by: Jeff Lakie
People look forward to their wedding for many years. And weddings really are mainly for the bride and groom. But it should also be for the guests, after all they are spending their money and their time to see you getting married. Here are some ways to make your wedding special for you but still enjoyable for your guests as well.
· Keep inside jokes, slide shows, and open mikes to a minimum, especially if you have an open mike. While these are funny for the people telling them, and sometimes funny (but usually embarrassing) for the bride and groom, they often end of being tedious, embarrassing, or offensive to the guests of the wedding.
· If there are a lot of out of town guests, provide entertainment between wedding and the reception while the bride and groom are taking pictures. Many wedding guests enjoy a beautiful wedding and look forward to a delightful reception but have to into your a couple hours of boredom in between if they are in a town they have never been and don't know anybody else the wedding.
· For after the reception, provide coupons for entertainment or ideas. Your out-of-town guests will appreciate it. Once the wedding is over there is little much else for them to do except go back to the hotel and fall asleep. Your special day will be special for them as well when they have a great time bowling or going to the theater. And you can have a fun time putting together a little book of entertainment for them that includes coupons, trivia, and photos of the bride and groom.
· Have a contest. People love the chance to win something and you can have several of those during your wedding. For example, if you do not have assigned seating at the reception, mark the bottom of a chair and give a prize to the person with the mark chair. Or, put everyone's name into a draw and draw a handful of names to win prizes. Be sure to have something for the kids to, like grab bags or surprise box.
· Provide a nanny and children's room. Weddings are pretty boring for children since there isn't very much for them to do. Hire a childcare worker to simply keep an eye on the children in another room. Provide a few toys and your guests will thank you for it.
About The Author
Jeff Lakie is the founder of http://www.my-wedding-photos.info and http://www.my-bridal-gowns.info websites providing information on Weddings.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Wedding Reception Music- Top Tips on Enhancing Your Wedding Drinks Reception and Wedding Breakfast
by: Jennie Evans
Setting the mood for a celebration
The drinks reception after the wedding ceremony is a time for congratulations all round. Musicians striking up as the newly married couple and their guests arrive sets a buoyant mood from the outset.
Any style which puts a spring in the step is appropriate. Light classical or Swing Jazz gives a "Ritzy" up-market ambience to the event. If you're after a more friendly family feel, you might consider traditional tunes ... Irish style.
Live Music in the background
Music for the wedding reception and breakfast is strictly a background affair. The main focus of attention, of course, is the bride and groom. The wedding music enhances the aura of happiness around the couple. It engenders a sense of relaxed togetherness and encourages chatter, rather than detracting from it.
The number of guests usually dictates the number of musicians needed to create the desired effect. With careful amplification, a duo will provide sufficient atmosphere for a party of up to 70 people. If your celebration is larger, you would be wise to consider a trio or quartet.
Later, your musicians can serenade the guests at the beginning of the wedding breakfast. The added quality and atmosphere that only live music can bring to an event is just the thing to turn your wedding breakfast into a truly memorable occasion.
Making the most of your wedding musicians
Make the best use of the musical skill at your disposal. When you book musicians to perform for you, you can expect them to perform (typically) three sets of live music, each approximately 45 mins long. Use the first set to make your wedding ceremony really special. Any band or ensemble will be happy to discuss in advance your options for each part of the service in order to help you make the best choices. Use the second set to create an up-beat atmosphere at the drinks reception. The final set will kick the wedding breakfast off to a really special start.
With careful use of your investment in live music you can add that extra-special "je ne sais quoi" that transforms an event into a truly memorable celebration ... without breaking the bank! To find out more about wedding planning and wedding music in the UK, check out http://www.hoptiludrop.co.uk.
About The Author
Jennie Evans runs Hop Till You Drop, a company that provides music of all styles and types for weddings, birthday parties and corporate events in the UK. To find out more about all aspects of wedding music planning and to get up-to-date info on live music for weddings in the UK, why don't you check out http://www.hoptiludrop.co.uk? Hop Till You Drop is a company run by musicians, so you can be sure that all the important aspects of your live wedding music will be attended to by knowledgeable, experienced professionals.
Setting the mood for a celebration
The drinks reception after the wedding ceremony is a time for congratulations all round. Musicians striking up as the newly married couple and their guests arrive sets a buoyant mood from the outset.
Any style which puts a spring in the step is appropriate. Light classical or Swing Jazz gives a "Ritzy" up-market ambience to the event. If you're after a more friendly family feel, you might consider traditional tunes ... Irish style.
Live Music in the background
Music for the wedding reception and breakfast is strictly a background affair. The main focus of attention, of course, is the bride and groom. The wedding music enhances the aura of happiness around the couple. It engenders a sense of relaxed togetherness and encourages chatter, rather than detracting from it.
The number of guests usually dictates the number of musicians needed to create the desired effect. With careful amplification, a duo will provide sufficient atmosphere for a party of up to 70 people. If your celebration is larger, you would be wise to consider a trio or quartet.
Later, your musicians can serenade the guests at the beginning of the wedding breakfast. The added quality and atmosphere that only live music can bring to an event is just the thing to turn your wedding breakfast into a truly memorable occasion.
Making the most of your wedding musicians
Make the best use of the musical skill at your disposal. When you book musicians to perform for you, you can expect them to perform (typically) three sets of live music, each approximately 45 mins long. Use the first set to make your wedding ceremony really special. Any band or ensemble will be happy to discuss in advance your options for each part of the service in order to help you make the best choices. Use the second set to create an up-beat atmosphere at the drinks reception. The final set will kick the wedding breakfast off to a really special start.
With careful use of your investment in live music you can add that extra-special "je ne sais quoi" that transforms an event into a truly memorable celebration ... without breaking the bank! To find out more about wedding planning and wedding music in the UK, check out http://www.hoptiludrop.co.uk.
