What order did you hire your wedding vendors?

I get some unusual questions on facebook, email, the phone and twitter………… but this question had me really smiling “what advice do you give to a couple getting married?” I am such a fan of peace and calm in my own home, that I sometimes realize that my husband and I speak the languages that are loving each other the way that is needed.  Maybe that would be my first offering…… So with that, I share this book with you- The 5 Love Languages (check out the website for a great quick quiz!!!)

The 5 Love Languages has helped countless couples identify practical and powerful ways to express love, simply by using the appropriate love language. Many husbands and wives who had spent years struggling through marriages they thought were loveless discovered one or both spouses had long been showing love through messages that weren’t getting through. By recognizing their different love languages, they witnessed the rebirth of the love they thought had been gone for good.

The book has been translated into more than 40 languages and is healing marriages around the world!

The 5 Love Languages™

What if you could say or do just the right thing guaranteed to make that special someone feel loved? The secret is learning the right love language! Millions of couples have learned the simple way to express their feelings and bring joy back into marriage: The 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman’s New York Times bestseller! Words of Affirmation—Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

• Words of Affirmation

Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

• Quality Time

In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

• Receiving Gifts

Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

• Acts of Service

Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

• Physical Touch

This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

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It's possible something might go wrong on your wedding day, but you can get a leg up on these common big-day glitches so they never see the light of day. A good Wedding Planner will direct you to the right vendors who are prepared so read on……….

by Jennifer Lazarus

Bridal Guide           

• Stay away from the smoke. "Stay away from old-fashioned smoke machines on the dance floor—humidity can cause people to slip and fall," says Samantha Goldberg, owner of Gold Events Planning, in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
• Stay wired. "DJ missing? Have your iPod & connection wires just in case," suggests Sasha V. Souza, a California-based event planner.
• Prevent alcohol-induced problems. "Ask the bartender to short pour any relatives that may imbibe too much," says Souza.
• Beware of cake colors. "If you think your groom is going to smash that cake in your face, make sure your icing doesn't have a lot of color in it" warns says Kathi R. Evans, event coordinator for All the Best Weddings and Celebrations, based in Toms River, New Jersey. "It could stain your dress to the point where even Shout wipes won't get it out."  BUT IT IS A NO-NO!!!!
• Avoid allergic reactions. "Make sure to fill bathroom baskets with Benadryl if you're serving any kind of fish or shellfish or nuts," said Goldberg.
• Map it out. "Make sure you know where you are going to get your hair done if you are in an unfamiliar city and are using a salon that you don't know," warns Lonna Ponce of Ponce's Portraits based in Sacramento Valley, Calif.
• Protect your feet."Bring a comfortable pair of flats to store under your seat at the reception," says Evans. "Once your first dances are over you can change shoes and no one will be the wiser."
• Freeze out frizz. "Frizzy hair can be a real problem in humid weather," adds Ponce. "Don't panic. A trial run before your wedding day will eliminate most surprises, but can't ensure perfect weather. To get hair smooth, simply apply an anti-humectant (anti-wetness) product. If the rain or humidity causes your hair to droop, for an emergency fix, use a volumizer spray at the roots," says Judy Lewis of hudsonvalleyweddings.com.
• Keep ‘em clean "Keeping white bridal shoes white through rain, mud, slush and on grass, can be tricky," says Ponce. "The solution is to take two medium-to-large sized "baggies" and split them front and in back for easy walking. Put about two inches of Scotch tape in front and back so the plastic bags won't slip off. The maid of honor can easily slip the "bootie-baggies" on and off over the bride's shoes . . . and the bride needn't even bend over!
• Get Coverage. "With the price tag of weddings so high, couples are opting for wedding insurance, says Ponce. "Coverage varies with different companies, but can include such things as bad weather, wedding professional no-shows, the bride or groom getting sick and can extend to damaged property and gifts. The price also varies, but runs in the vicinity of 1% of the total cost for the wedding."
• Prepare for seat snafus. "In order to avoid complications with having to seat "surprise" unconfirmed guests, or those who might have been left out of the table assignment report by mistake, always have a pair of extra chairs with place-settings at several tables," suggests says Haydee Randa of A Date To Remember Events, LLC, based in Naples, FL.
• Order extras. "With boutonnières, always order at least one more of each," says Evans. "It is inevitable that you will forget to order a boutonnière for a valued family member or member of the wedding party."
• Avoid flaccid flowers. "Stay away from flowers that require water as some flowers that are not in water won't last," says Goldberg. "For instance, hydrangeas have to be in water until one hour before ceremony."
• Back-it-up! "Have a back-up CD of all your chosen songs," suggests Goldberg.
• See it sparkle. "Ask the limousine company if their car will be freshly washed that day," suggests Christopher Kight of Christopher Kight Photography, based in Sacramento, California.

