I know you must have heard it again and again but personalizing your wedding is the way to really set your day apart. To help make your wedding unique (and to make it feel like it’s really your wedding), we would talk about five creative ways to give your day a personal touch. For today it’s the wedding invitation.

Wedding Invitation

Your wedding invitations are one of your first chances to introduce your event — from the colour you choose to the motif and overall style, this mailer will leave your guests with an impression of what’s to come. When it comes to personalizing your invites, think beyond simply your colour palette.

Go one step further by including a personalized map card of the area where you’re getting married, with cute illustrations to indicate where the after party is, where the bridesmaid luncheon will unfold, and (of course) where the ceremony and reception sites are located.

If you are marrying in a very familiar area or where you love then you can include arrows to all your favorite hot spots on the invite. If you’re marrying over a long weekend, your out-of-town guests will likely be making a mini-vacation out of it so let them know where the best eatery joint is, how to find your favorite bar, and where they can indulge in the most amazing family outing or even where the beach is.

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The best man is most commonly known for holding the wedding rings during the ceremony and giving the first toast at the reception; however, his responsibilities don’t end there.

The best man also serves as organizer of the groom’s bachelor party (if there is to be one); witness on the marriage certificate. If there is to be a joint gift from the groomsmen to the bride and groom, the best man collects the money and purchases the gift.

Finally, the best man makes sure the ushers know the correct seating for guests (bride’s to the left, groom’s to the right), if there is no head usher assigned, and returns the groom’s rented wedding attire the day after the wedding if need be.

Perhaps the most important responsibility of the best man is to keep the groom on time for the wedding. He should also do what he can to ensure that the groom’s day runs smoothly, from confirming transportation has arrived, to corralling the groomsmen and keeping them on schedule.

And although, it is not an “official” duty, the best man is often expected to dance with the bridesmaids as well as with the bride at the reception.

Tags: Best Man

How would a reception look like without decorations? Decorations create an atmosphere. It adds colour, beauty and festivity to the occasion! You can also make your wedding look different by the kind of decorations you choose to have. The initial reaction to the array of decorations sets the mood for your guest. Your decoration should reflect the theme of your wedding and you should speak to your professional decorators and supply houses on what you would like to see or have.

For Instance, balloons can be used to decorate the dance floor, create arches over the head table and doorways, and can be formed into canopies, ceiling sculptures and clusters. Balloon and/or flower bouquets make wonderful centerpieces and are a fun way to complete a colour scheme.

You can have your banquet and bridesmaids flowers placed on the cake table or throughout the reception area for an extra decorating touch. Ribbons can also be used with natural flowers to create a classic decorations on the table or the entrance way!

Tags: Reception Decoration, Wedding Decorations

While there’s no magic formula for choosing the Groomsmen or Bridesmaids, there are some guidelines you can follow to help narrow your choices.

Best Man/Chief bridesmaid. There is sure to be one person you’re closest to, and on whom you can rely no matter what – He/She is your best choice. Grooms or Brides often choose a Brother/Sister or closest friend as their bestman or chief bridesmaid. For the groom, If you feel your wedding wouldn’t be complete without a bestman, but he’s not all that reliable, consider having two — the reliable one can hold on to the ring.

Groomsmen and Bridesmaid. Brothers, sisters, close friends, and the men/women you’ve shared your past with are good choices for choosing your attendants. Remember, your attendants are the men and women who will be standing at your side when you exchange your vows; it is an enormous honour, and not really appropriate for a casual pal. Your friends will probably understand your choosing family members over them; but the trickiest part for any couple is deciding between their closest friends. If for instance, you need to choose your groomsmen, the decision maker may come down to which of the guys you have known the longest and that goes for the bridesmaids as well.

Grooms” women.” Platonic friendships between men and women have resulted in female attendants for grooms. A lovely gesture to make towards a close friend, asking a girl to stand up for you is perfectly acceptable.

Number of Attendants. Some brides will insist upon having an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, but there are no official rules. It is perfectly fine to have a disproportionate number of attendants, so don’t feel pressured to cut one of your attendants, or search your address book for an extra person.

In the end, you should have the people you are closest to by your side on your wedding day — no more, and no less.

Tags: Groomsmen and Bridesmaid

There are loads of Wedding Photographers in your area, so it’s normal to feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the right one for you. Use our guidelines to help narrow down the perfect professional to handle your Wedding Pictures.

