Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Vineyard wedding decoration ideas

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."

Vineyards are a popular wedding venue as they add a modern touch and rustic charm to a ceremony or reception. If you are planning to host your wedding in a vineyard, your decorations should reflect the location. Wine and grape themed decorations will complement the vineyard setting. Vineyard themed decorations can be made at home or ordered through an online retailer and can be incorporated in both the ceremony or reception.

Basket of Grape
- A basket of grapes can be used for a wedding reception table centerpiece. Not only is this an inexpensive decoration, it will complement the vineyard theme. Choose a simple basket in a dark brown or black. Decorate the basket with a sheer ribbon that matches your wedding colors and fill the basket with grapes.
Cork Shaped Escort Cards
- Cork shaped escort cards will double as a decoration and serve a practical purpose in your wedding. These will tell guests where they should sit for either the ceremony or reception. Order these from favorideas.com or another online soure- write each guest's name on a slip of paper that sticks into the center of the cork.
Grapevines
- If you are going to rope off a section of the wedding ceremony, such as the end of the aisles, use a grapevine instead of rope or ribbon. Use an artificial grapevine constructed from silk or incorporate real grape vines. If your ceremony will be outside and there is an arch or gazebo where the ceremony will take place, wrap the grapevine around it. Grapevines can also decorate the edges of tables during the reception.
Wine Posters
- If the reception will be held inside, consult the venue and ask if you may hang vintage Italian wine posters. Some vineyards may already have these hanging on site.
Wine Cork Candles
- Whether you choose to decorate a table top with new bottles of wine or use an empty bottle with a custom label, a wine cork candle will complete the centerpiece. These can be purchased inexpensively through online retailers. They are shaped like a cork and are inserted into the top of a wine bottle. These can be lit like any other candle.

Tags: ceremony reception, your wedding, basket with, ceremony will, complement vineyard, decoration ideas

Rainbow decoration ideas for a summer outdoor wedding in a yard

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 ..."

A bride and groom planning an outdoor rainbow wedding can make use of every aspect of the wedding to incorporate their theme. Use clothing, floral arrangements, balloons and even the food to create a brightly decorated rainbow venue for the ceremony and reception. Make the theme known to guests ahead of time and encourage them to join in with their attire for beautiful photo opportunities.

The Wedding Party
- During the wedding ceremony, all eyes will be on the wedding party, which provides the bride and groom with the opportunity to express their theme through the party's attire. Bridal attendants can each wear different colored dresses and the groomsmen can wear rainbow-colored cummerbunds and boutonnieres. A daring bride can opt for a multi-colored wedding dress, while those who favor the traditional white gown can accent the dress with a pair of rainbow pumps and a crystal rainbow necklace and hair accessory. For the bridal party's bouquets, have each attendant carry a colorful arrangement of flowers tied with a rainbow ribbon.
Yard Decorations
- Create a rainbow-colored balloon arch over one or two special tables at the reception. Make a platform dance floor from plywood and paint the floor in rainbow stripes. Alternatively, rent a multi-colored LED illuminated dance floor if there is somewhere the floor can be plugged in for power. Line the entryway to the yard with a lattice divider on either side, and paint the latticework in a variety of colors. Insert colorful real or silk flowers throughout the latticework. For an evening wedding, line the outside of the dividers with one or two strings of colorful mini lights.
Table Decorations
- Cover each table with a colorful rainbow tablecloth, or use a solid color tablecloth and use different colored place mats at each setting. Fill rainbow-colored vases with arrangements of colorful flowers. If the reception is held in the evening, line each table with rows of multi-color LED candles in clear candle holders. Set multi-colored dining services at each place setting. For instance, place a blue dinner plate at the place setting along with an orange cup and yellow napkin underneath the utensils.
Food Decorations
- Incorporate the food served at the wedding into the rainbow theme. Begin with the wedding cake- have a multi-tiered cake made and have each tier a different color of the rainbow. Have the cake decorated with an array of colorful edible flowers. Fill a multi-colored serving tray with different colored fruits, such as strawberries, grapes, orange slices, blueberries and kiwi. Fill another tray with multi-colored vegetables, such as cauliflower, carrots, broccoli and red peppers. Fill another tray with cookies cut in the shape of rainbows and decorated with royal icing in rainbow colors.

Tags: different colored, tray with, another tray, another tray with, bride groom, dance floor, decorated with

Monday, April 29, 2013

Top 10 country western line dances

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 ..."

People perform line dances in rows, all facing the same direction. The dancers execute the same sequence of steps without any physical contact. The dances usually use Country Western music, but also share similarities with folk dancing. Although no official list of the top line dances exists, 38 Step, a blog dedicated to line dancing, frequently updates lists of its users' top 25 dances. This article uses the dances chosen in March 2010.

Good Time
- Good Time, a 40-count and four-wall line dance, ranks No. 1, according to 38 Step. Director Trey Fanjoy asked Jenny Cain to choreograph Alan Johnson's song of the same name to create a video of the world's longest line dance, using over 200 people.
Toes
- The line dance Toes, choreographed by Rachael McEnaney, uses the song "Toes" by the Zac Brown Band. The dance, designed for beginners, has a 32 count and four walls.
Casanova Cowboy
- Casanova Cowboy, a beginner line dance created in October 2009, has a 32 count and uses four walls. It is danced to the music "Cowboy Casanova" by Carrie Underwood with choreography by Rob Fowler.
Copperhead Road
- Copperhead Road is defined as a classic line dance of unknown origin and uses a song of the same name by Steve Earl. It is a 24-count beginners' line dance.
Tush Push
- The classic line dance Tush Push" is suitable for intermediate dancers with a 40 count and four walls. Choreographed by Jim Ferrazzano, it can be danced to songs such as "Born to Boogie" by Hank Williams Jr. or "What I Was Thinking" by Dierks Bentley.
Tailgating
- Tailgating or Found Tailgating has a 32 count and uses four walls. Choreographed by James "Jimbo" Krywko and J-Team Dancers for beginner and intermediate dancers, it can use the song "Cotton Eyed Joe" by the Rednex, played at 144 bpm.
Chill Factor
- The well-known line dance Chill Factor, choreographed by Daniel Whittaker and Hayley Westhead, suits intermediate dancers. It can use the music "Last Night" by Chris Anderson. The dance has a 48 count and uses four walls.
The Freeze
- The Freeze, also known as Strokin', is by an unknown choreographer and has a 24 count with four walls. It uses music of the same name by Clarence Carter, and suits beginner dancers.
Electric Slide
- The classic line dance Electric Slide received media attention in 2007 when the inventor, Richard Silver, accused dancers of copyright violations. According to CNET news, he claimed people were dancing the line dance incorrectly, and he asked for these videos to be removed from the Web.
Badonkadonk
- Badonkadonk, a recently created line dance choreographed by Hot Pepper, has a 32 count and uses two walls. A West coast swing line dance for beginner and intermediate dancers, it uses the music "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by Trace Adkins.

Tags: line dance, four walls, count uses, intermediate dancers, line dances, classic line

How to address invitations with no inner envelope

address invitations with no inner envelope

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 ..."

Wedding invitations usually convey how formal the occasion is going to be. More formal invitations generally come with both an outer and inner envelope. Outer envelopes protect the contents from possible damage during mailing and contains the complete address of invitees, while inner envelopes bear only the names to maintain formality. If you are using an invitation without an inner envelope, treat your guests' names on the outer envelope the same as you would on an inner envelope. Follow a few basic wedding invitation etiquette guidelines and your guests will be honored to receive their invitations.

Instructions

- 1
  Address the outer envelope with "Mr. and Mrs." when inviting married couples. For example: Mr. and Mrs. Smith. If the wife kept her maiden name, address it as: Mr. Smith and Mrs. Klein.
- 2
  Use Dr., Atty. or other appropriate titles whenever necessary. For a married couple who are both doctors for example, address them as: The Doctors Roberts. When only the husband is a doctor, write: Dr. and Mrs. Roberts. When the wife is the one who has a title but shares the same last name as her husband, use: Atty. and Mr. Williams. If the wife has a title and kept her maiden name: Atty. Cameron and Mr. Williams.
- 3
  Specify the names of children under 18 years old on the outer envelope when they are invited along with their parents. Write: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith on the first line, and Mr. Dylan Smith and Miss Tara Smith on the next line. Write the names of children from the eldest to the youngest. Children older than18 years old should be given a separate invitation. If the whole family is invited, addressing the envelope as "The John Smith Family" is acceptable.
- 4
  Address invitations to unmarried couples sharing the same address to either the person you know best, regardless of gender, or address the invitation to both people but mention the one closer to you first. For instance: Miss Smith and Mr. Brooke.
- 5
  Give unmarried guests the option to bring a friend. Address the invitations by writing: Mr. Conlon and Guest or Miss Brown and Guest. If you don't want your guest to bring a friend, simply write the person's name by itself.
- 6
  Address invitations to adult brothers or sisters sharing the same address by writing: The Messrs. Johnson, The Misses Olsen, or Mr. Johnson and Miss Johnson.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: inner envelope, Address invitations, outer envelope, address invitations with, bring friend, invitations with, invitations with inner

Friday, April 26, 2013

Verse ideas for wedding invitations

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 ..."