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Love this article over at TheKnot and shared by The Bridal Party.  Each question is 100% valid and should be paid attention to (especially #4).  Definitely worth the read, so I thought I'd share:

After a few months of wedding planning, you start to feel like a pro. You've already memorized all the in-season flowers, can name the top 20 wedding dress designers alphabetically and are on a first-name basis with every single member on staff at your reception venue. Still, there's bound to be a couple of questions that you forgot to ask. Let us help fill it in for you.

1. When should I take off my veil after the ceremony?

Everyone loves to talk about the veil, but nobody tells you exactly when to ditch it. While it's perfectly okay to wear the veil for the entire reception, there are two optimal times to take it off. The first is after the ceremony (have your hairstylist show a bridesmaid how to do this without messing up your 'do), and the second is after the first dance while your guests are eating. Once the veil's off, stick it in your bridal suite or have it "decorate" your chair.

2. How should our wedding party travel to the reception?

We bet you and your groom planned a perfect ceremony exit where you hop into a vintage Rolls-Royce and ride off to the reception. That sounds great, but yes, you're responsible for getting your wedding party there too. If you're going casual and want them to simply drive over, let everyone know this beforehand so they can carpool. Otherwise, rent a stretch limo, go vintage with a trolley or let them be kids again by cruising in a budget-friendly school bus -- of course, feel free to tag along for the ride!

3. Do I really need someone to hold my dress while I pee?

This depends on the dress. If you're wearing a full-length ball gown, you'll probably need an extra set of hands to help hold up the skirt while you do your thing. Trust us -- the cost versus the benefit on this is a no-brainer. But if you're sporting a silk sheath and a posse pee makes you cringe, go ahead and handle your own business. Another tip: There's a pee-ready Spanx designed with a hole in, well, just the right place. We'll stay classy and resist the oh-so-obvious dirty joke opportunity here.

4. Is there an appropriate way to kiss at the ceremony?

Remember the day he proposed, and you saw the ring and the tears in his eyes, and then you two started making out like maniacs? Yeah, don't do that. But your first kiss as a married couple doesn't have to be just a peck either. Do what comes naturally, as long as it doesn't involve visible tongue and last more than 10 seconds. Oh, and don't do the dip thing either -- unless of course you want to look like you belong in a Hugh Grant movie.

5. What exactly do the bride and groom do during the cake cutting?

The cake cutting typically takes place after dinner when your bandleader or DJ makes an announcement (you can also do this). If you have older guests who might be leaving early, do your cake cutting at the beginning of the reception just before the first dance. For the first cut, your groom's hands are placed over yours as you cut into the bottom layer of the cake. The groom makes the second cut solo and feeds the bride, and then it's your turn.

6. Where do I put my engagement ring during the ceremony?

Wear the ring on your right hand or have your aunt or grandma hold it. If you want to wear your engagement ring for the reception, put it on during the ride to your venue or just before being announced. For Jewish weddings, it's fine to wear your engagement ring, and then exchange stone-free wedding bands if you want to keep with tradition. Also remember: The band is usually worn closest to your heart on your left hand.

7. Who lifts my veil?

While more and more brides are wearing a veil flipped back for the entire ceremony or not wearing one at all, the most traditional bride still wears a veil over her face. If you like to keep things classic, there are two options. One is your dad lifts the veil when he gives you away, "revealing" you to the groom (like you really need help with that one). The other is for the groom to lift the veil just before the kiss.

8. What side are we supposed to stand on during the ceremony?

If you're in a church facing the altar, the bride stands on the left side and the groom on the right. Guests of the bride and groom should follow suit, sitting on the side of whoever they know best or are related to (hint: tell mutual friends to sit on the side that has less people). For Jewish ceremonies, it's the opposite.

9. What's the best way to greet guests if I don't want a receiving line?

Yeah, we get it -- you don't want to stand around after the ceremony in an assembly line. Instead, greet your guests during the reception by going from table to table during the first course. Just make sure you have time to eat too! Also, make a short speech thanking guests for coming and give a shout-out to vendors and parents (or anyone else who helped pay for your wedding!). While this moment with the mic shouldn't take the place of personal interaction with guests, it can be a great forum to let them know how much their support means to you.

