Wedding Speeches by the Bridegroom

The bridegroom’s speech is customarily the second of the wedding speeches given at a wedding reception and follows the parent’s of the bride speech. Public speaking is a common fear among many and giving wedding speeches may be just as fear producing as speaking in front of a large group of work associates. Knowing what tradition dictates in wedding speeches will not only aid in producing a memorable speech, but also help to alleviate the stress at not knowing what to say or what is expected.

Wedding speeches given by the groom is an opportunity to publicly acknowledge those who helped to make the wedding a reality. Thanks should be given to family and friends for attending and those who were in the wedding party. If the bride has opted out of giving wedding speeches the groom will be speaking on behalf of the both of them. In this case, it is imperative that he use the word “we” instead of “I” in his speech and to thank those who participated in both wedding parties.

Time should be taken to give special thanks to those who traveled a long distance to attend the wedding and reception. It is not necessary to list each person by name, but if they are comfortable with the attention they may appreciate that their time and effort was acknowledged.

Wedding speeches given by the groom should then focus on his parents. This is the time for him to thank them for their contributions to the wedding and their ongoing support throughout his life. His words need to be spoken from the heart and express his deep affection for his parents. Although most parents know that their child cares for them, the groom publicly acknowledging those feelings at his wedding reception will be a memory his parents will carry with them always.

After the groom speaks to and about his parents, the wedding speeches should then thank those who were in the wedding party. He should introduce the members of his wedding party by mentioning the groomsmen, best man and the ring bearer. Special attention should be given to how they helped to support him during the planning phase of the wedding. The groom should then thank his best man and share with those attending why he was chosen for this honor. He can inject humor by relaying a funny, but appropriate, story about some of their escapades and also take a moment to let the best man know how highly he regards their friendship.

Wedding speeches given by the groom should then be directed to his lovely bride. This is the groom’s opportunity to both publicly acknowledge and let his wife know how much he loves her and is looking forward to spending their lives together. He can also share with those attending how they met and when he first knew that she was the woman he wanted to marry.

It is customary at the end of wedding speeches given by the groom for a toast to be offered to the maid of honor and bridesmaids. The perfect ending to a speech filled with love and thanks could be a romantic kiss given to the woman who is now his wife.

Preparing and giving a speech often causes feelings of stress. Wedding speeches given by the groom are comprised of several traditional elements. Knowing what is expected in his speech may aid the groom in preparing his speech and possibly alleviate some of his pre-wedding speech gitters.

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Have A Seat! Should You Make A Seating Plan For Your Guests?

One question brides face is whether or not to make a seating plan for the guests at the reception. On one hand, a seating plan ensures that your tables are balanced and that everyone at the reception has a place to sit. On the other hand, creating a seating plan is a lot of work that an already stressed bride-to-be may not care to address!

A seating plan is a lot of work. If you decide to go this route, you’ll need to make sure that your tables are relatively balanced, and that guests who come solo feel welcome and comfortable, without feeling like they’re being set up with other eligible singles.

You’ll also need to avoid uncomfortable seating situations. Do not seat divorced parents at the same table, unless you (and they) are certain they can be civil throughout the event. Instead, give each parent his or her own space, and seat them with close friends who can lend support or make a potentially tense situation more bearable.

Resist the temptation to seat the parents of the bride and groom together. While newly minted in-laws may welcome the opportunity to get to know each other, it’s more likely that they will want to sit with their closest friends.

Avoid setting tables close to the venue’s kitchen, if possible. Likewise, avoid seating guests too close to the bar. These “high-traffic” areas make it difficult for guests to enjoy the reception.

If you will be serving dinner, and have offered a choice of entrees, you’ll need to indicate your guests’ menu choices unobtrusively to the wait staff. A symbol on the guests’ name card, or a colored piece of paper at their place setting will work just fine. Alternately, you could seat guests who have selected the same entrée together, to minimize confusion for the wait staff.

Seating plans can be a challenge, but they can also make your guests feel comfortable and create a delightful, enjoyable experience for them.

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Losing A Member Of The Wedding Party

Four weeks before your wedding, a member of the wedding party pulls out. Dresses or tuxedos have already been paid for. What should you do?

Wedding party members can withdraw for a number of reasons. When this happens, make the best of it. Dealing with a withdrawal on the bride’s side can be difficult, because bridesmaids’ dresses are often ordered four or more months in advance. If you want to maintain the symmetry of the wedding party, you’ll need to find another friend who is willing to stand in at the last moment. Be prepared to absorb the extra costs of alterations to the dress. Although it is expected that the bridesmaids will pay for their dresses, a last-minute substitute should receive extra consideration. Make it very easy for the sub to say “Yes” to your call for help.