Selecting a verse for a wedding ceremony is a personal choice. A bride and groom will want the reading, the printed verse in the program or the verse on the invitations to reflect their hopes for life together. Fortunately, there are many options for finding the perfect verse.

Verse for the Invitation
- Usually, there is not room on a wedding invitation for a long verse. A romantic quote is the perfect solution here, and there are many to be had. Choose a quote for the invitation the reflects both the style of the wedding and the personality of the couple. For instance, if a couple is getting married in a small, outdoor ceremony, a quote that reflects nature might be a good choice. If a couple is having a large Catholic church ceremony, a religious quote might be appropriate. Keep the quote brief, but make sure the sentiment is on point.
Verse for the Ceremony
- At the actual ceremony, a longer verse (and sometimes even two verses) read by friends of the bride and groom is the norm. The couple chooses readings that mean something to them- many times, they choose a religious verse. Many Christian couples rely on the Bible for a verse, and there are many to choose from that talk about subjects like love, fidelity and honor. If a couple chooses to have two readers at their ceremony, it is wise to keep the readings brief. Weddings with just one reader can use a longer verse.
  Religious verse is not the only choice. Romantic poetry is another popular choice. Famous poets like Lord Byron, Keats and Shakespeare are all prime sources. Those couples lucky enough to have a poetic friend or relative could honor them by asking for a personalized poem or reading written by the person.
Verse for the Program
- If the ceremony will have a program, printing a verse at the top, on the cover or on the bottom of the program is a nice way to reflect the tone of the ceremony. A few lines of a poem the couple likes, or a portion of a Bible verse to be read during the ceremony would tie the program to the ceremony and also make it a lovely keepsake for the guests.

Tags: there many, Bible verse, bride groom, couple chooses, ideas wedding

How to perform the pregnancy pencil test

perform the pregnancy pencil test

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

Before ultrasounds, there was no definitive way of determining the sex of an unborn baby. Many women relied on old wives tales to predict what their children would be. The pregnancy pencil test, which originated in Hungary, is one of the most common gender-predicting games that women use.

Things You'll Need

Unsharpened, number two lead pencil

Sewing needle

Sewing thread

Instructions

- 1
  Sharpen the number two lead pencil. Make sure that it is sharp so you can observe any movement.
- 2
  Thread a piece of sewing thread though the needle. The size of the thread is not important, just so it is long enough to dangle the pencil over your wrist.
- 3
  Stick the tip of the needle into the top of the pencil eraser. The needle should be stuck in enough so that when you hold the pencil by the thread, it will not fall out. The sharpened point of the pencil should be facing downward.
- 4
  
  Place your hand on a hard, sturdy surface with your palm up. Ensure you are away from any wind or breeze.
- 5
  Pick up the pencil by the string and dangle it so the tip of the pencil is touching your wrist, making sure that your hand is very still.
- 6
  Observe the pencil, as it should begin to move. If the pencil moves up and down the length of your arm, you will have a boy. If the pencil moves side to side, you will have a girl.

Tips &- Warnings

The pregnancy pencil test is meant for entertainment purposes only.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: pencil test, pregnancy pencil, pregnancy pencil test, dangle pencil, lead pencil, number lead

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Redneck 16th birthday party ideas

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 ..."

One of life's turning points is the age 16 birthday when a teen gains the freedom and independence of the driving privilege. A birthday party to mark this milestone does not have to be traditional or "sweet." It can be anything the teen wants, including fun, irreverent, memorable and slightly outrageous. For the teen who wants to celebrate in a less-than-sweet style, consider a Big Ol' Redneck Birthday Party.

Does this Spark an idea?

Decorations
- Redneck theme dé-cor can include many assaults on good taste. Consider decorating both interior and exterior with mismatched hubcaps and other car parts, all tastefully cleaned. For maximum effect, set a spare refrigerator in the front yard. For an interior lighting fixture, make a chandelier out of beer bottles. A deer head mounted over the fireplace makes a nice decorative touch. If hairy hunting trophies are not available, a portrait of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson or all three over the fireplace will suffice. For a coffee table, use a cable spool.
Games
- Contests keep redneck guests busy and entertained. One competitive event is making creative and offensive armpit sounds. Another contest is burping in tune to popular songs. Old fashioned games such as a wheelbarrow race, sack race and egg toss are good country games. To keep raw egg from penetrating household surfaces, use hard-boiled eggs. Another game of skill involves shooting soda pop cans with a squirt gun. For the best redneck effect, place the cans on a fence and sit on a car hood to shoot.
Dress
- The teen and guests can dress according to the theme. Boys and girls may want to wear cutoff jeans or shorts with pockets turned inside out. Whether male or female, a redneck hallmark is a too-short shirt and lowrider pants, making the belly visible to all. Girls can also wear miniskirts and fit the theme. Boys should wear the widest possible watchband and belt buckle. Do not overlook colors that include camouflage and hunter orange. The cowboy hat with the turned up brim is always a good finishing touch.
  Girls can wear big hair. Pigtails are also attractive. For that "straight-out-to-the-sides" look, insert a bent wire or portion of a metal coat hanger inside the braid. If the girl's roots are naturally of a uniform color, she can darken them with mascara for that "need-a-dye-job" look. Top off the style with earrings made of beer bottle caps.
  Boys can sport a mullet. If they have any beard growth to boast, they can shave or trim it oddly for a hillbilly look. A sleeveless tank top T-shirt in white goes well with an arm bandanna. For young men who do not care to reveal the belly, denim overalls work well with a flannel work shirt and a John Deere cap. The tractor manufacturer head gear is optional. Anything related to professional wrestling or the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) will suffice.
Foods
- Appetizers are easy. Serve cheese balls and deep fried pork rinds with hot pepper sauce. Main dishes can be as elaborate or simple as the party celebrant desires. Fried chicken and chicken fried steak are both customary, served with overcooked canned green beans. Another option is pork and beans. To add more protein, salt and fat, include a portion of Spam. Side dishes can include Vienna sausages wrapped in biscuit dough and baked. Fruit-flavored gelatin with or without shredded carrots makes a side salad. If the party is a sleepover, serve biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: birthday party, 16th birthday, 16th birthday party, birthday party ideas, over fireplace

Cheap weddings in savannah ga

Cheap weddings in savannah, ga

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 ..."

Couples looking for cheap wedding ideas in Savannah, Georgia, can take advantage of the city's mild climate for their big day. Outdoor weddings in Savannah's romantic and historic settings can be inexpensive and are possible from April through October. Gardens, parks and squares, even beaches can provide a romantic wedding backdrop. To further reduce costs, friends and family can help with Informal wedding food, such as a traditional Savannah low-country boil.

