can choose from traditional guestrooms to a variety of suites. The hotel sits within minutes of the downtown area of Nashville, where honeymooners can take in the sights such as the Grand Ole Opry or set sail on the General Jackson Showboat for a cruise down the Cumberland River. Hotel activities for honeymooners include couples spa packages, a swim in the outdoor pool or visiting the on-site shops and restaurants.

     Gaylord Opryland

     2800 Opryland Drive

     Nashville, TN 37214

     615-889-1000

     gaylordhotels.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Alpine Mountain, Alpine Mountain Chalets, Gaylord Opryland, Honeymoon Resort, honeymoon stay

How to stack frost a wedding cake

stack & frost a wedding cake

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 ..."

There are many different styles of wedding cakes. Customizable options include size, shape, the number of tiers, the type of icing, and the theme. A traditional wedding cake is made by placing one cake tier directly on top of another, and though the decoration of the cakes can vary greatly, a traditional wedding cake will be white and three or four tiers high.

Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• 8-inch Round Cake Pan
• 10-inch Round Cake Pan
• 12-inch Round Cake Pan
• 8-inch Round Cake Circle
• 10-inch Round Cake Circle
• 12-inch Round Cake Circle
• Cake stand or cake board
• Buttercream icing, 13 cups
• Cake batter, 32 cups
• 1/2-inch diameter dowel rods, 3
• Large flat decorating tip (Tip No. 789)
• Pastry bag
• Cake decorating spatula
• Bread knife

Instructions

1. Icing and stacking a wedding cake

   • 1

     Bake six cakes. Use 3 cups of batter for each of the two 8-inch cakes, 6 cups of batter for each of the two 10-inch cakes, and 7 1/2 cups of batter for each of the two 12-inch cakes. Wait for the cakes to cool completely before cutting or icing.

   • 2

     Level the cakes with a bread knife once the cakes have cooled. Holding the knife flush with the top of the cake, carefully and slowly trim excess cake off the top until the top of the cake is level. These scraps of cake can be saved and mixed with icing to create icing "plaster," necessary in the cake's construction if fondant will be used.

   • 3

     Stack two cakes of each size together using a thin layer of icing to secure the bottom cake to the top cake. Drive five or six dowels, cut to match the cake's height, evenly into the cake. The dowels will hold the weight of the cake board that will be laying on top of it--keep this in mind when choosing their placement.

   • 4

     Place the large icing tip, often referred to as tip No. 789, at the end of the pastry bag and fill the pastry bag 2/3 full of icing. Pipe the icing in an even layer over the surface of the cake. Smooth the icing as evenly as possible to achieve maximum coverage.

   • 5

     Smooth the icing using a spatula so that it lays evenly and so that no cake can be seen. To help the process make sure to go slowly, use an even stroking motion back and forth over the cake, wipe off excess icing often, and heat the spatula in warm water in between each cleaning.

   • 6

     Secure the bottom cake to the center of the cake stand or board, using a small dab of icing. Center the 10-inch cake board on the bottom cake and secure the 10-inch cake to the 10-inch cake board using a small dab of icing. Repeat with the 8-inch cake and cake board, making sure that the cakes are as centered as possible.

   • 7

     Drive a long dowel, sharpened at one end, into the middle of the cake. Hammer the dowel in slowly and make sure to keep it straight so that it does not go in crooked. Seal any cracks in the icing, making sure to fill in the crack where each cake meets the next. The cake is ready to be decorated using icing, fondant, and other decorative mediums.

Tips &- Warnings

• To make sure the cakes are laying level, use a carpenter's level and measure the cakes as each one is placed on top of another.

• Ensure smooth placement of icing by wiping the spatula clean during application.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Round Cake, cake board, wedding cake, 10-inch cake, batter each

Ideas for a 40th birthday in seattle, washington

It's interesting:
"Charles Dickens said a measure of a woman’s love for her man was the lengths to which she was prepared to go to make him happy. If this holds true, then Linda, you have reached that goal, for Paul is the happiest I have ever seen him."

Planning a 40th birthday party in Seattle, Washington is made easy by the myriad options available. Party planners can take advantage of both the beauty of the surroundings -- nestled between the Cascade Mountains to the east and Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains to the west -- and the quirky nature of this metropolis, including the world-famous Space Needle. Rest assured, there's a place in Seattle to celebrate the milestone that is a 40th birthday.