When you’re thinking about a sub, keep in mind the size of the person who withdrew and the size of your substitute. Substantial alterations can be difficult to achieve and will be expensive, but a talented seamstress can make it work. It’s always easier to cut down a dress to fit a smaller person than it is to make a smaller dress go farther. If your bridesmaids will be wearing shoes dyed to match their dresses, and in the time remaining you cannot make that happen for your sub, take a deep breath and be flexible. Under long dresses, no one will notice the shoes! If your bridesmaids dresses are tea-length or shorter, take your sub shopping and find a pair you can both live with, even if they don’t match the other bridesmaids’ dresses.

If, on the other hand, a groomsman pulls out, the local tuxedo rental shop should be able to accommodate this loss more easily. Let the rental place know as far in advance as possible that your tuxedo rental needs have changed. If the change will be a problem for them, they may be able to draft other options for helping you out.

Among the possibilities for substitutes, family members are your best bets. Siblings, half-siblings, step-siblings or cousins may be more willing to jump into the breach to bail you out than a not-so-close friend. If you’re still having trouble coming up with a sub, brainstorm with the other members of your wedding party. They may be able to generate a list of sympathetic friends who can help out. Likewise, if a member of your wedding party will be bringing a guest who wasn’t planning to stand up in your wedding, the guest may be willing to “be promoted” for the evening.

Losing a member of the wedding party at the last minute doesn’t have to be a disaster as long as you’re willing to be flexible when finding a substitute.

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Steve Martin Weds Anne Stringfield

Comedian and actor Steve Martin, 61, and writer Anne Stringfield, 35, were married in a private, moonlight ceremony in front of about 75 guests on July 28, at Martin’s home in Los Angeles. Stringfield wore a gown designed by Vera Wang and Martin wore an Armani suit. According to Reuters Canada, Martin and Stringfield’s guests were unaware that they were attending a wedding, believing instead that they had been invited to a party at Martin’s home.

Former Nebraska Senator and one-time presidential candidate Bob Kerrey, who was ordained for the occasion, performed the ceremony. Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels was the best man and the bride’s sister was the maid of honour.

Guests included Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson; Diane Keaton; Eugene Levy; Carl Reiner; Martin Mull; and Nancy Meyers. Following the ceremony, the guests dined and enjoyed bluegrass music provided by Hot Rize. Martin also entertained the assembly, playing the banjo on a rendition of “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”

This is Martin’s second marriage. He was married to British actress Victoria Tennant from 1986 to 1994. It is the first marriage for Anne Stringfield. The couple have been dating since late 2002. Only last week, the New Yorker reported that they were engaged. Stringfield previously wrote for the New Yorker magazine and served as its deputy head of fact-checking. She has most recently been published in Vogue. Martin, who is an occasional contributor to the New Yorker, has enjoyed a long career in comedy, and is preparing to reprise his role as Inspector Clouseau in a sequel of the 2006 remake of the Pink Panther.

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Wedding Speeches by the Maid of Honour

There is no greater honour than to be asked to give a wedding speech. Traditionally, only three wedding speeches were given; the parents of the bride’s speech, groom’s speech and the best man speech. Today, this tradition has been tossed to the wind and others are asked to step forward and give a speech, or a long toast, to the bride and groom. Other individuals such as the bride, maid of honour and the parent’s of the groom are giving wedding speeches as well. Since this is a break from tradition, there are no hard and set rules as to what is expected in these wedding speeches. This allows for more creativity, but can also be stress producing if you are unsure of what to say.

If you were asked to be the maid of honour at a close friend’s wedding you may also be called upon to give a wedding speech. Public speaking is a common fear among many. If you are one of these chosen few, you may want to become familiar with wedding speeches and what is customarily conveyed to help relieve pre-speech gitters. By gaining knowledge about wedding speeches, you can craft a speech that is both heart warming and compliments wedding speeches given by others.

Since maid of honour speeches were not usually given, there isn’t a set placement for the speech as those given by the father of the bride, groom and best man. However, wedding speeches given by the maid of honour usually fall before or after the parents of the groom speech. This detail will ultimately be up to the discretion of the couple.

