Planning Your Summer Wedding - Start Today!

There are so many perks to summer weddings that this is the time that most people plan to have their own weddings. Summer weddings are perfect when it comes to weather, scenery, and even the attitudes of other people, which are made much more pleasant by the presence of the sun and warm weather.

Picture it now: nice warm gusts of wind, an outdoor setting, bright colors and the sounds of birds in the air without a single cloud in the sky…

Of course, you can't really change the weather, but you can try to. The weather forecast is not always the most reliable thing, especially when you really need to be able to count on the five-day forecast the most.

There are a few facets to summer wedding planning that any bride-to-be or wedding planner should keep in mind, and the first one actually is the weather. Many people plan their weddings for the summer time because the weather is a bit more predictable during this time. If you're lucky, you will get beautiful sunshine, a light, cooling breeze and a nice clear night for the reception.

If you are like any other bride in the world, chances are that it will probably rain on your parade, so it is always best to have a backup location for your wedding or reception if the venue is outdoors. In some areas of the United States, summer weddings are great except for those few extremely hot days that roll around every year, and who wants to put off their own wedding due to extremely high temperatures? Don't torture yourself or your guests, and make sure that you have a plan should the weather not be appropriate for your shindig.

As far as your wedding venue goes, if you are planning to have a summer wedding, you want to keep your guests in mind at all times. Summer weather can be brutal, so having shady places available (even if they are only trees or tents) is a must for any summer wedding. In addition, having enough refreshments for everyone when it is hot is also important. Whether or not they have a bottle of water next to their chairs could be the difference between your guests staying for the ceremony and sneaking out when you turn your back to take your vows.

Summer wedding planning can be a tricky thing as the weather patterns in most places in the summer are so much different than they are the rest of the year. It is best to plan your festivities according to the movements of the sun, unless you are having a night-time wedding, as this can keep your guests from cooking as well as yourself. After all, it is the bride that is going to be wearing the most clothing at a summer wedding, anyway.

Summer weddings are about fun, flirtatiousness, sunshine and happiness. Bring a little of all of that into your summer wedding planning and you will truly have a party and ceremony to remember forever.

Destin Florida Weddings

Destin Florida Weddings are Romantic and Beautiful on the Emerald Coast Waters, The sand on the beach in Destin Florida is Sugar White,and will Amaze you ! At first sight, you will swear that it is snow or sugar. and the water has reefs that prevent shell's from reaching the shoreline, there are a lot of Beach Weddings performed on Destin's Beach's and the bride and groom looks great in Wedding Photographs on Destin Beach, the number of destin Florida Weddings on the Beach are in the thousands per year, can you imagine yourself in a Destin Wedding ?

If you search Google, you will find a Beach Wedding Company in Destin Florida that is great at Beach Wedding ceremonies. Destin Beach Weddings have grown in popularity over the past decade, as has the number of Condo Rentals on the Beach.Destin Florida wasn't alwats such a Beach Wedding Capitol, Destin was a small fishing village for Destination fishing. Now destin is a destination Beach Weddings location for all the United States to travel to.

The Weddings on the beach are performed with the Bride and Groom standing Barefoot in the sand, with an Tropical Arbor of some nature in the backdrop, overlooking The Emerald Coast Waters on the Seaside edge.there are also some other interesting places near Destin Florida to visit, Panama City Beach is only about 30 min's from destin, and Pensacola Beach is appx the same 30 min drive, Panama City Weddings and Pensacola Beach Weddings are not as popular as the original destination Beach Wedding location Destin Florida Wedding. however the Beaches at either location is still beautiful for a Florida Beach Wedding

Fabulous Gifts For The Bride

There are few things in life more wonderful than getting married. It just gives a good feeling to see two people in love starting out together, doesn't it?

Buying gifts for the wedding or engagement party is almost as fun as buying gifts for yourself, but wedding gifts don't have to break the bank. In fact, it's usually cheaper to buy the couple a something for their new home rather than giving them cash. So, if you want some great gift ideas (because the thought of giving them a toaster just makes you cringe …), read on. We've got some great ones.

For a Creative Gift

Well, that high-priced photographer is going to produce mounds of photographs, all of which will need a home. A photo album or funky, artistic frame is always a good choice for a wedding gift.

Or, why not think about getting the happy couple something to do together in their leisure time? Perhaps a picnic basket and set of picnic supplies, a doublewide hammock, or an exquisite wine gift basket.

For a Healthy Gift

If the newly married couple is into healthy or organic living, why not put together a gardening kit for them? Find some organic vegetable or flower seeds, and collect all the tools they'll need to garden together in the backyard.