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1. Argosy Cruises

   • Most cruises depart from Seattle's downtown waterfront.

     Argosy Cruises offers a number of options for party planners. There are lunch, brunch and dinner dining cruises, theme cruises -- including the local favorite "Christmas ship" -- and tours of the harbor, Lake Union, and the Hiram Chittenden Locks. Holiday parties, weddings and other private events, like 40th birthday parties, are also an option. Argosy also offers another local favorite, a trip to Tillicum Village that includes a salmon bake and a Native American song and dance performance.

   Buca di Beppo

   • Pizza, pasta, salads, sides and much more are on the menu at Buca di Beppo.

     Buca di Beppo is located at the south end of Lake Union, just east of the Space Needle. For family-style dining, it doesn't get much better than this restaurant. With authentic Italian cuisine, a cheerful wait staff and portions designed to be shared, this restaurant is as comfortable and inviting as it gets. There's also a banquet menu for parties of 15 or more. Consider pairing a Buca di Beppo meal with a trip to the nearby Experience Music Project for a fun and filling 40th birthday celebration.

   Jillian's Billiards Club

   • Rack 'em up at Jillian's Billiards Club.

     Around the corner from Buca di Beppo is a billiards club that's not just a billiards club. Jillian's features a catering menu, private rooms and lounges, a 10-table billiards hall, more than 50 video games including Nintendo Wii and event managers to help with the planning. In 2010, package prices started at $15 per person. Any person turning 40 who loves shooting pool and/or playing games will be happy to celebrate this milestone birthday at Jillian's.

   Chopstix Piano Bar

   • For rousing entertainment, Chopstix is where it's at.

     Plan a 40th birthday party with a little help from the folks at Chopstix and wow guests with a rock and roll dueling piano show and rousing sing-alongs. The staff can take care of the cake, perhaps even supplied by Seattle's famous Erotic Bakery, and the musicians will work the guest of honor into the show.

   Museum of Flight

   • The Museum of Flight features many historical artifacts.

     The Museum of Flight offers a dramatic, one-of-a-kind backdrop for events like a 40th birthday party. Guests can be entertained with various flight simulators, including hang gliders, lunar landings, Space Shuttle re-entry, WWII fighters and modern jets. They can even battle each other in dogfights. Catering and event planning services are available through the museum.

   The Space Needle

   • The Space Needle dominates the city's skyline.

     Although Seattle is full of dramatic views, one of the best is undoubtedly found at the top of the Space Needle. With a revolving restaurant featuring 360 degree views and an event planning staff, this is a great location for groups of 20 to 360 people. There are a number of menu choices, including breakfast, brunch, plated lunch and dinner, buffet lunch and dinner, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts. No one will mind turning 40 from this vantage point.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: 40th birthday, Buca Beppo, Space Needle, 40th birthday party, birthday party

Stationery print & script styles for wedding invitations

It's interesting:
"Paul is caring, he's generous, he's sensitive… in fact I don't even know him anymore. Linda has changed my best friend. Actually, I should thank you Linda. You've done in 18 months what I couldn't do in 18 years."

While there are thousands of stationery print and script styles for wedding invitations, the perfect style will be different for every couple. Traditional, contemporary, whimsical or cursive fonts can bring out the personal style of the bride and groom and enhance the theme of the wedding. Incorporate these fonts into wedding invitations and assorted printed wedding accessories.

1. Traditional Scripts

   • Fancy script is the most traditional style for wedding invitations.

     Traditional wedding invitations usually favor fancy and elaborate script styles, which are used for formal wedding themes. The most popular script styles include Blackadder ITC, Edwardian Script ITC, French Script, Kunstler Script, Palace Script MT, Park Ave and Vivaldi. More formal script styles can stand alone on plain paper, as these fonts are intricate and eye-catching on their own.

   Contemporary Print

   • Contemporary print has a more straight line style to it.

     More contemporary wedding themes generally call for print versus script invitations. The straight lines of print fonts give a more modern look to a wedding invitation. Modern and contemporary print fonts include Century Gothic, Bank Gothic, Copperplate Gothic, Franklin Gothic, Bernhard Fashion BT, Avant Garde, Poor Richard and Papyrus. The clean, crisp look of these fonts appeals to many modern brides and grooms.

