Wedding Planning Requires A Heavy Dose of Reality

If you’re about to start planning a wedding, you’ll quickly come to understand that you can have just about anything you want, but everything you want comes with a price tag attached. For brides-to-be who have spent their formative years mentally planning their weddings, the sticker shock for this one-night event can be overwhelming.

The average traditional Western-style wedding will cost about AUD$40,000, and while many brides-to-be have spent hours daydreaming about their wedding fantasies, few have set aside the cash needed to fund the wedding of their dreams.

The best favour a bride can do herself is to be very realistic about the wedding budget. A solid approach includes deciding up front what the most important elements of the wedding and reception will be, and funding those priorities in light of the money the couple has available to spend.

Being practical may include reducing the guest list down from the ideal to the manageable, and limiting the known budget-busters, like the cost of food and drink, the wedding clothes and other amenities. With each element, look for the most cost-effective way to provide it without going over budget. After all, digging oneself deep into debt is no way start out married life.

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Woman Arrested In US For Arranging Sham Weddings

Jie Hua Zhou, a Chinese citizen, was arrested at her home in California by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, who accuse her of arranging phony marriages for the purpose of speeding citizenship applications. Under US laws, foreign-born individuals may apply for US citizenship if they marry a US citizen.

ICE officials say that Zhou charged between $20,000 and $50,000 to pair citizens and non-citizens in fake marriages. According to officials, Zhou tried to cover the operation by having the “married” couples open joint bank accounts, file joint tax returns, and pose for wedding photos. Couples who followed Zhou’s advice could also be facing charges of filing false tax returns.

Zhou will go before a judge on December 29 for arraignment on the charges, and will remain in jail until that time.

Keywords: Wedding News, Weddingblog, Wedding

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Holiday Season Brings An Uptick In The Number of Marriage Proposals

Nearly twenty percent of marriage proposals are issued in December and coincide with the year-end holidays, when couples can make engagement announcements to family and friends. With the global economic slowdown, budget-conscious couples are looking for alternatives to more expensive engagement and wedding jewellery.

Titanium and tungsten are proving to be popular alternatives, since they are less expensive and more durable than gold. Tungsten does not rust, corrode or tarnish, is lightweight and highly scratch-resistant. It’s also extremely hard, giving it an exceptionally long life.

The price of diamonds has also risen considerably, and couples are looking for diamond alternatives. Cubic zirconia rings are much less expensive than genuine diamonds, and high quality stones often look like the real thing. While not as hard as diamonds, cubic zirconia come in the same cuts and colour ranges as natural diamonds do, and look lovely in both traditional and contemporary settings. Using cubic zirconia, couples can either reduce the cost of the wedding set, or can get a much larger stone for the money.

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Celebs Confirm Deny Wedding Rumours

Dannii Minogue is denying that she and her man, Kris Smith, a former rugby league player, have split. In fact, Minogue is planning to take Smith home to Australia over the holidays to introduce him to the family, including sister Kylie. She has not confirmed any wedding details.

Minogue, a judge on the show The X Factor, rubbished rumours that the two had split. Minogue has been working in the UK, but began her career as a singer, songwriter and actress in Australia. Minogue has been married once before to Australian actor Julian McMahon. She was also engaged to Canadian Formula One driver Jacques Villeneuve and musician Craig Logan. Minogue and Smith have been dating since August.

English actor Orlando Bloom, meanwhile, has been denying rumours that he and his gal pal and Australian model Miranda Kerr are engaged. Kerr’s spokesperson told People Magazine that the rumours are not true, and that the pair have no plans to tie the knot now or in the future. The rep labeled the rumours as “completely false and misleading.” The couple began dating earlier this year.

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Should A Deceased Parent’s Name Be Included On The Wedding Invitation

When it comes to traditional invitation wording, the names of the parents of the bride and groom are included on the invitation, especially if they are paying for part or all of the wedding. For some brides, a question arises when a parent of the engaged couple is deceased. Should the name of a deceased parent be included on a wedding invitation.

There are many ways to honour a deceased parent at a wedding, but including his or her name on the wedding invitation isn’t one of them. By all means, acknowledge the deceased parent in some way at the wedding or reception. Light a candle in honour of the person, read a poem or play his or her favorite song, or a song that honours his or her memory.

It is also proper to include the name of the deceased parent in engagement or wedding announcements that may be printed in the newspaper. Wedding invitations, however, are issued to living people by living people, so it is best to find a different way to honour the deceased at a wedding.