If you have been asked to be the maid of honour and speak at the reception, you may want to start by thanking those that contributed their time to preparing for the wedding. For example, you could acknowledge those who helped decorate the reception hall, helped with wedding invitations or made wedding favours. You would not want to include the officiant, those who made the wedding cake or the caterer, as these individuals will most likely be mentioned in the bride’s parents’ speech. This spoken “thank you” and acknowledgment of their hard work will mean a lot to those who helped to make the wedding a reality.

Wedding speeches given by the maid of honour should then be directed toward the bride. You could speak of your relationship with the bride or mention special times you spent together. If you decide to take your cue from the best man speech and make your speech humorous, steer clear of any stories or anecdotes that may embarrass or humiliate the bride. If you are unsure if a particular joke or story may cause embarrassment it would be best to err on the side of caution and leave it out.

Nearing the end of wedding speeches given by the maid of honour, it is imperative to remember to mention the groom. You can state how happy and in love your friend, the bride, appears to be whenever she is with her beloved or how you knew that he was the “one” for her. It would be endearing to mention what a wonderful choice she made in a husband and that you wish them nothing but love, happiness and success in their future together.

You could cap off your speech with a heartfelt poem that expresses your thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to convey or if you are married, words of wisdom on what constitutes a loving, successful marriage. Before handing over the microphone to the next individual giving wedding speeches be sure to offer up a toast to the next speaker. Although there are no hard and set rules to giving a maid of honour speech, it is helpful to have a guideline to ensure the speech goes smoothly and compliments other wedding speeches.

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Afraid To Plan Your Own Wedding? Call In A Pro!

Weddings can be stressful to plan, especially if you’re not good at planning! Many brides today do not receive the same tactical support from family and friends they may have gotten in an earlier era. Couples are also waiting until later in life to marry, which means that many engaged pairs are working full-time, sometimes far away from the planned location of the wedding. If planning a wedding seems like a daunting task, consider hiring a wedding planner, also called a wedding coordinator, to do the deed for you.

Professional wedding planners are experienced in organising both large and small weddings. They can assist with all facets of a wedding, and can take the pressure off of a busy bride-to-be. Wedding planners are generally familiar with the local venues, caterers, florists, bakers and other service personnel who provide wedding services and can make more dispassionate decisions about what to have, where to have it, and how things should look. They are indispensable if you plan to get married in a far-away city, or are considering a “destination” wedding.

You can find wedding planners in the local phone book or online. Recently married friends may also be able to help. If you need to find one on your own, interview several candidates before you decide who you’ll be working with. Understand clearly what services the planner will and won’t provide. Ask for references and follow up! Talk candidly with the references about their event and their experiences with the wedding planner.

Before you choose a wedding planner, ask about how they keep track of expenses associated with your wedding, how often you’ll receive an accounting, and how you will be billed for the planner’s services. Ask the planner to develop a timeline for your wedding, and use it to verify that the planner is on schedule. For wedding expenses, will you pay the planner, or the service provider directly? If the planner will be paying wedding bills for you, verify with the service providers that they’re being paid.

Budget management is a great benefit of using a wedding planner. The coordinator can help you make realistic decisions that will allow you to stay within your budget. Since they’re more experienced with planning weddings, they can also draft creative suggestions that will make your wedding shine.

The services of a wedding coordinator can run anywhere between a few hundred dollars and several thousand dollars, depending upon what you want the planner to do, where you’re located and how experienced the planner is. If you decide to work with a wedding planner, stay in close contact and make yourself available for decisions as the Big Day approaches. The right planner can make your wedding a joyful event for everyone, including you!

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What To Do About Uninvited Guests

As your RSVP cards come back, you discover that you have more guests than you’ve invited. What do you do about uninvited guests?

Custom holds that the name(s) on the wedding invitation dictate whether the invitee(s) may include a guest or children on the RSVP card. Unfortunately, some guests do not observe this rule, and may include a companion (or their children) on their reply card. If a limited number of guests over-extend their invitation, you may choose to overlook this. If a large number of guests make this same error, your reception costs could increase substantially, or you may find that you do not have enough seating to accommodate your invited guests.

If you are hosting your own wedding, you’ll need to decide whether your wedding and reception venues can accommodate extra guests. If so, and you can afford the added expense, you may choose to overlook the additions and welcome them graciously to your event.

If you are hosting your own wedding, and you determine that you cannot accommodate the extra guests, you will need to inform your invitees that you cannot accommodate extra guests. Do not feel obligated to explain, but if you are comfortable doing so, you may tell your invitees why you cannot accommodate their guests. Some people will not want to attend a wedding alone, and some parents will not want to attend if they cannot also bring their children, so be prepared to lose a few guests in this process.

