Wedding Information

Online Dating

2009-03-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

Web dating was still in its youth and people who sought out love online still had the stigma of resorting to "computer dating." Celina and Brian had to go so far as to make up a tale about how they were introduced by a "friend of a friend." that did not stop them from marrying, and a decade on they now have 3 youngsters and are as cheerful as ever.

"I never would have found somebody like Brian if I hadn't gone online," asserts Celina. That's about half the present population of single adults in the U.

S. Much of the social stigma that went with web matchmaking is gone now that internet dating sites have improved. These are some reasons why you should have a look at finding a match online if you have not done so already. Time - let's accept it - many people don't have the wherewithal we want to need to be ready to go out and meet folks. In a short period it's feasible to look thru literally lots of profiles on the web. Cost - You find out early on if you are not compatible thru communication and online discuss. You do not have to spend your valuable time and cash weeding through the options in the flesh. If you need something particular in a partner though, there's likely somebody out there with that quality waiting to be found.

Jewish Weddings

2009-02-28T21:47:00.000-08:00

The point of wedding in the Bible are for friendship and procreation. During the past, they were customarily arranged by folks, but the bride's consent was asked.

It is customary for the bride to wear white and a headdress & veil. The groom may wear a "kitel" ( a white garment ) together with a tallit. This is done by taking a hankie or some other object by the Rabbi, lifting it and returning it. The groom and witnesses then sign the Ketubah. The groom is then led straight to the "Huppah" by 2 male family facing Jerusalem. The bride is led in by the Mums often to the accompaniment of a blessing of welcome chanted by the Rabbi.

Often the bride is led in seven circles round the groom to ward off malevolent spirits.

The bride stands to the right of the groom and the Rabbi recites the wedding blessings over a goblet of wine. Both the bride & groom then drink from the glass. The "ketubah" ( wedding contract ) is then read and the seven marriage benedictions are recited. Huppah : The term was originally called the bridal canapy or bridal chamber.

It includes a material spread on 4 staves. The material can be of an intricate design or a big Talis might be spread over the staves.

The Ring : it's universal Jewish practice to use a ring, except in some communities where a coin is employed. The ring must belong to the groom and be freed from any dear stones.

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Your Wedding Ceremony

2009-02-28T21:32:00.000-08:00

Your wedding ceremony is the core of your special day. Making it just right, as with each other part of your wedding, needs careful planning and organization.

Though there are price parameters to be considered here as well, the successful ceremony is more a controversy of content than of budget.

Once more, it's best to break down the bigger issue into smaller parts. Start by deciding the kind of rite you need to have. If you've a civil rite, most justices are open to performing the occassion in any quantity of different categories of locations, so long as it is inside their and your State.

Debate the parameters and needs of such a service with your officiator. If you are going to have a Catholic rite, you have essentially 2 decisions : a ceremony contained inside a mass, or a service held without a mass.

Practicing Catholics have a tendency to like the previous. Once that call is created, the parameters are reasonably well laid out by convention. Changes and additions could be made, but the clergyman is the final judge of what's and isn't acceptable.

Jewish marriage ceremony historically end with a "bang," the shattering of a glass underfoot.

Spiritual rites each have their own particular rules, too countless to say here. So, If you need to have a non secular rite, your best resource for info is your clergy person. You'll need to choose a location for your rite. Particularly if it is to be held in a church or synagogue, you need to make reservations way ahead.

Arranging a year ahead isn't too much previously. Marriages today are stressing enduring values, with couples placing stress on their shared trust, religion, and monogamy. Your marriage promises are a public announcement of your wedding. You will select conventional marriage promises, you can write your own promises, or you can use a mixture of the old and the new. You can make your promises more topical to you by substituting phrases, by adding verses, and by discussing friends and family. In this fashion, you personalize your promises in order that they become more suggestive to you and your visitors. You will decide to do a reading from a favourite book, poem, or play which has particular importance to the 2 of you. In a Jewish marriage, the promises, so to talk, are the ketubah, or marriage contract, signed by the couple before the function. In a few cases, the circumstance surrounding recitation of the vows is more vital even than the content.

Should you opt to have music at your rite, it'll add immeasurably to the sorcery of the instant.

Music always has the facility to set the tone for an event. Music must be selected rigorously, with attention to good taste, as well as to personal tastes.

You can compliment your instrumental music with a number of vocal soloists. The employment of guitar or harp, with or without an accompanying soloist, is only one recommendation. An ensemble of two to 5 string or wind instruments is another option. Music can begin being played as your visitors enter and are seated. This should take between twenty and 30 mins depending on the quantity of guests and the dimensions of the location. Music can go with diverse parts of the event. When the marriage party enters, musical accompaniment, from the custom marriage march to a mixed variety of pieces can be played. If the clergy person sings any of the parts of rite, he may select to have musical accompaniment. Music continues in the recessional, as the marriage party and then the guests exit. You can first need to choose the sort of music you like.

Do so by listening to as many different selections as possible. Several musical groups will furnish you with tapes to hear to make your decision. When you have chose your musicians, they become another valuable resource.

These are execs who have took part in a lot of rites, know what should be expected, can steer you, and keep you clear of problems. One such example is the inclusion of the African convention in which the bride and groom jump a brush, and the Latin custom in which the bridal couple are trapped by a platted silver necklace to indicate the formation of a new family unit. One lovely mawkish touch that may be added to your ceremony, is the show of bouquets by the bride and groom to one another's mas. Your wedding rings serve as a reminder, always, of your commitment to each other. Jewish custom calls for the groom to convey something with value to his bride ( and more lately, she to him, as well ).

If they each know the details, they can ensure that they perform their allocated functions in a timely, arranged way, including and covering everything you deem to be vital. For some reason the walkthrough dinner has flourished whilst the walkthrough frequently falls away. Take some time at the walk thru, and have everybody participating run thru the routine at least twice. The goal here is to get everybody acquainted with the schedule and comfy.

Do not forget to bear in mind that planning your ceremony should be a bonding component between bride and groom.

An environmentally correct alternative to having your visitors toss rice at you as you leave the church, adds a pleasant touch.

Have your florist or a buddy, make paper cones ( you could even have your name released on these ) which are then crammed with rose petals. Have guests throw the petals rather than rice.

Wedding Invitation Etiquette

2009-02-28T21:12:00.000-08:00

Narrowing the guest list and assembling current addresses is only the start. Invites should be selected as fast as the date is set and the guest list is finished.

The things you order for your invite set should include the invite itself, and many enclosures. Naturally, it also lets your visitors know the date, time and location of the celebration. Enclosures are the small cards included with the invite. They supply more detailed info than is available on the invite itself.

"Within the ribbons" or pew cards are essentially used for really formal marriages only. Pew cards are included in the invitation of guests of excellence, for example close relations and special buddies.

These guests present their cards on arrival at the celebration to get their "within the ribbons" front row seating. Map cards should be included for all the out-of-town guests who might have difficulty finding the function or reception site. Invites typically come with 2 envelopes, an inner and an outer. However, the more modern, square sizes sometimes only come with single outer envelopes. The outer envelope serves as the mailing auto, whilst the inner envelope protects the invite. For added style, the inner envelopes may be enhanced with colored linings. When writing your invites, these are some key points to recollect.

Pleasantness titles like Mr, Miss, or Mrs are always used.

It's a brilliant idea to take one of your invite ensembles to the post office, so it can be weighed for the actual postage.

If your marriage is little or personal, you may wish to send announcements to those buddies and kin you were not able to invite to the occassion. An "at home card" may go with the statement to tell loved ones of your new address and telephone number.

Ultimately , you will potentially need a last guest count by 2 weeks before the event, so you can inform your caterer. Some folks put a number on the back of each reply card, to correspond with the guest name on their master list. That way if the guest forgets to put their name on the reply card, you can match up the name with the number on the list.

Selecting Wedding Photographers

2009-02-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

Look at a reasonably good choice of the photographers marriage pictures, not just a couple of pictures on a site.

It's best if you can see at least an album or 2 and an explanation book of a complete marriage. The albums possibly represent the best of the snapper's work, and the evidence book shows all the common pictures he captures in a marriage day.

How do the pictures look to you? Are they pleasing to look at? Will the lighting and the color look good to you? Is the paparazzo's style what you're looking for? Almost all of our bridal couples are on the lookout for a mix of photojournalistic pictures and classic posed traditional ones.

Make sure your photographer is capable of, and ok with, taking the style of photographs you would like for your marriage. Some lofts will show you a ton of good work from diverse photographers, but will not guarantee you'll get the paparazzo whose work you like the best.

Often , a husband and better half team like ours is the only way to be sure the shutter-bug's work you see is the work you'll get.

If the photographer is going to have a 2nd photographer to help at your marriage, meet the aid photographer and ensure you feel happy with them also. To get to grasp your cameraman before you select them, it is actually crucial you meet with them personally.

If it is physically very unlikely to meet with the photographer, you need to guarantee some of their testimonials from prior clients make you feel ok with the photographer's personality.

Will the photographer have a strong sense of pro commitment to snapping your marriage and a pro work ethic?

Though, if your photographer is a person and he asserts he is coming in a dressy dress, you may worry a little about that :- ).

Does your wedding photographer have the experience to forecast all the good things which will occur on your marriage day, and the experience to cope with the bad things that would occur also?

A professional cameraman will have snapped enough marriages to anticipate and capture special moments during your day, and the vital details that can simply be missed by a "newbie". A professional photographer also knows that things do mess up occasionally and should be able to forecast and deal with them, regularly without you even knowing that something went inaccurate.

Does your wedding photographer offer you the right value? Not the right price, but, the right worth.

If your photographer does not have all the above 4 traits, it may not matter what their costs are.

In this example, the price should be less crucial. Simply make sure your photographer will provide what's truly vital to you and is upfront with you about costs for everything you would like. But, things change when you find they charge extra for each location stop, for the digital image files, for a studio set up at the reception, and so on.

A wedding cameraman who charges 2x as much, but includes just about everything, can frequently be a better price for you. Choose your marriage photographer primarily based on the above 5 factors, and you may go a good way toward having the marriage of your dreams.

Do iPods Make Wedding DJs Obsolete?

2009-02-28T20:39:00.000-08:00

IPods have made it simple for any one to take a various library of thousands of songs and carry them anywhere.

Folks are hooking their iPods up to stereos to provide their own music for their parties.

Some marriage magazines and sites even suggest this as away to grip down the price of a marriage. As experienced pro DJs, we do a load more than just push play on a predetermined playlist. Cake cutting ), inspire guests to dance and / or take part in other pre-planned activities, announce the arriving of dinner, and so on.

As experienced planners / coordinators, we're employed with party hosts to form a timeline and natural flow for an event.

We're employed with other event staff to keep the event flowing, and adjust the plan when required.

As experienced sound technicians, we setup and adjust hardware to form the absolute best sound in the event's room / location.

When Murphy's law kicks in we quickly diagnose and correct issues, and have backup kit immediately available in case it's required. As experienced politicians, we gracefully handle the occasional lagered guest who doesn't agree with the host's music decisions. So I'm sure you can agree DJs are still terribly helpful and applicable, and will not become outmoded any time shortly.

About The Author: Steve Rothkin Dancemasters Disc Jockey Entertainers has been a professional Disc Jockey and Master of Ceremonies since 1987

Weddings (Southern Africa)

2007-11-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

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Beauty, Bridal Expos, Co-ordinators, Honeymoons, Photographers, Videographers, Wedding Hire Services, Wedding Venues, Weddings


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Agape Wedding Planners and Consultants ^New!

We are a team of experienced and dedicated event consultants from Cape Town. We are committed to turning your dreams into a reality.

Wedding Fever

Wedding information portal offering wedding service provider information, wedding information and wedding planning information from South Africa.

Wedding Information Blog

Personal guide about wedding planning, wedding expos, dresses, make-up, hair, websites, venues, honeymoons and all the other vital information one needs to know to ensure that everything goes according to plan before the ...

Wedding Secrets

Wedding Secrets is South Africa's foremost wedding planning directory. We have everything you need to assist you in planning the wedding of your dreams including wedding dresses, cakes, photographers, transport, hair and ...