About The Author
Jennie Evans runs Hop Till You Drop, a company that provides music of all styles and types for weddings, birthday parties and corporate events in the UK. To find out more about all aspects of wedding music planning and to get up-to-date info on live music for weddings in the UK, why don't you check out http://www.hoptiludrop.co.uk? Hop Till You Drop is a company run by musicians, so you can be sure that all the important aspects of your live wedding music will be attended to by knowledgeable, experienced professionals.
Six Steps To Planning A Hawaii Beach Wedding From Afar
by: Blake Kritzberg
There's much to do when you're planning a wedding in Hawaii. But as with any destination wedding, a special wrinkle is that you'll need to take care of many details from far away. And perhaps you've never been to Hawaii before. All this can pile some frustration onto your planning, but in the end, there are few places in the world that can compare to the Garden Isle of Kauai, Magic Island off Waikiki, or Oahu's Paradise Cove, just to name a few of Hawaii's many jewels.
Here's a quick checklist of things to do and remember when planning a wedding in Hawaii:
1) First, find a location. This is the fun part. Pour over coffee table travel books at the bookstore -- try the "From the Skies of Paradise" series, for example. Eventually you'll settle on an island.
2) Next, you have a second decision to make: should you go with a resort, a wedding planner, or do it all yourself? For most brides, the best bet is to choose a resort package, or book a local wedding planner that specializes in destination weddings.
An on-site planner should help you pull together every aspect of your wedding. They'll recommend vendors, let you know whether that hotel really looks as beautiful as it does in the brochure, and help you work out murky but important details, such as how to seat your guests at the beach, or how transport your guests from the hotel to the ceremony site. An experienced local planner can make a huge difference, but you'll want to research her carefully before choosing one. The last thing you want is to hire someone who "goes dark" on you.
It's impossible to tell from a web site or a photo whether a planner is responsive and professional. The best way to find a great one is to visit destination wedding boards and ask newlyweds for their recommendations.
3) Next, you'll want to consider your budget. Can you pay for close family and friends to attend your destination wedding, or will they need to pay their own way? If the budget's tight, one option is to have a very small wedding on the island and throw a larger reception later, at home.
You'll also need to look at the other aspects of the budget, and consider the fundamental costs of things like ceremony locale, reception locale, lodging, catering, your cake and flowers, and any other services involved in your wedding. For very constrained budgets, a small resort package might be both cheapest and most stress-free choice. If you have more wiggle room, a good wedding planner will help you make the most of your money.
4) Another important item on your checklist is the marriage license. Fortunately, Hawaii makes this easy. You'll only need to arrive a few days in advance, and the only major requirement is that both the bride and groom appear in person. Hawaii doesn't have a waiting period or require a blood test, but you'll need enough time to apply in person on a weekday before the wedding.
5) You'll also need to research lodging and airfare for your entire party. That means you'll need to manage a pleasant location that offers a fair price for not only for the bridal couple, but for guests as well. Be sure that your planner or other former brides give the thumbs-up to your lodging before you book it.
Airline tickets are another major cost, especially if you're footing the bill for friends and family. You can buy tickets up to 11 months in advance, and the sooner you buy them, the cheaper they are. With airfare on this scale, try to take advantage of other money-saving tactics such as flying in on a weekday and staying over on a Saturday night.
6) Finally, don't forget that the whole charm of a destination wedding lies in not having to obsess over details. Be sure to research a great wedding planner, but after that, be willing to roll with the punches and take what comes. With a destination wedding, you can often actually relax enough to enjoy and remember your day, which isn't always true with more elaborate productions.
From choosing your favorite Hawaiian island to picking out foot jewelry or beach-style invitations, there's plenty to do when it comes to planning a wedding in Hawaii. While a destination wedding is much like any other, they tend to feel more complex simply because of the huge distance involved. The good news is that you can easily get it all done, especially when you choose a resort package, or hire an experienced local wedding planner who can be your eyes and ears and guide you through the requirements and on-site issues.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas." Stop by http://www.favorideas.com for wedding favors, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures. For beach favor ideas, see http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-favor-beach.htm
There's much to do when you're planning a wedding in Hawaii. But as with any destination wedding, a special wrinkle is that you'll need to take care of many details from far away. And perhaps you've never been to Hawaii before. All this can pile some frustration onto your planning, but in the end, there are few places in the world that can compare to the Garden Isle of Kauai, Magic Island off Waikiki, or Oahu's Paradise Cove, just to name a few of Hawaii's many jewels.
Here's a quick checklist of things to do and remember when planning a wedding in Hawaii:
1) First, find a location. This is the fun part. Pour over coffee table travel books at the bookstore -- try the "From the Skies of Paradise" series, for example. Eventually you'll settle on an island.
2) Next, you have a second decision to make: should you go with a resort, a wedding planner, or do it all yourself? For most brides, the best bet is to choose a resort package, or book a local wedding planner that specializes in destination weddings.
An on-site planner should help you pull together every aspect of your wedding. They'll recommend vendors, let you know whether that hotel really looks as beautiful as it does in the brochure, and help you work out murky but important details, such as how to seat your guests at the beach, or how transport your guests from the hotel to the ceremony site. An experienced local planner can make a huge difference, but you'll want to research her carefully before choosing one. The last thing you want is to hire someone who "goes dark" on you.
It's impossible to tell from a web site or a photo whether a planner is responsive and professional. The best way to find a great one is to visit destination wedding boards and ask newlyweds for their recommendations.
3) Next, you'll want to consider your budget. Can you pay for close family and friends to attend your destination wedding, or will they need to pay their own way? If the budget's tight, one option is to have a very small wedding on the island and throw a larger reception later, at home.
You'll also need to look at the other aspects of the budget, and consider the fundamental costs of things like ceremony locale, reception locale, lodging, catering, your cake and flowers, and any other services involved in your wedding. For very constrained budgets, a small resort package might be both cheapest and most stress-free choice. If you have more wiggle room, a good wedding planner will help you make the most of your money.
