The best strategy to follow is:

Make an appointment with the wedding venue, one year out, 6 months out, 3 months out and 2 weeks out from the wedding. At each meeting take a list of questions you need to ask them. If they don’t have a time plan or a checklist of what needs to be completed at each meeting you make them one and give it to them. At each meeting have visuals and samples to show them exactly what you want. For my wedding I made a folder with lots of information in it that I took everywhere.

It had pictures of the hair styles for me and my bridal party. There were pictures of the make up styles for all of us. I had pictures and explanations of the bouquets and flower arrangements. There was detailed information decorations, running sheet, time plan, song list, MC instructions, bar instructions, accommodation list & a detailed checklist. I kept all of these in my folder with about 5 copies of each so if I needed to give them out I could.

Here is some things to keep in mind:

- Do not ring your wedding venue everyday and ask minor questions that can not be answered at your next meeting.

- Tell them exact what you want. They are not mind readers

- Listen to any suggestions they may have

- Always ask for an option b in case it rains

- Ask about what their action plan would be for a worst case scenario eg: cake falls over

- Ask for extra things they might be able to throw in for free

- ALWAYS try and negotiate the total cost

- Meet the deadlines they put forward eg: final numbers and payment

- If they do a good job make sure you thank them so they feel appreciated

Planning on having a wedding or baby shower soon? Getting favors is a nice way of saying thank you to your guests for coming. Here are some tips for saving money when purchasing baby shower or wedding favors.

1) Buy extras off other people - Oftentimes, people get too many favors for their occasion. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry. Once the celebration is over, however, these people may be willing to sell you their leftover favors at a sharp discount. If you don’t know anyone personally, then look in the classifieds in both local and national papers as well as online auction sites like ebay.

2) Buy in bulk and sell the leftovers - Sometimes you will be able to save money by buying in bulk. You can sell the extras to other people. If you know other people that are having weddings or baby showers, then you can combine your orders and benefit from lower costs and possibly bulk purchase incentives like free shipping.

3) Make your own favors - If you are crafty, then you can make your own favors. Purchase all the materials at your local craft shop or online. Since you are making them from scratch, you can customize and personalize as well. People will appreciate the effort that went into making your own favors.

4) Find a craftsman - If you find a local craftsman or artist, then there is a chance that you can get a great price from them for your favors. Another possibility is an art student that is still in school. They will usually work for less money than a full time professional.

5) Flea markets and thrift shops - Flea markets and thrift shops are great places to locate bargain items. Also check out closeouts, store sales, garage sales, and live auctions. Oftentimes, you can also negotiate prices with these vendors.

As you can see, there are many ways to save money when shopping for gifts for your guests. Follow these tips and you are sure to save money or favors and supplies for your wedding, baby shower, or any other special occasion.

Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. See Cheap baby shower favors and Inexpensive baby shower favors for affordable baby shower supplies.

Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the credits and resource box remain in tact and the hyperlinks are active.

A scrapbook of a wedding is different than a photo album of a wedding. I believe a photo album is to showcase the photos taken at the wedding. I believe a scrapbook of the wedding is to share the story of the days/years leading up to the wedding and then share photos of the event itself.

The following suggestions are just that, suggestions. There is no right or wrong in creating a scrapbook. It is my goal to provide some thought starters to creating a wedding scrapbook.

Consider starting with a few photos of both the bride and the groom as children. Add a few photos of them as teens and then some photos of the couple during the dating process.

During the planning stages, often banquet rooms are looked at, dresses and tuxedos are looked at, and invitations are looked at. Taking a few photos of the various planning days are great additions to the scrapbook. If the bridal shop will allow it, it can be fun to take photos of the bride in each dress she tries on.

When you decide on a banquet room, take a few photos of the room empty. Take a few photos of the building housing the banquet room.

Once a menu is decided on, save a copy of the menu provided by the banquet room. One event I helped with, we actually made the menu ourselves. We wanted guests to know what was being served that night and so we included our self made menu in the scrapbook.

