Wedding Invitations Are Your Guest’s First Glimpse

June 23rd, 2010 | Rss Feed

Wedding invitations are your guest’s first glimpse of what your wedding theme may be!

Firstly your invitations or whole stationery packages should reflect you the bride and groom. More and more people are looking to have their invitations personal screaming this is us! It should show your personalities and style.

Many moons ago traditional was the way to go, not to say that it is not the way to go now if that is what says you. Traditional invitations are pretty set in there colour with gold or silver wedding invitation written on the front. In today’s world wedding invitations come in a vast array of colours and styles not to mention prices.

So before you begin there are a few things for you to consider when choosing your invitations.

1. What is your budget?
2. Do you want a full stationery package?
3. What are your colour themes?
4. What is your style? Fluffy and glittery, plain and simple, bright and bold, funny?
5. Do you have a theme that you would like throughout the wedding carried from the invitations?

What is your budget?

Some people don’t look at the bigger picture when it comes to weddings. Then again some people don’t care. That is what it will cost and that is it.

Look at your finances and set aside an amount for your stationery. Always look at sites to get an idea of what you would like and price it up on more than one person’s site as there is always someone out there that will be happy to help meet your budget.

If you have seen an Invitation to die for and that is what you want but it is not in your price range, why not email the person and explain your situation and maybe they could work something out for you. On the other hand if your feeling a little creative why not try to make it yourself to cut the costs a little. Then sometimes these things are more hassle then they are worth if you don’t have a creative bone in your body!

Do you want a full stationery package?

Another major player to your budget is do you want a full stationery package. Money money money. Definitely worth it in my opinion. I personally love to see a full matching stationery package as once you get to the wedding in brings you back to when you received the invitations. Not everyone thinks this though and it is all cost dependant. The cost is a large factor in weddings these days with the average wedding costing about £16,000 which is beyond me. I can see how it is done though! Ok back to the full whammy!

Firstly you can have save the date cards to tell all your guests as soon as you have a date to keep it free. Then we move onto Day Invitations and Evening Invitations, these should be sent out approx 6 – 8 weeks prior to the wedding but if you’re having your wedding away from home and guests need to sort out accommodation I myself would send before the stated 6 – 8 weeks.

Ok so moving on you have Order of Service with all the wedding ceremony and hymns printed inside but your church, chapel will provide hymn books for you.

Then you have the Menu’s. If you have the money and you want to keep the themes going these are great to pretty up your tables, again these may be supplied by your hotel or caterers not essential but if you have the cash why not.

Table names and Numbers a must to let all your guests know where to sit. You could buy these plain and write the names on them yourselves to save on cost or you could have them printed to save you writing the names you could also have them decorated to your theme.

Table Planer will cost a lot but sure should look good and will also tell all your guests where to sit. Again this should also be supplied by your hotel if your wedding breakfast is there or you could just print out a list and place it on tables around the room for guests to look at while waiting for you to arrive.

Last but not least you have the Thank you cards. To say a huge thank you to all your guests for the lovely gifts that they have sent to you. One of the most important things to get I would think! Although if they are too much to buy for your budget you can buy them from any high street shop at any cost to suit you.

What are your colour themes?

Have you decided on you dress colour? The Bridesmaids and flower girls? Your Bridegroom? Since us women make all the decisions!

Once you have made the decision you may want to incorporate your colour theme onto your Invitations. You may have seen an invitation that you like and that makes you decide on the theme. You may even decide that you want them to be plain and simple, a little elegant and to ensure that your guests have no idea what type of wedding there are in for. Leaving it a big surprise. In saying that you might want your whole wedding simple and elegant anyway. You will most probably end up with a theme wither it be purple and pink, or brown and yellow to red and Ivory or just white and silver. There will always be your theme.

What is your style? Fluffy and glittery, plain and simple, bright and bold, funny?

Along with the theme you will have your style. Traditional, Classic, Bespoke, there are many different words out there for different styles but amongst it you will find yours.

Do you want flowers, feathers, crystals, toppers, embellishments, bows, bells, doves, confetti, pictures you name it, it is possible. You just need to use your imagination and think what says you.

