Wedding
Planning: Involve your Fiancé in 10 Easy Steps by: Blake
Kritzberg
He's popped the question. You've
chosen a date. And now, you're swimming in a sea of euphoria with no horizons.
Good thing, too, because there are literally a thousand things to arrange
before the big day.
You do the research, buckle under
and dive in. But you find your fiancé's ardor for the event itself
seems to have cooled. It's not that he isn't mad about marrying you; after
all, he is a great guy, even if he can't tell a Vera Wang from a Gunny
Sack. It's that his preparation style is hands-off, to say the least. And
planning a wedding isn't a job built for one.
So what to do? Here are ten ways
to involve him without increasing both of your stress loads:
1) Delegate areas that have a prayer
of interesting him.
The worst thing you can do is expect
him to match your ten to twenty years of feminine wisdom on the relative
merits of buttercream vs. fondant.
Here are some probable no areas when
roping in a reluctant wedding planner:
Selecting the cake frosting
Choosing the favors or favor packaging
Selecting the wedding colors or floral
arrangements
Then there are the potential maybes,
fraught with fewer hazards:
Choosing the photographer
Choosing the videographer
Arranging the rehearsal dinner
Arranging the all-inclusive honeymoon
Renting big, tricky items like outdoor
tents
These are probable yeses, well worth
running by your guy:
Selecting the DJ or the band
Setting up and maintaining your wedding
website
Researching and selecting charities,
if you choose to donate instead of giving out favors
Setting up the carriage, limo or other
transportation arrangements
2) If you ask him to help you choose
vendors and styles, narrow down the choices first.
It's a jungle of options out there,
enough to give the most natural-born party planner pause. So if you want
his opinion on photographers, invites, flowers or cakes, narrow down the
options to three or four. He's less likely to feel overwhelmed, and more
likely to feel like an important part of the process.
At times, it'll feel so good to share
the load that you'll be tempted to drag him into the buttercream debate
despite your better instincts. At these times, take a deep breath, count
to ten, and call your mother or your maid of honor.
3) Ask him directly for help. Let
him know how important his input is to you, and that you can't do it without
him.
Guys like to be needed. Your frank
request for help may be enough to pull him out of his comfort zone and
onto your team.
4) Try the Art Director/Production
Staff approach.
If you think your guy wants to help,
but feels uncomfortable playing "art director," give him "production staff"
tasks. Have him make the payments, pick up the food or decor, handle the
rentals, do online comparison shopping, or reserve the hotels and reception
halls. These are all jobs that will take a load off your shoulders, while
freeing up time for the aesthetic stuff you probably enjoy and he doesn't.
5) Get a calendar and put all the
planning in black and white.
Your fiancé probably doesn't
have the first clue in what goes into a wedding.
Get your wedding planner, write it
all down, and show him. Once he gets over the shock, you'll both probably
be able to identify areas that interest him. Make lists of the things you've
each agreed to do, and cross them off as they get done. At the very least,
he'll be far more supportive when he sees what you're going through.
6) Weave his family heritage/ethnicity/traditions
into the ceremony.
What did his parents do? He might
be surprised at the question, but it could lead somewhere valuable. He
might ask his parents about their wedding, and find your wedding consequently
enriched. Look through their wedding album together. Are his ancestors
German, Polish, Italian, Croatian, Asian? Incorporate some old-world traditions
into your ceremony.
7) Don't bring him in too early.
Treat your fiancé as a bit
of a pinch hitter. Sure, you may be fully aware that you can shave 5K off
your costs by starting your favor crafts and reservations 18 months ahead
of time. But if he's like most guys, the wedding won't become real to him
until it draws closer. Expect him to jump in about six months before the
actual ceremony, and break into a (relative) frenzy of activity about one
month in advance.
8) Talk about something besides the
wedding.
Guys aren't the only ones who complain
about brides-to-be talking of nothing but upcoming nuptials. Sometimes,
even girlfriends get overwhelmed by all the wedding chatter.
Spend some time alone chatting about
anything but the wedding. See a silly movie, split a hot fudge sundae,
or watch a basketball game. Do something spontaneous that reminds you both
of why you decided to marry in the first place.
9) Check your subtext for hidden
meanings.
Tempting as it might be, make sure
you're not using your fiancé as a coin-toss tool (ever noticed how
people flip coins to find out what they really want?). When you ask for
his opinion, take it seriously. And when you give him ownership of a task,
don't second-guess every step.
Imagine that your fiancé has
told you he's going to draft a dream team in his fantasy football league,
and it's going to cost him $20K to participate. Now imagine that he's told
you your help is supremely important to him.
You'd be a little hesitant to give
opinions, right? Some of your ideas might sound feeble, even to your own
ears. Hopefully he'd welcome your thoughts, however odd it felt for you
to venture them. Now imagine your fiancé feels kind of like that
when it comes to the wedding.