4) Another important item on your checklist is the marriage license. Fortunately, Hawaii makes this easy. You'll only need to arrive a few days in advance, and the only major requirement is that both the bride and groom appear in person. Hawaii doesn't have a waiting period or require a blood test, but you'll need enough time to apply in person on a weekday before the wedding.
5) You'll also need to research lodging and airfare for your entire party. That means you'll need to manage a pleasant location that offers a fair price for not only for the bridal couple, but for guests as well. Be sure that your planner or other former brides give the thumbs-up to your lodging before you book it.
Airline tickets are another major cost, especially if you're footing the bill for friends and family. You can buy tickets up to 11 months in advance, and the sooner you buy them, the cheaper they are. With airfare on this scale, try to take advantage of other money-saving tactics such as flying in on a weekday and staying over on a Saturday night.
6) Finally, don't forget that the whole charm of a destination wedding lies in not having to obsess over details. Be sure to research a great wedding planner, but after that, be willing to roll with the punches and take what comes. With a destination wedding, you can often actually relax enough to enjoy and remember your day, which isn't always true with more elaborate productions.
From choosing your favorite Hawaiian island to picking out foot jewelry or beach-style invitations, there's plenty to do when it comes to planning a wedding in Hawaii. While a destination wedding is much like any other, they tend to feel more complex simply because of the huge distance involved. The good news is that you can easily get it all done, especially when you choose a resort package, or hire an experienced local wedding planner who can be your eyes and ears and guide you through the requirements and on-site issues.
About The Author
Blake Kritzberg is editor at "FavorIdeas." Stop by http://www.favorideas.com for wedding favors, Save-the-Date eCards, free wedding screensaver, free wedding templates and Bridezilla's weekly adventures. For beach favor ideas, see http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-favor-beach.htm
Weddings: Silk and Silk Flowers
by: Mike Welling
When planning your wedding, ask yourself: why is there so much silk involved in a wedding? You know the answer as well as I do: Silk symbolized elegance. Silk has been around for literally thousands of years and has been used by people for ages for all sorts of purposes. When used in bulk and custom designed for a wedding dress, silk isn’t cheap. Let me restate that, silk is cheap when bought by the truckload from a mass manufacturer in China or somewhere else. But, by the time it’s styled and added to a fancy wedding dress, the resulting silk product can be costly.
When someone gets married, they want the wedding to be as fancy (and unfortunately for the person who is footing the bill, expensive) as possible. For that special woman, no expense should be spared. And believe me, the wedding caterers know this. They’ve seen thousands of couples come before you and they are professionals as sizing up how much money is likely budgeted for you wedding.
Silk flowers are another popular item found at weddings. Arranged properly, silk flowers can add a huge amount of beauty to any ceremony. In fact, there are many stores (likely online) that carry different types of silk flowers and silk flower arrangements for your wedding.
On top of that, many small custom providers of different silk flowers and plants can be found online. Say, you are having a Hawaiian themed wedding. Wouldn’t it be cool if there were silk palm trees and silk coconuts. Yes. It would. Now just convince whoever is paying for your wedding that these are integral parts to your wedding and you are all set.
About The Author
Michael Welling is a contributing author at http://www.thesilksite.com. The Silk Site has silk and silk flowers information.
When planning your wedding, ask yourself: why is there so much silk involved in a wedding? You know the answer as well as I do: Silk symbolized elegance. Silk has been around for literally thousands of years and has been used by people for ages for all sorts of purposes. When used in bulk and custom designed for a wedding dress, silk isn’t cheap. Let me restate that, silk is cheap when bought by the truckload from a mass manufacturer in China or somewhere else. But, by the time it’s styled and added to a fancy wedding dress, the resulting silk product can be costly.
When someone gets married, they want the wedding to be as fancy (and unfortunately for the person who is footing the bill, expensive) as possible. For that special woman, no expense should be spared. And believe me, the wedding caterers know this. They’ve seen thousands of couples come before you and they are professionals as sizing up how much money is likely budgeted for you wedding.
Silk flowers are another popular item found at weddings. Arranged properly, silk flowers can add a huge amount of beauty to any ceremony. In fact, there are many stores (likely online) that carry different types of silk flowers and silk flower arrangements for your wedding.
On top of that, many small custom providers of different silk flowers and plants can be found online. Say, you are having a Hawaiian themed wedding. Wouldn’t it be cool if there were silk palm trees and silk coconuts. Yes. It would. Now just convince whoever is paying for your wedding that these are integral parts to your wedding and you are all set.
About The Author
Michael Welling is a contributing author at http://www.thesilksite.com. The Silk Site has silk and silk flowers information.
Replace Your Wedding DJ With An iPod
by: Tim and Tammy Smith
Whether its true or not, most everyone agrees that wedding DJs are expensive. A popular tip circulating the net is to replace your wedding DJ with an iPod and DJ your reception yourself. While this may sound like a great idea, there are some things to consider. Just as with any do-it-yourself project, you must be aware of all facets before you start.
The first most important job for a good DJ is to play music that the crowd enjoys. A simple shuffle has no way of knowing who is dancing to what. A person does need to run things, but not just any person will do. Putting your 12 year old nephew won't do you any good. The person in charge of the music needs a large amount of music knowledge. A good DJ should have this knowledge. A good DJ should be able to identify a song based on a few bars hummed out of tune or a snippet of lyrics that are slightly incorrect. Your DJ must not have a fear of speaking in front of a crowd, and this is not as easy as it sounds. One simply has to think of all the Best men who have hemmed and hawed their way through a wedding toast with the microphone held at waist level. Also, does he/she know how to auction off a garter or any of the other traditional reception activities? If not, will the bride and groom want to do these things while they should be enjoying their guests? Oh, and just like you would give your wedding singer or officiant a tip for performing your ceremony, don't forget a gratuity for your impromptu DJ.