Do you have a theme that you would like throughout the wedding carried from the invitations?

Some people have a theme that they would like to carry throughout there wedding. It might be just colours or as much as dressing up for the occasion. What have you got in mind?

Do you want a Robin Hood and Maid Marion theme or do you want all your guests to be wearing something purple?

Just another little thing for you to add to your thinking list!

My top tips for choosing your invitations. Most of all just have fun. That is what it is all about. You’re sure to find what you’re looking for and as soon as you see it you will know that is the one for you. It is a bit like buying that wedding dress. As soon as you see it and try it you will know. So as soon as you see them ask for a sample and you will know.

Good Luck with all your plans.

About The Author: Catherine Marsh, www.cmcards.co.uk. I create and design wedding Invitations for you. I hope I can create something special for you to add to you perfect wedding and leave a lasting memory.

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Symbolism of Wedding Rings

June 23rd, 2010 | Rss Feed

“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed.” - C.G. Jung

Rings have been exchanged as a symbol of the bond of marriage for so long, and in so many different cultures, that the origin of the practice is obscure. Certainly, the circle of a ring represents undying love and the continually renewed vows of the married couple. Circles have long been archetypes for not only timelessness, but also wholeness and homecoming. The circle also speaks to the constant round of the heavens, as well as the eternal return of the seasons, marked by cyclical ritual and celebration.

In addition, the circle in rock art, sacred stone arrays, and astrology represents both the Sun and the Moon, themselves astrological and alchemical symbols for the masculine and feminine aspects of the cosmos. This correspondence with the Sun and Moon is emphasized by the frequent practice of choosing gold for one betrothed and silver for the other, as gold and silver are the metals long associated with the Sun and Moon respectively.

Rings in general have a deeply rooted magical significance. Enchanted rings figure in many ancient folk tales. Incantations and spells for the protection of the wearer of rings are common motifs. Today, in traditional religious ceremonies, Christian and otherwise, the wedding rings are blessed by a minister or priest, thus continuing the symbolic practice of imbuing rings with protective powers.

The widespread tradition of embellishing the plain gold or silver wedding band with various designs and patterns has been known since at least 700 AD, in both Pan-Hellenic and Celtic cultures. The quite ancient symbol of the ouroboros, the serpent which consumes its own tail, was a theme used for wedding rings made of iron in Rome. The ouroboros itself is a symbol of the oneness of creation and destruction in renewal, and the life principle which timelessly feeds on its own inspiration. It also represents the hope for a lifelong marriage union that’s continually renewed.

Celtic wedding rings are often gorgeously decorated with geometrically knot work patterns that have a long history and central place in Celtic art. These patterns are strongly vegetative, suggesting tendrils and vines. In fact, in much of Celtic art, including the famous illuminated Bible, The Book of Kells, these Celtic Knots emerge from or transform into vegetative foliage. The beautiful symmetry of these woven patterns is often not square, rigid, or overly formal, but organic, flowing, and a stylized reflection of the curves and spirals found in nature. Indeed, the Celtic Knots that embellish wedding rings herald the ideas of spring, fertility, and the eternal reawakening of the life force- all of which bode well for a fruitful life partnership.

Wedding rings have most commonly been worn on the third finger of the left hand. Speculation has it that this is because the Romans believed that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart. An alternate suggestion for this tradition is that each finger on the hand is associated with a planet in the ancient systems of astrology, and the ring finger of the left hand was associated with the Sun. In this way, the wearing of a wedding ring on that finger signifies the public proclamation of the union in the daylight, in other words, the conscious and clearly visible world of human community. This correspondence is perhaps even more strongly emphasized by the general tendency to craft wedding rings out of gold, which is symbolically the metal of the Sun throughout folk history and across cultures.

Wedding rings capture the full range of the ceremonial, symbolic, and communal aspects of marriage, and preserve these many levels of significance as a durable and constant reminder. Ancient yet contemporary, steeped in lore and mystery yet almost universally exchanged, wedding rings combine the art of the jeweler, the reverence of the betrothed, and the beauty of love and partnership in a single, resonant symbol.