Gold Roses

2006-05-18T02:05:00.000-07:00

Send her a rose that lasts a lifetime. A real rose preserved and covered in 24k gold. These gold roses are even more stunning in real life than can be captured here. Each one is unique and each is handmade through a 40 step process. Regular roses fade in days but these gold roses will last and be treasured by her forever. Each rose is preserved under the metal so it will last for years, and is also made strong by the process so it is not too fragile to touch or hold.

http://www.romanceher.com/goldroses.htm

Name A Star

2006-05-18T01:57:00.000-07:00

Naming stars since 1979, our list of satisfied customers include celebrities, dignitaries, and individuals worldwide. We have named hundreds of thousands of stars for people from all walks of life. So, whether it be for your sweetheart or your top sales agent, a star name makes a unique and welcome gift.
http://www.starregistry.com

A Groom’s Guide to Wedding Planning

2006-05-07T02:22:00.000-07:00

Follow these steps as you prepare for your wedding to make it a truly special occasion:

When it comes to weddings, the focus is usually on the bride. Everyone thinks of it as her special day, that event she’s been looking forward to since she was a child and the time when she’ll be the center of attention as she embarks on a new life. But what about the groom? It’s his day too, and one that he should plan just as carefully as the bride. Ideally it will be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion for both bride and groom, so they should share the planning and the enjoyment of that magical day equally!

Future grooms, follow these steps as you prepare for your wedding to make it a truly special occasion:

1. Select the Groomsmen
Choosing the groomsmen is an important task and should be done at least a year prior to the wedding. (Plan to have one usher for every fifty guests.) Once you’ve settled on who the groomsmen will be, choose their outfits. Later you will also want to buy gifts for the men in your wedding party. These could include cuff links, a money clip, a flask, or another gift that will commemorate the occasion with a touch of class.

2. Make your Guest List
You and your bride will put together separate guest lists, so think about who you want to invite. Be sure to consider family, friends, and co-workers, and consult with close relatives to confirm that you haven’t left anyone out.

3. Reserve the Wedding Location
Don’t hesitate to take the initiative in finding possible sites for the ceremony and/or the reception. Your fiancee will appreciate your efforts since this can be an overwhelming, time-consuming task! Discuss with her what your budget and style are and start searching. The sooner you find the right place and reserve, the more likely you are to get the date you want.

4. Plan the Honeymoon
Make your bride happy by researching honeymoon destinations and presenting her with some detailed itineraries of possible trips. She’ll know she’s picked a winner if you do your honeymoon homework and come prepared with good travel ideas!

5. Order your Wedding Bands
Don’t leave this until the last minute. Go with your bride to pick them out and get fitted so that you have them safe in hand in time for the wedding. Also, leave some time between the time you receive them and the wedding day in case you need a last-minute adjustment. If the jeweler gets the sizing wrong you’ll need time to fix it.

6. Get your Marriage License
Depending on where you live this can be a lengthy process that will include blood tests and possibly other medical tests. Begin researching early to determine exactly what is required in your state and how long you should expect the process to take.

So remember, your wedding day isn’t just for her – it’s YOUR special day too! Make it an occasion you’ll always cherish by planning ahead and following these simple steps.

Choosing the best time of day for your wedding photographs

2006-05-01T08:08:00.000-07:00

Drat. The honeymoon's over, you get your wedding shots back and you look, erm, a bit pale. What's more, the background is completely dark. No sign of the beautiful garden you were photographed in. And you have red eyes. Wanna wring the photographer's neck? Sure, that's a start. But think back about the time the pics were taken. Was it close to sunset? Aha. Now there's a clue to the disaster in your wedding album.

So what went wrong?
The wedding picture session probably started too late. Which meant the photographer probably could not use the flattering late afternoon light at the venue to show you to your best effect. Quite simply because it was probably so dark he had to resort to unflattering straight flash. Although unavoidable at weddings, any good photographer would try and minimise his use of this light source. Some careful planning, advice from your photographer and the table of sunset times below are a start to plan your wedding pics. Ideally, you want to start your picture session at least 30 to 45 minutes before the sun sets.

That means you have to take the sunset time on the day of your wedding, and subtract:
travelling time from the church to the picture venue; about fifteen minutes for the family shots, and about half an hour for the pics of the couple.This is the time you should be getting into the Rolls after the wedding ceremony, driving off to the picture venue.

Sound simple?
Not so - getting into your car with droves of people wanting to congratulate you is not easy without seeming rude. But you'll have to be firm and push off. Because if you don't allow your photographer enough time to use the best light of day, you're wasting your money.

French Wedding Customs

2006-05-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

Many times, in smaller French towns, the groom will meet his fiancée at her home on the day of the wedding and escort her to the chapel where the ceremony is being held. As the couple proceeds to the chapel, children will stretch long white ribbons across the road which the bride will cut as they pass.

At the chapel, the bride and groom are seated on two red velvet chairs underneath a silk canopy they called a carre. Laurel leaves may be scattered across their paths when they exit the chapel. Sometimes small coins are also tossed for the children to gather.

At the reception, the couple customarily uses a toasting cup, called a Coupe de Marriage. The origin of giving toast actually began in France, when they literally dropped a small piece of toast into the couple's wine (to ensure a healthy life). They lifted their glass to "a toast" as is common in Western culture today.

Some couples choose to serve a croquembouche instead of a wedding cake. The dessert is a pyramid of crème-filled pastry puffs, drizzled with a caramel glaze.

At a more boisterous wedding, tradition involves continuing the celebration until very late at night. After the reception, those invited to the wedding will gather outside the newlyweds' window and bang pots and pans. They are then invited into the house for some more drinks in the couple's honor, after which the couple is finally allowed to be alone for their first night together as husband and wife.

Another practice that is becoming more common at wedding celebrations is "beheading" a bottle of champagne with a sabre made for the occasion. It was started as a way for the Hussards (under Napoleon's command) to celebrate victories and exhibit their horseback skills: they would "behead" the top off a bottle of champagne while on horseback. Legend has it that the skilled horsemen would ride at a full gallop while brave women held up bottles of champagne. The sabre must strike the neck of the bottle at exactly the right angle (champagne bottles have over 100 pounds of pressure per square inch).

This practice spread throughout France as a way to celebrate special occasions. Now decorative replicas of these special sabres can be purches from artisans in Thiers, France (the French capital of cutlery).

General Wedding Customs

2006-05-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

General customs Wedding ceremonies may contain any number of different elements, however most contain wedding vows of some kind and a proclamation of marriage, usually by the officiant.

Other elements may include music, poetry, prayer, scripture, or other traditions. In most societies a number of traditions or customs have emerged around the wedding ceremony, many of which have lost their original symbolic meaning in the modern world. Other wedding traditions are relatively recent. Some elements of the Western wedding ceremony symbolize the bride's departure from her father's control and entry into a new family with her husband. In modern Western weddings, this symbolism is largely vestigial, since husband and wife are of equal power and status. Recently in some cultures, same-sex weddings have begun to be celebrated.

The Western custom of the bride wearing a white wedding dress came to symbolize purity in the Victorian era (despite popular misconception and the hackneyed jokes of situation comedies the white dress did not actually indicate virginity, which was symbolized by a face veil). Within the "white wedding" tradition, a white dress and veil would not have been considered appropriate in the second or third wedding of a widow or divorcee. The specific conventions of Western weddings largely from a Protestant and Catholic viewpoint, are discussed at "White wedding."
Weddings in modern China combine both traditional elements and elements influenced by the West. The actual civil ceremony consists of registering the marriage with the local registrar and is brief and done without much ceremony. The wedding reception, however, is elaborate and complex, and the one prominent element of modern Chinese weddings is the Chinese wedding album.

A wedding is often followed or accompanied by a wedding reception, at which an elaborate wedding cake is served. Western traditions include toasting the bride and groom, the newlyweds having the first dance, and cutting the cake. The bride throws her bouquet to the assembled group of all unmarried women in attendance, and the woman who catches it is supposedly going to be the next to wed. A fairly recent egalitarian equivalent has the groom throwing the bride's garter to the assembled unmarried men; the man who catches it is supposedly the next to wed.
German Wood Wedding FiguresBut customs vary and in multicultural ceremonies the customs may be varied, mixed or totally created to suit the personalities and interests of the couple. Again, such ceremonies are more common when performed by Civil Celebrants, as in Australia.
A long-standing modern tradition is for brides to wear or carry "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" during the service. It is considered good luck to do so. Often times the bride attempts to have one item that meets all of these qualifications, such as a borrowed blue handerchief which is "new to her" but loaned by her grandmother (thus making it old.)

Las Vegas Photographers for Weddings

2006-05-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

If you’re looking for a list of Las Vegas photographers for weddings, this is the place to be! We have provided you with a list of 5 of the most popular wedding photographers in Las Vegas to make your life easier. Why do the leg work when we’ve done it all for you? By clicking on the links you can read more about each individual photographer and the specific services they provide.

Cashman Professional
3595 S. Highland Dr. Suite #3
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Phone: 1.702.365.6660
Fax: 1.702.248.0175

Far from being solely a las Vegas wedding photographer, Cashman Professional makes a point of capturing Las Vegas history in its galleries of memories. If you want pro pictures, you won’t go wrong with this group.

Costello Photo
Las Vegas, NV
702 459 3121
email: Info@costellophoto.com

This award winning company will email absent friends and relatives a selected photo from your wedding. Choose from selected moments or hours of studio shooting.

Highland Photography
Phone: (702) 263-0489
Toll Free: (800) 856-6052
Fax: (702) 269-6758
Email: Hlandphoto@aol.com

Born in Scotland, Jill Jennings was bitten by the photography bug at her sister’s wedding. The WPPI (Wedding Portrait and Photographers International) recently honored Jill’s work in the area of wedding photojournalism. She continues taking workshops and seminars from top photographers to improve her skills, and is a popular photographer in Las Vegas.

Moonlighting Photography
Las Vegas, NV
702-460-8785

This full service las Vegas photography service is among the best of the las Vegas photographers. All packages include negatives, a CD or DVD, and prints in an album. Choose from dozens of poses, sizes, and arrangements to match your bridal theme and honeymoon celebration. The site displays plentiful examples of beautiful las Vegas wedding photography.

Paradise Design and Photography
9501 W. Sahara Ave. #2197
Las Vegas, NV 89117
phone/fax: 702.597.5208

This las Vegas photographer is really more of a family act, since this husband and wife team produce priceless photos for many kinds of occasions, not just weddings. Daughter Ruth sometimes assists to provide a nice array of perspectives for your special day. Graphic design and digital photo services are also available.

Australia Honeymoon Vacations

2006-05-01T00:47:00.000-07:00

Australia honeymoon vacations are more than just being the pleasure of being down under. Australia is virtually a paradise on earth. Many of the people hail the continent as the capital for romance. Be they exotic beaches, fascinating wild life, rich culture, you will find all of them in Australia. You get every cent of your dollar's worth as you vibe with most incredible, knowledgable and loving people, fine destinations and a culture which speaks of a gentle mix of the modern and the classic.

Home to the most incredible and lipsmacking wines, the Sydney Bridge, and the kangaroos, Australia is the place to be when you are thinking about honeymoon packages. The Great Barrier Reef another landmark of Australia is a picture perfect place to be which no well meaning traveler could miss out on.

The five star hotels and restaurants across Australia maintain the highest standards of customer service and quality. So you can rest assured be treated royally during your stay. Most five star resorts and hotels in Australia are regularly quality assured to maintain the very highest standards. People also take time out to indulge in golf as the continent has the best golf resorts in the world. The spas and health clubs are an added luxury to you and your spouse as a part of most Australia honeymoon packages.

So, if you are looking forward to having an incredible time in your honeymoon, then let Australia honeymoon be your catchline. Whether you plan for tours, cruises or adventures, Australia honeymoon vacation promises you fun and mirth all the way.

Candlelight Wedding Chapel

2006-05-01T00:41:00.000-07:00

Candlelight Wedding Chapel is a well-known las Vegas entity that has been featured in a country music video by Diamond Rio. Howie Mandel married here, and John Tesh renewed vows with his wife. This las Vegas wedding chapel has a lot to offer clients from around the world and enjoys a brisk business near the financial district. Close to business and entertainment, this longtime chapel has the experience and credentials to provide you and your beloved with a memorable and enjoyable visit. You don’t have to wonder whether they can carry it off or the day will be ruined. Put your wedding into the staff’s capable hands and then relax.

Set on a lovely, well-kept piece of land, the Candlelight Chapel attracts visitors and prospective couples who are considering marriage due to its well-known reputation and the natural features that make this chapel popular to locals and visitors alike.

When you purchase an affordable wedding package, you can bring along family, friends, and other guests to take part in your exchange of vows. Prices range from $199 to $499 and include a bevy of services. The lowest fee covers the chapel rental, marriage certificate holder, CD music, several photos, and carnation flowers. The $299 package upgrades flowers to roses and adds more photos. You also can get a video of the ceremony. For $399 you get a rose cascade arrangement, a professional organist, and a candle-lighting ceremony. The $499 price adds a unity candle, wedding garter, and a leather-bound wedding album.

