Archive for Planning

Getting in shape is always a good idea, and your upcoming nuptials are as good of a reason as any to lose weight and gain energy. It’s never too late to start exercising  and eating right, but no matter what your goal is, it is a good idea to check with your general practitioner before you start a plan. Even if you want to shed a few pounds, your doctor can help you choose the right track. The closer to the day of your wedding, the harder it will be to start a plan that works, so try starting a goal at least 5 to 6 months before the big day. Here are some wise tips to will help you along the way.

1- Make Smart Food Choices
The easiest way to lose a little weight is to eat more healthfully. Switch carbs, like potatoes or rice, with steamed vegetables. Forget chocolate and snack on fresh fruit. Replace soda or other carbonated beverages with pure water. Another smart method is called portion control, which lets you eat what you want, only less of it. Eating more healthfully will become easier once you change the bad food habits.

2- Learn Something New
Have you always wanted to take a dance class or maybe learn a little karate? Sign up for a class and reap the benefits of a healthy activity. But don’t forget to add some cardio to your plan. Cardio exercises are generally good for you, as they keep your heart rate going and help you burn calories. Good sources of this exercise including walking, swimming, and cycling. Try to do some form of cardio fitness at least 3 to 4 times a week. Another benefit you’ll get from moderate exercise is the stress relief factor, which is something you definitely need at this time!

3- Monitor Your Progress
No matter matter what diet or fitness methods you partake in, you’ll want to note the progress. Purchase a small book or journal and use it exclusively to track your diet and fitness changes. Share this information with your doctor, so that she can monitor your progress and offer advice.

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Selecting the right wedding invitations and stationery is so important because that is what sets the tone for the wedding. You and your fiance should sit down and talk about both of your visions of the wedding and set a theme. If you haven’t already, then do so soon or at least before you start sending out the invitations. You will want the invitations to invoke the details of the wedding, which would include the theme and formality. When you purchase your invitations, you probably want to think about other stationery options like save-the-date cards, ceremony programs, and thank you cards. Lets take a look at all your options.

Save-The-Date Cards
Many engaged couples opt to send out save-the-date cards before the formal invitation to remind the guests of the upcoming nuptials. You send them out after you have the official date of the wedding but before the formal invitations are sent out. A save-the-date isn’t mandatory, but it is ideal for those who are planning a destination wedding. Be sure to send them at least 6 months before the wedding day or weekend.

Formal Invitations
After you’ve made the list, you can send out the formal invites about 6 to 8 weeks in advance. That should give invitees enough time to RSVP and let you know if they’ll be there. About three or two weeks before the big day, you should start to take the final count of how many people will attend.

Programs
Once you’ve got all the ceremony details, it’s time to start planning a program. The ceremony program usually outlines the important events in the order that will take place during the wedding. A proper program should include the full names of the couple, officiant, and wedding party.  Many couples also add song lyrics or hymns to give the program a personal touch, but it’s not mandatory.

Thank You Cards
You and your fiance will be showered with gifts, so it’s only fair to send thank you cards. Don’t wait until you receive all the gifts, instead send out a thank you card as each gift arrives-  send them within two weeks of receiving it. Don’t forget to take out the time to write a heartfelt message in the thank you card. Never send out a thank you card that lacks a personal, handwritten message from you or your fiance.

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The prospect of an upcoming wedding is a cause for joy and also a time of planning. Traditionally speaking, it was the bride’s family that paid for the wedding (or at least paid for most of it) but also did the majority of the wedding planning.

In modern times it would seem unfair to expect the bride’s family to handle all of the financial responsibilities for a wedding, which is why most couples choose to fund their own weddings today. This is also the case when it comes to the wedding planning stage.

It is common for the couple to draw up a list of which wedding tasks are assigned to which person. For example, the bride might be responsible for the flowers and the cake, while the groom might book the church and the hall for the reception.