10) Remember that men become wedding
experts by having one.
Chances are, your sweetheart will
open his eyes to the wonder of a wedding by the time the rose petals are
tossed. Forever after, he'll be examining friend's receptions with a practiced
eye, and anticipating the next excuse for a Really Big Shindig.
So keep him around, and count on
throwing a first-rate anniversary celebration ten years down the road.
In a way, that'll be the party that really matters, won't it?
About The Author Blake Kritzberg is the proprietor
of: http://www.just-wedding-favors.com.
Visit the site for easy, elegant, unusual, and affordable wedding favor
ideas, wedding favor FAQ, and free wedding screensaver. This article may
be freely reprinted so long as this resource box and URL are preserved.
Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
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Bridal
Bargains: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget by Denise Fields, Alan Fields Wedding experts Denise and Alan
Fields say it isn’t necessary to spend the nationwide average of 11 months
of planning and $20,000 for a fabulous wedding. In this new edition of
the bridal bargain bible, they outline specific budgets for beautiful weddings
that cost a fraction of the average price.
This edition includes reviews and ratings
of more than 50 new bridal gown designers, tips on surfing the Web and
saving on honeymoon costs, and a guide to the best online wedding bargains
in the aftermath of the dot-com shake-up. The authors explode the "three
costly myths" about wedding catering, show how to negotiate a great deal
on a ceremony and reception site, and point prospective brides and grooms
toward savings on invitations, flowers, wedding videos, entertainment,
and more. Illustrations are also included in this latest edition of the
best-selling book on weddings.
Wedding favors have always been a
nice, personal gesture to include in your wedding preparations. Unfortunately,
there are too many "cookie-cutter" type favors out there, which portray
the couple’s lack of interest in providing something unique.
Here is a Wedding Favor Creator for
you to use for your upcoming wedding or one that you’re planning for your
best friend. You can mix and match to your heart’s content and according
to the budget you have.
Small containers to use for candies,
chocolates, small floating candles, decorative soaps, etc. (many of them
can be purchased at your local dollar store)
tiny wicker baskets or straw hats
egg cups
candle holders
flat shells (scallops)
small filigree metal boxes
decorated wooden boxes
coffee mugs
wine glasses
small decorative dish
tiny flower pots
little tin watering cans
small jars
ceramic spoon rest
Fillings to add to your favor containers
heart-shaped candies or chocolates
Hershey’s kisses and hugs
small floating candles
gourmet or flavored coffee - enough
for one pot
little decorative soaps
wild flower seed packets or small quantity
of seeds with planting instructions, wrapped in colored cellophane
flower bulbs
bath oil beads
bath salts
small bag of mixed spice (cinnamon/nutmeg)
and your favorite apple pie recipe
packets of specialty tea
hot chocolate and cinnamon mix - enough
for one mug
Sample sayings and poems to write or
print onto a small note card along with your names and wedding date (punch
a hole in the card and attach a ribbon to tie to your favors)
Please plant these to celebrate our
growing love (for bulbs, seeds)
All things grow with love (for bulbs,
seeds)
Our flame of love will always be bright
(for candles)
Hugs and Kisses from the new Mr. And
Mrs! (for Hershey’s kisses and/or hugs)
Heart-felt wishes from the new Mr. And
Mrs. (for anything heart-shaped)
Love lives in happy hearts (anything
heart-shaped)
The best gifts are tied with heartstrings
(anything heart- shaped)
May there always be spice in your life!
(for apple pie recipe and spice; for hot chocolate/cinnamon mix)
We’re suited to a 'T' (for specialty
teas)
Nothing can wash away the love we feel!
(bath oil, bath salts, soaps)
Thanks for sharing this special day
with us
Thank you for sharing in the celebration
of our love (or union, etc.)
Personalized CD mix of your favorite
music - print out a liner for the CD case with your names, wedding date
and a nice background or a photo of the happy bride and groom-to-be!
Fortune cookies to make with printed
fortunes that you create on your computer - or add your names and wedding
date
small picture frames that can double
as place cards
Heart-shaped cookie cutters with your
favorite sugar cookie recipe
Homemade bell-shaped or heart-shaped
cookies decorated with your names and wedding date in hard icing
Finishing Details
Wrap each filled favor in colored
netting or tulle to match your wedding colors or line white or glitter
netting with colored tissue paper before wrapping your favors.
Wrap the favor bag with ribbon or
lace and add your note card (hole-punched). Tie into bow and add a sprig
of dried or silk flowers and it’s ready for your special day!
(c)2004 DDesign Reprints of this
article are free of charge as long as you include the author portion of
the text
About The Author
Heather Diodati is the owner of Whimsies!