Unless you're a music collector, chances are you don't have a music library with waltzes, polkas, old country, new country, oldies, classic rock, new rock, soft rock, hard rock, hip hop, dance, etc. And, unless you want to subject your guests to your musical tastes, you should probably buy a selection of these songs. If you're not up on popular waltzes and polkas, or don't know which songs are currently topping the country Top 40, search the web. $25 dollars should buy you enough music on iTunes to cover enough various musical tastes that most guests will enjoy themselves.
Another task for a good wedding DJ is one who is covered by insurance. Sure, your homeowners policy *might* cover it, but I'd hate to see your premiums next year if an accident does occur. Don't think accidents will happen to you? Are you serving alcohol at your reception? If you're telling yourself, "All the drunk people I know never act like fools!", stop and think about that again. Besides, many venues require proof of insurance because they don't want to see their premiums raised because your grandma tripped on a speaker cable and broke her hip. Searching the web for "wedding event insurance" will yield a whole crop of insurers who will give you a $1 million dollar policy for around $200.
Equipment is of course another important factor a good DJ brings to your reception. Do you know where to get speakers? Or mics? Or Mixer?? Larger cities will have rental companies that can provide these things. You can even find many such companies by searching the web for "dj equipment rental". Most wedding sized systems rent for anywhere from $250 to $500 dollars per day. In most cases, you must provide a truck or van to transport the equipment. Now, do you know how to set these things up? If not, will the rental company give you a tutorial? Some rental companies will give you a tutorial when you pick the equipment up, but make sure to take notes, because if you have to call them later they will likely charge you for a service call. Some equipment rental companies will deliver, setup, and test their equipment as well as pick up later, but this is extra.
That being said, if you KNOW your group will interact without being prompted (or just don't care if they interact or not), and if you've got a person with an encyclopedic knowledge of music that will run your iPod (instead of enjoying your reception), and you have adequate insurance to cover any accidents that occur due to your iPod setup, and you have a large enough music library to make sure everyone gets to hear the music they want, and you're able to get your hands on adequate dance lights and speakers, and will be saving money by spending $550 to $700 then by all means use an iPod. You honestly have no need for a DJ.
If planning and organizing all this sounds like just one more hassle, you'd probably do better to hire a professional so that you can enjoy your reception and spend your first day as husband and wife doing something besides returning rental equipment. For a few dollars more you'll get professional equipment, professional knowledge from someone who has planned and performed at hundreds of weddings, peace of mind that any glitches will be resolved quickly, no hassles about tearing down equipment when the reception is over, and no worries about getting it back before you owe another day's worth of rental fees.
About The Author
Tim and Tammy Smith own and operate By Request DJ & Karaoke Company in Fargo, ND. They have been providing exceptional entertainment at weddings, proms, and parties since 1991. Visit their website at http://www.byrequest.dj.
byrequest@byrequest.dj
Whether its true or not, most everyone agrees that wedding DJs are expensive. A popular tip circulating the net is to replace your wedding DJ with an iPod and DJ your reception yourself. While this may sound like a great idea, there are some things to consider. Just as with any do-it-yourself project, you must be aware of all facets before you start.
The first most important job for a good DJ is to play music that the crowd enjoys. A simple shuffle has no way of knowing who is dancing to what. A person does need to run things, but not just any person will do. Putting your 12 year old nephew won't do you any good. The person in charge of the music needs a large amount of music knowledge. A good DJ should have this knowledge. A good DJ should be able to identify a song based on a few bars hummed out of tune or a snippet of lyrics that are slightly incorrect. Your DJ must not have a fear of speaking in front of a crowd, and this is not as easy as it sounds. One simply has to think of all the Best men who have hemmed and hawed their way through a wedding toast with the microphone held at waist level. Also, does he/she know how to auction off a garter or any of the other traditional reception activities? If not, will the bride and groom want to do these things while they should be enjoying their guests? Oh, and just like you would give your wedding singer or officiant a tip for performing your ceremony, don't forget a gratuity for your impromptu DJ.
Unless you're a music collector, chances are you don't have a music library with waltzes, polkas, old country, new country, oldies, classic rock, new rock, soft rock, hard rock, hip hop, dance, etc. And, unless you want to subject your guests to your musical tastes, you should probably buy a selection of these songs. If you're not up on popular waltzes and polkas, or don't know which songs are currently topping the country Top 40, search the web. $25 dollars should buy you enough music on iTunes to cover enough various musical tastes that most guests will enjoy themselves.
Another task for a good wedding DJ is one who is covered by insurance. Sure, your homeowners policy *might* cover it, but I'd hate to see your premiums next year if an accident does occur. Don't think accidents will happen to you? Are you serving alcohol at your reception? If you're telling yourself, "All the drunk people I know never act like fools!", stop and think about that again. Besides, many venues require proof of insurance because they don't want to see their premiums raised because your grandma tripped on a speaker cable and broke her hip. Searching the web for "wedding event insurance" will yield a whole crop of insurers who will give you a $1 million dollar policy for around $200.
Equipment is of course another important factor a good DJ brings to your reception. Do you know where to get speakers? Or mics? Or Mixer?? Larger cities will have rental companies that can provide these things. You can even find many such companies by searching the web for "dj equipment rental". Most wedding sized systems rent for anywhere from $250 to $500 dollars per day. In most cases, you must provide a truck or van to transport the equipment. Now, do you know how to set these things up? If not, will the rental company give you a tutorial? Some rental companies will give you a tutorial when you pick the equipment up, but make sure to take notes, because if you have to call them later they will likely charge you for a service call. Some equipment rental companies will deliver, setup, and test their equipment as well as pick up later, but this is extra.
