No Veil? Alternatives For Your Hair

Veils are a traditional part of wedding ceremonies in many cultures. European brides first started wearing veils during the time of the Crusades. Women in Middle Eastern cultures have worn veils for thousands of years.

Many modern brides, however, choose to skip the veil, but still want something elegant, decorative and manageable in their hair. The good news is that brides-to-be can find many veil alternatives that look beautiful and complement their wedding attire.

A tiara is a great option for brides who are looking for a veil alternative. Tiaras can be simple or complex, and come in a variety of surface metals. Most tiaras are made of a base metal that is coated with something more attractive. Brides can find tiaras in a variety of colours and styles. Tiaras can be decorated with semi-precious stones, crystals, and filigrees of varying intricacies. If you plan to wear a tiara and also plan to have your hair styled, check with the stylist to determine the styles will best complement your features, and also support a tiara.

Tiaras are usually outfitted with small combs to help them hold onto your hair. Some, however, just sit on your head. Determine how your tiara will be supported, and ask your stylist if he or she needs to make any accommodations for combs or pins.

If you don’t like the idea of a tiara, fresh flowers that match the colour of your dress can make a big impact. The right florals can change the whole presentation of your attire. Make sure that the flowers you choose are light enough to be supported by your hair, and don’t require excessive pinning to make them stay in place. Brides sometimes choose a floral wreath or crown to complement their dresses. As long as the crown is not too heavy and can be well supported, a floral wreath can be a romantic and beautiful option.

Ribbons make a nice, simple addition to your hair and allow you to incorporate the wedding colours into your attire. They usually require little or no fuss, and tend to stay in place by themselves or with a discreetly placed hairpin or two.

Combs also provide a wonderful veil alternative. Combs can be decorated with ribbon, flowers, beads, or lace and make a simple but elegant appearance. They’re far too small to overwhelm the bride’s appearance, weigh next to nothing and make little to no demands upon the wearer.

Feel free to choose something other than a veil for your wedding. The options are endless!

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Bomboniere Ideas for Wedding Guests

Bomboniere are given to wedding guests to thank them for sharing the wedding day with the bride and groom. There are so many options available, that the bride and groom will have a lot to choose from. These are just a few of the bomboniere ideas that are going to be appreciated by all wedding guests.

One of the best bomboniere ideas is to go with the traditional almonds wrapped in tulle. There should be five almonds to represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life. The almonds are then wrapped in tulle and tied with a pretty ribbon. The bride and groom can attach a small card to the ribbon that thanks the guests for attending the wedding. The bride and groom can also choose to put the almonds in a tin. This is a unique idea that stays with the traditional bomboniere.

Some of the best bomboniere ideas are the ones that will help the couple to save money. These often combine the bomboniere with the seating place cards. This can be done in a variety of ways. Many couples choose to put the place cards into small frames. Later, they can mail a wallet sized photograph from the wedding that the guests can put into the frame. This is one of the best bomboniere ideas because it is practical, saves money, and shows guests how much they are appreciated.

Many couples look for very unique bomboniere ideas. If the bride and groom have chosen a special theme for the wedding, then this is a great time to enhance that theme. A beach themed wedding is a great time to give seashell shaped soaps. A heart themed wedding would be the right time to give heart shaped candles or a votive candleholder with hearts on it. The possibilities for unique bomboniere ideas are almost limitless.

The best place to find bomboniere ideas is online. There are options available to fit every style of wedding. It is important to remember that this is a small gift to guests to show appreciation for sharing in such an important day!

Keywords: Bomboniere Boxes, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Having A Hen’s Night?

A traditional duty of the bride’s maid (or matron) of honour is to organise a hen’s night for the bride-to-be. Your mates may have different ideas of what constitutes fun, and they should ask you about what you would like, but if they don’t, be up-front about what you want and don’t want at your get-together.

For example, if you would find having male entertainment at your hen’s night embarrassing or awkward, make that clear to your pals. They want you to have a good time and enjoy yourself before your special day, but may not know exactly how to pull that off. On the other hand, you may be perfectly at home with the festivities your friends have lined up. In that case, just be ready to let the good times roll.

A hen’s night can take many forms, and doesn’t even need to be held at night! A brunch or luncheon with your friends may provide just the break you need from your wedding worries! For a daytime affair, suggest that your pals organise a masseuse (or masseur) for a relaxing massage in place of adult entertainment.

A popular option for a hen’s night is a “Booze Cruise.” Many companies offer such “instant” parties, but your pals will be well advised to book in advance. Also, try to get your pals to schedule your ladies’ night out a few weeks before your wedding. The days leading up to your wedding day will be filled with stress and activities that will make it more difficult to enjoy a little down time with your friends.

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

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What’s So Attractive About Designer Dresses?

Every year, wedding dress designers produce mountains of dresses for the runway, but few of these gowns ever make it into the bridal shops. Nonetheless, designers make names for themselves by their creations. Should you set your sights on a designer gown?

Designer gowns come in a smorgasbord of lengths, colours, fabrics, styles and textures. In most cases, the designers are trying to stand out, while buyers are trying to find something more traditional. Some designer dresses might seem outlandish on the runway; you’ll see “designer” dresses that resemble nightshirts, the most gorgeous dresses you’ve ever seen and just about everything in between. Keep in mind, they’re trying to get their works noticed. What they show on the runway, and what shows up in the stores are often two different things.

If you decide to purchase a designer gown, understand that those that come from the designer will be truly expensive! Brides can expect to pay thousands – or even tens of thousands of dollars – for designer gowns. Most brides don’t have that kind of budget, and knock-offs will provide a similar appearance at a much lower cost.

Choose a look that complements your body style. Keep in mind that most designers aim for the rail-thin models, so unless you happen to be rail-thin, the design you choose may not look the same on you as it did on the runway. Also keep in mind that many major designers choose their models before they design their dresses. After all, it’s much easier to design a dress that looks good on a model when you know beforehand which model you’re working with!

It’s your day, and you can certainly choose accordingly, but don’t spend too much time obsessing about having a gown from a particular designer. Most of your guests won’t know or appreciate the fact that your dress has come from a particular designer, unless you tell them. Even at that, there’s no guarantee the information will mean anything!

The radiance that comes from within is what makes every bride beautiful on her wedding day. You’ll be beautiful to your intended and to your guests, no matter what dress you choose and who designed it.

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Advantages of Sending Save the Date Cards to Wedding Guests

There are many reasons why couples choose to send out save the date cards to their guests. There are many advantages to sending save the date cards and each will help make the wedding process a little bit smoother. Read more about save the date cards

Beautiful

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

Helen Keller

Give Guests the Favor of Disposable Wedding Cameras

The bride and groom have a lot of planning to do when it comes time to plan every aspect of their wedding. This includes major decisions as well as following through with the minor details. One of the most major decisions that the bride and groom will make is to hire a professional wedding photographer. One of the smaller decisions is choosing wedding favors. The bride and groom can make a true statement by giving their guests disposable wedding cameras in order to immortalize their own memories from such a beautiful day.

Wedding favors are there to thank guests for attending the wedding. Choosing disposable wedding cameras is an excellent idea. These cameras can be placed on every table and given to each couple or each family. These disposable wedding cameras will allow the guests to capture the wedding moments that are most meaningful to them. If this is too much of an expense, then the bride and groom can choose to take the cameras to be developed and give guests copies of some of the best pictures. Either option is going to be thoroughly enjoyed by wedding guests.

One of the best reasons to choose disposable wedding cameras is that the bride and groom will be able to see some of the moments they may have missed while attending to their guests or some of the wedding traditions. These candid pictures can be just as exceptional as the professional photographs and carry an entirely different feeling. The guests will enjoy taking their own pictures and sharing them with the bride and groom. Disposable wedding cameras will capture amazing wedding moments.

Disposable wedding cameras are also the perfect option because it ensures that every guest will be photographed at least once. The professional photographer will do his or her best to take pictures of the families and guests, but sometimes someone or several people are not included. This can come back to haunt the bride and groom later. Putting disposable wedding cameras at each table makes it very likely that there will be at least one picture of every guest. The bride and groom will be very thankful for this.

The guests will be excited to see disposable wedding cameras on their tables at the reception. Everyone enjoys taking pictures and a wedding is the perfect time for picture taking. The bride and groom will have photos of moments they may have missed and people that the professional photographer may have inadvertently neglected. That makes disposable wedding cameras the perfect favor to give guests.

Disposable wedding cameras are easy, inexpensive, and fun and will provide priceless memories to the bride and groom as well as the guests. These cameras can be found in special colors and themes that will match with the wedding décor. There really is no good reason to not include disposable wedding cameras at every wedding!

Keywords: Wedding Cameras, Weddingblog, Wedding

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NHL Center And US Olympian Mike Modano Weds Singer Willa Ford

Mike Modano, center for the NHL’s Dallas Stars and two-time US Men’s Hockey Olympian, wed singer-actress Willa Ford in a sunset ceremony held at the Athens, Texas ranch of a Dallas businessman. Modano and Ford invited about 75 guests, who were bused in to the ranch as a group, to witness the nuptials. Only family and friends were invited to the event. After the event, the guests celebrated with the couple at a seated dinner reception, which featured live music.

