A Winter Wedding

Holding a Wedding in WinterWinter Wedding?

What an idea! Not the timeof year you would usually consider holding a wedding!

Don't think of wind and rain though, imagine snow covered mountain peaks rising majestically from fir tree covered foot hills! Very Japanese. Close your eyes and breathe in the crisp, pine scented air. This is what a winter wedding is all about!

With the ski lodge in the distance with its welcoming real log fire, the winter sun sparkling off the crisp white snow and the sky as blue as can be you can be assured of a day of fairytale proportions.

The information about winter weddings presented here will do one of two things: either it will reinforce your original feelings about winter weddings or it will teach you something new. Both are good outcomes.

When it come to your color scheme think red and green. Not Santa suit and holly leaves but rich burgundy or plum and a forest green that the pine trees would be proud of. Think fur hats and mufflers with black boots and long coats. Think traditional and old fashioned, bells and crackling log fires.

If you decide that you are not traditional, there are still options for a winter wedding. For a winter wedding of wondrous proportions. Think silvery blue and brilliant white, think glam and glitz, think modern and funky.

If the evening weather is fine, why not set out a bonfire and take your wedding outside, at least for part of the time. There can develop a great sense of camaraderie around a campfire. A good time for snuggling up to your loved one.

There are many choices to be made for your wedding day and the choice of time of year is just one of them. Each season has its own attractions to offer and winter is no different. If you decide on a winter wedding, enjoy and embrace the idea, bringing out the seasons special qualities wont let you down.

This article's coverage of winter weddings is only an idea. But you should always leave open the possibility that some guests initial misconceptions will change, once they realise it does not mean standing around freezing - and will actually be fun.

How often do you get to dress up in really flash winter clothes?
Leather boots, fur hats, jewelled vests and mufflers?

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Top 5 Wedding Favors and Why

Wedding Favor Choices

At most weddings, the bride and groom will offer some type of small memento as a note of appreciation to family and friends, more commonly known as wedding favors. As you will discover in this article, the type of favors are widely varied but there are some that are considered better choices than others.

Remember, wedding favors do not have to be expensive. In fact, this type of gift can be something homemade. If you want to go all out, that is certainly fine, but it is also not necessary. The focus of the wedding favor is to let people know you are grateful for their assistance with your wedding and/or reception or that you are just honored they showed up.

To help you get started, we have provided you with the top five wedding favors.

Food

One of the most popular types of wedding favor is food, simply because most people love to eat. A wonderful option that is easy and inexpensive to make would be to purchase small black favor boxes and then line them with white tissue paper.

Place Oreo cookies or dark chocolate covered peanuts inside and then tie the box off with white and red ribbon. Watch everyone enjoy the beautiful box but even more, the delicious goodies inside. This is a very nice choice for both informal and formal weddings.

Flower Plant

The second of the top five wedding favors is a fresh plant or flower seeds. With this, you can get as creative as you want. A couple of ideas that work very nice is placing a miniature plant or cacti in a small terra cotta planter. To make this more personalized, the women (and men) in the wedding party could get together for lunch to embellish the pots with ribbon, craft paint, lace, and so on.

You could also choose a simple glass container, add three different seed packages, and punch a hole through the upper corner of all three to tie together with ribbon. These are appreciated because once planted, they are a constant reminder of your cherished event.

Fragrant Soap

For the third of the top five wedding favors, you might also consider fragrant soap or votive candles. For soap, this is a lovely wedding favor to place in hotel rooms of out-of-town guests. You can purchase all of the supplies at local hobby or craft stores and then purchase your fragrant of choice such as lemon grass, watermelon, sandalwood, white ginger, etc.

If you prefer, you can purchase pre-made soap or buy glycerin and molds to make your own. As an extra romantic touch, look at mold designs such as wedding bells, hearts, bubble designs.

Candles

Now for the fourth of the top five wedding favors, you can never go wrong with votive candles, enjoyed by both men and women. This type of wedding favor can again be purchased through a hobby or craft store or on the Internet.

If you prefer, you can create your own candles, which involves melting wax, adding color and fragrance, and then pouring into approved glass jars. Choose several coordinating colors if you like and for the simple yet elegant glass jars, add decorative touches such as flowers, ribbon, or trinkets attached with hot glue.

Pewter

Finally, the last of the five top wedding favors would be pewter or silver. You will find many wonderful choices such as picture frames, paperweights, and bottle openers. With this type of gift, you will probably pay a little more but this is a nice gift for a more formal wedding, affluent group list, or members of the bridal party.

