Get On the Same Page!

When you are preparing to get married, you have a lot of details to take care of. You want to find the perfect dress. You want to find the perfect flowers. You think you've already found the perfect spouse. But if you want to have the perfect marriage, rather than the perfect recipe for divorce, make sure you find something most couples neglect: the perfect marriage counselor.

Studies have shown that couples who invest in quality pre-marriage counseling are more likely to avoid divorce. By quality, I don't mean a one-time visit with your priest or family friend. I mean you sit down and unpack issues that I promise will arise later in your marriage.

The top four causes for divorce are money, in-laws, religion, and children. When you sit down with your counselor, you need to unpack these issues. You need to decide how you will approach each of these subjects. If you (foolishly) decide to only address one, make it money. Money is the biggest cause of marriage fights and divorces in America. Couples fight about money at all stages. When you make sure that the two of you are on the same page, you can avoid most of those fights, thus ensuring a quality marriage.

What type of things do you and your spouse need to discuss? Some issues might include:

• How do we feel about debt?


• How much debt are we comfortable with?


• What are our financial goals?


• What is our starting-out budget?


• What will we do about retirement savings?


• What will we do about kids' college funding (assuming we have kids)?


• Will we have kids?


• How many kids do we want?


• Is mom wanting or planning to stay at home or work?


• If she's staying home, what can we do early in our marriage to make that work financially?


• What will we do about discipling children?


• If either spouse is bringing children from a previous marriage in, how will we handle them? (and how will we handle ex-spouses?)


• What are our feelings on religion?


• Do we want to go to church together?


• How big a part of our life is our religion?


• How will we celebrate religious occasions?


• Do we want to pray or read scriptures together?


• How close do we want to live to our in-laws? (this answer may change after a year of marriage)


• How do we want to handle holidays with extended families?


• Do we want to start our own traditions or go back to our parents? Which set of parents?

These are not the least of the questions that you will need to address in your marriage, but they will give you a good start. These issues are far more important – and cause far more tension – than toothpaste squeezing or toilet paper rolls. Address them before you say your vows, and you will have a much easier first year of marriage.

Tips for Saving Money on Wedding Photography

Wedding photos make for lifetime memories and not many brides would like to skimp in this area. Even we feel reluctant to give out the advice to try to cut costs on your Wedding photos, but with professional Wedding photography rates soaring high, not all brides are able to afford these services. Here are some solutions for the cost-conscious bride on how to save money on your Wedding photos:

1. Look for a Photographer in your family or friends. There is bound to be someone who loves photography and has somewhat better equipment than we usually do. Try to locate any such relation who can take decent photos and ask him to help out. People are always willing to help out at weddings and you should use their services to cut back your Wedding costs. If you do find someone, make sure you talk to them beforehand and discuss any specific poses that you want.

2. Hire a Photography Student from a Local University. They will love to get a chance to photograph an event and add it to their portfolio. They will be amateurs but depend upon them to have fresh and creative ideas for some memorable photographs.

3. Using disposable cameras for the guests is also an option. Place themed disposable cameras on each table so your guests can take photos. You can get photos from different angles and choose whatever you like best. Keep one person in charge of gathering all the cameras and getting the photos developed.

4. If you have to have a professional photographer, look around and contact several photographers. Let them know about your budget and see what they can offer. You might be surprised with the response. Curtailing the number of photos will also help with your photo budget.

In case you go for one of the DIY options, make sure the cameras and films are taken care of so that you don't lose all the irreplaceable photos. Or if you can, go in for digital disposable cameras so you don't have to handle the films.

Wedding Favors - Wedding Favor Ideas and Tips

Why do you want or need wedding favors at your wedding? Well I will tell you why, it's simple wedding favors will add so much more to your event's decor and will show your guests how much you care for them and appreciate everything that they have done for you.

So why not splurge on some wedding favors? Well you only have one wedding, in most cases so make it special with some really elegant or fun themed favors for your wedding. You can purchase some really nice candle favors that will make your decor light up at first sight.

If you are having a beach wedding then their are so many different favors that you can purchase that will make your wedding have the beach feel that you are looking for. For instance like some beach flip flop place card holders these are very fun and awesome to show your guests the way to their seats.

Also if you are having a mor upscale wedding then you should go grab some crystal wedding favors such as a oyster with pearl in shell crystal favor or maybe some crystal heart shaped bottle stoppers. Either one of these crystal favors will add a very nice touch to any event.

So whether if you are looking for some elegant or unique wedding favors then you can easily find them online and order directly on their websites so go grab some nice elegant favors for your event and show your guest show much you care.

Wedding Traditions

Wedding traditions come to us from everywhere the worldwide globe. Some traditions have been in place for centuries and other traditions however are quaintly new, you can even start your own family wedding traditions. Some of the traditions below are favorites with many wedding couples.

The Wedding Tiara

The lovely wedding idea of wearing a tiara is taken from ancient times where there was a white ribbon worn around the shoulders and head of a king, which signified his power and wealth. However, the tiara or bridal diadem has become a symbol of femininity for a bride. As down through the ages the wedding tiara became a half moon shaped band, which displays such finery as ribbons, flowers or gemstones. All bride-wedding attendants may wear a tiara either on their foreheads or as a circlet upon their heads. Customarily the wedding tiara adorns the veil as a vital accessory of bridal attire. The wedding tiara has gained quite a popular following with certain wedding themes. Wedding tiaras are some of most wonderful keepsakes of such a special day.

Small tiara shaped rings, as party favors would make the most memorial conversation jewelry, for maid of honor, bridesmaids and even the flower girl.

The Wedding Garter

Once upon a time, it was customary for members of the wedding party to escort the couple to their place of honeymooning and then race to retrieve the wedding garter from the bride's leg and either wear upon their hat, and or give the newly won prize of fertility and consummation to the lady of his choice for good luck. Since this seemed to lead to disorderly ways of unclothing the poor bride, the bride took to tossing her garter to the male guests of her wedding party as soon as the wedding ceremony was over as a signal of the next male to be betrothed, however, the men would generally get too drunk and make attempts at taking the garter themselves. In attempt of good taste, this lead to the bride throwing her bouquet instead. The ritual of throwing the wedding garter has resurfaced to a large popularity. Garters are normally used to hold up stockings, and are considered by many new brides to be an essential accessory for their wedding. One reason why the garter belt of many brides can be found in the color of blue, or having blue as one of the colors in the wedding garter, is for traditional good luck. Although at times, a bride may choose a small ribbon to be attached to the hem of her wedding gown.