Most brides do wish to have their family members play a role in the planning of the wedding. Suggestions and advice from family can be very beneficial to the bride, as she is probably feeling overwhelmed by all of the work ahead of her. Having her mother, sister, and/or grandmother help her pick out the right wedding dress and choose a color scheme is something that many brides welcome.

The bride’s family can enjoy close family ties and the bonding experience that wedding planning brings, as they do such things as make suggestions about the décor for the wedding and sample different types of cakes. Help from those who love the bride is generally greatly appreciated as the pre-wedding planning gets into full gear.

It is up to the bride how much involvement she wants her family members to have in the planning of her wedding. She and the groom can sit down and discuss this issue, if she is unsure what to do. Some brides want lots of input from their loved ones while others prefer to do most of the planning with their future spouse. This is also dependent upon the size of the family, how close they are and where they live. If you need help, ask for it, but do not let your family get carried away either! The important thing to remember is that this is your wedding and you should take the biggest role in the planning of it.

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Selecting your bridesmaids can be tough to do, particularly if you have a lot of close friends or come from a large family with a lot of sisters. Getting caught up in the excitement also can make you prone to selecting a maid of honor or bridesmaid that is less than par.  Being a bridesmaid is more than an honor, its also a big responsibility. That is why you cannot choose just anyone, and you certainly don’t want to choose someone who will let you down. How do you select your bridesmaids and maid of honor? Read on.

Stay Local
It just makes more sense to choose bridesmaids that live in your vicinity simply because staying in touch with them is easier, plus they are more able to help you out. But if you insist that your best friend who lives clear across the county become one of your bridesmaids, make sure that she knows and is more than willing to help out with her duties.

Try To Keep The Number Under 6
Choosing five or six bridesmaids is ideal for moderate to large weddings. If you’re having a smaller wedding, you might want to keep that number under three plus a maid of honor. The same applies to those under a strict budget, because having less bridesmaids means less flowers and attendant gifts to purchase. Choose a number wisely and stick with it.

Make Sure Your Bridesmaids Are Reliable
Don’t choose any of your fair-weather friends, and don’t choose anyone that you cannot trust. A bridesmaid (particularly a maid of honor) has to be someone who will help you through the tough times and remain a trusty ally when you’re struggling with wedding related issues.

Remember That You Don’t Have To Choose Your Relatives
Its okay if you don’t choose your sister as a bridesmaid, if you are not that close to her. The same applies to cousins, future in-laws and step-siblings. Only ask your closest relatives that you trust or your sister if you cannot imaging not having her by your side as you plan this dream day. Remember that reliability is still number one with family.

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Most engaged couples choose a spring or summer wedding, but there are still plenty of people who choose to get married during winter.  A winter wedding can be just as romantic as a summer one, perhaps even more so, not to mention that tying the knot off peak season thoroughly has its advantages, like off-peak discounts and the chance to coordinate your big day with a holiday, such as Christmas, New Year, or even Valentine’s Day! That said, there are a few disadvantages to be had, like selecting the floral and fauna. Fortunately, you still will find a lot of terrific ideas and options, even if you don’t live in Florida. Read on.

Go With the Classic Choices
Many of your favorite flowers are available in the winter. Go for the classic rose, the popular daisy, the unique snowball, or even the flower that’s not really a flower- the poinsetta. Other great options include tulips and jasmine. Talk with your local florist which are local and/or in season, so they can help you make a wise choice.

Have Fun with Color
While there may be an abundance of wedding flowers, the color choices? Not so much. But this is when creativity really pays off! If you’re going for a theme, of course you will want the flowers’ colors to reflect this. Regardless of choice, the hottest flower color choices include reds, deep purples, and creams/white. And don’t forget to add a touch of greenery with the flowers or décor; winter’s top picks in greenery include pine cones, holly, ivy, and magnolia leaves.

Add More Than Flowers to Your Centerpiece
Stretch your budget by incorporating other décor options for the centerpiece. Try candles- red or deep pink candles look fantastic for a Valentine’s wedding.  Or maybe try faux snow in vases for a holiday themed wedding.