If your wedding is being hosted by one or both sets of parents, it will be up to them to decide whether their budget can accommodate the additional guests. In most cases, a percentage of the invited guests will be unable to attend, so a few uninvited guests will not break the bank.

If uninvited guests show up at the reception, without having RSVP’d at all, most caterers can make up a few extra plates. Ask the caterer when you submit your guest count how they will accommodate extra guests, should any show up. If you plan to have a buffet dinner, most caterers add a “margin” to accommodate guests who want extra portions, so a few extra guests will not make a noticeable impact on the bottom line.

If your budget is strained, keep a close eye on your reply cards and let your invitees know as soon as possible that you cannot accommodate uninvited guests. With those who show up at the wedding or reception unannounced, you may have to ask your caterer to help you out of a bind.

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Journey Love

My love for you is a journey;
Starting at forever,
And ending at never.

~ by Anonymous ~

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Wedding Cars: Check Out All Options

The details of wedding planning can be stressful for every bride and groom. One of the fun choices that the couple will get to make is choosing from all of the possibilities of wedding cars. While many couples feel that their only option is the standard limousine, there are wedding cars that will showcase the personality and taste of the bride and groom while they ride in style.

One of the most popular, non-traditional wedding cars is the classic car. This could be any classic car that fits into the style of the couple. It can be difficult to find classic cars that are rented out. It is easiest if the bride and groom know someone who owns one or knows someone who knows someone who owns one. Classic cars are everywhere, but often kept safe in a garage. It will take a little homework in order to secure one of these, but it is worth it to make a grand entrance and exit.

Another option in wedding cars is the convertible. The bride and groom can choose to be chauffeured or drive it away themselves. Either way, the convertible is a way that the couple can show off their fun and wild side! Picture the wind blowing the veil behind the bride. It is a stunning site. This is also one of the best options in wedding cars because these can generally be rented by the day rather than by the hour. It can be a less expensive option and the couple may choose to keep the car for several days to enjoy.

It is perfectly acceptable for any couple to choose the classic look of the limousine. This is the standard in wedding cars. This is an excellent option for those couples that want to maintain tradition and are having a simple and classic wedding. This is also great for the bride and groom who want to be able to travel with their wedding party. The limousine is still the classic choice in wedding cars.

For the bride and groom who want the same classic look but want to go beyond the limousine, there are two other excellent choices in wedding cars. These are the Rolls Royce and the Bentley. These cars are known for their beauty and style. The couple will need to hire a chauffer and the couple will not be able to travel with their wedding party, but these two options will make a lasting impression on all of the wedding guests.

There are new wedding cars available that are perfect for the bride and groom with a large bridal party. It has become quite popular for companies to manufacture stretch SUV’s. These are just as lush as limousines but hold more people and showcase an entirely different style. Another option is the party bus. These buses are also decked out with all of the accommodations found in a limousine, but will hold an entire bridal party. This is a great choice for those who want to have a party while they travel. These two options in wedding cars are perfect for the couple that wants to travel with their friends and family.

Any of these wedding cars will fit in with perfectly with whatever plans the bride and groom have made for their wedding. Each of these choices will display a different and unique style!

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What To Do When Your Guests Can’t Get Along

Weddings are meant to be a time for a bride and groom to share their happiest moments with friends and family. But what happens when two people on your guest list don’t get along?

This is a common occurrence for an engaged couple whose parents have divorced. For the wedding guests, the prospect of meeting a former spouse’s new love interest, or standing for pictures as “one big happy family” may be awkward or painful. These feelings can be intensified, especially if the falling-out is recent history, or the breakup was particularly unpleasant.

There are no rules about inviting guests, except that all invited guests should be treated equally. You will be the center of attention on your special day, and your wedding is about the commitment you and your intended are making to each other. While you should not go out of your way to aggravate a nasty situation, do not try to please everyone on your guest list, either. It can’t be done.

Make your guest list with your soon-to-be husband or wife. It’s acceptable and expected to ask family members for help with the list, to make sure no one is forgotten, but who’s on and who’s off are decision that are strictly up to you! If you know you will be inviting parents or close family members who don’t see eye-to-eye, discuss the invitation with them beforehand. Let each person know that you would like to them to share you special day, and ask that they put aside their feelings for the event. Let them know you will understand if they choose not to. Be firm, and do not change your guest list.

You need not choose between your parents or other cherished guests, regardless of the circumstances of history. If you would like both parties to attend, then by all means, invite both parties. It will be up to the invited guest to make his or her decision about whether to attend your event.

