Dream Destination
A vacation spot -- or a dream destination -- can provide great fodder for a Bar Mitzvah theme. We chose Hawaii.

Key decor: Evoke the islands with Hawaiian-print linens, tiki torches (if you're outdoors, of course), and tropical flowers in the centerpieces -- think birds of paradise, hibiscus, and lilies.

Entertainment: Have a troupe of hula dancers come and give a performance after dinner. You could even ask whether they can give a lesson to the kids (don't forget the grass skirts!).

Catering: Do a fruit smoothie bar for the kids with plenty of tropical choices like mangoes, papayas, and pineapple in addition to the classics (strawberries, bananas, and OJ), and a tropical signature cocktail (mai tais, anyone?) for the grown-ups.

Favors: Tiki-style cups or Hawaiian-print boxer shorts make fun takeaways for a Hawaiian-themed Bar Mitzvah.

Extras: Use postcards from Hawaii as place cards -- and "address" each one to each guest at their table (if you're really ambitious, have the Bar Mitzvah boy include a note to each of his friends or to special relatives).


Hobbies and Passions
Could he spend all day playing the saxophone? Are you always on your way to or from his soccer practices? Spotlighting your son's number one pastime is a great way to make the Bar Mitzvah all about him. We chose basketball as our example.

Key decor: It's all about b-ball, so be sure the spotlight is on the sport. Life-sizes cutouts of favorite NBA players make for fun decor (and great photos). Basketball trading cards can be scattered on tables or used as escort cards (cover up the names on the cards and fill in guests' names instead).

Entertainment: Rent an arcade-style hoops game, whether it's basketball-themed pinball or arcade machines, or an Alley Hoops or Super Shot basketball game for high-scoring fun.

Catering: Go with kid's fare that fits with a fun, casual theme -- mini burgers are a yummy (and trendy) way to go. Another kid favorite: A french fry bar where you can choose your own toppings.

Favors: Personalized mini basketballs are a great take-home for this Bar Mitzvah. Customized basketball jerseys also make a great favor.


Favorite Colors
The perfect theme for the kid who's not that into having a theme is to go with his favorite color to tie everything together. These ideas will work with any color, but we went with blue.

Key decor: Blue balloons are fun, and blue linens are a natural. To make things a little more dynamic, vary the shades -- like indigo, cerulean, and sky blue -- instead of doing all one hue.

Centerpieces: Boys aren't always so into flowers. How to do a cool blue centerpiece? Think of non-floral elements that could fit your theme. Small table lamps with fun blue shades add a little light to the space. Another option: faux gifts wrapped with different blue papers and ribbons.

Catering: Do an all-blue candy bar so kids (and adults) can pick out treats to enjoy at the party (and afterward -- don't forget take-out containers so guests can take some home). Blue M&M'S, rock candy, Skittles, jelly beans -- the choices are endless. Another option: Rent a cotton candy machine.

Extras: Going for a cool blue? Get extra cool with an ice sculpture or two with your son's initials as an adornment for the entry or buffet area.


Favorite Time in History
Looking to the past can be a terrific source of inspiration for your Bar Mitzvah. Choosing a specific decade (like the '50s) or going even further back (think ancient Egypt or the Renaissance) can put a unique spin on your son's Bar Mitzvah. For our example, we chose the '60s.

Key decor: Decide first if you want to go '60s mod or '60s hippie -- for a more mod look, juxtapose bright colors (poppy centerpieces, maybe?) with black and white. For a hippie vibe, think daisies, lava lamps, and beaded curtains for your decor.

Entertainment: Celebrity impersonators can interact with guests and give you some seriously funny photos. For the '60s, The Beatles or Ed Sullivan could be fun. Though he's technically from the '90s, hiring an Austin Powers impersonator will definitely impress the kids.

Favors: Get guests in on the act with sunglasses and love beads. Another option: tie-dyed T-shirts customized with the Bar Mitzvah child's name and birth date.

Extras: Number tables with images of the Bar Mitzvah boy in costume as various '60s icons, or with their picture created in the style of different artists from the era (for example, Andy Warhol or Roy Lichtenstein).