Additional amenities include the option of ordering a cake or other pastries, a helicopter ride, and Elvis weddings. But the prices do not cover the minister’s fee or the chauffeur’s gratuity. The chapel takes pleasure in treating guests like royalty to ensure their wedding day is as special as they had hoped it would be. Several newlyweds contacted the Candlelight Chapel within a matter of days, months, or weeks to emphasize how happy they were with the service that was provided and with the overall outcome of their special celebration.

You can join the ranks of civilians and everyday people alike by leaning more about what this romantic little chapel has to offer and possibly choosing to hold your own service here. From the limo driver, to the minister, to the coordinator who helps you pull it all together, everyone makes it their business and their duty to ensure that your dreams come true when you choose the Candlelight for your wedding festivities.

Find out ahead of time what you can afford to pay so there will be no surprises afterward. You can visit this chapel online at Candlelight Wedding Chapel.

Costa Rica Honeymoon Vacations

2006-05-01T00:40:00.000-07:00

Couples experiencing their first Costa Rica honeymoon vacations are never dismayed. This scenic Central American nation is rich in nature and wildlife, with pristine oceanic coasts on two of its borders. The landscape and climate are so multifarious that one can drive through less than an hour of terrain and it will feel like an entirely new country.

Unlike some of its neighbors, Costa Rica is a very politically stable country. "Pura vida" is a commonly uttered phrase, which roughly translates to "pure life" in English. This motto encompasses everything you will encounter during your Costa Rica honeymoon. To the locals (affectionately known as "ticos"), pura vida is a philosophy that is lived, but not so easily described.

After agriculture, tourism is the largest industry in Costa Rica. The rainforest wildlife is some of the most diverse in the world. Most Costa Rica honeymoon packages are designed to put you in touch with as much variety as you can possibly experience within the few days of your stay.

For the more adventurous couple, nature hikes, scuba diving, and canopy safaris will keep you on the move. Canopy safaris are extensive cable and pulley systems set up hundreds of feet in the air, allowing you an exhilarating trip through the upper quarters of the green jungle.

Costa Rica is also host to a growing number of some of the finest championship golf courses in the world. If golf is your thing, you cannot go wrong by selecting a Costa Rica honeymoon package that brings you near the famed and acclaimed Cariari Country Club.

Although Spanish is the official language, English is widely spoken as a second language, so communication should not be too difficult. It is still worthwhile to learn some basic Spanish in case of an emergency. Showing such an interest in the culture is taken as a gesture of good will and can lead to many fun and interesting conversations with the locals.

The monetary exchange rate is very favorable and makes these Costa Rica honeymoon packages extremely affordable. If you have priced similar vacations with other destinations, you will be pleasantly surprised when your agent shows you the price of all the amenities provided by Costa Rica honeymoon resorts. When your vacation is finished, of course, the attractive price will be the least important memory carried home with you.

Changing Your Name After Marriage

2006-05-01T00:34:00.000-07:00

Changing your name after marriage. It can be as easy as saying, “I do!”

Are you planning on changing your name once you finally tie the knot? If you decide to do so, there are so many options. Do you hyphenate, keep your maiden name as your middle name, combine both names, or be traditional? Well whichever option you choose, the name change process can seem overwhelming. There are numerous forms to gather from many government agencies. You’ll need a social security form, US passport form, driver’s license form, voter registration form, IRS forms, forms to send to your employer, insurance company, utilities companies, and all organizations of which you are a member. Many brides put off the process and wait for months or even years to change their name. The process is really not that horrible. Once you gather your forms & complete them, most can be sent in through the mail. The only office you’ll need to visit in person is the motor vehicle department.
If you plan on traveling overseas on your honeymoon, the name on your airline ticket must match the name on your passport. Therefore, wait until you return to change your name and book your tickets in your maiden name.

The bride taking the groom’s name is not the only way to go. A groom can also legally change his last name to the bride’s. This is not as popular, but it does happen. A groom may have a long last name or a name he isn’t fond of and decide he wants the bride’s name.

Daffodil Wedding Theme

2006-05-01T00:32:00.000-07:00

With the bloom of spring in the air, beautiful daffodils raise their heads in triumph of a new season. Choosing daffodils as your wedding theme can also be used to signal the blossoming of a new marriage together.

Daffodils come in a variety of colors, although the ones most often seen are in white, yellow and peach tones. The center portion contains a trumpet-shaped corona surrounded by a ring of 6 larger petals. They make a very striking arrangement both alone or in a grouping of flowers.

When planning your daffodil theme wedding, choose items that reflect this interesting flower. Daffodil shaped cookie favors make a sweet treat to delight guests, while a single daffodil in a bud vase placed before each table setting will brighten your table decor as well as your guest’s homes. If you like the idea of making your own favors, try your hand at candy making using daffodil sucker molds.

Potted daffodils bought at a garden center can be placed directly on the tables for eye catching centerpieces, and they’ll definitely be less expensive than a flower arrangement. Have each of your attendants take home one of the pots at the end of the evening as a thank-you gift. For additional table decor, use a daffodil shaped punch (check scrapbooking suppliers) to create your own table confetti. These punched out shapes can also be used for enhancing other decorations such as pew markers, the guest book or perhaps a card/gift box.

Use white and yellow to enhance your theme idea further. For example, you could use White table linens with butter yellow napkins, white tulle draped in front of main tables and secured with large yellow ribbon bows, and clusters of white and yellow balloon bouquets placed throughout the room. All of these will lend an air of spring freshness to your wedding ceremony and reception locations. After all, a new marriage is blooming!

About the Author
Rose Smith owns Wedding Themes and More where you can find a wealth of ideas and articles covering wedding theme planning. For further suggestions and information on a daffodil theme wedding, visit our website at http://www.wedthemes.com/

Wedding Invitations

2006-05-01T00:14:00.000-07:00

Wedding invitations are the very start of your wedding for most of your guests. Although you have been planning carefully for months, or even years, the wedding invitation is the first thing that most of your guests will see. Your wedding invitations need to be special, to reflect your personality and to let you guests know that they are special and you want to share the best day of your life with them.

There are many different types of wedding invitations available and there is sure to be one to suit you. Many like a formal type of invitation and these cards can be bought in a variety of styles from pure white with calligraphic lettering to subtle shade of yellow with raised gold lettering.

But if you require something a little special it is also (if the budget allows) possible to get cards made to your own design. Although these are a little more expensive they are generally within reason. There are many printing firms that will make them for you and either design them, or put your ideas into a workable design. There are also many local printers that will do this and working with a small firm can make it seem a little more personal.

Many shops and websites these days also stock more contemporary cards and these can make an interesting change from the more standard designs and help to make your wedding stand out in the mind of your guests.

You can even buy invitation cards with petals in them. If you are of a more “crafty” nature and would like your cards to be more personal, then you can always buy blank cards and make your own. If you are not concerned with formality them you can personalize each card, or even add picture of yourselves.

You can, if your taste is a little more out of the ordinary, find some very good humorous wedding invitations. After all its your day and there is no reason that you should have a traditional invitation if that doesn’t convey who you are. And they are going to your friends and if they know your humor then they will, hopefully, laugh along with you.

Thee are also cards to suit all different religions available. These day’s most religious communities are well catered for but again you can always have your cards printed to your own design if these do not suit you.

To avoid any last minute problems or delays it is best to order your cards as far in advance as possible. Then, if there are any delays, it shouldn’t be a disaster. This is even more important if you are getting the cards designed for you. There are things that can go wrong and it is best to give yourself as much leeway as possible, in case the printer doesn’t deliver, or you do not like the designs when they arrive.

You might also like to include an RSVP card with your wedding invitations, so that the guest can just add their congratulations and mail it back to you. Not only is this a nice way of inviting guests, it also means that you are much more likely get your replies sooner if the guest doesn’t have to remember to find some paper and an envelope to send you their acceptance.

The wedding invitations should not be sent out too far in advance, but you do need to allow the guests enough time to make any preparations for the big day. Some may have work commitments to rearrange, or other social plans that they may need to reschedule.

So be sure that you give them enough time to do this, as otherwise there may be friends that are unable to attend. Usually 6 weeks is about the right amount of time to allow all of your guests to make their plans but is not so far in advance that the momentum of the big day is lost.

Your wedding invitations are the beginning of your wedding to many of your guests and as such it is important that they are what you want. And that they convey the message to your guests that you want to send. If you order well in advance and give your guests plenty of time to reply, then the first part of the beginning of your lives together should go smoothly and show your guests that they are special and you want them to be a part of your special day.

See http://www.findstationary.com/ for an awwesome collection to spark you off.

Handfasting Vows

2006-04-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

"Handfasting" is actually the phrase used in Scotland and Northern England to refer to betrothal. The idea that it was a ceremony which bound the couple for a year and a day was introduced by Sir Walter Scott, not exactly the most historically accurate writer. Still, due to the level of interest in this type of ceremony, I have included a few links to sites which deal with modern handfasting rituals.

I, _______________, take you, ________________, in marriage
To be my life partner, To walk, run, and dance this new path together,
To love, care and share,
To let the winds dance between us,
Let the fires burn within us,
And the waters flow through us,
On our sacred journey together.
With this ring may a new consciousness begin,
With this ring I thee wed,
With my hearts' faithful affections,
And my love to you,__________________.

or

I, _______________, am asking you, ________________,
to join me as my life partner, once again,
as I travel on the sacred path to higher consciousness.
I give to you from my heart,my pledge of truthfulness, commitment, and the freedom to soar as high as the birds, as we learn to love each other, love our family, and love Gaia, the earth.
With this ring I give to you a reminder of your strength and your vision, as symbolized by the eagle.
I open to you my heart, to give and to feel the great joy and happiness, as we join together as husband and wife.

Sheesh! ok well not quite my cup of tea.

Soap Favors for Wedding Gifts

2006-04-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

By Criss White

Want to make soap as a gift for your party guests? Here are some simple tips for making soap gifts and favors:

There are literally hundreds of different ingredients that can be used for soap making. Basically, you will need the following - soap chips or soap base, essential or fragrance oil for scent, and colorants. You will also need a soap mold and a pot to melt the soap in.

The easiest way to make soap is to take an already made bar of soap and melt it down. The bar will already have all the ingredients you need in it. You can then pour the soap into a mold of your choice or shape it as desired. Or you can use a cookie cutter or knife to shape it while it is still warm.

If you are using raw ingredients, simply pour and mix them in the mold of your choice.

Heating - Make sure to heat the soap slowly to prevent combustion or degradation of smell. 130°F - 155°F is a good general range, although there are slight variations depending on what ingredients you use. Try not to leave the soap unattended for long periods of time while heating.
Scent - You won't need too much fragrance oil to scent your soap because scented oil is generally highly concentrated and strong. 0.5-1oz of oil is sufficient to scent a whole pound of soap. The amount you use will depend on the strength of the oil, which varies based on the scent. Mix the oil in with the soap while heating.
Coloring - Once again, you will probably not need to much coloring agent. Add a few drops at a time and watch the color change.
Mold selection - You can select molds that are themed to your occasion or just use a standard bar mold. For weddings, angels, hearts, and wedding cakes are popular shapes. For baby showers, baby carriages, bottles, and Disney characters are some common themes. The soap can also be carved. If you use a standard bar mold, you can still add personalized themed tags.
Finishing touches - After your soap is made, seal it inside a cellophane bag, organza bag, or gift box. Add a favor charms, personalized tag, and message and you have a nice favor for your guest.

Generally, you will want soaps that are 1oz - 3oz in size. These gifts will be used by your guests and are a simple, but effective way to say thank you.

Las Vegas Weddings Chapels

2006-04-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas weddings is a well-known las Vegas chapel that has been featured on the Jay Leno show, the Travel channel, the Discovery channel, and A&E, among others. Featuring Eddie Powers as a popular Elvis impersonator, this las Vegas wedding chapel has a lot to offer clients from around the world and enjoys a brisk business.

Voted at one point the most popular wedding chapel in las Vegas, this service provides a host of options for planning a memorable wedding ceremony, reception, and honeymoon.

Red Rock Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and a helicopter strip wedding are just some of the choices presented to couples of all ages. If you’re already married, you can come and renew your vows in a specially designed anniversary package. Valley of Fire is a popular site for many las Vegas wedding chapels like this one, while other couples choose a simple gazebo design or outdoor setting.