Today you will find a number of wedding nuptials incorporating the groom taking the garter from the leg of his bride and then either tossing the garter over his shoulder or snapping it with his fingers to fly threw the air for his single groomsmen or male wedding guests to catch. The man who catches the bride's wedding garter is lucky and will be the next bachelor to marry within the next year.

How to Make Your Own Wedding Video, and Save Money !

Your wedding is the most important day in your life. Romance, love, family, friends, and celebration will all contribute to memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Your wedding video will capture the day and evening for you so that you will be able to relive your wedding day again and again, whenever you want ! Capturing the sights and sounds of your wedding is a job that many leave to a professional videographer.

There's no question that if money is no object a good videographer can help to make your wedding a perfect day. The problem is that videographers have cornered a market that allows them to charge confiscatory rates for a job that you can easily handle yourself, saving a boat load of money, with a little help from a family member or friend, some basic equipment, and a few video tips.

Here's a few tips on how to make your own wedding video:

Make sure that whoever is going to do the honors of shooting the video is familiar with the camcorder or equipment that you use. Have a checklist of all equipment that is needed at the ceremony and reception including fully charged batteries (have extras ) Check the equipment by shooting a minute or two with sound on in advance of the ceremony to make sure all the equipment is working.

• Avoid using cables or cords wherever possible. Portability of movement will allow your videographer to move about with ease, capturing all the action.

• Set up a tripod at the ceremny and reception to help with shooting scenes that are steady and clear.

• Check lighting and sound levels to make sure that your video and audio is being captured correctly

• Before the ceremony take some shots of the location and guests arriving

• Get some short interview clips of friends and family who will want to leave a special message for the newlyweds. This adds a wonderful personal touch to any wedding video

• Get shots of the ceremony, the reception and all the goings on from different angles to make the wedding video more interesting.

• Be sure to capture all the important points in the reception such as the wedding toasts, first dances and cutting of the wedding cake.

• Pan the crowd during the reception to capture the feel of the celebration.

• When in doubt take more rather than less video. You can always edit out excess footage later

Hong Kong Wedding

My wife's cousin will be holding her wedding dinner in November this year.

She has just sent us her wedding photos and we must say, we still love their Hong Kong photographs.

They are totally different from Singapore's photography style. Previously, I posted my wife's friend's wedding photos taken in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's wedding gowns are much more beautiful and have more variety.

Some local friends of mine, who have deep pocket, do fly to Hong Kong to engage their bridal services.

Some even had their make-up artists and photographers flown to Hong Kong with them.

If you are engaging their services and using their services in overseas, you would need to pay for all their expenses such as lodgings, food, air-fares and transport.

Again, if you have high wedding budget, money is never a contraint.

For me, I personally feel the wedding couples must be truly in love. From a glance of the wedding photos, we could tell whether they are in sync with each other.

On the surface, they may say they really love each other, but deep inside their minds do not connect.

Other factors to determine if the wedding photos turned out to be really good are if the couples are photogenic by nature.

Some people have difficulty giving a natural smile when ask to smile at the camera. Others simply dislike taking photos and even dread the long wedding photoshoot process which may take up to up to 12 hours or more.

The photographer also plays an important part too. Some photographers are dead-wood and they just simply do their job. Others are enthusiastic and passionate and they know how to amuse the wedding couples.

In short, these are 3 factors which determine if your wedding photos look good:

1. The wedding couple's dynamic


2. The wedding couple and photographer's dynamic


3. The photographer's personality

Creative Wedding Invitation Ideas - Add Some Creativity To Your Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations are one of things couples begin to think about as they plan their wedding. Here are some creative wedding invitation ideas that can add some flair and creativity to your wedding invitations.

Using technology for your wedding invitations is a good creative idea. For instance, you can use technology to create CDs with pictures of you and your special someone. Then, simply insert a title page in the CD case with the wedding information. A similar idea is to put your favorite love songs on the CD. You can also add the music to a slideshow of your pictures. Some couples totally get away from traditional invitations by emailing their invitations. With this method, you can also share pictures and music. As an added bonus, it will be easy for your guests to reply.

If you want to go the more traditional route but still have a touch of creativity, you can add pressed and dried flowers into your wedding invitations. With this idea, you could have flowers pressed that will be echoed in some of the later bouquets or arrangements at your wedding so your guests can have a preview of your wedding style.

Many of today's brides take a cue from the popular hobby of scrapbooking when trying to come up with a new and original wedding invitation idea. By using the same principles of scrapbooking (minus the cheesy stickers), you can layer patterned and textured papers under the text of your invitation for a personalized invitation that will be 100 percent unique for your wedding.

Altering pictures through photo-editing software can get you a professional look for photos that you want to include on your invitation and will allow for a beautiful style to come across with your own creative flair. You could also include items related to nature or even a type of chain to symbolize the binding of two lives that occurs within the marriage ceremony. Thinking about items and ideas that matter to you and your fiancé and incorporating them into the invitations is the key to coming up with the perfect creative wedding invitations.

Bridesmaid Gifts - Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

- Splurge on some silky pajama's or sexy nighties that you know she'd never buy for herself, and then wrap them in a pretty, feminine box complete with ribbons and bows that match the colors of the wedding.

- Purchase gift certificates to the local spa for a complete day of pampering and luxury.

- Personalized stationery is always a welcome and useful gift, as well as a pen or pencil set, or other office-related item that she'll be able to use on a daily basis.

- If your friend is an aspiring artist, fill a bag or basket with paintbrushes, instruction books, canvases, and sets of various types of paints for a gift that will allow them to express their creativity.

