Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Wedding Hairstyles Right For You

All about hair

Origianal post from http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk

Feb 26 2008 by Lara Johnson, Western Mail


We are fast approaching spring, and this can often be the time of year that those of you who are to be married are looking for ideas.

Choosing your wedding hairstyle should follow the same rules as choosing a hairstyle for everyday life. There are several things to consider: facial shape, build and body type, the balance of the features, as well as the hair’s texture, wave pattern, growth patterns, and density. In deciding on a wedding hairstyle, you also have to consider the length of the hair. Another important factor is whether your day or dress is themed. The hair is there to complement you, not scream for attention itself.

Generally, I suggest that you make sure that your wedding style reflects your personality. For women who normally wear wavy hairstyles, their wedding style could simply involve adding more curl to their existing style. For women who have straight and sleek hair, they may choose to wear their hair up in a sleek and tight twist, or other sleek smooth dressing.

Bear in mind a style that will work for you and your face and body type, most of us tend to look better with even just a few wefts left around the face, obviously to frame our natural beauty. If you are very tall and slim, be careful to avoid too much height and not enough width, or if you are slightly more robust with a round face you may want to add height and keep the sides low in volume and close to the head. This will help to elongate the round face and give it a slimmer appearance. If you have longer hair, you may want to try a dressing that doesn’t involve wearing all of the hair up, bring pieces of the sides and back to the crown area, securing it in a twist, allowing the back and sides to hang in soft flowing curls. Visit your stylist as soon as possible for a consultation and practice; they will work with you to achieve what is perfect for you. It is important to book far enough in advance to allow time to not only get the style right but to also achieve the colour and if needed a colour match for hair pieces.

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Monday, February 25, 2008

What Every Bride Should Know When Choosing a Wedding Invitation

When I planned my wedding, I had already worked in the bridal industry for many years. So when it came time to choose a wedding invitation, I knew exactly where to get what I wanted and where to find it. Now, with so many choices, it can be hard to know what to choose. Are you getting a good quality invitation? Is the pricing fair? Here are some tips to help you along the way:

  • Professional high quality wedding invitations are usually printed with a process called thermography, also referred to as "raised ink". This type of printing is created by adding a resin powder to wet ink, which when heated, creates a raised surface. The raised ink gives the look and feel of engraving without the expense. Engraved invitations are available but tend to cost more.
  • When comparing prices, check the price for a quantity of 150. Most price breaks end at 150 and there is a flat rate based on increments of 25 above that quantity. If you look at prices based on a quantity of 25, where most invitations begin, you are comparing the worst pricing per invitation. (For instance Invitation A may cost $100 for 25, $115 for 50, and $125 for 150 vs. Invitation B at $90 for 25, $112 for 50 and $124 for 150, at the 150 quantity pricing is about equal)
  • Choose an invitation printed by a well known manufacturer such as Carlson Craft. If you are not sure check out the manufacturer's website. If it looks home made, it probably is.
  • Order a sample. Most places will send you a sample for a couple of dollars and it makes sense to see it in person before you buy 100 of them.
There are different parts to wedding invitations that you may or may not need. Here is a breakdown for you.

Your main piece, the wedding invitation, will come with double envelopes, an inner and outer envelope, and sometimes tissues. The tissue is to be placed on top of the printing before sliding it into your inner envelope which is then placed inside the outer envelope which is addressed.

Many companies offer to have your inner envelopes "lined" for an additional fee. This is where you choose a color that is adhered inside the flap of the inner envelope to give it an elegant look. Its not necessary but does look nice. You can also pay an additional fee to have your return address printed on the outer envelope flap. Personally, I think this is worth the additional cost as it saves you time in printing labels or writing a return address and looks more formal.

In addition to your wedding invitation you can buy Reception cards. These cards tell your guests where to find your reception after the wedding ceremony. I suggest you use these if the reception is in a different location than the wedding ceremony and you have to include a complete address. The reception card is put above your tissue with your invitation inside the inner envelope. An alternative to buying a Reception card is called "corner copy". This is two to three lines of copy placed in the bottom left or right corner of your wedding invitation and usually costs a small fee (but considerably less than buying Reception cards). Examples of corner copy text:


Reception immediately
following ceremony

or

Reception following
Burton's Restaurant
110 3rd Street


Another card you can purchase is called a Respond card. This card is filled out by your guests and mailed back to you. It includes a line for their name and a check box or line to confirm the number of guests attending. The Respond card comes with preprinted envelopes (your address), and typically the bride and groom include postage on them. If you are having a catered event, a Respond card will help when you need to give a final count to your caterer. If you are having menu choices, you can also include these on your Respond card so your guests can choose a meal in advance. Respond cards are also mailed with your invitation inside the inner envelope.