The bride, whose given name is Mandy Williford, wore a long cocktail dress she designed herself. Mr. Modano wore a beige tuxedo. Teammate Darryl Sydor and former teammate and US Olympian Brett Hull were the groom’s attendants, and were the only NHL stars to attend the event. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, a close friend of Modano, was also in attendance.

Ms. Ford, 26, is a singer and actress, most recently cast in the role of Anna Nicole Smith for an upcoming biography of the late starlet. Ford is also well known for her work on the television programme Dancing With The Stars. Mr. Modano, 37, is a center and former captain of the Dallas Stars. He has played with the Dallas Stars (formerly the Minnesota North Stars) for his entire 18-year career. The couple will make their home in Dallas. This is the first marriage for both.

Keywords: Wedding News, Weddingblog, Wedding

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How to Save Money on Drinks for the Wedding

Weddings are an event where friends and family get together and have a good time! Quite often, these weddings involve liquor. Anyone that has ever ordered a drink knows that liquor can be expensive. With so many guests at a wedding, it is a good idea to try and save money on the drinks!

One of the best options for saving money on drinks for the wedding is to offer limited service. This means limiting the types of drinks that are served. This may include wine, beer, and soft drinks for guests to choose from. Not paying for hard liquor can save a lot of money on drinks at the wedding.

Another way to save money on drinks for the wedding is to offer liquor for a limited amount of time. This may mean offering alcoholic beverages throughout the cocktail hour and dinner, but not afterwards. After the food service is complete, then serving only soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea is perfectly acceptable. It is also a great way to ensure that guests do not drink and drive. This is one of the best ways to save money on drinks at the wedding.

There is a final option on saving money on drinks for the wedding, but it is commonly frowned upon in many cultures and different regions of the world. This option is to offer a cash bar. This means that guests will have to pay for their own drinks. In some regions of the world, this is standard and guests go to the wedding expecting to pay for their own drinks. Additionally, this can be combined with the first option of limited alcohol service. If guests want hard liquor, then they will be responsible for paying for it themselves. This is going to save the most money on drinks at the wedding.

Weddings are so expensive that the bride and groom need to save money in their budget wherever possible. This means saving money on drinks from the wedding. Any of these options will help accomplish this!

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

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How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Invitation

Among all of the decisions that must be made during the wedding planning process, choosing the perfect wedding invitation is one of the most important. Read more about wedding invitations

Honeymoons

Along with the plans for your wedding, you and your spouse-to-be should be discussing your honeymoon. Where you go, how long you stay and what you do are all up to you, but honeymoons can provide a relaxing getaway for a couple after the stress of the wedding day.

If you plan to take a honeymoon, plan carefully. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can pay for the wedding now and delay the honeymoon until after the wedding bills have been paid. Statistics show that most couples who do not take a honeymoon holiday immediately following their wedding don’t ever take a honeymoon. If your heart is set on having one, plan, plan, plan!

Choose a destination based upon some very practical factors: time and money. The time of year will have a big impact on the cost and enjoyability of your getaway, so choose your destination accordingly. The weather and popularity of your desired destination may produce considerable variations in cost throughout the year, especially if the spot is a tourist favourite. If you intend to honeymoon at the height of the tourist season, plan to spend extra cash for everything from food, to hotels, souvenirs and attractions.

Don’t forget to consider the cost of traveling to and from your destination. Flights to out-of-the way places can be a small fortune. A travel planner may be able to help you find good deals, negotiate for better seating or find a less-crowded airport that’s still within a reasonable distance of your preferred destination.

Set a budget for your honeymoon and stick to it! Travel agencies can sometimes find cruises, tour packages and resorts that are all-inclusive. You’ll undoubtedly end up spending more, but at least you have a good starting point for budget planning.

If you’re going someplace exotic, get the proper paperwork for international travel. Do your homework and find out what papers you’ll need for international travel. If you need a passport or visa, allow plenty of time for the application process. Recent world events have introduced tighter travel restrictions and delays for people applying for passports and other travel papers.

Consider having a medical checkup before you depart. Some destinations may require updated vaccinations against certain illnesses, and your doctor may want to add a few of his or her own, depending upon where you plan to be and what you plan to do. Since being sick in a foreign land is no fun, consult a doctor as part of your plan.

Honeymoons may be romantic and fun, but they require some effort! Don’t just take a honeymoon: plan it, and you’ll have much more fun!

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

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US Olympic Women’s Hockey Star Marries Maple Leafs Forward

US Olympic Women’s hockey star Krissy Wendell wed National Hockey League forward John Pohl on Saturday, August 11 in West Roseville, Minnesota. The afternoon wedding and reception included 200 friends and family. The couple were married in the same church that Wendell’s parents were married. The bride wore a white Mori Lee gown with a four-foot train. The groom wore a black Ralph Lauren tuxedo with a white vest.

Wendell played for the US Olympic Women’s hockey team in both the 2002 and 2006 Olympic Games, and may again play for the team in the 2010 Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia. She was also voted the best female collegiate hockey player in 2005 for her work with the University of Minnesota women’s hockey team. Wendell is taking a year off from competitive hockey.

Pohl is a forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs and is also a native of Minnesota. Currently, he is preparing the start of training camp for the upcoming NHL season, which starts in September.

The couple have been dating for seven years, and were introduced by Wendell’s brother Erik, who was Pohl’s college roommate at the University of Minnesota. In lieu of a honeymoon, the couple enjoyed a 10-day holiday in Hawaii prior to their wedding. They will, however, spend a few days at a Minnesota golf resort, prior to the start of Pohl’s training with the Maple Leafs. The couple will make their home in Toronto, Canada.

Keywords: Wedding News, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Tips On Wedding Cakes

Many brides agonise over the cake they plan to serve at their wedding receptions. Cakes are as individual as weddings themselves, so doing a little research and planning can help make your cake special.

The wedding cake is a focal point of a reception. The size of the reception will determine the amount of cake needed to feed all of your guests, so you’ll need to have a good idea of how many guests are on your list prior to finding a baker for your cake. Likewise, you’ll need to know whether you’ll want to save the top of your cake for your first anniversary. This will add expense to the cake, but it is traditional for couples to celebrate their first anniversary with a piece of their wedding cake.

Consult with your baker to determine the cakes that will work best with your reception venue. Your choices may be different for an outdoor reception in 36° heat than they will be for receptions held in air-conditioned rooms. Supply the baker with as much information as possible about your reception venue, since this will allow him or her to make good recommendations for your cake.

If you have your heart set on having a particular kind of cake, and your baker recommends against it, check with a few other bakers for a second opinion. Sometimes, bakers recommend against having a particular type of cake or frosting if they’re uncomfortable with working with that particular type of cake, frosting or combination. Another baker may be able to deliver your dream cake without hesitation. On the other hand, if your second- and third-opinions render the same verdict, consider their advice carefully.

Learn about your frosting options. Your baker will be able to fill you in on the details. Many wedding cakes are frosted with “rolled fondant” or “ready-to-roll” frosting. If you don’t want this type of frosting on your cake, consider something like a buttercream frosting. Be mindful of the temperature, and understand that rolled fondant withstands heat much better than other types of frosting do. If you go with something other than rolled fondant, your cake will need to be refrigerated until just prior to your reception.

Extremely hot temperatures are disastrous for cakes, regardless of how they’re frosted. Likewise, refrigeration can make sugar flowers droop or sag. On your wedding day, if temperatures will be problematic, consider cutting the cake immediately after you’ve arrived at the venue, and turning it over to the waitstaff for cutting and distribution. Some brides choose to serve a separate dessert and give out the wedding cake later. In high temperatures, consider using the wedding cake as the main dessert, and providing less temperature-sensitive goodies later in the evening.

Keywords: Wedding Cakes, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Advance Notice: What Is The Right Timetable For Wedding Invitations?

Brides-to-be are often unsure of the timetable to follow when organising wedding invitations. While there is such a thing as “too-far-in-advance” many brides do not leave themselves enough time to find, print, address and deliver their invitations. Read more about the timetable for wedding invitations

How to Stay Organised When Planning a Wedding

There are so many major decisions and minor details to attend to when planning a wedding. It can become overwhelming. It is necessary for the bride and groom to stay organised when planning their wedding. This can be done in several ways, though some are better than others. It is actually quite easy to stay organised when planning a wedding.

The very first thing to do in order to stay organised when planning a wedding is to find a very thorough wedding planning book. These books include timelines, checklists, budgets, and many wonderful ideas for staying organised when planning a wedding. These books are absolutely a necessity.

The next step to stay organised while planning a wedding is to purchase a ring binder with folders that will fit inside. Label each of these folders for the different aspects of the wedding. For example, one folder should be labeled for the ceremony and another for the florist, and another for the baker and so on. Keep all contracts and receipts in these folders. This will help any bride and groom stay organised when planning a wedding.