City Parks and Squares
- Savannah is known for the garden squares of its Historic District. Most of these squares can be rented for wedding parties. Besides the basic fee, which covers three hours, a fee per hour is charged rising to a relatively reasonable maximum for all day use. Fees are also charged for required security personnel and insurance. In the "Regulations, Policies, Procedures and Fees" document that covers city parks and squares, available from Savannah City Hall, the conditions, fees and guest capacity for 23 squares and 22 public parks are listed. Ellis Square, at 750 guests, and Emmett Park at 800, can be rented for the largest parties, while the Fragrance Garden in Forsyth Park provides an intimate setting for 25 guests.
  Leisure Service Director
  City of Savannah
  P.O. Box 1027
  Savannah, GA 31402
  912-351-3837
  savannahga.gov
Private Gardens
- Savannah's Historic District is dotted with picturesque bed and breakfast inns. The cost of weddings and receptions in these houses and their gardens can be steep. One of them, The Azalea House, has come up with a clever twist for budget-minded couples. Their "Elopement Wedding" package, for couples who book two nights at the inn, covers all the wedding essentials for a modest additional fee. The package includes a garden or parlor ceremony with a non-denominational minister, a wedding bouquet and groom's boutonniere, the wedding cake, a champagne toast, chocolate-covered strawberries, a silk rose petal "turn-down" on the wedding night, and a wedding assistant to help with the day. The Azalea Inn's tiny, award-winning garden, arranged around a pretty swimming pool, is suitable for small wedding parties.
  Azalea Inn & Gardens
  217 East Huntingdon Street
  Savannah, Georgia 31401
  800-582-3823
  azaleainn.com
The Beach at Tybee Island
- Tybee Island, often referred to as Savannah's beach, provides miles of white sand beaches, rolling dunes covered with sea oats and scenic salt marshes. A permit is needed to use the island's pier and pavilion, but no fee or permit is required for wedding parties on the beach. Tybee Island Weddings offers a range of cheap beach and marsh wedding packages starting with what they call, "The Original Tybee Island Wedding." The package, which costs just a few hundred dollars, includes just the basics--an officiant, a location assistant, and the filing of the marriage license after the wedding. More elaborate packages are available that include flowers, photographers, chairs and food all for a modest cost. The company organizes beach weddings from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year and offers military discounts.
  Tybee Island Weddings
  P.O. Box 414
  Tybee Island, GA 31328
  912-704-4454
  tybeeislandwedding.com

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Tybee Island, wedding parties, Cheap weddings, Cheap weddings savannah, help with, Historic District, Island Weddings

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Venetian wedding themes

With a history encompassing magisterial doges, the fanfare of Carnival and a tradition of seafaring and commerce, Venice is a natural choice for those who wish to create an unforgettable wedding theme. Whether you plan to have your wedding in Venice or you want to add a bit of Venetian flair to your celebration, including Venetian-inspired elements can turn your special day into an otherworldly and magical experience.

Setting
- Venetian architecture can become the inspiration for the details of your wedding, if not the actual setting of your big event. The "palazzos" of Venice, or the palaces where the nobility resided or vacationed in the 11th through 18th centuries, harken back to an era of opulence, with sumptuous details like Baroque staircases and ceiling frescoes by artists such as Tiepolo. Your wedding cake might reflect these details, such as any traceries on the building facades or loggias that formed open-sided galleries to the structures. You can also use these architectural references to decorate the location of the ceremony or reception. For a simple detail, use planter boxes filled with flowers.
Food
- The food offered at a Venetian-themed wedding reception can also evoke Venice by using ingredients and preparations native to the region. While traditional Italian food may be served, you can also consider food typical of the Veneto region, which is more culturally influenced by cuisines outside of Italy. Rice dishes are important in Venice, as well as duck and many types of seafood. Canapes and main dishes featuring creamed cod, roasted eel or cuttlefish in their own ink are adventurous offerings to add to a wedding menu. Bellinis are a signature Venetian cocktail made of peach puree and Prosecco.
  Other menu options include artichokes and polenta bites as appetizers- main courses might feature shrimp scampi, asparagus, risotto, scallops, mussels, gnocchi, eggplant, or pumpkin ravioli, according to the Tasty Little Morsels website.
Decorations
- With Venice as your wedding motif, you can branch out in all sorts of ways, echoing Venice through the use of bridges, canals, Venetian glass and striped poles or gondola props and sculptures to capture the mood of the water-borne city. Something as small as a gondola charm to accent your invitations can bring a touch of Venice to the festivities. At the reception, employ an ice sculpture or wedding-cake topper in the shape of a gondola, or dress up the venue with colorful hand-blown Venetian glass.
Venetian Customs
- The long-standing tradition of Carnival in Venice with its masquerades can turn your wedding into a specifically Venetian one, where masks may decorate your venue or be worn by the guests. These may include papier-mache masks, plumed imagination masks, half-faced masks and masks from Italian comedy. Should you choose period attire for the wedding party, Venetian costume specialists can provide custom-fitted Renaissance theatrical garb and accessories like three-cornered hats and black mantels reminiscent of the heyday of masquerades in Venice during the 1700s.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your wedding, turn your, Venetian glass, Venetian wedding, Venetian wedding themes, wedding themes

How to make wedding programs at the last minute

make wedding programs at the last minute

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

Wedding programs are an important part of wedding ceremonies. If the couple forgets to order wedding programs, they can create their own at the last minute using a free wedding program template. There are many different websites that offer these for free. A wedding program states the names of the bride and groom as well as all members in the wedding party. It also states the order of the ceremony and several other pieces of information.

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase decorative paper. Most office supply stores sell numerous types and styles of decorative paper. Choose one that is relatively durable, but do not use cardstock because it is too thick.
- 2
  Choose a wedding program template to use. Maria's Wedding Boutique is a website that offers several different templates to use. Some of the programs are designed to print on two columns, causing a folded program. Others are for tri-fold wedding programs.
- 3
  Copy and paste the template into a word processing program. Name and save the file prior to filling it out.
- 4
  Type the personal information on the template. Almost all wedding programs include the full names of both the bride and groom. Other personalized details often include the church's name, wedding date and time of wedding.
- 5
  Add all of the names of the bridal party. Separate the names by category and title. These categories generally include best man, maid of honor, bridesmaid, groomsmen, flower girls and ring bearers. Next to each person's name, include the relationship they are to either the bride, groom or both.
- 6
  Write the order of ceremony. This section is generally listed on its own page in the program. Write each event, in order, that will occur during the ceremony. Include all special music numbers and details such as unity candle lighting, exchanging of vows and exchanging of rings.
- 7
  Include additional details. Many couples will include a favorite quote, poem or Bible passage on the program. Other couples like to add a thank-you note on the program to thank everyone for coming or to specifically thank their families for the support and love given to them. You can also include your new address at the very end of the program to inform the guests where you can be reached.
- 8
  Print the invitations. Use the decorative paper to print these on and then fold them appropriately.

Tips &- Warnings

Do not print programs for all guests, but instead print for about 3/4 of the expected guest number.

Tags: wedding programs, bride groom, decorative paper, last minute, wedding program

Mexican wedding reception traditions

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 ..."

Mexican weddings are steeped in tradition, with many symbols, including el lazo, or the lasso, that couples wind around their shoulders to signify their union, or arras, 13 gold coins that the groom presents to the bride. The wedding receptions too have many fun traditions and dances.

Padrino System
- Traditionally, the groom and his family pay for the wedding. Often, the couple asks several family members and friends to act as "padrinos" or "madrinas"---godparents or sponsors. The padrinos help the couple financially, but also assume roles in the wedding reception, such as making the toast or saying a few words before the wedding cake is cut and served.
Food
- Mexican weddings feature spicy rice, beans and lots of tortillas. Wedding cakes are traditionally are made with nuts and dried fruit, and are soaked in rum. Pastelitos de boda, or Mexican wedding cookies, which are pecan or almond cookies that are rolled in sugar, are traditionally served at the wedding and may also be wrapped in tulle and ribbon and given as wedding favors to the guests.
Mariachi
- A mariachi band is traditional.
  The mariachi band is a group of musicians playing insturments including trumpets, violins and guitars, who circulate through the reception as they play. The mariachi dress in the traditional colorful costume of the charro, or Mexican horseman.
La Marcha
- La Marcha traditionally opens the dancing at the reception. The bride chooses a man and a woman to lead two chains of dancers. Each dancer holds the shoulders of the person in front, and follows the steps of the leader. The lines weave in and out of each other as the mariachi play, and even split up and rejoin each other.
Money Dance
- Another traditional dance at the reception is the money, or dollar, dance. Guests pin bills on the bride or groom in exchange for a dance. The newlyweds then use the money on their honeymoon or to help them set up their new household.
The Piñ-ata
- Mexican weddings usually involve the whole family, including the children. A papier-mâ-ché- piñ-ata, often heart-shaped, filled with trinkets and candies, is often hung from the ceiling for the children to break open.
La Vibora de la Mar
- The bride throws the bouquet at the end of La Vibora de la Mar.
  The bride and groom join hands and form a bridge for their guests to duck under during this popular Mexican wedding song. At the end, the bride throws her bouquet and the groom may throw the bride's garter.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Mexican wedding, Mexican weddings, wedding reception, bride groom, bride throws, bride throws bouquet

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Places to get married in the poconos

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

The Pocono Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania serve as a scenic backdrop for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Many of the resorts in the Poconos offers wedding services, including consultation, catering and champagne toasts. These Poconos resorts also offer discounted room rates for wedding guests. Other Pocono Mountain wedding venues include intimate chapels and casinos. Most outdoor weddings in the Poconos happen in the spring and summer months.

