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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Part three (the final conclusion to my Wedding Budget Series)  will show you how to save money for and during your honeymoon. After the long awaited celebration called a wedding, you and your spouse want and need a little R and R. But like everything else wedding related, you have to budget for this. Luckily you’ve got plenty of options and tools to help you plan and book your dream honeymoon, and I am here to share some great tips for budgeting your dream honeymoon. Here they are.

1- Go all-inclusive and pay a package price for the airfare, hotel, meals, and entertainment.  Best off all, many of these resorts have it all in one location, which means you won’t have to rent a car (unless, of course, you want to do some sightseeing or shopping). Some packages even throw extras like free wine, dinner, or massages. Ask before you book.

2- Stay close to home. If you live in the northeast, consider New York City, Martha’s Vineyard, Philadelphia, or Boston. If you live in the west, maybe you should vacation in the Grand Canyon, Los Angeles or Las Vegas.  Not only will you save on airfare, you also will save yourself from having to renew or obtain a passport.

3- Consider a honeymoon registry where your friends and family can chip in to pay for your honeymoon. This is an extraordinary idea if you want to stay in the Caribbean, Pacific Islands, or Europe. Check out TheBigDay.com or Honeymoon Wishes to get started.

4- Seek a travel agent that specializes in the area you want to stay. Sure you have to pay, but a smart agent will not only save you money, they often will give savvy tips on how to snag perks and freebies during your honeymoon. Who couldn’t use that?

5- Use these two little words that can save you money, “We’re newlyweds!”. Now this is no guarantee to anything, but you could receive a few discounts or freebies by just mentioning these two words.

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If you recently have been proposed to by way of a canary diamond, then it is hard not to get swept away by the brilliance of this diamond, which is named after the bird of the same color. A canary diamond is a yellow gem that is bright and pure, meaning that it contains no hint of other colors, such as brown, green or red. Canary diamonds are some of the rarest of all yellow diamonds. It is one of the most popular shades of what are known as fancy colored diamonds.

The yellow of a canary diamond is very bright. Due to its vividness it is sometimes called a lemon or a lemon drop stone. There is no denying the beauty of a canary diamond engagement ring. What gives the canary diamond its bright hue is nitrogen that is present in the carbon crystals when the stone is being formed. In order to get the sharpest yellow possible there needs to be a high concentration of nitrogen that cannot be tainted by any other kinds of elements that would modify its radiant color or detract from it in any way.

A diamond is beautiful no matter how you look at it, and every diamond is a symbol of love and commitment. However, when the diamond happens to be yellow there is an even deeper meaning inherent in it.  The shade of yellow is synonymous with happiness, joy and prosperity.

For those who follow astrology, yellow is the color for the Zodiac sign for Leo. Yellow is also the official ribbon color for those in the military and in particular for those deployed throughout the globe. A man in the military might propose to his beloved with a canary diamond. The color would be a reminder of their lasting love when the two are separated by many miles.

When choosing the metal for a canary diamond, platinum or white gold are the most appropriate choices as opposed to yellow gold. This is because the monochrome hues of these two metals will allow the true brilliance of the canary diamond to shine through in all of its dazzling glory.

If expense is an issue, then choose an alternative gem that feature a bright yellow hue, such as a yellow sapphire, cubic zirconia, citrine or tourmaline topaz.

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When it comes to packing for your honeymoon, you may have stars in your eyes but don’t let your excitement cause you to forget something important such as your passport! Here are some suggestions for packing for your dreamy honeymoon with your new spouse.

Make sure you keep all of your valuables with you at all times in your purse or carry-on luggage. This means your passport, camera, cell phone, jewelry, your glasses and your medication. It is also wise to pack at least one change of clothes (or perhaps just a pair of underwear, socks and a shirt) in your carry-on in case your luggage does not arrive at your destination at the same time that you do. It is also smart to have some toiletry items and your cosmetics in your carry-on for the same potential reason.