Remember, you can choose from hundreds of wedding favors to include miniature bottles of wine, stationary with last name and wedding date, golf balls and tees for the sports enthusiasts, and the list goes on and on.

Whether you go with bubbles to be blown as you and your new spouse leave the church to creative miniature baskets filled with candles, candy or Jordon’s almonds and everything in between, the key is to choose wedding favors that coordinate with your wedding but that are also special for your type of guest list.


About the author:
Dion Semeniuk has been married for over 5 years now and has been providing ideas with his wife's help for other people's weddings. To learn more about other wedding favor ideas, visit www.wedding-favor-directory.com Circulated by Article Emporium
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Wedding Cake

Who Will Bake Your Wedding Cake

The is one of the most important features of your reception. In fact, it is the centerpiece of your reception. You should begin shopping for a baker 6-8 months before the wedding. If you plan on having your reception

catered, ask your caterer if they will bake your wedding cake.

However, you do not have to choose the caterer to bake your cake. You can also buy cakes from commercial and boutique bakeries, custom wedding cake designer, a culinary school or someone you know who makes cakes from home.

Begin by calling bakeries or cake decorators in your area to check for date availability. If they are available, make an appointment to go in and check out the designs, taste and skill level of the business. Many specialty cake decorators require that you book six months to a year in advance to reserve your date, whereas commercial bakeries may require 3 months due to larger staff and their ability to do a larger quantity of cakes.

Since most weddings are on the weekends, baker's deadlines also coincide with that timetable. A phone call to make an appointment to visit with the individual or bakery about your cake will be appreciated. If you just walk in and expect undivided attention, you may be disappointed if they do not have time to visit with you at that time.

Ask the baker to provide samples of the cake flavors, icings, fillings, etc., during your interview. The taste, flavor and texture of the cake itself will be the most important decision you will make when you order your cake.

The outside beauty of your wedding cake will be important for your pictures and your personal statement, but the inside of the cake is what you will be serving to your guests. You want a cake that is flavorful, moist and good to eat.

Before your meeting with the baker, collect pictures of wedding cakes that appeal to you. Be sure to take those pictures with you on your interviews so that you can give your baker an illustrated idea of what you are looking for in a wedding cake. Here are some key questions you need to ask them:

• Flexibility-Will they bake a cake according to your specifications?
• Is the cake made from scratch or is it from a cake mix?
• Request to see pictures of their work. Most bakers will have a portfolio of their cakes. Certain cakes are not good for particular seasons. For example, if you are planning an outdoor wedding in August, you want to avoid cakes with mousse, meringue, whipped cream or buttercream filling. Ask the baker what cakes are in season.
• What is the price per serving? Prices can average between $1.50 a slice to $15 a slice depending on the cake you choose. The price depends on frosting, decorations, architecture, etc. Understand that the more elaborate the cake, the more expensive the "per serving" price will be.
• What are the extra charges? Most bakers charge for renting the pillars, columns, cake toppers, delivery and set-up. There may also be extra charges for certain cake fillings, flavors, styles, etc.
• Who will be setting up the cake?
• What do they provide in the set-up? Talk to your baker about how you'd like the cake table to be set up.
• If you plan on using fresh flowers on your cake, who is responsible for providing the flowers, the baker or the florist?

When interviewing the baker, make sure you know the number of servings required, your desired type and design, and your budget for the cake. Be up front with the baker about the maximum amount you are willing to spend on your cake and ask them if they are willing to negotiate. Click here to see how you can save money on your wedding cake.

After you have decided on a baker and all the details, make sure to get everything in writing. Your contract should include the following:

• Detailed description of the cake type, style, and description of the decorations.
• The number of layers and fillings for each layer if applicable.
• Type of frosting.
• Wedding date, time and location of delivery.
• When, how, where and by whom the cake will be delivered (or picked up). Make sure to include the complete address where the cake is to be delivered.
• Name and contact information of the baker.
• List of rented items (pillars, cake stand, cake table, etc.)
• Delivery and set-up fees.
• Total price.
• Deposit amount.
• Balance and due date.
• Baker's cancellation and/or refund policy

If you do your homework, buying your wedding cake will be a smooth process. Remember to be realistic, and don't spend your entire wedding budget on your wedding cake.

About the author: Tom Tsatsos: http://theamericanwedding.com
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Wedding Rings

The Ultimate Wedding Accessory

Wedding Rings don’t tend to get the public airing that they deserve, in your average wedding celebration.
However, wedding rings are likely to be worn for the rest of the bride and grooms’ living days, so they are, arguably, the most important element of the wedding accessories.