By DDesign featuring Personalized Cartoon Designs for all occasions. See
our unique Wedding Cartoon Design personalized with your names and wedding
date! 8" x 10" size with free mat, they make a truly special souvenir for
the new Mr. And Mrs! Wedding favor magnets are also offered in four different
designs, fully personalized; something really special for your favor bags!
Sign up for our free ezine, On A Whim, for your free time management gifts;
and if you looooove ballroom dancing be sure to subscribe to Dancing On
Air ezine, for your free gift, The Dancer's Notebook!
http://www.whimsies-online.com info@whimsies-online.com Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
--
Choosing
The Right Music For Your Wedding by: Eugene Portman
Overview
I suppose a typical Christian wedding
in the UK can be divided into 4 main sections and these are:
The ceremony
Pre-meal drinks
Wedding breakfast
Evening reception
I suppose about half of the weddings
I come across have the ceremony in a church so this means that if they
do require me to provide live music; it will be during the drinks before
the meal and the wedding breakfast. Everyone's requirements are different
so don't be afraid to discuss any special requirements with whoever your
hiring.
As far as the choice of specific
pieces of music is concerned - the only part of the wedding that you really
have to think about is the wedding ceremony.
A) The ceremony
The church ceremony. I'm not going
to go into any detail with the choice of music for a church ceremony –
there are so many religious denominations which all have their differences.
A church wedding is easier from the music point of view in that you very
seldom have to provide someone to perform your choice of music - unlike
the civil ceremony. However, you won't have a problem with a church service
- you'll be able to discuss everything to the finest detail with the relevant
cleric and the resident organist if there is one.
The civil ceremony. One thing that
has become popular over recent years is the civil wedding ceremony and
I think that this is the reason that more and more musicians are booked
for weddings each year. At one time you had to go to a registry office
to have a civil ceremony. Things have changed as so many hotels and other
venues have been able to apply for a licence to hold marriage ceremonies
on their own premises. The main advantage to a civil wedding in a hotel
is that everything to do with the marriage can be carried out at the same
place. That means less travelling and less hassle for everyone. Although
you will have to sort out the music for a civil ceremony yourself there
is a bonus in that if you choose live music for the service, the musicians
can provide music for the pre-meal drinks and for the wedding breakfast
itself – thus killing three birds with one stone. Your specific choice
of music should be discussed with the musicians well before the event and
they should be able to provide you with some ideas. If you don't want to
pick each individual piece of music for the proceedings then just give
whoever is involved, an idea of the style of music you would like or maybe
a composer. For a civil ceremony you can have any music you want as long
as neither the title or the lyric have any reference to religion. Most
couples prefer to have music of a classical vein for the ceremony and the
have something lighter for the rest of the day.
The civil ceremony has four main
part's as far as a musician is concerned and they are:
The gathering of the congregation (sometimes
called 'the prelude'.
The Procession
The signing of the register(sometimes
called 'the interlude.
The recession
1) The gathering of the congregation.
This section doesn't really have
a time span - so when a couple does select music for this part of the ceremony,
they must accept that either you won't be able to have all of your chosen
pieces, or more frequently the performer will have to play extra music
of his choice.
2) The Procession. The next section
is the entrance of the bride and traditionally this is carried out to Verdi's
Bridal March. Although most people stick to the Verdi; you can have any
music you like. The one thing you must consider when looking an alternative
is that it doesn't take long for the bride to walk down the aisle. I think
that it is wiser to stick to the Bridal March.
3) The signing of the register. There
never seems to be a problem with this part. A piece of up to five minutes
is usually fine and anything goes really. I suppose that if you did choose
something that was too long there would come a point where the musician
would have to stop playing – however, the piece would have to be excessively
long for this to occur.
4) The recession. This is where everyone
leaves the place of the wedding ceremony and traditionally this was always
carried out to Mendelssohn's Wedding March. In this day and age wedding
couples seem to request everything but the Wedding March. Anything seems
to be appropriate for the recession and there isn't a problem with the
length of the music. As soon as the last person has gone; the musician
or musicians finish.
That's it! The ceremony is over and
everyone can start the celebration.
B) Pre Meal Drinks
After the ceremony everyone usually
starts making a lot of noise. They have so much to say because they've
had to keep so quiet throughout all the serious bit. I said earlier that
you needn't concern yourself about the music after the ceremony but it
is a good idea to discuss the style of music you are looking for and maybe
give them a couple of requests.
C) The Wedding Breakfast
At one time I used to consider it
a novelty if a wedding had live music for the wedding breakfast - now you
often get jazz pianists, string quartet, harpists or even flamenco guitarists.
It's always nice to have music while everyone is eating and chatting as
long as the music isn't intrusive. Most of the time musicians just go with
with the crowd: playing more mellow music if everyone's quiet and the more
lively stuff if everyone starts making more noise. One of the most important
thing to be aware of is whether the music is interfering with the conversation
of the wedding guests. If it is; then there's something wrong. For most
weddings you need the music to carry on right up to the speeches and that's
where it finishes until the evening reception.
