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To All Brides to be,

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If you are a bride in the midst of planning your wedding, you may discover that shopping for the perfect bridesmaid dresses can be a challenge. You could find yourself dealing with the conflicting opinions of your own bridesmaids. Perhaps, you already have a vague idea of what you want, but are confronted by a plethora of options. No matter what difficulties may lie ahead in shopping for the prefect bridesmaid dresses, you must keep in mind that you have the ultimate power to choose your bridesmaid dresses. When it comes to having a wedding, planning is everything. Therefore, take an organized approach by considering some of the following aspects.

Budget
Know your budget. If your bridesmaids are paying for their own bridesmaid dresses, solidify your budget together. Take the time to meet with your bridesmaids and include them in the process, especially if they are responsible for paying for at least a portion of the dresses. A meeting is also an opportune time to discuss other potential design aspects, especially if you are feeling indecisive.

Colors and Fabric
What colors for bridesmaid dresses align with your wedding theme? Usually, a bride chooses bridesmaid dresses based upon the color palette that was chosen specifically for the wedding. Also, feel different fabrics. Are you looking for a matte fabric or a satin material with a special shimmer? Since your wedding will have many photo opportunities, consider how each fabric will look behind the camera lens.

Personal Preferences
Define your personal preference for bridesmaids dresses. Understand that in the end, your opinion wins. After all, this is your wedding day and it’s up to you to choose your ideal set of bridesmaid dresses. You may want to take the time to discover your bridesmaids’ personal style preferences. Some brides allow their bridesmaids to have the freedom to choose their own bridesmaid dresses, particularly if the bride asks for the bridesmaid to pay for the dress or a portion of it. If your bridesmaids’ style preferences do not align, are you willing to compromise or are you sticking to the vision of what you already want?

Figure Types
Evaluate your bridesmaids’ figures. Many brides acknowledge that their bridesmaids come in all shapes and sizes. Are you willing to accommodate different shapes and sizes? For example, would you consider purchasing the same color and fabric in different dress shapes? You can offer your bridesmaids the option to choose from various shapes, from cap sleeve dresses to halters. To maintain the uniformity, you can stick with the same exact fabric and color.

Finding bridesmaid dresses can be a challenge. After all, you want them to look nice and align with your wedding theme, all while making sure your bridesmaids wearing them are happy.

Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations not only come in all shapes and sizes and colours, but the actual wording used, the font and layout all contribute to the overall effect. And then there are the envelopes! And don’t forget the paper or card used.

So where to begin?

Types of Invitation

This is very variable. Here are some basic types:

• A single page card and single reply card
• A fold-out envelope with card and separate reply card
• A single folded invitation which opens like a book
• A double fold invitation which opens like French windows

You could also have a bespoke or novelty shape but these will be more expensive and availability will be limited to specialist printers.

Choosing colours and text style

Once you have your basic design, the next choice is colour scheme. You may want your wedding invitation to match the scheme of the wedding reception or you may just go for a traditional white card with black or gold lettering.

You should bear in mind that the more colours you use, the more expensive it will be to print.

The font of the text should come next. You have the option to go with a more traditional cursive font which resembles handwriting or a modern, more jazzy font, or just a simple clear serif (like Times Roman) or sans serif font (like Arial).

The printer or card designer will be able to provide you with examples and it is worthwhile looking at previous work so you can see the quality and get some ideas. Take a look at Bella’s Brides to see examples of what is available. Bella’s Brides one stop bridal shop offers a comprehensive  wedding invitation service.

Wording

The wording of wedding invitations can be very personal, but it is important to ensure all the information about the ceremony and the reception is included and that a dress code is stipulated. Again, an experienced designer or printer will advise. The protocols of former years are easing and it is no longer always the case that the bride’s family are solely responsible for the wedding invitations.

The bridesmaid is an important figure in the wedding scene, as she can be such a valuable assistant in the days leading up to the big event, a shoulder to cry on when things get a little stressful (as they will), a familiar face during the event itself and a valued caretaker to mop things up afterward. There’s a lot to do and a great deal of planning to make sure that your friend has the most important day of her life.

You have been chosen as the bridesmaid because you mean something very special to the bride. You can view this as an honor, for indeed it is. However, there’s quite a lot of work involved as well. Do everything you can to anticipate problems and to smooth over any wrinkles and you’ll be sure to have enhanced your friendship!

Right from the beginning, the bride may ask you for your input to help with administrative tasks. Start to get involved with preparing invitations, even if this means just addressing the envelopes in your best writing style. If you have a creative style, this will likely not have gone unnoticed by the bride and you can help out a lot by assisting with the selection of appropriate decor, decorations and party favors.