   Whimsical

   • Whimsical fonts are very relaxed and informal.

     If the bride and groom want a more playful side to their invitations, they can select print styles in a whimsical theme. This type of print would create a very relaxed and informal look in a wedding presentation. Fonts in the whimsical style may include Curlz MT, Gigi, Jokerman, Chiller, Kristen ITC, Juice ITC and Jolt. These fonts are unconventional and may raise a few eyebrows from those who are accustomed a more traditional-style invitation.

   Cursive and Calligraphic Fonts

   • Calligraphy fonts mimic hand-written invitations.

     Somewhere between formal and informal lie the cursive and calligraphic font selections. These styles are meant to mimic hand-written wedding invitations. Calligraphic fonts like Old English Text and Parchment are formal and fancy print fonts. Cursive lettering looks more like a natural script handwriting and includes fonts like Bradley Hand, Jackies Hand, Lucida Calligraphy, Borealis, Mistral and Rage Italic. These selections can lend themselves to many different styles of wedding invitations.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding invitations, script styles, styles wedding, styles wedding invitations, print fonts

Snowflake theme party ideas

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, ..."

You can implement a snowflake theme for a holiday party, wedding or other winter festivity. Anyone wanting to throw a winter party minus the usual red and green should enjoy the snowflake decor. This motif would be beautiful for a religious or secular celebration.

Does this Spark an idea?

1. Decorations

   • Decorate with blue, silver and white. Cover tables with white tablecloths and top with smaller blue ones. This layered look will remind your guests of snow. Sprinkle silver glitter or confetti around the edges of tables for a sparkly snow effect. Use snowflake Christmas ornaments for decorations. Put some festive blue bowls on your tables and load them with silver or clear snowflake Christmas ornaments. Use silver Christmas tree garland and hang from a ceiling fan or chandelier.

   Games

   • Snowflake theme party games are just new takes on old games. Instead of "Hot Potato" play "Pass the Snowflake." Play "Pin the Carrot on the Snowman." Make a snowman out of cardboard and decorate him except for his nose. Make a carrot out of cardboard for each guest to attach while blindfolded- the guest closest to the actual nose spot wins. If you have snow outside, have a snowball fight or snowman building contest. Adults can play snowflake trivia. Use paper snowflake cut outs to write Christmas or winter trivia on. Let each guest pull out a snowflake and answer a question for a prize.

   Food

   • Place food on silver and blue platters and serving dishes. Serve white foods like coconut cakes or coconut cupcakes you could call "snowballs." If you choose to use cupcakes, place them on a cupcake tier for a beautiful display. Chicken cheese dip is white and can be shaped into a ball. Serve white dips, like Ranch and French onion, with chips. Offer guests sparkling white punch to go with their snacks.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Snowflake theme, Snowflake theme party, theme party, Christmas ornaments, each guest, party ideas, Serve white

Etiquette for addressing wedding envelopes

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 ..."

As anyone planning a wedding and searching invitations will notice, the style of wedding invitation reaches far and wide. Invitations have moved well beyond the typical white background, off-white border and raised font on the front of the card without anything on the inside of the card. Modern invitations include bright, bold colors, unexpected shapes, flaps and individually deigned artwork. Yet, while the physical style of invitations has changed, the basics of etiquette for addressing them remains.

1. Outer and Inner Envelopes

   • Formal invitations sometimes arrive in a larger, outer envelope. This idea remains a tradition from the days when invitations were hand delivered by a footman to the address on the outer envelope. Once delivered to the house, the guests would receive the inner invitation with their names on it. The outer envelope includes the address with the full name and title of invitees. The return address is written on the back flap of the envelope, and stamps go in the standard upper right-hand corner. This return address should be the address of who is hosting the wedding.

     Writing the address on a wedding invitation is more standardized than addressing a letter to a pen-pal. Guests should be addressed by their full name and titles such as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, Dr., and Jr. However, professional titles such as PhD or MD are not included. The address should be spelled out in full, not abbreviated. Even "P.O. Box" is spelled out as "Post Office Box." The same goes for Street, Avenue, Boulevard and others. The zip code is written on its own line.

     The inside envelope, being the more personal of the envelopes, requires only the guests' names (titles and surnames). Here, children can be listed if invited as can the name of a guest of an invitee. For example, if a cousin is bringing his girlfriend, the girlfriend's name should be written on the envelope, because it is more personal than writing "and Guest."