You could also think about ordering them a gift basket full of organic foods. With all the stress of planning and pulling off a wedding, it might be nice to just relax one night and munch on some organic, tasty treats!

For Pure Decadence

Decadent gifts can be anything from the pure luxurious to the downright fun. With all the blenders and plates the couple is going to be getting, why not lighten things up and get them a basket full of games? Stock it up with things they can play together, everything from a deck of cards to Monopoly.

If you're thinking luxurious, well the sky is only limited by your imagination! What about a digital photo frame? One of these will allow them to upload all their wedding pictures. The screen changes every few seconds, so they always get to look at a new picture.

For the Time Honored Gift

What about an expensive journal and pen to record their wedding experience in? It would definitely be an adventure to look back on 10 years from now and read about how Aunt Marge got drunk at the reception and lead the conga line for over an hour!

Or, what about some personalized stationary to write thank you notes on?

For a Technology Gift

If you're thinking luxurious and techie, why not purchase a new home theater system? There's almost nothing better than curling up to a good movie with theater surround-sound (although it might be hard to resist keeping this one for yourself …).

If that's a little out of budget, what about nice photo printer to print all their wedding pictures out on? If you're feeling a bit on the luxurious side, you can also stock them up on ink refills as well.

With a little advance planning and creativity, you can go above and beyond the toaster and blender cliché of wedding gifts. You'll give a gift that's unexpected, appreciated, and certainly memorable!

She Can't Let Him Go

Anonymous Asked:

My friend broke up with her boyfriend long ago but still cannot get over him. Recently he returned to her hometown on a travel trip. At first she told me she had met him and now can move on. But then, she confessed that after that meeting, she keeps calling or tries to contact him. The bad thing is he has his new life. She knows that and seeing him with another woman makes her feel unhappy. And yet, she keeps calling.

I feel I should say something to her, but have no clue. Could you please help me? (We are just friends) Thank you.

Blushgirl Says:

Ultimately, the only person who can do anything in this situation is your friend. I am surprised the guy she keeps calling hasn't said something to her by now. I don't know their history, but could he be leading her on in some way? If so, then she needs to get away from him even more. If she is ever going to move on, she needs to stay away from this guy, especially since he has a new woman in his life.

If you have talked to her about this situation already, then that is all you can do. If you haven't, then tell her your concerns. Just assure her that you are there for her, and care about her. You want to be there for her if she needs to talk, but you don't want to become a "crutch" she can lean on whenever she is feeling depressed. Ultimately, she may need some space to work through these things on her own. Some people need more time than others to cope with certain situations and to come to decisions they need to make.

Just be there for her, but don't feel the need to "say something" to make her feel better. There is still something holding her to this old relationship, and that is something only she can change. There is nothing you can say that will make her problems magically go away. You have already done what you needed to do. Just let her know you are there, and care. That is what she needs right now… a good friend to listen.

Be a good friend, but don't feel the need to change her life for her. That is something only she can do… and she will when she is truly ready. She is very lucky to have you! - Kelly

Thinking Outside The Box With Artistic Wedding Photography

Your wedding day is one of the most special, eagerly awaited days in your life; and often we spend a great deal of time and money to ensure that it is perfect in every way. Everything from the flowers to the food is given careful consideration in an effort to plan a cohesive and exciting event that is reflective of your personality. And nothing is more scrutinized than the photography – that which will be a lasting memory of your special day. Today's sophisticated brides and grooms are looking to artistic wedding photography more and more – as a way to infuse their wedding with non-traditional style.

Artistic wedding photography is photography that is approached with more than just "stand and pose pictures" in mind. Gone is the day of formal – and often stiff – wedding photography. Today's photographers have ushered in a growing trend wherein they bring creative expression to the age-old craft of wedding photography.

Some methods included in artistic wedding photography may include the use of non-traditional angles that you may have never associated with wedding photographs – including the use of light, color, shadow, and scale. A creative photographer can create dramatic works of art out of a single photograph and present you with a photographic result you can frame and hang in any room.

An increasingly popular style of artistic wedding photography is that of candid – or journalistic type – photography. Using this method, the photographer takes photographs of the couple and their guests when they are unaware of the picture being taken. Photographers who are adept at this have an uncanny ability to stay unnoticed and still get beautiful, engaging shots.

Artistic wedding photography may also include the use of the computer to add design elements to the photography in order to make them unique. The choices are really endless when it comes to creating photographic works of art. Working with a photographer who can best express the style that is unique to you and your wedding means finding one that works at a higher creative level than traditional wedding photographers. Luckily, most photographers host their own website where visitors can browse through their work and get a sense of their style.