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Victoria Beckham To Pass On Spice Girl Re-Wed

Victoria Beckham has turned down an all-expenses paid four-day wedding holiday in Egypt offered compliments of co-Spice Girl Mel Brown. The plan apparently involves a four-day treasure hunt that includes a renewal of wedding vows for Scary and her mate on Day 2 of the event.

Mel B. has apparently invited a number of other celebrity guests to the event, via a 20-page invitation designed to look like an Egyptian passport. Guests will also enjoy a day of diving in the Red Sea. It is not known if any of the other Spice Girls are on the A-list for Scary’s wedding renewal, but Sarah Harding, television presenter Fearne Cotton and S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens were also invited to attend.

Mel B secretly married film producer Stephen Belafonte last summer in Las Vegas. Belafonte and Brown have no children together, but Mel has two daughters from previous relationships and Belafonte has one. Brown also won a paternity settlement from comedian Eddy Murphy shortly before she married Belafonte.

Beckham says that she will not attend the event because – while she appreciated the time she took to reunite with the Spice Girls last years – she was uncomfortable on tour and realised that she has moved from entertainment to fashion. Victoria and her husband, soccer star David Beckham, now make their home in the United States.

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New York Bride Sues Former Fiance For $1 Million

William Shakespeare said “Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned,” and he wasn’t kidding. Catherine Specchia is suing Mario Roveto for USD$1 million to compensate for a broken engagement. Specchia alleges in her suit that Roveto agreed to marry her in August 2007, but never had any intention of going through with the wedding.

Specchia claims that Roveto’s abusive actions contributed to the deterioration of their relationship, and ultimately led to the couple’s split. Specchia says that before the relationship fizzled, she and her parents had already spent more than USD$68,000 on wedding preparations, including $32,000 for renting a venue and $12,000 for a wedding dress. The family also said that it spent more than $3,000 on wedding invitations for the event.

The woman is seeking additional compensation from Roveto for running her wedding day, and subjecting her to mental and physical abuse.

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Who Should Be Invited To Your Wedding

The question of who should be invited to a wedding is one every bride wrestles with. If you’re paying for your own wedding, you have complete control over who gets an invitation. The guiding factor in your decision-making should be your budget. Reliably, 10%-15% of the guests you invite won’t be able to attend your event, but you should leave a little room between your budget cap and your invitation list to be on the safe side.

Immediate family members and their spouses or significant others should receive an invitation, unless there is some valid reason not to invite them. Negotiating this point may be difficult, especially if some enmity exists between you and your immediate family members. Blacklisting a family member could lead to problems later on. If the situation permits, invite the troublesome family member and assign a close friend or two to help keep the peace.

Extended family members should receive an invitation, if the budget permits, and if extended family members are traditionally invited to family weddings. Check with aunts and uncles about the relationship status of adult cousins before you write out your list. Cherished family friends from both the bride and groom’s families may be invited. Don’t feel pressured to invite people you know only casually, or haven’t seen in years.

Friends from school or work can be added to the list as the budget permits. You’ll need to verify relationship statuses and invite guests accordingly. For acquaintances from work, you’ll need to consider the size of your office or department. If you work for a large firm, invite those whom you consider to be friends outside of work. You may also have to bow a bit to corporate culture, if the job demands it. Be very careful about whom you invite from work. Weddings are rarely a good place to make a positive impression on the boss.

Your guest list is the place to make or break your wedding budget. Do not unnecessarily inflate the guest list if you’re trying to save money on the overall event. Keep in mind that each guest represents a separate charge for food and drink. The size of the guest list also determines the venues you can use for your event.

Don’t let outside influences pressure you when it comes to your guest list. Unless you’re receiving financial help from family or friends, you should have the final say on who makes the guest list and who doesn’t.

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Tahiti To Change Wedding Laws To Encourage US Tourism

Gaston Tong Sang, president of French Polynesia, thinks that wedding bells will be ringing in Tahiti if a few key provisions of the country’s marriage laws are changed. Tong Sang says he wants changes that will uncomplicate the process of getting married in Tahiti, and believes that will bring 1,000 or more couples to the island nation each year to tie the knot.

Tong Sang says that the French Polynesia Assembly could adopt the new measures as early as March, and that could produce an influx of tourists in the second half of 2009. Tong Sang wears many hats. In addition to being the president of French Polynesia, he is also the nation’s Tourism minister as well as the mayor of Bora Bora in the Leeward Islands.