Mountain Springs Lake Resort
- Mountain Springs Lake Resort (mslresort.com) is in Reeders, right off Interstate 80. This resort offers outdoor wedding ceremonies under a pergola structure by Mountain Springs Lake's private pond. Mountain Springs provides white chairs for seating up to 200 wedding guests. The "Wedding Ceremony Package" includes assistance from the resort's wedding coordinator and ceremony setup. On-site buffet or sit-down service catering is available. Mountain Springs hosts receptions at the Verandah, an elegant banquet hall.
French Manor
- The French Manor (thefrenchmanor.com) is a European-style country inn in the heart of the Poconos, located in South Sterling. This accommodation is a AAA four-diamond hotel. French Manor hosts outdoor weddings in its landscaped lawn area. During the summer, the Manor requires wedding parties to have at least 50 guests for afternoon ceremonies, while the minimum for evening ceremonies is 100 guests. The hotel also offers "Elopement Packages," which covers a wedding cake and private ceremony on the hotel's private balcony.
LaAnna Chapel
- South Sterling's LaAnna Chapel (laannachapel.com) hosts intimate wedding ceremonies in the Pocono Mountains. Built in 1922, this small chapel has elegant dé-cor and accommodates up to 130 guests for wedding ceremonies. The chapel also has an outdoor courtyard area for outdoor weddings. Wedding parties may host their receptions at LaAnna Chapel. On-site catering is available from the Chapel- however, wedding parties may bring in outside catering.
Mt. Airy Casino Resort
- Situated in Mt. Pocono, the Mt. Airy Casino is an upscale Pocono Mountains resort- according to AAA, this resort is a four-diamond accommodation. For weddings, Mt. Airy hosts outdoor weddings on its private lawn- this site offers views of the Pocono Mountains. The casino also accommodates up to 150 guests for indoor weddings inside its Banquet Dining Room. Mt. Airy provides on-site catering for wedding receptions. Other wedding services include a wedding consultant and renewal of wedding vows.
Skytop Lodge
- The Skytop Lodge Resort (skytop.com) has a 5,500-acre property in the heart of the Poconos, within 30 minutes of Mt. Pocono. Outdoor weddings provide views of the Pocono Mountains and occur in a manicured garden area, which is surrounded by an iron gate. The garden features cobblestone walkways for the bridal and groom parties. Wedding floral arrangements are available via the resort's Skytop Flower Shop. The most grandiose wedding banquet package, "Exclusive Signature," includes a choice of three entrees, wedding cake, one-hour cocktail reception and a champagne toast. The minimum amount of guests for receptions is 120.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Mountain Springs, Pocono Mountains, outdoor weddings, wedding ceremonies, French Manor, LaAnna Chapel

Why does cold weather cause tree branches to fall

Why does cold weather cause tree branches to fall?

It's interesting:
"At the wedding rehearsal yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of talking with Linda’s close friends. They talked about how she’s the friend they turn to when they need to vent over a foolish boyfriend or for advice on land the job of their dreams. They also said she has some pretty sweet moves on the dance floor. So let’s see them!"

Heavy loads of ice and snow cause branches and sometimes entire trees to fall. This is particularly true for trees with upright branches or other structural weaknesses, such as rotten limbs or cracks. Vicious winter windstorms also fell weakened branches, but careful winter pruning is one method for minimizing injury to trees. It also helps avoid damage and accidents caused by branches falling on people, cars and roofs.

Does this Spark an idea?

Snow, Ice and Windstorms
- The Gaithersburg, Maryland, emergency call center received calls about 742 fallen trees and 285 broken tree limbs, all after one powerful winter storm in February 2011. The Gazette.net news website noted that the combination of snow, freezing rain and wind created stresses that many trees could not withstand.
  The Morton Arboretum of Lisle, Illinois, notes that it is important to remove snow gently before it freezes to limbs and branches. It warns that trying to remove ice from trees can cause further damage and recommends waiting for it to melt.
Dangers of Damage
- Aside from harming the growth and survival of trees, heavy snow and ice loads on tree limbs can be dangerous. In New York's Central Park, a tree limb weighted down with snow fell and killed a 46-year-old man in 2010. "The New York Times" article about the accident said that another man suffered serious injuries in the park the previous summer when struck by a falling, rotten branch. Structural damage, such as rot or cracks, can create accidents at any time of year.
Structural Problems
- Structural flaws aren't all caused by winter injury or old age. The Chicago Trees Initiative website says that branches of trees with upright growth structures, such as flowering pears (Pyrus calleryana), form weak unions with their tree trunks due to their upward sweep. The angles at which they join the trunk are usually less than 45 degrees. One example is the Bradford pear, which has become infamous for splitting along its trunk during winter storms.
Winter Pruning
- Winter is a good time to thin and prune trees in preparation for spring growth. It is also the time when tree sap slows down. The Chicago Trees Initiative website says to remove dead, diseased and damaged branches first. Also remove branches that are crossing or rubbing each other. Thinning the density of a tree's branches improves air circulation and wind resistance while also decreasing the surface area available for snow accumulation. It is important to do the work on dry, sunny days that aren't windy. When removing heavy branches, tie them to the limbs above before cutting, then lower them slowly to the ground to avoid accidents.

Tags: tree branches, branches fall, cause tree, cause tree branches, Chicago Trees

Monday, April 22, 2013

Week before the wedding checklist

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 ..."

The week before you finally get hitched will be a whirlwind of activity. Throughout this final week leading up to the big day, make sure you have a checklist so little things like "something blue" are not forgotten. It will keep you on task and organized while everyone else is racing around like mad.

Bride's Survival Bag
- On your wedding day, you won't want to be without deodorant or clear nail polish for a stocking snag. The week before your big day, put together a bag of essential, must-have items such as aspirin- your favorite lipstick- a lint roller- important honeymoon documents, like a passport- safety pins- and tissues. You will be glad you put together this little lifesaver, as you never know what may strike moments before you walk down the aisle. With this bag, you will be prepared for anything.
Payment Envelopes
- During your wedding and reception, you definitely do not want to be doling out checks and tips to your officiant, wedding planner and band. Instead, put any payments, along with tips, into a sealed envelope for each vendor. Label the outside of each envelope, and task a family member with making sure each payment gets to the correct person. This will save the bride and groom from the stress of doing last-minute math.
Decorations and Flowers
- Make a plan with your wedding party and family for flower and decoration drop-offs at both the wedding and reception site. Have everything prepared in labeled boxes or bags for either "ceremony" or "reception." Items to include would be unity candles, pew bows, the cake topper, toasting flutes, special wedding cake knife and cake server, and your honeymoon luggage. Also confirm with your florist and bakery when and where they will be delivering your precious cargo.

Tags: your wedding, before wedding, before wedding checklist, down aisle, wedding checklist, wedding reception

Uses of blake drains

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

Blake®- drains are medical devices manufactured by Ethicon, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, located in Somerville, New Jersey. Made of white silicone, one drain has a solid center and four canals along the sides of the center core, while the second drain is without a hub, but does have four channels. Both drains feature extension tubes and an adapter, all made of silicone. The Blake drains have been tested extensively and proven efficient and highly functional with little or no reported patient discomfort.

Blake Drain Types
- The Blake drains come in two styles. One features a center core or hub with four channels or gutters all around it. A cross section of the drain appears like a stylized H with channels on the sides and the top and bottom. This drain comes in eight different sizes and styles ranging from 7 mm to 10 mm. The second drain, which does not have a hub, looks like an X with a gutter running between each extended arm. This drain come in nine distinct styles.
Thoracic Surgery
- Blake drains are used extensively in thoracic surgeries. A study published in the journal Interactive Cardio Vascular Surgery and Thoracic Surgery focused on 420 thoracic surgeries in which a Blake drain was applied. The results were examined by Japanese researchers who studied cases ranging from surgeries for lung cancer and lung tumors to emphysema, collapsed lung, post-operative bleeding and other conditions and circumstances. In all 420 cases, the Blake drain created no complications and resulted in no pain, discomfort or irritation to the patient. In advocating the Blake drains, the researchers noted that in using the drains "no extensive dissection of fissures is performed during lung resection and no significant air leak is noticed at the end of the procedure."
Heart Surgery
- In addition to lung surgery, Blake drains are commonly employed after open heart surgery. Occasionally, patients must leave the hospital with drains still in their chest to allow fluids around the lungs to be drawn off. The Blake drains work extremely well in this situation as long as the incision is covered with a dressing that is changed regularly and the tube is cleared of coagulated materials twice a day. The tube leads to a "bulb" that collects the drained fluids.
Blake Advantages
- Researchers reported that the Blake drains are every bit as efficient and effective as conventional drains. Additionally, the researchers noted that their slender design and flexibility improved patient comfort, lessening the patient's pain when being inserted and removed. Another benefit of the Blake drains is reduced infections and improved wound healing. "In short," wrote the Japanese researcher, "we believe that Blake drains provide enough benefits to be considered a standard drain."