Once the guest has made his or her decision about attending, leave it at that. Your wedding is your special day. Do not allow yourself to be upset (or up-staged!) by a relative who will not or cannot put aside old wounds for a few hours. If a close family member or friend chooses not to share your special day, it is no reflection on you and your soon-to-be spouse. It will only change the joy of your occasion if you allow it to.

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No Means No! The Adults-Only Reception

Every bride must decide whether the invitations to married couples will also be extended to the couple’s children. There are good reasons for not allowing children at a wedding reception, but ultimately it is a decision of the bride and groom to allow or disallow children.

If you do not want children at your wedding, make this clear to your guests by addressing the invitation only to the couple. It’s improper to write “No Children” or “No Kids” on the invitation or an insert, however you may indicate that the reception is “Adults Only.” If your guests RSVP with their children included, you may have to let them know personally that the reception is meant for adults only. If guests insist, you may have to be firm in enforcing your policy. Family members can sometimes assist in convincing a reluctant guest to respect your wishes.

If you do not plan to include children in your invitations, you should exclude all children, including those who are part of your wedding party, and infants who are nursing. If you permit exceptions for some children and not others, guests who respected your wishes may be put off when they find some children at your reception. By not inviting your guests’ children, you do run the risk that your invited guests will decline your invitation. There’s nothing wrong with this, if you can accept this risk.

If couples must travel from some distance to attend your wedding and leaving the children at home is not an option, you may consider hiring a sitter to stay with the children while your guests attend your reception. This is somewhat easier to do if your reception is being held at or near a hotel. Parents of children who require a sitter can split the cost of a room for the evening, or the hotel may have a small meeting space that can accommodate children during your event. Your guests can check on their children as often as they feel it necessary, and still enjoy the reception.

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Wedding Speeches by the Best Man

After the wedding ceremony, the wedding party and guests usually attend a less formal wedding reception. This is a celebration where all who attended enjoy a reception dinner, wedding cake, dancing and spending time with the bride and groom on their first day as husband and wife. Few occasions bring about feelings of warmth, love and unity like those brought to the forefront when two people vow to spend their lives together. Being able to capture these emotions in wedding speeches may possibly be one of the high points of a wedding reception.

Traditionally, the father of the bride, the bridegroom and the best man are the ones to give wedding speeches. Today it is common for others in the wedding party to make a speech as well such as the bride, maid of honor, and the parents of the groom.

The first to speak is the father of the bride, followed by the bridegroom and then the best man. Infused with warmth and humor, this speech is often the most anticipated. If done correctly, wedding speeches by the best man are amusing and heartfelt, but remain tasteful as not to offend those present.

In years past, the maid of honor did not give a speech at the reception; therefore, the best man was viewed as the head of the wedding party. It was customary that he would speak on behalf of the wedding party and would thank the bridegroom for his kind words to the maid of honor and bridesmaids. It is also appropriate, if not required, for the best man to compliment both the bridegroom and bride on how wonderful they look and comment on the beautiful bride and how blessed the bridegroom is to have her by his side. Mentioning the overall success of the wedding is customary in wedding speeches by the best man as well.

After everyone has been acknowledged, then the real fun begins. Wedding speeches by the best man must be humorous. This is not only traditional, but it may have been the deciding factor in him being selected as best man. The bridegroom may have chosen him for this honor because he had faith that he could pull off a heartfelt and tastefully humorous wedding speech! This is not always an easy feat as some jokes may not be appropriate for older and younger generations. If the gentle ribbing is good-natured and special attention given not to offend, wedding speeches given by the best man are assured to be a success.

After the humorous teasing and heartfelt sentiment, it is the best man’s responsibility to relay messages and read e-mails from those who were unable to attend the wedding. The bride and groom should review these with the best man before the wedding reception to point out each person’s relationship to them. Wedding speeches by the best man should culminate with him once again complimenting the bride and toasting to the couple’s future happiness.

Wedding speeches given by the best man are often one of the high points of any wedding reception. For the speech to be customary it should contain certain elements. It needs to speak on behalf of the wedding party, be heartfelt and most of all, respectfully humorous.

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Romijn And O’Connell Say I Do

Model and actress Rebecca Romijn, 34, and actor Jerry O’Connell, 33, have married. The western-themed wedding took place on July 14 in 38°C temperatures at the couple’s home in Calabasas, CA. This is the second marriage for Romijn, and the first for O’Connell. The bride wore a white lace Ralph Lauren dress. The groom wore a gray suit.