When you purchase an affordable wedding package, you can bring along family, friends, and other guests to take part in your exchange of vows. Or you can have the wedding performed live on the Internet where acquaintances around the world can view the beautiful service. Get a commemorative DVD or still photos that will preserve this unforgettable event for others to enjoy.

They offer a variety of subsidiary services to choose from, including bridal hair, formal wear, and legal policies. Many of these are offered at other las Vegas chapels, but some are not, so be sure to contact the chapel and see what their service has to offer.

Prices are advertised as low as $129 but you will want to check and see what that fee covers and what you will need to take care of in addition. Auxiliary services like the bride’s hair, makeup, and bouquet, along with any reception plans will require additional funding unless otherwise specified. Some plans include specialty chocolates or champagne, but find out ahead of time what you will need to pay so there will be no surprises afterward. You can visit this chapel online at Las Vegas Weddings Chapel.

Las Vegas Wedding Invitations

2006-04-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

Printing services can add a rich dimension to your wedding plans and a line item to your budget. Since you don’t want to end up with smudged, torn, or misprinted materials, find the best in printing for your Las Vegas invitation needs. Card stock, paperweight, font design, text and background colors, and images are some of the options you can select for your personalized wedding invitations. There are numerous patterns and designs that will make your invitations and thank-you cards stand out and allow recipients to remember your special day always.

Choose your invitation printer carefully. Ask if he or she is experienced with wedding invitations. Check cost, scheduling, and samples before signing a sales order. Get a signed proposal to ensure that you have covered all the bases on your order. You don’t have to select the cheapest design or easiest color to get a deal. Choose from colors, designs, themes, and styles to communicate your wedding plans.

After receiving your print order, make sure it is what you requested by reviewing the number of items provided, the pattern that was imprinted, and the overall quality. If there is a problem return the materials promptly and either request a refund or have the work done over for accuracy.

A&B Printing
2912 S. Highland Drive #B
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Phone: (702) 731-5888
Fax: (702) 731-2272
A&B Printing in Las Vegas offers many types of quality and professional printing services to enhance your wedding. From invitations to announcements and thank-you cards, this company offers a 24-hour consumer awareness line to advise customers on good versus bad printing. Get a proposal to ensure that you have covered all the bases on your project.

American Printing
702-384-3821
American Printing utilizes professional programs like Quark and Photoshop to produce quality print items including las Vegas invitations. With 35 years of experience, the staff makes use of techniques like foil and embossing to give your materials a glamorous or simplistic appeal, based on your preferences. Choose from colors, designs, themes, and styles to communicate your wedding plans.

Viva Las Vegas Wedding Reservations and Wedding Gift Shop
1206 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
1-800-574-4450
There are several designs to choose from in various contemporary styles. A package of five costs $8.04.

Printing Solutions Network, Inc.
1117 Desert Lane
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
Phone: (702) 933-4079
Standard printing services for wedding-related events and announcements.

Or to order online invitations for your Las Vegas wedding:
Online invitation orders available from Party Basics.
Order your invitations online from Princess Prints.

After receiving your print order, make sure it is what you requested. If there is a problem return the materials promptly and either request a refund or have the work done over for accuracy.

Planning Bachelor Party in Las Vegas

2006-04-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

There’s no doubt about it—engaged guys love a bachelor party in Las Vegas. The fabulous weather, exciting entertainment, and studded opulence will satisfy any man’s thirst for adventure. Create your own Las Vegas bachelor party package or work with a consultant for some ideas about the type of fun you want to have. Go clubbing, drink and eat, visit the casinos, or arrange your own event to celebrate your countdown bachelor days.

Stretch limos and courtly attendants vie to meet your transportation needs to ensure that your party is laced with style. From noisy casinos to private hotel rooms, there’s a party to fulfill anyone’s fantasy of their final single days. Gaming, dancing, drinking music, food, and site seeing are available for any size group and any type of theme.

From nightlife in the clubs to wildlife out in nature, you will be able to enjoy your preferred type of Las Vegas bachelor party, which is unlike anything you will find elsewhere. Get in touch with an experienced consultant to find out more about planning your Las Vegas bachelor party package. Rub elbows with celebrities or plan a private party of your own. Then take home a lifetime of memories as a souvenir of your carefree adventure. Most forms of payment are accepted. Call in advance to schedule early for the best deals and pricing.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
4455 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Toll-free 800-hrd-rock

The Hard Rock Hotel is a cLassic in its time. Whatever your tastes may be in premarital entertainment, this place has it all, from beachfront parties, dance floor moves, and top-notch food and drink. Rub elbows with celebrities or plan a private party of your own. Then take home a lifetime of memories as a souvenir of your carefree adventure.

House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Telephone 702-632-7630

This club offers the latest and best in cool blues. Late at night, though, it turns into a nightclub featuring 80’s music on Fridays and 70’s style on Saturdays. There is no special dress code.

Rumjungle
3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 992-7970

This club has a dress code that is strictly enforced. Patrons will be tantalized by the firewall that changes to a cascading water wall accented by dancing congas. An illuminated bar and pulsating dance floor provides a backdrop to all types of music, from techno to hip-hop.

Bachelor Blowout
Bachelor Blowout offers the ultimate in singles entertainment. No matter what type of las Vegas bachelor party you are planning, this company will help you find exactly what you’re looking for to make your last days as a single both memorable and enjoyable. Create your own las Vegas bachelor party package or work with a consultant for some ideas about the type of fun you want to have. Go clubbing, drink and eat, visit the casinos, or arrange your own event to celebrate your countdown of bachelor days.

Desert Odyssey Tours
1-800-218-4942

Desert Odyssey Tours offers a complete line of bachelor party services and ideas. If the same old ideas are too cliché for you, consider some of these dynamic options. Kayaking, rock climbing, ATVs, skydiving, and bungee jumping are just some of the wild waves you can ride before giving it all up for the safe harbor of marriage. Stretch hummers and Lincoln navigators join limo options for your transportation needs to ensure that your party is laced with style.

Exclusive VIP Bachelor Party
An Exclusive VIP Bachelor Party can be yours for about $159 per person. Four hours of limo service (gratuity included), chilled champagne and other liquor, and paid entrance fee to Sapphire’s, the largest gentleman’s club in the world, are some of the delights that await the groom-to-be and his henchman with this package. Get in touch to discuss your wishes and let the staff help them come true.

These and other establishments will work with you to create the ultimate bachelor experience. Most forms of payment are accepted. Call in advance to schedule early for the best deals and pricing.

Las Vegas Florists have Flower Power!

2006-04-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Flowers have long been a traditional way of expressing love and commitment at a wedding. Even in Shakespeare’s time it was common to strew a bridal bed with fresh petals to wish the couple a fruitful marriage. You will want to choose the most meaningful silk or real arrangements for your own nuptials, something that reflects your personality and style. You can adorn the pews with blooms, decorate the altar with plants or blossoms, and spruce up the reception tables with gorgeous centerpieces made of greenery, ferns, or other floral arrangements. Many Las Vegas florists offer the most contemporary designs and freshest arrangements that money can buy.

Bridal bouquets can be created from sprays of roses, carnations, or many other kinds of attractive flowers. Your Las Vegas florist will work with you to coordinate this important part of your ceremony with your chosen theme as well as the season and color scheme that has been selected. You can choose from existing patterns or create a totally new Las Vegas floral arrangement to suit your mood. Or leave the design to one of the renowned Las Vegas floral shops. Many owners and staff members have taken cLasses or won awards for their artistry. Check out the wonderful arrangements that combine fresh or silk flowers, lace, jewels, or ribbons as well as many other decorative touches.

In addition to the traditional use of bridal flowers, consider alternative bouquets or corsages for members of the bridal party’s family. Choices might include in-laws, step-family members, close friends, and others who will be joining you to celebrate this special day. Prices range from a few dollars to several hundred per arrangement. It’s up to you how much to spend when making your bridal budget.

Las Vegas Bouquet
1815 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 6
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
Toll free 1-800-868-1983

A full-service florist, this company offers a special line of bridal bouquets as well as other arrangements for your nuptials. Online orders are encrypted for safe processing. Las Vegas Bouquet delivers 7 days a week. Their attractive designs are very eye-catching – and among their many selections is a wedding collection for ready access. Bridal bouquets are a specialty, so stop by the Website or the store when shopping for floral arrangements for your wedding.

Artistic Floral
4590 N. Rancho Drive, Ste 2
Las Vegas, NV 89130
Toll free 1-866-278-3625

Open Monday through Friday 10-6 and Saturday 10-4; closed Sunday. Shop their online catalog that is available 24/7 for a large variety of arrangements for every occasion. An FTD florist, this company stands behind its products with a full refund or replacement for unsatisfactory floral arrangements that are reported within ten days after delivery. You can find traditional roses or more exotic blooms as well as regional plants when you visit this most creative of las Vegas floral shops. In addition to weddings, the company advertises floral arrangements for many other celebrations or occasions as well.

Vegas Wedding Flowers
1205 Las Vegas Blvd., South
Suite 102
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
Toll free 1-800-574-4450
Local 702-384-0117

This florist specializes in chapel and pew décor as well as exotic arrangements that stand apart from the usual designs. Stargazer lilies and gardenias are among the possibilities. Delivery is available to all Las Vegas strip hotels and chapels.

Las Vegas Wedding Planners!

2006-04-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

Want a Las Vegas wedding but not sure where to start? Get in touch with a Las Vegas wedding planner who is an expert in arranging the perfect ceremony for a couple’s special day. Locate information for indoor or outdoor ceremonies, military weddings, contact information, reservation links, and information sites. Quality planning services place at your fingertips all you will need to know for your Las Vegas wedding plan.

There are many Las Vegas wedding planners who can help you create the day of your dreams. Learn about themes, limos, and a host of amenities that will make your special day perfect. You can choose where to get married, which themes might work best, how many people to invite, and what type of food to serve. Don’t leave anything to chance. Let a pro help you find the best accoutrements for your wedding day event.

Make a list of questions to ask a consultant, and keep paper and pen handy for taking notes when you discuss your big day. Then work closely with your adviser to handle every detail so that your wedding will be as beautiful as you’ve always dreamed it would be. Plan to take plenty of pictures or videotape this very special celebration.

Peete & Company
800 N. Rainbow Suite 158
Las Vegas, Nevada 89107
702-966-7201
This company takes pride in providing ambiance, table settings, décor, and everything else that makes a wedding special.

Cupid’s Las Vegas Wedding Receptions In Las Vegas
827 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Call Toll free | 24 Hours 1.800.543.2933
Cupid’s Weddings and Receptions has everything needed to help you plan the most beautiful event of your life. You can choose where to get married, which themes might work best, how many people to invite, and what type of food to serve. Don’t leave anything to chance. With an emphasis on personalized service and a plan for every budget, you won’t be disappointed. Let this dynamic service help you find the best accoutrements for your wedding day event.

A Always and Forever Wedding Chapel
3003 Rigel Avenue
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102
(800) 259-2978
This company claims to offer the most elegant and the most affordable weddings in Las Vegas. Choose from military, outdoor, and package deals in a wide range of prices.

Weddings Las Vegas Popular Ceremonies

2006-04-30T15:06:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a las Vegas chapel to make your wedding dreams come true? Chances are you will find it here with Weddings Las Vegas and its many exciting options and packages to choose from. From a simple ceremony in your hotel room to a lavish affair at one of these dynamic locations, your exchange of vows will become permanently etched in the memories of everyone present as a thing of beauty that lasts forever.

Start by consulting a wedding guide to find out more about Nevada marriage laws and Las Vegas courthouse hours of operation. You also will need to know something about proof of age and identity as well as fees. Planning your wedding a couple of weeks ahead of time can provide a wide range of options for time, place, and style. Yet there are also opportunities to marry without waiting when you arrive in the Wedding Capital of the World.

For an outdoor wedding, arrangements can be made for the Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, or Mountain Air packages. Each of these allows you to enjoy the natural beauties of this scenic area along with the peaceful solitude away from city life. Or you can opt for a traditional Catholic wedding performed by an authorized priest who will meet with you before the ceremony to personalize your service.

Other cultural themes and elements can be added to the ceremony if time permits. Celtic hand fasting to unite the couple, the Spanish arras involving thirteen silver coins showing the groom’s ability to support his wife, and Hawaiian leis that join husband and wife are just a few of the many types of symbolic gestures you may wish to consider for your ceremony. Central American, Mexican, and Jewish customs have found a place in some of the more memorable wedding services performed at this las Vegas wedding chapel.

Not every wedding chapel in las Vegas is so accommodating. Some have a set service that runs a certain number of minutes and cannot be amended. Other las Vegas wedding chapels prefer to follow a prescribed format that is based on tradition. Yet many las Vegas chapels go out of their way to personalize a service for the special couple, as this one does.