The final card you can purchase is a personalized note card. I am a fan of these because the are elegant (they are card stock that matches your invitation) and they are printed with the bride and groom's names or monogram on the front and blank inside. These are typically used as thank you notes after your wedding ceremony, but can be also used for simple notes to your friends and family.

Save the Date! These are becoming more popular. Save the Date cards are mailed long before your wedding invitations (6 months to a year) so that your guests can keep your wedding date open on their calendars. Save the Date's are recommended if you have guests that are coming from out of town.

One final tip. Before mailing your wedding invitation, especially if you have multiple cards inserted, be sure to check the postage rate. You don't want to have them all returned to you...

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Sunday, February 24, 2008

Green Wedding Planning

This is the year for the environmentally conscious. From big corporations to the "Average Joe", we are making efforts to cut down on unnecessary waste. Now, with "green" wedding planning we are making the effort too.

Accoring to LJWorld.com, here are a few things you can do to make your wedding planning green:

  • Limit guest travel. Have the wedding in the town where most guests live and can car pool together.
  • Have a daytime wedding, outdoors if possible.
  • Choose recycled paper for invitations and place cards.
  • Serve organic, locally grown food.
  • Decorate with organic, locally grown flowers, fruits and veggies. Choose potted plants instead of cut flowers for centerpieces.
  • Seek caterers who recycle materials and use linen and china instead of disposables.
  • Wear vintage clothes or jewelry, or choose "green" fibers like silk or organic cotton.
  • Use candles.
  • Go acoustic.
  • Hire a hybrid limo, or a horse and buggy.
  • Pick digital photos over film.
  • Find out how much greenhouse gas your wedding will create at TerraPass.com, which offers to then "offset" the event by inviting you to invest in energy saving technologies.
  • Pass it on: Tell your guests that an elegant even can also be light on the environment.

Want some help planning a green wedding? Check out this book from Amazon.com:

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Avoid A Wedding Dance Disaster

By Natalie Beck

For almost every wedding, a very important part of the wedding reception is the first dance between the new bride and groom. This dance is used to cement the relationship between man and wife and is generally a very formal affair. For many individuals, this will be the first time that they have ever attempted a classical dance and may be unsure of the steps or timing that will be needed to make their first wedding dance with their new spouse a success.

This is the main reason why dance lessons prior to the wedding ceremony are so important. Scheduling lessons with a professional dance instructor can provide an individual with the instruction and practice that they need before their wedding to ensure that they will not embarrass themselves at their reception by not knowing how to perform the dance. A professional dance instructor will work with individuals at their own pace and teach them the dance that they desire in a way that is comfortable for them.

Many couples choose to take their wedding dance lessons together, not only to prepare for their wedding but to bond and have fun together as well. Some individuals describe their wedding dance lessons with their partner as more fun than they could have imagined and say that they learned many things about their partner during the lessons that they had not known previously.

Couples who choose to take dance lessons together feel more comfortable performing the dance at their wedding reception because they have already ironed out all of the difficult portions of the dance and can accommodate any weaknesses in each others dance technique, allowing the dance to be modified to the strengths of each individual and performed as properly as possible.

Professional dance instructors for wedding dance lessons have experience in teaching couples techniques that will make the dance that they have chosen easy for the couple to perform. Dance moves can be modified to allow for physical limitations, such as a height discrepancies or reduced flexibility, making it possible for any couple to have a beautiful wedding dance. In the vast majority of cases, no one other than the couple performing the wedding dance will ever realize that the moves have been modified.

There are several different types of dances that are commonly chosen for wedding dance lessons from a professional dance instructor. The most commonly chosen type of dance is the waltz, due to its classical look, easily learned steps, and slow pace. Other commonly chosen dances include the Salsa, the Rumba, and traditional ballroom dances.

Many couples first choose the song that they will perform their first dance to prior to deciding to take wedding dance lessons. In these cases, the professional dance instructor will choreograph a wedding dance for the couple that matches the music that they have chosen for their first dance. This way, the couple can have a beautiful wedding dance to a song that has great meaning for them.