You’ll also want to save one copy of all of the following:

• An invitation
• An R.S.V.P. card
• A place card
• A thank you note
• A copy of the guest list

If you order candy bar wrappers, or any other wedding favor, save one for your scrapbook. If you use a D.J. or a band, save one of their business cards, or one of their brochures, to include in your scrapbook. If you hire any other type of entertainer, again, save a business card or brochure.

As you plan your wedding, it can be fun to journal the days. There will always be mishaps along the way and as you are celebrating your first anniversary, you will laugh over the mishaps and the other notes you took as you planned.

When the R.S.V.P. cards come in, often times folks will write personal messages. Save those. Just like a high school yearbook, it’s fun to go back and read what others wrote, several years later.
And now, the day of the wedding has arrived. It’s time to take those photos that you’ll want for both your wedding photo album and also your wedding scrapbook.

Audrey Okaneko has been scrapbooking for several years. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com

When I first started making bouquets I was always trying to find different things to use in place of flowers. One thing I found that is fun and different to use is candy.

Candy bouquets make wonderful gifts and they are a great talking point at
weddings and receptions. They are really easy to make, and the end result is always popular. This is probably
because, not only are they colorful and fun, but they’re edible as well!

You can make many different types of candy bouquets- In this article I will show you
how to make a candy bouquet in a teracotta pot, which will look absolutely
spectacular…

To make your own candy bouquet flower-pot, you will need:

- 1 Medium terracotta pot

- 1 Packet of lollipops or wrapped chocolates

- 1 Dried oasis brick

- 1 Piece of floristry wire

- 5 White roses purple centres

- 7 Purple roses

- Floristry wire and stem tape( if using chocolates)

STEP 1: Cut The Oasis

Using a piece of floristry wire to cut the oasis, so it will fit into the terracotta pot.
Make sure it fits in the pot firmly as you will be pushing the lollipop sticks, flowers
and leaves into it.

STEP 2: Trim The Flowers

The pot I am using is small so I will cut the flowers down. Cut just a little above half
way down the stem.
You do not need to wire or tape any of the flowers, just use the wire they are already
on.

Note: If you are using wrapped chocolates you will need to wire and tape them.

STEP 3: Fan The Leaves

Place your leaves around the edge of the teracotta pot. If you slightly overlap the
leaves you will get a nice fan effect which will make the finished pot look much
more realistic.

Note: You may need to use one of the cut pieces of flower stem to put holes in the
oasis for the leaves to go in.

STEP 4: Insert The Roses

Place one rose in the centre of the pot. Push the next rose in at an angle near the
edge of the pot, and do the same with the next rose on the otherside of the pot.
Keep doing this until all the flowers are in the pot.

STEP 5: Insert Candy and Leaves

Now all you need to do to finish the candy bouquet is to fill the bouquet in with the
candy and leaves…

Place a lollipop between each flower, and keep doing this until all the lollipops are
used.

If you have any more gaps fill them in with leaves and pearlies.

Step 6: Add A Ribon

As a nice finishing touch to the candy bouquet flower pot, you can place a ribbon
bow around the pot. You could also paint the pot before putting the flowers in. Even
add a figure of eight bow at the front edge of the pot if you wish.

A candy bouquet flower-pot makes a lovely table decoration for any occasion. The
good thing about this decoration is that you can just replace the lollipops once they
get eaten.

Peta D’Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has
Pictures
of wedding bouquets as well as lots of free information on making your own
bouquets, including details (and pictures) on How to make a candy bouquet

Are you looking for wedding anniversary scrapbooking ideas to help you create a unique gift for a special couple for their anniversary? This article has many simple ideas that you can use to create a wonderful and lasting wedding anniversary gift.

One of the most important wedding anniversary scrapbooking ideas you can use for an anniversary scrapbook is to have the couple’s wedding picture on either the first or last page of the scrapbook.

A copy of the wedding invitation makes a really great introduction to the scrapbook. A scrapbook makes a creative anniversary gift for any anniversary year, but it is particularly effective for milestones such as; first anniversary, silver, diamond or golden anniversaries. For the 25th, 50th or 60th wedding anniversaries, you can start the scrapbook with the wedding photo.