D) The Evening Reception
Most people will opt for a disco
at this point but there are other alternatives. In a sense a marriage is
the merging of two families and for most of the guests there will be a
large number of people at the wedding who are complete strangers. I think
that the wedding day should be geared to making things easy for everyone
to get to know each other – unfortunately a disco doesn't always achieve
this and as discos are getting more expensive; live music is rapidly becoming
a viable option. Very often a couple fail to realise that quite a large
percentage of the guests are going to be elderly and probably won't be
into the latest music trends so your choice of music should cater for these
people. Also, the term disco seems to be synonymous with high volume levels
so this is something else that you ought to take into consideration when
you make your final choice.
Whichever way you go; you won't please
everyone. If it is a big wedding you'll probably have to hire the services
of a disco or a function band, but make sure that whichever choice you
make; that they can provide music to cover most tastes. If the wedding
is a small affair you will be able to be a bit more adventurous as there
won't be the same pressure to have the dance floor packed with their people
in their suits and party frocks. You will be able to try something a bit
more subtle – maybe something a little bit more specialised. A soul band
is a great idea but don't expect them to be able to play anything – let
them stick to what they do best If it is a small wedding there is a better
chance of knowing you guests more intimately and maybe you could find something
more to their taste. There is a lot of scope in what you choose; here are
a few ideas: soul band, jazz quartet, steel band, salsa, ceilidh, reggae
etc. One of the best weddings I've ever been to had a ceilidh band and
they filled the floor for the entire evening. The bizarre thing about having
a ceilidh is that hardly anybody likes the music but it's main advantage
is that you don't need to be able to dance in order to get up and join
in. There is usually someone to show you each dance and there's no need
to feel embarrassed. Another plus is that you usually swap partners which
helps get people together and helps with the merging of the two families.
I suppose to sum up this last section
I would say that that the obvious choice of a disco isn't necessarily the
best. Think about the numerous alternatives and maybe you'll make your
wedding a little bit different from the norm and more memorable in the
process.
About The Author Eugene Portman is a Surrey based
jazz pianist who works throughout the UK both as a soloist and as an ensemble
player. His blend of cocktail piano and jazz seems to provide a type of
music that is intricate, exciting, and yet easy to listen to. He has provided
music and entertainment for thousands of weddings, trade shows and other
events.
mail@eugeneportman.com Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
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Get
Organized for Wedding Planning! by: Stacey Agin Murray
You've had friends to your home for
dinner. Maybe you've hosted a Super Bowl party or two. But have you ever
planned and coordinated an event for 50-300 guests?
If you haven't, then welcome to the
world of wedding planning.
Caterers, florists, and other wedding-related
companies will be banging down your door to get your business. Friends
and relatives will offer advice, phone numbers, and web sites for you to
check out. How will you juggle the multitudes of research and information
from those who want your day to be special? The key to smooth and stress-reducing
wedding planning is...
Being Organized
Being organized is the art of having
the things you need when you need them whether it is a brochure, a phone
number, or a picture of your ultimate bridal bouquet. And no one recognizes
the need to be organized more than someone who is planning a wedding. A
few organizing techniques you can use to help you plan your wedding are
the consistent use of a calendar/PDA and making 'to-do lists.' But what
about all of those wedding-related papers you've accumulated? Estimates
from caterers, song sheets from bands, and all of those pictures you tore
out of magazines--how are you supposed to keep them all organized?
The Wedding Binder
The top tool for organized wedding
planning is a 'Wedding Binder.' Besides your future spouse, your 'Wedding
Binder' will be the closest thing to a best friend you'll have during your
engagement period. The wedding binder is essentially a 'home' for all wedding-related
information. Each topic will have a specific area in the binder allowing
for quick referencing and retrieval.
How should you build your wedding
binder to work best for you?
The size of your wedding and how
many 'extras' you incorporate into your wedding day (ex. ice sculptures,
doves) will determine the size of your binder. If you are having a small,
simple gathering or you're not doing much research, you may not need more
than a 1" spine. Large gatherings with many 'extras' will probably require
a binder with upwards of a 3" spine.
Besides the binder itself, you will
need:
three hole punched, two-sided pocket
folders
extra wide dividers or self adhesive
divider tabs for the pocket folders
three hole punched, zippered pocket
for pen/pencils/paper clips (optional)
One, two-sided pocket folder is usually
enough room for the paperwork of one vendor. One side of the pocket folder
is for ideas and research and the other side is for estimates and contracts.
Keeping these different types of information separate will allow you to
locate them and retrieve at a moment's notice.
Examples of some categories for your
pocket folders are...