There are many reasons why wedding dance lessons with a professional dance instructor are an important part of wedding planning. The first dance as a married couple is an important part of the wedding reception and will provide the couple with a memory that will last a lifetime. Professional dance lessons will make the experience even more memorable and special for the individuals involved.

Article source:http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/avoid-a-wedding-dance-disaster-334076.html

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Monday, February 18, 2008

How to lose those extra pounds before the wedding

Congratulations! You’re engaged!

So what’s one of the first things we start to stress about when we start to plan our wedding? We want to look perfect in that dress! We need to lose a few pounds!

I see so many brides worry about their weight. Many start to crash diet and add that additional stress to their wedding planning. Remember ladies, he proposed to you as you are and is probably more than happy with the way you look. We are the ones that are creating this pressure.

However, if you do have a weight loss goal, it’s important to use a healthy method of dieting.

To help, I found a few resources on Amazon.com:


I also did a little research on WebMd.com – they have every possible subject of dieting covered – and pulled a few healthy tips to pass along to you.

1. Eat breakfast. Breakfast helps give you staying power throughout your day. Studies show that eating breakfast may help keep you from binging later in the day. No need to eat a lot -- fruit, a little cereal or an energy bar, and maybe some milk is all you need to get going.

2. Don’t skip meals to "save" calories. You'll likely make up for the skipped meals by snacking later on junk foods, which are high in calories, sugar, and trans fats (harmful fats found in many commercial snacks). Some recent findings show that junk foods make up nearly one-third of the total calories in the typical American diet. Remember, several small meals spread out through the day is the best approach.

3. Eat more lean protein to control your appetite. Go for low-fat dairy; skinless chicken and turkey; fish; lean cuts of beef, pork, and veal; legumes; soy foods; and nuts and seeds. Avoid animal foods that are high in saturated fats (such as fatty cuts of beef and high-fat dairy).

4. Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans (including soy). Studies show that these plant-based disease-fighters make up only 10% of the calories in the American diet. Plant-based foods are high in water and fiber and essential vitamins and antioxidants, yet very low in calories. Diets high in plant-based foods play a key role in the prevention of diseases, including obesity, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

5. Cutting junk food, sugary sodas, and sweet, undiluted fruit drinks out of your diet is an easy way to lose weight over time. For example, cutting out 10 potato chips a day saves 100 calories. Over a year, giving up those chips would translate into 10 pounds of extra fat lost.

6. Adding 20 minutes more of exercise (such as aerobic dancing, walking, jogging, biking, rowing, or swimming) to your current routine will burn an average of 100 calories of fat a day. Over a year’s time, that extra 20 minutes of exercise should allow you to lose 10 pounds.

7. It may also help to eat more frequently. Six small meals per day appears to be the best approach to eating, especially when you're trying to lose weight.

8. The best way to maintain or reach an ideal weight is to burn more calories than you take in. That means increasing activity, and decreasing calorie intake -- but not severely.

I hope you find this information useful. Happy wedding planning!

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Friday, February 15, 2008

When planning a wedding, stay organized.

The Knot Wedding Planner
One of the most challenging parts to planning a wedding is keeping it all organized and on track. However, with the right tools you will find it easier to plan your wedding and stay on budget.

Wedding planning organizers are a great tool to keep your information all in one place. Most have a place to track spending and are categorized into sections such as catering, invitations, attire, gifts, registry, etc.

Here are a few examples of organizers that are available at Amazon.com (see product links in the upper right corner of my blog)


  • Tying the Knot: The Complete Organizer by Sara Miller and Karen Berman

  • The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner (includes wedding advice)

  • Bride's Wedding Planner


If you prefer to keep track of your wedding planning electronically, there is specialty software available for you to purchase such as My Wedding Companion (also available at Amazon.com). Not only can you track your wedding estimates and purchases, but you can also print out labels for your wedding invitations and keep track of which guests are coming.


There are also specialty websites that have online wedding planning software, and some are free services. Here are a few you may want to check out:


http://www.weddingwire.com/


http://www.ezweddingplanner.com/


http://www.modernweddingplanner.com/


When choosing a wedding organizer, try to find a method that works for you. Just because your friend worked well with an online system doesn't mean you will prefer that method. Some people do better with the tactile method of using paper and pen.


Do you have other organizing tips? Feel free to post a comment to share with other brides...

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Thursday, February 14, 2008

Top 20 Romantic Comedies

Happy Valentines Day!