     For example, the outer envelope would read:
     

     Mr. John Smith
     

     123 Fifth Avenue
     

     Anywhere, New York
     

     10012

     The inner envelope would read:
     

     Mr. John Smith and Alice Jones.

   Notes

   • The invitation wording is often written in calligraphy with the lines centered or staggered, depending on the length of the text in the four lines. Although there seem to be rigid rules in addressing wedding invitations, the most important point is to address all guests with respect and accuracy, whether using the traditional outer/inner envelopes or not. There is not a law about abbreviations, just traditions and recommended style.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: outer envelope, addressing wedding, address should, addressing wedding envelopes, envelope would, envelope would read, Etiquette addressing

Hotels on anna maria island, fl

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."

Located off the coast of southern Florida in the Florida Keys, Anna Maria Island is a year-round tourist and wedding destination known for its warm weather and white-sand beaches. Movies like "The Perfect Storm," "Palmetto," and "Out of Time" were filmed on the island, which actually consists of three cities: Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach.

1. Palm Tree Villas

   • Palm Tree Villas offers private studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas. Each has a living room with cable television and DVD player, equipped kitchen, beds with pillow-top mattresses, dining area, garden patio and wireless Internet access. Palm Tree Villas has an on-site pool, spa and laundry facility.

     Palm Tree Villas

     207 66th St.

     Holmes Beach, FL 34217

     941-779-0910

     palmtreevillas.com

   Tradewinds Resort

   • With bougainvillea, jasmine and flowering vines on the property, the pet-friendly Tradewinds Resort offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and cottages. The facilities include a pool, barbecue grills, picnic tables and laundry area. Tradewinds Resort offers groups rates for wedding parties.

     Tradewinds Resort

     1603 Gulf Drive North

     Bradenton Beach, FL 34217

     888-686-6716

     tradewinds-resort.com

   Bali Hai Beach Resort

   • Bali Hai Beach Resort is a family-owned hotel set on two acres of tropical gardens. Accommodation consists of one- and two-bedroom condo units with a private patio or balcony. Guests can take advantage of the small private beach, heated pool and laundry area.

     Bali Hai Beach Resort

     6900 Gulf Drive

     Holmes Beach, FL 34217

     941-778-6604

     balihaibeachresort.com

   White Sands Beach Resort

   • White Sands Beach Resort offers a variety of guest accommodations: hotel rooms, motel rooms, resort-style rooms, and one- and two-bedroom apartments. All rooms are nonsmoking and have wireless Internet access, an equipped kitchen and a television. The property's heated pool overlooks the beach- however, there is a minimum stay of one week for vacation bookings.

     White Sands Beach Resort

     6504 Gulf Drive

     Holmes Beach, FL 34217

     941-778-2577

     whitesandsbeachresort.com

   Haley's Motel

   • Haley's Motel has guesthouses, studio apartments, one-bedroom cottages, motel rooms, and duplex accommodations for different budgets. Some of the units are pet-friendly. The motel offers guests use of the wireless Internet, pool and gas barbecue grill. Bicycles and beach equipment can be borrowed for free.

     Haley's Motel

     8102 Gulf Drive

     Holmes Beach, FL 34217

     941-778-5405

     haleysmotel.com

   Harrington House Bed & Breakfast

   • Harrington House Bed & Breakfast consists of five homes: the Main Inn, Huth House, Carriage House, Dodt House and Imperiore House. Some of the rooms come with a Jacuzzi. A gourmet breakfast is served daily in the dining room or beside the pool at the Main Inn, where there is also a common living room and a gazebo with views of the beach.

     Harrington House Bed & Breakfast

     5626 Gulf Drive

     Holmes Beach, FL 34217

     941-778-5444

     harringtonhouse.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Beach 34217, Beach Resort, Holmes Beach, Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach 34217, Drive Holmes

How to get a trophy husband

get a "trophy" husband

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."

There are trophies for all kinds of events- even kids who participate in town leagues (sports) get trophies--even when they've never even won a game. Men have been collecting "-trophy"- wives for decades, if not centuries. Women are just as capable, if not moreso, in landing themselves a decent, self-respecting "-trophy"- man to call their own.