Current laws require foreign couples to stay in French Polynesia for six weeks before asking the mayor to officiate at a wedding. The six-week wait includes an official publication of the request for a wedding. The new changes would permit the couple to request a civil ceremony at the time they book their flight and hotel reservations. When the couple arrive, they could be married right away.

Tong Sang made his pitch to change the marriage laws of his country at a tourism conference in Paris. The French Immigration Minister, Brice Hortefeux, was said to be enthusiastic about the plan, and indicated that Tahiti could also become a destination choice for couples from China, India and Russia, if laws were further modified to enable residents of these countries to obtain tourist visas more easily.

Tong Sang said that the country had not forgotten the boost it received from the movie “Mutiny On The Bounty” which was filmed in French Polynesia, and was looking at ways to boost the country’s economy through increased tourism.

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Fox And Green Promise Low-Key Wedding

American actors Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green say that, despite rumours to the contrary, they are still engaged and still planning a low-key wedding. The pair have declined to offer details of the pending nuptials, but insist that they’re very much in love and still together.

Fox, best known for her role as Mikaela Barnes in the Transformers Movie, was named Maxim Magazine’s World’s Sexiest Woman earlier in 2008. The 22-year-old actress says that she favors a low-key wedding. The pair also indicated that they had originally planned to elope, but are now considering a small ceremony with a few guests.

Brian Austin Green, 35, is best known for his role in the US television programme Beverly Hills 90210, and also appears in the Fox television programme Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The pair say that the media won’t be invited to the event – whenever it does take place – and are likely to learn about it only after it has occurred.

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Wedding Photos When The Marriage Is Over

Wedding photos capture a timeless event. Unfortunately, a high proportion of couples never make it to Happily Ever After. The question of what becomes of the wedding photos is often troublesome, since they include photographs of cherished family members and friends, intermingled with at least one deceased or not-so-cherished former family member.

Individual portraits of brides, grooms and family members can be kept and displayed. Despite the outcome of a marriage, wedding photos capture images of family members at what should be a happy event. Children of the marriage may appreciate having a photograph of Mum and Dad at a happier time in life, too. If this is the case, these photos should be put away for safekeeping, or turned over to adult children.

In the case of death, photographs of the deceased spouse can be displayed as desired. Divorce, on the other hand, is rarely pleasant or easy, and parents or other family members may harbor warm feelings for a child’s former spouse, much to the disappointment of the divorced family member. In this case, portraits of the couple together or the former spouse individually should not be displayed prominently, but could be moved to a quiet corner, or kept in photo albums that can be stored easily.

Upon remarriage, photographs of former or deceased spouses should not be displayed. Doing so may engender hard feelings in the new spouse or the remarried family member. Instead, photographs from a first marriage should be stored in albums. One exception may be photos that are displayed in the home of adult children of a divorced couple, who may prefer to remember their parents together. Photographs of deceased parents may be displayed as desired.

When divorcing, couples should split the wedding photos appropriately. Once the photos are split, neither party is under any obligation to keep the photos, except as noted earlier with regard to children of the divorced pair.

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Police Officer Loses Wedding Ring During Arrest

A police officer from Des Moines, Iowa in the US will have to replace his wedding ring on his own. Mersed Dautovic lost his ring on October 17, as he attempted to arrest Kim Eugene Aldrich during a traffic stop. Aldrich fled and Dautovic gave chase, eventually ending up in front of Aldrich’s home. Dautovic was also attacked by Aldrich’s dog in the melee.

During the arrest, Aldrich attempted to grab Dautovic’s department-issued handgun, but was not successful in disarming the officer. During the scuffle, Dautovic lost his wedding ring. Dautovic brought a metal detector to the scene in hopes of locating the ring, but it was not found.

A spokesman for the Des Moines Police Department says that it is department policy to replace uniform items that are damaged or destroyed in the line of duty, but personal items, like rings, watches, and other jewelry, do not qualify for replacement. The DMPD officially discourages officers from wearing personal items like jewelry and watches while on duty. Members of the Des Moines Police Officers’ Union said that they would take up a collection among themselves to replace Dautovic’s ring.

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Thinking About A Destination Wedding

A growing trend among engaged couples is to have a “destination wedding” that combines the wedding ceremony and reception with a fabulous “getaway” vacation. For the bride and groom, this approach saves a lot of time and expense. Popular destination sites may have wedding planners on staff to help arrange the details, and may offer package deals on food and lodging for wedding guests.

Brides- and grooms-to-be should be sensitive to the fact that a destination wedding shifts the cost burden from them to their guests. For small weddings that include only family and close friends, this may be perfectly acceptable. In a tight economy, however, fewer people are able to afford the splurge that goes along with a destination holiday affair.