The bridesmaid should also be a good organizer, ideally and help to take a lot of the weight off the bride and groom’s shoulders. Ensure that everything is ordered and is set to be delivered in plenty of time.

You may go along with the bride and the maid of honor to look for that beautiful wedding dress. In Toronto, wedding dresses are fit for a queen and you may be able to help her select styles and accessories if she chooses custom wedding dresses. Remember that when wedding dresses are selected, bridesmaid dresses are as well and this will be a great treat for you.

The days immediately before a wedding are a whirl of activity and you should help to ensure the bachelorette party goes off without a hitch and that everybody knows where and when the rehearsal dinner is taking place. The big day itself will soon come and you should be ready as a personal assistant with anything that could possibly have been forgotten close at hand.

After the wedding has taken place, you can be the point of contact when bride and groom slip away on their honeymoon. Of course they don’t want to be worried with any “admin” back home and you could do a lot to make sure that their honeymoon is memorable by looking after the distribution of photographs, cleaning up details after the party and handling all that paperwork.

It can seem as if there is so much to do that you’re afraid that you might forget something. Do yourself a favor – just don’t forget to call on the resources of professionals and as recommended by the bridal shop, Toronto has plenty of contacts to help you out.

Finding the right Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer depends on a number of different criteria. You need to have a clear idea of what’s involved in choosing a wedding photographer that’s right for you.

Reputation and Experience: these days digital photography has given everyone the power to take good images, but only true professionals with talent and training can provide you with a professional service. A persona recommendation is often a good starting point. You cannot afford a ‘no show’ or a botched job. You only have one chance to get your wedding photography right and you have to be able to trust the photographer.

Someone who will fit in: You need to shop around and meet the wedding photographer. There’s nothing worse than hiring someone whose personality or style does not fit the occasion. Most wedding photographers try to be as unobtrusive as possible and behave like and look like a guest.

Will they take photographs we actually like?  Take a look at their work and decide if this is the style for you.

Do they offer a wide range of packages to provide choice to meet our budget? Always key to choosing the right wedding photographer: they have to fit your budget with no hidden costs.

When Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer?

The sooner the better. 9-12 months before is a good rule of thumb. Why so long? Well, like a wedding venue can get fully booked, so can a wedding photographer. Most only work at weekends and there aren’t that many weekends in a year. And while you are at it, make sure you are not being provided with an assistant rather than the main man or woman.

What Are The Different Styles of Wedding Photography On Offer?

These days there is much greater choice than just the traditional wedding photographs. 

A wedding as an exercise in photojournalism

This approach turns the wedding experience into a story with a beginning and end and covers a number of styles which can be very individual to the photographer. It will usually employ a number of locations which are pertinent to the bride and groom’s ‘story’.

The style is usually described as ‘candid’ and shot using available light. If any of your family hankers after traditional planned shots of family groups, the ceremony etc. then be very careful about this style.

Traditional wedding photographs:

The complete opposite of the photojournalistic style, this is the one we all know. It means endless poses of the bridge and groom, the best man, the bride’s parents, the groom’s parents, everyone together, cute page boys – you get the idea. Usually a wedding photographer in this style will have done the same prepared set of shots with the same camera positions and lighting, even at the same venues, dozens of times. It isn’t exactly spontaneous or original but it does record the event and people for posterity.

Artistic wedding photography style:

This is another planned and posed style but makes uses location, composition, unusual angles and digital rendering to produce something between candid and traditional. But beware: some artistic photographers can be a little ‘off the wall; – make sure you see several examples of their style before choosing.

What Should I Pay For A Wedding Photographer?

Answering that question is like answering ‘how long is a piece of string?’ You must make a decision based on your overall budget. Decide what percentage of your budget is required for professional wedding photography.

What you must ensure is that you get value for money. This means you have to do a bit of research, ask friends what they paid and look for recommendations.

A typical price range is from $1000 to $3000. It could be a lot more but not a lot less unless you just want the photographer to show up and leave you to.

To decide what you should pay means you have to understand what you want and the service you require,

Some questions to consider:

• Do you just want the negatives/digital files to ‘do it yourself’ or a complete professional service?
• Type and style of albums?
• The final number of photographs required?
• The range of photographs: is it just the wedding ceremony, or will it cover the whole day including reception?
• The reputation and previous work of the wedding photographer.

Summing it all up

Like everything else, wedding photography has changed and the digital age has offered many new opportunities. Make sure you plan ahead and make the choices you and the families involved will be comfortable with. You only get one chance to create a wedding album which you will cherish for a lifetime.