I'm sure that all of the happily engaged couples have plans tonight, but if you are like my husband and me we are happy to stay away from the crowded restaurants, snuggle up with a glass of wine, and watch a movie.

So in honor of this day of love, I researched the Top 20 Romantic Comedies:

1. There's Something About Mary (1998)
2. The Princess Bride (1987)
3. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
4. Pretty Woman (1990)
5. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
6. High Society (1956)
7. Annie Hall (1977)
8. The Seven Year Itch (1955)
9. My Man Godfrey (1936)
10. Shrek (2001)
11. The Taming of the Shrew (1967)
12. LA Story (1991)
13. That Touch of Mink (1962)
14. Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
15. The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)
16. The Wedding Singer (1998)
17. His Girl Friday (1940)
18. Sixteen Candles (1984)
19. Clueless (1995)
20. The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1998)

List referenced from www.couplescompany.com

And it didn't make the Top 20 list, but my personal favorite is "You've Got Mail", which is appropriate for all of us that live in cyberspace.

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Fantasy marriage proposals are just a click away

When planning a wedding there is no shortage of professionals to help you. You've got wedding coordinators, florists, invitation specialists, decorators, bridal and tuxedo shops, and more. But did you also know you can get professional help for your marriage proposal?

It's true! There are services that specialize in helping you create that fantasy moment when you pop the question. They will do everything from booking travel to setting up the event.

You can get help to create that 007 fantasy moment, a romantic movie-perfect dinner, a scavenger hunt to find the ring, or whatever creative moment you can dream up. If you are not creative, don't worry, that's why they are here to help you. All you do is have to remember to ask the question.

A few proposal specialists you may want to check out are http://www.2propose.com/ and http://www.preposals.com/. If you have a tight budget, there is also a site that offers ideas for free at http://www.marriage-proposal-ideas.com/.

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Monday, February 11, 2008

Do-it-yourself vs. professional wedding invitations

©Carlson Craft® Translucent Hearts Wedding Invitation at Invitocards.com
With the rising costs of everything, today's brides tend to lean towards do-it-yourself projects for their weddings. These work great for centerpieces and decorations, however you may want to think twice before leaning towards homemade wedding invitations.

Let's face it, your wedding invitation is the first impression of your ceremony. You want your guests to look forward to your beautiful day. Here are some things to consider:

Expense:

With do-it-yourself wedding invitations you have to purchase ink cartridges ($30-$60 for a single ink jet cartridge), extra stock for testing, envelopes, and you may have to purchase a font if you want something unique. And don't forget your valuable time to create and cut out each one.

Professionally printed invitations typically cost somewhere between $1.00 - $1.50 per invitation on average. If you are ordering 100, you are already halfway there in just the cost of your ink cartridge. In addition, professional invitations are typically thermographed - printed in high quality raised ink. To see the difference order a sample!

Invitation design:

It can be complicated to find coorinating pieces for do-it-yourself invitations (i.e. wedding invitation, respond cards, envelopes...). You will need to make sure you have proper envelopes to go with your different sized cards, and double check to make sure your finished invitation does not cost more in postage.

Professional wedding invitations typically have coordinating pieces from reception and respond cards to thank you notes and personalized napkins.

Error potential:

When creating invitations yourself, its inevitable that some invitations will be cut incorrectly so be sure to order extra paper so you don't have to worry about your supplier running out of stock. Double check your invitation size so that it fits inside the envelopes properly. Don't forget wedding invitations have inner and outer envelopes - it must fit into both!

Professionally printed invitations are created to fit together. You also have the help of an experienced wedding professional to help you find the right invitation for you. Your invitations can usually be printed in one or two days and shipped right to you.

Your wedding day is one of the most important events in your life. Show how important it is with beautiful wedding invitations professionally made just for you.

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Saturday, February 9, 2008

Win a cruise for your honeymoon!

PR Newswire

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Feb 06, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The undisputed leader of love on the high seas, Princess Cruises is launching a nationwide search asking "Are You the Greatest Romantic?" The contest debuts Valentine's Day on the new online home for the company's Department of Romance, http://www.princess.com/romance, and all "romantics at heart" can nominate themselves or someone they believe deserves this highest honor of amorous aptitude.

"The Greatest Romantic" will be chosen from a field of entries narrowed down to five finalists determined by the line's Department of Romance experts. After a public vote, he or she will become an "ambassador of love" for the department for one full year, in addition to receiving a romantic cruise for two.