Use Flowers That Have a Meaning
A flower is never a flower as each flower (and sometimes a certain color of flower) has a different meaning. Ivy means fidelity, a red rose means passion, and a purple tulip means royalty. If you want, choose a couple of flowers for your bouquet that mean something significant.

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Not every engaged couple is going to want fine china, crystal, and a new blender. Many  a couple these days don’t spend much time in the kitchen, and even less time actually cooking. Why make a list of gifts that will probably end up collecting dust in the pantry? If a gift registry is not your (nor your fiance’s) thing, then what options do you have? Aside from asking for money (not a bad idea once you know how to phrase it well), there are more creative options out there.

1. Ask Them to Chip in for Honeymoon Expenses
The whole wedding is pricey, and so is the honeymoon. Why not let them help pay for the romantic getaway of your dreams? With website like Buy Our Honeymoon, you easily can make a list of experiences, accommodations and more. Then your family and friends can select what they want to pay for, which saves you more money in the long run.

2. Have Them Donate to a Meaningful Charity
Perhaps you and your fiance are involved in a charity that means a lot to both of you. Why not politely ask guests to donate money to your preferred charity in your honor? This is truly a gift that keeps on giving, plus they can donate a little or a lot. The I Do Foundation is just one website specializing in charity registries.

3. Ask Them to Purchase the Big Picture
If what you really want is a new couch, who says that a new piece of furniture or maybe a new kitchen appliance doesn’t make a great gift? Now, since these are probably the most expensive and largest of gift idea, you might ask for everyone to pitch in together to purchase that big screen television or new china hutch.

4. Money Is Always Welcome
If you really need financial assistance or just would like to start a saving account, then make sure the word gets out that you would like financial gifts.  One method includes mentioning this on your wedding website, but word of mouth is always best!

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When I hear the word elope I immediately think of 24-hour wedding chapels in Las Vegas. I also think of young people who are deeply in love but whose parents do not approve of the union. I also think of soap operas. The whole idea of elopement seems to be clandestine, incredibly romantic and chillingly exciting!

To elope is to run away to get married. For many it is a secretm, and it happens out of the blue. However, it is quite possible for a happily in love couple to decide to elope even when their parents approve of their relationship and no matter what their ages are.

One of the most common reasons that couples elope is because they want to get married in a very simple manner and do not want have to deal with all of the preparations and headaches that come with planning and having an extravagant wedding. This is especially the case if they realize that someone else is calling the shots for their upcoming wedding day.

Eloping is kind of like getting married incognito. It might seem like a devilish adventure, but bear in mind that you risk upsetting certain people if you decide to forego marriage in the traditional manner and run off to be wed elsewhere.

Deciding to elope should not be a decision that is made spur of the moment. It should be something that the two of you discuss at length. Planning still needs to be involved when you are leaning towards eloping. You will be embarking on a couple’s adventure, but first make sure that this is what you both want. If one person is just giving in to make the other one happy, then perhaps you need to do some more talking on the subject.

Keep in mind, too, that just because you elope does not mean that everyone who is special to you must be excluded. Even if you plan to have a very basic wedding ceremony in city hall in a town a few miles away (or in another state), you can still invite a handful of loved ones and close friends to come along. In fact, there are certain areas in both the United States and Canada where you must have a marriage license and two witnesses in order to make your marriage legal.

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You are getting married, and you couldn’t be happier! As you think ahead to your special day, you realize that the budget you have for your wedding is much smaller than a shoestring- it is more like a piece of dental floss! Instead of panicking, realize that you are not the first couple to get married on a very small budget. Don’t let money worries put a dent in your wedding preparations. Here are some tips for how to manage when your budget is more minuscule than you wish!

There are expensive wedding gowns that are beautiful, but then there are also second hand wedding gowns that are just as lovely. There is nothing wrong with buying a gown that has been worn by another bride. No one has to know! If that is not to your liking, then consider renting a wedding gown for your special day or wearing your mother’s or another family member’s. It is not uncommon for men to rent tuxedos as opposed to buying them, so why not wedding gowns?