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Blake drains, Blake drain, center core, does have, four channels, noted that, ranging from

Friday, April 19, 2013

Favor ideas for tuscan wedding

It's interesting:
"I remember the last wedding I went to. It was in the function room of the Tate Gallery. The groom got plastered and ended up with red wine, gravy ..."

Tuscan weddings often boast the themes of vineyards or traditional Italian romance. Wedding favors can be anything from a small gift, such as candy, to something that the guests can take home and re-use over and over again. In keeping with the Tuscan theme of your wedding, give them a gift that signifies a little romance mixed with old-world Italian charm.

Olive Oil
- Give your guests the gift of olive oil. You can get these favors packaged as small singular bottles with messages such as "Olive You" to tie them into a wedding atmosphere.
Wine Corks
- Wine corks are essential to the wine enthusiast. Nothing says Tuscan like a wine-related thank you to your guests. Personalize the corks with your names and wedding date so that your guests will remember the fantastic time they had at your wedding.
Cheese Sets
- Cheese spreaders, knives and trivets will be a useful thank you gift for your guests. You can customize the design of your trivet to your wedding decor and even have the spreader engraved.
Grape Tins
- Place chocolates or mints into a tin and print labels that have images of grapes on them. Tins also will work well for placing seeds in with a nice message on top directing the guest to plant the seeds in honor of your wedding day.

Tags: your guests, your wedding, Favor ideas, Favor ideas tuscan, ideas tuscan, ideas tuscan wedding, tuscan wedding

How to make a fourtier wedding cake with buttercream icing

make a four-tier wedding cake with buttercream icing

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!"

Making a wedding cake trims wedding expenses in exchange for your time, patience and practice to achieve a professional looking cake. Tiered wedding cakes are traditional, elegant and provide enough cake to feed between 100 and 300 guests, depending on the tier sizes you use. Tiered cakes require planning to ensure the cake remains stable throughout the reception, without collapsing or tilting. Buttercream icing is a simple icing to make yourself and works well to crumbcoat, fill and decorate wedding cakes.

Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

8 cake pans (2 pans each of 4 different sized cake pans)

Cake batter

Wire cooling rack

Serrated knife

Buttercream icing

Off-set spatula

Professional icing smoother

Measuring tape

Dowel rods (plastic or wood)

Small hand saw or serrated knife

Quilted paper towel or cake edger

Cake board

Piping bag

Decorating tip

Instructions

- 1
  Bake cake according to the recipe's directions. Bake two cakes of each size, each pair of cakes will be used to create one tier. Each pair of cakes should be the same flavor but tier flavors can vary. After baking cool cakes completely on wire cooling racks.
- 2
  Trim the top of each cake, using the serrated knife or cake leveler, so that it is level and the next cake can sit flat on top.
- 3
  Crumbcoat each cake with buttercream icing using an off-set icing spatula. A crumbcoat is an even thin layer of icing applied to each cake to catch cake crumbs so an even layer of icing can be applied on top that will look clean.
- 4
  Assemble each tier. Pair cakes by size- apply filling between each pair and crumbcoat the stacked pair together to create one tier. Repeat for all eight cakes, creating four tiers you need for the finished wedding cake.
- 5
  Measure and cut 12 pieces of dowel to the height of a cake tier. The dowels help support the cake, keeping it sturdy and straight throughout the reception.
- 6
  Arrange four dowels, per tier, into a square shape and insert into each tier, except for the top tier. The length between each dowel should be equal for proper weight distribution. Firmly press the dowels into the cake until each dowel sits flush with the cake top.
- 7
  Ice each tier with buttercream. Smooth flat using an uneven spatula or professional icing smoother. Add texture by pressing a quilted paper towel over the icing or use a plastic cake edger to create lines or ribbing on the edges of each tier.
- 8
  Place the largest tier carefully on the center of the cake board. Center the next largest tier over the support dowels placed in the bottom tier, distributing the weight of the tier evenly over the bottom tier. Repeat with the third and top tiers, the wedding cake is now assembled.
- 9
  Fill a piping bag with buttercream frosting. Pipe edging, using buttercream, along each tier as well as draping or flowers for decoration. Buttercream icing can easily be colored using food coloring, if you prefer a splash of color instead of an all-white cake.

Tips &- Warnings

Each tier should be at least 2 inches smaller than the one underneath- for example, 12-inch bottom, 10-inch second, 8-inch third and 6-inch top tier.

Plastic dowels are larger than wooden dowels and take up more room, which means your cake will have fewer servings.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding cake, with buttercream, Buttercream icing, buttercream icing, cake with

Thursday, April 18, 2013

How to plan a wedding program

plan a wedding program

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."

Wedding programs have become an expected element at today's wedding ceremonies. Adding a personal touch in addition to serving as a keepsake, the wedding program typically serves as an outline or agenda for the ceremony in addition to giving guests the names of the main players of the day... the couple, their parents and the wedding party. With coordinated information, planning a wedding program is simple and fun.

Instructions

- 1
  Decide what information you would like to include in your wedding program in addition to the basics. Do you want to memorialize those who could not be with you on your wedding day? Would you like to include a thank you to family and friends? Share a new address? Your program is what you make it.
- 2
  Touch base with everyone involved in your wedding ceremony, including the officiant, readers and musicians, to get details of the procession, names of hymns and readings, etc. Check that you get correct spellings of the names of everyone who will be listed.
- 3
  Plan how many pages will be needed to accommodate the information you want to include. If you are not the one creating your program design, work with the person who is to determine the best format for your program.
- 4
  Use your wedding theme, including the look of wedding invitations or any other printed materials, to carry out the same look and feel on your program.
- 5
  Have a proof created before your official program is printed in mass quantity. Proof the program yourself, have your officiant review it for accuracy and have a third set of eyes read over it as well.
- 6
  Determine the quantity of programs you'd like to print. Some print one per couple, others prefer that every guest have one.

Tips &- Warnings

Try pre-designed program paper that allows you to print your programs from your home PC. It's convenient and affordable.

Tags: wedding program, your wedding, your program, like include, plan wedding

How to create a wedding budget planner in excel

create a wedding budget planner in excel

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

Weddings can be very expensive, but with a little planning, you can have your big day at a price you can afford. All you need is a budget! And there's no better way to begin compiling one than in Microsoft Excel.

Instructions

- 1
  Before you begin, determine an amount you can afford to spend on your wedding. Include all of your sources of funds, including your personal income and family contributions. This amount should give you a solid figure on which to base your budget.
- 2
  Boot up your computer and open Excel. When the program opens, a new Excel spreadsheet should appear. If it doesn't, go to "File" in the the upper left-hand corner and click on it. A drop-down menu should appear. Click on "New," and a new spreadsheet document will open.
- 3
  Once the document is open, go back to "File" and click on "Save as." When the dialog box pops up, enter a name for your document and save it. You will want to save your spreadsheet periodically while you are working to keep from losing any data. To save, you can either click on the little disk at the top or click "File" in the upper left-hand corner. If you click file, a drop-down menu should appear. Click "Save" in that menu to save your Excel spreadsheet.
- 4
  Click on the second box in the top row. This will allow you to enter data into the box, also called a cell. Label this cell "Expense." Then click on the next cell on the right. From left to right, label the next few columns as follows: Estimated Cost, Budget Amount, Dealer Estimate (for five separate columns) and Final Cost.
- 5
  Referring to your original list of expenses, decide how you want to arrange your spreadsheet. Do you want to arrange the items by importance, or by the part of the wedding they entail? Once you've come to a decision, click on the second box in the first column and enter your first expense label. Then click on the cell below that one and enter the next label. Continue entering the expense labels until you have them all in the document. Click "Save."
- 6
  Do a little research, and estimate how much each item for your wedding should cost. Enter the estimated cost of each item next to its expense in the Estimated Cost column of your spreadsheet. Click "Save."
- 7
  Divide your budget accordingly. As you look at the numbers, you may have to cut items. You can either leave alone the cells that list these items, in case you underspend on something later, or you can delete the row. To delete the row, right-click on a row- one of the options in the drop-down should be "Delete Row." Click on it, and the row will disappear.
- 8
  Once you have come up with your budgeted amount for each item, click on the first cell under the Budget Amount label and enter the budgeted amount for the corresponding expense. Click on the appropriate cell for each additional expense and enter the rest of your data. Click "Save." You now have a budget.
- 9
  As you get estimates on different items from various dealers, enter each figure in the row for the specific item under a Dealer Estimate column.
- 10
  As you sign contracts and come to a decision, list the final cost of each item in the Final Cost column.

