Friday, May 28, 2010

Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Pink Fractal Heart Rehearsal Din...

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Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Pink Fractal Heart Rehearsal Din...

Invite friends and family to a pre wedding dinner party honoring the Bride and Groom to be with this contemporary Pink Fractal Heart Rehearsal Dinner Invitation. Personalize it wit
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Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Fireworks Rehearsal Dinner Invit...

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Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Fireworks Rehearsal Dinner Invit...

Invite your friends and family to a pre wedding dinner party honoring the bride and groom with this Fireworks Rehearsal Dinner Invitation. Perfect for a 4th of July or summer party
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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Sunflower Couples Wedding Shower...

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Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Sunflower Couples Wedding Shower...

Invite friends and family to a co ed couples wedding shower honoring the bride and groom to be with this Sunflower Couples Wedding Shower Invitation. Customize it with the specific
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Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Blue Snowflake Wedding Save the ...

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Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Blue Snowflake Wedding Save the ...

Announce your winter wedding with this unique Blue Snowflake Wedding Save the Date Announcement. Personalize it with the names of the bride and groom and wedding date. Feel free to
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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Diamond and Pearls Wedding Invit...

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Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Diamond and Pearls Wedding Invit...

Invite friends and family to share your wedding day with you with this Diamond and Pearls Wedding Invitation. Customize it with the personal names of the bride and groom and specific wedding details. Feel free to change the text, font or paper type to suit your wedding needs. Image is a close up macro photograph of  a diamond wedding ring set and white pearls.
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Friday, May 21, 2010

Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Pink Tinted Daisy Wedding Invita...

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Zazzle invitation from Lora Severson: Pink Tinted Daisy Wedding Invita...

Invite friends and family to your upcoming wedding ceremony with this unique Pink Tinted Daisy Wedding Invitation. Customize it with the personal names of the bride and groom and s
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Wedding Programs

Wedding Programs: What To Look For

A wedding ceremony marks the beginning of a marriage, and a couple's life together. Wedding ceremonies may be a civil or religious rite that can take place anywhere - at a church, in the gardens, at the beach, or at the city hall. Modern-day weddings can now also take place in the Internet (what is known as "Online Wedding).

From the bride's march down the aisle to the wedding reception, there are a number of wedding traditions and aspects that make a wedding ceremony special. It is important that the couple 'include' their guests and the people around them in the celebration by guiding and informing them of what is happening at any given time. This is made possible by wedding ceremony programs.

A wedding program (also called church programs, ceremony programs, or "The Order of Worship") is a personalized guidebook for the guests in a wedding. Essentially similar to that of a program at a theater play, wedding programs serve the following purposes:

They serve as a record of the wedding ceremony, providing guests with the order and details of the events that will happen in the ceremony.

∑ They help guests understand what is happening, making them feel included.

∑ They introduce and honor the bridal party, the sponsors, and the other people who are participating in the ceremony.

∑ They serve as a beautiful and sentimental souvenir for everyone, which can be included in the couple's scrapbook.

While a wedding program is not a strict requirement to have, but it certainly adds a unique and personal touch to any wedding ceremony. A wedding program can also be essential in the following cases:

∑ A wedding that is inter-cultural and no one understands the ceremony.

∑ A wedding with a number of guests from another faith or culture.

∑ A wedding so large that guests may not know the bridal party.

∑ A wedding that is particularly long and time-consuming.

∑ A wedding that involves so many people that the couple would like to thank and pay tribute to.

A wedding program is generally broken down into 3 sections, with the additional detailed information listed below:

1. Introduction

∑ Names of the couple

∑ Wedding date

∑ Time and place of the service.

2. Event or Ceremony Order

∑ Greetings

∑ Poetry

∑ Reading

∑ Exchange of vows

∑ Explanations of special religious rituals (such as the ring ceremony, unity candle ceremony, and pronouncement of marriage)

∑ Titles of the ceremony music to be played (including the names of the musicians, soloists, or readers)

3. Acknowledgement of Wedding Party

∑ Names of the members of the bridal party

∑ Name of the priest or officiant who will perform the ceremony

∑ Memorials, tributes or homages to someone who has passed away

∑ Thank-you notes and dedications to the parents and to people who gave support to the couple (and to the wedding)

∑ The couple's special message to their wedding guests

∑ Directions to the reception

Wedding programs are usually ordered from the same printer who does the wedding invitations. Other couples, however, opt to do their wedding programs on their own - it gives a couple a chance to be more flexible and creative while saving money. A Wedding Collection by Lora Severson Photography offers an online selection of wedding programs that are customizable by the couple. Simply change the text on the program design of your choice, pick your paper type and font - and you have created your own personalized wedding programs.