That being said, if you KNOW your group will interact without being prompted (or just don't care if they interact or not), and if you've got a person with an encyclopedic knowledge of music that will run your iPod (instead of enjoying your reception), and you have adequate insurance to cover any accidents that occur due to your iPod setup, and you have a large enough music library to make sure everyone gets to hear the music they want, and you're able to get your hands on adequate dance lights and speakers, and will be saving money by spending $550 to $700 then by all means use an iPod. You honestly have no need for a DJ.
If planning and organizing all this sounds like just one more hassle, you'd probably do better to hire a professional so that you can enjoy your reception and spend your first day as husband and wife doing something besides returning rental equipment. For a few dollars more you'll get professional equipment, professional knowledge from someone who has planned and performed at hundreds of weddings, peace of mind that any glitches will be resolved quickly, no hassles about tearing down equipment when the reception is over, and no worries about getting it back before you owe another day's worth of rental fees.
About The Author
Tim and Tammy Smith own and operate By Request DJ & Karaoke Company in Fargo, ND. They have been providing exceptional entertainment at weddings, proms, and parties since 1991. Visit their website at http://www.byrequest.dj.
byrequest@byrequest.dj
Never "Wing" A Wedding Speech!
by: Alex Berez
The one thing you don't want to do on the day of the wedding is stand up to make your speech and try to “wing” it. Trying to make a speech up off the top of your head is a recipe for disaster. Chances are you'll forget what you wanted to say, ramble on about unrelated matters, and say some things you may later wish you hadn't.
“Now wait,” you may be saying, “I've seen plenty of people who did great jobs and they seemed to be giving a completely spontaneous speech.” Fair enough, but the key word here is “seemed.” The majority of speeches we see, especially the ones that appear to be spontaneous and unplanned, are just the opposite. These speeches have been planned to such an extent that the speaker can deliver them so that it appears the words are coming to him off the top of his head. This type of speaking is known as extemporaneous.
Extemporaneous speaking allows you to plan out what you want to say but also forces you to practice it so that you can deliver your words with only a handful of notes instead of a word-for-word manuscript. There are a number of reasons why extemporaneous speaking is the best choice for a wedding speech:
• Because you aren't reading a manuscript, you will be able to make eye contact with guests which adds a sense of sincerity and warmth to your speech.
• Because you aren't making the speech up as you go along, you can make sure to include all of the points you want to make. You won't leave anything out.
• Because you are going to practice the speech, you'll feel more comfortable with the words and with the delivery. By the time you're ready for the actual speech, you'll be prepared.
• Because people tend to sound monotone when they read something word for word aloud, extemporaneous speaking sounds more natural and more pleasing to the audience's ears.
As you can clearly see, opting for an extemporaneous speech is going to increase the likelihood of your public speaking event going well because it will eliminate many of the problems inexperienced speakers typically encounter.
About The Author
Alex Berez is author of "Wedding Speeches" 101
http://www.TheWeddingSpeech.com
The one thing you don't want to do on the day of the wedding is stand up to make your speech and try to “wing” it. Trying to make a speech up off the top of your head is a recipe for disaster. Chances are you'll forget what you wanted to say, ramble on about unrelated matters, and say some things you may later wish you hadn't.
“Now wait,” you may be saying, “I've seen plenty of people who did great jobs and they seemed to be giving a completely spontaneous speech.” Fair enough, but the key word here is “seemed.” The majority of speeches we see, especially the ones that appear to be spontaneous and unplanned, are just the opposite. These speeches have been planned to such an extent that the speaker can deliver them so that it appears the words are coming to him off the top of his head. This type of speaking is known as extemporaneous.
Extemporaneous speaking allows you to plan out what you want to say but also forces you to practice it so that you can deliver your words with only a handful of notes instead of a word-for-word manuscript. There are a number of reasons why extemporaneous speaking is the best choice for a wedding speech:
• Because you aren't reading a manuscript, you will be able to make eye contact with guests which adds a sense of sincerity and warmth to your speech.
• Because you aren't making the speech up as you go along, you can make sure to include all of the points you want to make. You won't leave anything out.
• Because you are going to practice the speech, you'll feel more comfortable with the words and with the delivery. By the time you're ready for the actual speech, you'll be prepared.
• Because people tend to sound monotone when they read something word for word aloud, extemporaneous speaking sounds more natural and more pleasing to the audience's ears.
As you can clearly see, opting for an extemporaneous speech is going to increase the likelihood of your public speaking event going well because it will eliminate many of the problems inexperienced speakers typically encounter.
About The Author
Alex Berez is author of "Wedding Speeches" 101
http://www.TheWeddingSpeech.com
Budgeting for Your Special Wedding Day
by: John Michael
Getting married is still very much in vogue and with so much choice available for when where and how to get married, with careful planning you should be able to guarantee that your wedding day will indeed be a very special day.
Budgeting for that special wedding day is important as you could run up bills amounting to many thousands of pounds. Decide what you budget is at the outset, stick to it and don’t be swayed and end up spending more than you can afford.
Some of the biggest expenses will arise from the cost of the wedding attire with the bridal outfit accounting for a substantial sum of money. On top of that will be the costs of bridesmaid dresses, flowers, corsages and suit hire or purchase for the groom and best man. The wedding rings for the bride and groom will also be costly purchases as will the gifts for the bridesmaids and mums. The gifts given to the bridesmaid are usually pieces of jewellery and mums usually get lovely big bouquets of flowers.
Decide on how many people you are going to invite and then look at potential venues and catering costs and explore the alternatives. You don’t have to have a costly formal sit down meal when a more relaxed buffet style function may better suit your needs. If you do opt for formal you may choose to limit the number of people at the formal sit down meal to limit costs and then invite more guests to an evening buffet disco.
If you are getting married in church you will need to arrange some form of transport and there are many options such as Rolls Royces or maybe a horse drawn carriage.
The time of year that you are getting married may dictate many of the above, for instance you may not want arrive at a marquee in the middle of winter with the real likelihood of bad weather affecting your arrangements.