Having a wedding does not mean that you are stuck with traditional vendors and formality reminiscent of your mother's wedding. Infuse your wedding with modern sophistication by choosing artistic wedding photography. The memories will last you a lifetime.

The Secret Tool for Editing the Perfect Wedding Video

If your wedding video consists only of raw footage shot by friends and relatives because your budget had no room for professional videography services, don't despair. You can still have a beautifully edited video by doing it yourself or hiring a video editor.

In either case you can save substantial time and money by first organizing the footage yourself with the help of a secret tool called "logging." Logging is a process whereby you review/playback the footage and write down or "log" the starting and stopping times, per the time code, of your preferred shots.

You can make your own log sheets simply by taking blank pieces of paper (8 1/2 x 11) and drawing grids containing rows and columns. At the top of the page you can have rows and columns in which you insert basic information about the program you are editing.

For example, you will want rows for the name of the wedding, the date, the name of the cameraperson, and the videotape cassette number. This is important if the footage comes from more than one camera that used more than one tape. This way you will know who shot the footage and which videotape cassette your are logging. Don't forget to have a place where you can number your log sheets (e.g. Page ___ of ___). This helps to keep you from getting lost when you have multiple log sheets/pages.

Now add about twenty-five rows, divided into four columns. Head the columns as follows: "Action" "Start" "Stop" "Comments".

As you play back the tapes, write down the specific action you are viewing (e.g., "entrance of first bridesmaid," or "mother of bride being escorted to seat," etc.) Write down the time code when the action starts and then write down the time code when the action stops.

Most newer digital cameras place an automatic time code on your footage. (The time code isn't really "on" your footage, but is a part of the playback display.)

However, if you're using VHS or another analog format, before viewing the footage, be sure to reset the video player's counter to 00:00:00 for each tape before you begin logging.

You will also rate or "comment" on each one of your log entries according to its suitability (e.g., "don't use," "must use," "so-so," "really bad"), or any other notes that you wish to remember about a particular shot.

Once the logging is complete, and you have selected all the shots you want to use, you will have a blueprint for editing the video. This "blueprint" will have the added benefit of substantially reducing the time you or an editor spends in the editing suite. Since most professional editors charge by the hour, this can result in significant cost savings.

Video editing is the process of building a video program, shot by shot, by electronically cutting and splicing the raw footage, in order to tell a story in the most seamless, compelling and entertaining way. Editing allows you to keep the good and dump the bad, thereby creating a finished product that is more than the sum of its parts.

Picture the footage as a very long chain. The footage, like a chain, is made up of individual shots or "links". You select and assemble the shots or "links" together to tell your story.

Video editing is a very creative and exhilarating process. However, you might want to resist the temptation to channel Steven Spielberg, by getting carried away with effects like too much slow motion, or using every wipe and dissolve in you editing program's arsenal. Remember... this is about the bride and groom and not about you and your burgeoning editing talents.

Whether you decide to edit the footage yourself or hire a professional editor, using the secret tool, "logging" will put you well on your way toward having a beautifully edited wedding video that you will treasure forever.

A Guide To the Renewal of Marriage Vows

The renewal of marriage vows is becoming more and more common these days. Many couples use it as a way of celebrating a long and successful marriage as well as a way of showing the further commitment they have to the future married life together. For many couples they are now looking for ways in which they can celebrate the renewal of their marriage vows in a more unique and personal way.

For many they will decide to renew their marriage vows on a special wedding anniversary say their 25th (Silver) or 50th (Gold). Also these type of marriage vows can be particularly relevant for those couples who have been through some hardships during their marriage and which has put a strain on their relationship, but who have now overcome these difficulties and so wish to celebrate this by renewing their commitment to each other. There are many reasons why couples decide to renew their marriage vows and below we provide some reasons as to why.

1. They have decided that they want to celebrate an important wedding anniversary.

2. Their first element had some sort of disaster involved and so they want to redo it.

3. Because they could not afford to have an elaborate wedding first time round but they can afford to do it now.

4. You only had a few people present at the original ceremony and would like now to say your marriage vows again in front of all your friends and family.

5. You just think it would be romantic.

However, the good thing about if you are considering renewing your marriage vows is that there are less rules that need to be followed compared with a wedding ceremony. It is the couple's decision as to how simple or elaborate they would like it to be. They may decide that they just want to be alone in a beautiful spot somewhere and reciting the vows that they written down to each other or they may go for the full blown church marriage vows ceremony with hundreds of guests present.

