Choosing Your Wedding Rings

One of the most important steps in planning your wedding, is choosing the wedding ring set. Finding the right rings could actually be considered the most critical part of your ceremony actually, because the wedding bands will be worn by the bride and groom for the rest of their lives.

Wedding bands have become a great deal more ornate than they used to be. And Diamond wedding bands have gotten very popular in recent years, thanks to the celebrities who proudly display theirs.

Wedding rings are no longer just your standard gold these days though. Many wedding bands and ring sets are made of platinum and titanium. And while 10k gold rings were once considered the "in" thing to buy, couples now prefer 14k gold or higher.

Simple diamonds are still a popular buy, but colored diamonds are gaining momentum too, thanks mainly to "J-Lo's" pink princess cut diamond ring with Ben Affleck. Other popular diamond colors are yellow, blue and aquamarine.

With the ever growing popularity of platinum rings, many couples are looking to shining silver and white gold as a cheaper substitute. White gold has a similar look of platinum, but is a fraction of the price. It is a great alternative.

The groom's wedding ring has traditionally been of little concern to anyone, as long as the bride's was attractive - if not stunning. These days though, men prefer nice rings as well. Sometimes they covet a flashy diamond-studded ring almost as much as the bride does.

Finding just the right wedding ring set is just a matter of choice... and time. Since rings can be bought almost anywhere these days - including online - all you need to do is start looking around. These days even department stores are offering great knock offs to the popular celebrity rings at extreme discounts.

The popular ring worn by J-Lo for instance - which was a platinum pink diamond ring with a princess cut and accented with two white diamonds on either side - can now be purchased at Wal-Mart in a white gold setting with zirconias and pink topaz stones.

So, start by thinking about the type of ring you want: White Gold? Yellow Gold? Sterling Silver? Platinum? Once you've decided on that aspect of your ring set, then you'll need to think about how elaborate you'd like your rings to be. Should they be simple, or completely plain bands? Should they have a little detail work but not much? Should they sport multiple gems? And last but not least of course, think about what you can afford to spend on your wedding bands. They are a once-in-a-lifetime investment but you may not want to spend your lifetime paying them off.

Once you have these little details in mind, then you can start your comparison shopping. Go to the department stores if you must, but consider looking around online a bit too. You'll most likely find some excellent discounts on wonderful wedding bands and sets, without having to sacrafice quality.

© 2005, by Kathy Burns-Millyard
Pictures from www.handwovenbands.com

Bridal Flowers Arrangements

A wedding is a formal occasion, which is replete with several customs and traditions. These customs and traditions have been practiced for generations together and people still follow them with great reverence. One of the most discussed features of the wedding is the bridal costume that has several finer details associated with it. Every aspect of the bridal costume reflects grace, beauty and classic touch. The white wedding gown, the white netted veil and the wedding flowers are all the integral features of a bridal costume. Yet another component that completes the image of a bride is the bridal bouquet that is carried by the bride while approaching the altar. The bridal bouquet has a special significance and selected by the bride herself.

Bridal Bouquet
Flowers have always been associated with human emotions and hence it is not surprising that they are an integral part of a wedding ceremony. Every silk flower or artificial flower stands for a specific attribute like roses stand for love, freesia represent trust while ferns stand for sincerity.
The task of creating a bridal bouquet is eagerly awaited by every bride and a great thought is put into selecting the right flowers for the bouquet. The bridal bouquet also carries a special significance and represents the blossoming of a young maiden. Also after the wedding is solemnized, while leaving the venue the bride throws the bouquet over her back among a group of unmarried girls and whoever catches it is the next to be married. Brides usually select their favorite flowers to incorporate in the bridal bouquet. The most commonly used flowers are roses, orchids, dried lavenders, lilies, geraniums and poinsettias.
Once the flowers have been selected they are clubbed together by adding fresh grapevines, ferns and leaves. These are the most natural elements that complement the flowers in the bouquets. Apart from these, the bouquets are also decorated with silk Flowers, laces, ribbons and silk materials that lend a royal touch to the bouquet. To enhance the bouquet it must be accessorized with these embellishments so that beauty of the flowers is accentuated.

Making the Right Bouquet
It is important that the bride follows a few tips while designing her bouquet in order to get it perfect. She can select the conventional, seasonal flowers or even artificial flowers, which would make her bouquet, look different. Sometimes brides also prefer wild flowers to give an exclusive look to their bouquets. It is also important to ensure that the bouquet matches the gown of the bride and also easy to carry. The bouquet must be compact and well covered so that it does not get damaged during the wedding. The modern trend is dominated by bright colors and exotic flowers like orchids and tropical flowers. The classic bridal bouquets comprise of flowers like roses and carnations usually in light pastel shades like pink, yellow or peach.
There are various types of bouquets available for brides like entire-rose bouquet, multi-colored bouquets and even white bouquets. When brides customize their bouquets, they must keep in mind the color and size of every flower. Brides can also consult a florist to make her bouquet the most beautiful and charming assortment.