Wedding Rings – The Basics
Wedding rings are exchanged as part of the ceremony, normally as vows are said by both parties. The guests do not normally see the wedding rings until after the ceremony is well and truly over, so it can be tempting to skimp on this element and save money.

Bear in mind that the bride will almost certainly wear her wedding ring alongside her engagement ring. It is essential, therefore, that they both rings work together well. This is particularly important if the engagement ring is of an atypical shape or with a particularly large stone.

Always consider your everyday jewelry. Although it is possible to accessorize on your wedding day to complement you choice of wedding rings, this ring will be worn every day, for many years, so it must fit in well with your general style.

This is equally important for the groom, as he too will have to wear the ring for some time, so he should also consider what would go well with his usual attire.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not essential to choose golden rings. If you prefer silver colored rings but want to retain the quality, why not consider white gold? It is also possible for the bride and groom to have different styles of ring, so do not feel pressured into selecting matching styled rings.

Wedding Rings – Ideas for Slashing the Budget
Whilst you want the best wedding rings possible, you do not need to spend a small fortune! Often, wedding rings are passed through the generations, particularly on the male side, so find out whether this is the case so that you can avoid the time and energy of searching for the perfect wedding rings!

When you are selecting an engagement ring, it may be possible to negotiate a discount on wedding rings, if they are purchased at the same time. Another possible option is to consider using cheaper wedding rings for the ceremony itself and to purchase the more permanent wedding rings, at a later day. The real point of this is to spread the major expenses – weddings do not come cheaply!

A great way to make cheaper wedding rings look unique is to have them engraved with your wedding date and your initials.

With a little imagination, wedding rings can truly look magical, without costing the earth!

About the author:
Elsie Gilbert offers great insights to all different types of wedding ceremonies, wedding styles, wedding accessories. From traditional to the exotic she makes it easy for the bride and groom to review and choose. For more details on all types of wedding ideas visit this site now www.weddingceremonyhelp.com

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How to Propose

Proposing Marriage

For most men (and women) proposing marriage is a nerve-wracking event, but it doesn't have to be. These tips can help you plan a proposal she'll never forget. Keep in mind there is no “right” way to propose; it's a personal and special moment unique to every couple.

Discuss marriage first: Marriage shouldn't be rushed into; it's a life-long commitment that requires serious discussion with your partner. Only when both partners are ready to take the “next step” should a proposal be considered.

Buy the ring: The engagement ring (and later the wedding ring) will be worn by the bride for the rest of her life. Don't settle on the first ring you see. Look for that “perfect” ring you'll know she'll love. Ask the salesperson's help in choosing a quality diamond and ring setting. Not sure of her style? Consider proposing without the ring and go shopping for it afterwards together.

Insure the ring: An engagement ring is usually a very expensive purchase. Don't leave things to chance. Should the ring be lost or stolen insurance will cover the cost of replacement.

Ask her father's permission: this wedding tradition dates to the days when a woman had no rights of her own; her father had full authority over whom and when she married. He accepted or declined proposals as he saw fit. Today most men ask the father's permission as a gesture of respect only.

Keep it a secret: As hard as it may be try not to tell anyone about your plans to propose. The less people you tell the less likely the bride is to find out. Unless of course you don't want to surprise her!

Plan the “big moment”: the proposal is one of those memories she'll cherish forever. Therefore, this “once in a lifetime” moment should be planned as befitting its significance. Don't feel as though you have to top other proposal stories.
Not every woman expects her proposal in skywriting! Instead, choose a place or time with special meaning for both of you. Was your first date at the beach? It could make a great proposal location.
Does she love Halloween? Consider carving “Will you marry me” into a pumpkin and hiding the ring inside as a “treat”.
However you propose keep it simple and personal; the best proposals are those that focus on why you are proposing rather than the how or when.

Have a back-up plan: Fate has a way of interfering when you want things to go “just right”. As it's impossible to foresee how your proposal will unfold always have a back-up plan in place. Then it's just a matter of trying again!

Celebrate: Once she accepts, spread the good news and celebrate! Make the most of this moment for all it's worth.

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10 Common Wedding Reception Mistakes

Common Mistakes Made by Brides and Grooms

Every bride wants a fairytale wedding. Therefore, this article will try and minimize problems that may occur during a wedding reception. Listed below are the more common mistakes made by brides and grooms during your wedding reception. We will tell you what to do!