Tips &- Warnings

If you have problems at any time with your Excel spreadsheet, click on "Help" and enter your help topic to obtain detailed instructions.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: each item, Click Save, Excel spreadsheet, should appear, your spreadsheet, appear Click

Unusual wedding dress styles

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 ..."

Choosing a wedding gown can be an opportunity to express your personality and your individual style. Thoughts of traditional wedding gowns usually bring to mind long and flowing silky white gowns that are a blend of romance and tradition. But not everyone wants to wear a seen-it-before- type of gown. Some brides prefer to make a fashion statement that sets them apart from the crowd, showcasing their unique taste and representing their unconventional thinking.

Does this Spark an idea?

Medieval
- A medieval wedding dress often features a lace-up feature on the front or back.
  Medieval style wedding dresses feature boned bodices, unusually shaped necklines and bodices accented with points and scoops, a lace-up feature on the front, back or both, hand painted leaves and beaded leaves or flowers. Medieval wedding dresses can be made of a variety of fabrics, including silk dupion, duchess satin or crepe. To get the look of a full skirt, the dress fabric can be layered over a net petticoat and organza.
Vintage
- Pink chiffon can be used to create a classic 1940's-style wedding dress.
  Vintage wedding gowns call to mind the popular styles of days -- and decades -- gone by. Victorian gowns boast lots of lace, frills and tiers. A wedding dress that borrows design elements from the 1920's and 1930's might include ecru velvet and black silk combined together in a slim, no frills, flapper-style look. If the styles of the 1940's appeal to you, choose a wedding gown that drapes delicate pink chiffon over taffeta for a full, gathered skirt effect that not only makes a statement, but also makes your waist look slim.
Camouflage
- Today's camouflage fabric comes in many colors other than the traditonal green and brown.
  Camouflage wedding dresses don't have a long history as a wedding look. Today, however, these dramatic dresses have become increasingly popular among hunters, brides who have served in the military, or whose fiances have a military background, and those choosing a wedding theme that incorporates an earthy or green and brown color scheme. Camouflage fabric is available in a wide range of colors and textures, including camouflage patterns in vibrant colors and soft fabrics, such as brushed velvet.
American Indian
- American Indian-style wedding dresses are a popular choice for brides who want to honor their Indian heritage or those who have chosen a natural outdoor venue for their wedding. A tea-length gown featuring warm earth tones, is well suited to a ceremony held in a mountain, park, meadow or woodland setting. American Indian wedding dresses can be fashioned from animal pelts, blankets or traditional white wedding robes and accented with moccasins, beads or shell necklaces.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: wedding dress, wedding dresses, accented with, American Indian, dress styles, dresses have, feature front

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

List of casinos in louisiana

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

Throughout Louisiana casino gambling is a booming business. Over 27 cities have one or more casino establishments, making locating a casino in Louisiana a simple task to accomplish. Many of the larger cities, including Shreveport, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, have multiple casinos available for patrons.

Does this Spark an idea?

Shreveport, Louisiana
- Shreveport is home to Cash Magic, Eldorado Resort Casino and Sam's Town Shreveport. Cash Magic operates on a 24-hour schedule and has in excess of fifty gambling machines at its facility. Eldorado Resort Casino is a tremendously large casino ship and hotel that houses casino machines and table games, as well as restaurants. Sam's Town is perhaps the largest of the Shreveport casinos and is also a boat with a hotel, restaurant and gaming facility. It has 1,100 gambling machines and multiple gaming tables.
  Cash Magic
  1324 North Market St.
  Shreveport, LA 71101
  318-675-0260
  www.jacobsentertainmentinc.com
  Eldorado Resort Casino
  451 Clyde Fant Parkway
  Shreveport, LA 71101
  877-602-0711
  www.eldoradoshreveport.com
  Sam's Town
  315 Clyde Fant Parkway
  Shreveport, LA 71101
  866-861-0711
  www.samstownshreveport.com
New Orleans, Louisiana
- In New Orleans three of the most prominent casinos are Carnival Club, Crescent City and Harrah's. Harrah's Hotel and Casino has both machine-operated gambling and gaming tables. These 2,100 machines and 100 tables are available 24 hours a day. By comparison Carnival Club is a smaller casino with one restaurant and 50 gambling machines. Crescent City Casino has 50 gambling machines, a restaurant and a bar.
  Harrah's Hotel and Casino
  8 Canal Street
  New Orleans, LA 70130
  800-427-7247
  www.harrahsneworleans.com
  Carnival Club
  2401 Elysian Fields Ave.
  New Orleans, LA 70117
  504-947-4207
  Crescent City
  5000 Old Gentilly Road
  New Orleans, LA 70126
  504-942 2410
  www.bigeasytravelplaza.com
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- The Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and the Hollywood Casino are two of the casinos in Baton Rouge. The Belle of Baton Rouge offers a three-tier boat gaming experience with a hotel, restaurant, shows and gambling. It has both machine-operated gambling and table games. Hollywood Casino has 1,100 slot machines and video gaming. Games include Double lucky 7's, Wheel of Fortune and Mr. Cashman.
  Belle of Baton Rouge
  103 France St.
  Baton Rouge, LA 70802
  800-676-4847
  www.belleofbatonrouge.com
  Hollywood Casino
  1717 River Road
  North Baton Rouge, LA 70802
  800-447-6843
  www.hollywoodbr.com
Other Cities and Casinos
- Boomtown Casino and Hotel, Diamond Jacks and Horseshoe Casino and Hotel are found in Bossier City. Broussard hosts the Vegas Style North and Vegas Style South Casinos, while Lake Charles is home to the Fuel Stop 36 Casino and the L'Auberge du Lac Casino. The city of Vinton has the Cash Magic, Lucky Longhorn and Texas Pelican Casino and Bingo, with Westlake offering gaming at the Isle of Capri and Raceland home to the Raceland Plaza.

Tags: Baton Rouge, Cash Magic, gambling machines, Belle Baton, Belle Baton Rouge, Carnival Club, Crescent City

White bathroom decor

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

A white bathroom looks clean, bright and, regardless of the trends, is timeless. However, there are many variations of the all-white bathroom. With a little planning, there is decor to suit every style. By selecting the right fixtures and finishes, you can tailor the ambiance of an all-white bathroom to suit your personal taste.

Does this Spark an idea?

Mid-Century Mod White
- An all-white bathroom suits the curvy and clean lines of mid-century mod styling. Search for simple bathroom fittings to create this look. A white ceramic vessel sink with a simple, curved faucet is ideal. Pair it with a vanity that has plain cabinet fronts and hang a round mirror. Add classically mid-century accessories, like vintage glass or ceramic holders for toothbrushes and cotton balls, and hang a Nelson-inspired bubble lamp to complete the look.
Spa White
- To create a spa-inspired white bathroom, opt for luxurious fixtures and translucent finishes. Simple white cabinetry and simple bathroom fittings are key to this look. Add a countertop in a translucent material, like recycled glass, and a backsplash made of a natural material, like white marble. Luxurious details, like a deep soaker tub, enhance the spa feel. Complete the look with crisp, fluffy white towels.
Country-Inspired White
- Select shaker-style white cabinetry, or a pedestal sink and a claw-foot bathtub. Pick ornate bathroom fixtures reminiscent of antique fixtures, and look for taps with white ceramic tips. Add natural materials where possible, such as a stone backsplash and painted wood floors. Find an old schoolhouse light fixture to complete the country look.
Eclectic White
- An all-white room suits eclectic style because the color helps unify the disparate elements. This style suits a limited budget because you can pair existing features, like a perfectly functioning antique bathtub and tile, with modern elements like new cabinetry and a glass sink. To create the look from scratch, avoid buying fixtures designed as sets and pick and choose from different lines. Pair vintage accessories from any decade, and look for different textures and finishes.

Tags: all-white bathroom, bathroom decor, bathroom fittings, material like, simple bathroom

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Peacock wedding colors

The color scheme you choose for your wedding will determine the look and atmosphere of the entire event. You want to make an impression on your guests while creating an experience that you will remember forever. Your wedding should reflect your personality, and a peacock color scheme offers so many different options that it is easy to create a look that will speak to your heart and wow your guests.