By: Tim Haynes

Deciding On The Right Wedding Gown

Even though you may only wear your wedding gown for the ceremony, it is important that you find the right one so that you feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful on your wedding day. There are thousands of gowns to choose from, so you may become frustrated and overwhelmed by the choices. Before you even send out the wedding invitations, you should begin shopping for the perfect gown.

Start your search by creating a list of what you are looking for in a gown. You do not have to wear traditional white if you don't want to. There are other colors including ivory, pay yellows and blues, and gowns that are off-white with a hint of color in the veil or on the hem. The style you are looking for should be included on your list. You can choose from traditional to modern, long and short. By trying on a few styles, you will be able to find one that looks that best on your body type and one that you feel comfortable wearing.

Another item on your list is the accessories you want to wear which include a veil, necklace, hair accessories, gloves, and other wedding products. How you wear your hair will determine which type of veil you should purchase. Many wedding gowns come with veils, but if you don't want to wear one, you don't have to. Since some gowns have long trains, brides will choose not to wear jewelry or other types of accessories.

The right wedding gown should fit well and will probably need to be altered to fit for your wedding day. If you are planning to lose weight before your big day, you may need to have additional alterations. This can be a lengthy process, but is one that is necessary. After all the alterations have been completed, your dress should fit your body perfectly. While it still may become uncomfortable after wearing it for a few hours, your dress will look wonderful on you.

Another factor when choosing a wedding dress is cost. You may be on a budget, but should not deter you from finding the best wedding gown possible. There are many discount wedding outlets that offer free alterations and fittings. You can also put your dress on layaway and pay it off each month until the day of your wedding. Because many people are under budgetary constraints, most shops will work with you to help you find the perfect dress.

Your wedding day is a special event and you will want to celebrate it by looking and feeling your best. Most brides are anxious about finding a gown, but once they do, they are to focus on other aspects of their wedding.

By: C. Deveraux
A freelance editor for Bridal Basics Online. Read more and find great deals and discounts on Bridal Basics Online products at http://www.BridalBasicsOnline.com/index.aspx.

Choosing A Wedding Date

The most commonly asked question you will hear when your friends and family are informed of your engagement is "When is the wedding?" Choosing a wedding date is very important because almost all of your wedding planning details will revolve around the date that you choose. Here are some things to take into consideration to help you pick a perfect date for your wedding.

If you already know where you would like to have the ceremony and reception, you should call them and confirm what dates they have available. If you are set on a specific location, your wedding date will have to coincide with the availability of the location, especially if you have chosen a very popular location because these places tend to get booked very quickly.

Take into consideration what type of wedding you have in mind. For example, have you always dreamed of a beach wedding surrounded by the calming sounds of the ocean or a fall wedding with beautiful red and orange leaves in the background? You will have to choose a date that is appropriate in terms of temperature and seasons. In addition, if there is a particular style of dress that you have in mind, the time of year will influence your bridal attire choices.

Have you always wanted a wedding during a specific holiday such as Christmas? Christmas is a popular time because many wedding locations are already beautifully decorated at this time of year. However, getting ready for a wedding in addition to all the activities that occur during the Christmas holidays such as shopping, parties, wrapping gifts can be too much for some people.

Maybe you thought having a wedding during a holiday would be easier for your guests due to the three day weekend. Some people may appreciate that your wedding is during a long holiday weekend while it might be difficult for others because many people plan their own vacations during these times of the year.

Are there important people in your life that you feel must attend the wedding? While there will always be people who will not be able to make it, some people may be higher on your priority list than others. For example, if your maid of honor is giving birth the same month you choose to have your wedding, you may want to give her a little time after the birth to feel more comfortable in her bridesmaid dress. Or maybe your parents have a vacation already planned for the same time. Prevent scheduling conflicts as much as possible by discussing your wedding date with these important people to avoid any problems.

By: Gina Brown
To learn more about wedding planning, Gina recommends you visit: http://www.AWeddingToPlan.com

Indoor And Outdoor Wedding Receptions - Which One To Consider?

The question of whether to hold a wedding reception indoors or outdoors has bothered many couples. Various arguments have been put forth as to why it is a good idea to have an outdoor reception and the same has been done for indoor ones. But does one really have an advantage over the other or each suits a particular purpose? Let's take a look at this issue in this article.

Having an indoor or outside wedding reception will depend on many factors. You will have to examine the nature of the wedding, its theme, place and guest volume. You should also consider the weather. A snowy weather or stormy weather will not favor an outside reception. An outdoor wedding reception is totally ruled out in an area with frequent rains.