Favorite Movies
The movies are a major source of inspiration for Bar Mitzvah themes -- no surprise, since Tinseltown is everywhere these days. A Hollywood theme can be as broad as, well, "Hollywood," or you can opt to focus on one of your son's fave flicks.

Key decor: You can go in any direction with this theme as far as colors go -- it's the fun extras that will make it fit. Movie posters, faux film reels, and a red carpet entry will give it a Hollywood feel.

Entertainment: Screen actual movies by the dance floor -- and you don't have to have the sound on, it's more for the ambiance. Something with lots of color and excitement (and that everyone knows so well that they can enjoy a minute or two sans sound) works best -- think classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or The Wizard of Oz.

Catering: Serve concession-style snacks for the kids' dessert. Rent a popcorn popper for fresh popcorn all night long, or have your caterer dream up their version of classic sweets like Ring Dings or Ho Hos.

Extras: Name the tables for each of your child's favorite films, and label them with a mini version of that movie poster.

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WedQuarters Personal Wedding Websites - The Latest "Must-Have" for your Wedding!

Effective communication between you and your wedding guests is essential in the busy months leading up to your wedding. That's why you need a personal wedding website from WedQuarters.com! A wedding website is the most efficient, easy and fun way to clearly communicate all important wedding details with your guests.

A personal wedding website is also perfect for posting travel and accommodation details, schedules of wedding events, maps, directions and special requests. Share stories, bridal party introductions, wedding gift registry info and an unlimited number of photos. Your wedding guests will love visiting your personal wedding website to learn more about you and your wedding!

Eliminate return postage when you receive wedding RSVPs online through your personal wedding website. Online wedding RSVPs are simple and convenient for you and your wedding guests. Just include the web address of your wedding website with your wedding invitations, and you're set.

Although your wedding day should be "an affair to remember", the times are changing with respect to budgets. There are some simple ways to reallocate your available dollars. While I am not a fan of "settling", here are just a few examples of how you can reduce expenditures and still make your wedding memorable.

• Set a budget and stick to it. Decide what your priority is -- the dress, for example, or the photographs -- and cut everywhere else.

•Meaning over material- Find special ways to bring sentimental things into the wedding in order to make that special day memorable.

• Use your resources. Friends may be able to print invitations, make centerpieces, even alter or sew a wedding dress. What are their talents?

• Hold your wedding on a weekday or Sunday, when reception-site rents are lower. Trends are showing cocktail parties to be an alternative. Alcohol expenses are dramtically decreased.

• Remember that clubhouses and parks are cheaper than hotel ballrooms -- and that a friend or relative's backyard is free. This growing trend is extremely budget friendly for obvious reasons: no location fees, smaller guest lists and a more casual menu allow for a much more affordable affair. If you don’t have a great backyard – consider the yard of a close friend or family member. A local park may be the next best thing. Brides opting for this style of wedding need to keep the weather in mind and make sure to have a foul-weather back up plan.

• Choose an off-peak month.

• Cut the guest list. Send announcements to those in far away locations after the wedding.

• Streamline the invitation by eliminating liners and interior envelopes.

• Save on postage by having guests e-mail their RSVPs. If really pressed, consider e-vites.

• Rent your wedding dress or buy used. Vintage and high-end thrift shops may stock them, and there are websites like preownedweddingdresses.com devoted to them. Also an eco friendly option.

• Check pawn shops and second-hand stores for jewelry including wedding bands. The selection is growing.

• Fake the cake. Really! You can rent a large, icing-covered foam cake from some bakers for the reception and serve a smaller, less expensive one without the fancy decorations.

• Serve brunch or lunch instead of dinner, and make it buffet, not sit-down. A cocktail reception is even cheaper.

• Make your own centerpieces or, if using a florist, choose flowers that are in season and have silk ones interspersed with the real ones.

• Skip the band and hire a DJ or make a playlist for your iPod and plug it into a sound system.

• If you decide to have an open bar, limit it to beer and wine.

This is such a happy time......... your engagement is full of flowers and cake.......the last thing on your mind is that disasters can strike your wedding day. From a sudden cancellation to stolen gifts to a damaged gown, wedding insurance can help protect you against the unforseen, and can also afford you great peace of mind. But what exactly is wedding insurance -- and how does it work? Here's the inside scoop.