Things You'll Need

• Keep eyes Open
• Network
• Don't be Desperate, men sense it a mile away
• Play hard to get
• Wait for Sex
• Criminal/credit background check

Instructions

1. • 1

     What do the "-trophy"- wives all have in common? I will give you a few examples about whom I'm referring: Coco (Ice-T's) wife, Shawn Southwick, (Larry King's wife) and Melania Knauss (The 'Donald's' wife)? Beauty (a must), brains (dubious), and boobs (obviously)! If this is the criteria of a "-trophy"- spouse, I am happy to report that mine has ALL THREE ATTRIBUTES! Though he's not 23 years my junior (fortunately), we keep each other young by laughing all day long (that is, when we're not hating each other).

   • 2

     You might be surprised where you will find your "-trophy"- mate. It could be at a religious function--such as where the likes of one, Ashton Kutcher met one, Demi Moore. Always keep your eyes peeled, however, because you just never know! Be nice, and smile at everyone you meet. Be extra nice to those who don't have a wedding band on (though some men don't wear bands, so you have to be careful). Your trophy could be at Salsa lessons or at Starbucks fetching a white chocolate mocha. BE ALERT!

   • 3

     If you want to hunt a guy down, get with the program and beat him at his own game. Show you can hunt with the best of 'em. Don't be afraid to get out there and claim your prize, ladies, there is a shortage of men. The female-to-male ratio is 2:1. Good for them, bad for those women seeking monogamous relationships.

   • 4

     If you want to reel him in, you might have to get your hip boots on and get a little dirty and wet. Don't be afraid to try new things and be adventurous. Guys dig that. Hanging out with him and his friends only serves to endear you to your new man.

   • 5

     If your guy likes Nascar, sports, comic books, whatever it is, if you have an interest in HIM, you should try to share these interests as well. I am not suggesting you lose yourself to this guy, but initially, you want to HOOK him like the fish you caught last week using the bait. Same principle goes here. Spending time and getting to know one another is key. Don't be quick to get naked, either, ladies. You want to build the "-mystery"- once you land your "-trophy"- guy. Soon enough, he'll be giving YOU the trophy and you will enjoy riding off into the woods on your four wheeler together.

Tips &- Warnings

• Make yourself invaluable to him

• Be youself, from the "-get go"-

• Don't leave your trophy spouse on the shelf, as it will gather dust up there- keep him with you at all times!

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: quot-trophy quot-, each other, quot- wives, quot-trophy quot- wives, trophy husband, your quot-trophy

How to choose maternity clothes for summer

choose maternity clothes for summer

It's interesting:
"My first impression of Linda was that she was such a beautiful, witty, charming, clever, friendly and thoughtful person. And when she agreed to marry Paul, it totally proved to me that old adage – opposites really do attract."

Being pregnant in the summer means having to find clothes that help you stay cool. Maternity clothes no longer consist of tent-like dresses and unflattering jeans. Today, they're as trendy as regular clothes, and summertime maternity clothes are cool and flattering.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Pick light colors that keep you cool in the summer. Some good color choices are white, beige, light pink, light blue, green and yellow.

   • 2

     Dress in loose-fitting clothes made of cotton. Cotton is a breathable fabric that stretches easily. Choose shirts and pants in cotton that can last your entire pregnancy.

   • 3

     Put on wrap shirts and dresses. Wrap-style clothing is loose-fitting near the bottom but more fitted on the top, which helps accent positive features.

   • 4

     Get sexy in tube tops. Form-fitting tube tops help you stay cool and up your maternity sex appeal. Plus, you can always enhance a tube top with a cropped jacket.

   • 5

     Wear shorts or capris when possible. The new, stretchable waistlines of maternity shorts and capris let you roll the waistline up or down as your pregnancy progresses.

   • 6

     Fill your closet with maternity dresses. Summer maternity dresses provide the best option for cool maternity wear and come in a variety of styles.

   • 7

     Buy flip flops and sandals that coordinate with your maternity clothes. Flip flops now come with plenty support and provide the most comfort for swollen feet.

Tips &- Warnings

• Buy form-fitting tank tops and tube tops that look good under cropped jackets. This can help your work wardrobe stay cool and still look professional.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: maternity clothes, stay cool, tube tops, choose maternity, choose maternity clothes, clothes summer