These days you can just about get married anywhere you choose and it doesn’t have to be in a church so you may be able to get married in the same venue where you are holding the reception. This will cut down on transport costs and you may get a better deal all round with an all inclusive package. Whether you choose a romantic castle in the Highlands of Scotland, a magnificent stately home or something more modest, remember stick to your budget and don’t be tempted to overspend.
Of course you and you future spouse may just decide to go abroad either alone or with a few friends and family and get married on a beach, up a mountain of even Las Vegas in Elvis Presley style. Tour operators will be very helpful in providing you with the correct advice and information about getting married abroad.
When choosing your exotic destination remember that some of the destinations we normally associate with glorious sunshine and beautiful beaches and scenery may have seasons where the weather may not be so predictable or kind. Beware of monsoon and hurricane seasons in particular.
Organising a wedding can be a very stressful affair but there are usually plenty of people that will be willing to help such as friends and family as well as wedding organisers if you want to leave everything to a professional. There are also many ways that you can get the information that you need to ensure your wedding day goes smoothly and to plan.
Whatever you decide, good luck, have fun, enjoy and make you wedding day a very special day.
http://www.love2have.co.uk/
About The Author
Written by John Lewis of Love2Have. Love2have specialises in quality handcrafted designer wedding rings made here in the UK by small independent designers.
http://www.weddingrings-uk.com
Getting married is still very much in vogue and with so much choice available for when where and how to get married, with careful planning you should be able to guarantee that your wedding day will indeed be a very special day.
Budgeting for that special wedding day is important as you could run up bills amounting to many thousands of pounds. Decide what you budget is at the outset, stick to it and don’t be swayed and end up spending more than you can afford.
Some of the biggest expenses will arise from the cost of the wedding attire with the bridal outfit accounting for a substantial sum of money. On top of that will be the costs of bridesmaid dresses, flowers, corsages and suit hire or purchase for the groom and best man. The wedding rings for the bride and groom will also be costly purchases as will the gifts for the bridesmaids and mums. The gifts given to the bridesmaid are usually pieces of jewellery and mums usually get lovely big bouquets of flowers.
Decide on how many people you are going to invite and then look at potential venues and catering costs and explore the alternatives. You don’t have to have a costly formal sit down meal when a more relaxed buffet style function may better suit your needs. If you do opt for formal you may choose to limit the number of people at the formal sit down meal to limit costs and then invite more guests to an evening buffet disco.
If you are getting married in church you will need to arrange some form of transport and there are many options such as Rolls Royces or maybe a horse drawn carriage.
The time of year that you are getting married may dictate many of the above, for instance you may not want arrive at a marquee in the middle of winter with the real likelihood of bad weather affecting your arrangements.
These days you can just about get married anywhere you choose and it doesn’t have to be in a church so you may be able to get married in the same venue where you are holding the reception. This will cut down on transport costs and you may get a better deal all round with an all inclusive package. Whether you choose a romantic castle in the Highlands of Scotland, a magnificent stately home or something more modest, remember stick to your budget and don’t be tempted to overspend.
Of course you and you future spouse may just decide to go abroad either alone or with a few friends and family and get married on a beach, up a mountain of even Las Vegas in Elvis Presley style. Tour operators will be very helpful in providing you with the correct advice and information about getting married abroad.
When choosing your exotic destination remember that some of the destinations we normally associate with glorious sunshine and beautiful beaches and scenery may have seasons where the weather may not be so predictable or kind. Beware of monsoon and hurricane seasons in particular.
Organising a wedding can be a very stressful affair but there are usually plenty of people that will be willing to help such as friends and family as well as wedding organisers if you want to leave everything to a professional. There are also many ways that you can get the information that you need to ensure your wedding day goes smoothly and to plan.
Whatever you decide, good luck, have fun, enjoy and make you wedding day a very special day.
http://www.love2have.co.uk/
About The Author
Written by John Lewis of Love2Have. Love2have specialises in quality handcrafted designer wedding rings made here in the UK by small independent designers.
http://www.weddingrings-uk.com
Popular Wedding Hair Styles
by: Marcus Grant
A great hairstyle is the crowning glory to your personality. A wedding hairstyle holds much importance to enhance the overall beauty of the pretty bride. The hairstyle can make a bride look smart and mesmerizing. No wonder, you will be too busy in picking your wedding dress and accessories. But the wedding hair style is as important as your wedding dress. You have a number of hair saloons where you can get special popular wedding hairstyle. These styles have been adorned by so many beautiful brides.
The hair style, off course, depends on the dress you are wearing and shape of your face and hair texture. The hairstyle must be in accordance to the veil or the head piece of the bride. Also, the hair style should be set to make the bride a real princess.
Fulfill your dream of being a royal princess by wearing a sparkling crown on your head. One of the most popular head piece is the crown. It is classy and also easy-to-wear. To wear a crown, you can adhere to a simple hairstyle. You can pin up your hair on the top of the head to make a high bun. Also you can part your front hair and curl the back hair. After curling the back hair, pin them up high or let them down. After this, fix the crown and veil with the same pins. This will give you a more formal look.
If your wedding is a casual affair you can let all your hair down. Just pull them back and fix the veil with a beautiful wreath. Wreath is a half ring made up of flowers.
Flowers are an inseparable part of wedding hair styles. The beautiful flowers enhance the feminine looks of the innocent bride. You can choose from a variety of flowers. The most popular wedding hair styles incorporate the flowers like orchids and roses as they are available in so many attractive colors.
For a sophisticated look, you can pull all your hair back to make a low bun just above your neck. Flowers can be added individually around the bun or in the form of a ring. The most popular buns are the ones made after rolling your hair. You can tie your hair in to a low ponytail and roll over the rest of hair into rolls. A bun with 6 rolls is the hottest among the brides these days. After bun is complete, you can add certain accessories like flowers, hair brooch or simply some beads in the new hair style.