Catering
Photography
Bridal Gown
Transportation
Ceremony/Officiant(s)
Honeymoon
Assemble the pocket folders in order
of importance to you. If you are constantly making calls to your caterer,
place that folder towards the front of the binder. Already know what favors
you want to give out? Place that folder towards the back.
What other information can be stored
in your wedding binder?
Guest lists/gift lists
E-mail/phone list of bridal party members
Seating charts
A print-out of your registry
Benefits to using a wedding binder
Money-saving benefit: You're always
prepared when a vendor wants to talk about price. If someone quotes you
a price in writing and you can't produce the paper it's written on, they
could try to charge you more money for their services.
Time-saving benefit: Since all of your
information has a 'home,' you won't be wasting your time printing duplicate
information off the internet or repeatedly asking for the addresses of
your guests.
Sanity-saving benefit: All of your wedding
information is in one place. No need to take apart your living room looking
for what you need.
Tips for keeping an organized wedding
binder:
Label the pocket folders clearly
Place new papers/information in the
correct pocket of your binder as soon as you receive them.
Sort and purge your binder once a month.
Toss any information that is no longer relevant in the trash or in a folder
for a friend or relative who may need it in the future.
Always bring your wedding binder with
you when meeting with your vendors. You'll have all the information you
need to compare prices and make educated decisions. You will be organized,
prepared and in control of your special day.
About The Author Stacey Agin Murray, professional
organizer and owner of Organized Artistry, LLC, transforms mess into masterpiece
with patience, organizing know-how, and a sense of humor. For a free e-list
of 'Top Ten Tips for Organized Living,' or to order your copy of '7 Steps
to an Organized Wedding Thank You Note' visit http://www.organizedartistry.com. stacey@organizedartistry.com Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
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Fitness
Tips For Looking Your Best On Your Wedding Day by: Lynn Bode
Every bride wants to look perfect
on her wedding day. Selecting a dress that will make you look and feel
great is an important first step. But what happens when you look in the
mirror and don't think you look quite as good as you could? When this happens
it’s not uncommon for brides to try quick-fix diets to help them get in
shape. Unfortunately, many dieting brides make fitness mistakes that not
only prevent them from reaching their goals but also cause unnecessary
stress and sometimes even illness. Those are two things no bride needs!
Here are five of the most common diet mistakes as well as some tips to
help you avoid them.
1. Too much, too late.
One of the most important things
to remember if you are trying to lose weight is to start early. For example,
don’t try to lose 20 pounds two months before the big day. The key is to
plan ahead so that you can lose the weight (or just tone up) gradually.
So if you’re dream-wedding day includes you being in great shape, then
include fitness as a “to-do” on your overall wedding checklist. That way
it will be a priority in your wedding planning.
2. Setting unachievable goals.
Many women get engaged and begin
imagining themselves drastically thinner or more sculpted. Be realistic
with yourself. If you’ve never been a size 6 in your life, then it is probably
unrealistic to think you can magically transform just because you are getting
married. And, do you really want to look so different on your wedding day
that most people (including your fiancé) hardly recognize you?
3. Radical diets or fitness programs.
Brides typically are short on time
and long on to-do lists. This leads many to try unhealthy fitness programs
or starvation diets. Don’t be tempted by diets that promise quick, drastic
results with little effort from you. You should avoid any programs that
suggest taking “diet” pills or eating unbalanced meals (like eating only
cabbage soup for a week). And, don’t be lured into trying dangerous things,
like laxatives.
4. Not exercising.
It’s very easy for brides to say
“I don’t have time to exercise” or “I’m too tired to exercise”. But diet
and exercise should always go hand in hand. Consider them to be like yin
and yang. Without activity your body can’t burn as many calories. If you
are very short on time, try to exercise in small 10-minute bursts throughout
the day. And, keep in mind that little things help too, like taking the
stairs or parking at the outer edge of the mall parking lot. Plus, if you
are tired from all of your planning, exercise will help give you back some
energy.
5. Skipping Meals
It’s not uncommon to get caught up
in your planning and then realize at 9 p.m. (as your head begins to ache)
that you haven’t eaten a thing all day. While it may not be an uncommon
scenario, it is unavoidable. Not only is skipping meals unhealthy, it can
lead to binge eating. That often means eating very fattening foods and/or
overeating all at once. To avoid this, try packing light snacks to keep
on hand throughout the day. Good examples include carrot sticks, cheese
strings, peanut butter on crackers, etc.
Getting in shape doesn’t have to
be complicated and it doesn’t require a lot of time. If you are trying
to lose weight or firm up before your wedding, below are some sample plans
to help you get started. Keep in mind that the most important thing is
for a bride to feel good about herself. And no matter what size or shape,
all brides are beautiful on their wedding day!