Prior to actually making all of those important decisions, brides and grooms will look at examples and samples and be inundated with material. In order to stay organised when planning a wedding, it is necessary to weed through this material and keep only the crucial pieces. This means that all of those bridal magazines that every bride buys, should not all be piled up on the floor. Instead, tear out the pages of products, dresses, jewelry, hairstyles, and articles that are of interest and place them within the designated folders in the three ring binder. This will allow the bride and groom to keep track of all their ideas and stay organised when planning their wedding.

There are also wedding web sites and wedding software that will keep the tech savvy couple organised when planning a wedding. These sites offer everything! The bride and groom can manage their guest list online, keep track of gifts they receive, update their registry, and connect with other brides and grooms about plans and concerns. This is a wonderful way to stay organised when planning a wedding!

In order to stay organised when planning a wedding, the bride and groom must stay on top of their wedding planning goals and milestones. This means ordering the wedding gown with enough time for alterations, ordering the invitations with enough time to get them sent out, and securing all the wedding vendors. This can be quite overwhelming, but with the tips listed above, any couple can stay organised when planning a wedding!

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Choosing the Right Wedding Caterer

Everyone remembers the food at a wedding if it is outstanding or if it horrible! Since the majority of the wedding budget is put towards the catering, it is imperative to choose a wedding caterer that is going to be memorable for the incredible food!

Prior to choosing a wedding caterer, it is a good idea to have a potential menu in mind. The atmosphere of the wedding and the length of the wedding reception will have an impact on the food. This means that the bride and groom need to decide on how many courses and how elegant or simple they would like the food to be. While they may have specific requests, an exceptional wedding caterer is going to have some wonderful ideas for the couple to consider.

Since so much money is going to be spent on the food, it is necessary to interview several potential wedding caterers. This means finding out their credentials, asking for references, and even tasting some samples! Before choosing a wedding caterer, it is good for the couple to ask for possible ideas as well as ask if the caterer is capable of making any special dishes that the bride and groom have decided upon. The wedding caterer should be willing to meet the needs of the bride and groom while also offering suggestions that will make the event more memorable.

When the time comes to interview potential wedding caterers, it is always good to start with recommendations from friends and family, especially if they have been married recently. Some couples are lucky enough to have a wedding caterer as a close friend or family member. This will likely save them money while they have the ability to work closely with the wedding caterer.

It is very important to choose a wedding caterer that will be willing to work closely with the bride and groom. When choosing the wedding caterer, make sure that the contract is completely ironclad. This means that the date and time are specified, the price is outlined, and any payments that must be made prior to the wedding are taken care of. It is also necessary for the couple to realise that the price can change if they decide to change the menu and add or upgrade the food.

As with any wedding vendor, choosing the right wedding caterer takes time. It is not a decision that should be rushed. However, it is also important to consider that the best wedding vendors book quickly so it is a good idea to start the interview process as soon as possible. Remember that the food is one of the most major expenses and one of the most memorable parts of the wedding, so it is imperative to hire the perfect wedding caterer!

Keywords: Reception Venues, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Choosing the Perfect Wedding Celebrant

The majority of time spent wedding planning is focused on the reception. It is important to remember that the whole reason for the day is for the bride and groom to recite their vows and pledge their love to one another. A lot of thought should go into planning the ceremony as well. One of the most important decisions is choosing the right wedding celebrant. There are a few guidelines to follow in order to choose the perfect wedding celebrant.

It will be easy to choose the wedding celebrant if the bride and groom will be getting married in a church. The couple may have a choice between a few people in the church that are ordained to perform wedding ceremonies. Other churches will only have a single person that performs weddings. It is up to the couple to decide whether this person is the right wedding celebrant. If the bride and groom feel uncomfortable with the celebrant or the church prerequisites for marriage, then they should consider getting married in a different church. It is very important to be comfortable with the wedding celebrant.

Many couples are choosing to get married in locations other than a church. It is quite popular to have an outdoor wedding. This requires choosing a wedding celebrant that is available on the wedding day and is a good fit with the couple. Some religions will allow wedding celebrants to perform a wedding outside the church, and others are very strict about the vows being said in the church. If the couple is religious but really wants an outdoor wedding, then it is good to find out their church’s rules on this situation.

When the wedding is not going to have a religious connotation, then the bride and groom need to choose a wedding celebrant that suits their personal style and the atmosphere they want to create on their wedding day. This means that if the ceremony is going to be very serious, then the couple needs to choose a wedding celebrant that will adhere to this. If the couple is fun and loving, then they need to choose a wedding celebrant that gives off the same fun and loving vibe. This will make the couple comfortable with the wedding celebrant they choose.

When the time comes to choose a wedding celebrant, the bride and groom should interview several people. This ensures that they will find someone that is perfect for their ceremony. This is a once in a lifetime day and choosing the right wedding celebrant will make the ceremony that much more memorable!

Keywords: Wedding Celebrants, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Wedding Speeches Etiquette

A wedding is one of the most beautiful of ceremonies where two people commit their lives to one another. To “love honour and cherish till death us do part” are vows exchanged before the loving couple begin their lives together. Many hours, days and often months are spent in preparation for the big occasion. The couple strives to make it a day to remember. Much thought is given to every detail to ensure perfection from the wedding invitations, wedding dress, wedding speeches, bride’s maid’s dresses, tuxedos, flower girl, ring bearer, wedding cake, and choice of reception hall.

If planning the perfect wedding without the aid of a wedding planner, it is imperative to become informed about wedding etiquette. A traditional wedding ceremony follows a prescribed format such as the ushers seating guests in the bride or groom section of the church, the flower girl delicately tossing flowers down the isle to the officiant, followed by the groomsmen escorting the bridesmaids to the front of the church to stand side by side, behind and to the side of the bride.

The formal wedding ceremony usually culminates with a more informal reception. The reception is an occasion for celebration. Friends and family of the couple gather together to enjoy a meal, dance, partake of the wedding cake, and toast to the couple’s future happiness. Although the reception is an informal occasion set aside for the couple to celebrate with their family and guests, there is a certain prescribed etiquette for wedding speeches.

Traditionally, there are three accepted wedding speeches given at the wedding reception. These wedding speeches include the brides’ fathers’ speeches, the bridegrooms’ speeches and best mans’ wedding speeches. It is not customary for other wedding speeches to be given, however, they are permissible and often welcomed. The bridegroom’s father may take this time to give a short speech thanking everyone who participated in assisting the couple with their wedding and reception. Along with the best mans’ speech, the bride may want her maid of honour to give a speech as well.

First, the father of the bride is asked by the best man to propose a toast to the health and happiness of the bride and groom. Before the father of the bride gives the toast, he would first welcome the groom and the groom’s parents into the family and say a few words about his daughter. Wedding speeches given by the father of the bride are often bittersweet as the father reflects on his daughter’s life to the present and the emotions he feels regarding giving away his “little girl”.

Wedding speeches given by the bridegroom follow that of the father of the bride. The bridegroom should take this opportunity to commend his parents for their love, support and providing him with the best start in life. He should also thank everyone for attending the wedding and for the gifts that were given. If anyone was unable to attend due to illness, the bridegroom should take the time to include in his speech his sympathies and wish for his or her speedy recovery. The conclusion of wedding speeches given by bridegrooms should include a toast to the bridesmaids with a small token gift given to show appreciation.

The best man should give the last of the wedding speeches. It is his responsibility to toast on behalf of the bridesmaids and the speech should be warm, humorous and light hearted. The wedding speeches given by the best men are often viewed as the high point of the evening and their ability to potentially pull this off may be the deciding factor on who is chosen for this honour.

Wedding speeches are a form of a toast given to wish the couple well as they start their lives together. If spoken from the heart, these speeches are bound to cause a few tears and leave smiles on many faces.

Keywords: Wedding Speeches, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Setting a Honeymoon Budget

Unless a couple or their parents are independently wealthy, it is likely that they will be working within a budget during wedding planning. Some couples choose to include the honeymoon budget within the entire wedding budget, while other couples choose to set an entirely separate honeymoon budget. Setting a honeymoon budget is easy when everything is accounted for and money is properly allocated.

Setting the honeymoon budget can be done in one of two ways. The couple can figure out how much total money may be spent on the honeymoon, or they can do preliminary research to find out the costs of everything they want from their honeymoon and strive to reach that goal. This can prove problematic if the goal is not reached and arrangements have already been made. This makes it the best idea to set the honeymoon budget prior to making any arrangements.

The honeymoon budget must include all major necessities. This means that the honeymoon budget should include travel, lodging, food, recreation, and spending money. The majority of the budget will likely go towards lodging since hotels are quite expensive. Airfare can be found cheaply or can be expensive, so it is good to comparison shop.

Just like setting the wedding budget, there is a certain amount of give and take that the couple will need to decide upon. Perhaps they don’t mind a cheaper airline in exchange for a lobster dinner. They can move money around accordingly so that the most important parts of their honeymoon are memorable.