Wedding programs are one of the little details that make such a big day extra special. Ordered ready-made or done personally, a wedding program can be made unique by the expressive feelings of love and joy that it conveys.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Planning an Affordable Honeymoon

The honeymoon is one of the most expensive aspects
to planning a wedding. Let's look at ways to SAVE
money while not sacrificing a good time.

First of all, you should start planning the honeymoon early.
I suggest working with a travel agent who can help you figure out the
best trip for you. In the
meantime, let's take a look at seven steps cost saving steps to honeymoon
planning.

1) BOOK THE TRIP ONLINE

It doesn't matter if you're booking a trip several
months ahead of time or last minute in a lot of cases if you
book your trip online. You can find some really great deals
this way. There are several websites that you can find that
offer these deals.

2) SHOP FOR THE HONEYMOON, BEFORE IT

You may hear people talking about waiting to buy once you get to
your honeymoon destination. I can tell you that prices are
always inflated for tourists. You don't want to wait to
shop. Start looking around for bargains before the big day.
You'll be glad you did. You can usually find good deals
on film, batteries, toiletries, etc. ahead of time.

3) SHOP FOR THE HONEYMOON, DURING IT

I just told you how to save money before the honeymoon. Now,
let's talk a little bit about how you can save money
during the honeymoon. I suggest that you visit many stores
during your day out on the town. Simply shop around before
settling on any one item.

You'll find prices vary from store to store. In a lot of
cases, the stores carry the same merchandise because there are
certain items that are unique to that part of the world. Shop
around during your honeymoon for the best prices and don't
be afraid to try to barter the sales people down.

4) PLAN AN OFF SEASON HONEYMOON

Who wants to go to Jamaica in the height of summer? Who wants to
go to Europe in the fall? Who in the world would ever dream of
going to Australia in the winter? You do, that's who
especially if it means saving hundreds of dollars! Here's
something important to note. Off-season doesn't
necessarily mean bad weather. A lot of people assume it does.

Off-season simply means that fewer people are traveling to these
destinations for a variety of reasons. It could have something
to do with the end of summer break and the beginning of the
school season. It's really hard to tell in some cases.
However, the important thing to note for you is that there are
advantages to planning an off-season honeymoon.

One of the biggest advantages is you'll get cheaper prices
on hotel and airfare. That's because there are fewer
people traveling during off-season. You'll also get
better service from cab drivers, tour guides, hotel and
restaurant employees, etc. They'll just be glad to see
you around because the crowds won't be around.

5) CHEAPER DESTINATIONS

Going to a cheaper destination does not mean that you won't
have a good time. Places like Mexico and Canada are more
affordable based on their low currency rates. Other places like
the Bahamas and Jamaica are so frequently traveled that it has
helped to bring down the rates. Choosing a cheaper destination
could be an economically healthy alternative for you.

6) CLOSE TO HOME

There are several advantages to staying close to home for your
honeymoon. You save time, money and a lot of hassle that comes
from traveling if you drive. I know a lot of couples that were
able to upgrade to better accommodations because they decided
to drive to a local resort.

7) EAT SMART

Here's a tip that very few penny pinchers ever think
about. At least, they're always in shock when I bring it
up! There's always that "must eat
at" restaurant in every travel destination. It's
usually a five star restaurant with great food, service and
high prices. Well, try eating at this place for lunch instead
of dinner.

Lunch prices are usually more affordable. Plus, if you
don't like the food, then you won't be stuck with
a high tab. If you like the food, then say what the heck!
Splurge! Go back for dinner, but let it be your choice to spend
the big bucks, not theirs. Also, don't forget to ask
about Happy Hours. It's another great way to have fun and
save money.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Wedding Rituals

Let's take a look at some of the most common wedding
rituals from around the world and what they may mean to you. See
if you can pick out a ritual based on your culture.

MOST COMMON ETHNIC RITUALS

1) African American couples celebrate what's called a
"jumping of the broom." This happens
immediately after the "I do's.