This sensitivity means inviting only those guests whom you truly wish to share your special day, providing enough time for guests to make adequate travel arrangements, looking for the best deals on travel and not placing additional burdens on guests. In some cases, you may need to leave sufficient time for guests to acquire the necessary travel documents. Check with the Department of Foreign Affairs And Trade to see how long it takes them to issue a passport.

Work with the wedding venue to ensure that you have all of the proper paperwork and authorisation to wed legally in the country of your choice. Australia will recognise weddings that take place in other countries, as long as they are legally valid in the country in which they were performed, and if the marriage would be legal if it had been performed in Australia. Exceptions to this policy include marriages where one party is already legally married to someone else; marriages where one or both parties have not reached the age of 18; marriage among first degree relatives; same-sex marriages; marriages where at least one party was incapable of giving consent through fraud, mistake or incapacity; and marriages between persons whose overseas divorce is not recognised in Australia.

Your destination may require a Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage. If so, the certificate can be obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or from the local Australian Consular Office for a fee of $90. Consular offices do not solemnise marriages any longer.

If your spouse is not an Australian citizen, marriage does not automatically confer citizenship on him or her, nor does it guarantee entry into Australia. Consult with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on all immigration matters.

Keywords: Reception Venues, Weddingblog, Wedding

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How To Handle Single Wedding Guests

One common issue that brides confront is the wedding invitation for a single guest. The rules of etiquette don’t dictate that single guests must be afforded the opportunity to bring a friend, wedding invitations addressed to single guests inspire their share of rue.

In the name of cost-cutting, many brides look at the single guest as a “bargain” to invite, however, the rules of etiquette may not have caught up with the reality that most singles have a significant other, or would like the opportunity to invite a guest.

If your single invitee lives with another person and is in a committed relationship, the invitation should be issued to both parties. If your single guest is in a committed relationship, but doesn’t share an address with his or her significant other, an invitation should be issued to each member of the couple individually – no “& Guest” needed.

If neither of the circumstances applies, but the single invitee is a family member or close friend of either the bride or groom, a “guest” invitation should be issued if at all possible.

If your wedding includes a number of singles and you do not plan to issue “guest” invitations to them, your seating plan should include a mix of guests with which your single friends will be comfortable.

Finally, don’t try to play “matchmaker” for your single guests. It rarely works and you may be the one to pick up the pieces of a spectacular failure down the road.

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Tight Economy Is Putting A Damper On Weddings

Few brides who are in the middle of wedding plans took into account the possibility of a recession, and they’re learning to be savvy with the money they have to spend. Bridal shoppes are reporting that business is definitely down, as many women are buying dresses “off-the-rack” or borrowing them, borrowing headpieces, or buying them at bargain prices on eBay and other auction sites.

Florists are also feeling the pinch of the tight economy, as brides look for ways to cut corners. Many brides are foregoing the foray into fresh flowers, buying them instead at wholesalers or even buying bouquets at supermarkets.

Another change? Many caterers are reporting that guests are refusing wedding invitations because they can’t manage the travel costs associated with the event. Because wedding venues are booked so far in advance, many wedding venues and banquet halls have not yet noticed the downturn in business.

While the surest way to cut costs is to decrease the size of the guest list, many brides are looking for other ways to trim their bottom lines. Kardella offers an exceptional selection of do-it-yourself wedding invitation kits, as well as low-cost traditional pre-printed invitations. And as always, Kardella will pay the postage on completed orders shipped to an Australian address.

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Bridesmaid Bails Out Of Wedding To Give Birth

A bridesmaid attending her sister’s wedding at the Farringford Hotel on the Isle of Wight made it through the pre-ceremony pictures before admitting to her big sister that her baby was about to crash the wedding. Gina Weeks, 22, was taken from the wedding site to a hospital 20 minutes away, with her contractions only two minutes apart.

Four hours after the bridesmaid hit the labour suite, little Harley was born, healthy and happy. Gina passed a cell phone picture of the second new member of the family that day to her mum, still at the wedding reception. The DJ announced Harley’s arrival to the wedding guests and a loud cheer went up from the crowd.

Bride Nikki called Harley’s arrival the best wedding gift ever. She said that she couldn’t believe that her sister made it to the hotel to be with her on her wedding day when sister Gina knew that she was about to give birth.