When planning the honeymoon budget, it is a good idea to set up a tentative itinerary that includes places to visit and restaurants to eat at. Food can become quite expensive, so it should be calculated into the honeymoon budget accordingly. It is nice to have expensive, romantic meals while on the honeymoon. Spending money should also be calculated, however, this is the most subject to change. Impulse shopping is quite common for couples on their honeymoon, even if it exceeds the honeymoon budget.

The honeymoon budget should also include necessities such as a passport and visa if one is needed. It should also include for any physicals or inoculations that may be required by the country where the honeymoon will occur.

The honeymoon budget should be thought about early. It is a good idea to set the honeymoon budget at the same time as the wedding budget in order to make sure that enough money is put away for a romantic and exciting honeymoon!

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Being Deeply Loved

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage.

~ by Lao Tzu ~

Keywords: Wedding Vows and Sayings, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Plastic Noodle Bomboniere Boxes

There are few occasions in your life that will be forever etched in your memory. One of these memorable occasions is your wedding. In order to make it a “day to remember” for a lifetime, every detail should be carefully scrutinized to ensure that it is unforgettable, not only for you and your beloved, but also for those who attended and participated in your wedding.

Planning the perfect wedding can take many months of hard work, but it is truly a “labour of love”. There are few occasions where it is crucial that everything is impeccable and the word “adequate” with regard to even the smallest of details is just not acceptable. It is important, especially if you do not have a wedding planner, to become knowledgeable about wedding “do’s and dont’s” to insure your wedding meets and exceeds your grandest expectations. One important element that should not be overlooked when planning your wedding, be it traditional or non-traditional, are the purchase of bomboniere boxes to be lovingly given to all those special people who shared this momentous of occasions with you and your beloved.

Traditionally, bomboniere boxes contained five sugared almonds that had symbolic meaning. These almonds represented health, happiness, fertility, long life and wealth in the couple’s lives together as man and wife. Today, other gifts or “favors” are placed in bomboniere boxes such as colourful and delicate dried flowers or individually wrapped chocolates. The gift or wedding favor placed in bomboniere boxes can reflect your unique personality and style. However, the most important aspect of bomboniere boxes is that it conveys to your guests that their presence at your wedding was appreciated and acknowledged.

In more traditional weddings, organza bags and tulle rounds bomboniere boxes are common favourites due to the fabric’s resemblance to tulle wedding veils and metallic or sheer organza wedding gowns. If you desire bomboniere boxes that compliment a non-traditional wedding or ones that are made of sturdier material, than plastic noodle bomboniere boxes may be exactly what you are searching for.

Plastic noodle bomboniere boxes resemble Chinese take-out boxes, but with considerable more flare. Depending on the colour scheme decided for your wedding, there is bound to be plastic noodle bomboniere boxes in the perfect colour to compliment your wedding décor and style. From clear plastic, to coloured or tinted coloured plastic bomboniere boxes, the selection and array to choose from is virtually endless.

These stylish bomboniere boxes can add an extra touch of elegance to the place settings at your wedding reception dinner or they can be set on a table to be taken by the guests either as they enter or leave the wedding reception. Plastic noodle bomboniere boxes not only add a bright splash to your wedding décor, but also lovingly convey your appreciation to those who attended your special day. Regardless of what style is best suited to your unique taste, bomboniere boxes are essential elements to a well-planned and thoughtfully executed wedding.

Keywords: Bomboniere Boxes, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Spice Girl Melanie Brown Wed Secretly In June

Melanie Brown, also known as “Scary Spice” of the Spice Girls was wed in a secret ceremony on June 6 of this year. The 32 year-old singer and her fiancé, film producer Stephen Belafonte, married in a “drive-thru” ceremony at the Special Wedding Memory Chapel in Las Vegas.

The couple have known each other for seven years, although media reports indicated that they had only dated for a short time. Brown wanted news of the nuptials to be kept quiet to avoid public criticism surrounding her battle with film star Eddie Murphy regarding the paternity of her four month-old daughter, Angel Iris.

Brown, a singer with the newly reunited Spice Girls, has been married once before, to dancer Jimmy Gulzar, and has one daughter, Phoenix, from that marriage. Belafonte, whose real name is Stephen Stansbury, was also married briefly in 1997.

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Bridal Veils To See or Not To See

The custom of wearing a bridal veil was introduced to Europe by returning Crusaders. A would-be husband would barter with the father of the bride-to-be for his daughter. When a deal was struck, the bride was wrapped in a veil until after the wedding ceremony was over. Prior to that, brides wore their hair down during a wedding ceremony.

Today, a bridal veil is a customary part of a bride’s wedding ensemble, but it can take many forms. Many brides choose to skip the veil altogether and opt for flowers or other decorations.

You can find ready-to-wear veils in most bridal shops. The basic veil can be made with one, two, or three layers of material, usually tulle. The veil can be trimmed with satin, silk or lace, and can also include crystals, rhinestones or gems, embroidery or a number of other embellishments.

Veils come in a variety of lengths, including shoulder, elbow, fingertip, and cathedral length veils. Customized cuts, such as cascades, angel cuts and mantillas can provide additional length options.

Most manufacturers also offer different fullness options. A 72-inch width is standard for bridal veils. Extra-full veils have a width of 108″. Length and width are independent, so you may have an extra-full shoulder length veil or a standard width cathedral veil.

Regardless of length and width, many veils include a blusher, which is a second layer designed to cover the bride’s face before the ceremony. Once the ceremony begins, the blusher is pulled back over the bride’s head to reveal her face.

A third layer will add weight to the veil, so many vendors make the longest layer detachable. Having a detachable third layer, would allow you to keep your veil on during the reception and improve your ability to move.

A veil will have a decorative, circular crown and a built-in comb to hold the veil on to the bride’s head. If you’re having your hair done on the day of your wedding, bring the veil along so the hairdresser can show you how to put on your veil without disturbing your hairstyle.

There’s no requirement that you wear a veil, and in future posts, we’ll look at veil alternatives.

Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Serving Alcohol At Your Reception

Yet another question that must be answered when planning a wedding is whether or not alcohol will be served at the reception. As with other elements of your wedding, the decision to serve alcohol is strictly yours, but serving alcohol will add expense to your bottom line, so you’ll need to budget accordingly.

In a location like a hotel, restaurant or hall, verify that the venue has a proper license to serve alcohol. In some cases, the venue may be able to secure a temporary license, if it does not normally serve alcohol, except in dry communities, where no alcohol is served.

Serving minors is always a no-no, if alcohol is served in a public place. Likewise, the hours during which minors may be present when alcohol is served may impact your reception. The laws regarding the service of alcohol to minors in a private home are different. If you plan to have a reception in a private home, check the law (and ask a minor’s parents first!) before serving alcohol to an underage person.

How much alcohol you should provide is always up for debate. Generally, an acceptable rule of thumb is one alcoholic drink per person per hour over the course of five hours. Multiply your adult guest count by 5 and that will produce the number of drinks you’ll need for the evening. This rule assumes one type of alcohol per drink. Martinis, for example, consist of gin and vermouth or vodka and vermouth, so some cocktails will alter your calculations a bit.

A “full bar” would contain beer (draught or bottled), wines (both whites and reds), Champagne, Vodka, Scotch, Bourbon, Whiskey, Rum, Vermouth (both dry and sweet), Rum and Tequila. Additionally, a full bar will have various mixers and juices, as well as a supply of non-alcoholic drinks and water for guests who don’t drink alcohol.

Consult with the venue about the amount of alcohol you should supply. If you plan to have your reception in a private home, consult a bottleshop for information on how much alcohol you should provide for your guests, the mixers and other supplies you’ll have on hand.

One advantage of having a reception in regulated premises is that the staff will keep track of guests who have had too much to drink. A responsible person may not serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated guest and may ask a guest in that state to leave. If you plan to have alcohol at your reception, also make a plan for guests who are too intoxicated to drive themselves home. Drink driving is a serious offence, and an arrest or accident involving one or more of your guests would provide an unhappy ending to what should be a beautiful evening.

Keywords: Reception Venues, Weddingblog, Wedding

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What Is Your Name

Weddings are a time for friends and family to gather and celebrate a new beginning. As part of the celebration, a reception for the newly married couple may be small and intimate, but frequently, the reception includes many guests. If you’re planning a large wedding, it’s a good bet that many of your guests won’t know each other, or will bring companions who are unfamiliar to you.

A newer trend in wedding receptions is to supply guests with name badges to wear during the reception. When it comes to name tags, don’t think about the hand-written “Hello, My Name Is… ” variety you get at conferences and workshops, but rather lapel pins with the guests’ first names, to be worn while mixing and mingling with the rest of the crowd.

Supplying name tags, pins or buttons is a nice idea, when you are hosting many guests. Attendees don’t need to feel uncomfortable asking for names, or struggling to remember names of friends or distant relatives they haven’t seen in years.