Sample Exercise FITscription:
20 – 30 minutes of cardiovascular
exercise (3 – 5 time per week)
Example: 2-5 minutes of brisk walking,
2-5 minutes of jumping jacks (repeat for 20 – 30 minutes)
Sample Meal Plan:
Eat 5-7 small meals per day (meals
should include protein, grains, vegetables, etc. to meet the food pyramid
daily requirements)
Example: Small, grilled, skinless
chicken breast
Slice of whole wheat bread
Slice of cheese
Mixed Vegetables
Glass of Water (2 or 3 would be
even better)
About The Author Lynn Bode is owner of http://www.workoutsforyou.com
an Online Personal Fitness Training company. Workouts For You offers online
exercise programs for weight loss, strength training, nutritional planning
and race training. Personalized programs can be designed for all fitness
levels.
The programs are customized to meet
your individual needs and lifestyle (based on the extensive profile you
provide when enrolling) and include a motivational accountability system
and a huge library of exercise technique demos. You receive all the trainer
benefits without the expensive price, and you can workout wherever and
whenever you want.
To receive a FREE, no-obligation
fitness evaluation, visit us at www.workoutsforyou.com.
Need a quick gift --we provide gift certificate delivery within 24 hours
of purchase.
info@workoutsforyou.com Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
Top
Wedding Fitness Questions (and their answers) by: Lynn Bode
As a Personal Trainer for brides-to-be,
I often get asked the same wedding fitness questions over and over again.
Brides (and grooms) usually are looking for simple and easy ways to get
in better shape for their special day.
While there aren’t any quick-fix
overnight shape-up plans, armed with the right knowledge and techniques
anyone can improve their appearance in time for their wedding day. Here
are the most common questions along with answers to help you get more fit
in time for your nuptials.
My wedding is next month, how can
I drop 20 pounds? Bottom line – you really can’t. This answer doesn’t get
a lot of cheers, but it’s the realistic truth. In a month’s time the most
you typically can expect to lose is about 8 pounds. If you try unhealthy,
starvation-type diets you might be able to lose more than that. But, the
truth is that those extra pounds probably won’t make you look a whole lot
better. That’s because if you lose that much weight in such a short period
of time then you just lose water and muscle weight primarily – not fat!
You’d be better off losing the 8 pounds in a healthy way that includes
increasing muscle mass and decreasing fat. This type of weight loss will
actually improve your appearance. Plus, with the drastic 20-pound loss,
you are putting yourself at risk for illness not to mention making yourself
look sickly for your precious wedding photographs.
With all the wedding planning, I
don’t have a single minute to workout. What can I do? While wedding planning
can make anyone’s life a little crazy, it’s important not to lose sight
of the importance of regular exercise. Decreasing your usual weekly fitness
regimen is fine, but don’t completely forgo it. Try to fit in even just
20 minutes three times per week. And, don’t feel limited to traditional
workouts. You can incorporate your wedding planning and workouts together.
For example, enroll your fiancé and yourself in weekly dance lessons.
You’ll wow your reception guests with your dance steps plus benefit from
the exercise you get during each lesson.
How can I get my upper body more
defined looking for my wedding day? You can’t spot reduce. So, if you have
a lot of fat in that area, you will first need to reduce it. In basic terms,
this is done by burning more calories than you consume. So, you need to
participate in a healthy fitness program that includes cardio, strength
training, flexibility and good nutrition. Once you have decreased the fat,
then you can concentrate on strengthening the muscle groups in your upper
body. You can do this with dumbbells, resistance bands or weight machines.
Choose 1-2 exercises for each major muscle group and perform 8-12 reps
and repeat with 1-2 sets. With a good, targeted strength program you could
even see results within four weeks.
I really want to get in-shape for
my wedding, but I just don’t have any willpower. How can I make myself
exercise? Find a program or a workout-buddy that will help provide you
with motivation, encouragement and accountability. Your fiancé is
a great first choice. But, you could also enlist the help of a member of
the bridal party or your mother. Another great option is working with a
fitness professional. The fitness pro can create an individual program
for you or one designed for you and your workout-buddy. Plus, being accountable
to a stranger can be much more motivating. After all, your buddy may fear
offending you when remarking about a missed workout session.
Our honeymoon is at a beach. How
can I get firmer abs and butt for my swimsuit? As mentioned above, you
can’t spot reduce and you need to take a comprehensive approach to shaping-up.
With that said, be sure to include exercises that strengthen and tone those
particular areas. For a very challenging abdominal workout, try exercises
with a stability ball. There are also many great leg/butt exercises that
you can do with the ball. But, plain-old squats and lunges are also effective.
Weddings are always such special
days. Gifts are often given not only at the wedding – but often at an engagement
shower and a bridal shower. How can you make your gifts look special?