10. Can I take my shoes off at any time during the reception?

We've all been to the wedding where guests cut loose on the dance floor and ditch the heels. But it's a little different when you're the bride -- especially if you're wearing a formal dress. Instead of going barefoot, bring a pair of flats for dancing. If you're getting married in the summer, have baskets of flip-flops in your wedding colors for your guests to slip into before they get down. There's one exception to the shoes-or-lose rule: beach weddings!

(image above courtesy of TheKnot)

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by Rashana Anderson

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Tired of birdseed and bubbles…………. Everybody might be using sparklers (which are still awesome for photos at night!!!) Here is another option with great spirit and photo op potential………Ribbon wands are a fun way to celebrate the newlyweds. Ribbon wands are perfect for any occasion, especially weddings where no noise makers or rice is able to be thrown. Since throwing rice is out of the question…throw some colors around, and create a wedding keepsake at the same time! They are a simple yet beautiful item that adds flair and fun to any wedding. You can create and personalize your own ribbon wands using simple craft supplies such as ribbon and wooden dowel rods. Ribbon wands can be personalized by using the wedding colors as a palette. You can use play with different ribbon widths, patterns, and material of ribbon to add a fun unique look. You can also add flowers, feathers, and other embellishments to add more detail and reflect your wedding style.

Things you need:
Approx. 20 yards Of Ribbon (color of your choice)
Wooden Dowel Rods
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint (color of your choice; optional)
Mod Podge (optional)
Double Sided Tape (optional)
Scrapbooking Paper (optional)

Things to do:
1. First thing is to decide whether you want to paint the dowel rods or leave as is. You can paint the dowel rods in a color of your choice or leave them as they are; a natural light wood. We recommend painting the dowel rods white, black, silver, or chocolate brown. Then you can play with ribbon strands for accent colors. Now you may be tempted to try spray painting the dowels but the color doesn’t usually apply evenly. So take your time to hand paint the rods and it will be well worth it when they are finished. You can also even try decoupaging pretty paper onto the dowel rods as well using ModPodge
2. If you want to use several different strips of ribbon, simply cut several lengths of ribbon of varied colors, materials, and widths. Tie the ribbons in a knot around the end of the wooden dowel rod. If you are more of a minimalist, you can stick with one strand of ribbon. Cut you ribbon strands into 12″ pieces and stick a strip of double sides tape at each end of your ribbons. Then carefully wrap the ribbon around the top of the dowel rod. If you are comfortable using a hot glue gun you can use that instead of the tape (Personally I am not so good with the hot glue. I tend to glue things to the table and burn myself).
3. You are basically finished. Feel free to play with embellishments such as feathers, rhinestones, or even little flowers to add some personality to your wands. Display your ribbon wands in a large glass vase, fill with sand, pearls, stones, or glass marbles and simply place your wands in the vase. Voila!

Photo Credits:
Get Married

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Engaged?  This is the most exciting time for you and your fiancé, but that initial thrill of engagement and planning can sometimes put unrealistic visions into our heads. How to make it all come together is quite a challenge for the “first-timer.”  I have had brides contact me recently, unsure of what a planner can really do for them and often insisting that their moms have tons of free time and will be with them every step of the way. All that is great! It’s definitely awesome to have your mom largely involved in the planning process and on the big day. She should be after all, she’s your Mom! And she’s only been waiting for this day…well probably longer than you have, right?

Precisely my point here! She’s your Mom and she already plays a HUGE role in your wedding day. There is no reason you should put her in charge of all the planning or coordinating the details, especially for the day of. (Psst, now if your mom is a planner – more power to you but I would guarantee that SHE hired a coordinator, lol)

Are you wondering why I stress the importance of this? If so, here are three reasons for you!

1. She’s emotionally (& financially) attached. Ever heard of a momzilla? Sounds made-up, right? Wrong! She’s real and she could just be YOUR mom one day (trust me; even the calmest Mom’s have it in them on wedding weekend!) Remember when I said your mom may have been waiting for this day longer than you have?  She has a vision in her mind (and MY Mother had a TOTALLY different vision of MY big day!!!) That’s just another reason for her attachment to grow and sometimes interfere, which can have a huge impact on how your day plays out. A planner is typically a neutral third party, there to help smooth things over, help you make the best decision and play devil’s advocate when you need one the most (and at times, help you PUSH to get what YOU want!)
2. She Needs/Wants to Enjoy the Day Too. This goes almost without saying. “Don’t forget the person that is helping you with everything is also attending your wedding and not everyone wants to be running around making sure everything’s perfect, they want to be able to enjoy the wedding and party as well.” Couldn’t have said it better myself, so please take note and remember that your mom might actually want to…ENJOY your day with you! So let her, and best of all let her relax!
3. She Just Won’t Think of Everything. If your mom isn’t a wedding planner, this might not be the best time for her to learn on your big day. If she is, well you should still check with her to see if she wants to be in charge of everything, or anything for that matter (see number 2). For most girls, however, your mom is not a planner and therefore may not think of every single detail that needs to be done for that SPECIAL day. Planners put a lot of time and effort mapping out a schedule for your day, sometimes down to the minute by minute details. If you have seen a planner’s schedule, shoot me an email and I can show you what I mean!