But which ever form of marriage vows renewal a couple goes for it will show to those around them just how much they love each other and how committed to their marriage they are as well.

Las Vegas Wedding Favors For Your Vegas Wedding

You and your soul mate are getting married really soon. You have decided to have your wedding in the city of sin Las Vegas. There are so many different places you can get married in Vegas it is unbelievable. You of course can get married by Elvis or in a drive through if you like. You can also have a very formal wedding if you wish.

Now what comes along with your wedding is the decorations. Do it Vegas style with Las Vegas wedding favors. Wedding favors are nice keepsakes and mementos of your wedding day. So if your having a Vegas wedding then choose some fun, Vegas themed favors. It just makes sense. So below I have listed some Vegas style wedding favors that you can purchase online to give your reception that Vegas feel.

Las Vegas themed Chrome Key chain with Crystal Dice

With Las Vegas-style weddings and showers on a hot streak, it's a sure bet that this chrome keychain with crystal dice makes a fabulous favor. The key chain includes clear crystal dice with plenty of suave appeal. Comes in a stylish silver deluxe box embellished with a heart design. An organza bow and attached matching thank you tag wrap up the sizzle. This crystal dice key chain will make a awesome keepsake and practical favor for your guests.

Las Vegas Themed Glass Coasters

A great event is in the cards for you and your family and friends when you give these playing-card-themed coaster sets as favors for any occasion. The square coasters feature four alternating red and black squares with a suit symbol at the center. Each set of four comes individually packaged in a clear plastic gift box tied with a white organza bow with an "Ace of Hearts" thank you tag attached. These coaster favors are great for cocktail hour. Your guests can take these favors home and use them at their own bar.

Poker Themed Place Card Holders

When you have these poker themed place card holders at your wedding it is certainly not a gamble. These tall resin place card holders are sure to be winners! Each of the four assorted place card holders is shaped like the symbol of one of the suits - spades, hearts, clubs and diamonds - in its coordinating color of black or red. A wire coil rises above the card suit base and acts as the place card holder - also perfect for holding a note or photo in your guests' homes or offices.

These are just a few of the many different types of favors that you can purchase for your Las Vegas style wedding. The favors that you have at your reception can make a huge difference of your overall theme. So if it is Vegas you want than you can browse online and we are sure that you will find the perfect favors for your Vegas wedding.

After The Wedding - Where To Live?

An important factor that newly-weds must consider for after the wedding is where they wish to live. As husband and wife, logically, they are expected to live under one roof, hence they must decide on where they want to establish their home. Of course, such a decision will have been contemplated well before the marriage ceremony. Some couples are already living together even before the wedding.

Planning on a permanent home can be difficult for couples who live in different cities or localities. This is something that should be resolved prior to the wedding so that this will no longer be a major concern. You must take into account such factors as your birthplace, your heritage, your love or dislike of the areas you are currently living and, of course, where you work and where you friends are.

Choosing can sometimes be fraught with difficulty. Should you live near HIS place or HERS? Does it matter if you have to travel to see your family or should your partner have to do that? It can be a true cause of conflict and sometimes needs careful planning and negotiation. Bear in mind that the place you choose will be a permanent place at least for a few years.

But, don't fret. Statistics show that couples will move throughout their married life – as their own family grows and as employment responsibilities develop. Nevertheless, you would wish to be comfortable and settles (or as much as you can be) right from the start.

Make sure you spend a good amount of time deciding on your shared home. Make concessions where they are warranted, avoid being stubborn and take the other person's view into account.

Wedding Planning - Making A List And Checking It Twice

One of the most important moments in any couple's life together is their marriage ceremony. Their wedding is a celebration that allows them to share this very special day with friends and family. An occasion this important should be organized and planned well ahead of time.

It's only natural for any engaged couple to want their wedding day to be just perfect, with every little detail smoothly executed. No matter what size the wedding budget may be, or what preferences the couple may have, this can be done with a thorough wedding planning system.

Any special event requires detailed planning to ensure its success and your dream wedding is no different. If you have just recently become engaged, and are starting your wedding planning, here are a few tips to help you have the wedding of your dreams.

Designate And Share Responsibilities

Wedding planning has traditionally consisted of the bride taking full responsibility for all the wedding preparation details only occasionally consulting with her soon to be husband to make sure he agrees with the flowers to be used, the color and theme of the event, and any other such detail. Usually, the groom will nonchalantly agree with anything and everything he believes his soon to be bride wants. This is one tradition that should be resisted.