Author: Jen Carter

Not sure where to begin when planning for your honeymoon? When wedding planning, you should start discussing ideas with your spouse-to-be. Will you travel domestically or internationally? What type of honeymoon do you desire? Will it be part of a destination wedding? If you’re thinking along the lines of exotic beaches and ethnic foods, you most likely will want to plan to travel abroad.

If you’re looking for a quaint, quiet, lazy, get-away — you may opt to plan for a scenic bed & breakfast overlooking the mountains somewhere domestically. Regardless of where you decide to go, the following tips will help you get there safe and unscathed from mental anguish:

1. Use the services of a travel agent. Their expertise and knowledge of packages and deals will help you save an ample amount of money as well as time.

2. Start planning your trip early. This will give you sufficient time to research your trip and find the exact accommodations that you want. Some places reserve up to a year in advance for popular seasons and resorts!

3. Before you book your trip, decide where you’re willing to splurge and what things you’re willing to skip out on. This will assist you in your planning and budgeting.

4. Take advantage of any agency that’s willing to provide free information; whether it be a website or toll-free number. Nevertheless, beware of agencies that offer promises that sound too good to be true. They most likely are.

5. Make arrangements in your maiden name if you haven’t had time to change all of your legal documentation with your new married name. This can be especially frustrating if you’re travelling abroad and the name on your passport and birth certificate do not coincide with your travel ticket. It’s better to play it safe and make sure that your name matches on every document you have until you return from your travels.

6. Expect the unexpected. You can have a plan and a budget written, that doesn’t always mean that everything will go according to plan. Carry a sense of humor and good spirits. You’ll have to remain cool and collected. After all, this is your once in a lifetime honeymoon. Why let the small stuff get to you?

7. Bask in all of your glory! Let everyone know that you’re on your honeymoon! You’ll most likely receive complimentary champagne, mints, candies, or a even gift basket in your room. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/marriage-articles/planning-your-wedding-honeymoon-19261.html

About the Author:

Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, a free wedding planning guide about weddings. The above article is found in our honeymoon category.

How Do You Choose Your Wedding Shoes?
By: Jerry Leung

You will certainly try your best to find your perfect wedding gown. It is one of the most important items that can make you become the most beautiful bride in the world. As a result, you will need to choose your wedding dress with your greatest care.

Besides, you should also choose your wedding shoes carefully so that the style can match your wedding dress and gown. It will not be a good idea if your wedding shoes cannot match you prefect wedding dress.

As for your wedding dress, the first thing you need to consider about your wedding shoes is comfort. You will be on your foot most of the time on your wedding. A badly chosen pair of shoes can hurt your foot badly. No matter how beautiful a pair of shoes is, you should never consider it if it is not a comfortable one. It is not a good idea to have something that can hurt your foot on the most wonderful day in your life.

If possible, you should try to buy your wedding shoes and dress together (possibly in the same bridal shop). By doing this you can wear the dress and shoes at the same time to see if they match each other. If you are going to buy the shoes later, you may try to bring your gown to the bridal shop so that you can still try them together.

However, if it is not quite possible for you to try the shoes and wedding gown together, you should at least bring samples of the fabrics you will use for your wedding dress to the bridal shop so that the consultants there can help you to choose a match pair of shoes.

There is no doubt that a pair of high heel shoes will look more beautiful. However, if you are going to have a long wedding dress, you may not need a pair of high heel shoes because your dress may probably cover your shoes and no one can see them. No one will argue that a pair of high heel shoes is not as comfortable as a pair of shoes without heels. You should always choose the most comfortable one especially in this case that no one will see your shoes.

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Wedding Traditions: Where Did They Come From? by Amy Nutt

There are so many wedding traditions that it would be impossible to cover them all in just one article, but we can certainly bring you some of the best ones! Many wedding traditions have come from our ancestors and are continued to this day, some come from other countries and cultures and some are just plain modern.

Just about everything we do in relation to getting married is steeped in tradition, from choosing the rings, to the father of the bride walking her down the aisle and the tossing of rice. Most of the time, we don’t even really think about it, but these traditions do have a purpose, or at least they did originally. And whether you are planning Toronto weddings, Hawaiian weddings or tying the knot anywhere else . . . chances are, there will be some wonderful traditions involved.

Common North American Wedding Traditions

There are certain traditions that are really quite common among North Americans and these tend to have their roots in the past. Let’s take a look at a few:

Tin cans behind the car: This is a very popular way to see the newlyweds off, with tin cans rattling behind their car. This tradition originated as a method of keeping evil spirits away from the happy couple.