Don't leave early.
Your guests came from near and far to see you on your wedding day. Not staying the whole time of the reception would be a slap in the face. This will be the only time most of your family and friends will be able to see you as you will be very busy with last minute preparations the days leading up to the wedding.

Setup all the tables.
Your wedding vendors will need to know where to set-up. Be sure there is a table for the wedding cake, music entertainment, catered food, sign-in near the entrance, gift table, tables and chairs for all your guests to eat and any other tables you may have planned for specialty items.

Preplan with your vendors a day or two before the wedding.
Be sure all your wedding vendors know exactly what you want. Clarify times and location so you don't need to worry about them.

Don't arrive late to the reception.
It is customary that guests do not start eating until the bride and groom start the food line. Be sure to get as many of your pictures taken BEFORE the wedding.

There are many ways to accomplish this. One is to have the entire bride's family pictures taken. Then, have the bride return to the dressing room. Next, take pictures of the groom and his family as guests can see the groom before the wedding.

This way you will not compromise the groom seeing the bride before the wedding. Therefore, all that is left after the ceremony are pictures of the happy couple.

Don't seat the young at heart directly in front of the music entertainment.
Older generations are at a wedding typically to socialize with their family and friends. If they cannot hear each other talk, an unhappy situation may occur. So, if by choice, seat the young at heart near the wedding party but away from the entertainer's speakers.

Don't have one particular type of music.
There are many different types of people in the world. And yes, they include your family and friends. For example, the bride and groom may love country music. It doesn't mean you have to play country music the whole night. There is a lot of celebration music besides what you like.

Start the food line or meal as soon as possible.
Guests plan their meal times the day of your wedding around your reception. Guest will not eat a big meal before your wedding because they know they will be eating at your reception. Don't starve them.

Know what it will cost you if the reception goes into overtime.
Ask the reception facility exactly how long you have the hall to rent and what time you must be out. Please allow time for cleanup if you are the ones doing it. What is the overtime charge for the facility, music entertainment, photography, etc?

Greet and say hello to all your guests.
Finally and most importantly, greet all your guests. Make an effort to have a conversation with each and every person. They are there to celebrate your marriage. Give them the common courtesy of thanking them for coming to your wedding.

Don't get drunk and obnoxious.
Keep in mind the only time brides and grooms eat during the wedding day rituals are at the wedding reception. There's not much food in your stomach and alcohol will affect you much faster. Try and eat throughout the day and watch how much you drink. You want your guests to remember how beautiful the bride looked, not how you acted.

(NOTE: This article has been reprinted from http://www.ArticleFeedster.com with permission.)

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5 Tips for Affordable Pre-Wedding Celebrations

Celebrate Your Wedding 

Perhaps one of the most popular and best loved wedding traditions is the pre-wedding celebrations like the wedding shower and bachelor parties. Usually these parties are supplied by the mother of the bride or the best man etc. Some couples find that they would rather host their own either out of necessity or desire.

Really, it does not matter who throws the party because in the end, it should still be affordable. There are ways to make this happen.

1. Throw a jack and Jill party which combines the bachelor and bachelorette party together. If it is hosted at a home, your guests can bring their own alcoholic beverages.

2. Have your bridal shower at your own home providing home cooked food.

3. At your bridal shower purchase decorations that can also be used as parting gifts such as personalized candles etc.

4. Celebrate your wedding at a local pub or tavern. This will give you the benefits of having all of your friends with you and none of the financial responsibility. Basically this night is no different than spending an evening with friends to celebrate a promotion, only the focus is on your wedding instead. Many couples will do this together instead of a bachelor/bachelorette party.

5. If you or a family member have memberships at a local legion, you can often convince them to let you use their halls for you bridal shower.

About the author: Mike Lindsey
For more tips and ideas on planning your wedding, check out The Ultimate Online Guide http://www.planning-your-wedding.com/
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Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner

Rehearsal Dinner

Your rehearsal dinner is a great time to enjoy being with family and friends and begin your wedding celebration. There are a few things you want to keep in mind when planning for this special event. Firstly, usually the groom’s parents host the dinner (however, this is no longer a strict rule). Sometimes the bride and groom will host the dinner or it can be hosted together by several people.

In terms of food for dinner, try a different style and menu than that of your wedding day. If your wedding is a formal sit-down dinner, try a buffet or something more casual for the rehearsal. Also, mix up the types of food. Maybe have each of the couple’s ethnicity reflected in the food for each meal.