Pin-on buttons can be manufactured easily in the weeks before the wedding. You can laser-print the guests’ names on coloured paper that coordinates with the wedding theme, if you want to make them yourself. The supplies are relatively inexpensive and within a few hours, you can have them assembled.

Pins can be distributed at the reception, or set at the guests’ tables, if you have a seating plan for your guests. The pins don’t need to be large, and guests may appreciate the reminder, especially as the night goes on. Female guests who wear strapless dresses may find them to be a challenge, however. Depending upon the design and the size of the button, they can serve as a small wedding souvenir for your guests.

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NBA Star Yao Ming and Ye Li Wed in Shanghai

7-foot-6 center Yao Ming of the NBA’s Houston Rockets and Ye Li, a 6-foot-2 player for the Chinese women’s national team, were wed in Shanghai on Monday, August 6. The wedding ceremony on Monday was held at the Shangri-La hotel in Shanghai and was attended by about 70 family members and close friends.

Members of the press were not allowed at the wedding, and the couple did not grant interviews after the ceremony. The couple exchanged rings during the ceremony, and also offered tea and flowers to their parents as a symbol of their gratitude. They also shared a wedding cake. Ye wore a multi-coloured long silk dress with a large floral print and cap sleeves and Yao wore a gray suit.

Yao and Ye met eight years ago and have dated since that time, although their romance was not made public until the 2004 Olympics in Athens, when they were photographed holding hands. The couple held a more public celebration of their wedding by hosting a 10-course reception dinner on Thursday, August 9, at the Grand Hyatt Beijing for teammates from both the men’s and women’s Chinese national teams. No members of the Houston Rockets attended the Beijing reception. According to Yao’s publicist, the couple will host a second reception when Yao returns to Houston to begin practice for the upcoming NBA season.

The wedding was expected, since the couple were spotted at picturesque Taihu Lake in Lin’an, Zhejiang Province in late July taking official wedding pictures. The couple were issued a marriage license at that time. In those pictures, the bride wore a traditional Western-style white off-the-shoulders wedding gown with a lace bodice and a long white veil. Yao wore a traditional Western-style black tuxedo.

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Giving a Wedding Toast

Wedding speeches are basically a long toast to honour the bride and groom and wish them health, happiness and success as they begin a new chapter in their lives. If you have been asked by the couple to give a speech at their reception, it is just as important to know how to make an appropriate toast as it is to craft wedding speeches.

A toast generally concludes wedding speeches and should sum up your speech by offering a fitting quote, words of wisdom or a touching poem. Your glass should be raised in your hand to about the height of your shoulders. Make sure to wait to give your toast until all the glasses have been filled. This is traditionally performed by the bride’s glass being filled first, then the grooms, maid of honour, the rest of the wedding party, the parents of the bride and groom and finally the best man.

Once everyone’s glass has been filled, this is when the toast is to be given in wedding speeches. Keep it short and sweet, as the wedding speeches themselves should only be approximately 3 to 5 minutes long. At the end of the toast, make an indication for the guests to raise their glasses and to repeat your well wishes for the newlyweds or another individual for whom you are giving a toast. An example would be “Please join me as I send out a heartfelt thank you to those in the wedding party who helped to make Hannah and Todd’s wedding a day to remember; to the wedding party” at this point the guests will respond in kind, “To the wedding party.” Clink your glass with those in attendance around you and take a drink from your glass.

When giving a toast in wedding speeches it is customary for those receiving the toast to not drink from their glass, stand up or raise their glass. Traditionally they will smile or in someway acknowledge the individual giving a toast on their behalf. Wedding toasts can be given with a variety of beverages such as wine, champagne, or a mixed drink. However, coffee, tea and water are never used.

Wedding toasts are generally given during wedding speeches, but they can be performed separately as well. If wedding toasts will be given apart from the wedding speeches, they follow a traditional order. First there is a toast to the bride and groom by a relative or close friend, a toast to the bridal party by the bride and groom, a toast to the bridal party by the best man, a toast offered to the bride’s parents, a response and a toast from the bride’s parents, a toast made to the groom’s parents and finally a response to the previous toast from the groom’s parents. If another toast were to be given by others in the wedding party, family member or invited guest, it would follow the toast by the groom’s parents.

Wedding toasts are usually given during wedding speeches. However, the bride and groom may request that they be given separately. These toasts are an integral part of a wedding reception and have a prescribed format. Becoming knowledgeable about wedding toasts and how and when they are to be given will help you give the best toast possible if asked to give a wedding speech.

Keywords: Wedding Speeches, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Wedding Programmes

Many couples now opt to include wedding programmes or order of service cards in their ceremonies. A wedding programme lets guests know the order of events and identifies the members of the wedding party, the officiant, and music.

The wedding programme can be professionally or informally printed. One advantage of professional printing is that the programme can be designed to coordinate with the theme and colours of the wedding, wedding invitations and other stationery.

A wedding programme does not have to be complicated. It can consist of a single sheet, or several sheets bound in booklet format. Single-sheet programmes can be folded in half to produce a booklet or can be folded twice to create a brochure-type display. The programmes can also be printed on card stock to provide more structure to the programme. Single sheet programmes can be rolled and tied with a ribbon. If you plan to roll your wedding programme, avoid using card stock, as it will resist rolling.

Wedding programmes are usually made closer to the wedding date. This allows the couple to make an accurate estimate of the number of programmes needed and capture any last-minute changes to the ceremony or wedding party. You will not need a programme for each guest, since many couples will share a single programme. You will want to set aside a few extras, however, for keepsakes and mementos.

Ushers or family members can distribute wedding programmes as guests arrive, or the programmes can be placed in a basket near the entrance to the venue so guests can pick one up as they make their way to their seats. If your wedding takes place in a church or other house of worship, you may place your programmes in the pews or on the seats prior to the guests’ arrival.

A wedding programme or order of service card can be a simple, meaningful addition to your wedding ceremony and lets your guests know what to expect during your wedding ceremony.

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Centers Of Attention

Centerpieces for reception tables provide an opportunity for brides to be very creative. Centerpieces can be comprised of expensive, inexpensive, festive, colourful, fragrant, exotic or ordinary items that complement wedding colours or themes. Few rules apply to the centerpieces, except those imposed by the venue itself.

For an elegant look, fresh, silk or dried floral arrangements work well. If you go this route, make sure the flowers are placed in a well-balanced container that will not tip over during the reception. Be mindful of the height and width of the arrangement, as large bouquets may obstruct the guests’ view of each other when seated at the table. Equally elegant are centerpieces made from blooming potted plants. Normally, these plants are available from florists or garden shops in pre-wrapped pots. Re-wrap the pots in coloured fabric, foil, cellophane or Mylar wrapping that complements the colour theme. You can find this kind of wrap at florists, craft and garden shops.

Candles also make an elegant centerpiece, but many venues discourage or prohibit their use. If your venue allows candles, consider floating a few small candles in a dish of clear or coloured water. Polished stones at the bottom of the dish will add visual interest to the display.

For a festive look, consider helium-filled balloons held down with weights wrapped in coloured fabric, foil, cellophane or Mylar wrapping. Six to eight balloons per table make a lively display. The strings or ribbons should be long enough to allow the balloons to float well above the table, so as not to obstruct guests’ views of each other while seated for dinner. Table scatters that complement the wedding colours or theme will make a great addition to a balloon centerpiece. Some brides also create floor-to-ceiling balloon columns or archways within the reception venue.

An ice bucket with bottles of champagne and toasting glasses can also be used as a centerpiece. You may also wish to include a bottle of sparkling grape juice or sparkling cider for guests at the table who do not drink, or for small children who accompany their parents to the reception.

Fruit baskets, trays of cut fruit with yogurt or cream dips, crackers and cheese, bread baskets and other appetisers can be used as centerpieces for your guests. Your guests will appreciate edible centerpieces, especially if there is a delay between the wedding and the reception.

As long as your centerpieces conform to the venue’s rules, the reception is a great place to show off your creative side and share your personality with your guests.

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Bomboniere Boxes Crafted in a Variety of Hues and Colours

Your wedding will be an occasion remembered for a lifetime. Due to the significance of this monumental event, every detail needs to be perfect. When planning your special day it is important to determine a “theme” or style for your wedding. Do you want a traditional or non-traditional wedding? If you desire a non-traditional wedding, will it be held indoors or outdoors? Once you have determined what type of wedding you are aiming to create, you can then decide on a dress, the wedding venue, and where the reception will be held that best compliments your vision.

Along with the obvious decisions and purchases, such as your wedding dress and cake, there are other details that need to be attended to as well. Just a few of these decisions and purchases are wedding invitations, flowers, bomboniere boxes, the reception meal, and hiring wedding cars.

Regardless if you decide on a traditional or non-traditional wedding, bomboniere boxes are a purchase that should not be overlooked as they convey your gratefulness to all those important people who made your wedding day special. Bomboniere boxes are better known as wedding favors or small gifts thoughtfully given to your wedding guests.