Plum Purple
- When you look at the center eye of a peacock feather, you see a hypnotizing deep shade of purple. Just as purple is the center of the feather, it can be the central color at your peacock-themed wedding. Dress your bridesmaids in plum-colored gowns. Choose flowers such as purple calla lilies and purple hydrangea for your centerpieces. These flowers will also make a striking addition to a purple bride's bouquet. Accent both your centerpieces and bouquet with real peacock feathers to highlight your theme. Choose plum tablecloths, or a shimmering tablecloth with hints of both purple and teal.
Bronze
- Choosing bronze as your neutral accent color adds a metallic elegance that will complement your peacock theme. Print your invitations on white card stock with teal or purple print. Paste this card and your engagement photo onto the inside of a folding bronze envelope. Tie the envelope closed with a brown ribbon and slide a peacock feather into the bow to give your guests a hint of your peacock wedding theme. At the reception, choose bronze vases for the centerpieces. If you are having a formal sit-down dinner, look for bronze dishes as well.
Green
- You will notice that the outer edges of a peacock feather contain sage and olive greens (along with a hint of lime). Choose either sage or olive as an accent color. You can use this accent for the ribbons on your chairs or around the stems of your bridal bouquet. Bridesmaids can carry bouquets accented with green hydrangea or other green flowers. The groomsmen will look their best if their tuxedos are accented with green vests and ties. Include a peacock feather in their boutonnieres to finish the look. You can even dress your flower girls or junior bridesmaids in sage or olive green.
Teal or Aqua
- If you want to brighten up your wedding colors, choose teal or aqua as an accent. You can use aqua ribbons, or accent your bouquets and centerpieces with teal or blue flowers. Hints of teal or aqua frosting on a white cake will also accent your peacock theme. Teal (or aqua) crystals scattered around a centerpiece will add a touch of elegance to your reception decor.

Tags: peacock feather, sage olive, that will, wedding colors, your guests

Ideas for romantic trips in northern california

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 ..."

Northern California is known for its Mediterranean climate and its diverse locales, which are ideal for romantic adventures. Visitors may travel along the coast or venture to the mountains to explore the beauty of Sonoma County, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Napa Valley and Mendocino. Romantic trips in Northern California might include private wine-tastings, overnight packages for couples, luxurious spa retreats or simply relaxing by the seaside.

Sonoma Valley
- The Sonoma Valley is home to dozens of wineries ideal for romantic getaways such as The St. Francis Winery and Vineyards. Couples may enjoy three wine-tasting bars plus a slate patio with views of the vineyards. Couples visiting the Arrowood Vineyards and Winery may enjoy a private wine tasting by appointment and views of Sonoma Valley and the mountains. Sonoma's town square, known as the Plaza, is surrounded by historic adobe buildings, many boutiques and luxurious world-class spas and resorts such as the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa, which offers golf packages for couples, including breakfast for two and one round of golf each.
Carmel
- Carmel encompasses romance, glamor and European flair and is known for the seaside, its quaint shops that line the cobblestone sidewalks, and romantic inns and hotels. The Cypress Inn is a boutique inn owned by Doris Day and Dennis LeVett that features vaulted ceilings, cozy fireplaces, a courtyard and detailed landscaping. Couples may enjoy therapeutic massages, afternoon tea and gourmet dining. The historic La Playa Hotel, known for its romantic and tumultuous past, features private cottages, al fresco dining and garden spa treatments. It offers romance packages for couples that include champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, breakfast or dinner for two and a four-hour wine-tasting tour for two with a private limousine.
Napa Valley
- Napa Valley boasts first-class wine producers such as the Black Stallion Winery, which offers couples intimate wine-themed dinners in a private dining setting. Napa Valley is a premier travel destination with rolling hills and spectacular views year-round. Couples may enjoy dining at world-famous restaurants such as the French Laundry, which offers private dining by reservation plus a selection of wine-paired meals. One of the many romantic spas to visit is the luxurious Spa Terra, which is located in an underground wine cave with natural stone and copper water features. Getaway packages include signature couples' rooms cocooned in the heart of the earth with private lounges, whirlpools, steam grottoes and waterfalls.
Mendocino
- Mendocino has been described as "lonely and lovely." It is an ideal romantic destination with wineries, Victorian bed and breakfasts and spas such as the Sweetwater Spa and Inn, which offers winter getaway packages for couples who enjoy a cozy fireplace, hot tub and sauna. Couples visiting the Alegria Inn may choose private oceanside cottages with in-room dining for two, a fireplace, a hot tub and access to the health club. The village of Mendocino is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features historic inns like the MacCullum House Inn and Restaurant, which offers fine dining, cozy fireplaces and a romantic elopement package for couples.

Tags: which offers, Napa Valley, packages couples, ideal romantic, Sonoma Valley

Wedding announcement protocol

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

Wedding announcements allow a newly married couple to let distant family, friends and colleagues who did not attend their wedding know about their marriage. These announcements prove particularly useful for brides who are changing their name, according to The Knot. Wedding announcements provide basic information, but couples should make a number of considerations before sending them.

Style
- The style of your wedding invitation dictates the style of your wedding announcement. That is, your announcement should be as formal as your invitation, according to The Knot. The wedding announcement can be as simple as a basic card with text printed on it. The Knot suggests matching the font, paper and style of your wedding announcement to your wedding invitation.
Who Sends
- Wedding announcements can come from the bride's parents or the couple. The wording of the announcement will reflect who sent the announcement. For example, the first line of an announcement sent from the bride's parents would read, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Robinson announce the marriage of their daughter, Kristin..." If the couple chooses to send the announcements, the first line would read, "Kristin Marie Robinson and Michael Scott Young announce their marriage."
What to Say
- A wedding announcement provides basic information about the wedding. After including the formal announcement by either the bride's parents or the bride and groom, list the wedding date and location. So, the announcement can say, "Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Robinson announce the marriage of their daughter, Kristin, to Michael Scott Young. Saturday, the third of July, two-thousand-and-eleven, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Chicago, Illinois." Note that formal announcements should spell out numbers.
When to Send
- Send wedding announcements the day after the wedding. Though the announcements should go out as close to the wedding day as possible, The Emily Post Institute reports that couples can send them up to "several months" after the wedding. The Knot recommends having a family member or bridal party member drop the announcements in the mail the day after the wedding.
Who Should Receive Them
- Send wedding announcements to acquaintances who you did not invite to the wedding. This group often includes colleagues, distant relatives and old friends. If the couple's parents choose to send the announcements, they might want to share the happy news with their friends and colleagues who did not attend the wedding as well, according to The Knot.

Tags: your wedding, according Knot, after wedding, bride parents, style your, style your wedding

Monday, April 15, 2013

Black men birthday party ideas

It's interesting:
"Tom looks great on his wedding day doesn't he? I won't say it's funny to see ... Congratulations to Tom and Susan on their wedding. And since it's election week ..."

If you are planning a birthday party for a black man who enjoys immersing himself in his culture, plan activities that celebrate that culture. Serve his favorite foods and drinks, decorate with his favorite colors and hang up some pictures of famous black icons like Martin Luther King, Sammy Davis Jr., Jimi Hendrix, Lena Horne or Billie Holiday. If the birthday guy is a sports fan, get him the jersey of his favorite black player.

Does this Spark an idea?

Black History Trivia
- Challenge your guests to test their black history knowledge with black history trivia questions. Research significant events and figures from black history and write down questions about civil rights issues, black leaders, poets, sports figures and musicians. Divide guests into teams and divide the questions into categories. Challenge each team to answer a question in each category. The team with the most correct answers, wins.
Comedy Night
- There are myriad black entertainers who choose to focus on topics specific to black life and culture. Entertain your guests with stand-up comedy videos from Chris Rock, Richard Pryor, Cedric the Entertainer, Wanda Sykes, Eddie Murphy, Dick Gregory, Tracy Morgan and Dave Chappelle. Put the stand up on in the background, or make it an after-dinner activity. Serve some tasty snacks and drinks and let the good times roll.
Movie Night
- Watch movies about black culture and give guests a chance to sit back and relax together while sharing the experience. Depending on the taste of the guest of honor and the general feel of the party, you could choose a fun-loving film featuring a famous black actor, like "Friday" or "House Party", or you could choose something more serious to enjoy, such as a movie by Spike Lee. If you're looking for something women-friendly, watch "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" or "Jungle Fever."

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: birthday party, black history, birthday party ideas, Black birthday, Black birthday party, could choose

A botanical description of allium cernuum

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

Also known as lady's leek, nodding wild onion (Allium cernuum) is a perennial member of the onion family characterized by grasslike leaves, clusters of nodding flowers and a strong, onion aroma. The plant is easily cultivated within its native range, blooming throughout the summer with little care.