The next important factor to consider is the price you have to pay for each option. The amount been charged should conform to your budget. Can you still be in budget if you choose an outdoor reception? Will you need extra amenities? Can you afford the cost of hiring extra hands and facilities to make you guests comfortable in an outdoor reception environment?

Can you readily have tents available? Are you prepared to hire them? Even in the best of weather, you will need to provide enough shade for your guests. You will have to rent elegant tents for them. You will also have to rent extra seating and sometimes, special tables.

You will also have to consider the environment. Is the scenery attractive? Remember this is a wedding reception and the scenery must be fitting. It should be nice to view and there should be no distracting machinery and other forms of noise. So holding a wedding reception in or out will depend on the particular circumstances of the couple and the environment.

By Amanda Jane

Wedding Planning For Beginners...the First Few Steps

First Things First
...How to get Started with your Wedding Planning

So you've made the commitment and you're getting married. Now what? Basically you are now the Chief Coordinator for the largest most upscale party you will ever host. Unfortunately, you have likely never hosted a large upscale party before! So your Preliminary Tasks are to:

1) Educate yourself, and
2) Get and stay organized.

As you are working on these tasks you will also need to make these Initial Wedding Decisions:

1) Establish your wedding date, style, size, and location,
2) Establish your wedding budget, and
3) Establish your wedding timeline.

Educate Yourself
If you are like most of us girls, you have been educating yourself about your wedding for a couple of decades. But now you really need to focus! You will need to learn about weddings in general and about weddings in the California Central Coast in particular.

To learn about weddings in general, visit Barnes and Noble when you have a couple of hours to spare. If possible, get a table and chair and start looking through their bride magazines. Pick out a couple of your favorites to buy and take home. Also look through their large wedding planning books. Find the books that seem most realistic to you and narrow down your choices to a few finalists. Look through them in a little more detail to pick your favorite one or two. Take them home and read them cover to cover with a yellow highlighter (invisible on copies) and post it notes in hand. Feel free to write in the margins. Also get a legal pad and make notes about the more important points that you want to revisit later. You now have the foundation of your education.

Next try a couple of Google searches for wedding related topics. Visit some of the sites that pop up and bookmark your favorites. Start a bookmark directory with subdirectories especially for your wedding. You will want to visit some of these sites again and again. Talk to your recently married friends about what you have learned. Ask them about reality versus what the books have to say. Your friends will be one of your best resources, especially when it comes to weddings in this region.

Finally, visit a few Wedding Fairs. Plan to arrive early and stay late as Wedding Fairs are a terrific place to connect with the local wedding professionals. Don't be shy…talk with as many of these pros as you can. They have helped other brides to host hundreds of weddings, so they have lots of knowledge to pass on to you. Bring that legal pad along to take notes. Also, get business cards for all wedding pros in which you are interested. Make notes on the back of each business card so you can remember what impressed you about each company. Once you are back home, file these notes and cards in the appropriate section of your wedding notebook (we'll get to this in a minute).

Get Organized
The best way to sanely plan your wedding is to get, and stay, organized. The best way to do this is to buy a 3-ring binder that is at least 2 inches thick, preferably 3 inches thick. Buy index page dividers with the little tabs that you can label for the various categories on which you will be working. Also buy clear plastic pockets to slip brochures, flyers, business cards into. Create divider tabs for the ceremony site, reception site, photographer, videographer, caterer, florist/decorator, coordinator, invitations, gown/tux, DJ/musicians, officiant, cake, and so on. At the front of each section, keep a copy of your contract related to this category. At the front of the binder, keep a summary sheet of contact names and numbers of all of your contracted wedding professionals and a calendar where you will enter your 'milestone' dates. This binder will become your wedding bible.

Go to the "Planning Worksheets" section at CentralCoastBride.com and print out a copy of each of the worksheets. As you gather information and make decisions, complete the worksheets and file them in your binder. Or you can download these worksheets to your computer and complete them electronically prior to printing and filing in your binder. One worksheet you will want to visit again and again is the Budget Worksheet. Enter your planned wedding budget numbers and this Excel worksheet will calculate subtotals by category (See Establish Wedding Budget below for additional information on this worksheet).

Establish Your Wedding Date, Style, and Location
Date. You likely have a good idea about when you want to hold your wedding. Many weddings are held from Spring through Fall, with the peak wedding season being Summer months. If you plan to have a garden wedding, be sure to select a month when rain is unlikely. In the Central Coast of California, this is generally May through October. Winter weddings can be another great reason for family and friends to get together over the Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's holidays (although some families do not want to travel on these holidays, so be sure to take this into consideration). Most weddings are held on Saturdays, although Friday evening and Sunday afternoon weddings are also great options, plus some services are offered at a discount on these days.