Las Vegas wedding hair style is also in vogue among the young generation brides. It is a funky hair style. In this wedding hair style the hair are pined loosely to make a bun on top of your head. The front hairs are let loose. The hair locks from both the sides of forehead and allowed to fall down on the face of the bride. Are you ready to embellish your crowning glory by now?
About The Author
Marcus Grant, http://www.Prom-Hairstyle.net
A great hairstyle is the crowning glory to your personality. A wedding hairstyle holds much importance to enhance the overall beauty of the pretty bride. The hairstyle can make a bride look smart and mesmerizing. No wonder, you will be too busy in picking your wedding dress and accessories. But the wedding hair style is as important as your wedding dress. You have a number of hair saloons where you can get special popular wedding hairstyle. These styles have been adorned by so many beautiful brides.
The hair style, off course, depends on the dress you are wearing and shape of your face and hair texture. The hairstyle must be in accordance to the veil or the head piece of the bride. Also, the hair style should be set to make the bride a real princess.
Fulfill your dream of being a royal princess by wearing a sparkling crown on your head. One of the most popular head piece is the crown. It is classy and also easy-to-wear. To wear a crown, you can adhere to a simple hairstyle. You can pin up your hair on the top of the head to make a high bun. Also you can part your front hair and curl the back hair. After curling the back hair, pin them up high or let them down. After this, fix the crown and veil with the same pins. This will give you a more formal look.
If your wedding is a casual affair you can let all your hair down. Just pull them back and fix the veil with a beautiful wreath. Wreath is a half ring made up of flowers.
Flowers are an inseparable part of wedding hair styles. The beautiful flowers enhance the feminine looks of the innocent bride. You can choose from a variety of flowers. The most popular wedding hair styles incorporate the flowers like orchids and roses as they are available in so many attractive colors.
For a sophisticated look, you can pull all your hair back to make a low bun just above your neck. Flowers can be added individually around the bun or in the form of a ring. The most popular buns are the ones made after rolling your hair. You can tie your hair in to a low ponytail and roll over the rest of hair into rolls. A bun with 6 rolls is the hottest among the brides these days. After bun is complete, you can add certain accessories like flowers, hair brooch or simply some beads in the new hair style.
Las Vegas wedding hair style is also in vogue among the young generation brides. It is a funky hair style. In this wedding hair style the hair are pined loosely to make a bun on top of your head. The front hairs are let loose. The hair locks from both the sides of forehead and allowed to fall down on the face of the bride. Are you ready to embellish your crowning glory by now?
About The Author
Marcus Grant, http://www.Prom-Hairstyle.net
Irish Wedding Rings
by: Martin Smith
There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols. The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.
The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.
Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.
The legend of the Claddagh begins when a fisherman Richard Joyce and other crew members were captured by pirates shortly before Joyce was to be married. He was sold into slavery in Algiers and made the property of a goldsmith who taught him the craft of goldsmith. Joyce became the master of the craft. With is beloved back in Claddagh on his mind he fashioned the first Claddagh ring. The hands were to represent friendship, the heart was love, and the crown represented loyalty and fidelity.
In 1698 King Georges III agreed to free all of his subjects. Richard Joyce was once again free. His slave master offered Joyce his daughter in marriage and half of his wealth if he would stay in Algiers. Joyce refused the offer and instead returned home to Claddagh where he found his love waiting for him. Neither of them had married. Upon discovering this, Joyce gave his love the ring and they were married shortly thereafter.
The ring was dubbed The Claddagh because of the village Joyce and his Bride were from. There were others who made the ring much later and added jewels and an intricate crown design. The basic hands holding a crowned heart has never changed. Joyce wanted something that would his love for his Beloved.
The Claddagh today is as popular as it ever was. The basic design of the ring has not changed but now there is more intricacies in the crown, gemstones or jewels can be used to fashion the heart, and the hands are simply hands. The ring can be made of silver, gold or basically any metal.
The design is the clasped hands of the ‘fede’ or faith rings. These rings date from Roman times and were popular in the Middle Ages. The ring is worn now by many to speak to their Irish heritage. The Claddagh tells the story of two lovers who are separated and yet their love and commitment withstood the passage of time. It’s simple design and my heritage influenced my decision to purchase a Claddagh.
About The Author
Martin Smith is a freelance writer providing advice and information on a variety of products. His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource. Drop by the site for more information if you have time ! http://www.1st-4-jewelry.com
There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols. The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.
The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.
Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.
The legend of the Claddagh begins when a fisherman Richard Joyce and other crew members were captured by pirates shortly before Joyce was to be married. He was sold into slavery in Algiers and made the property of a goldsmith who taught him the craft of goldsmith. Joyce became the master of the craft. With is beloved back in Claddagh on his mind he fashioned the first Claddagh ring. The hands were to represent friendship, the heart was love, and the crown represented loyalty and fidelity.
In 1698 King Georges III agreed to free all of his subjects. Richard Joyce was once again free. His slave master offered Joyce his daughter in marriage and half of his wealth if he would stay in Algiers. Joyce refused the offer and instead returned home to Claddagh where he found his love waiting for him. Neither of them had married. Upon discovering this, Joyce gave his love the ring and they were married shortly thereafter.
The ring was dubbed The Claddagh because of the village Joyce and his Bride were from. There were others who made the ring much later and added jewels and an intricate crown design. The basic hands holding a crowned heart has never changed. Joyce wanted something that would his love for his Beloved.
The Claddagh today is as popular as it ever was. The basic design of the ring has not changed but now there is more intricacies in the crown, gemstones or jewels can be used to fashion the heart, and the hands are simply hands. The ring can be made of silver, gold or basically any metal.
The design is the clasped hands of the ‘fede’ or faith rings. These rings date from Roman times and were popular in the Middle Ages. The ring is worn now by many to speak to their Irish heritage. The Claddagh tells the story of two lovers who are separated and yet their love and commitment withstood the passage of time. It’s simple design and my heritage influenced my decision to purchase a Claddagh.