Check out the many fine services offered by this great site before making your final decision on where to have your once-in-a-lifetime wedding. You can visit this chapel online at Weddings Las Vegas.

Lower Your Wedding Flower Costs

2006-04-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Author: Candice Barrigher

When planning a wedding, it is vital to keep in mind that approximately 5-10% of the budget may be consumed by floral costs. Whether your budget is $5000 or $15,000, this percentage
is a significant amount considering all of the other things that are battling over your hard earned dollars (or, your parents' hard earned dollars!) Although the thought of spending so much
on an element of your wedding that may not last past the day itself may depress you, flowers add the power of elegance and richness to your event.

"So, what do I do?" is a question that I have been asked. The answer is quite simple; you must find ways to cuts costs and maintain the same desired effect. What most do not find simple
is discovering ways to cut the costs. Well, here are a few tried and true ways that will allow you to incorporate one of nature's most glorious creations without breaking the bank.

1) One word.SILK! Silk flowers today appear to be so life-like, that I have actually had to touch and smell a bouquet just to be sure! They come is huge variations of blooms and colors. You are
most certain to find silk flowers in exactly the same bloom and color you desire for actual flowers at a fraction of the costs.

2) Purchase flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding. The prices and choices available may vary across the country, but, the guide below is general and may apply in most
states.

Summer Blooms
Lilies Asters Straw Flowers Stephanotis

Winter Blooms
Holly Poinsettias

Fall Blooms
Sunflowers Orange Blossoms

Spring/Summer Blooms
Calla Lilies Freesia Magnolias Lily of the Valley

Annual Blooms
Baby's Breath Gerbera Daisies Daisies Freesia Carnations

Spring Blooms
Lilacs Tulips Violets Irises

3) Use decorations that do not require flowers. With a little bit of creativity and compromising, you can create gorgeous centerpieces that are not floral at all. Candles have made some of the best centerpieces I have seen yet. One idea is to place pillar candles in hurricane lamps of varying sizes and place tulle and glitter/confetti around the setting. Candles can create a romantic ambience and will cast a warm, peachy glow on the smiling faces of your guests!

Wedding Videos... What To Do

2006-04-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

By Gareth Powell

Bless the bride... and God help the video maker. True. Let us start with grim warnings of doom and disaster. Making a video of a wedding is something which can lose you a lot of friends. The bride and groom and their respective families want something that will make 'The American President' look like a low budget, made-for-television low grade movie with no production values. This has been shown by actual test. Some simple rules.

1. Do not under any circumstances offer to make a video of anyone's wedding, no matter how near and dear.

2. When it is suggested, always try to get someone else to do it. Anyone. As long as it is not you.

3. Offer to help pay for a professional. That spreads the blame and is known as a CYA ploy. Then you can say the professional will take care of the major work and you will merely add touches of cinema verite.

4. Claim that you are sick or that the camcorder is not working or your eyes are being operated on.

5. If all else fails read, and possibly download for reference, the longish screed on the subject. It runs to 2,500 words. All written from bitter experience. My apologies for the length.

Spread the blame . . .

If you are asked to make a video of a wedding make sure that the photographs – the still pictures – are being taken by a professional.

If you possibly can get the families to hire a professional video team. They will still not be satisfied, I promise you, but this will be the professional's fault, not yours. If you have to make a video contribution you will produce a touch of cinema-verite which will be a lighthearted look at the proceedings but will not, most definitely not, be the official recording. Then no one can point the finger of blame.

Life being what it is, the families will probably not agree and you will be lumbered.

If you cannot get out of this in any way this is what you must do: get it across to the bride and groom and, most important, their parents, that although you will do your level best there is no guarantee that they will get anything. Or that anything you will provide will be much better than an out-of-focus, badly lit, happy home movie.

The problem is that the bride and groom and their respective parents go into marriage full of optimism and great expectations. They expect everything to be perfect. If your video is not, at the very least, as good as the coverage of the Charles and Di affair, there will be bitter tears and recriminations. You will never be forgiven.

Trust me on this. When weddings come in through the door, logic goes out of the window.

How to do it . . .

Making a video of a wedding needs not only your highest skills as a video maker but also a large measure of tact, diplomacy, organizing skills and physical fortitude.

It is almost impossible to cover a wedding single handed and that you need two camera operators working to a well-thought-out plan. They must work in tandem, be unobtrusive and yet not miss any of the important shots. Indeed, I feel happier with three cameras working and mobile phone connections and even then I am not a contented lad until I have delivered the finished product.

The technical difficulties are enormous.

Start with lighting. It plainly is not acceptable for you to walk backwards down the aisle with a blazing sun gun mounted on your camera, only stopping when you walk backwards into the priest. Yes, religion is about forgiveness, but this is going too far. Instead, you have to work with the available light and look for subtle ways to enhance it without interfering with the ceremony.

What has to be remembered at all times is that the wedding is not being staged for the sake of the video. The video is there to carefully and unobtrusively record the great event.

Recce the site

The first step in shooting a wedding is to do a recce at the place the ceremony will take place and where the reception will be held. Then write a careful shooting script with timings. Without it you are lost. A simple check list is given later.

Check the time, date and place of both the wedding and the reception. You will need to check them three times before the actual event because it is all too horridly easy to get them wrong.

The logistics are as complex as D-day.

Suppose that the ceremony is to be at 12 noon and that the bride lives within 20 minutes or so of the church. (I use church as a generic term here. Marriages these days take place is some quite funny places. Not all of mine have been in churches. In fact, now I come to think of it, none of them.)

You need to be at the church at least 45 minutes before the ceremony so that you can catch Auntie Doris – ever the early bird – and Cousin Rachel and the rest of the tribe arriving. It is imperative that you get 10 seconds or so of footage of all the wedding guests. Hell hath no fury like Auntie Doris if she is left out of a video.

At the same time you have to cover the preparations at the bride's house, which means that, operating single handed, you can shoot there only until 11 o'clock at the latest. This is where multiple cameras and camera operators come into their own.

Dealing with the panic

Your offsider can be at the house catching the last minute panic – there is always a last minute panic – and the bride being escorted by her proud dad into the wedding chariot. You, ready at the church, will be on hand to pick up the action when they arrive.

But who is covering the groom waiting nervously in the church with the best man, both of them looking like death warmed up after a brutal stag night?

While it would be good to get some coverage you have to make sure that you do it well before the bridal car is due to arrive. You can miss out on the groom – he is not an important player in these proceedings – but you must cover the bride arriving at the church or you are history.

Which is why you absolutely and imperatively must have a shooting script so that you can work out who should be where and when. If you try to do it all yourself you will be like a one-armed paper-hanger. I know that professionals do it without a script but they have done it a lot before. I admire but do not envy them.

Some of the shots will need to be handheld, and I strongly advocate some sort of support – a chest or shoulder pod – to help you keep the camera steady.

Shoot as many cutaways as you can and try to get as many guests in close-up as possible. Faces, recognizable faces, on the screen will make up for any other deficiencies. Keep your shots shortish and tight, which will make editing much easier. Aim to end up with a mass of connected short – no more than 20 second – shots rather than one continuous roll.

On being hated

You will find the professional stills photographer hates you. It is not that you will get in the way – although that is always possible. It is simply that the photographer makes his living at this lark and you are but a well-meaning amateur. There is also a firm belief among professional wedding photographers that videos cut back the number of prints ordered. There may be something in this.

You may find it difficult to believe, but some stills photographers ban camcorders from being used to record wedding groups on the basis that they set up the groups and, as a result, these set-ups are copyright. Before the bride and groom decide on a stills photographer it is vitally important that they sort out the stills photographer/video maker relationship, or there will be a nasty scene in the church grounds.

Whatever is arranged still work on the sound basis that the stills photographer hates you and will give you no co-operation. You will have to shoot around this.

Making the stills photographer in action the focus of part of your video works well.

You will probably find that using a tripod and longish focal lengths will help to keep out of the way.

This difficult relationship with the professional stills photographer is all important as a pro knows where to be and when as to the manner born. After your 500th wedding you will have these skills, too. I would not wish that on my worst enemy. There is a plus side to this: if you lurk near but not in the way of the stills photographer you will undoubtedly get all of the action, no risk.

Early shots

The first shot at the home will be the bride on her own in the full glory of her wedding dress. This is often taken in the garden against a backdrop of flowers and greenery. Try not to interfere; hang back a bit. Using the reach of the telescopic lens you can start shooting using the standard formula of long shot, medium shot and close-up to show the bride being photographed in the garden, the glory of her wedding dress and the smile on her face.

Follow the same routine with the bridesmaids and the mother of the bride. Shoot from outside the stills photographer's range. Never shout orders to countermand those of the photographer for you will be risking severe bodily damage. Keep following the great tradition of long shot, medium shot and close-up. Keep the shots tight at 12 seconds or so per scene. Film lots of cutaways to be used in editing.

Filming the ceremony in the church

During the ceremony position the video camera, if you can, so that you are at the side of the altar (a generic term in the sense it is used here) and can get some view of the faces of the couple as the ceremony progresses. Priests (ministers, celebrants, what have you) have this funny idea that their churches are places of worship and not video studios. Check with them what is allowed and what is not.

If possible a second camcorder recording faces in the congregation, yet again in the standard format of long shot, medium shot and close up – will make editing the final tape much easier.

Down the aisle

It is crucial that you cover the walk of the newly married couple down the aisle while the organist hammers out the Wedding March.

You must also cover the first moments on the church step where the happy couple cuddle and canoodle in contemplation of the weeks ahead. With two of you filming this is not a great bother. With just one it requires some pretty nifty footwork, especially as the stills photographer will be charging around and, quite rightly, demanding preference and right of way.

At the reception you will find the proceedings much more relaxed as the demon grog takes its effect. You can shoot it normally without any extra lighting. Two camcorder operators working the room can get some amazing candids. When the speeches start one of you can cover the action while the other works on audience reaction.

If possible have a tape recorder running fairly steadily throughout the ceremony and at the reception. This will give you back-up sound, which you will be grateful for at the final editing stage.

It is vital, once again, that you get shots of all the principal players including Auntie Doris in her good frock and Cousin Rachel, who is getting a bit red in the face with her third glass of bubbly. When they see it on video they will squeal and scream and protest. But they will love every minute of it.

You will probably need to mic the top table to record the speeches. Do it beforehand and tape the wire down with gaffer tape.

Either the bride will want all of the speeches in their full and interminable length or she will want a proper video. In the last case you can concentrate on a few sentences from each speaker and a lot of close-ups of listeners' reactions.

Again following the stills photographer you will cover the cake cutting ceremony.

All that is left for you to do then is to film the happy couple leaving for an unknown destination and married bliss. It is not traditional for you to be asked to cover the first night of the honeymoon although the way things are going nothing would surprise me.

Editing

Your final task is to edit this lot together. If you have kept to the rule of short takes – nothing over 20 seconds except for the group shot which is listed below in the check list – with lots of cutaways and a logical flow from long shot to medium shot to close-up this should not be too difficult. Adding wedding-type music to the audio is a doddle. Just make sure that Auntie Doris appears a fair number of times. Her wrath if she is left on the cutting room floor is frightening to behold.

If you have not been able to talk your way out of doing the damn video at all, the following shot checklist will help keep you out of trouble.

Shot checklist

At the home of the bride: Bride (long shot, medium shot, close-up). Bride and bridesmaids. Bride and her mother. Bride and father. Bride with both parents. Bride with siblings. Bride with pets. Family group. Bride in the final stages of dressing. (This last is a tricky one but may be requested.)

Bride leaving for church: Coming out of the house. Last minute fluster. Final shot of rear of car as it turns corner or disappears into distance.

At the church: Shots of church. Shots of guests arriving. Keep these to 5 or 6 seconds a time.

Bridegroom and best man arriving. If possible a shot of them waiting in the church.

Bridesmaids getting out of car and fluttering around. Bride and father getting out of car. Bride and father walking towards church. Priest waiting on church steps.

If the bride is going to be late, which is traditional, do a series of cutaways to the face of the church clock if it has one. Otherwise do the cut-away to a series of different watch faces showing the time progressing.

The ceremony: Interior of church. Bride and father walking down aisle. Bride and groom at altar.

Close-ups of congregation singing – always good for light comic relief.

Wedding ceremony: Giving of rings with, if you can, a tight close-up of the hands. Signing the register.

Walking down the aisle.

Outside the church: Bride and groom full length having obligatory cuddle. Long shot, medium shot, close-up. Bridal group with bridesmaids and best man added. Same again plus parents. Keep to the rhythm of long shot, medium shot, close-up and even ultra close-up.