"Who better than the 'Love Boat' line to search for the greatest romantic?" asked Gavin MacLeod, the actor who played the series' Captain Stubing. "'The Love Boat' and Princess celebrated romance during every show for its 10-year run. And now as the show commemorates its 30-year anniversary, what a fitting celebration of love on the high seas."

MacLeod is one of the members of Princess' Department of Romance, which also includes experts Trish McDermott, "Vice President of Love" for Engage.com and former "Vice President of Romance" for Match.com; feisty and provocative couples therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer; and Lisa Light, destination wedding expert and author. Together they will select the five most inspiring finalists before the vote is put out to the general public.

The contest launches on Valentine's Day, and Princess invites all romantics to submit a video telling why they deserve this honor. Videos can be entered until March 20, and then from April 1-14 the five finalists will be posted and the general public will have the chance to vote for their favorite "Greatest Romantic." The winner will be announced on April 15 and receive a romantic, seven-day cruise for two to Mexico or the Caribbean, including airfare. While onboard they will receive a special romantic couple's package from Lotus Spa. "The Greatest Romantic" will also enjoy a year-long title of Princess' "ambassador of love" as a member of its Department of Romance. They will be featured on the company's website telling their story, offering advice and discussing romance on a special podcast.

"From a personal love story to an original poem or creative stunt, we're seeking compelling video entries expressing romance from many perspectives," said Jan Swartz, senior vice president for Princess Cruises. "Be it in small or dramatic ways, we're looking for someone who can channel their inner romantic and espouse the meaning of romance for others, plus share how they make romance a part of their daily lives. And we're looking for someone who has the attributes to be a great addition to our Department of Romance."

Videos should be no longer than three minutes and compellingly convey why the person is the ultimate romantic. Contestants can nominate themselves, a spouse, friend or relative but can enter only once and must be at least 21 years of age. All videos become property of Princess Cruises. For a complete list of rules and video requirements, as well as sample video entries for romantic inspiration, visit http://www.greatestromantic.princess.com.

Simultaneously Princess is also conducting a sweepstakes giving one of the contest voters a chance to win their own romantic cruise for two. Visitors to the contest website during the voting period can sign up for a chance to win a seven-day cruise for two to the Caribbean or the Mexican Riviera. Other contest prizes include decadent chocolates from Godivia Chocolatier, pampering products from Princess' exclusive Lotus Spa, and flowers from Teleflora.

In addition to the contest information, Princess' new online home for its Department of Romance features tips and articles from its romance experts ranging from the best ways to reinvigorate your romance, to tips on planning a destination wedding. It also features a series of podcasts, inspiring quotations and romantic desktop downloads.

Long known as a leader in romance, Princess has been offering romantic cruise vacations around the world for more than 40 years. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 16 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess offers its passengers the opportunity to escape to the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven continents, ranging in length from seven to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL; LSE) (NYSE: CUK: 40.71, -0.33, -0.80%).

Princess Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

SOURCE Princess Cruises

http://www.princess.com

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Thursday, February 7, 2008

Bridal Tea shower keeps tradition alive

@copy;Carlson Craft® Elegant Affair Bridal Shower Invitation

If you are like my family, whenever there is a wedding or a bridal shower it becomes an occasion to visit with relatives you otherwise never see. That also means that you have many different generations gathering together, some who expect to stick to traditions and ceremony.

If this sounds like your family, you may want to consider hosting a Bridal Tea for the Bridal Shower. Here are some ideas to make it fun for guests of all ages:

©Carlson Craft® Bridal Tea Bridal Shower Invitation
Activity ideas - Invite guests to wear fancy hats and gloves, or search flea markets and antique shops for hats guests can wear during the tea. Research how to properly brew tea and the customs of taking tea - share what you have learned with your guests. Perhaps create a little trivia game to see if they know the answers.

Menu ideas - Serve brewed tea with fancy sandwiches and desserts like petit fours.

Decorations - Use lace tablecloths and napkins, crystal vases and silver serving dishes. Use your finest china for serving and rent silver tea services for the tea. Decorate with lacy parasols and bouquets of fresh flowers.

Favors - Guests can go home with assorted packets of tea, pretty tea cups or teaspoons.

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Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Wedding gifts that you will actually use

When I look back on my wedding and the gifts I received, I remember thinking "What am I going to do with this stuff?". Part of it was poor registry on my part, but our guests were all trying to give us that unique gift that no one else would think to purchase.