Once you and your Groom have selected a few potential dates, check with the Chamber of Commerce and other community calendar information sources for any conflicting local festivals or other events. While your out of town guests will appreciate having this entertainment available, they may have trouble finding hotel rooms if the area fills with tourists.

Style. With a few dates in hand, you can now think about the style of your wedding. Your wedding style will be influenced by you and your Groom's personalities and personal styles. Formality: Your style may be formal, casual, or somewhere in-between. Tradition: You may want a traditional wedding, a contemporary wedding, a themed wedding, or some blend of these ends of the spectrum. Size: You may want an intimate wedding with 50 friends and family, or your large families may require that you have a large wedding of 400 guests.

Location. If you and your Groom are very particular about the date you have selected for your wedding, it is important to get your wedding and reception locations reserved as early as possible. These sites typically book a year or more in advance. See our other articles for more on selecting your Wedding Location.

Establish Your Wedding Budget
Traditionally, the Bride's family paid for the wedding and reception while the Groom's family paid for the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon. However, like most elements of today's wedding, tradition no longer rules. Often it is those in the best financial position who pick up the tab. For second marriages, many couples pay for all of the expenses themselves with little to no input from parents. This is also often true with many career minded couples who marry later in life. So consider your particular situation and discuss options with your Groom and then with your respective families.

Determine the total amount you wish to spend on your wedding. Then determine the amount to allot to each of the elements of the wedding. There are no absolute rules for this division since each bride is unique in her feelings about which parts of the wedding are more important to her. However, the 'traditional' percentages are presented on our website. (although our website is designed for use by Central California Brides, some of the information contained there is applicable regardless of where you plan to marry. You are welcome to use our wedding planning worksheets at CentralCoastBride.com). Once you determine your percentages, download the Budget Worksheet from our website. Enter your planned wedding budget numbers and this Excel worksheet will calculate subtotals by category. Later, as you contract with your various wedding professionals and have hard numbers for each of your wedding categories, enter these 'actual' numbers. The worksheet will then calculate the difference between your planned cost and your actual cost. If you are under budget, then you can add the difference to another wedding category. If you are over budget, you'll have to revisit other categories to identify places where you can cut back to stay on budget.

Establish Your Wedding Timeline
It is fairly easy to set up your timeline. In the calendar in the front of your 3-ring binder, post your wedding milestone dates starting with your wedding date, then work backwards from that date to today. See the example timeline on our website. This timeline will help you to identify milestones that are appropriate for you. As each wedding decision is made, be sure to update your calendar.

You are now on your way to planning your wedding. Feel free to use our wedding planning articles and worksheets regardless of where you will be holding your wedding. We wish you a wonderful walk through your new life together!

By: Carolayne Holley

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Honeymoon - Most Cherished Moment of Life

A honeymoon is a holiday taken by a newly married couple to celebrate their marriage in intimacy and seclusion. Today, honeymoons are usually celebrated somewhere exotic places.

Following tips can make your honeymoon trip smooth and memorable:

Decide Your Dream Honeymoon Budget - Be it residing at an expensive hotel or spending lavishly on shopping. It is important that you clearly plan out in advance how much you can spend on your honeymoon. A fixed budget will prevent both of you from going overboard financially and at the same time, ensure a tension free honeymoon.

Avoid Early Departure Plans - Usually other members of the family who take major care of the wedding, the prospective groom and the bride too are continuously engaged in some activity. Leaving for honeymoon immediately after the wedding, therefore, is not a good idea and couples should try to avoid it.

Good Accommodation for Honeymoon - It is very important that you choose a proper accommodation while out on your honeymoon. For this, it is also very important that you consult your spouse and keep his/her likes and dislikes in mind while booking a hotel in advance.

Listen to the Advice of Travel Agencies - Consult travel agencies specialize in arranging honeymoons for newlyweds. They know from experience what problems couples normally encounter when choosing a particular destination.

Don't Be Shy About Your Honeymoon - Be normal and do not feel shy about admitting that you are out on your honeymoon when talking to people. At the same time, feel happy and do not refrain from exploring new avenues in life and more so during honeymoon.

Express Your Desires – Your honeymoon is onetime affair of your life. So, express all your desires feely, don’t hesitate about anything. Specify your preferred room type, bed size, airline seats, rail coupe, and cruise ship cabins you want.

Follow these tips and you will end up with having a gorgeous and unbelievable honeymoon experience. Your honeymoon planner’s wide and long time experience can be beneficial for you, so always listen to their suggestions.

Article Directory: http://www.articlecube.com
By: Vladimir Burylin