According to People Magazine, the couple wed in front of about 100 family members and friends in a casual ceremony, and celebrated afterward with a barbecue dinner. Romijn and O’Connell first met in 2004, at a party in Las Vegas as Romijn was scouting locations for a documentary entitled Wet Dreams, about the fountains in that city. The couple announced their engagement in September 2005.

Romijn currently stars in ABC’s “Ugly Betty” and has recently appeared in the X-Men movie series. She is also known for her modeling work in several Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues and Victoria’s Secrets ads, and was previously married to actor John Stamos. They split in 2004 and their divorce was final in 2005.

O’Connell played Detective Woody Hoyt in “Crossing Jordan” which recently ended its six-year run. He also appeared in “Sliders” and “Jerry Maguire” among many other works.

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Love Verse

Love puts the fun in together,

The sad in apart,

The hope in tomorrow,

The joy in the heart.

~ by Anonymous ~

Keywords: Wedding Vows and Sayings, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Indoor or Outdoor Weddings

It’s another of those age-old questions a bride and groom face: indoors or outdoors? Regardless of your rationale, the choice almost always comes down to personal preference. An outdoor wedding may offer an unmatched view or a beautiful setting. It may also offer airplanes buzzing overhead, roadway noises, excessive heat or an unexpected downpour.

The practicality of an outdoor wedding also depends somewhat upon the season of the year. If you live in a perpetually sunny climate, the season may not make much difference in your plans. Otherwise, if you have your heart set on an outdoor affair, your wedding may need to wait for the most opportune weather.

The one circumstance in which you may not have a choice about where your ceremony takes place involves a religious wedding. If you plan to marry according to the customs of a particular religion, the indoor/outdoor question may be academic. Some denominations require that wedding ceremonies be performed inside the church building. In that case, your choice would be limited by the dictates of the denomination. Check with the person who will be officiating to see if there are restrictions on where the ceremony can be performed.

If you have no such restrictions, then the choice is yours. Churches often have a picturesque location for ceremonies. If you can find a place that is large enough to accommodate your guests, and is not negatively affected by wildlife, traffic noise, airplanes overhead or boats on a lake, an outdoor wedding may be ideal. Outdoor lighting will allow the photographer to take pictures of your wedding without having to use a distracting flash, and a beautiful, relaxed environment can make your wedding memorable. If insects may be a problem, citronella torches or other natural repellants may keep the bugs at bay while your wedding takes place.

If you can’t tolerate uncertainty, don’t plan an outdoor wedding. Many things will cause anxiety on your big day, and if you think you will devote excessive amounts of time to worrying about the weather and other elements you don’t control, an outdoor wedding is not for you. Indoor venues protect your ceremony and guests from traffic noise, wildlife, insects, inclement weather and uninvited observers. Indoor venues allow you to schedule your wedding year-round and usually provide some temperature control, so your venue is neither too hot nor too cold.

If you do plan an outdoor wedding, make a backup plan in case of inclement weather. Often, couples choose their reception site as their Plan B if the weather doesn’t come through for them. The size of the reception site and its ability to accommodate your wedding is something to keep in mind as you’re choosing the venues for your wedding.

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Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

After the wedding is over, the real work begins! Thank you notes must be sent to all guests who attended the wedding, and to those who did not attend, but sent a gift.

Pre-printed Thank You cards that match your invitations are fine, but the rules of etiquette dictate that you enclose a personal note to the giver, acknowledging his or her gift. Traditionally, the bride did all of the heavy lifting on the Thank You notes, but these days, many grooms pitch in, especially when there are many notes to be written.

Thank You notes should be written out and sent soon after the wedding … the sooner, the better! Wedding guests may send gifts at any time in the first year of your marriage, so keep a supply of Thank You notes handy if you receive a gift after your wedding. Most guests, however, choose to bring their gifts to the wedding, or send gifts before the big day.

Keep careful track of your wedding gifts. It will make sending Thank You notes much simpler. After the wedding, open one gift at a time, and take notes on a piece of paper, or on the cards that accompany the gift. Note the giver, the gift, size, style, colour or any other information that will make writing a Thank You note easier. Do the same for monetary gifts. If a wedding guest gives a monetary gift in the form of a cheque, do not mention the amount of the gift. Simply thank the guest for his or her generosity. You may include a few words about how you intend to use the gift, but you need not be specific. (e.g. “We will purchase something special for our new home.”)