- If one of your bridesmaids is into the beauty scene and keeps up with all of the latest fashions and trends, fill a basket with popular magazines, make-up, nail and hair accessories.

- Line a basket with a set of monogrammed towels, or a monogrammed robe with a pair of comfy slippers. Include soothing facial products so your bridesmaid can pamper herself without going back to the spa.

- For the maid who is star-struck with a particular actor or celebrity, put together a gift basket centered around that one person. Include a set of DVDs or CDs, posters, books, or any other memorabilia that you can find related to their favorite star.

- If your friend is just a plain movie buff, then fill a basket with popcorn, movie theater tickets, video rental coupons, blank tapes, DVDs, and all of the candy that you'd find at a movie theater concession stand.

- Hit the internet and find a first-edition of your friend's favorite novel and present it to her with a few pretty bookmarks.

- If one of your maids is an avid sports fan, craft a basket filled with things in her team's colors, and include a few tickets to sporting events.

- If you know what your friend likes to read or know what type of magazines she's interested in, send for a few gift subscriptions in her name. You could also surprise her with a paid enrollment to a book of the month club or other similar club so that she'll receive a new gift each month.

- If your friend is a theater buff, present her with dinner or theater tickets in a nicely wrapped box complete with champagne, ice bucket, and pretty glasses.

- Perhaps your bridesmaid is a card shark or an avid gambler. Fill a box with dice, poker chips, and pretty decks of cards for a casino-themed gift.

- If your friend is a lover of the great outdoors, purchase a picnic basket and fill it with all the usual fare, such as a checkered tablecloth, napkins, plates, cups, and plastic ware for a complete picnic in a box. Or fill a duffle bag with camping supplies or passes to her favorite park or campground.

- If one of your bridesmaids is interested in photography, fill a basket with disposable cameras, film, photo paper, and photography books.

Bride on a Budget - 7 Tips for Planning a Wallet-Friendly Wedding

When I got married in 2004, I had just graduated from college and had no job, my parents were in the middle of a divorce, and my then-fiance and I had no savings to speak of. But by planning smart, we still managed to have the wedding of our dreams. Here are some tips to help you do the same.

Ditch the DJ. Instead of hiring someone to spin for us all night, we created a playlist on our iPod and hooked it up to the reception hall's speaker system. Cost to us? Nada. And the added bonus is that we didn't have to suffer through the Macarena, the Electric Slide, or the Chicken Dance.

Quash the string quartet. I walked down the aisle to a beautiful arrangement of Pachbel's Canon in D Minor on a free CD I got with a purchase of $10 or more at some boutique in town. I labeled the disk with track number and passed it off to the sound guy at the inn where we held the ceremony (which, I might add, cost less than $500), and it was just right.

Downsize the dress. You're going to be wearing it for, what, 6 hours max? Don't spend thousands of dollars on a dress you're only going to wear once. David's Bridal has $99 wedding gown sales constantly, and you can find awesome bargains at regular dress shops, too. My dress was a prom-season find that cost me $130 and was miles better than any "real wedding gown" I tried on – and I tried on a lot of dresses.

Minimize the menu. Do you really need crab balls and lobster bisque and filet mignon to be able to enjoy your wedding dinner? We negotiated a five-course plated dinner (including filet mignon, some fancy fish I'd never heard of but loved, rabbit, and a cheese course) with open wine and beer all night and an hour of passed hors d'oeuvres for less than $50 per person at the very nicest restaurant in town, and it was amazing.

Get frugal with your flowers. My bouquet had more than three dozen roses in it, we passed out long-stemmed roses to all of the moms and grandmas (of which there were many – our extended family gets remarried a lot), and packed the rehearsal dinner and reception hall with blooms – and it cost less than $75. The secret? My best friend and I hit up BJs and Costco, two local discount wholesale stores, and cleaned them out, and then put everything together ourselves in about two wine-saturated hours using a few straight pins, a couple of spools of ribbon, and a picture torn out of Martha Stewart Living. The petals that fell off went in a ribbon-festooned basket for my flower girl, who wore a borrowed dress and her new school shoes for the ceremony.

Guard the guest list. Do you seriously need to invite your entire family? If you wouldn't recognize them on the street, they shouldn't be at your wedding. It's your day, and you should be surrounded by the people closest to you in the world – and that doesn't always mean blood relatives. You may need to make some compromises here and there, but don't sacrifice the presence of someone you truly want there because your mom doesn't want to offend Uncle Bob. That's her problem, not yours.

Be prudent about pictures. Rather than spend thousands of dollars on a so-called professional photographer, we hired an art student from the local college and got literally the best wedding photos I have ever seen for $350 and the cost of one dinner, film, and developing. Ask to see a portfolio and make sure the personalities are right, but don't assume that you have to shell out the big bucks for pride-worthy pictures.

There are dozens if not hundreds of creative ways to save money on your wedding ceremony, and these ideas will get you started on the road to planning a wedding that's both beautiful and affordable.

The Way To A Beautiful Wedding Ceremony

Two people pledge their love for each other and become man and wife as they unite as one. The starting point to a entirely different life, spending your years together and the start is with a beautiful wedding ceremony. Planning the reception and the rehearsal dinner tops the list of planning the perfect wedding. However, some of us forget the most important thing of all, the wedding ceremony. Your ceremony should be the first concern, then the rehersal dinner, and the reception.

Most of us do not have a clue about planning a wedding or what the ceremony should include. Some of us even panic at the thought of planning the wedding and the overwhelming details frighten even the strongest brides around. You need help and organization. Although your bridesmaids will help, you might forget some details until it to late to include them in the ceremony. Take the time to plan every detail down to the "I do".

Having your dream wedding ceremony and uniting with the one you love involves careful planning and organization. Do you want to have a video of your wedding, a photographer, special candles, flowers and rose petals laid by the miniature bride? These are some of the things to remember when planning the wedding ceremony. You have complete control of your wedding day and only you can pull this off without a hitch, no pun intended. Plan the rehearsal when everyone can be there as this ensures your day starts and finishes without any types of problems. Yes, everyone needs to know when to walk down the isle and how to place themselves once they arrive at the front of the line.