Now the whole family gathers and you need, desperately, a long shot that includes them all and will run for 30 seconds. This is the one time you let the camera run because everyone will want to play at 'Ooh look, there's Uncle Stan next to, would you believe it, Auntie Doris. '

Bride and groom walking towards car. Confetti being thrown. Getting in car and driving off.

At the reception: Shots of family welcoming guests. Bride and groom mixing with guests. Lots of close-ups of guests' faces. Speeches with audience reaction. Cutting the cake with an ultra-close-up of two hands on the knife. Toasts with audience reaction. Bride and groom dancing. Guests dancing. Couple leaving and waving goodbye.

After that little lot all you need is music, editing and a nice silver plastic case for the video with 'Our Wedding' embossed in tasteful purple.

Unique Wedding Reception Entertainment

2006-04-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

The typical wedding reception entertainment scheme of pretty flowers and background music is fine for some people, but all kinds of options exist to spice it up a bit and provide a celebration that everyone is sure to remember for years to come.

Before planning any of the following wedding reception entertainment ideas, please take this short bit of advice: discuss it first. These inventive ideas will hopefully bring amusement and vibrancy to your wedding reception entertainment, but it could spell tragedy if you surprise everyone (particularly your spouse) with something completely outlandish.

Build your wedding reception entertainment around a theme that suits your personalities and interests. Some specific examples could be:

For the country bumpkin in you, try a theme centered around the old west. The ol' watering hole should be a big hit. Plant some (fake) muskets and six-shooters around the area and see what kind of drama erupts.
The renaissance era gives many options for a wedding reception entertainment theme. If you have ever been to a renaissance festival, you know what fun it can be. Hazah!
In this 21st century, much of the science fiction of the past has already come to reality. This is very fortunate for the tech-savvy couple looking to design a high-tech reception centered around a sci fi theme. Laser beams and shiny, metallic things always look futuristic.
Arrrh matey! Not all pirates are from the Carribean, but they can all throw a wild party! A big treasure chest filled with styrofoam peanuts can hide treasures for the kids to discover.
Ancient Egypt is always an intriguing theme for any party. Design a secret heiroglyphic message for your guests to decode and win a prize. The favorite and most important symbol for your ancient Egyptian wedding reception entertainment: the Ankh.

If you really want to get the guests roaring, try this: Hire absolutely the worst band you can find in the city. Allow them to play a couple of songs before you encourage the guests to boo them from the stage. Your real band can then emerge from the crowd and "save the day" with beautiful, professional tunes. (You will still pay the sucker band for their full set, of course. They did their part.)

Instead of subdued background music between sets, hire a comedian to perform during the band's intermission. An hilarious and upbeat act will keep your guests attentive and help them catch a second wind for another round of celebration.

There is no rule book that says wedding reception entertainment must be confined to the stage. Magicians, mimes, and jugglers are a few examples of entertainers who could meander through the crowd and keep everyone on their toes. They can scope out the folks who might look bored or ignored, hopefully prying open a few smiles. Remember to ask the juggler to please forego the flaming torches - just this once!

These are just a few wedding reception entertainment ideas to get you started. What you eventually decide to do should reflect your own tastes. But whatever you do, the key ingredient that must never be forgotten is: fun!

Nevada Wedding Laws

2006-04-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

While you may be headed to Las Vegas for a quickie wedding or a prolonged celebration, take time to find out what the law requires before you buy that plane ticket. Each state’s laws differ, and many couples get married in Las Vegas because the law allows them to marry quickly. But don’t start planning your nuptials until you check out this all-important piece of the wedding cake.

A Las Vegas wedding ceremony must conform to Nevada wedding laws to be considered legal. Marriage license bureaus are available at several locations in and around Las Vegas as well as other cities in the state. Men can only marry women and vice versa. Identification is required and may be proven with a valid driver’s license, state-issued ID card, original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a passport, military identification, or resident alien card.

The fee ranges from $35 to $42, depending on which county the license is purchased from. Divorced persons must know the day, month, and year of their divorce. Although marriage regulations may not be the most exciting part of the wedding preparations, they certainly are one of the most important! Don’t neglect to find out in advance what you need to bring with you for getting state and city authority to marry in the city of dreams.

Traditional Irish Weddings

2006-04-30T14:29:00.000-07:00

No matter how you plan your wedding it will be yours and it will be wonderful! We believe in flexibility and the ability to personalize. In the Irish tradition there are so many choices. Celtic Weddings, Irish Peasant Weddings and fancy Dublin Georgian weddings with crystal and lace to name but a few. You can also combine traditions.
We are concerned here with the Traditional Irish Wedding Customs. These have been gathered up from all over Ireland and from all different periods. See what suits you!

Traditional Scottish Weddings, marriage traditions in Scotland

2006-04-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

The guide to weddings and marriage in Scotland. Information on authentic traditional Scottish wedding customs and marriage in Scotland, collected from reference material. Celtic stationery, wedding vows in Gaelic and English, information on books, handfasting, clothing, blessings, stories, rings, kilts, songs, engravings, Luckenbooths and more as well as links to other sources and facilities to shop for recommended books.

If you're reading a printout of this page, the latest version can be found online here:
http://www.siliconglen.com/culture/weddings.html

Does it matter if one bridesmaid's dress is slightly different from the rest?

2006-04-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

Q. I am having six bridesmaids. One of them is very self-conscious about her arms -- she thinks they're fat and has let it be known whenever she is in a bridal party that she will not wear a sleeveless dress. Once she had to wear chiffon see-through sleeves and complained to everyone for months. My wedding is in July, and all the other bridesmaids want sleeveless dresses. At first I was ready to give in to her without hesitation, but now I am realizing that it isn't really fair to just consider her preference and nobody else's. I thought about choosing a dress style that comes both sleeveless and with a short sleeve and letting everyone choose what they want. She will probably be the only one to choose the sleeve, so she will stand out -- she's not the maid of honor. Should this matter?

A.Honestly, no. There's really no reason you need to be obsessing about whether your bridesmaids are identical in the first place (a little mixing it up is practically the norm these days!). It's definitely understandable that you don't want her to feel uncomfortable, but it sounds like she's taken this situation a bit too far more than once. You simply need to decide whether you're going to call her on it this time or just let it go and let her wear what she's comfortable in. It may not be worth the trouble to try to force her to wear a sleeveless dress, but you might just want to let her know that she looks great to you no matter what, and you don't understand why she's always so adamant about this. Maybe she needs to address this body issue with a close pal, and you might be that pal.

Tie the knot QNA

2006-04-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

Q.I am having an outdoor, semiformal wedding. I am wondering if it is necessary (and proper) to have a wedding program. My fiance does not want one, and I personally don't care. What is the best thing to do?

A.It's not mandatory to have a program. They're nice mementos for guests and are good places to list who's in your wedding party, thank parents and other important people, and explain any ceremony traditions guests may not be familiar with. They can be as simple as one page printed out from your computer, if the time and effort involved is what's making you hesitate. But they are not necessary, so the choice of whether to do one is up to you. If you don't want one, don't worry about it.

Angelina's dream wedding

2006-04-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

Another day, another rumour of Brangelina's impending wedding - Namibia is the latest location believed to be their chosen spot.

Security has tightened around Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's hotel in Namibia, southern Africa, fuelling rumours the couple are set to marry there.

The pair have booked out every single room at the Burning Shore beach lodge on Langstrand, Walvis Bay, costing them a cool £20,000.

Huge cloth screens have been erected around the hotel but the angry locals are not happy with the Hollywood take-over after Angelina apparently told bodyguards to not allow anyone on the beach.

The talk of the town is that Brad's brother Doug is on his way to Namibia as we speak, and that he is going there with many other family members for the wedding.

A heavily pregnant Angelina only has a few weeks until she is due to pop the sprog, so people reckon the couple want to tie the knot before the birth.

Past rumours speculated that the pair were to marry at pal George Clooney's Lake Como pad, which had intrigued the locals, but the folk of Walvis Bay aren't impressed with the bully bodyguards.

Villagers say that they couldn't care less who Brad and Ange are and that nobody is interested in what the couple are up to. They just want their quiet lives back.

Wedding Loan Celebrate the Occasion With Cheaper Loan

2006-04-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

Wedding is always a very special occasion in any family. Its a celebration of joy that brings many relationships together. To make the tying of knot memorable, however, financial aspect of the big event becomes all the more important, as otherwise things may not go in accordance of the festivities. This is where wedding loan comes to the fore. Wedding involves number of items such as reception, hotel, photography, wedding cars, honeymoon to spend on and one never knows where the expenditure is going to last. If taken wisely, wedding loan takes care of all the financial needs.

One common feature of almost all wedding occasions is the urgency of money. You may think there is enough money to meet the requirements but when you sit down to chalk out a plan, you find that expenses will go way above then were thought to be initially. This is because cost of everything including services has escalated by the time wedding is finally planned. But all the financial requirements, big or small, for a wedding are easily met through availing wedding loans.

There are two ways one can get a wedding loan secured and unsecured wedding loan. Generally it is the secured loan that is given preference due to its many advantages.

If you have a property such as home, car or even savings account and willing to put any of these as a collateral to the lender, getting wedding loan becomes easy. The collateral assures the lender that his money is safe and the borrower will make the repayments in time. Once the lenders collateral requirement is satisfied, the borrower is in a stronger position of not only asking for a larger amount but also for lower interest rate. The loan amount for wedding usually ranges from 1000 to 25000, which caters to most of the needs. If the loan is required in excess to this range then the lender would like to go for evaluation of the property placed with him as collateral. A higher value of the property may ensure greater amount of loan.

Interest rate on secured wedding loan normally remains lower and at reasonable level because of the social aspect of the occasion. The borrower, however, is in a better position to demand a lowered interest rate when his collateral is of higher value. Wedding loan can be availed for a period of 15 to 30 years and the installments are paid on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Lenders approve wedding loans quickly due to the urgency involved in it. In most of the cases the borrower gets the loan within 24 hours. However, the lender may take his time in approving the loan in case the borrower offers no collateral. Such unsecured wedding loan is normally asked by tenants or partly employed people. They too have an access to the loan but with a likely disadvantage. With no collateral offered by the borrower, the lender may offer only a smaller amount and that too at a higher interest. These people can avail desired amount at lower interest rate if their credit record is fine and have financial capacity to repay.

You may require the money immediately; still instead of rushing for the loan it would be beneficial if you compare the interest rate of different lenders online. This enables you in choosing the interest rate that suits the budget.

Wedding loan is perhaps the easiest to avail; still it is a big money. The loan must not turn into a burden. Borrower should search around for better terms of repayments, as the cost involved may be quite high.

Andrew baker has done his masters in finance from CPIT.He is engaged in providing free,professional,and independent advice to the residents of the UK.He works for the Secured loan web site loans fiesta for any type of loans in uk,secured loans,unsecured loans,wedding loans please visit http://www.loansfiesta.co.uk

Wedding Songs

2006-04-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

Woman - John Lennon
Please - Elton John
You're Still the One - Shania Twain
You're My First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White
If You're Not the One - Daniel Beddingfield
Amazed - Westlife
Because it's Love - Kelly Family
Tougher than the Rest - Bruce Springsteen
Forever and Always - Shania Twain
Never Gonna Leave Your Side - Daniel Bedingfield

Pre-wedding parties: to be or not to be?

2006-04-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

Good idea: Have a pre-wedding celebration. Bad idea: Have it the night before your wedding and not enjoy your special day.

Bachelor parties, Stag nights, Bachelorette parties, Hen parties, your last night of freedom…great fun! But beware, there have been many horror stories of Brides or Grooms having “a last fling” or too much of a party, ruining the special day.

Generally the Best Man, Maid of Honour or friends arrange a surprise pre-wedding party for the Bride or Groom. However, this should be taken up with great responsibility and should be planned well in advance and take place well before the wedding. Furthermore, someone should take responsibility for looking after the Bride or Groom until they're safely tucked into bed, especially if there's alcohol involved.

There are no hard and fast rules regarding pre-wedding parties, everyone does things differently. However, the party planner should always take the Bride or Groom's preferences into consideration when making the arrangements and perhaps even ask for their input. Don't divulge too much though, the element of surprise must remain!