What Is It?
In summary, wedding insurance protects a couple's investment from circumstances beyond their control, and reimburses expenses incurred. For example, what if your limo driver doesn't show up and you have to book another one the morning of the wedding -- for three times the price? Or what if the groom's custom-made tuxedo is lost in airport baggage, and he has to buy a new one the day before the wedding? What if your reception space goes out of business a month before the wedding, and you lose your deposit and have to book another space? These are the types of big-day financial losses that wedding insurance can help to protect.

Why Get Wedding Insurance?
Consider these scenarios:

*Kim and Rob spend months planning their Fall wedding. But on wedding day, their reception site is made inaccessible by a hurricane. With the right wedding insurance policy, the couple can postpone their wedding and receive every penny they lost (less the deductible) -- including money for the invites, cake, catering, attire, and non-refundable deposits for ceremony musicians, floral designer, and other vendors.
*The bride's Mother is injured in a car accident just before the wedding and cannot travel. If the couple has to postpone their wedding, with wedding insurance they could be paid back their expenses to enable them to have the wedding when the Mother recovers.
*Right before the ceremony, Julie's gown catches a gust of wind. Unfortunately, the veil flies right over to the end of Uncle Johnny's cigar and the dress instantly goes up in flames. Fortunately, the right insurance policy covers the replacement of the veil and gown.

What is the Cost?
A basic insurance policy that covers loss of photos, videos, attire, presents, rings, and deposits usually costs anywhere between $155 and $550, depending on the amount of coverage you want. General liability insurance, which covers up to $1,000,000 for accidents, costs around $185.

Do You Really Need It?
Before you buy wedding insurance, check with your each of your vendors to see how well they're covered -- your reception site or your caterer may already have their own insurance, so you wouldn't want to pay for overlapping coverage out of your own pocket. Ask your vendors for a copy of their policy, and then figure out where you aren't fully covered.

When Should You Get It?
The sooner the better. Let's say you put a deposit on your wedding venue 9 months prior to your wedding date and then it burns to the ground a few weeks before the big day. With wedding insurance, you'll be sure to get your deposit back. But note: most insurance companies have limitations on how far in advance you can purchase insurance, so be sure to check.

What Does It Cover?
Problems with the site, weather, vendors, essential people, sickness, or injury are the top concerns come wedding day. There is usually a specified maximum amount, which can be claimed under each section, and a deductible also applies. Be sure to find out the details of your insurance plan.

Site: Check to see if your ceremony and reception site is already insured. If it's not, wedding insurance can cover the cost arising out of unavoidable cancellation (such as damage or inaccessibility to the ceremony site), if your reception hall is unable to honor your reservation because it has burned in a fire, experienced an electrical outage, or just plain closed down. Sometimes this policy covers the rehearsal dinner site, too.
Weather: Any weather conditions which prevent the bride, groom, any relative whose presence at the wedding is essential, or the majority of the guests from reaching the premises where the wedding is to take place. Insurance covers rescheduling the wedding and all the details involved -- such as ceremony flowers, tent rental, and reception food.
Vendor No-show: What if essential wedding people -- the caterer or the officiant, for example -- fail to show up? A wedding insurance policy usually covers cancellation or postponement of the wedding for these reasons.
Sickness or Injury: Wedding insurance may also include sickness or injury to the bride, groom, or anyone essential to the wedding.
Military or Job: It's true, military personnel may be shipped out at a moment's notice. Wedding insurance can cover postponement of the wedding due to the bride or groom suddenly getting called to military duty. This can also apply to a last-minute corporate move -- i.e. the bride's company suddenly relocates her to another city.

Wedding Insurance Doesn't Cover...
*A change of heart. In other words, cold feet don't count!!!
*Watches, jewelry, or semi-precious gemstones or pearls (even if they are attached to clothing) may not be covered.
*While your wedding rings may be covered by the policy, your engagement ring probably will not.
Additional Coverage
Couples can take out supplemental policies to defend against damages incured by other wedding-related items such as photography, videography, and gifts.