Today, traditional wedding ceremonies have faded and a ceremony with more style and flare has taken the role. Planning these, types of wedding ceremonies need extra attention to detail. The person marrying you will also need to be aware of your ceremony structure in order to perform the perfect wedding. You may have to add or delete a few things during the ceremony depending on where and who marries you. You have the right to have any type of wedding ceremony you want and do not make any compromises that will take away from your special day.

Overall, this is your day and you are the only one that matters. However, the groom may have some needs as well, so plan the wedding ceremony together. If you put him in a blue tuxedo, he may have some objections and complaints to this type of outfit. Plan the day and plan your life, but make sure it is your plan; this is day to remember forever.

Wedding Favors Featuring Lily Pads

Brides and grooms continue to come up with new ideas for wedding favors. Some want elegant silver frames. Some look for redneck wedding favors. And some simply want wedding favors that will go with their theme.

Lily Pad Wedding Favors

Lily pad wedding favors are wonderful for a garden wedding, especially if there is a garden pond where lily pads grow. A lily pad wedding favor can take several different forms. We went looking for the most beautiful lily pad wedding favor ideas we could find. Here are a dozen of our results.

* Floating Lily pad and flower: This 5" lily pad wedding favor is made of polysilk, and really floats. Tiny acrylic water drops give it lasting morning freshness. Its pink and creamy white colors glow above a dark green lily pad. At a bit over $1, this is a cheap, but beautiful lily pad wedding favor.

* Lily pad CD cover: Fill these lovely CD covers with mini CD photo albums of the bride and groom, or with their favorite music, for a welcome lily pad wedding favor.

* Lily pad gourmet cookies: Have a local bakery shape gourmet cookies as lily pads with flowers. Tell the baker your color scheme and ask that the flowers be tinted to match for beautiful lily pad wedding favors.

* Frog soap on silk lily pad leaf: Ponds that are home to water lilies and lily pads are also home to frogs. Place a small silk lily pad at each place and top with a green glycerin soap frog – wearing a crown. Such a lily pad wedding favor says "At last, my prince has come."

* Lily pad with frog soap: This is a different decorative soap gift. The frog and lily pad both are soap. This is not a cheap lily pad wedding favor, but it is quite a conversation piece.

* Floating lily pad candles: Water Lily candles can float in small bowls at each guest's place. You could light these 2.5" lily pad wedding favors, or leave them un-burnt for guests to enjoy at home.

* Chocolate molded frog on lily pad: Lily pad wedding favors can show up in the strangest places. We found these advertised for Harry Potter parties, but the lily pad theme would make these perfect for wedding favors as well.

* Frog On Lily Pad Bouncing Balls: On a less serious note, we found these cute 2" balls. At $0.50 each, they could be combined with another wedding favor to equal a lily pad wedding favor.

* Lily pad keychain: This one requires a little work. Purchase the kind of keychain that has a place to carry a photo. Print small copies of your favorite lily pad photo on cardstock, and slip one into each keychain for a unique lily pad wedding favor. Choose a photo that matches your wedding color scheme so they will look great on your tables. Alternatively, use a "classic show off key ring" for lily pad wedding favors. Have your lily pad graphic custom imprinted on both sides in colors you choose.

* Lily pad mint tins: Many places offer to personalize your mint tins. Find one that offers, or will print, tins with lily pads. Add your names and the date for a memorable lily pad wedding favor.

* Lily pad bottle labels: Order small bottles of sparkling cider or water, with labels featuring your favorite water lily and lily pad. Add your names and date to the label for personalized lily pad wedding favors.

* Water Lily simmer snaps: These unique wickless wax "candles" are scented with the fragrance of water lilies. As a lily pad wedding favor, you could give each guest a package of two simmer snaps. Each package has a beautiful lily pad and flower in full color on the front.

When searching for lily pad wedding favors, try a variety of words. Lily pads are part of lotus flowers as well as water lilies. Use both terms in your search. Remove the words "wedding favors" and you may find something unique, as we did with the Harry Potter party chocolates. Add "frog" or other amphibious creatures that might live among lily pads.

Just The Two Of You (Wedding Plans)

This is a wonderful idea for the young and old alike. Have you already had a big storybook wedding, and now it's just not the right thing this time around? Are you perhaps just two people who are tired of big crowds and loud parties? Perhaps you are an older couple that has all ready been through the hoop-la of the big wedding and family scene, and now it's time to just have some peaceful time together.

You can have that quiet and peaceful little wedding that has come to mind. Here are a few ideas to get you started on a wonderful journey together.

1. Arrange for the two of you to go on a boat cruise together. Chances are, there is a minister or someone of the such on the cruise ship that can perform a marriage. If not, simply choose a chapel that is nearby and when the little ceremony is over, you can head straight to your cruise getaway. Arrange with the ships captain and staff that this is your wedding and honeymoon with just the two of you and that you would like a quiet candlelight dinner for two, perhaps out on one of the decks at night, or even a private little table setting inside the cabin.

2. Rent a lodging cabin for the weekend or even for a week. Try choosing a destination that has some sort of catering involved or a location where there may be some small dinning/entertainment close by that would coincide with this idea. More likely than not, you can even have a tiny two tier cake made for the occasion. Arrange for a quiet candlelight dinner for two in your cabin quarters or a romantic table setting in a nearby restaurant, saving the personal wedding cake and a bottle of Champaign for later when you return back to the cabin.

3. This idea isn't quite as romantic as the first two, but it's different in it's own aspects. Elopement. After the private and secret little wedding, go to a local but sort of elegant take-out place. The two of you make the choices together at what you would like to order, and don't forget dessert. An elegant dinner needs dessert. After you have collected your take-out dinner, stop off and pick up a bottle of fine wine or Champaign. Now comes the interesting part. You and your partner take all of your collected goodies back home to where you will be living. Then lock yourselves in good and tight. Close the curtains and window blinds and take the phone off the hook. Set the table with two place settings, a nice tablecloth and candles. The sneakier and quieter you try to be, the more romantic it actually becomes. Go turn off the lights, light the candles, place the food and drink on the table. Now it's just you and your new spouse having a quiet, romantic, private little dinner for two, in the privacy of your own space. The after dinner honeymoon I'll leave up to your own imagination.