Many people wrap gifts for weddings
in white, but this is not a strict rule by any means. You could also select
gift-wrapping and accessories that complement the theme of the wedding.
So a winder wedding gift could look lovely in silver paper with silver
ribbon tied in a bow with a snowflake ornament as an accessory. A summer
wedding gift could look stunning in deep pink paper with a thick pale pink
ribbon topped with fresh pink roses (use white roses for a different look).
Another choice would be to select
gift-wrap that somehow compliments your gift. Are you giving the bride
and groom part of their china place settings? Select gift-wrap that has
one or two of the colors from their china plates.
Different cultures have different
meanings when gifts are given and received. Red is often a color used in
China to celebrate weddings, and many wedding gifts in China are wrapped
in red paper. In Italy, roses are a sign of love and happiness but carnations
are a flower signifying a funeral. Pay attention to any special cultural
meanings when you are giving and then wrapping gifts for a wedding or any
other special occasion.
Weddings are a special time and with
a little care and attention you can select beautiful gift-wrapping that
will compliment this festive occasion.
Here follows suggestions and tips
that will help you determine the ideal programme for your Wedding day.
A String Quartet can provide music for every stage of your Wedding.
First of all, we have the Brides
breakfast. If you are hiring the services of a String quartet for the whole
day, you may be able to arrange for one or two of the players to come along
for this early stage of the wedding at reasonable extra cost. A single
string instrument, such as the cello, can provide gentle background music
with Schubert's Ave Maria or the solo suites by Bach. It is considered
good form to invite the musicians to have a meal with your guests, especially
if there is a long interval between wedding stages.
Next follows the Prelude. This is
the stage when your guests arrive at the actual venue where the ceremony
will take place. This is often a different venue from where the Brides
breakfast and / or Reception takes place. You should allow enough time
for the musicians to arrive at the wedding venue before your guests! By
this stage, the full quartet (all 4 players) will need to be on site for
the main part of the ceremony, so it makes sense to take advantage of their
presence and ask them to play for the Prelude as well. The Pachelbel Canon
is an ideal piece of music for this purpose. As this stage is probably
the longest (with exception of the reception), the quartet will need to
have a substantial repertoire of peaceful arrival music in order to avoid
repitition. Selections such as the Flower Duet from Delibe's Lakme and
The Swan by Camille Saint-Saens are perennial favourites. A good string
quartet will be aware of these requirements, and should be able to assure
you that their repertoire is varied, extensive and appropriate. Allow up
to 30 minutes for this stage.
Now comes the big moment of your
Wedding day, the Processional (walking down the aisle!) This is when you'll
be very pleased that you hired a String Quartet. The actual music for the
infamous 'Here comes the bride' is the Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner.
If your prospective ensemble doesn't know this piece (and it's proper title),
walk away! They most likely will of course. If you have your heart set
on something else, you must make sure that the quartet either already has
it in their repertoire, or has the resources to acquire it. More obscure
musical requests may need to be written specially for quartet. Arrangements
of most show tunes etc. should be within the grasp of the quartet musicians
themselves. You should however, expect to pay an additional fee for this
service. A good arrangement takes time.
The Signing of the register is the
next stage of the Wedding which requires music. The Andante Cantabile by
Tchaikovsky or Alexander Borodin's Quartet no.2 are both very appropriate
for this stage of the wedding, as they are relaxing and soothing pieces
of music. Bach's Air on the G string is also wonderfully effective. This
allows everyone in the room to have a bit of a breather and will help to
release any tension in the room! You should ensure that the quartet you
have hired has the entire selection prepared, and not just excerpts, again
to avoid endless repetition of 'the famous bits'.
That's it, you've done it, you're
married! All that's left for you to do is to walk back down the aisle,
the Processional. Unless you have very strong feelings about an alternative
piece of music, it is advisable to stick with the Wedding March by Felix
Mendelssohn. Everybody expects to hear it, it suits the occasion perfectly
and is a fantastic piece of music perfectly matched to the sound of the
String Quartet.
It's party time! The reception follows
the processional, and often takes place at a different location from the
wedding ceremony. In order to ensure that the musicians arrive before the
guests, it is advisable that you allow them to leave the ceremony immediately
following the conclusion of the processional. There is a huge amount of
very good Quartet repertoire which is suitable for a Wedding reception.
It would be possible to satisfy the needs of your reception with the music
of Mozart alone! Of course, an experienced quartet should have a balanced
repertoire. Even so, It is worth checking that the musicians have certain
pieces in their arsenal. Make sure that they have on hand all the well-known
baroque and classical masterpieces by Mozart, Haydn and Handel, some light
music classics, jazz standards, show tunes and arrangements of other popular
songs. You should expect to hear Ein Kleine Nachtmusic (a little night-music)
by Mozart, Boccherini's Minuet and The ragtime music of Scott Joplin to
name but a few.