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Bridge Collapse Survivor Will Enjoy A Free Wedding

Mercedes Gorden’s life changed forever on August 1, 2007, when the bridge she was driving on collapsed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the United States. While Gorden survived, her car plunged more than 60 feet, and was hit by several other cars and falling debris.

Gorden suffered shattered ankles and shins, and has undergone eight operations to repair the damage and reconstruct her legs. At the time of the collapse, Gorden was engaged to Jake Rudh and was planning her wedding. The collapse and recovery changed all of that, but thanks to a pair of wedding planners in Minneapolis, Gorden and her fiancé enjoyed what is described as a lavish wedding at virtually no cost to them, when they finally walked down the aisle on October 17.

Everything for the couple’s wedding has been donated, including the dress, the venue, the food and liquor for 120 guests, flowers, cake, clothing, limousine service, invitations and dancing lessons for Gorden. She also received donated laser surgery to reduce the visible scarring on her legs.

Vendors in Minneapolis were more than willing to help the couple, who have been together nearly constantly since Gorden was pulled from the wreckage of the collapsed bridge. Gorden only recently returned to work part-time. Breaking tradition, Rudh walked his bride-to-be down the aisle himself. Gorden says he’s earned the right to do that, having been her support for the last 15 months. The couple also took time to remember the 13 people whose lives were lost in the tragedy, by setting a floral wreath in the Mississippi River near the site of the 1-35W bridge failure.

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Charles And Camilla May Not Have Tied The Knot After All

Constitutional experts in the UK have long argued that the registry office wedding of Charles and Camilla did not constitute a legal wedding, as royals are barred from having registry office weddings. Recently revealed Whitehall papers that confirm that royals are not eligible to take part in civil ceremonies have restirred the debate over the validity of the Prince’s second wedding.

The Marriage Act of 1836 first introduced the civil wedding in the UK, but the statute specifically excluded royalty. The ban was reconfirmed in 1949, when the Marriage Act was overhauled. A Home Office memo from 1948 supported the continuation of the ban, and a 1949 Home Office memo stated emphatically that royals must not be permitted to marry in civil ceremonies.

Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer overturned the ban in 2005, which permitted Charles and Camilla to marry at Windsor Guildhall. While it is unlikely that the marriage would be declared invalid at this point, Downing Street officials have always refused to release the advice that convinced the ministers at the time to permit a civil wedding.

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Church Of England Passes On Censure For Priest Who Conducted Same-Sex Wedding

The Reverend Martin Dudley made headlines around the world earlier this year for conducting what was believed to be a same-sex wedding in St. Bartholomew-The-Great, the church featured in the film “Four Weddings And A Funeral.” Dudley officiated at a blessing service for two male priests who both returned their clerical licenses after the event.

Dr. Dudley faced sanctions for his actions by the Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Richard Chartres that included the loss of his job. Dudley wrote a letter of apology to the Bishop, in which he expressed profound regret for the incident, and in which Dudley recognised his failure to appreciate the media attention and embarrassment that this would draw to the Church of England. He further stated that he did not clearly think through the consequences of using the Order of Service prepared by the men for their “wedding.” Finally, Dudley promised that he would not preside over such services in the future.

The Bishop accepted the letter of apology and through a spokesman, said that he now considers the matter closed.

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Pre-Marriage Investigation Big Business In India

In India, where arranged marriages are still the norm among wealthy families, pre-marital investigations of the prospective bride or groom are big business. Historically, parents arranged marriages among their children and the children of families known to them. Today, parents who are looking to find a spouse for a child take out ads in the newspaper or on the Internet.

Divorce is looked down upon in Indian society, so finding a suitable spouse is critical. To make sure that the prospective spouse is as presented, parents will often hire a detective agency to verify the person’s background and claims about themselves.

Such detective work can cost hundreds of dollars and involves following a prospective spouse around, verifying employment, age, marital status, and photographing or video taping their behaviour. Smoking and drinking are both frowned upon, as is being deceitful about one’s age. Women often try to hide previous and current relationships, since virginity is highly valued among women of marrying age.

According to private detectives, it’s not unusual to find that a prospective spouse is still married to someone else, or that a child has a love interest – unbeknownst to the parents. In addition, brides from rural areas are normally young and may never have been to a major city before. Once they arrive in the city, without supervision, they may indulge in the temptations of city life.

For parents who are trying to arrange a marriage, spending money to find out that a prospective spouse is not suitable is preferable to paying for a wedding that is the beginning of what might be a lifetime of unhappiness for a son or daughter.

Keywords: Wedding News, Weddingblog, Wedding

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