Jazz Up Your Wedding Cake Theme

Are you looking to add to your wedding cake theme? Have you already arrived at the perfect wedding cake theme for you and your groom but just think that it may be missing a little something extra? Today, more and more brides are looking to add some spice and uniqueness to their wedding cakes. This article will discuss some of the ways in order to do so.

When Did He Propose?

Today, more brides are thinking about the memorable moments in their lives and choosing to model their wedding cakes after these moments. What could be a better time to show your appreciation for your husband's thoughtful proposal than doing it at the reception? Some brides choose to recognize the proposal by creating a cake theme based around the particular season that your husband proposed. If your husband proposed in the winter time, you can have a wedding cake based on the winter time. A snow flake cake would work perfect for this occasion. If your husband proposed in the fall you can go with an autumn themed wedding cake. Try a wedding cake with an array of autumn wedding colors. The cake should feature burnt oranges and crimson shade icing. This is a creative idea that you can have a ton of fun with.

Do You Have Children?

The wedding is traditionally only about the bride and groom but maybe you would like to take this time to recognize your child or your children. It is possible to have a cake theme that is dedicated to your children without excluding the bride and groom as the focal point. Instead of having just a bride and groom wedding cake topper on the wedding cake, you could try including a child cake topper next to the couple. It is a very subtle touch but it brings a sense of family to the theme of the wedding cake. If you don't like the wedding cake topper idea and you are a bold bride, you can have the baker write the name of your baby on the side of the cake. Be sure that you clear the dimensions of the name with the baker before he does the writing. There is a fine line between thoughtfulness and having a tacky wedding cake.

Dedicate Your Cake to a Love One

This is a great way to honor a love one that may have passed. If you have had a Mother or Father that has passed you may want to incorporate their likeness into the wedding cake. A great way to do this is to have a subtle wedding cake topper to represent that love one. A great way to do this is to have a cake topper of the Mother or Father holding hands with the bride or the groom. This is a really classy way to honor your fallen love ones.

Are you in the mood to jazz up your wedding cake a little? Well, there are a ton of ways you can incorporate some different themes into your wedding cake and pull it off. One way to do this is to recognize your husbands excellent proposal by creating a cake theme based off of the season in which he proposed. You could also incorporate wedding cake toppers to honor your children or a fallen loved one. Whatever idea you wind up coming up with, make sure that you keep it subtle and classy to make sure that the focus is not taken off of the bride and the groom.

Does Love Lead to Marriage?

One of the biggest questions people have about love is whether or not love leads to marriage. For many people, marriage is the ultimate outcome of a life lived in love and represents the end of one road and the beginning of another.

For others, marriage is not a path they want to take. Regardless, there is no one answer to this question about love because everyone is bound to have a different love experience. There are factors that influence love, however, and there are visions of love that are healthy and those that are not.

The secret to a happy marriage is, of course, love. When people talk about having the ultimate happy marriage, they are talking about being around the one they love as much as possible. For many people, marriage in those terms is the absolute apex of a love life. For others, however, a happy marriage may be no marriage at all.

Some may find that spending their lives with one person is not satisfying in the least. They may wish for many more partners and many more experiences in order for their happiness to be realized. The question many people wonder about such lifestyles is about the role that love plays in their relationships.

There are many reasons besides love that people in today's world marry and there are many reasons that those marriages end. The basic component in all of those types of relationships is selfishness and the desire to meet personal needs first and those of a partner second. It is for this reason that broken relationships appear to be on the rise.

People are desiring more for themselves and less for others, leading to the inevitable deconstruction of relationship fundamentals such as trust and confidence.. With divorce and broken homes on the rise, an examination of what leads people to marry is probably in order.

The truth about love, is that there is no truth about love. There are only subjective ideas as to what marriage should be based on. In today's cynical world, the foundation for many a relationship is bent on reliance on the other person and not on selfless love. The notions of marriage and family therapy are on the rise because people, on the whole, seem to have forgotten about love.

The relationship goals and desires of today's modern person seem to rely more on the workings of social aspects external to the relationship and less on happiness within. People are concerned about what they look like, if their eyelashes are "plump" enough and if the person they are with is suitable in terms of looks. The world needs love, in large doses to overcome it's increasing cynicism.

How To Make Your Own Wedding Centerpieces

Wedding centerpieces are a focal point of any wedding reception decor. As such, its important to make sure your centerpieces are attractive, not distracting. Here are a few tips on how to make sure your centerpieces live up th their name.

If you want to keep things really simple you may choose to simply float flowers and candles in crystal bowls. But it does not mean you can't have many other choices that are also easy. You can even make them yourself and they don't have to cost the sun and the moon.

Fruity Centerpieces

Fruits are not only easily available but add the right amount of color. If you are using citrus fruits your tables will smell divine. Slice up lemons and oranges in thin slices. Insert some florists' foam into a transparent vase and start to arrange the slices on the sides to show off the sliced sections. Insert the foam a little into the vase so that the slices stay in place. Then simply add your flowers and you are done. Add some citrus themed wedding favors to your table and the decor will be stunning.

If you are a winter bride and planning your wedding in the evening time indoors then, use a large mirror and seat it flat on your tables. On the mirror you can place a colorful arrangement of flowers and fruits and then on the corners, a little away from the arrangement place tea lights. The arrangement will reflect in the mirror and so will the candles, doubling your centerpiece, looking simple but exceptional.

If you want to use candles, you could core the apple first, Core the apple all the way through. Insert pillar candles in fall colors (orange, gold, sage and burgundy). You could create a cluster of the apples on a plate, or line them up in a row on a long silver tray. You can obtain vines of fall flowers or leaves at the dollar store which you could intertwine throughout the apples.

You could also scoop out a portion of the apples and insert a tea light into them. Make sure you level off the bottom by slicing a piece off to keep them from rolling over. If you don't want them to brown, touch them up with a bit of lemon juice and they will stay fresh longer.