For the Groom:

The Best Man is generally responsible for planning the Stag night or Bachelor party. Guys are notoriously more raucous than girls, and the Best Man should put his own interests aside and make sure that the Groom behaves himself and doesn't get into any sticky situations. Although guys sometimes take an oath of secrecy, no Groom wants to get married with the guilt of having that “last fling”, especially when all his mates know about it.
Traditionally most men will opt for what is commonly known as a “booze cruise”. This also normally involves strippers, which should remain a purely visual experience. The Groom's friends should support and stay with the Groom the whole night to avoid any pre-wedding disasters.
If the Groom however isn't the drinking, stripper type of guy, here are a few alternatives:
Have a golf day, if the Groom and his friends are partial to a round every now and then;
Go on a white-water rafting weekend, for guys only;
Go off-road! Try a 4 X 4 or off-road biking day or weekend;
Pack the bakkie and go fishing or hunting;
Do something extreme: skydiving, bungee-jumping or cage-diving;
Go on a road trip!
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that you have fun, but be responsible at the same time.

For the Bride:

Although Bachelorette parties don't tend to be as rough as stag nights, there is the odd exception. Women can become just as out of hand as their male counterparts.

At all the Bachelorette parties or hen parties I've been to, the Bride-to-be is dressed in dishtowels and ballet shoes and other ridiculous attire, and some good old fun is had while she opens gifts brought by her friends. This type of party is also known as a Kitchen Tea and is generally held during the day.

As with the Groom, it is usually the Maid of Honour, Bridesmaids or friends of the Bride that plans and takes responsibility for the party.

Here are some fun ideas for a Hen / Bachelorette party:

Have a themed kitchen tea and dress the Bride accordingly;
Have a pamper party! Visit a day spa with a group of close friends, or have a pamper day at home;
Have a champagne breakfast;
Have a pool party (with some hired entertainment for the more daring);
Host a cocktail party for girls only, and mix up some wicked cocktails. For the more adventurous, hire a stripper, but hands off!
For the very adventurous, have a sex-toy party. It's similar to a Tupperware party, but without the Tupperware;
For laughs, have a karaoke night, either at a karaoke bar or hire a karaoke machine;
Dress the Bride up as a fairy, ballerina, bunny or something fun, and take her for a night on the town! Again, make sure she keeps her hands to herself, lest there be tears on the wedding day.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you have fun as this will technically be your last night of freedom. Do not however think that when you get married all the fun will stop – on the contrary, the party only starts then!

Wedding Dress Tip

2006-04-17T23:11:00.000-07:00

Before you purchase your dress, take it outside and make sure that it looks as fantastic outside as it does inside with the soft lights of the shop.

Wedding Shoes - some shoe repairers can cover/dye shoes to match your dress or, after your wedding, change the colour to something you're more likely to wear again. Make sure they are comfortable. Wear them around the house before your wedding day to help reduce the likelihood of blisters or sore feet.

Bridesmaids - not all bridesmaids are the same shape and size. Consider buying matching material and having them each choose their own pattern to have made. This way they can choose something that is flattering and still look coordinated. Another option would be to set a style guide for your bridesmaids - ie long, black, spaghetti straps, and then coordinate with a coloured bow or neck scarf.

Colour Scheme Tips

2006-04-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

One of the first things to be done of course is to choose the theme or colour scheme for the wedding. My fiancée happens to be particularly conservative in this area whereas I like a bit of colour - I wasn't looking forward to choosing a colour scheme - I thought it would take a lot of negotiating. I mentioned to my fiancée that perhaps we needed to go to a fabric store and look at all the colours to choose a colour scheme we both liked. Immediate reaction from him was a glazing over of the eyes - I'm sure that's exactly what he wanted to do - spend hours in a fabric store looking at 3000 shades of blue, green, red etc etc.

In a moment of clarity I decided instead to nip down to the local hardware store instead and grabbed all the latest interior paint colour brochures. Perfect if you are looking for a modern feel to the wedding and the brochures are already organised in themes including corresponding contrasting and highlighting colours.

When I got home it took us less than 5 minutes to choose the perfect colour scheme. AND he loves it too - as soon as he saw the paint charts he became instantly involved - no glazed eyes!

Also, we now have paint cards in our colour that we can hand out to everyone from florists to cake decorators to the mother of the bride so that they are able to match everything they need exactly to the colour that we want.

MUCH more fun than sorting through reams of coloured fabric at a fabric store.

Mount Nelson Hotel - Cape Town

2006-04-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

Just the Two of Us

With a unique setting at the foot of Table Mountain amidst lush gardens, the Mount Nelson Hotel is the perfect venue to exchange your vows, and celebrate the occasion in opulence and luxury - a truly memorable start to your life together.

Our special wedding package includes:

1 nights accommodation in a Luxury Suite
Preparation of the wedding documents and legal documents
A wedding ceremony in the gardens
A profesional harpist or string duo (your choice) to play during the ceremony
A bridal bouquet and grooms buttoniere
A bottle of sparkling wine to enjoy during the ceremony
A romantic dinner in the Cape Colony Restaurant to the value of R700 (excluding drinks)
A honeymoon turndown in the room, with fragrant flowers and candles
A full English breakfast served in the Oasis Restaurant

Videographer South Africa

2006-04-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.echomedia.co.za/

Edenheim Function and Wedding Venue

2006-04-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Edenheim is an owner-managed venue situated amongst the vineyards on the nothern slopes of Paarl, with spectacular views of the Klein-Drakenstein mountains.
We combine the old-fashioned values of caring and personal service with modern ideas.
If you are looking for a venue which apart from its excellent value for money, also offers quality and attention to detail and individual requirements, Edenheim is the place to be!

Hair & make-up artist : Candice Leigh Arnott :

2006-04-17T11:12:00.000-07:00

I have been a hair & make-up artist in the wedding industry for eight years. During this time I have been awarded second place in the "SPREZZATURA Bride of the Year: Hair & Make-up Artist Catagory".
My work has been recognised on Top Billing, Pasella and Carte Blanche.

A lot of my work is bridal design

I have been a hair & make-up artist in the wedding industry for eight years. During this time I have been awarded second place in the "SPREZZATURA Bride of the Year: Hair & Make-up Artist Catagory".
My work has been recognised on Top Billing, Pasella and Carte Blanche.

A lot of my work is bridal design, this has included everything from wedding competitions to the more intimate informal weddings.

I feel that so much care is taken when preparing for your wedding day that to apply and style your normal make-up and hair will lessen the overall effect on your most important day. You deserve to feel confident knowing that you look fantastic and picture perfect.

Getting the balance right with your make-up and hair is absolutely vital! Too much and you will feel uncomfortable that is why my style is done to suit you. The emphasis being on looking natural but elegant!

The hair and make-up rehearsal (trial) is done between 1month and 1week prior to your wedding day. This gives us the opportunity to meet and discuss your needs. We then work together (your input is vital) to achieve the necessary balance with a flattering style that will last all day and evening. This gives us the opportunity to get to know one another.

On the day itself I will arrive at a pre-arranged time to fit in with you, your photographer and videographer.

"I believe my passion and enthusiasm for my work is a reflection of my talent."

Please feel free to explore my website and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or enquiries.

Thanks Candice

, this has included everything from wedding competitions to the more intimate informal weddings.

I feel that so much care is taken when preparing for your wedding day that to apply and style your normal make-up and hair will lessen the overall effect on your most important day. You deserve to feel confident knowing that you look fantastic and picture perfect.

Getting the balance right with your make-up and hair is absolutely vital! Too much and you will feel uncomfortable that is why my style is done to suit you. The emphasis being on looking natural but elegant!

The hair and make-up rehearsal (trial) is done between 1month and 1week prior to your wedding day. This gives us the opportunity to meet and discuss your needs. We then work together (your input is vital) to achieve the necessary balance with a flattering style that will last all day and evening. This gives us the opportunity to get to know one another.

On the day itself I will arrive at a pre-arranged time to fit in with you, your photographer and videographer.

"I believe my passion and enthusiasm for my work is a reflection of my talent."

Please feel free to explore my website and do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or enquiries.

Thanks Candice

Wedding Dress Designer - Kobus Dippenaar

2006-04-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Kobus Dippenaar's website.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. Well this site and its carefully selected photographs speaks volumes of Kobus' personality, love for his profession and his ability to transform the ordinary into the extra-ordinary.

Browsing through his work you will notice the attention to detail and the focus on making the styling, transform and accentuate the indidual and her unique beauty.

Agape - Wedding Planners

2006-04-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

Agape Weddings
Agapé Wedding Info Centre is a permanent bridal exhibition which is divided into two sections. One section is dedicated to service providers I.e.: Bridal and evening wear, photographers,

videographers, stationers, decor companies etc etc. The other section is where venues showcase photographs of their function rooms with brochures, photograph albums, and business cards.

Agapé Wedding Consultants help guide couples on every aspect of their wedding. We go through venue portfolios and their rates, menus and services. We help budget plan and also provide a Free Bridal pack which contains, all of our client’s business cards and brochures. Also included is an order of service guide, Groom and Best man speeches and traditional or alternate wedding vows.

Agapé Wedding Planners strive to make the perfect dream day a reality. By utilizing the service providers listed at the Info Centre we are able to create a truly magical day. We organize all aspects of the wedding from the venue, décor and minister to the gown, invitations and menu.

Wedding Hair and Make-up specialist

2006-04-17T09:59:00.000-07:00

:: Candice Leigh Arnott ::

How to Get the Groom Involved in the Wedding Planning

2006-04-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

He’s an essential part of the final production, but he’s often a bit player in the planning. Unfortunately, the groom often does not get much of a say in the planning of a wedding—and often, he doesn’t want to. Yet, there are some techniques you can use to help get your groom involved in the pre-wedding planning.

Resist the Urge to Demand -
Getting the groom involved does not mean giving him a “to-do” list. Instead, figure out those areas where he might enjoy participating. For instance, if he enjoys music, you might ask him to select the organist, harpist, or guitarist for your ceremony. The idea is to make him feel as if he has ownership in the event.

Graciously Ask for His Help -
Let your beloved know—gently—that you just can’t handle all the planning duties alone. The wedding plan could represent your first partnership as a couple. Therefore, it’s important for you to let him know that you respect his opinion and would appreciate his input on key decisions. Be sure you both keep good records with wedding planning organizer so you don’t overlap tasks or accidentally miss something.

Begin with Minor Issues -
Deciding where the reception should be held is a big decision, and may require a great deal of contemplation. Instead of taking on the important decisions first, initially concentrate on some of the less daunting aspects of wedding planning. Once you have the minor details out of the way, you can focus on the big picture items together as a couple.

Let the Groom Do Some Surfing -
One task that your groom might want to handle is researching the Internet for information. He can search out a list of reception deejays in your area, find tips on proper wedding etiquette, and search out tuxes for his groomsmen. If your husband-to-be enjoys his computer, this might be the perfect assignment for him to take on.

Don’t Dismiss His Suggestions Out of Hand -
If you have your vision of what your wedding should be, you actually may resent it when your groom offers suggestions. It’s important for you to recognize the fact that it’s his wedding, too, and therefore his input can be valuable in the wedding planning process. So, resist the urge to dismiss his ideas—even if they seem a little far-fetched.

Article By: Michelle O’Connor,

Wedding Vow - Love Poems And Quotes

2006-04-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

Today With My Whole Heart

Today with my whole heart
I pledge to thee
my love and faith
for eternity
to fill your life
with laughter and fun
to stay true to you
my only one
I'll be your friend
in good times and in bad
comfort you
when you're feeling sad
I'll be your star
shining bright
in time of darkness
I'll be your light
I pledge this oath
till the very end
I'll stay with you forever
my love, my friend

- Nisha Myers -

Creative Date Ideas

2006-04-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

Creative Date Ideas: "300 Creative Dates
The World's Most Romantic, Unique and Fun Dating Ideas"

Honeymoon Vacation Ideas can be Economical

2006-04-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

The purpose of the honeymoon vacation is only minimally to live for a few days like extravagant royalty. The real purpose is for and your loved one to have the most beautiful and memorable experience of your lives. Decide exactly how much you really can afford to spend, and spend it all (but not more). It's always good to be frugal, but don't be stingy! After all, this is your honeymoon.

Honeymoon vacations are even more important than your typical week away from work. Do all the planning in advance - and make contingency plans, as well - to make sure you and your spouse will be totally free from stress for the entire occasion.

A travel agent will have an array of honeymoon vacation packages for destinations all over the world. These include a stay at an all-inclusive resort, a rental vehicle, and a schedule of various activities for your entertainment. Since just about everything is included in the price of the package, you can end up paying less than if you had booked it all separately.