The tradition of giving bomboniere boxes dates back hundreds of years and was common amongst European aristocrats. These wedding favors began as small trinket boxes made of precious stones, crystal and porcelain. The bomboniere boxes held sugar cubes and other confections. Amongst royalty, the sugary confections symbolized wealth and royalty. Throughout the years, sugar decreased in price and then everyone could afford to give these gifts to those who attended their wedding.

Today, bomboniere boxes are designed in numerous forms and are constructed of various materials. Not only are bomboniere boxes designed in different forms using differing materials, but they also come in an array of colours. Although the traditional wedding colours of white, ivory and cream remain, there are a plethora of bomboniere boxes in every imaginable colour to choose from. No matter the style or theme of your wedding, there are bomboniere boxes to compliment your décor.

If your taste leans toward the dramatic, there are gold and silver bomboniere boxes that would adhere to your particular style. In keeping with a more demure and understated motif, bomboniere boxes are available in powdered shades of pink and blue. If bright colours are more in keeping with your personality, there are bomboniere boxes of every imaginable colour from orange, red, yellow to neon green. There are Bomboniere boxes that will accent whatever colour scheme you chose for your wedding.

Your wedding day will be an occasion that you will remember for a lifetime. It is not only customary, but also thoughtful to give bomboniere boxes to those who attend your wedding and help to make your day special. Today, bomboniere boxes are crafted in a variety of styles and colours using various materials. There are bomboniere boxes in the perfect hue and colour to compliment any colour scheme you have carefully chosen for your wedding.

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Wedding Speeches Given by the Parents of the Groom

Customarily the father of the bride, groom and the best man, only gave wedding speeches. Today, this tradition has been cast to the wind as others have opted to step up to the microphone and give wedding speeches as well. Other wedding speeches that have been added to the agenda are speeches made by the bride, maid of honour and parents of the groom.

It is no longer acceptable to only allow the parents of the bride to wish the couple well and to share their fondest memories of their child with those attending the wedding. Parents of the groom want to participate in giving wedding speeches and they have certainly earned that right.

Wedding speeches given by the parents of the groom can begin by making a toast to the previous speaker. Since this speech was not usually given it falls in no particular order such as wedding speeches given by the parents of the bride, groom and best man.

Typically, it will be given after, before or in-between speeches given by the bride and maid of honour.

After the toast, it is appropriate to thank those who attended the wedding. At this point, the other speakers have already acknowledged those in attendance. However, a special mention could be sent to those who traveled long distances to attend the wedding from the groom’s side of the family. If the bride’s family acknowledged contributions made from the groom’s family, wedding speeches given by the parents of the groom could respond likewise. This would also be the perfect opportunity to bond the two families into one by mentioning the exceptional virtues of the bride and thanking the bride’s family for loving welcoming their son into their family.

Wedding speeches given by the parents of the groom should then focus on their son. This is the part of the speech where the bittersweet emotions of the groom’s parents can be expressed unashamedly. Occasions such as these usually occur once in a lifetime and should be used to their fullest advantage. Special memories of the groom’s childhood can be tenderly shared along with letting him know how proud they are of the man he has become. The groom’s parents can also use this opportunity to let their son know how handsome he looks and how lovely the wedding turned out to be.

Parents of the groom wedding speeches could then offer the couple wisdom on building a lasting marriage drawn from personal experience. This would also be the perfect time to recite a touching poem or add a quote that has special meaning. Wedding speeches given by the parents of the groom should conclude with offering up a toast to the next speaker. It should be noted that if only one of the parents is giving a speech, the other should stand with the speaker while the speech is given since it expresses the thoughts and feelings of both parents.

In times past, Wedding speeches by the parents of the groom were not traditionally given. Today, this is no longer the case as parents of the groom take the microphone and speak of their deep love for their son and their heartfelt wishes for the newlyweds’ health and happiness.

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R&B Singer Usher Raymond Weds Stylist Tameka Foster

American singer and actor Usher Raymond and his fiancée, Tameka Foster were married on Friday in Atlanta. The couple had publicly cancelled their wedding, originally scheduled for July 28 at the Long Island, NY home of L.A. Reid, head of Def Jam Records, for unspecified reasons. After the cancellation, Foster, who is pregnant with the couple’s first child, indicated that she had experienced pregnancy-related medical complications and the couple felt it best to cancel the wedding in light of them. At the time of the cancellation, the couple indicated that the wedding would be rescheduled at a later date.

The couple were married in an unannounced, private ceremony in the offices of the singer/actor’s attorney. No additional details on the ceremony were available.

The wedding itself was overshadowed by the cancellation and rumors of disagreement between Raymond’s mother, Jonetta Patton, and Foster over a pre-nuptial agreement. Both Raymond and Foster have denied those allegations.

Raymond and Foster became engaged earlier this year, and have been dating since November 2005. Foster, who has three children from a previous marriage, is a wardrobe stylist and image consultant, and owns the Swanky Image Group, as well as Hides & Dungarees, a denim and leather collection. She was Raymond’s stylist for five years, and has worked with other celebrity clientéle, including Lauryn Hill, Ginuwine, Chaka Khan, the Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle, among others.

Raymond is a rhythm and blues and pop singer who has sold 30 million albums worldwide to date. He has also won five Grammy Awards, and owns his own record label, US Records. He has appeared in regular roles on television, and in the theatrical films She’s All That, Light It Up and in Disney’s made-for-television film Geppetto, with actor Drew Carey. Raymond also performed the role of Billy Flynn in the Broadway musical Chicago.

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When The Party’s Over, What Do You Do With The Dress?

One of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is choosing a wedding dress, but once the party’s finished, what should you do with your dress?

Brides have many options for the disposition of their gowns once the wedding is over. If you plan to preserve your gown, locate a wedding gown preservation specialist. Many dry cleaners offer preservation services, but there’s more to preserving a wedding gown than just having it dry-cleaned. Preservation involves removing all oils, stains and dirt that could ruin the dress over a long period of time. After the gown is properly cleaned, it is prepared for storage. The storage environment must protect the gown from air, moisture, insects and dust. This is especially important for gowns that contain lace, or are made of silk. Acetates can also discolour with time.

If you don’t want to preserve your dress, consider selling it. Many brides-to-be reduce their wedding costs by buying a gently used dress. If you plan to sell your dress, have it cleaned as soon after your wedding as possible. Note any food or beverage stains, and dirt along the hemline or train that may require special attention.

If your dress is an original or was particularly expensive, you could donate your dress to a charity auction to raise money for a cause you think is particularly worthy. Likewise, you could sell the dress online and donate the money to your favourite cause.

If you don’t want to preserve your dress and can’t bear to part with it, consider asking a seamstress to use your dress to make a baptismal or christening gown for your babies. If your dress has a full skirt, or a train, chances are good that your dress can be reused like this.

Re-using a wedding dress for a subsequent marriage is a no-no. New relationships deserve a new dress, and few dress styles stand the test of time. If you can’t break the sentimental attachment to your dress right away, store it for a few years and reconsider your options. As long as your dress is clean, you’ll preserve your options for a time when you can think more clearly about what’s best for your situation.

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A Guide to Non-Traditional Wedding Cars

Every couple has the image of a perfect wedding. Within this image is generally a grand entrance and exit. This is the opportunity to showcase their personal style and taste. There are limitless options when it comes to wedding cars. The bride and groom, who want to make a real statement, may want to choose from some of the finer non-traditional wedding cars available.

When most people think of weddings, they picture the bride and groom arriving and departing in a limousine or perhaps a Rolls Royce. This is still an excellent choice in wedding cars if the bride and groom are having a traditional, classic wedding. Even if the wedding will be traditional, the couple can decide to make their entrance is one of these non-traditional wedding cars.

One of the most popular options in non-traditional wedding cars is a convertible or other high-end vehicle that the bride and groom would love to own but can only afford to rent. These cars are excellent choices as long as the bride and groom are either willing to drive themselves, hire someone to drive them, or have a friend or family member drive. These cars are often close quarters and so a bride with a large gown will need to be especially careful. One of the biggest benefits of choosing these high-end vehicles as wedding cars is that they may be rented for a number of days at a reasonable price as compared to a limousine that is rented by the hour.

Another option in non-traditional wedding cars involves the entire bridal party. Many companies now own stretch SUV’s that will accommodate the entire bridal party. These are similar to limousines but are much larger and make a bigger impact. Other couples may choose to hire a party bus. These are small buses that are decked out with all of the accommodations one would expect in a limousine or other wedding cars. This is an excellent option for the bride and groom who want to travel, talk, and party with their bridal party. These can be a little more expensive than other wedding cars, but are worth the money to create the perfect wedding day.

Sometimes, non-traditional wedding cars are not cars at all. The very adventurous bride and groom may choose to arrive and depart on motorcycles or a motorcycle with a sidecar. This will really make a statement. Other couples may go the more romantic route and hire a horse drawn carriage for their big day. This is generally only an option when the ceremony and reception are nearby. These two non-traditional choices may not be wedding cars, but they will get the bride and groom where they need to be while making a big splash.