Floral and Veggie Centerpieces

Perfect for Spring wedding ceremonies, herbal weddings or even a classic theme. Make a floral topiary with fresh or silk flowers. Take ready-made topiary forms and embellish them with fresh or silk flowers. You don't have to stick to just flowers here. You can use pine cones, fruit slices and even nuts in your topiary to add interest. If you want to cut down on the size of the topiary go in for tea cup topiaries. Use a simple tea cup and make your topiary within it. They are ideal for Victorian or English theme weddings.

If you want to dress your Parisian or English parties with those fashionable hats then that might not be so difficult to achieve. Get sturdy straw hats and attach real or fake flowers to them with florists wire . Present these hats on busts and decorate with sheer ribbons and tulle.

Pumpkins are just the thing for your harvest tables. Make a pumpkin luminary for your wedding. Scoop out all the contents of the pumpkin and cut heart shapes into the sides. Place a candle within and decorate around it with waxed fall leaves, pine cones colored gold, nuts and even acorn caps.

Beach Themed Centerpieces

Beach weddings are so fun and you can make some truly beautiful beach-themed centerpieces to decorate your tables. Colored sand is easily available at craft stores, or add color to ordinary sand with water and a few drops of food coloring. Take some interesting bottles and fill in these with different colors of sand to group together or even make layers of different colors in a single bottle. Simple and effective. Insert a taper on the top or even put in one layer of glittered sand.

Seashell candles are really easy to make and you can use them on their own or combine them with beach wedding favors. Melt some beeswax into a shell and insert a wick into it and you're done. If you think these won't last as long then take a tea light and sit it into a shell filled with sand for balance. However if a tea light does not fit snugly it will look odd so you could add camouflage with other smaller shells. Fill clear glass bowls with water tinted blue with food coloring. Float some plastic fish into this.

In summary, centerpieces don't have to be a very complex affair as we have seen. These are just some things you can do. Let your imagination run wild to come up with truly unique pieces to adorn your tables.

Finger Lakes Weddings - Your New Destination for Weddings

When you think of a wedding what is the first thing that comes to mind? What is that thing that makes it stand out? Is it the food? Maybe. The guests, probably not. The date, the amount of laughs, the drinks, the fashion, and yes, of course, the bride and groom.

Well, if you ask me, I'll remember the location. Oh yes, the wedding in Michigan, California, Times Square, etc. Of course, I am not talking about the couple, I asked what do you remember about their wedding, and if you're like me, you'd probably think of the locale.

Before you set your navigation to a destination wedding in Fiji, or Hawaii, remember somewhere closer to home, somewhere in the states, somewhere beautiful--like the finger lakes. Upstate New York has so much charm and scenic beauty, its being hailed as one of the best places to retire (by locals who claim it). But let's not forget the new younger couples that are moving to the area for the same reasons other are retiring here; beauty, vineyards, color, change of seasons, waterfalls, lakes, fishing, culinary, agriculture, foods, weddings. That's right, weddings.

There has been a growth of the amount of weddings in the finger lakes recently. Call it a trend, if you will, and doesn't seem to be slowing. More people are finding that destination can be costly, and if you ask me, save that for a honeymoon. Having your wedding in the finger lakes ensures greater attendance, easier convenience, and a more memorable experience.

First of all, having a ceremony here doesn't mean you are sacrificing anything. Finger lakes weddings have an outstanding scenery. Great views of the lake or lakes, water falls, rural, small town, and city. There are no shortage of resorts, banquet halls, and prestigious hideaway spots for outdoor weddings.

Besides having a wedding, why not add a little pizzazz and have it built in with a wine tour with one of the many vineyards along the lakes. If you are daring maybe having a small ceremony on a yacht or boat. There is much information on the lakes, they are eleven lakes, but seven main "finger lakes". Each lake has its own charm and history. However, there is nothing wrong with having a conventional wedding in classic environment such as banquet hall, resort, hotel, or state park.

So before you choose your destination--think of the finger lakes as an option. It's just a short drive, and it's closer than you think. And it will help you make your wedding more memorable.

Writing Your Own Wedding Vows

Write Your Own Wedding Vows




The speaking of marriage vows are not words to be spoken lightly or in haste, that were found in a textbook or magazine article. The meaning behind the words you utter when saying your vows should be studied and meditated on long before they are made.


The words of a marriage covenant convey the most significant intentions ever to come from your heart through your lips towards another human being, to love honour and cherish till death us do part! That's huge.




Most vows I have witnessed of late remind me of a puritan cliché seen on many posters and a comic strip that states 'love is never having to say you're sorry' and it makes me sad to think that such beautiful words can eventually cause so much hurt in the pure of heart.




We say we're sorry when we come to realize we have unjustly hurt a loved one with words or actions that invariably breach a promise or vow made, and we seek forgiveness in saying we are sorry. Without remorse there can be no love.




If never having to say you're sorry means never hurting, then to never hurt means love is perfected in you. Yet we make vows as though love is perfected in us when it is not.


Most pre-written vows are idyllic and beautiful, yet place unrealistic expectations on fallible men and women, invariably these are broken and leave countless couples broken hurt and devastated in their wake.




Wedding vows are words embedded in a solemn covenant promise which if kept will bring about blessing and if broken a curse.


A promise kept and a promise broken will change the way you live breathe and think for the rest of your days.




The Importance of Vows




There are many beautiful romantic words you can use to express your feelings to one another as a run up to the vows, but don't confuse these with the actual vows. The actual vows are the words intended to bind, commit, and tie you to your partner for the rest of your living days. They are separate from the feelings you have for each other. They are words that form the very foundation of your future.

Consider this; your vows are the reason why friends and family surround you on your wedding day, to bear witness to what was said between you and your beloved. The whole wedding event with all it's pomp and ceremony, preparations, friends and family coming from afar, their costs, your costs, your family costs, all to hear you and your partner make your vows, now that's powerful!