2) Chinese couples drink wine from goblets that are tied
together with a red ribbon.

3) East Indian grooms get a turmeric paste rubbed all over their
face to keep the bad spirits away.

4) German brides carry salted bread in their pocket and the
groom carries grain to bring wealth into the household

5) Egyptian brides get their right wrist tied to the grooms left
wrist.

6) English brides get a live or imitation spider placed in their
gown by their guests.

7) French couples drink wind from a two cup that has two
handles.

8) Greek brides receive money pinned to their gowns while
dancing with her new husband during the reception.

9) Italian grooms get their ties cut into small pieces. The
pieces are sold to the guests.

10) Korean couples feed their guests noodle soup to symbolize a
happy life together.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Wedding Flowers

There are so many flower choices for your wedding bouquet, wedding centerpieces and arrangements! How do you ever choose which one is right for you?
One way is to match the flower to your favorite color or colors you have chosen for your wedding theme.
Another way is to look at the meanings behind the flowers and
your individual relationship to come up with the flower
that's right for you. I've picked out ten popular flowers. I'm going to show you can use
flowers to create a special meaning and atmosphere for your
wedding.

FLOWERS/PLANTS & MEANING

1) ACACIA (yellow) Secret love
2) ALTHEA Consumed by love
3) MISTLETOE - Kiss me
4) NASTURTIUM - Conquest, Victory in Battle
5) ORANGE BLOSSOM - Eternal Love
6) ROSES (Single Full Bloom) - I Love You
7) TULIP (GENERAL) - Perfect Lover
8) TULIP (RED) - Believe Me
9) TULIP (VARIEGATED) - Beautiful Eyes
10) TULIP (YELLOW) - There's Sunshine in Your Smile

Thursday, May 13, 2010

White Orchid Wedding Invitation from Zazzle.com

Invite friends and family to your upcoming wedding ceremony with this elegant White Orchid Wedding Invitation from Lora Severson Photography. Customize it with the personal names of the bride and groom and specific wedding details. Feel free to change the text, font or paper type to suit your needs. It is currently shown here on linen paper. Image is a black and white close up macro floral photograph of a white phalaenopsis orchid flower blossom on the stem. See more White Orchid Wedding Invitations, Cards and Announcements.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Wedding Reception Food

Let's talk a little bit today about food. You like food, right? We all do. The number one question that couples often ask is how do we save money on wedding reception food?

One of the biggest things you can do is determine what time of
day you want to host your reception. You see the time of day is
directly related to the amount of food you have to serve.
Let's take a look at the most frequent wedding reception times.

Morning Wedding Ceremony before 11:00am
Continental breakfast or buffet
Midday Wedding 11:00am to 1:00pm
Luncheon buffet

Afternoon Wedding 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Hor d'oeuvres buffet or cake and punch only

Early Evening Wedding 4:00pm to 7:00pm
Dinner buffet

Evening Wedding after 7:00pm
Hors d'oeuvres buffet or cake and punch only

Serving alcohol at your reception can also drive up the cost. Let's look at
the top three ways you save by cutting the cost on booze.

1) BUY LIQUOR WHOLESALE. A wholesaler will offer you a discount
of up to 20% on bulk purchases of alcohol. A wholesaler will
also allow you to return any bottles of liquor that you have not
used. By in large this is a great deal.

2) SERVE NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. You can save a fortune by only
serving non-alcoholic drinks at your wedding reception.
Sparkling cider or grape juice are excellent options. If you
don't like the idea of a completely dry reception, then
just serve wine or champagne.

3) HAVE A COCKTAIL HOUR. Limit the amount of time for alcoholic
drinks to one hour. Once the cocktail hour is over, you can
then limit drinks to nonalcoholic beverages or wine. I suggest
having a host or hostess to pass out the drinks because this
helps to prevent waste.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Wedding Veil

A veil. Now, a veil is not just a veil. It has to be perfect.

I believe it is harder to pick a veil then it is to choose a
wedding gown. That's why I'm here to help you get
a head start on veil selection. Pardon the pun, I couldn't help myself.
Now there are so many different styles of bridal
veils from which to choose. BUT, before we look at the SIX different
veil styles, lets look at three things you must do before
choosing your bridal veil.

1) Choose your gown (this establishes the formality and style of
your wedding).

2) Pick a hairstyle for your wedding day. You'll want to go
over the image you want to convey with your hair stylist.