Photography: Some policies pay to retake the photographs after the fact if the photographer fails to appear or the original negatives are lost, damaged, stolen, or not properly developed. Some policies will pay to re-stage the event -- with the principal participants so that pictures can be retaken. A policy may also pay costs for rehiring a photographer, buying a new wedding cake, and new flowers.
Videographer: When a videotape produced by a professional videographer is damaged (he or she used faulty materials for example), a policy usually pays a certain amount to have either a video montage created, a video compilation made of the photographs and other wedding memorabilia, or, if possible, a retaking of the official video at a restaging.
Gifts: Whether they're mailed to your home or handed to you on your wedding day, valuable items like gifts are something else you might want to consider insuring. Think about a party crasher lifting unattended presents from your reception. Gift coverage pays to repair or replace non-monetary gifts that are lost, stolen, or damaged. A police report is usually required for stolen gifts. The damage or theft generally has to take place within a limited time period (ranging from 24 hours to seven days depending on the specific policy) before or after the wedding, in order to be covered.
Attire: This coverage pays to repair or replace the bridal gown or other special attire when it is in your possession and is lost, stolen, or damaged (including financial failure of the bridal store). Special attire usually includes the clothing and accessories bought or rented that are to be worn by the bride, the groom, and attendants at the ceremony.
Personal Liability: Personal liability covers bodily injury or property damage caused by an accident that occurs during the course of the wedding (your best man trips and falls on his way up to the mike to roast you or Uncle Murray suffers a Harvey Wallbanger wall banger).
Medical Coverage: This covers reasonable medical expenses (up to the policy's limits) for each person who is injured during the covered events from a cause of loss, which would be covered by your personal liability.
Honeymoon: Your honeymoon can cost as much as a new car. But before buying travel insurance to protect your investment, see if your credit card and/or homeowner's policy covers you if your luggage gets lifted, your trip is delayed, or you have to cancel. If not, you can a buy separate, trip-only policy. Call your insurer, or ask your travel agent for details. Also, certain wedding insurance packages include optional travel insurance for your honeymoon.

Every insurance policy and every wedding scenario is different. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent -- and have him or her explain the nuts and bolts to you. You want to make sure you understand every detail of your policy.

Customize the trend of Topsy Turvey into any theme. If this cake doesn't just make you smile :-)

Is it better to look good than to taste good? When you are deciding on your event cake, you really need to think about this. The cake, in my opinion, is the centerpiece for EVERY event....... so you must make an educated decision in advance.

If you’re a novice to cakery, here’s what all the fuss is about: The two main choices when finishing (the technical term for “icing”) a wedding cake are BUTTERCREAM (the blue cake with monogram) and FONDANT (below). Buttercream is a blend of sugar, eggs and butter, which results in a soft, creamy texture that can be mixed with various flavorings. It’s light, not too sweet, and universally acclaimed as the tastier of the two.

Fondant is made from sugar, corn syrup and gelatin (as in, jello). It’s then rolled out into sheets, and molded over the cake. The result is a smooth and shiny finish.

In the interest of full disclosure, I happen to be a huge fan of “the BC.” Some people eat the cake and leave the frosting; I’ll eat my slice, and then finish off my neighbor’s frosting leftovers. To me, real buttercream (not that faux stuff made with shortening and diglycerides they sell at Publix) is Nectar of the Goddess. It has a dreamy melt and a satisfying richness, and when accompanied by a great Cake, there’s nothing I would rather consume at a party.

Fondant leaves me flat, however. According to one top wedding cakemaker, “Fondant tastes sort of like marshmallows.” (Mmmmm…marshmallow silly putty!) Confesses another, “Some people love it, and some don’t care for it and will peel it off of their portion.” Count me in the latter category. I know, I know, there are those confectioners who swear that THEY know how to make fondant that’s really good. Maybe so, but in my mind fondant can’t hold a candle to Ms. Buttercream in taste.