Wedding Vow elements

In this section I will outline the basic elements of two kinds of love we find ourselves dealing with in relationships on a day to day basis. As humans we are flesh, having a tendency towards conditional love which in essence says 'I do for you, therefore you do for me' which has it's merits and appeals to our fallen nature, but is diametrically opposed to unconditional love, derived from the Greek word agape which is also spoken of as the 'God kind of love'.

I have listed the characteristics of the two love forms so that you can consider each as you ponder the words you are about to write in your vows. Your vows need to be prophetic in the sense that they speak promises based on your character now into future existence that are not yet, knowing full well that you are not there yet and that a road lies before you both. The only hint I am going to give you is to use phrases like 'I will strive to', and 'forgive me if I fall'. If I give you any more, then the vows will not be yours.

Unconditional Love (humility)

Unconditional love circumvents those around it and seeks to give


Unconditional love is never offended and always forgives


Unconditional love serves without expecting compensation


Unconditional love never fails


Unconditional love finds reward is in giving

Conditional Love (pride)




Conditional love is at the center of itself seeking what it can get from others


Conditional love is easily offended and does not forgive easily


Conditional love expects compensation for serving


Conditional love fails


Conditional love finds no reward in giving

*Copyright"


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Wedding Bells...Has Stopped Ringing

My friend's mother had passed away…

Another human had left this world and moved on the next…

From religion's point of view, God had taken her…

At the moment, I had no idea what to blog about.

The news came this morning and I could still feel the uneasiness inside me.

I'm also not sure how my friend is feeling now…

When I start to think about my age (I'm about 27 this year), there is also fear in me when I start to see people around me aging and some leaving.

When we are at our age, we are scaling the corporate ladder, building our families, bringing up our children…

many times when we see younger children, they somehow make us remember how we were like when we were their age.

And now, some of us are married, others will soon get married…

time had passed so fast and we are all grown-ups now…

What if we imagine right now, our children in their thirties…how old will we be?

Lets add another 30 to our age and we will be 60 plus.

Oh my!!! It is really scary to the certain extent to think of ourselves having travelled most of our life journey.

Then, we may see our own children getting married…or even see our first grandchild…Hmmmm…quite a scene to look forward to…and by that time, the little baby in our arms may remind us of ourselves when we were babies…60 years ago…

But that time, I may recall how we first got married…or even way before that how I knew my wife…how I first saw her…our ups and downs we had been through all these 60 years…

For a moment, all the worries now don't matter…all the material needs don't seem to be as important as before…

what has become important is the time I have now…to see my wife…

And now I should stop here….because I want to spend the remaining time with her…not knowing what will happen tomorrow…or not even bothered by it at all…

Just the presence matters.

Planning For A Wedding

Preparing for a wedding can be exciting and exhilarating yet at the same time stressful and emotional. Planning is the key factor while preparing for your wedding. Get yourself organized, get a wedding planner if necessary, follow suggested timelines and allow plenty of time to deal with untoward or unexpected surprises.

Setting a date

Typically, Saturday and Sundays are good days to have a wedding. However, now weekday weddings are becoming common and often, hotels, photographers and transport companies offer discounts for such days other than weekends. The decision of when to hold the wedding is also dependent on the availability of the church, registrar's office, hotel or other such venue. Ensure that the place is free before you confirm the date.

Determine your budget

It is imperative to set a limit on expenses before you start planning. Decide what aspects are important and determine your budget accordingly. You can even open a special wedding account and set up a regular savings scheme.

Wedding theme

Decide on the theme - formal church wedding, beach wedding, relaxed intimate occasion at a country hotel, Vegas wedding etc. Your theme can be determined by any of your favourite things as well, a fragrant flower, color of you liking, shared interest or hobby. Whatever, the theme or style it may be, your personal touch will make your wedding a memorable one. Invitations, decorations and the venue may also depend on the theme you choose.

Key players at your wedding

Best man and chief bridesmaid should be decided upon carefully as they play an important role and help you to organize events at your wedding. Friends, family and other loved ones are also key players, so involve them as much as possible. Delegating some responsibility will help to lessen your burden. Use professionals like wedding planners and organizers if need be; their advice and experience will smoothen the process and ensure that you don't miss out on anything important.

Plan and time your wedding photos appropriately

If you want your own collection of wedding photographs, hire a professional to take pictures at a suitable time. Ensure that your guests are occupied with drinks and entertainment while you are busy with the photography session. You can even place disposable cameras at different locations to encourage your guests to take candid shots.

Your guests are an important part of the entire ceremony

Do not ignore them, be thoughtful and ensure that they are entertained throughout, while waiting in the receiving line, while going through all your first dances, when your photos are being taken etc. You will always remember your special day; make sure they remember it too.

Wedding favors add a nice touch to the wedding

They are a token of gratitude and appreciation for your guests' time spent at your wedding to make it a memorable one.

Choose your florist, designer etc

Ensure that you have chosen your florist and decided upon the flowers you intend to use at your wedding. Decide on your designer and outfits for you and your bridesmaids. All of this may depend on a special theme or style if any that you may have selected for the wedding.

Do whatever works for you

Are you conservative or modern? Invitations may depend on the theme, may be formal or informal. Bridesmaid dresses may or may not match. Your rehearsal does not have to be the night before. Make decisions that you are comfortable with, that make sense to you, your guests and your budget.

Relax and be yourself

Weddings can be a time of excitement, stress and frustration. Although every wedding couple has the highest expectations of perfection for their special day, remember that the wedding reception is a party to celebrate the marriage. Don't overstress such that you spoil the day. Relax and enjoy!

The wedding day is your special day; a day that you have been waiting for. With so much to look forward to, make the whole planning and organizing process part of the fun. Don't be overwhelmed by it; enjoy the experience!

Anniversary Favors - Coffee or Tea

You decided to throw an anniversary party for the lucky couple – a 25th or a 50th. You will offer both coffee and tea at the party, so why not take your cue for anniversary favors from the beverages. "Would you like coffee or tea?"

Anniversary favors of coffee or tea are easy to find, and make a cute commentary on the couple's long marriage.

Theme Your Party

Theme your party around "Tea for Two" or "The Perfect Blend" and either tea or coffee favors will work well. Here are some ideas for both.