About The Author: Peter Breslin is musician & teacher and an artist in residence with the Santa Fe Opera’s Student Program. He writes for on the arts The Santa Fe Reporter and blogs on creative music at peterbreslin.blogspot.com. He also writes for , Reflective Images, a ethical jewelry company that sells wedding rings at www.artisanweddingrings.com

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What Will Your Wedding Invitations Say About You

June 23rd, 2010 | Rss Feed

Everything about your wedding, starting with your wedding invitations, should reflect your own personal style. Now, more than ever, couples are doing everything they can to make their wedding day uniquely personalized.

You and your fiancé chose the location, theme and colors of your wedding based on your personal preferences. Since your wedding invitations are an introduction to your wedding, they should reflect your choices and ultimately your personalities and styles.

It used to be that wedding invitations were always very traditional in their color and appearance. Today, wedding invitations come in a vast array of exciting colors, styles, sizes and themes to reflect the creativity of modern wedding couples.

Not to say traditional is out of date, but today your options are truly unlimited. There are choices based on seasons, hobbies, color combinations, themes, ceremony locations, ethnic backgrounds, flowers, etc. Your wedding invitations can have a modern contemporary look or they might feature photos of youngsters sharing tender moments.

Your choices don’t end with the wedding invitation itself. There’s the font style and ink color. Again, there is an impressive selection of font styles to fit any type of wedding design. Just keep in mind you want to choose a style that your guests will find easy to read. The more script the style, the more difficult it usually is to read. Colored ink choices are not quite as abundant as font styles, but there are still plenty to accommodate your chosen wedding colors.

Here are some questions for you to consider when choosing your wedding invitation style:

1. In what type of setting are you getting married – church, formal, casual, outdoor, destination?

2. What is the color scheme of your wedding?

3. Is there an overall theme to your wedding?

4. Do you want to incorporate a specific ethnic or religious theme?

5. In what season will your wedding take place?

6. What type of flowers are you having in your wedding?

7. Do you want to include your photo on your invitations?

8. What is your wedding invitation budget?

Another great idea for personalizing your wedding invitations is to include a favorite line of poetry, a beloved quotation, a particular Bible verse, or words from a special song. Many times the company who prints your invitations will also have a large selection of small verses to choose from. Just be sure your chosen wedding invitation style will have enough room for these extra lines of printing.

Your wedding invitations should be both beautiful and uniquely personal, just like your wedding ceremony. With all of today’s gorgeous choices, you’re sure to find exactly what you desire.

About The Author: Sara Haese owns http://www.PrintedCreationsWeddingStore.com where you’ll find a huge selection of casual and elegant wedding invitations as well as save the dates and wedding accessories. Visitors can also sign up to receive her FREE Wedding Invitation Guide.

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Choosing Your Wedding Cake

June 23rd, 2010 | Rss Feed

Happy Endings – Your Wedding Cake

When you think of wedding receptions, what is the one thing that they all have? A “stately mountain of snowy frosting and royal icing blossoms,” (from “The Perfect Wedding Cake” by Kate Manchester), aka the wedding cake! Not bad for a dessert which has its roots clear back to the Roman Empire. But back then, there was no beautifully decorated, sweet confection. Instead, a loaf of barley bread was broken over the bride’s head to symbolize her fertility. Can you imagine picking crumbs out of your hair? As the barley bread evolved into today’s wedding cake, the symbolism of the cake and the cake cutting ceremony evolved into your first joint act as a married couple, your commitment to provide for each other, and the sweet life you will share together.

Your wedding cake should taste absolutely wonderful, however, it is not just dessert. Your wedding cake will be an integral part of the reception decor, so plan accordingly and place it in a strategic location where all of your guests can easily see it. How about in the center of the dance floor? It can be removed after the cake cutting ceremony – table and all – so you have room for your first dance as husband and wife. Just be sure that someone carefully cleans up any stray icing that may hit the floor which can be very slippery and dangerous. Or how about placing your wedding cake in a corner with pin lights or a small spotlight highlighting its glory?