Writing individual thank you notes can seem like a daunting task when you first sit down, but if you do even as few as ten per day, soon enough you will have worked your way through the entire list. For each guest who attended the wedding, thank them for their attendance, and let them know that you and your new spouse were delighted that they could share your special day. Thank you notes need not be long or unique, but minimally, they should acknowledge the guest’s attendance and his or her gift.

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Choosing a Wedding Reception Venue

When planning your wedding reception, the most important decision to make is where to hold it. What type of wedding reception venue should you choose? What amenities does it need to have? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

First and foremost, check to see that the wedding reception venue is available for the date of your wedding. Find out how many people the location can accommodate, as well as how many parking spaces are available for your guests. It is a good idea to ask about the function centre’s policies should you arrive late or need to stay longer than originally planned. If you are having both the wedding and the reception at the same venue, make sure that additional rooms are available for use as dressing rooms for the bridal party.

When looking at the room for your reception, check for amenities you will need. Is there equipment available for making speeches? If another event is scheduled before your reception, will there be adequate time for the band to set up and for you to decorate? If there are no events scheduled before yours, when will you be able to access the room to begin preparation? Some wedding reception venues will allow you to set up the morning of your wedding, or even the day before. Ask whether decorations are supplied for the event, and get a detailed list of items that will be provided. Don’t forget to inquire whether any kinds of decorations are prohibited, such as lighted candles, fireworks, or confetti.

If your wedding reception venue is outdoors, ask about alternate facilities that are available for you to use in case of bad weather. Keep an eye out for picturesque spots where you can have photos of the wedding party taken, too.

Some wedding reception venues require you to use services that they provide, such as catering and alcoholic beverage services. Be sure to find out about such requirements and the pricing of each level of service. Many function centres can either supply or recommend other services, too, such as a DJ or band, florists, photographers, and so forth. It is also common for a wedding reception venue to have special pricing arrangements with local hotels and cab companies for the convenience of your guests. Finally, you might wish to ask if the function centre offers baby-sitting services, or at least has a room available that could serve as a children’s area.

Keywords: Reception Venues, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Wedding Verse

Love me without fear
Trust me without questioning
Need me without demanding
Want me without restrictions
Accept me without change
Desire me without inhibitions
For a love so free….
Will never fly away.

~ by Dick Sutphen ~

Keywords: Wedding Vows and Sayings, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Disposable Wedding Cameras Enhance the Wedding Experience

Everyone loves a wedding. It is a time for friends and family to come together and celebrate their love for one another and for the bride and groom. The wedding day should be forever immortalized in photographs and so the bride and groom hire a photographer. In addition, the bride and groom should purchase disposable wedding cameras to capture even more moments from the wedding day.

Disposable wedding cameras should be placed at every table. This can be one camera per table, one camera per couple, or one camera per family. It is up to the bride and groom how many disposable wedding cameras to purchase based on the expense as well as the expense of developing. Guests will be thrilled to see these cameras at their reception table and will likely begin snapping shots right away.

The best thing about disposable wedding cameras is that it gives the guests the opportunity to share their view of the wedding with the bride and groom. While the professional photographer is busy capturing the big moments such as the cake cutting and first dance, the wedding guests have the ability to capture more of the candid moments that the photographer simply doesn’t have the time to take. Just as the photographer cannot be everywhere at once, neither can the bride and groom. They will be busy with their guests and fulfilling wedding traditions. The bride and groom will be thrilled to see the candid photographs that their friends and family took with their disposable wedding cameras.

Another excellent reason to purchase disposable wedding cameras is to make sure that everyone is photographed. The bride and groom will want a complete set of memories from their wedding day. The professional photographer will be taking pictures of the families and bridal party, but may neglect to capture pictures of all of the guests. The bride and groom may not realise this right away, but will be very upset later when they realise there is no picture of someone important. Disposable wedding cameras give the guests the ability to take photographs at their own table and almost ensures that everyone’s photograph will be taken. This will be priceless to the bride and groom.

The ease of use of disposable wedding cameras is another reason to include them. They come completely ready to go in a wedding themed package and complete with flash. Once the wedding is complete, the bride and groom can have a collection box for the cameras or have someone collect them to drop them off for developing. The disposable wedding cameras will be developed before the bride and groom even return from their honeymoon!

Keywords: Wedding Cameras, Weddingblog, Wedding
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We Have An Announcement

Wedding announcements are a wonderful way to let friends and family know that you’ve gotten married, especially if you’ve eloped or had a small, quiet wedding. Do rules of etiquette apply when sending out wedding announcements, and if so, what are they?