Every couple wants to have the wedding of their dreams and every couple deserves to have this dream come true. Non-traditional wedding cars can help to achieve that dream and make memories that will last a lifetime!

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Finding the Perfect Wedding Cake

Wedding cakes have been a tradition for centuries, but they have become much more elaborate. It can be difficult to find just the right cake for the reception because there are so many options available to the bride and groom. While wedding planning is stressful, choosing a cake is one of the most fun parts of planning. This is because of all the tasting of different wedding cakes! The couple should savor the flavour and enjoy this aspect of their planning process!

The first thing to do when looking for wedding cakes is to find reputable bakeries that specialise in wedding cakes. It is a good idea to ask friends and family as well as look online. Most bakeries have websites with some of their most popular designs as well as the flavours they offer. Just like everything else in life, it is important to get more than one quote and in this case to taste more than one cake!

Most bakeries require that the bride and groom set up for an appointment to taste the wedding cakes. Each bakery will handle the tasting differently, but they will be very similar. The bakery will usually offer a sample of their white cake and chocolate cake. They may offer some of their more unusual flavours, but this shouldn’t be expected. The bakery will also offer samples of their different frostings and fillings. This is the time to try out all of the different variations. If the bride and groom are determined to try a specific flavour or flavour combination then they should consider purchasing a small cake with that flavour. This will help them choose between all of the possible flavour combinations of wedding cakes while introducing them to several bakeries.

Once the flavours have been decided, it is a good idea to choose the size since this has an impact on many designs of wedding cakes. This is usually based on the number of people that will be attending the wedding. However, the bride and groom can specify any size that they like. The best part about multiple tiered wedding cakes is the ability to choose different flavours for each tier.

Each bakery will offer books of their best wedding cake designs. The bride and groom likely have some concept already in mind, especially if they are having a themes wedding. Wedding cakes are an excellent way to incorporate a theme. If there is no specific theme, then the cake should fit in with the overall atmosphere of the wedding. If the couple has something in mind that is different than the designs the bakery already has, then they should mention this. Most reputable bakeries have the ability to make the designs into reality.

Wedding cakes are a true thing of beauty and being able to create these wedding cakes is a true talent. The bride and groom should consider all of these things when choosing the right bakery and the perfect wedding cake!

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Popular Wedding Invitation Verse

This day I will marry my friend,
the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love

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Should you Hire a Bridal Consultant?

Deciding whether or not to hire a bridal consultant before your wedding is one of the most essential wedding planning decisions that need to be made. The bridal consultant is going to help the bride make all major wedding planning decisions as well as handle many of the wedding planning details. Should you hire a bridal consultant?

One of the reasons that a couple chooses not to hire a bridal consultant is due to the fact that a bridal consultant is a significant cost. If the couple is on a tight budget then it is not likely to be cost effective to hire a bridal consultant. If the wedding budget is not an issue, then hiring a bridal consultant will significantly lessen the stress of wedding planning.

Another factor to consider when deciding whether to hire a bridal consultant or not is how much time you have to plan the wedding. A couple that leads busy lives will have little time to plan all of the details for their wedding. These people should hire a bridal consultant in order to make sure that all details of the wedding are planned and finalised. A couple with more time on their hands is less likely to need the aid of a bridal consultant, but may want the extra assistance that a bridal consultant can offer.

There is one benefit of hiring a bridal consultant that outweighs all the rest. A bridal consultant is going to have contacts with many of the major wedding venues and vendors. Hiring a bridal consultant can help a couple to also hire some of the best wedding vendors. The bridal consultant may also be able to secure these vendors at a lesser cost than the couple could do on their own.

The most important thing to consider when deciding whether or not to hire a bridal consultant is how much control you want to have over your wedding. Many brides want to have complete control over every detail of their wedding planning. They may feel that a bridal consultant would take away from their wedding planning experience. Other couples want to have someone that can help them make major decisions, plan minor details, and make sure that all plans are carried out to completion.

Deciding whether or not to hire a bridal consultant is one of the first decisions that need to be made. The best bridal consultants will book quickly. In order to hire the best possible bridal consultant, it is best to hire him or her as soon as possible!

Keywords: Wedding Planners, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Picture-Perfect Wedding Pictures

A wedding is never complete without pictures! Many couples choose to hire a professional photographer to capture their wedding. A formal wedding package may contain more than a hundred photographs of the ceremony and reception.

Commonly, a wedding photo package will include formal portraiture of the bride and groom. Each member of the wedding couple will be photographed separately, and several photos of the bride and groom together will also be taken. The photographer will want to capture the details of the wedding dress, front and back, especially if the dress has a train. Portraiture will also include the wedding party, separately and in pairs and groups. Photographs of the wedding couple with their parents and new in-laws will also be taken. Some couples opt to have their portraiture done before the wedding takes place, so as not to delay the start of the reception.

Photographers may also take photographs of the couple as they prepare for the wedding ceremony. These photographs are usually informal and include the bride, groom, wedding party and parents.

The ceremony will be another main focus of the wedding photographer. Capturing photos of each attendant pair, as well as the parents, the groom, celebrant and the bride as she makes her entrance will be a high priority of the photographer. Sometimes, the photographer’s ability to capture these shots may be limited by the rules of the venue or the directives of the celebrant. The photographer will also capture other events, such as the exchange of rings, the presentation of the wedded couple, the couple’s exit, and the signing of the official paperwork.

The photographer can also be engaged to photograph the reception. The photographer will focus on capturing the couple’s entrance, the cutting of the wedding cake, the first dance and other meaningful events. Most of the reception photos, however, will be less formal and will capture friends and family, and document the reception site.

Professional wedding photography can be costly, but can also be well worth the expense, provided that you get what you’re looking for. Review your photo plan with your photographer to make sure that he or she understands the significance of people and events in your wedding.

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Contemporary Stainless Steel Round Tin Bomboniere Boxes

You had been waiting for that special someone your whole life. One fateful day, “the one” sauntered into your life and a storybook romance with a “happily ever after” no longer appeared to be a fairy tale meant only for a princess in a far off land. You are now that princess and your Prince Charming is no longer a dream but a living, breathing reality. Tears of joy streamed down your face when the love of your life got down on one knee and proposed marriage. In keeping with your fairy tale romance, planning and executing your wedding should be no less perfect than your love.

Although pulling off a flawless wedding may appear impossible in the beginning, your perfect wedding can be accomplished with forethought and careful planning. Before you start making decisions, it is crucial to first decide on a theme or style for your wedding. It is fitting to choose a style or theme that best compliments your unique personality. Are you traditional or non-traditional? Do you see yourself having a church wedding or one held outdoors? Have you envisioned you and your beloved exchanging vows on a sandy beach or under a flower-adorned trellis in a field of wild flowers or in the mountains? This will be your special day. It should not only reflect your personality, but also be the culmination of all your hopes and dreams of what your wedding day could be. The only limitations on your wedding are the ones placed on it by your imagination. Dream big and settle for nothing less.

Once you have decided on a style and theme for your wedding, then the “labor of love” begins from choosing the perfect wedding dress, deciding on the venue for your wedding and reception, purchasing flowers, invitations and bomboniere boxes. Of all the wedding purchases and decisions you make, bomboniere boxes are the one purchase that should not be overlooked or the importance downplayed. Bomboniere boxes are small gifts given to those who attended your wedding. What better way to convey your appreciation to those who helped to make your day memorable than by giving them a simple heartfelt gift?

Bomboniere boxes are not only given to show your gratitude, but can also add to the décor of your wedding. When describing your taste if the words sophisticated, modern, contemporary and cutting edge are the first words on your lips, then round tin bomboniere boxes would thoroughly compliment your style. Made of stainless steel with a transparent lid, these round tin bomboniere boxes are wedding accessory contemporary design at its finest.

Regardless if you decide on a traditional or non-traditional wedding, round tin bomboniere boxes would add a touch of contemporary design conducive to your style and taste. What better day to let your true personality shine through than in the design and presentation of your wedding accessories and bomboniere boxes?

When planning your wedding, every detail, nuance and accessory that goes into making your day memorable needs to be just right. Anything that does not meet or exceed your expectations is just not good enough. If your taste is contemporary and cutting edge, then round tin bomboniere boxes would compliment your style perfectly.

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Wedding Speeches Given by the Bride

The father of the bride, the bridegroom and the best man are traditionally the ones to give wedding speeches. However, in the 21st Century this tradition is no longer so rigid. Others in the wedding party have opted to take center stage and the microphone to lend their thoughts and feelings on this specialist of occasions. Wedding speeches given by others besides the father of the bride, bridegroom and best man are allowed more creativity since there are no set rules.