A "prefab" honeymoon vacation package will provide some bang for your buck, but there are also some issues to keep in mind. For one thing, there is only so much that can be done to customize the experience to your preferences - and doing this can add to the price. During certain times of the year, the more traditional honeymoon vacation spots can be teeming with tourists and fellow honeymooners. Ask your travel agent for some statistics to help you book a destination during its off-peak season.

Not many people have the budget to fly around the planet or pay the price of hand-and-foot service at a posh resort. There are many ways to create the romantic ambience and enjoy the perfect honeymoon vacation with even the smallest of budgets. For example, everyone seems to associate honeymoon vacations with travel. It's as if there were no romantic getaways within 1,000 miles of anybody's home. That is obviously crazy, since there are probably couples visiting their own honeymoon vacation spots within a few miles of you right now!

Instead of setting your sights on the ancient monuments of Europe or South America, look first in your own locale. In all likelyhood, you can build the ideal honeymoon vacation package without even leaving your state. It won't include the glamour of flying to an exotic, remote island, but all that money you would have spent on plane tickets and passports can go toward even better things.

Marriage Contracts

2006-04-17T06:10:00.000-07:00

Community of Property

The main features of this type of marriage contract are : In a marriage in community of property, all assets/liabilities are pooled and shared equally, irrespective of whether such assets were acquired before or during marriage, unless expressly excluded by a donor or testator. All profits and losses are borne equally. The husband used to enjoy marital power over his wife. This is no longer the case. The husband and wife now have joint control over the joint estate. Contract affecting the assets of the joint estate must be concluded by both parties. Marriages in community of property are governed by our common law. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, like an ante nuptial contract, all marriages are concluded on this basis.

Marriage out of community of property:

The principle features of this marriage contract are: Each spouse retains his or her own assets and liabilities whether acquired before or during marriage. There is no sharing of profits and losses. Both spouses have full and independent contractual capacity. Upon death or divorce, each spouse keeps control over their own assets. A divorce court may of course order the distribution of the matrimonial property along equitable lines. The marriage is governed by a contract known as an ante nuptial contract which is concluded by the parties before the marriage. If the marriage occurred after 1 November 1984, the contract had to specifically exclude the system of accrual. In the absence of this exclusion the rules of accrual will automatically apply.

Marriages out of community of property with accrual:

This type of marriage is also governed by an ante nuptial contract but it includes the sharing of growth in the spouses assets during marriage. The growth in the assets accumulated by both spouses during the marriage must automatically be divided equally when the marriage dissolves on death or prior divorce. The value of each spouse's assets is determined at the commencement of the marriage. On termination either by death or divorce the exercise is repeated and the difference in the growth of the two estates is calculated after allowing for inflation. The rate of inflation to be used is that based on a weighted average of the consumer price index as published in the Government Gazette from time to time. The spouse whose estate has shown the least growth will be entitled to claim half the difference in the value of growth between the two estates from the other spouse.

Spice Up Your Dress

2006-04-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

Victoria Becham's Wedding Dress! Here is just one of the many "stylish" dresses you can choose for your wedding. I personally feel her bouguet is a bit much and the dress maker clearly did not get her measurements right as her breasts are no where to be seen!!!! Oh well at least she has David Becham to go home to! Well even that i'm not too sure about......

Wedding Check List

2006-04-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

AFTER YOUR ENGAGEMENT

Set a wedding date and decide what time you would like it to take place i.e. morning or an evening wedding, thereafter you can decide what time you would like the church service and reception to start.
Select a venue for both your ceremony and reception.
Make an appointment to see a ceremony official to discuss you ceremony procedures; and see if the date & time will be suitable.
Decide on the size of your wedding and make sure that you do check with both families that you have included everybody.
Also decide on how formal you would like your wedding and remember to include this in your invitation.
Start with your guest list, inform the groom's parents of the size of the wedding and how many guest that they can invite. Specify the date you need the final numbers by.
It is important to set a budget and this needs to be discussed with all parties involved and to determine who will pay for what.
It might be helpful if you start a wedding file where you can keep all your notes, quotes and contracts together.
Book your wedding photographer & Videographer.

6 TO 8 MONTHS AHEAD

Discuss honeymoon destinations with your groom and make all the necessary arrangements. *Please do keep in mind that your might need your passport so check the expiry dates and visas.
Select your wedding attendants i.e. bridesmaid(s), best man, groomsmen, flower girl(s), pageboy(s), usher(s) & master of ceremonies.
Select and/or design your wedding invitations, RSVP cards, thank-you cards, order of service, hymn sheets, menu's and gift favours.
Make appointments with a dress designer and select your style wedding dress, remember that if you are going to get a wedding dress made it will require a few fittings.
Arrange dress and suit fittings for our groom and attendants.
Decide on a colour scheme or a theme for your wedding.
Select a florist & décor company and discuss your ideas & colour scheme with them.
Book your hair and make-up artist.
Select music and/or DJ for your ceremony and reception.
find out from the venue if they can do the catering; discuss the menu selections with the chef.
Decide and book a wedding car and remember to arrange transport for your bridal party to and from the ceremony & reception.

2 MONTHS AHEAD

Complete your bridal registry at the appropriate stores and mail this together with your invitations.
Decide on your wedding cake and place an order.
If you do need to order in any extra equipment i.e. chairs, tables or a marquee tent do this now.
Arrange fittings for you attendants.
Assist with any accommodation arrangements for out of town guests.
Start with your honeymoon shopping to get all the bits you need in time, to avoid the last minute rush.
Start shopping for gifts for your attendants.
This will be a good time to do a health check up, make an appointment with your doctor.
Check that all documentation is in order i.e. with the marriage officer, insurance consultant, solicitor, banks etc.
if you have received any wedding gifts at this stage start with your thank-you cards.

1 MONTH AHEAD

If you have any unanswered invitations, follow these up at this stage as you will need your final number.
Contact all the parties/suppliers involved to see if all the wedding arrangements are on track i.e. florist, wedding cake, dress maker, venue, catering, photographer etc.
Arrange a final fitting for your wedding dress
Make an appointment to do a trial run on your hair and make-up.
Schedule a ceremony rehearsal with everybody involved. This will also show the little ones where to stand and what to do and will help you and your groom on the day as well.
Once your wedding dress is completed see what accessories you need to complete your wedding dress.
If you have any personal shopping or honeymoon shopping left to do try and complete it at this stage.

1 TO 2 WEEKS TO GO

Confirm the final numbers with the venue as they need to inform the chef for all the preparations.
Finalise the details with your suppliers i.e. florist, décor, photographer, make-up artist and DJ.
If you would like to place your wedding announcement in the newspaper, contact your local newspaper and make the necessary arrangements.
Confirm all the transport, accommodation & honeymoon arrangements.
Pack for your honeymoon.
This might be a little tricky but you will have to sit down and work out your seating/table arrangements for the reception.
Set-up a program or a running order for the day, this you have to give to your MC, best man, venue, photographer & DJ in order for all of them to know when what is happening.
All speeches need to be prepared and finalised.
Be good to yourself. If you can, take some time off and pamper yourself with facials, pedicure, manicure and massages. This is a perfect way to prepare for your wedding day and to look your best!

1 DAY TO GO

Run through the day with your groom and parents to get some idea of what is going to happen.
Get everything ready that you might need for the day i.e. dress, accessories, shoes, going away outfit etc. – make sure you remember your; something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
Take a nice long hot bath the night before & just relax!

THE BIG DAY!

It is important to have a nice healthy breakfast which will give you the energy you might need, this is overlooked a lot of the times and is important.
The most important is to just relax and enjoy the day – remember to pause once in a while to take it all in as it is once in a life time experience.

Choosing a photographer

2006-04-17T05:37:00.000-07:00

Shooting with the Right Stuff

Your uncle (or friend) will probably use the photo gear he already has. That might be a 35 mm SLR (single-lens-reflex) camera with a couple of lenses. Or maybe a point-and-shoot instamatic model with hopefully a new set of batteries for the flash. His favorite film may or may not be appropriate for a wedding. In fact, he may just buy whatever brand is on sale that week.

The pro has a set of professional cameras, lenses, flash units, and accessories, including back-ups. He knows which lens to use for a romantic close-up, and which one is right for the whole dance floor. He knows how to light a scene and he uses professional film which is perfect for the occasion. White gown, black tux, pink bridesmaids' dresses, red flowers, delicate skin tones -- whatever the subject or the light, the images will look great!

Staying Focused

Your uncle (or friend) may be your photographer, but he's also your guest. At the beginning he's sure to be full of enthusiasm. After a while, however, his attention may wander. Perhaps he'll forget to take a group shot of Table 9 (the in-laws he's never liked). Or be loading his camera when the first dance begins. He has taken on a lot of responsibility, and even if he volunteered for the job he may be burdened by it.

The professional knows what you want, and knows how to get it. He is attuned to the rhythms of the event, including the absolutely essential highlights and the more relaxed, revealing moments. He knows how to gather people for group shots, and make them all look good. He knows when to get close and when to back off. The bottom line is that the professional is a knowledgeable outsider at the wedding, who is there to fulfill your desires without spoiling your fun.

What Comes Next?

Your uncle (or friend) will take your wedding films to his local cheap one-hour mini lab -- maybe at a discount store or a chemist (certainly not a professional lab which produces hand prints to demanding specifications of pro photographers). If all goes well, he will hand you the packets of negatives and prints. Then you're on your own.

The professional takes his film to a professional lab, which specializes in the type of film he uses and which produces exhibition quality hand prints to the demanding specifications of professional photographers. The lab's printer is optimized for this film as well, so color and exposure are true to life. The photographer, working with the same professional lab, arranges and takes care of all reprints and enlargements. Those reprints and enlargements will then be of exactly the same high quality and standards as your original set of prints.

Your wedding takes only a few hours, but you will enjoy the photographs for a lifetime. Why not use a professional photographer who will make them as memorable as the event itself!!

What Kind of Pictures are Right for Me?

Every bride is different; every professional photographer is different.
You want to find a photographer with a style you admire, whose personality complements your own. Finding the right one is an adventure, which leads you to great wedding pictures.
Meet with your photographer and look carefully at his portfolio's. Does he seem to understand your desires and concerns? Often brides prefer a casual, "photojournalist" approach. Mostly candid pictures of unposed activities, taken by a photographer who can react quickly and anticipate the next significant happening. An artistic professional can produce images that are spontaneous, light, and energetic. Even though they look natural, the pictures should still be beautiful, with good lighting and backgrounds. This style captures the feeling and spirit of the occasion with lots of great expressions and interaction.
Although most weddings are done in color, sepia (brown tint) is back in style. It can be done in a posed or an informal style, or mixed. Sepia tinted photographs requires a somewhat different approach to look good, so make sure to see your photographer's previous sepia pictures. It can have a wonderfully "artistic" look. Make sure that you ask your photographer to capture the majority of the events on your wedding day in colour and only selected images in sepia -- you don't want to lose the pleasing colors of the event, such as pink bridesmaids' dresses, red roses, etc.
You may want to consider having video as well as still pictures taken at your wedding. Like everything else, this is a matter of personal taste. Many wedding photographers also offer video, which tends to produce far better results than the typical snapshots -- for the same reasons that the professional takes better pictures. Sound and motion create an extremely realistic record of the day.

Everyone will always want to look at your wedding photographs. And why shouldn't they?

Photographs are very special, and the difference between having beautiful photographs and bad out of focus photographs is all in the choosing of the wedding photographer.
There are a few simple things you should take into consideration when hiring the wedding photographer:
Budget You are going to need to decide just how much of your budget you are willing to spend on your wedding photographs. I would suggest not spending to little as these are going to be the memories you will have as the years go by. Remember that the bad quality prints will be remembered long after the cheap price is forgotten!!
Style Decide on what style of wedding photographs you want. When you look at prospective photographers portfolios, you need to try and picture yourselves in that type of photograph. Ask yourself: "Does this style suite us?".
Experience The experience the photographer has will make a big difference. The more experience he has, the more likely he will be able to take photographs that suit your personalities. The important thing is that you and your partner need to feel comfortable and relaxed with your photographer.
Appearance Your photographer should always be in the "background" of your wedding while capturing everything which is happening in the foreground!
Turn around time Be sure to find out from the photographer how long it will take for the photographs to be ready. A good time is not longer than two weeks.
Your best resource is people you know. Ask around, look at other wedding photographs. Do you like the photos? Are the photo colors bright and clear and are the pictures in focus and dust free? Are the group photos nicely composed? Do the poses look natural and spontaneous? Is there detail in the bride's dress and cake? Would you want that wedding photographs as your own? The photographer's personality can make or break your wedding.

A good experienced photographer is patient, professional, friendly, always smiling. Only this type of person can motivate a large group into action.