3) Don't forget that the veil should not overpower your
dress. A veil is not just a veil. However, it is not the dress
either. You'll want to pick a veil that compliments your
dress.

Now that we've got those three things out of the way,
let's move on to look at the different styles of veils.
You can find veils as low as $15.00 if you make it yourself.
Veils can go up in price from there into the thousands of dollars
for veils with real jewels. Let's assume you're
on the cost-saving side of this picture. Here's a look at
the SIX styles of veils you'll want to try out.

a) COMB
A comb can be simple, but elegant. It is a good way to go
if you are a small sized bride and you want to show off your
dress more. It is also good for a bride with short hair. Be
sure to have your hair stylist practice using different
hairstyles to make sure you have the comb that's best for
you.

b) CROWN
A crown give brides a traditional appeal. They often
have pearl, jewel or flower patterns on the front of them. Most
people will wear a crown if they want a curl up do for their
hairstyle.

c) HALO
The halo can be worn by itself or with a veil. Just like
the crown, it can have a combination of pearl, jewel or flower
patterns. It is a circular bridal headpiece. Halos are good to
be worn if you have a short hair cut or want to wear your hair in
a curly up do.

d) HEADBAND
Headbands have a plastic band across the top of the
head from ear to ear. They vary in width and most are simpler in
style. Headbands are worn if you want to wear your hair straight
back. It gives a simple, yet sophisticated look. Headbands can
be worn with a veil attached directly to the back of the band.
It can also be worn with a veil on a comb.

e) TIARA
Tiaras make you queen for a day! They can go with just
about any dress and any hairstyle. They can be worn with short
hair, a fancy up do, or long and flowing curls. Metal rhinestone
tiaras are the most popular headpieces. They can be worn alone.
You can also find some with a Veil on a comb. I strongly
recommend you see your hairstylist with your tiara in hand before
trying to wear it on your wedding day.

I hope this gives you a head start on finding a veil.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Wedding Invitation Wording

One of the big stumbling blocks that many people seem to have when they are planning their wedding is the wording that they should put in the wedding invitations.

The simple solution is to always use wording that you would use when talking to the people you are inviting even if you anticipate having a completely formal wedding.

You are after all inviting your close friends and family and there is nothing better than a personal touch that actually emphasizes your personality when inviting them to your special occasion.

Use words in your invitation that you would like to have sent to you. Words that would make you feel special about being invited to the wedding of someone else.

Keep it light free and happy and make people feel as excited about your wedding day as you are.

Discuss it with your partner and bounce ideas off each other - This makes a lot easier than sitting down on your own trying to write up an invitation.

If you're the sort of person who likes to joke and fool around then add some humor to your invitation and make people laugh and smile when they read it.

There are no set guidelines with any aspect of your wedding and your wedding invitations are no different. The freedom is yours to do exactly what you like at your wedding and your wedding invitations should emphasize that fact to everyone who is coming.

Once you have prepared the wording for your invitations let them sit for a while and go back to them after a week or two to see whether you still happy with the final outcome. Often a reread can make you change your mind where you might consider other things to be more appropriate.

By getting everything done well ahead of time you have more opportunity to make changes before the deadline to send them out.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Wedding Rings

Many people have broken with tradition when it comes to wedding rings these days and often they will only get the one ring that serves both as a wedding and an engagement ring.

This is purely up to the individual and also, as with everything else in the wedding arrangements there is the limiting factor of finances that will determine to some extent what type of ring or rings are purchased.

Depending on the type of ring that you prefer, you will usually find that there are vast differences in the prices that the various jewelers will charge. So time taken getting prices can save you a lot of money.

Many men don't like to wear rings and this is a personal preference that will need to be discussed between the bride and groom.

There can be many reasons why men don't like to wear a ring and the upside of that is you can afford to spend more on your own ring.

With men there are often other practical factors that need to be taken into account with their decision whether or not they will wear a ring. With certain professions it is actually dangerous for the man to wear a ring that could get caught in machinery or similar circumstances.

If you and your partner have differences as to what should be expected with the ring selection then take your time and discuss all aspects of this and treat it as a process of improving your communication skills while allowing each other to enjoy the freedom to still be able to express their own personal preferences even though there is now another person to consider in their life.

The rings are merely a symbol and not as important as the true feelings and the trust that you have for one another.