Interview in person. Meet and get bids from at least two or three Photographers. Go to their studios. Have your little note to write down cost and compare. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on anything that comes your mind.

Review their work. Go thru the Photographers portfolio, and ask yourself what you like or dislike. Does the work reflect different styles, or does each Wedding photos look mind-numbingly the same? Is there anything there that you’d like at your own wedding? If he has a website check it out and see his style and determine how flexible his Wedding package is. Does it fit into your budget? Can you negotiate?

Size up their personalities. Since you’ll be working closely with the person you ultimately choose, ask yourself this: Do you like the photographer’s personality? You want to select someone who meshes well with you in addition to having talent. The best photographers in town isn’t worth hiring if you felt he didn’t spend enough time with you, wasn’t a good listener, and dismissed your ideas.

Consider their willingness to work with you. The best photographer will have creative ideas that appeal to your sensibility, taking into account your tastes and style. He should be forthcoming on how to get the most for your budget .He should tell you beforehand how your album would turn out to be.

Research their reputations. Has the photographer gotten good press, or — even better — word of mouth? How about references? It’s worth it to check your Local wedding vendor to see if someone in your area has dealt with the photographer you’re interviewing. Get a number if possible of couples he has dealt with before and ask about his reputation, his promptness and efficiency.

He should be able to advise you on how he would work on that day. If he is working directly or delegating the responsibility to his staffs as you don’t want to baffled seeing his apprentice while he is away to another wedding. Whatever decisions you take, negotiate and work out if it’s worth paying your photographer by the hour or per picture.

Picture credits: Dom Foto

Tags: Wedding Photographer

Flowers can add color, personalization, and a touch of elegance to even the plainest wedding cake – and at a fraction of the cost of sugar-paste flowers or other decorations.

If you choose to decorate your cake with flowers, think about a color scheme; you can stay within the realm of your wedding theme, but you can include multiple shades in the same colour family. For instance, if your wedding theme are orange and red, consider flowers in shades of apricot, peach, deep red, and even yellow.

Next, decide which type of flower you would like on your cake. Repeating the flowers in your bridal bouquet is fine, but so is choosing other flowers you may love and were unable to include in your bouquet. Orchids, roses, gardenias, and hydrangea work well on cakes, you can visit a flower shop to determine the appropriate ones for the wedding cake.

Another option is to use edible, crystallized flowers. These sweet, non-perishable blooms are actual blossoms that have been treated to make them stiff (like sugar flowers), and have a fine dusting of sparkle. Not only are crystallized flowers exquisite, but they also won’t wilt, turn brown, or need to be kept in water beforehand.

Once you’ve narrowed down your flower choices, consider the décor design you want for your cake. Do you want blossoms on every tier, edging the bottom layer, or simply topping the cake? Do you want whole flowers, flower petals, or both? When selecting your wedding cake, keep in mind what you’ve envisioned so you can choose the appropriate cake style.

For an elaborate floral arrangement, icing decorations should be kept to a minimum; for a simple cake topper, additional patterns and adornments are welcome. For a firm foundation, fondant icing works well, since it can’t be smudged; but butter cream will also work if a professional applies the flowers.

Keep in mind that all fresh flowers used on a cake must be free of any harmful treatments, so make sure you tell your florist what the flowers will be used for. Finally, consider ordering extra flowers to use on your cake table as decoration.

Tags: Flowers on Wedding Cake

How do you spice up your Wedding Reception? How do your create the vibe and keep the smiles?

In the Wedding Reception, the song you choose can make a difference between an okay wedding and a spectacular one. One way of having a classic wedding is being different in your choice of music. How do you feel when you go to a wedding and you hear that ONE song overplayed by almost anybody and everybody getting married e.g. Oruka!

Of course you still can play oruka but the mix and play at the appropriate time during the reception is what really matters.

What about choosing some traditional songs that have endured the test of times from our parent’s days. That would sure bring some body movements amongst the elderly ones. These songs surprisingly, are not that boring as you think when you know their true meaning. Love songs from the 60’s and 70’s would bring back fond memories for many.

If you are both young couples and you want a modern feel, choose more unconventional songs to accompany your procession.

You can go to your local Musical CD seller and ask for a good mix of your favorite song and with just a little amount of money together your music list, he could create the perfect Musical CD for your wedding reception. As a music connoisseur he is more likely to advise you on the best traditional music that would be appropiate for the occassion.

Months before the wedding , you can start compiling the songs that you feel would reflect your deepest feeling and appreciation of your love for your partner.