It's not that I didn't appreciate their thoughtfulness, and I thanked everyone whole-heartedly, but we really needed some stuff we could use! After all, we were just college students before we were married so neither one of us owned "home stuff". I really wanted that toaster!

So here are some gifts I recommend that newlyweds, especially ones right out of college, can use:

Dishes, glasses, and place settings – most of us as tend to have mismatched dishes and place settings when we are single. Give the newlyweds a nice new set of dishes.

Towels – bath towels and kitchen towels are both great gifts. Find out what colors they prefer so you can match their décor.

Kitchen gadgets – Get those cool kitchen gadgets that make cooking easy. My favorites – the garlic press from Pampered Chef, a salad spinner, and a nice set of knives. Also great gifts are cookware such as a nice set of pots and pans, a waffle iron or an electric wok.

Cook book – most of us eat out a lot when we are single so a new cook book can help them break in those new kitchen gadgets they might be getting.

Sheet sets – an extra set of sheets is always handy, but one of those items you tend to put off buying.

Serving platters – one of my favorite wedding gifts was a nice, ceramic salad bowl. I use it every time we have guests over for dinner.

Throw – a nice soft throw is great to cuddle up on the couch with.

Shop vac – OK, this may only make sense if they own a house, but they are sure nice to have.

Do you have any suggestions for wedding gifts? If so feel free to post your comments.

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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

When you can't come up with a theme, choose a No-Host Bridal Shower

Are you having trouble coming up with an idea for a Bridal Shower? Well here's one that is sure to make your life easy.

A No-Host Shower is becoming more and more popular these days. Choose a restaurant or country club where each guest will buy her own food and beverage. A significant and expensive gift is usually given by the group, but you can choose to do individual gifts as well.

The shower organizers usually provide invitations, favors, entertainment and gift selection (if you are giving a group gift).

TIP - Bridal Registry is for more than tabletop these days. Couples are registering for computers, do-it-yourself supplies, sports equipment, gourmet gadgets, and furniture.

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Friday, February 1, 2008

Engagement Photo Basics

7 Eyewitness News
in partnership with theknot.com

Why take engagement photos? (Besides just to document what a good looking couple you are.) Submit a shot to your local paper with your engagement announcement, use them creatively in your wedding day decor, or give framed prints as gifts to your families. Need an ultrapractical reason to schedule an engagement photo shoot? It's a great opportunity to test-drive your wedding photographer. Read on for the basics to help you make the most of your premarital mug shots.

Make it Snappy

The best time to snap your paired-up pics depends on how and when you plan to use them. Here's a rundown of photo scheduling options -- choose whatever works for you:

Day one/two: Take a picture of yourselves to commemorate the moment you get engaged -- you'll already be wearing a photogenically (and naturally) happy smile!

First month: Schedule a photo shoot early in your engagement if you plan to submit a formal engagement announcement with a photo to your local paper. (Check your paper's guidelines for specific pose or print quality requirements, which are often listed on the newspaper's website.)

When you set the wedding date: Have a photo taken for your wedding website or save-the-date -- many couples incorporate photos of themselves into the design. If this trend appeals to you and you're planning to send guests an early heads-up, have photos taken eight to ten months before the wedding, in time to print and send save-the-dates no later than six months before the wedding.

Six to eight months before: You can also take engagement pictures once you've booked your wedding photographer or when you're narrowing down your final choices (which should occur when your planning countdown hits the eight-months-prior mark).

Three months before: If you plan to submit a shot with your newspaper wedding announcement, check their guidelines for specifics and schedule a picture-taking session at least three months before the wedding. Larger newspapers ask to receive wedding submissions up to six weeks before the event, and you'll want to factor in four to six weeks before that deadline to see your proofs and make prints.

Two months before: Trying out wedding day looks? Schedule hair and makeup trial appointments the same day as your engagement photo session to capture a preview of your wedding day fabulousness on film (you could do the salon in the morning and the photo studio in the afternoon). Factor in some in-between time for damage control, on the off chance that the salon results aren't as great as you hoped.

Up to one month before: Planning to feature your smiling faces on the wedding program, the favors, or plastered on the hot air balloon in which you'll be leaving the reception? Schedule pictures in plenty of time to see proofs, select your favorites, and get everything you need printed up.

To see entire article visit http://ww2.7online.com/Global/story.asp?S=7795682.

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