The Statue of Liberty has its pedestal, a queen has her throne, the cake table needs to be worthy to hold such a beautiful creation. Like a beautiful frame that surrounds a lovely painting, the cake table should be decorated to complement the wonderful confection that it holds. Decorating the cake table needn’t be time consuming nor expensive. You may already have something appropriate in your closet or on the dining room table. A lace tablecloth would be lovely draped across the cake table. A length of tulle loosely billowed on the top of the table gives the impression of your cake floating on clouds. Or, swag the table with tulle, organza, lame, or garlands of greenery and flowers.

If your motto is “Life’s too short, eat dessert first,” then you may want to go all out with your desserts. Have a dessert bar with trays of different scrumptious delicacies – iced cookies, brownies, mini bite-sized cheesecakes – with your wedding cake as the centerpiece. And speaking of centerpieces, if one large cake to feed hundreds of people isn’t your thing, how about a small (only big enough for two) cake which you and your new spouse get to cut and feed each other, and in place of the more traditional floral or candle centerpieces for each guest table, have a single tiered cake that serves 8-10 people.

Cake Toppers – The Crowning Glory

You’re finished sampling yummy cake and icing flavors and have picked out your wedding cake. What’s next? Well, what to put on top of the cake, of course! While an arrangement of fresh flowers is one of the most popular choices, cake topper figurines are making a huge comeback. Traditional choices are doves, hearts and a bride & groom. Who can go wrong with such romantic icons? But they aren’t the only way to top your cake.

If you’re having a specific theme to your wedding, a cake topper is an excellent place to further express it. How about a snowflake figurine for a winter wedding? Perhaps pumpkins or gourds for a fall wedding – either a pretty figurine, or something yummy made out of marzipan. Dolphins or starfish would be perfect for a beach theme.

Seasonal fruits and berries are a delicious, and practical choice. Bunches of gorgeous grapes, or fresh strawberries or blueberries have such beautiful colors that add a lovely rich look – so perfect for spring or summer weddings. If you’re having a winter wedding, use small sugared fruits like apples and pears.

New trends in cake toppers include candles (make sure your baker reinforces the cake where the candles will be placed, so the weight of the candles don’t cause them to sink into the cake), vintage bride & groom toppers, and monograms – several companies offer silver or Swarovski crystal monogram cake toppers. And speaking of Swarovski, their wedding cake jewelry of romantic sprays of heart-shaped crystal drops adds an extra touch of glitz and glitter.

The possibilities are truly endless!

About The Author: Jean Neuhart is the owner of Weddings From The Heart. As a Professional Bridal Consultant, she helps busy brides and their fiances plan creative, personalized and stress-free weddings. Visit Jean at www.weddingsfromtheheart.net. You can e-mail her at jean[at]weddingsfromtheheart.net.

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Winning Ideas For A Wedding Video In Vegas

June 23rd, 2010 | Rss Feed

The mood outside the Little White Chapel was one for the ages for Jennifer Baits, 31 and Jason Frisby, 29. Located at 1301 Las Vegas Blvd, this charming and cozy chapel has been home to numerous celebrity weddings and has been featured on “Entertainment Tonite”, and the Discovery Channel.

Las Vegas is where such icons as Zsa Zsa Gabor, Richard Gere, Elvis Presley and a host of other famous singers, actors, and entertainers have tied the knot. So what is it about the city of neon lights that attracts over 150,000 couples to exchange vows each year?

Perhaps, it’s the excitement of saying; “I do” above the lights of the strip in a helicopter. Or perhaps, it’s the excitement of getting married by an American icon like Elvis, at the Graceland wedding chapel.

A common challenge for couples planning a destination wedding is finding the right vendors. For example, Las Vegas couples can sign up for the video package offered by the venue or book their own.

Fortunately for Jennifer and Jason, they didn’t rely on luck, but instead hard work in selecting their wedding videographer.

Yes To A Quality Wedding Video -

Like photography, videos are something that should allow you to relive your memories for a lifetime. With all the unique wedding attractions in Vegas, you can be assured your day will be worth remembering. Unlike other mementos such as flowers, wedding cake, and even that special champagne, they are something that can be passed on from generation and experienced for a lifetime.