Wedding announcements are always sent out after the wedding has taken place. Purists believe the announcement must go out the day of the wedding. Others take a more relaxed attitude and state that the announcement should go out “soon” after the wedding has taken place but any time within the first year of marriage is acceptable.

If wedding invitations were sent out, the announcements should match the invitations. Just like wedding invitations, wedding announcements are mailed in a double envelope and are addressed according to the same rules. The wording is similar to that used on the wedding invitation, except that:

The full date of the wedding, including the year, is normally included on a wedding announcement.

Traditionally, formal wedding announcements are issued from the bride’s parents, but if the bride and groom hosted their own wedding and issued the invitations in their own names, it’s perfectly acceptable to issue the announcement likewise.

If the bride and groom issue their own announcements, they can be formal or informal. On a formal announcement, the bride’s name appears on the first line of the announcement, “and” sits by itself on the second line, and the groom’s name appears on the third line of the announcement. These invitations do not “have the honour of announcing.” They just announce.

If a couple announces their own wedding, an “at-home” card is often included, which supplies the address and contact information for the couple. Recipients are never expected to send a gift, but they often send a card with their good wishes for the couple.

Wedding announcements are only sent to friends and family who did not attend the wedding. Additional information about the ceremony, explanations or personal notes are not normally included with the announcement.

Weddings are sometimes announced in the newspaper. With newspaper announcements, timeliness isn’t critical. If you plan to announce a wedding via your local newspaper, contact the paper for guidelines on the information they will need to publish your announcement.

Keywords: Wedding Invitation Wording, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Wedding Cars that Make a Statement

On the day of the wedding, the bride will need transportation to the ceremony, then the bride and groom will ride together to the reception, and finally, they will make their departure after the reception. This should be done in a style that fits the wedding and personal style of the bride and groom. There are many different types of wedding cars to choose from that will make a statement.

When it comes to wedding cars, the standard has been a chauffer driven limousine. This is the ideal choice for a couple that is throwing a classic and simple wedding. It is also one of the least expensive options. For the bride and groom who are throwing an elegant and classic wedding, but want to go one step above the limousine, there is the option of the Rolls Royce. The Rolls Royce is an excellent upgrade from the limousine. It is classy, elegant, and classic. The bride and groom will make a true entrance arriving in one of these wedding cars.

Some couples have a wild streak to their personalities. Even if the wedding will be traditional, the bride and groom can make a big statement by choosing one of these exceptional wedding cars. The bride and groom with a fun personality can choose to drive away in a classic convertible. Everyone has seen the pictures with the bride’s veil streaming out behind her as the wind blows. This is a wonderful choice for the bride and groom who are also on a budget and the car can generally be rented for several days at an inexpensive price. A truly adventurous couple may choose to arrive and depart on a motorcycle and sidecar. Most brides are not this adventurous while wearing a big, white gown, but this will surely make the statement that the bride and groom imagined!

Some brides and grooms choose to travel with their entire bridal party. This has become quite popular and so the demand for larger wedding cars has been met. One of these wedding cars is the traditional stretch limousine. Again, this is for a classic wedding. The couple that wants to make a truly unique entrance may choose to rent a stretch SUV such as an Escalade. These wedding cars will accommodate a lot of people while the guests look on in awe. This is one of the most expensive options and therefore will make that impression. Finally, there is always the option of choosing the wedding bus. This is generally a short bus that is fitted with comfortable seating and upgrades that would be expected for a wedding vehicle. Each of these wedding cars will allow the bride and groom to travel in style with their entire wedding party.

Among all of the decisions that the bride and groom must make while wedding planning, choosing from the options of wedding cars is one of the most fun. The couple can choose a car that befits their personal styles while meeting their specific needs. The choices for wedding cars are almost limitless!

Keywords: Wedding Cars, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Quotation

Your voice makes me tremble inside
And your smile is an invitation
For my imagination to go wild.
~ by Anonymous ~

Keywords: Wedding Vows and Sayings, Weddingblog, Wedding
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Wedding Speeches by the Father of the Bride

Wedding speeches given by the father of the bride, or the bride’s parent’s speech, are traditionally the first speech given at a wedding reception. Of all the wedding speeches given, the father of the bride speech is usually the most touching and sentimental. The symbolic gesture of “giving his daughter away” at the wedding ceremony is often a bittersweet event for a father. Wedding speeches that are able to capture and convey these bittersweet emotions will stir hearts and create a fond memory that will not soon be forgotten. Although wedding speeches should be spoken from the heart, there are customary element