Other scrapbooking ideas you can use are:

• Photos of the couple during each year of their marriage

• Photos of the couple’s family at various stages of growth

• Photos of memorable occasions, such as weddings of the children

• Photos of the couple with their grandchildren

• Photos of trips and vacations

Wedding scrapbooking ideas, for the first year of marriage could include:

• Photos of the planning done for the wedding

• Copy of the wedding service

• Place cards

• Bridal registry
  Critical Info To Calm Nervous Wedding Mc. Earn A Massive 65% By Refering The Worlds Bestselling Wedding Mc Guide On How To Be The Perfect Master Of Ceremonies.

• List of gifts received

• Ribbons to represent colors used in the wedding

• Wedding favors that was used

• Notes about planning mishaps

You can also include the following in the Wedding anniversary scrapbook:

• Pressed flowers

• Napkins

• Christmas pictures of the couple together

• Letters and notes that the couple has written funny scenes from their lives together

• Invitation to the anniversary party

• Photos of the party

The colors you choose for embellishing the scrapbook should represent the year of the anniversary. For example, 25th anniversary is silver, 50th is gold and 60th is diamond. The colors used in other wedding anniversary scrapbooking ideas could be the colors the couple chose to have at their wedding or their own favorite colors.

About The Author

Ifiok Ekon is the author of wedding anniversary scrapbooking ideas, visit his site, www.allscrapbookingideas.com to get all the exciting scrapbooking ideas,suggestions,tips and techniques for your Baby,wedding,Military Personnel and Lots More.

Feel free to use the above article on your web site or ezine. Provided that it is published in it’s entirety, including my resource box above and a “live” clickable link to: allscrapbookingideas.com

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This simple, yet elegant table centerpiece is a great way to make a fancy “to do” at each table, without breaking the bank.

This is so easy, even a child can do it! I had my 8 year old son help me. For my own wedding, we picked up stemware at our local thrift stores. The idea wasn’t to have every table look exactly the same, but rather for each table to be a variation on a theme. If you’re looking for a more unified appearance, please make sure your count is accurate and buy everything you need at once, to ensure colors and shapes match.

For each centerpiece, you will need:

1 wine goblet, or other stemware
2 pieces of tulle 9-12″ in width (either square or circle)
2 contrasting curling ribbons approximately 10-14″ long
1-3 tea light candles (the 7-hour floating type)or other floating candles, depending on the width of the glass
water

1. Stack the tulle pieces. If you are using square pieces, turn one of the pieces so that you have an 8-point star shape. It will add more visual appeal to the finished project. You might consider using 2 diferent colored pieces of tulle to add a more dramatic appearance.

2. Center the glass on the tulle. We’re about to tie the tulle around the base of the glass, but before we do, we need to get our ribbons ready.

3. Take the 2 lengths of ribbon and pull them together. Make sure they are not twisted. You want one color on the “inside” and the other on the “outside” so that when we tie them around the stem of the glass, we have a beautiful contrasting mix of color.

4. Pull up the tulle and secure it in place with the ribbon. Tie a knot to secure the ribbon to the stem. Now make a bow and pull the ribbons apart so that your bow has more volume. Curl the ends of your curling ribbon and arrange the curls around the base of the glass.

5. Fill your goblet with water. You might consider coloring your water with a bit of food coloring to match your wedding colors.

6. Float the candle(s) on top of the water. Light the candles as the reception begins. Look for long-burning floating candles. You don’t want your candles burning out just as dinner ends. A single candle floating on water will gravitate to the edge of the glass. Try to find glasses big enough to float 2-4 candles safely. Too much heat may damage fragile stemware, so use caution.

For a more elegant look, arrange goblets of different heights on the same table or change the level of the water in each glass to create the illusion of height. You can also decorate your tulle with beads, or find tulle that is already adorned with sequins or beads. Use your imagination and create something perfect for your special occasion. Place the goblet on a mirrored coaster to create a beautiful reflection of light.

Good luck, and best wishes on your special day.