Remember, this should be a shared experience with the groom, and he should be involved in the entire wedding planning process. A prospective bride may have thought about her wedding and just how she would like it to be since she was a child. However, the wedding planning stage presents an excellent opportunity to begin working on the mechanics of give and take, and proper communication. These are going to be necessary as you embark on your life together.

While you will want to share as much planning responsibility with the groom as possible, don't bring him into the decision making process when it comes to wedding planning details like choosing patterns, prints and colors. He will probably be grateful. Instead, share with him responsibilities that he may be good at, and might enjoy doing. Planning your wedding together will bring both of you even closer, making that special day even more special.

Setting The Wedding Date

The planning of a wedding begins with choosing a date for the ceremony. At this stage, there is really only one thing to look out for. Make sure there is enough time before the actual wedding date for all your wedding planning to be completed efficiently.

Another consideration when deciding on your wedding date is to try and pick a date that is convenient for everyone to attend. This is especially true if you will be having guests that must travel a considerable distance. This can be more important than you might think. You will want your friends and family to have a good time at your wedding, and setting a convenient date for everyone will be a great help in accomplishing this.

Your To Do List

Having selected your wedding date, the real wedding planning work begins. Make a detailed list of everything that needs to be accomplished, and who is responsible to accomplish it. This will greatly help you to stay on top of everything and avoid being overwhelmed and stressed.

Copyright 2007 Carl DiNello

How Do You Keep Focused On Your Cheap Wedding Stuff So You Don't Blow Your Wedding Budget?

Your budget is set with the promise of cheap wedding stuff and you have great intentions at the start of your wedding planning, but the more you shop the more you will find another something that you just have to have!

You need to stay focused on your wedding budget, as agreeing to another small detail on a favor box or a more elaborate menu can just be what takes your budget over.

Every wedding supplier that you meet will be a great salesperson, it is their job to get an extra sale from you so it is best to know when they have moved into upsell mode.

Firstly, they will need you to confirm that you are going to use their services. If the budget is important to you they will know this and talk all about the cheap wedding stuff; the set menus, the drinks packages, the discounted wedding dress. You get the picture? You feel comfortable with them and feel that they have your best interests at heart, which they may do but they earn their income or bonus from the sales to you. Remember that it isn't personal to the wedding company it is business, and big business!

So you have confirmed the sale and here is where you need to be careful, you are in a receptive frame of mind. They may start to describe the more expensive champagnes, the perfect full price tiara or shoes that go with your dress and if you want to stick to your wedding budget you now need to say no!

Saying no without embarrassment and some small white lies is great.

"Can I show you the veil to match the dress?" could be answered with of course but I am looking to wear my mother's veil as it is a family tradition.

The great sales tool of presumed close can easily leave you agreeing to spending more without realising it, an example is,

"What Champagne would you like for your wedding toast?" (Note the presumed sale close) you could answer with "We were looking at your sparkling wine list" or " we were interested in finding out your corkage charge as we know of a perfect Champagne that we would like to use as a toast, what is your corkage charge?"

If all of the questions seem a bit intense then ask if you can take the information away to think about it. Time has a great way of adding a touch of realism to your focus on cheap wedding stuff.

At the end of the day you are the customer don't get pushed into buying something that you don't want.

How And Why To Find New Friends

If you are someone wishing you could find new friends, I have some good news for you, even though the fact that you are reading this means that you might not agree with me.

There are millions of people who would really love to be your friend!

I am assuming that when I use the term "friend", we both understand that a wide range of relationships may be encompassed. You may find a thousand acquaintances, five hundred close acquaintances, one hundred friends, ten close friends and one love of your life. Or, you may find twenty acquaintances, fifteen close acquaintances, five friends, no close friends and no love of your life. The results will depend on time, the pool of contacts you are diving into, your particular goals, luck, and other factors often, at least momentarily, beyond your control...such as time and place.

Many people who are seeking friends actually limit their opportunities to come in contact with these people and join with them in friendship because they are not following one or more of the following tips.

1. Go where your new friends are to be found.

2. To find a friend, be a friend.

3. Friends keep in touch and show they care.

As you read the above, you will notice one common thread. All of those statements imply action or effort of some sort. How many of us in high school had the "friend" who never seemed to have many friends and often complained that..."nobody likes me"? Thinking back from a slightly more mature viewpoint, how many times do we realize how often that particular person never went anywhere, never did anything to be a part of the group, and often stood on the sidelines taking potshots at those who were having a good time with their friends?