In years past, the bride did not give wedding speeches and her new husband spoke on her behalf in the groom’s speech. Today, brides are not content to remain passive and allow their husband to speak for them. This is the day they have dreamed of and planned to the minutest detail for months, if not years to ensure its perfection and they have much they want to say! Since there are no rules or restrictions on wedding speeches given by the bride, she has full creative reign. However, there are certain elements that can be included in the speech that will allow hers to compliment the wedding speeches traditionally given by the father of the bride, bridegroom and best man.

Wedding speeches by the bride can begin by acknowledging the speaker that has gone before. It will probably be a speech given by another non-traditional speaker such as the maid of honor or the parent’s of the groom. Since these speeches are not customary there is no set sequence as there are with the traditional wedding speeches. Many brides choose to give their speech last in order to give a final thanks to everyone for attending, for their gifts and making the wedding and reception memorable. If the bride opts to give the last speech, those guests who traveled long distances to attend the wedding have probably been mentioned previously. Therefore, she could take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank long lost friends and relatives who attended.

The groom will know that his bride will be giving a speech and will only thank those in his wedding party instead of both. This allows the bride to personally thank her maid of honor, bridesmaids and flower girl. She can also take this time to let those in her wedding party know how much their friendship means to her and share an amusing story that occurred before or after the wedding.

Wedding speeches given by the bride should include a sentimental tribute to her parents. She can convey a fond memory about her childhood, respond to a statement made by her father in his wedding speech, and tell them from the heart that even though she is now a married woman they will remain an integral part of her life. The more touching and sentimental the better as the wedding of their “little girl” is a bittersweet event for any parent.

The in-laws should be mentioned next in wedding speeches given by the bride. She can take this opportunity to thank them for any financial contributions they provided to make the wedding a reality and for welcoming her into the family. She can state that they did a wonderful job on raising their son and how blessed she feels to have him as her husband.

Wedding speeches given by the bride would not be complete if her new husband and love of her life was not mentioned. This is where she can be especially creative. She can speak of her hopes and dreams of the future with her beloved, how they met, when she first knew she was in love or how he proposed. Nothing is off limits. This is where in wedding speeches given by the bride that she can publicly confess to those attending the wedding and her husband just how much he means to her.

Wedding speeches by the bride were not traditionally given. However, brides of today are opting to take the microphone, alongside their husband, to thank all who attended the wedding, her parents, in-laws, wedding party and most of all her new husband whom she will be spending her life with.

Keywords: Wedding Speeches, Weddingblog, Wedding

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What Wedding Rings Are Made Of

Traditionally, wedding rings are made of gold, but many options are available for couples who are looking for something out of the ordinary.

Pure gold, designated as 24K or 24 karat, is too soft to be used for a daily wear item. A gold alloy ring makes a good choice because the metals are durable, plentiful and beautiful. Gold alloys are labeled as 750(18K), 585(14K), 500(12K) and 417(10K). The numbers indicate the percentage of gold in the alloy. Most “gold” rings are made of a mixture of gold and another hardening metal. The most common hardeners are copper, tin and bismuth.

Gold can also be mixed with palladium or nickel to make so-called white gold. White gold may be plated with rhodium, which can wear off with time. Some people also develop an allergic sensitivity to nickel, so a white gold ring with a higher proportion of gold will produce a milder reaction than one with a higher concentration of nickel. Rose gold is a mixture of gold and copper. Gold and silver will produce gold with a greenish cast.

Gold alloys do not react easily with chemicals, and tend to resist scratching and deforming, even when subjected to pressure. Gold alloys will bend, scratch and deform, however fortunately, a jeweler can easily return the luster, finish and shape to a gold alloy ring.

Platinum, titanium and stainless steel are also being used in wedding rings. These metals are naturally harder than gold, making them more durable. They’re also substantially more expensive than gold alloy. Stainless steel has the added advantage of being hypoallergenic. Some couples choose rings with platinum or titanium settings to hold precious stones, while the remainder of the ring is made from a different metal.

Silver is rarely used in wedding rings, except among traditional Eastern Orthodox couples. Pure silver, like pure gold, is far too soft to withstand daily wear. Silver is more reactive than gold. It will tarnish in air and in the presence of certain common elements, like chlorine and bromine. Aluminum and toxic metals like lead and chromium are rarely, if ever, used for wedding rings.

Before you settle on rings, talk to a jeweler about the advantages and disadvantages of various metals. Choose a metal that will complement your lifestyle, fit your budget and provide a durable symbol of your love.

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The Definitive Guide to Wedding Cakes

Wedding cakes are a tradition that has been around for centuries. Most couples still practice this tradition. Wedding cakes are a thing of beauty, intricately designed and delicious! Choosing just the right cake is one of the most fun decisions that the bride and groom will make during the wedding planning process. There are so many options to choose from and hopefully this guide will help alleviate some of questions the couple might have.

Most couples choose some sort of theme for their wedding and use this theme on their wedding invitations, decorations and even their cake. This may be an actual theme such as a beach theme or it may be as simple as a specific colour scheme. The important thing to consider when choosing from potential wedding cakes is the overall atmosphere that the bride and groom are going for. If the event will be simple, elegant, casual, small, large, or something else entirely, wedding cakes will need to adhere to the atmosphere the bride and groom have set.

The bride and groom must first find a bakery that specialises in wedding cakes. It is a great idea to poll friends and family as well as anyone who has recently been married. You could even ask the company who did your wedding invitations as they may be able to refer you to someone. It is also a good idea to visit more than one bakery before making any decisions. Each bakery will offer different designs and flavours. One of the bakeries will likely stand out among the rest and offer exactly what the couple wants.

It is necessary to make an appointment with the bakery to have a tasting of their wedding cakes. At this appointment, someone will go over all of the specifics with the couple. They will also offer samples of some of their most popular flavours. This will include cake, filling, and frosting. The bride and groom will not be able to try every single flavour or flavour combination. If they want something different, they could try telling the baker beforehand or order a small cake with the flavours they desire. Tasting wedding cakes is the best part of choosing the right bakery!

The size of wedding cakes is also an important consideration. Some designs require a specific size cake in order to make the design work. The number of guests it is meant to feed generally decides the size of wedding cakes. The bride and groom will be shown pictures of sample designs that the bakery has previously created. The couple will likely find one that suits their needs. If they don’t, it is perfectly acceptable to ask the bakery to create a new design that will suit their needs. Once the bride and groom have chosen a design, they can designate different flavours for each tier if they so choose.

There are so many considerations when it comes to wedding cakes. There is size, flavour, design, and of course choosing the right bakery. It is fun to taste all of the different flavours and wedding cakes. The bride and groom should enjoy this aspect of their wedding planning! Wedding cakes are a thing of beauty and the people who design them are true artists. The couple should have exactly what they dream of on their wedding day and their wedding cake is no exception!

Keywords: Wedding Cakes, Weddingblog, Wedding

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The Most Traditional Wedding Cars

Wedding cars are generally not on the top of the list during the wedding planning process, that is unless the groom has made it a priority. Eventually, when all of the major decisions have been made, the bride and groom will need to choose between several options of wedding cars. It is easiest to stick to the most traditional wedding cars, especially when the wedding is going to be a traditional and classic occasion.

The most traditional of all wedding cars is the limousine. The limousine is available in a variety of colors and sizes, making it one of the best options for a couple planning a traditional wedding. A limousine can be used to transport the bride and groom and even their entire bridal party based on the size of the limousine. Any couple will show up in style when choosing to order a limousine for their wedding day. The limousine is also one of the easiest wedding cars to rent for a wedding and comes complete with a chauffer.

Another one of the most traditional wedding cars is the Rolls Royce. These cars are beautiful and classic. The drawback is that there is generally only enough room for the bride and groom. This is an excellent option if the bride and groom choose to ride privately in a beautiful, chauffeured vehicle. The Rolls Royce is the ultimate choice in traditional wedding cars.

Traditional wedding cars are most often classic car choices. When the bride and groom want to ride in style similar to the Rolls Royce, but want a more updated and unique option, there is the Bentley. Bentley’s are known for their expensive price tag and unique style. While most people cannot ever fathom owning a Bentley, they can enjoy a romantic day together riding in style in this classic car. The Bentley is also going to only hold the bride and groom, but is one of the grandest options when it comes to traditional wedding cars.

When it comes to transportation, there are options that go beyond traditional wedding cars but still stick with tradition. These options involve horses. The bride and groom may choose to use a horse drawn carriage or even a horse drawn sleigh during the winter months. This is one of the more romantic options available, but many reject it due to the expense. It is also not a practical option when the ceremony site is far from the reception site. The bride and groom can take this ride and enjoy their time together in a peaceful, romantic setting. There is nothing more traditional than a horse drawn carriage.

The bride and groom will need transportation to the ceremony, from the ceremony to the reception, and departing from the reception. The couple has each of these occasions to make grand entrances and exits. Any of these wedding cars will stand up to tradition while the couple rides in comfort and style.

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True Verse

A verse that can be used in your wedding invitation wording.

True love doesn’t have a happy ending:
True love doesn’t have an ending.
~ by Anonymous ~

Keywords: Wedding Vows and Sayings, Weddingblog, Wedding

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