About The Author
Martin Smith is a freelance writer providing advice and information on a variety of products. His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource. Drop by the site for more information if you have time ! http://www.1st-4-jewelry.com
Wedding Days: Love's in Bloom...Anyone Seen the Flowers?
by: Peter Carnater
Everyone hopes to have a picture-perfect wedding day. Getting to that point takes untold amounts of time, money, energy and patience. Even the tiniest detail cannot be left unchecked, if we have any hope of eluding Murphy's Law. These days, brides-to-be must even consider potential allergic reactions to their flowers, in addition to the more traditional details. It's enough to crush the faint of heart.
A big item on the wedding planning list is the flowers for the church, the wedding party and the reception. It that goes wrong, it can be a real disaster. Many problems can arise in this area, such as flowers not being delivered on time, not fresh, or not the flowers the bride ordered. Just imagine if your perfectly orchestrated color scheme is ruined because the wrong colored flowers arrived. Just try sending them back or getting new ones in time. Besides the ambiance of the wedding being ruined, there is now an upset bride. Taking certain precautions may avoid this disaster.
The first detail to be attended to is the color scheme you are choosing . Be sure to be decide this well advance, or you will guarantee yoursel a headache.You will usually base the colors of the flowers on the colors of the bridesmaids' dresses, so decide on that before you start to look at flowers. Stick to your color scheme and then pick flowers in that color scheme. Be definite about the color. Some flowers are available in just about every colors, while others are limited. Don't try to pick a specific type of flower, it may not work with that color scheme, just start with the color. Bring swatches and be ready to complement rather than match. Before that first crucial meeting with the florist, certain steps will prepare you.
Even though, nowadays, many flowers are available all year long, you need to take the season of your wedding into account when you are choosing your flowers. There is a certain charm added to the wedding if the flowers suit the season. Sunflowers in the middle of winter may not convey the tone you want, plus out of season flowers arel probably be more expensive. Formal church weddings need more sophisticated arrangements than a wedding on the beach, so you need to consider the type of wedding you're planning.
When you are planning the budget for your flowers, keep your total wedding budget in mind. A rule of thumb is to spend ten to fifteen percent of your total wedding budget on the flowers. Spending more than that will cause you to skimp on other more important items. Discuss your budget and its limitations honestly with your florist at the very beginning. He can work with you to explore different ideas that will make your day perfect and still keep this lovely part of your wedding in budget.
You also have to consider the size of the bouquets for both you and your bridesmaids,the shade of your gown, if you are going to have an additional bouquet to toss, and the temperature of the season, if you will be outdoors for any lenghth of time. (Many flowers react badly to very cold temperatures.) And as if that is not enough to worry about, you need to worry about pollen that may stain your gown. (For example, lilies should have stamens removed because of this problem.) Be flexible, and make sure you take the advice of your florist.He wants your day to be perfect too.
About The Author
Peter Carnater runs the website Flowers Niche which is a site dedicated to providing all the very latest news and views related to flowers. This is a complete flowers research center providing easy access to everything flowers related. Please vistit http://www.flowersniche.com for any questions or comments about this article.
Everyone hopes to have a picture-perfect wedding day. Getting to that point takes untold amounts of time, money, energy and patience. Even the tiniest detail cannot be left unchecked, if we have any hope of eluding Murphy's Law. These days, brides-to-be must even consider potential allergic reactions to their flowers, in addition to the more traditional details. It's enough to crush the faint of heart.
A big item on the wedding planning list is the flowers for the church, the wedding party and the reception. It that goes wrong, it can be a real disaster. Many problems can arise in this area, such as flowers not being delivered on time, not fresh, or not the flowers the bride ordered. Just imagine if your perfectly orchestrated color scheme is ruined because the wrong colored flowers arrived. Just try sending them back or getting new ones in time. Besides the ambiance of the wedding being ruined, there is now an upset bride. Taking certain precautions may avoid this disaster.
The first detail to be attended to is the color scheme you are choosing . Be sure to be decide this well advance, or you will guarantee yoursel a headache.You will usually base the colors of the flowers on the colors of the bridesmaids' dresses, so decide on that before you start to look at flowers. Stick to your color scheme and then pick flowers in that color scheme. Be definite about the color. Some flowers are available in just about every colors, while others are limited. Don't try to pick a specific type of flower, it may not work with that color scheme, just start with the color. Bring swatches and be ready to complement rather than match. Before that first crucial meeting with the florist, certain steps will prepare you.
Even though, nowadays, many flowers are available all year long, you need to take the season of your wedding into account when you are choosing your flowers. There is a certain charm added to the wedding if the flowers suit the season. Sunflowers in the middle of winter may not convey the tone you want, plus out of season flowers arel probably be more expensive. Formal church weddings need more sophisticated arrangements than a wedding on the beach, so you need to consider the type of wedding you're planning.
When you are planning the budget for your flowers, keep your total wedding budget in mind. A rule of thumb is to spend ten to fifteen percent of your total wedding budget on the flowers. Spending more than that will cause you to skimp on other more important items. Discuss your budget and its limitations honestly with your florist at the very beginning. He can work with you to explore different ideas that will make your day perfect and still keep this lovely part of your wedding in budget.
You also have to consider the size of the bouquets for both you and your bridesmaids,the shade of your gown, if you are going to have an additional bouquet to toss, and the temperature of the season, if you will be outdoors for any lenghth of time. (Many flowers react badly to very cold temperatures.) And as if that is not enough to worry about, you need to worry about pollen that may stain your gown. (For example, lilies should have stamens removed because of this problem.) Be flexible, and make sure you take the advice of your florist.He wants your day to be perfect too.
About The Author
Peter Carnater runs the website Flowers Niche which is a site dedicated to providing all the very latest news and views related to flowers. This is a complete flowers research center providing easy access to everything flowers related. Please vistit http://www.flowersniche.com for any questions or comments about this article.
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