When choosing what clothes to bring, coordinating solids are your best bet. Leave your clothes with prints and patterns at home. Think simple and basic. Pack clothes that are wrinkle-resistant. Examples of these are microfibers such as Lycra, spandex, nylon and Tencel (or blends of such). If you will be honeymooning in a warm location, then pack more light colored fabrics than dark. While light colored materials do tend to show stains much more readily than dark colors, they are also cooler.

Bring versatile footwear that can be worn with more than one outfit, but make sure your shoes will be comfortable. If possible, bring shoes that can be worn for more than one occasion. Do not bring shoes (or clothing) on your honeymoon that has never been worn before.

Instead of folding your clothing in your suitcase, roll it. This allows more room and also cuts down on any wrinkles in your clothing. To save on space, place your socks and pantyhose inside of your shoes when you pack them.

When buying luggage for your honeymoon, buy two separate bags instead of one big one for the two of you to share. You might want to place a few items of yours in his suitcase and vice versa in the unfortunate event that one of the two bags gets lost in transit or is delayed. This also prevents either one of you from hurting your back when moving the suitcase from one place to another. Whatever you do, always buy luggage that has wheels! This is with the exception of your carry-on luggage.

Enjoy your honeymoon!

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A vow renewal ceremony is a ceremony where a married couple re-commits themselves to one another. Many vow renewal ceremonies are performed in a similar manner to a wedding. A vow renewal is often done for sentimental reasons and is often done as a way of commemorating and celebrating a milestone in the relationship such as a 25th wedding anniversary. It can be a very romantic gesture to express your enduring love for your partner in this fashion.

Many couples choose a romantic place, such as a vacation destination, to renew their vows and want their loved ones and close friends to be a part of the special ceremony. On the other hand, some couples choose to have a private ceremony with only a few witnesses in attendance. A tropical spot is always a hot spot for a vow renewal ceremony, but the decision remains with the two people who are at the center of it all.

Here are some important dos and don’ts when it comes to having a vow renewal ceremony:

•    If you choose to have your vow renewal ceremony at a  resort, then do look to the wedding planner to help you plan a ceremony that is appropriate for the two of you. Don’t be shy in asking questions and being specific about what you want.
•    Don’t procrastinate when it comes to the planning phase for the ceremony. Remember that the early bird gets the worm. If you are planning to bring a number of people with you, then you should find out if there is a group rate. The sooner you look into this the better.
•    Do find out about all extra charges so you will not be caught off guard when it comes time to pay the bill at the resort.
•    If you plan to have the ceremony outdoors at the resort (such as on the beach), make sure that an indoor venue is possible in the event of inclement weather.
•    Don’t take any chances when it comes to the photos for your ceremony. Choose someone well ahead who can takes pictures on your special day.
•    Do meet with the officiant before the ceremony to discuss it.
•    Do personalize your ceremony by writing as much of your vows as is possible.

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Part two of the Wedding Budget Series- the guide that gives you simple ways to save on everything wedding. Last week it was all about saving on the costs of the wedding reception. This week it’s all about saving on bridal gowns and attire for the wedding party.  Why pay full price for dresses and suits that everyone will only wear once?  Here are some tips that should save you valuable money.

• Are you seeking a wedding gown by a particular designer? Avoid eBay and search for a locally owned discount bridal boutique that specializes in designer gowns.  Try to ask recently married friends or a wedding planner for their recommendations.

• Looking for local consignment boutiques that specialize in used bridal gowns is another fabulous option. Once again, do your research before you purchase.

• Another good option is to purchase a beautiful  but simple wedding dress. A wedding dress made with silk organza is often a better budget option than an overly embellished dress.

• If you have to spend a lot on the wedding gown, then spend lightly on the accessories, like shoes and jewelry. If you’ve already got some beautiful pieces of jewelry, then feel free to wear them on your wedding day.

• Even though the wedding party generally pays for their own attire, shoes, and accessories- it would be a smart idea to keep their budgets in mind when choosing the outfits for your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl, and ring bearer. However, you are responsible for the flowers and boutonnieres.

• Try to check local tuxedo rental shops for discounted rentals for the groom and groomsmen. Sometimes, you’ll find special discounts when there are 4 or more rentals from the same shop.

Coming up next? Part 3 of the Wedding Budget Series:  Saving money on your honeymoon!

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