I know that I personally fit into that category. I was in the U. S. Army before I realized that I wasn't "popular" in high school because I fit precisely into that category. I can see now how many times people tried to include me in their activities and circles as I wandered in and out of these events and passing relationships trying hard to show everybody that I was just fine without them!

However, this sort of behavior is not limited just to high school. Sadly, I saw my father follow this same path throughout most of his working life and into retirement (although he WAS careful not to mock other peoples' beliefs)...where he died several years before he should have in a state of self-imposed isolation with the belief that nobody liked him or cared if he lived or died.

Who needs friends?

Over the years, several studies have shown a strong correlation between one's length of life and level of health, and the structure of their social network, i.e. the friends and acquaintances with whom they remain actively linked. In fact, sites such as Dr. Thomas Perls' "Life Expectancy Calculator" (www.livingto100.com), are including questions about the size and strength of an individual's personal network of family and acquaintances as part of the process they use to estimate life expectancy.

Okay, so where are your friends to be found?

Well, that is one to answer for yourself. Many people try to find "friends" in bars. However, while chance encounters in alcoholically fueled environments certainly accounts for some true lasting friendships, genuine friendship is often better based on shared interests and activities. Getting smashed regularly might not be the best way to search for someone you can trust and rely on...no matter how much fun they are at the moment. If you are religious, go to church regularly. If you are athletic, join an exercise group or sign up for a gym membership. If you are a stamp collector, join a stamp collecting club. Even if you do not find someone within that group who really excites you, those people of similar tastes and life views may have friends who would love to have you as a new friend. The key here is to circulate, but circulate within spheres where you are likely to find people with similar (not necessarily the exact same) interests and attitudes.

Somebody has to take the first step.

If you meet someone that you would like to be friends with, that should mean that this potential relationship is valuable enough for you to invest a little personal effort. That person may be sitting at home wondering why YOU don't call! When I attended my 20th high school reunion, I learned of two girls who had once had crushes on me while I had sat at home never contacting them or anyone else because I was sure that they didn't like me!

Okay, so your feelings get hurt, or you find yourself with a friend that you wish you had never hooked up with. Well, there's not much I can tell you except that is a normal part of life and is likely to occur whether you are actively seeking friends or not. However, no matter how much it may hurt or upset you at the moment, it definitely does NOT define your worth or value, and it will fade in time unless you choose to keep it up front with genuinely important things.

Take the first step. It doesn't have to be a declaration of undying friendship or a date. Include the person in an activity that you think they might be interested in. Sometimes just the invitation is enough. Call or send a card on their birthday. Yes, make the effort to learn their birthday. If you are in a used book store, just go whole hog and spend the $2.99 to pick up a used copy of the book they said they wanted to read. Even if they have bought the book new in the meantime, the thought will be important to them. If not, they probably are not someone you would want for a friend anyway.

Do not let true friends "fall by the wayside".

"No man is an Island", said John Donne. When we let friends drift away, we are allowing a part of our "island" of self to erode. True, not every friend or acquaintance is going to maintain the same level of importance in our lives as we and they change, move, ripen, or sour. However, it doesn't hurt to drop a line, an email, or to make a quick phone call just to keep in touch. Their friendship was valuable to us at one time and will probably retain a value throughout our lives, You never know when the guy you used to go on business trips with turns out to be the one who shows up to help you through a particularly difficult period in your life.

I don't know about you, but simply from a selfish point of view, better health and a longer, more enjoyable life are good enough reasons for me to go out and make some new friends or renew old friendships.

The Bride - The Wedding, Dress, Accessories

A bride is the female celebrant in a marriage ceremony. The term bride comes from the German word for a cook. The bride's wedding day is attended by one or more bridesmaids or maids of honor. Her male partner is the groom.

Before a bride can be officially called a wife she must finish the formal wedding procedure. In some cultures, successful sexual intercourse between the bride and groom is a required element to complete the wedding ceremony.

The usual attire for a bride is a formal dress and sometimes brides wear a tiara to add a more fabulous look. For first marriages, a white dress is worn as a symbol of virginity and happiness, these a tradition having been started at Queen Victoria's wedding. Etiquette prescribes that a white dress may not be worn for future marriages but this guideline is often ignored with brides wearing white dresses for any number of marriages. In addition to the gown of the bride, there is an option to put on a veil and carry a corsage of flowers. In some areas, a garter may be worn to be removed by the groom at a later time after the ceremony, mostly done during the reception program to be witnessed by all the visitors.