So then why is fondant the rage? Because, quite simply, it’s gorgeous!!! The texture makes it easy to roll, tint and decorate, and in the hands of a cake artist, fondant can be transformed into whatever you or they can envision—a football for your groom’s cake…dainty Limoges jewel boxes…a red Chinese pagoda…the possibilities are as unlimited as your imagination (and budget). Brides and wedding planners concerned with the “look” of each wedding element are drawn to the sleek sophistication of a fondant finish. Whether accented with a single lily or gussied up like a Southern Belle at her first cotillion, fondant makes a fashion statement.

Fondant has another thing going for it—it’s much more durable than buttercream, which melts at temps above the mid-80s. Buttercream at outdoor weddings can be quite a gamble. But if you plan on keeping things cool on the Big Day, then the Creamy One is still in the game. True confectionary masters can make buttercream look as sleek and glamorous as fondant, but it’s not a universal skill and VERY hard to find a master.


Instead, consider these possible alternatives:
1.Serve a fondant-finished cake at the event, and a scrumptious buttercream dessert for the rehearsal dinner—or vice versa.

2.Have the fondant version be the showpiece, and serve discreet slices of buttercream-frosted sheet cakes to the guests (sheet cakes on the side are a practice more and more common these days, particularly for budget-challenged events). Many high end bakeries will arrange for a "dummy cake" for the event.

3.Most cake makers will crumb coat the cake in buttercream first. Ask them to put a thicker layer on the cake under the fondant, and you can peel the fondant away and still have a delicious layer of frosting underneath!

4.Avoid the controversy altogether by opting for cupcakes, arranged in a towering pyramid. They’re all the rage anyway!


FONDANT
Pros
Easy to work with.
Versatile.
Fashion-forward.
Beautiful.

Cons
The taste can be "ok"

Price can be higher

BUTTERCREAM
Pros
Creamy.

Delicious.
Old-fashioned elegance

Cons
Doesn’t hold up well in sun or heat.
Not as eye-popping as fondant.

You need an cake artisan if you are wanting a specific look.

A beach theme wedding with sandcastles? We have all tried our hand at building the perfect sandcastle and what fun! There are companies out there that will build a beautiful sandcastle as decoration for your wedding ceremony. What a magical backdrop for your romantic seaside theme....

A sand sculpture would make this an unforgettable setting. You can commission a team of sand sculptures to create a giant castle for you to be married in front of or under - it would be a beautiful setting.




If it is a casual event, have a sandcastle building contest! Great way to occupy the young people if you are having a wedding reception on the beach. Provide pails and shovels as favors for your guests.

PRIOR TO WEDDING:
•Save the date cards with your theme
• Invitations can compliment your theme-

Casual-usually reserved for a daytime wedding

And a bit more formal. Perfect for a sunset ceremony.

AT THE CEREMONY:
•Get married in the middle of a heart etched on the beach. A sand ceremony is a must!

DECORATIONS:
•A fabulous candy bar with miniature sandpails filled with candies or a fabulous Cupcake bar with Frostings to match your colorscheme for wedding favors- Think of the possibilities!
•Simple and elegant flowers

Or, Sandcastles for centerpieces - Very Eco Friendly and you can add fresh greenery and flowers to dress it up!!
Finally, come up with a special themed drink in a complementary color or the color of the sunset (i.e A Seabreeze) The fun part is creating a signature name for the drink.

How about the Blue Beach Honeymoon!
1 oz vodka
1 oz Blue Curacao (for a deep blue) or Hypnotiq (for a lighter blue)
4 oz Lemonade
Fresh mint


Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake it up. Pour into a glass. Garnish with mint. Enjoy!

1. Back to Basics
Events will focus on the attention to the details, the foundation of the event, not the drama or grandeur of the evening. Consider spending more on the lasting memories than the showmanship of the event. Spend a bit more than the average budget allotment on photography mediums rather than abundant floral. Or consider a bit of a longer stay on your honeymoon and a little less of a party at the reception and you’ll be grateful for your decision in the end.

2. Home Weddings Hit Home
Intimate and personal affairs in the backyard are bigger than ever. Going home incorporates the continued trend of personalizing the wedding day experience.
Smaller size guest lists, more intimate settings, grass roots weddings, elegant and detail driven, but in no way small on what counts.

3. Buttercream on the Big Day
Fondant is falling behind, buttercream corners the market.
Tools and techniques now allow for buttercream to look as smooth as fondant when applied by a skilled artist. You have the option of better flavor, more natural ingredients, and less costly cakes that no longer suffer or lack in design.