1. "The Perfect Blend" coffee cups holding a tea light candle. These charming white coffee cups hold coffee colored tea light candles, scented to resemble java. When lit, the candles glow with a soft early-morning light. A hang tag on the anniversary favor gift box proclaims "A Perfect Blend" and could be personalized with the anniversary couple's names and wedding date.

2. "Tea for Two" teacups are also available, each holding a white tea light candle. The beautiful silver pattern on the tea cups, as well as the silver band around the saucer and cup top, make these marvelous anniversary favors for a 25th wedding anniversary. The cup is attached to the saucer, and is a perfect size for a single tea light candle.

3. "The Perfect Blend" anniversary favors can be 6.5 inch tall bags of ground coffee with a silver-chrome, heart-shaped coffee spoon attached to each bag. These elegant favors come in black and white packets, illustrated as a groom or bride. Each has a matching personalized tag on which you can commemorate the wedding anniversary. These anniversary favors also are good for a 25th wedding anniversary.

4. "Tea for Two" anniversary favors for a golden wedding anniversary could be tea sachets in a gold-decorated tin. The elegant tea sachets will please, and each tin can be personalized with wedding anniversary information.

5. "The Perfect Blend" anniversary favors can be as simple as a silver or gold foil bag of ground coffee personalized with the anniversary couple's name and wedding date on each pack.

6. "Tea for Two" anniversary favors are available in boxes of 6 teabags in flavors such as lemon or apple cinnamon. Each box features a 3D pop-out tea cup as part of the box.

7. A perfect wedding anniversary favor for a silver wedding anniversary would be an elegant silver teapot placecard holder. It's a beautiful memento that guests can keep to remind them of your long-lasting love.

Many countries have long valued a hot cup of tea when spending a relaxing hour or two with friends. Now tea drinking is becoming popular in the U.S. as well. In fact, tea parties are the new trend in birthdays, bridal showers, and corporate events.

Unique Anniversary Favors

A lovely, unique anniversary favor for either silver or golden wedding anniversary is a heart-shaped tea infuser spoon. This anniversary favor will show your appreciation to guests for attending the event.

Another unique anniversary favor we found comes from Japan. Heart-shaped drop tea tablets are packed in a clear glass tube. A matching clear glass tube holds heart-shaped sugar. Drop a couple of each into a cup of hot water, and "love is brewing."

Mini tea sets, which can also be used as espresso cups, also fall into the category of unique anniversary favors. They are harder to find than some favors, but worth looking.

Coffee House Anniversary Favors

Create your own anniversary favors by visiting a local coffee house for ideas. Look at the various types of coffee and tea. Then purchase small air-tight containers that will hold 2 ounces. Fill each with coffee or tea of your choice, and tuck into a silver or gold organza bag for a quick anniversary favor.

Winter Wedding Idea - A Guide To Choosing a Winter Wedding Theme

A Winter Wedding Idea To Warm You Up Although not as popular as the other seasons, winter can be a great time to have a wedding. That might possibly the best reason to have a winter wedding. Wedding vendors are not as busy during the winter, so you should be able to book your first choice of photographer, videographer, band, florist and dj.

Winter is also a slow time for wedding spaces. Possible locations for a winter wedding include Bed and Breakfasts, Inns, Country Clubs, private estates and anywhere that provides a winter wonderland backdrop for your wedding. Think fireplaces and comfy, cozy locations. Mountain locations always provide a beautiful backdrop for a winter wedding.

Since wedding vendors and wedding spaces are less busy in the winter, you may be able to secure a great deal at a significant discount. When talking to vendors, don't be afraid to ask if they offer an off season discount. Many vendors will offer their services at a discounted rate to fill up their slow months.

When talking with wedding spaces and interviewing caterers, be sure to ask them if they have different packages for winter months. Many times they will offer different menu selections in winter months.

After selecting your wedding location, you should start thinking about choosing a winter wedding idea for your wedding theme. There are many possibilities for a winter wedding theme, however if you are having trouble thinking of some consult with a wedding planner or browse online for some ideas.

Here are some possible theme ideas for a winter wedding:

• If your wedding is in February, consider having a Valentine's themed wedding.
• Snowflakes are a sign of winter, and they can run through your entire wedding from your invitations to favors.
• Ice is also a sign of winter, and you could have a blue ice themed wedding complete with ice sculptures and vodka bar.
• If your wedding is in December, a Christmas themed wedding gets everyone in the mood for the holidays.
• New Year's weddings can also be a lot of fun. However, don't expect any discounts from vendors or wedding spaces for December 31st.

With a few winter wedding ideas in hand, talk to potential vendors and find out how they can help you pull off your theme. Florists and caterers can be especially helpful to work with on your theme. Spend some time at the location you choose for your wedding, and think about what theme would go best there. Don't be afraid to get creative.

How to Start a Relationship Awesomely

A lot of people have been asking me how to start a relationship with a girl, as they seem to find it very hard to do so. Actually starting a relationship with a girl is not that hard at all; it only depends on whether you know how to do it. Let me just share the steps that you can take to start a relationship with a girl, awesomely.

1. Be awesome at anything; if you are smart, show it off, if you are funny, make her laugh, or if you are good at sports, give a demonstration. Let people know how you are different.

2. Look into places where you can find the ideal girl of yours. If you like sports, do look into places where people do sports.

3. Do not lie to get the girl's heart. If she finds out that you have lied to her when both of you are in a deeper relationship, she will leave for good.

4. Start by making friend with her. Strong friendship builds the foundation for strong relationship. Talk to her about common interests and keep the conversation going.

5. Take things slowly. Do not be seen as a needy guy. She will think that you are just an annoying friend and you probably don't want her to think that. That special person might actually ask you over or on a date, which doesn't necessarily mean that she is into you. Give it time and things could work out. Once you have established 'first contact', remember not to squeeze the person.

6. Lastly, do flirt with her. Judge whether she is very open with flirting and play accordingly. Flirting certainly draws attention and can lead to a relationship.

To make it easier for you, make sure the girl is someone you have known for a while. The more history and common grounds you have between the both of you, the easier it gets.