The bride's gown is essential in the wedding ceremony. Visitors are waiting for the bride to come out in the bridal car and walk down the aisle so that they can witness the dress. Accessories are the perfect creative opportunity to complement the dress. The accessories you select will provide the final touches to your stunning outfit for the day. Allow adequate time for their choosing, as they will play a major part in your overall appearance. Add earrings, a necklace or maybe a bracelet. The right necklace can really finish off a plain top and nude neckline. Similarly, the best earrings will add a touch of glitter to your face. There are no rules in choosing the jewelry you wear, as long as they suit the rest of your look.

Selecting And Buying Your Wedding Cake

One of the most crucial and important parts of planning one's wedding is finding the best wedding cake. If your idea of a wedding is pleasing your guests, as well as yourselves, then a wonderful wedding cake is one of the aspects of a wedding that guests remember.

Finding the perfect wedding cake is a task that should be given adequate time and attention. There are many cake decorators available in the cake industry which offer a variety of wedding cakes that anyone can choose from. Wedding cake buyers can go directly to their shops and browse through their wedding cake catalogs to find the one that they want. If the wedding cake catalog does not contain a preferred choice, wedding cake buyers can even ask for a personalized wedding cake with their own design and preferences.

In order to get the best wedding cake, you must first know your budget limitation or how much of the wedding expenses are allotted to the wedding cake. The budget would determine what kind of wedding cakes can be available for you to choose from. Wedding cake prices vary depending on their ingredients particularly what kind of base the wedding cake would be decided upon. The icing on the wedding cake also varies from one cake to another.

Knowing this information before consulting wedding cake decorators would save an individual a good amount of time and money as well. With these preferences ready, wedding cake decorators would already have an idea which cake to offer an individual client. However, this does not mean that what a wedding cake buyer wants would always be the final product. Buyers should be open with suggestions from the wedding cake decorators since they know cakes better than anyone else! They would be in the right position to determine whether a cake that a buyer wants is feasible, practical and pleasing.

Maryland Wedding Reception Sites

You're getting married in Maryland! He's popped the question, you have the big ring now your next step is to find that perfect location to hold your dream wedding and reception. Following is a comprehensive archive of many popular reception halls that have a perfect setting for any price range from all over the state of Maryland including the Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay and Annapolis areas. Couples in need of a reception site for their Maryland wedding are encouraged to review and contact these professionals who feature Maryland Reception Sites for Weddings.

• Padonia Park Club Offering a huge selection of delicious menu suggestions representing a wide array of ethnic, local and traditional cuisines. Cockeysville, MD 410-252-2046

• Uniqek Banquet Hall Uniqek Banquet Hall is your one stop for Birthday, Anniversary, Retirement, & Bachelor Parties, Bridal & Baby Showers. Holds 200 people. Call 301-516-0015 Forestville, MD 301-516-0015

• Kentlands Mansion Hold your ceremony and reception in our small, intimate historic mansion. Seating capacity up to 120 with rustic and elegant floral gardens for your beautiful outdoor ceremony. Gaithersburg, MD 301-258-6425

• Patapsco Manor Historic, Private and Beautiful, Patapsco Manor is a unique venue for the small intimate wedding. We specialize events with 125 guests or less and with wedding ceremonies performed for 60 or less. Elkridge, MD 410-491-6768

• Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel offers an award-winning restaurant, 26 luxurious guest rooms and a spectacular location for weddings and special events from 2 to 250 guests. Taneytown, MD 800-858-1844

• Celebrations at The Bay Celebrations at the Bay has spectacular Chesapeake Bay views and accommodates from 75 to 300 guests inside for a edding reception. Outdoor ceremonies with indoor backup in case of inclement weather. Pasadena, MD 202-483-2058

• Rose Restaurant Our Award Winning Service includes choice of sit down or buffet dinner, an elegant wedding cake, four hour open bar and in house floral arrangements. Baltimore, MD 410-636-0300

• Kurtz Beach and Reception Hall Family owned and operated since 1933, Kurtz's Beach located in Pasadena, Maryland, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, plays host to various special events and wedding receptions. Our Bay Room & Gazebo/Patio are ideal for Wedding Receptions and Banquets. Pasadena, MD 410-255-1280

• Hunter's Oak Golf Club Located on the Wye River in Queenstown, our River Plantation is an excellent choice for a ceremony and/or reception site with exciting guest activities to choose from including on-site bed & breakfast, 27 holes of golf, sport fishing and yacht cruises. Queenstown, MD 410-827-0815

• Clipper City Tall Ship Offers a beautifully unique venue to share your special day with loved ones. Get married at the dock or at sail in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Baltimore,MD 410-562-5354

• Putting On The Ritz Putting on the Ritz Catering is the most exciting, innovative and elegant caterer in the Baltimore-Washington region with a full service option for wedding receptions and full planning services. Savage,MD 800-213-7427

We hope you will find among this elegant collection of Maryland area reception sites, a reception hall, banquet facility or wedding site that will fit your style and taste. Next step... your wedding dress and don't forget your favors!