Lisa Robbin is the Director of Product Development for the giving candle, the maker of Heavenly Gems resin-based clear candles. Lisa writes articles on all things candle related in an effort to educate consumers about making the most out of their candle purchases.

You can email her directly at lisa@thegivingcandle.com

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DIY Wedding Balloons
How to save money with DIY Balloon Decoration

Professional Decorating of your wedding with balloons can be a stunning but expensive extra which may end up being cut from your budget.

You don’t have to miss out on all the party atmosphere balloons can add.

Although it is not possible to re create the elaborate decorations a professional can offer you can really save money and create a good effect by doing some basics yourself. It’s also a good way to involve extra bridesmaids in your planning.

Materials

Eleven inch diameter balloons are the most commonly used. You can inflate them to just 10 inches to save on helium if wished. The diameter is across the balloon not neck to top.

Try to keep to 2 or 3 toning colours which match the rest of your wedding. Silver or ivory team well with other accent colours.

5mm curling ribbon is used to tie the balloons and comes in lots of colours.

Balloon weights are available but just about anything can be used to weigh down balloons. Open one of your napkins and place it on a square of net, fill it with 150 gms of gravel and tie up with some of your curling ribbon. Attach the balloons to this.

Helium

Hire a canister of helium. Helium is the most expensive part of balloon decorating and disposable bottles do not contain enough to do a wedding. Hiring a bottle is quick and easy to do.

You’ll also need sharp scissors, a tape measure and 15lb fishing line available from tackle and craft shops if you are planning on making a simple arch.

Technique

To look really good all the balloons need to be the same size. To do this, place two dining chairs back to back a set distance apart and pass each balloon between them. This will enable you to keep them all the same size and looking professional.

Cut lengths of about 1 1/2 meters curling ribbon and encorporate it as you tie the neck of the balloon with a tail hanging down. In this way you don’t need to tie it on afterwards and the balloons can be allowed to float up to the ceiling to be collected into bunches after inflation.

Bunches of balloons look best in odd numbers, three, five and seven.

Floating Arches are impressive but surprisingly easy to make. They are created by tying the inflated balloons directly onto a length of 15lb fishing line in alternating colours. Wet the line with your finger tips before sliding the balloons along. It prevents the line cutting the latex.

Allow approx 1 1/2 to 2 hours to make 14 bunches of five balloons and a small arch.

Important to Remember

Latex balloons will only float for around 16-20 hours depending upon their size. The decorating must be done on the day of the event and not before so get someone you trust to do this for you.

Keep it simple if it is your first time decorating with balloons. Making sure all the balloons are the same size and the bunches are a uniform height will give the best possible impact as guests walk through the door.

Fill the venue with your own bunches of toning balloons and place an arch over each door and behind the cake table. Don’t forget a bunch in the bathrooms and any other areas which people must pass through.

You’ll create a party atmosphere at a fraction of the cost of getting a professional in and it’s a good way to involve extra bridesmaids in your day.

Mother of four, Caroline Creasey, runs http://www.SillyJokes.co.uk, the UKs leading joke and party shop selling thousands of fancy dress goods and party supplies.
If reproducing this article please include this link.

A wedding is a momentous episode in our lives. We need to preserve memories, and there is no better way than snapshots and videos of family, friends and partners. The choice of Wedding Picture Frames is unlimited, from silver, glass, enamel, digital photo frames, wood or even funky frames in classical or elegant styles.

Essentially, the Wedding Picture Frame is a symbol of love and respect from the giver to bride or groom. Equally important is quality and design, to add value to the gift and to the wedding ceremony. There are other gift items but Wedding Picture Frames are popular, as we want small and lasting keepsakes to remember this special occasion. Sometimes size and monetary value in selection of frame does not matter, if the couple getting married is close to you. The frame should be plain, not tacky, and exquisitely gift wrapped or personalized by engraving a small sweet message for the couple, or the groom and bride’s name with wedding date.