Your rehearsal is the perfect time to incorporate a theme that the couple enjoys such as a Mexican Fiesta, or a Western Barbeque, or even a Hawaiian Luau. You could try a nautical theme, with the dinner on a boat, or have a clam bake on the beach. Be creative!

On the other hand, you may prefer a sit down dinner at a restaurant. Check out restaurants with private dining rooms. Plan the first hour of the rehearsal dinner as a cocktail ‘hour’ where guests can mingle with each other and with the bride and groom before eating. Having the dinner at a restaurant will also save some stress on the couple’s preparation, but may be a bit more costly.

Should you send invitations for your rehearsal dinner?
This is not required, but if you have the time and money, it’s a good idea. The invitation will tell people exactly where and when the rehearsal will be held and where and when the dinner will take place. Include directions to the restaurant if necessary.

If you choose to send invitations, make sure they are less formal than the wedding invitations. Invite everyone participating in the ceremony. Spouses or dates of all adult attendants should also be invited. Additionally immediate family is included.

It is not necessary to invite musicians or soloists unless they are close friends or family. Feel free to invite family and out-of-town friends not in the ceremony to the rehearsal for a chance to spend extra time with them.

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Wedding Cost Savings

Wedding Budget Savers

Almost every couple struggles to stay within a budget for their wedding day. Here are a few tips to help you
cut back on spending without cutting back on class.

To save on flowers, have a December wedding. Usually hotels, reception sites, and churches are already beautifully decorated which keeps expenses low. Also look into historic homes for a more intimate setting.

Consider having your wedding, reception or both at a local garden club or botanical garden. Both will offer a beautiful setting all year long, and your decorating expenses will be low. For a more intimate setting, consider a pretty bed and breakfast.

It is difficult to save on photography costs because you don’t want to skimp on such an important and timeless item. Your formal portrait should be taken by a professional photographer and not by a friend or relative. Since photographers usually charge partly based on hourly rate, consider sending them on their way following the ceremony.

Scatter disposable cameras on tables at the reception with cards asking your guests to take pictures. Provide a well-marked basket by the exit for your guests to drop the used cameras in when they leave. Have your families and bridal party make certain that guests understand this.

If a friend or relative does offer to take pictures, thank them, and suggest that they take photos at the reception. You could offer to pay for film and/or developing. You should make sure to get the negatives so you can order your own enlargements and reprints.

One of your biggest expenses will be the reception. A buffet is less expensive than a seated dinner, but have you considered something unique, such as a picnic, barbeque or afternoon tea?

While you will save money if you have a Christmas wedding, many venues up their prices, especially for a Friday or Saturday night. Consider a Sunday wedding since this is usually an ‘off’ day for most restaurants and clubs.

Try to prepare some of the food yourself. Cook ahead and freeze some items. Have family members cook up some family favorites with secret recipes. These will be sure to please every guest in attendance.]

What do I do First?

Wedding Planning

The day following your engagement, you run to the store to pick up every bridal magazine in sight. They are filled with photos of beautiful wedding gowns, rings, and articles on weddings.

Some of the magazines give you a brief idea of what you need to do to plan your wedding, but you’re still not sure how to start off the process. The key is to start organizing and planning earlier rather than later.

First, you need to create your own system to keep all the details in one place. You may choose to use a binder with a tab for each category you will be using.

Examples of categories include: Bakery, Ceremony, Catering, Florist, Music, Reception, Photography and Transportation. An accordion file is another choice, using the same category tables. This way you will be able to see each category at a glance.

Which system you choose is up to you, but use it consistently to keep track of all receipts, pictures, brochures, business cards etc. that is related to each category.

Once you have your system in place, then you can begin the research. There are plenty of wedding-planning books on the market and countless online websites. Visit the bookstore or the library to pick up a book to help with the planning process. If you have friends who were recently married, ask them if they have a book you can borrow to save a few bucks.

Next, find a wedding timetable layout. This will include a list of things ‘to-do’ for the entire time (months or years) before the big day. Some of the first things on the timeline may be: consulting with fiancé and parents to decide the budget and financial support available. Another may be deciding the number of guests you want to invite to your big day, deciding what type of wedding (formal or informal), or even interview some wedding coordinators. The timetable is a basic guideline. You can recreate it on your computer to fit your wedding and time line.

Once you have an idea of all the details involved in planning a wedding, and all the time you will have to invest, then you can begin asking friends and families for help. Delegate tasks to help you check off all the ‘to-dos’ on our list by the time you arrive at your special day.