You can even surprise your spouse and the guest by organizing a special choreography of your favorite music. You could ask your friends to wear a special costume to karaoke you or your spouse’s best song! Even you could pick up the microphone to sing for him/her on that day.

While music could bring out the color and spice in a wedding reception. The right music played at the right time will definitely bring out the heartfelt joy, satisfaction and happiness that make a wedding reception complete.

Do you have any favorite wedding song you want to share with us?

Tags: Wedding Music, Wedding Songs

The first toast at a wedding reception should be offered by the bestman and this comes when everybody is seated for dinner or when the drinks have been served. When ready the best man takes the microphone and attracts the attention of the guest before proposing the toast to the bride and the Groom.

On most occasions, the father of the bride and groom also offer toast to welcome each other’s families and express their happiness to the newlyweds. They also use this opportunity to give valuable advice to the couple.

The maid of honor and other members of the bridal party may be allowed to propose a toast as time permits. It is also permissible for the bride and groom to make a toast together or individually during the reception as long as it is after the best mans’ toast.

When making a toast, you want to speak from the heart and keep it short. No embarrassing comments that might shock the audience. If you are not sure on what constitutes being offensive then you can rehearse in front of the party in question whom the joke is directed at before the wedding.

Everyone should rise for the toasts to the newlyweds except you and your husband. If the toast is directed to the bride only, the groom will rise: if it is to your parents, both of you would rise- Bride and Groom. If there’s no seating as in situation when the toast is offered during cock-tails only reception, then both of you will simply smile during the toasts to signify acknowledgement and appreciation.

It is a good idea to think ahead of what you would like to say and rehearse if possible as you really do not want to annoy the others who are eager to make their little toast as well.

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Wedding Reception can be held in many places like homes, hotels, halls and parks.

In choosing the right location, the first thing you have to think of is the style of the wedding reception. Is your wedding formal, Informal, Outdoor or Indoor?

Next is the number of guest that you are inviting as this will determine the size and the capacity of the ceremony. Set your budget and then start to visit venues to check the availability of dates.

On finding a venue you would need to consider if it could accommodate the sort of reception you have in mind.

You can ask the events manager certain questions like:

1. Can the venue cater for the number of guest you are inviting?

2. Are you allowed to bring private caterers.

3. Are there any restrictions on what time your reception has to finish by?

4. Are they adequate toilet facilities for the number of guest coming?

5. Are they Car-Parking facilities?

6. Are they any restrictions on decorations such as balloons, flowers e.t.c

7. Would a Venue Manager be available on the day to answer any technical queries that might arise and ensure the smooth running of the event?

8. Is the venue easy to locate?

If you are satisfied with the answers you get then get the venue booked and continue with the rest of the planning. If you have a wonderful wedding reception that you will like to share with us, please email the editor.

Tags: Wedding Reception Venue

Creating your own wedding vow is fast becoming the norm to make your wedding unique and stylish. To make your own vow, you have to think of the many ways your love inspires you. It doesn’t matter if you are not poetic! Listening to an inspired song could help you write straight from the heart.

You could tape record your sayings from your heart and then replay the tape this time penning down the word or phrase that captures your deepest love or that makes you laugh, cry or smile. Avoid general words like ‘I WILL LOVE YOU TILL THE END OF TIME‘ or words from popular musical lyrics ‘I LOVE YOU TRULY, MADLY DEEPLY‘. It’s nice but not original and loads of people must have heard it a million times over the Radio or TV.

A good wedding vow does not need big grammar or long sentence. Let it be short but sweet and it should aim to successfully communicate your true feelings and love for each other.

You can ask a friend who probably does a lot of reading or writes as part of their work to go thru it and give constructive advice on how to improve your writing.

Keep in mind that many places require certain words in order for the marriage to be legally binding- I (name) take you (name) as my wife/husband- the wording must state that you take your partner as your spouse and that you promise to remain committed to him or her. You need to sought the advice of the officiant in knowing how you can mix the traditional standard vow with your own vow.

How about this:

‘I (name), take you (name) as my wife/husband). The Mother/Father of my children, my best friend, my lover and confidant. I promise to love, care and provide for your needs, wants and fantasies! I promise to laugh when you laugh and cry with you when you cry. In whatever endeavors we choose to embark on, I promise to always support you as I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you till death do us part.’

You can do better! Go on and give it a try!

Tags: Wedding vows