Does this Spark an idea?

Foliage
- Nodding onion grows to be between 12 to 18 inches tall, occasionally growing to a height of 2 feet. The plant produces a rosette of flat, grass like leaves that are approximately 12 inches long, and about 1/4 inch wide. Leaves have a soft texture, and bend outward or downward. Flowers sit atop leafless scapes that rise above the plant's slender leaves. Scapes bend downwards at the top so the individual flowers in the umbel droop down, giving the plant it's signature "nodding" appearance.
Flowers
- Loose clusters of flowers, known as an umbel, sit atop the nodding, leafless scapes. Each bell shaped flower is about 1/4 inch long, and consists of three petals, three sepals and six white stamens topped with yellow anthers. Flowers may be white, pale purple or pink. Two membraneous bracts sit at the base of the flower umbel. Flowers have an onion like scent, and appear for about a month in the summer. Flowers are followed by light, flat seed capsules that contain tiny black seeds that are distributed by wind.
Features
- The leaves and slender bulbs of the nodding wild onion are edible, and have traditionally been eaten raw or cooked in stews and other dishes. The flowers of the plant are pollinated by short-tongued bees such as the Halictid bees, and are visited by other insects such as butterflies and syrphid flies. Animals rarely feed on the nodding wild onion, and harmful pests hardly ever bother the heavily aromatic, hardy plant.
Culture
- Wild nodding onion has a wide natural range, growing from Canada through the United States down to Mexico. As a garden plant, nodding onion is suitable for U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 4 to 8. The plant grows easily in a range of soils, though it prefers a well draining sandy loam. Plant in full sunlight. In hot climates, plant in a location with some light afternoon shade. The plant often self seeds, though it may be propagated by bulb offsets.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: nodding wild, nodding wild onion, wild onion, about inch, allium cernuum, botanical description, botanical description allium

Friday, April 12, 2013

Graduation table decoration ideas

It's interesting:
"I would like to congratulate Paul on his impeccable taste in choosing such a beautiful wife. And Linda, well done on saying “I do” to my mate Paul, because, let’s face it - that must have been hard."

Of course graduation represents a time of change in which the student officially enters adulthood and working life, but it also means much more. It should represent enjoyment as well. Most graduates hold parties to help them celebrate this important day with friends and loved ones. If you're putting together a party and need some decorating ideas, start with the table. Most of the festivities will gravitate to this important place at some point during the celebration.

Mirrored Display
- Mirrors as decorative items add many elements to a space, not the least of which is the illusion of light and the ability to create a focal point. You can use these elements to your advantage to create a table display for your graduate. Start putting the display together by getting a framed mirror. Since graduation colors tend to be black and white with splashes of accent colors, look for mirrors that feature frames with these colors. Next find some metallic confetti and candles in black, white and in your graduate's school colors. Sprinkle the metallic confetti on the mirror. Arrange the candles in the center of the mirror. If the school colors happen to be colors like red or yellow, add an appropriately colored flower in a vase in the center of the display for emphasis. You'll have a glowing centerpiece for your graduation party once the candles are lit.
The Future is in Your Hands
- After several years of study, graduation celebrates the works of the hands and all they've accomplished. Hands symbolize the fruits of our labors and, as such, have spawned many metaphorical phrases like "The future's in your hands." You can use the hands motif in your graduation decorations in a classy and symbolic way. To begin this project, go to an art store and pick up the wooden artist's hands- artists use these bendable wooden items to learn draw anatomy. Buy at least two. Write graduation quotes and well-wishes on parchment paper and roll the paper up so it looks like a diploma. On a piece of card stock, write "The Future's in Your Hand" in calligraphy script. Secure the rolled paper with a ribbon in your graduate's school colors. Place a flatted graduation cap on the table with the graduate's tassels spread out. Position the two hands at opposite corners of the cap. Place the rolled parchment paper in one of the hands and the card stock note in the other.
The Fountain
- Fountains bring elegance to almost any decorative piece. Fortunately, tabletop fountains come in ready supply. You can find a fountain set up at most bridal shops. To make this display, locate a fountain and a cake stand that has decorative elements that appeal to you. Also get a graduate cake topper, silk flowers in the graduate's colors, black and white tissue paper and chocolate coins. Set up the fountain and place the cake stand over it. On the cake stand, arrange the tissue paper, the silk flowers and money candy. Place the mini-graduate cake topper right in the center of the display. If you're planning on having a celebration cake, you can place it on top of the cake stand in place of the flowers and tissue paper. Just top the cake with the graduate cake topper and chocolate coins.

Tags: cake stand, black white, cake topper, graduate cake, graduate cake topper, school colors

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Unique fall bridal bouquet ideas

It's interesting:
"It's a shame, given this is a winter wedding, that the minister wouldn't let Paul and Linda have the pantomime theme wedding they originally wanted. Looking at Paul, I think ‘Puss in Boots’ would have been very appropriate."

Holding a fall wedding is already bucking tradition, as most nuptials occur in spring and summer months. For a unique spin on the bridal bouquet, avoid roses and traditional colors such as white and cream and look for blossoms in fall colors like orange, red and yellow. Or you can make a bouquet out of something other than flowers, such as fall fruit.

Fall Flowers
- Your flower selection for an fall wedding may be limited, at least compared to spring and summer. Sunflowers are bright and showy and in season for fall, yet they're rarely found in a bridal bouquet. Tiger lilies can be found year-round and bear perfect fall colors of orange and yellow. Ornamental poppies come in bright red and orange hues with large, showy blossoms. Other flower possibilities include dahlias, mums, Chinese lanterns, irises, salvia, orchids and Gerbera daisies.
Halloween Flowers
- If you're of a goth bent or your fall wedding is Halloween-themed, you might consider constructing a bouquet out of famously poisonous flowers, such as foxglove, Chinese Lanterns and Queen Anne's Lace. Black hollyhocks, tulips or irises could also be added to such a bouquet.
Fall Leaves
- There's no reason your bouquet has to include any flowers. Fall leaves in all their colorful finery can be arranged in a bouquet and set off with bare twigs, branches of dried berries or crystals. You, your florist or a crafty member of your wedding party can even form faux rosebuds out of autumn leaves for an impressive and unusual bouquet.
Grain and Grasses
- Another fall bouquet idea is to use dried stalks of grain such as rye and wheat for a harvest-themed bouquet. Either flowers or fall leaves can be incorporated into your bouquet design- strands of English ivy can provide a subdued green contrast.
Fruit
- Fall fruit provides another option for your harvest-themed bouquet. Fruits from which to choose include grapes on the vine, ornamental berries, persimmons, pomegranates, apples, rose hips, olives, chili pods, cranberries and kumquats. Using a cornucopia as your holder will provide a unique look. Another option is using dried fruit as the petals for your "flowers."

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: bridal bouquet, fall wedding, bouquet ideas, bridal bouquet ideas, fall bridal

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Vineyard wedding decoration ideas

Basket of Grape

Cork Shaped Escort Cards

Grapevines

Wine Posters

Wine Cork Candles

Rainbow decoration ideas for a summer outdoor wedding in a yard

The Wedding Party

Yard Decorations

Table Decorations

Food Decorations

Monday, April 29, 2013

Top 10 country western line dances

Good Time

Toes

Casanova Cowboy

Copperhead Road

Tush Push

Tailgating

Chill Factor

The Freeze

Electric Slide

Badonkadonk

address invitations with no inner envelope

Instructions

Friday, April 26, 2013

Verse ideas for wedding invitations

Verse for the Invitation

Verse for the Ceremony

Verse for the Program

perform the pregnancy pencil test

Things You'll Need

Instructions

Tips &- Warnings

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Redneck 16th birthday party ideas

Decorations

Games

Dress

Foods

Cheap weddings in savannah, ga

City Parks and Squares

Private Gardens

The Beach at Tybee Island

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Venetian wedding themes

Setting

Food

Decorations

Venetian Customs

make wedding programs at the last minute

Instructions

Tips &- Warnings

Mexican wedding reception traditions

Padrino System

Food

Mariachi

La Marcha

Money Dance

The Piñ-ata

La Vibora de la Mar

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Places to get married in the poconos

Mountain Springs Lake Resort

French Manor

LaAnna Chapel

Mt. Airy Casino Resort

Skytop Lodge

Why does cold weather cause tree branches to fall?

Snow, Ice and Windstorms

Dangers of Damage

Structural Problems

Winter Pruning

Monday, April 22, 2013

Week before the wedding checklist

Bride's Survival Bag

Payment Envelopes

Decorations and Flowers

Uses of blake drains