4. Favor Comeback
Personalized appreciation is back. The effect that an event has on the guests is more noticeable than ever before so the importance of a favor is felt more than ever. Be sure to appreciate to those in attendance - it’s not just an afterthought, omission, or generic item. Think local artisans, locally grown products, personal mementos, and on-the-spot print outs.

5. Nearby Destinations
Nearby destination weddings are taking flight over the exotic and far off locales. The ever popular destination wedding will remain but guests will get out of town by car (within driving distance) so couples can create a weekend, guests get an escape, but no one breaks the bank. Enjoying the US destination locations, spend within your own local economies, create a greener effect, experience undiscovered backyards, and stay sensible about cost while you’re at away.

6. Colors
Monochromatic palettes - this doesn’t mean muted colors, just single color bunches. Vibrant Colors: Orange, green, yellow, and pink. Metal Colors: Gold, silver, copper, and pewter. And black is definitely the new black. Break the rules and show off the darker side of your event.

7. Greener Conscience
Immerging will be the newest phase of eco-conscience: A better understanding of the gray shades of green. You will see more emphasis on the smaller changes that are less recognizable to the guest (i.e. cleaning green, composting, solar and LED lighting, no more oasis in floral arrangements, less catering waste). It’s no longer about making the event appear “organic” – it’s about understanding how things are made, disposed of, and where/when events take place. Learning to make better choices that are unseen by the guest are just as important as those tree-free invitations everyone is talking about.

8. Video Integration into Events
We’ve all seen the photo montages of your childhoods during dinner but the next phase in video at your event comes in several different forms. Video DJ’s are immerging, allowing your dance party to dance to the visuals of the music videos; ceremonies are being broadcast on screens for better viewing from the back; and time lapse photography is being shot and integrated into video for current day montages of you and your fiancé. Love to party? Set up crane camera and project the event as it unfolds on screens around the dance floor (budget permitting of course).

9. HD Video
Videographers have already gone hi-def. But next year all or most will make such a transition, making HD and even Blu Ray the norm in wedding videography. Upgrade now and appreciate the quality later. This also means smaller cameras on site and less intrusion into your event, all around a better (though more costly) option on the big day.

10. Visual Combinations
Professional grade still photo cameras like the Canon 5D Mark II DSLR are being released with HD video capabilities included. It is recommended to have both a videographer and a photographer at your wedding to capture every moment of the big day. Tech-savvy brides looking for a new experience, may like to experiment with a visual professional (videographer or photographer) who has this technology. In the future, you will begin to see an emergence of two-in-one companies.

Hosting your event next to the pool sounds romantic. Be prepared though........

Personalized Shot Glass:



Personalized favors are memorable keepsakes for your guests and will guarantee that your event will not be forgotten! These favors can be used as either votive holders or as shot glasses. Whether you're headed to Vegas, honeymooning in Paris, or throwing a shower for your best friend, they can be imprinted with a variety of graphics that will work for just about any theme! Include names and event date to make the personalization complete. Choose from many different designs and 9 different color options. Due to personalization, there is a minimum order of 48 on this item, and will ship in approx. 2-3 weeks. View wedding design options here Quantity discounts now available.

Your wedding invitations may be the first announcement of your engagement. This first impression will set the theme for your wedding. If you are having a green wedding this is the first thing you have to decide, and the easiest to resolve.

In general it is likely that e-vites wont follow the aesthetic theme of the wedding, no matter how "green" a choice it may be. There are options out there that are beautiful and green............. and the choices grow almost daily.

• Reduce the sheets of paper and cards- try including a postcard or online RSVP option.
• Create an online wedding blog or hosted webpage. You can post announcements, directions and any other relevant information for your guests.
• Use recycled or handmade papers/envelopes and cards. The variety is immense- cotton, bamboo, hemp or other non-tree items.
• Another option is recycled paper infused with flower seeds. Guests can plant the invitation in soil and renew the earth.
• Opt for vegetable or soy based inks.
• Avoid metallics or plastic coatings, they are difficult to recycle.