Colorful bridesmaid dresses: Believe it or not, bridesmaids were originally meant to distract evil spirits away from the bride, so they were all brightly dressed and kept close to the bride, dressed in spirit-repelling white, during her wedding day to prevent bad luck from befalling her.

Flowers: While you might imagine flowers at a wedding to be simply decorative, they actually symbolize fertility and a new life. Certain flowers even hold specific meanings, according those held in Victorian times.

You may kiss the bride: Closing the ceremony with a kiss stems from ancient Rome when all contracts were sealed with a kiss. The contract of marriage is also sealed with a kiss.

Tossing rice: Since this tradition is actually dangerous to birds and small animals that eat the rice, most wedding parties now toss confetti or blow bubbles, but the traditional rice was meant to signify fertility and plenty of food for the new couple.

Wedding Traditions from Other Cultures

If you don’t want to be completely predictable, there’s nothing wrong with spicing things up a bit with some fun wedding traditions from other cultures. These can be quite unique and are a great way to celebrate the bride and groom’s heritage.

In Panama, the groom gives his new bride 13 coins as part of the ceremony, to symbolize his promise to support her financially. These coins are usually blessed by the priest who is officiating the wedding ceremony.

A Czechoslovakian wedding tradition dictates that a tree be planted in the bride’s yard and decorated with ribbons and wedding finery. It’s said that the bride will live the same amount of time as the tree. Another tradition is to put an infant on the couple’s bed on their wedding night to bring fertility.

Polish parents of the bride and groom give the happy couple a glass of wine (symbolizing joy and good health) and slices of rye bread (symbolizing a full pantry) that has been sprinkled with salt (hard times) to show their blessing.

As you plan your wedding, you’ll find that there are plenty of other interesting wedding traditions. While many are culture specific, that doesn’t mean you can’t use them in your own wedding. The traditions that have been created over the generations hold special meaning and this is why it’s important to continue them.

The Perfect Wedding Guide is your complete source for Toronto Wedding information; including Toronto Wedding Cakes, Bridal Attire, Toronto Wedding Photographers, and Banquet Halls Toronto.
Article Source: topicplanet.com

Choosing Your Wedding Dress
By Elena Masters

If you grew up like I did with a romantic vision of what my wedding should be like, then no matter how many questions there are to ask yourself, you’re sure of one thing, it needs to be perfect. Nowadays not everyone appears as concerned about finding the perfect dress, but for most of us – deep inside – it really does matter.

As soon as you begin planning or the big day, choosing your wedding dress becomes an urgent need for most brides. Nobody wants to wait. While dealing with wedding stress and preparations, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to try on different styles and find the one who says “you”.
The theme of your wedding will be an important point when selecting that special dress. Are you getting married on the beach? If so, you might choose a light airy style. Have you decided on a formal affair? Then by all means, go all out and wear a white dress covered in silk and lace. Whatever type of occasion your wedding will be, your dress will play one of the most important roles in it!

It’s also important to think about the month and season you are getting married in. If you are having a middle of summer wedding, then you probably shouldn’t wear a wedding dress with double layers or long sleeves. After all, this is supposed to be the most memorable day of your beginning together. You don’t want the biggest memory to be how much you sweated through the whole ceremony!

When choosing a wedding dress, try on comfortable styles. Walk around in them, if kneeling is part of your ceremony, then kneel in the dress. You need to certain that you will be comfortable in your choice. The beauty of the dress is only half of your decision – the other half is looking beautiful, happy and elegant. And you won’t look – or be – happy if you are holding your breath so seams do not pop or you’re itchy from the lace on your arms.

One mistake that a lot of brides tend to make when choosing a wedding dress is with the size. If you are planning on losing weight before your big day, do not buy a dress the size you think you may be come the wedding day. Instead buy the size you are on the day you choose the dress. It will always be easier to take a dress in if it is too big. It’s an awful job trying to add material for a dress that ended up being too small.

With the expense of weddings, some couples try and cut back by making their own flowers, having a family member bake the wedding cake or hiring a friend to take wedding photos. Although it is okay to cut back and still have your dream wedding, don’t skimp when choosing your wedding dress.

After you have chosen your wedding dress hang it in the bag it comes in and don’t show it to everybody. Give guests something to look forward to when they see you for the first time walking down the aisle. And unless it is truly unavoidable, don’t let your future husband see your dress at all before the wedding. They say it’s bad luck and even if that’s just a superstition, it certainly does spoil his surprise!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elena_Masters
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