If you want a great video, you have to do it right. Don’t simply do what everyone else does. To hire a competent videographer, do your homework and don’t just settle on the lowest priced vendor. Remember that you want a video that you can look at for a lifetime. Look at quality first, not price. If you don’t, you may regret what you get; remember that you wedding happens only once, so you can’t do your video over, either.

Use Your Eyes and Ears -

In order to make an effective decision on who will successfully produce a video illuminating the overall allure of a wedding, analyzing the previous work of a potential professional is essential. Las Vegas has a bunch of video professionals offering different packages. As you view samples, it is important to pay attention to clarity, quality of video, composition, as well as skill in shooting and editing. Some videographers will give you sample DVDs or CDs of their work. This is a good way to sample their work on your own time. You can take your time, compare styles and make your decision without being rushed.

Pay attention to audio quality. Most experienced videographers use wireless microphones during the ceremony and reception to make sure they fully capture such important moments as vows and speeches. Audio is a critical element. When you have Elvis singing at your reception, you don’t want him to sound like he’s rehearsing in the shower. Therefore, if you find a videographer during your search that only uses one microphone, look elsewhere- it should not sound like it was recorded in an airplane hangar.

If this all sounds like a lot of work, it’s worth it because these are memories that will literally last a lifetime; you’ll be sharing them with your children and grandchildren, too, if you’re lucky. After the fact, you’ll be glad that you put in the extra effort to make sure you had a quality video. You can even have your videographer do something special like a “vignette” tape on the Las Vegas strip, where he or she constructs a short “movie” or series of photographs in a montage set to music, to encapsulate you and your spouse’s lives before your special day.

Video Formats -

Nowadays, there is a wide array of video formats that a videographer may offer when covering a wedding. To guarantee the best quality and results, knowing the different types of options you may select from will help you make a decision a lot easier. The most commonly used approaches include S-VHS, DV, and HDV. S-VHS produces the lowest quality, while HDV (also known as high definition video) offers the best in quality, which can be repeatedly recopied without loss of quality. For couples looking to receive video with the feel of a broadcast quality event, HDV offers the best display of digital sound and video that comes in the form of a DVD. Just make sure you have a high definition compatible player such as Blu-Ray or HD-DVD.

Get Special Touches In Your Video -

You can ask your videographer to add some special touches in your wedding video such as family interviews, a stroll down to Excalibur Hotel & Casino, and even some special behind the scenes coverage. It would be great for you and your spouse to be able to watch the video afterwards and see each other before the wedding while getting ready. You can share some special moments, laughs and memories for a long time.

It’s also worth noting that Las Vegas has a ton of excitement to offer. A romantic way to capture those precious moments in the city is to have your wedding filmed not only at the ceremony and reception but also as you tour the city.

Some memorable attractions worth mentioning include a trip to the Grand Canyon, a romantic tour on the waters of Lake Las Vegas, or a lift in a helicopter across the lights of the city.

Whatever you choose to do, the sin city will bring substance, excitement, and allure, to your wedding.

The Cost -

Videographers generally offer a variety of options and therefore, prices can vary wildly. For a basic package, look for:

  1. The Number Of Cameras/Operators At Your Event
  2. The Hours Of Coverage They Provide
  3. The Add-Ons (Such As A Photo Montage) Included
  4. What If Any Editing Of The Footage Occurs?
  5. How Many Final Copies Of Your Video You Receive?

There can be other factors as well, although these are most common. The market in your area will generally determine how much you’ll pay. Again, online searches can do a lot to help you determine the proper price range. Some videographers will charge by the hour, while others will provide one flat package price. Other services, like same day highlights, may cost extra. One new option that has recently come into play is that some videographers are now offering high-definition video.

If the quality of the work and the personality of the videographer fit what you want, then you’ve found the right one. Viva Las Vegas!

About the Author: Mark Pommett is an experienced wedding videographer. He shot his first Las Vegas wedding video 10 yrs ago and has been shooting ever since.

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