If looking for economical Wedding Picture Frames, then select from wholesale designs in metal, crystal, glass, metal, beaded, painted, porcelain or acrylic. If price is no criterion then a custom-made frame in different metals, including silver or pewter, is advisable. The idea is to give a unique gift, something the receiver will cherish and not discard at first instance. There is a Wedding Picture Frame for every giving reason. If looking for some fun, then fancy designs such as bell-shaped frames with hanging ribbons or a heart-shaped porcelain or house-shaped wood frame is appropriate. To remind the bride or groom of special associations through school, college or work, then a simple frame, signed or engraved, could serve the purpose.

The idea is to capture the special wedding moments and frame them with the correct Wedding Picture Frame.

Picture Frames provides detailed information about picture frames, antique picture frame, custom picture frame, digital picture frame and more. Picture Frames is the sister site of Silk Trees Info.

Spring is the most appropriate time for weddings. After the harsh winter months, the grass is greener, the flowers are blooming and warm wind is blowing. Popular spring colors are lavenders, baby blues, soft greens and pale yellows. Tulips and daffodils are the most popular choices for spring. Tulips come in all possible colors. Daffodils’ sunny colors blend with all color combinations.

Other choices are sweet peas, magnolias, lilies, primroses, daisies, roses (pale colors), strawberry (fruit and leaves), lily of the valley, iris, pansy and hyacinth.

Flowering trees offer more spring wedding flower choices. Crabapple and dogwood deck their branches with flowers. Even trees like apple, peach and orange have very dainty blossoms that bring a unique seasonal touch to any wedding.

Budding trees and the knowledge that winter is over is the essential essence of spring. The flowers of spring can express the feeling of the coming of this blissful season.

You may also consider silk wedding flowers for decking out your wedding. Silk wedding flowers are just as convincingly real as real flowers themselves. They are made of silk because silk is the fabric that most closely represents the look and behavior of the real thing. Silk wedding flowers range in price from lows to highs, but compared to the expense of real flowers, there’s no noticable difference.

Also consider buying your spring wedding flowers wholesale. Especially for large weddings, wholesale spring wedding flowers are a great value. This way, you will get a very large quantity of flowers for your wedding but for a percentage discount.

Wedding Flowers provides detailed information on wedding flowers, fall wedding flowers, silk wedding flowers, spring wedding flowers and more. Wedding Flowers is affiliated with Cheap Mother’s Day Flowers.

A wedding is the most intimate and yet most public of events in a lifetime. Around the world, customs and traditions decide the colors, kind of flowers and manner of floral decoration used for the ceremony. Traditional ceremonies use flowers in conventional patterns while modern, cosmopolitan functions adopt an informal blend of style, design and flower aesthetics. Whatever the approach, aromatic wedding flowers best invoke romance, euphoria and memory.

Selecting the right floral flourishes for a wedding can be stressful and time consuming. Plans for wedding flowers can begin at least six months ahead of schedule. It all depends on the budget, scale of event, season (whether around holiday or Christmas time) and personal taste. The bigger the event and busier the timeframe, the earlier the master design has to be put in place.

While making your own bouquets cuts costs, wedding florists can easily meet your needs and create unforgettable memories. Take your ideas for the occasion, including location, dimensions, colors of wedding clothes and manner of ceremony. Good florists are best trained to know the availability of flowers, the options of design and manner of arrangements that would suit your wedding plans. As well as preserve those blooms as keepsakes of the great day.

Casual, stylish, classic or contemporary, wedding flowers suit the cut and dash of every union. Garlands, waterfall, French twisted, spray or other trendy bridal bouquets, nosegays, boutonnieres, corsages, table décor, guest flowers, wedding car embellishments, unconventional veil, wrist adornment accessories… wedding flowers make a happy occasion happier.

Colors range from pristine white to pinks, jeweled overtones, purples, lavenders, plums, tropical blooms or whatever is culture-religion-specific. Whether you are gifting flowers to the bride or wearing them yourself, wedding flowers ring out the excitement and promise of brand-new journeys. Individual, unconventional combinations, romantic, time-honored statements-wedding flowers uphold the unforgettable magnificence of the day and haunt the senses for ever after.

Flowers provides detailed information about flowers, flower gifts, flower delivery, floral arrangements and more. Flowers is the sister site of Silk Wedding Flowers.