About The Author Warren Zielinski is a top Professional
violinist and musician. As Chief co-creator of the comprehensive and useful
musicians-anytime.co.uk
website, Warren has an enviable reputation amongst live classical wedding
music specialists in the UK and abroad. Musicians-anytime specialises in
providing the best young professional string quartets and ensembles for
all types of events, parties and ceremonies.
info@musicians-anitime.co.uk Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
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How
to Plan Your Wedding and Honeymoon by: Sidney Strachan
1. Weddings typically can cost you
anywhere around $15,000 or more. The big question is: who foots the bill?
The 21st century has heralded a shift
in the way these costs are handled. We have moved away from the days when
the family of the bride would pay all costs associated with the wedding
ceremony . Today it may come down to who can afford it or, who can qualify
for the personal loan from the lending institution.
Weddings may, in most cases, be a
one time special event deserving of all the pomp and pageantry associated
with the memorable day. However, there are ways to cut costs and still
maximize the moment. Careful planning and budgeting are key to getting
the most out of this experience at a reduced cost.
What should go into a wedding plan?
When is too much, too much?
There are many things which makes
a wedding a wedding. The old adage, "Something New, Something used and
something blue, is a reliable guide to save.
Knowing what you need and how much
it cost compared to your allotted budget for each item is essential. Your
check list should include: Bride Gown and accessories, Groom's wedding
attire, wedding rings, flowers, wedding cake, wedding site, reception site,
photography/video services, limousine, ceremony fees, decorations, licence,
honeymoon/travel, music/entertainment services, invitations, wedding consulting
fees, beverage/drinks and type of wedding.
Generally, all of these items should
be carefully itemized and an actual cost should be obtained from the service
providers. Your budget fro each service or product should be include to
help guide you and/or your wedding consultants. From this list you can
determine things like the size of your guest list, bridal party and reception,
cake and amount you can actually allocate to each specific area.
A good example is: if you are purchasing
a wedding gown and accessories which can easily run into $1,500 or more
and your budget is $600, you can opt to rent a gown and accessory which
typically at the high end is around $400.
Knowing where you would like to host
your wedding and the type of wedding you want is also very essential. Many
people typically choose a traditional wedding (religious). These can go
into many different cultures i.e. African, Jewish, Islamic, Irish etc.
Different types of weddings typically carry varying price tags depending
on the culture and how complex the ceremony or extravagant it is.
Honeymoons can be a another costly
expense. Honeymoons can extend from that drive to another state to the
extended Bahamas vacation or Carribean cruise. Many companies are now incorporating
wedding and honeymoon packages in their vacation packages. This has its
upside and downside. Marriage laws also vary from country to country.
June typically is noted as the wedding
month. So, expect costs to be higher. However travel this and hotel charges
during this time of the year to many destinations including the Bahamas
may be less expensive.
If you know your budget then it may
be beneficial to allow a wedding consulting firm to handle the arrangements.
Statistics show that couples are so tired and stressed after the wedding
705 do not have sex on the first night of the honeymoon.
Hiring wedding consultant doesn't
mean you lose control of your ceremony. It just saves you the hassle and
stress of coordinating and implementing each individual activity and duty.
Your honey moon can be like any other
vacation as far as proper planning is concerned. In order to save money,
you must know what you want to do? Where you want to go? What you want
to see? Consult with travel consultants in the country or area you plan
to visit. Research well. Your trip does not have to be robotic or mechanical,
but it can be cost effective and well organized.
TIPS
Below are a few cost saving tips for
your special day.
Trim your guest list
Reduce the number of attendance in your
bridal party and reception
Budget your honeymoon well
Choose the kind of wedding you like
but can afford
Research: at least 6 months in advance
Book in advance: try the internet
Stay near home: try a friends remote
cottage, town house or timeshare
Shorten your vacation stay
Travel and wed in the off season
Go on a Cruise: They are usually all
inclusive
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Bahamas vacations tips, a fresh and informative newsletter dedicated to
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Vacation guide, the latest up to date information on the Bahamas and helpful
support from an honest friend in the business come and grab a F-R-E-E subscription
today at: http://www.rmsbahamas.com email us at: rmsbahamas@msn.com To post a comment on our website,
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comments.
About The Author Sidney Strachan is a young entrepreneur.
In 1998 he and Rudolph started resource Marketing Services a B2B service
oriented company. He has written many articles and is presently about to
release a book of poetry entitled On and On. His website is entitled Bahamas
Aficionados. It is a site promoting vacations in the Bahamas while providing
services for the pleasure or business vacationers. Services include organizing
and arranging Bahamian weddings, specialty tours and seminars/conferences,
providing business equipment for rental and many other business and vacation
oriented services.
rmsbahamas@msn.com Courtesy of http://www.ArticleCity.com/