Eggs-tra Successful Marriage - Advice for a Marriage not Spoiled by Divorce

Spring brings newness of life, even in marriages. Young people are becoming engaged or planning to take their marriage vows. People, who have been married for a while, may be finding it difficult to stay together; their marriage may be on the brink of divorce. As Easter arrives with egg hunts and baskets filled with colored eggs, here is a basket of eggs-tra special ideas to make a fresh start on the success of your marriage.

As you take an idea from the Easter basket, notice that the eggs have colors that represent ways for an eggs-tra successful marriage. First, take the white egg. It does not have color. It represents the vows that you will take or took during your wedding ceremony. The translucent white means the pureness and faithfulness of marriage partners. The yolk signifies the value of commitment to success. When you promised to live together in marriage, you were pledging a harmonious relationship and to live together as peaceable as possible. However, when sickness, enlarged families or even changed life-styles threaten to crack your matrimonial bond, vows may become shattered like eggshells. Vows you make should be permanent, not shattered by other people or things.

Newly married couples usually are in the pink with love and affection for one another. Love is represented in the pink egg of the Easter basket. As time goes on, the pink may fade; the love and affection may wane. A partner may break the wedding vows and become unfaithful. When the color in your marriage egg begins to grow dim, seek fresh ways to bring it back. Plan a candlelight dinner for two in a romantic setting. Recall the love and affection that you once had. Discuss what has happened to lessen the brightness of your marriage egg. Send a card or a note of love to your spouse for no reason. Surprise him or her with tickets to his/her favorite event. Be sure that the other person attending with your spouse is YOU! Love covers a multitude of sins. Put your marriage egg back in the pink!

Marriage is often like a journey through green fields with eggshells. You may have to be careful where you walk, because the ugly head of green eggshells filled with jealousy may be lurking. You may encounter hard eggshells of distrust or un-forgiveness. Even financial woes or job changes may be hard eggshells to crack. Yet if you walk in peace and harmony with one another, you will find the journey easier. Talk about what has caused the hardness in the eggshell of marriage. Discuss about ways to overcome the green-colored resentments and failures that is spoiling your marriage egg and leading to divorce. Walking together in prayer relieves many problems. Even through the marriage egg may become cracked because of faults and imperfections by human beings, the egg of success can still be saved when couples walk and work together.

This Easter go on an Easter egg hunt for solutions. Make the hunt together. Seek advice from trained authorities in their fields of expertise. Look for different colored eggs with ways to communicate and place them in your marriage basket. Count your eggs of blessings when you felt love and affection for one another. Repeat your marriage vows on your anniversary. Talk about why you were married. Work together to make your marriage as valuable as a golden goose egg. Strive for an eggs-tra special successful marriage that will last until one of the spouses is deceased.

More Tips For The Wedding Dress

Buying your wedding dress is a major concern. You should choose wisely and in good time. Plan well in advance so that it is not rushed or a last-minute expense. Also, make it your personal project so that you get into the details like a terrier. In this way you will get it sorted more quickly and more successfully.

Don't forget the power of two or more. You are better off shopping for your wedding dress with a companion or two. Tugging a buddy with you makes this whole shopping ordeal more worthwhile. Also, you get the bonus of having another opinion in choosing your wedding dress. More on, your friend's opinion is more likely to be more objective than what you have as they probably won't get overwhelmed by the beauty of your wedding dress that they'd end up disregarding your budget. Also, it feels so much better hearing compliments from another person other than salespeople; more so if they come from your friends.

Try to give a larger piece of the pie for salespeople. To avoid feeling frustrated, it's always best to let salespeople know a bigger part of the picture. They can't help you much if your descriptions are so general about your wedding dress. Let them help you better by confiding in them your taste, the designs you have in mind and the particular season you plan to get married. This narrows your search down to just a part of their wedding dress selection. Also, don't feel afraid about sharing with them the budget you have for your wedding dress. This is so you won't end up fitting in multifarious wedding dresses which are, in the first place, way beyond your budget. The worse thing than wasting too much of your time is blowing your budget for your wedding dress.