Bottom line, if you’re looking for someone to help plan your big day, Mother’s are good option but a professional planner may just be the way to go. Your mom should play just as big a role in your wedding day as you would like! And I know depending on money, it may not be your choice, but when push comes to shove remember that it’s your day! Mom will love you no matter what…and nine times out of ten, as long as she can share the day WITH you, I think she’ll be more than happy (AND SO WILL YOU!)

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via blog.avelle.com

Don't kill the messenger. Not a fan of Orange BUT, pair it with Spring's Hot Pink and what a combination!!!

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http://www.instantweddingtoasts.com/

Wedding Speeches Are Getting Shorter!

Keeping it short and sweet doesn't mean stand up and say "Here's to the bride and groom, from everyone in the room" - and then sit down.

But short and sweet is a far cry from a 10-minute diatribe recounting stories of a 12 year-old groom, or a complete recount of the bride's Jr. High School volleyball championship season.

Fathers started this new trend... probably because they are sharing the limelight with mothers, too. But the Maid of Honors are getting right to the point - and they must have made a point because the long drawn out Best Man speeches are giving way to poignant & much shorter versions!

When you do a short and sweet wedding speech, it doesn't leave a lot of room for extras - or for mistakes. To do it right, you can't afford to get it wrong!

Want to give it a try? InstantWeddingToasts.com has ready-made short and sweet Maid of Honor speeches, Best Man Speeches, Father of the Bride Speeches, Mother of the Bride or Groom Speeches and Family and Friends Wedding Speeches.

Or if you prefer a more personal touch, jump start your speech with our professionally written speech templates that allow you to completely customize and personalize your thoughts while helping you compose a drop-dead wedding speech.

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via blog.weddingwire.com

Do you ever get your heel caught in the cracks in the sidewalks or stuck in grass (or is that just me)? It can be so frustrating and very hard on your shoes! Well, the ladies at SoleMates have the answer. The SoleMates High Heeler can be placed over the heel of your shoe to protect it from damage.

For any of you brides who are planning a garden ceremony, this is perfect for you and your bridesmaids so you don’t sink into the grass! They come in black or clear so you can match them to most any shoe. Genius!

Have any of you used these before?

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via kristenweaverblog.com

Ok, so I am a HUGE fan of engagement sessions! Afterall, isn't a wedding meant to be an event based on the love a couple shares? Simple, raw emotions captured with a twist that reflects the couple............ now THAT is a way to document the Love Story (and the Tales that live forever!!!)
Love the way that Kristen Weaver manages to find that extra "something" to make each shoot unique and individual......Check out the bracelet!

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via ultimateimageweddingsblog.com

Look at what Tab McCausland is up to! Just loving this shot!

Check out the entire engagement shoot. http://ultimateimageweddingsblog.com/2010/04/rock-n-roll-engagement/#

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via qohweddings.com

Shoppers START YOUR ENGINES!

No, seriously……

For all of you getting married later this spring or early this summer…… call the parents of your ring bearers and flower girls!

It’s Easter and also the season for First Holy Communions…..

VERY SOON, all those discount big box stores will have those cute little girl dresses and little boy suits on sale….

It’s the perfect way for brides to find the dresses and suites for your Bearers and Flower Girls…it might only take something as simple as making the girls a little sash to coordinate with the wedding colors {fabric from the hemming of the bridesmaids dresses can be an inexpensive quick fix}.

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via shoes.com

I totally would!

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After a day that has wedding cake involved, I have nothing else on the brain.  The style of the cake really is an integral part of the overall theme!  I am always looking for inspiration to bring something different to my brides.  I move quickly toward these custom wedding cake toppers- custom designed crystal monogram cake toppers made with only CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements. Toppers With Glitz

Nothing off the shelf here!

 T he first thing you'll want to decide is what kind of crystal topper you want: Single Letter, Full Monogram, or a custom shape, like this one.

 They don’t stop short at all- they can create anything to order, including duplicating or working with monograms created by your other wedding vendors like your graphic designer or invitation company .

They even match accessories

Check out Cake Topper Types for more details.

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