Flowers are generally seasonal, and some are pricier than others. One option is to choose a lower cost flower that closely resembles your number one choice that is out of your budget. Another option is to see if anyone in your neighborhood or community grows flowers. You might be able to buy flowers for your wedding at a fraction of the cost. Friendly neighbors tend to charge much less than flower shops, and their flowers are just as beautiful!

Hiring a photographer and/or videographer can be expensive. If you know someone who takes pictures for weddings or if there is someone you know who is good with a camera, then hire him for your wedding day. You might want to hire more than one person to take photographs at different angles simultaneously. Your pictures will turn out gorgeous, and your wallet will not be hurting!

Unless you have a family member or close friend who is a hair stylist you probably will have to go to a salon to get your hair done professionally. However, you could enlist the help of someone close to you to do your makeup and your nails.

Have someone make your cake instead of ordering it from a bakery. This should cut costs tremendously.

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The best man in a wedding is generally the brother of the groom. If the groom does not have a brother or stepbrother, then he may choose either a close friend of his or the brother of the bride, if she has one and if the two men are close.

It is the job of the best man to be the groom’s right hand man. He is the person who takes care of the groom’s needs and must be a responsible individual who is good at organizing. The role of best man is one that must be taken seriously.

It is the best man who throws the bachelor party for the groom. He can accept input and help from other people involved, but the crux of the responsibility falls on his shoulders. The best man must buy or rent his own tuxedo and shoes for the wedding, and in most cases he must pay for his own travel and accommodations if he is coming from afar.

He also is expected to act as a guide or leader for the groomsmen in making sure that everything to do with the tuxedo fittings goes as smoothly as possible, including making sure each one knows the date, time and place.

If the groomsmen are acting as ushers in the wedding, then the best man needs to be able to organize the gentlemen and coach them on their jobs where he sees fit. The best man and maid of honor traditionally are supposed to work together in organizing any special dinners being held for the bride and groom and/or the wedding party. It is their task to decide on a location and a date and time, as well as any extras that are needed for the occasion. The best man and maid of honor typically pay for the meals of the bride and groom while each member of the wedding party pays for his/her own meal.

In some weddings the best man escorts the maid of honor down the aisle. It is also the best man who gives a speech at the reception and makes a toast to the newlyweds. Of course, the most important job of the best man’s is to be a friend and confidant to the groom!

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There are many reasons to host your wedding at home (or perhaps at the house that belongs to your parents, relatives, or a close friend). For one thing, you will save quite a bit if you don’t have to pay extra for the ceremony and/or  reception locations. Another reason may be you want a rather small and intimate reception at home. Whatever the reason for your at-home wedding, there are some basic things to know that will help make planning this special day easier.

1- Make Sure Your House Is Ready
Other than the obvious like cleaning, make sure that there will be enough space for all your guests to move around and have a good time. If you know children will be attending, make sure that your home is child-friendly and take extra precautions for their safety. As always, make sure that there are at least several clean bathrooms and make sure that the guests know about them. If you don’t, see if you can rent a few extra portable bathrooms.

2- Enlist A Wedding Planner
If you’re planning to hold your nupitals at home, it would not hurt to hire a wedding planner to help assist you and to guide you through this process.

3- Check The Laws
Depending on where you live, it would be a smart idea to check with local ordinances to see if your house or yard need safety or fire inspections. Don’t forget to find out about your local laws on noise regulations. You might need to apply for a permit at least 6 to 9 months in advance.

4- Plan For The Inevitable
It happens. You finalize all the fine details and then something goes wrong either the day before or on the day of. While you cannot predict the future, it’s a good idea to come up with backup plans should such occasions arrive. Discuss various scenarios (like a rainstorm on the day of your backyard wedding) and come up with alternative plans. In the end, it is best to be prepared no matter what situations arrive.

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