New Ring for New Years – Kick Start Your 2009 Wedding Plans

So he popped the question…now what?

If you’re among the nearly one million brides-to-be who received an engagement ring over the holidays, it’s time to ring in the new year by scratching the first few items off your wedding day “to do” countdown. Kick start your 2009 wedding plans now!

Here are the first three items that you must cross off your wedding planning checklist before you can accomplish anything else.

Step 1: Determine Your Budget

Your budget will determine the type of wedding you can have – from how many guests you invite, to where and when you host your wedding, right down to the specific blooms in your bouquet, so you need to start here. Sit down with everyone who is going to contribute to the wedding-day piggy bank and discuss how to logically divide the tab and arrive at a total number.

Step 2: Find a Site and Set Your Date

Remember – many reception sites book over a year in advance, so you really can’t decide on a wedding date until you have officially booked your venue with a signed contract. Find as many reception sites that meet your budget, capacity and overall style quotient as you can. Use our wedding reception site search to find venues in your area, and narrow down your list. Then schedule appointments to tour each wedding venue and meet with the manager.

Step 3: Start the Guest List

You don’t need to have the list finalized just yet, but you’ll need an estimate from both sides of the family (and yourselves) right away to avert countless planning headaches down the road.  Once you’ve talked with all financially contributing parties to determine your total wedding budget, you can estimate how many people you can afford to invite to the affair.

Now that you’ve tackled the first three steps, this complete weddings guide will walk you every step of the planning process, from setting the theme and style, to booking your vendors, to managing every detail.

Keep a Tight Rein Over your Wedding Plans

As many Hollywood movies have documented – from Father of the Bride to Meet the Fokkers – planning a wedding can be a stressful, but rewarding experience. Wedding planning involves thorough organisation, accurate planning, a head for punctuality and the memory of an elephant – all four of which are hard to come by in one person!

But regardless of whether you can afford to hire your own wedding planner or instead have to rely on yourself and your family to get your wedding plans running like clockwork, it’s important to maintain a tight rein over your wedding preparations to ensure things go the way you want them to!

For starters, compile a guest list: it’s a good idea to determine your out-of-town guest list first, and then draw up an entire guest list. You’ll also need to decide key dates, such as your engagement party, your bachelor/bachelorette bash, your rehearsal dinner and, of course, your actual wedding day!

It’s also crucial to calculate how much space you’ll need before you decide on where to book the location for your wedding. You might have had your heart set on the lavish ballroom at the local hotel – but if the space available at the venue is simply too big (or small), it won’t be practical to hold your wedding there. Once you’ve chosen your ceremony location, make sure you don’t just book it for the day of your wedding but also book for your rehearsal as well! Moreover, choose a florist and invite them to look over the wedding location with you, so your flower arrangements can be tailored specifically to harmonise with your ceremony as much as possible.

If you’re planning your wedding yourself, it’s a good idea to hand over some control of the wedding planning duties to a member of your family – such as a parent or a sibling – as the countdown to your wedding day gets shorter and shorter. This way, you’ll have time to do some essential bridal preparations, including wedding gown fittings, selection of bridesmaid’s dresses and the arrangements for hair and make-up.

And while it’s easy to get caught up in the more romantic bits of wedding planning, like choosing what music to have and buying wedding rings, it’s also important to keep in mind certain legal necessities, such as applying for a marriage licence and looking into changing your name (if applicable).

If you choose to have your wedding in a hotel, you’re sure to find many hotel wedding packages to suit you. This way, you’ll be able to house your out-of-town guests in the same hotel as the wedding ceremony and take advantage of the expert wedding planning advice that experienced hotel experts can give.

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist.

Going About Wedding Plans

Wedding plans need to be undertaken with lots of professionalism. Many times, you feel confused because you do not have the basics of what it takes to undertake wedding plans. You can put an end to this confusion by looking for wedding planners. You do not have to hire planners because you can look for tools that will guide you to being a good planner. For example, you will find online tools very useful and convenient. If you really want to make your event unforgettable, get to work and learn all the basics. When planning a wedding, you do not have to do it alone. You need others to help you make the day a big one. However, you need to come together and speak in unison. This is because you will make it if only you work as a team. Once you have put in place your team, it is time to look deeper into the issues that need to be addressed to start planning the big event.

Wedding plans will always begin with budgeting. When you know how much you can spend, you will have a clear idea of the kind of wedding you can have. Many times, having a big sum of money to work with can prove to be very convenient for you. However, you might not always have a lot of money. No money is ever enough so, you have to work with what you have. For example, you can get a wedding gown worth $30,000 while you can use the same amount to cater for all the needs of a wedding. Know where your limits are and work within your means. Many are tempted to get into debts when it comes to wedding plans. However, instead of looking for more money to enhance your wedding, dedicate your time to looking for tips that will see you make the most out of the little you have. There are so many high budget weddings that do not meet expectations; therefore, it has little to do with money and everything to do with creativity and style.

After you have considered the budget of all aspects, it is time to go into detail to ensure that you know what you really want. Look at your theme ideas and know what will suit you best. The bride and the groom need to decide on the theme that will best represent them. The designs and decor will also follow. The venues or locations of your wedding reception or party will also matter. Look at the style you are willing to work with and make sure that everything is in harmony. When it comes to the dresses, the gown needs to reflect the splendor of the atmosphere. The colors will either work for you or ruin your wedding plans. Look for colors that compliment each other. Let them speak to the mood of the wedding. Look for different things that can make your wedding even more unique. Your cake, food and favors can be different and elegant. It is the detail that will constitute the success of your wedding.

Wedding Planning & Seating Plans

When it comes to your wedding reception you may feel the need to design a seating plan so that you assign your guests a particular table with other guests that they will feel comfortable with. However, in some cases a seating plan may not be necessary. When it comes to this part of your wedding planning, read these tips first to make sure you organize your seating to perfection!

Do I need a Seating Plan?

If your wedding reception is small & informal then a seating plan may not be necessary. However, if you are having a large number of guests & a formal sit down dinner then it is a good idea to draw up a seating plan so that you guests can find a table quickly & efficiently. Many of your guests will want to sit with family & friends so a seating plan will prevent a mad rush of guests all trying to sit together at the same tables! Having a seating plan that places people who will get along together will help to create the happy atmosphere that you want for your wedding meal & will make a difference to your guest’s enjoyment of the day.

Within your wedding planning you will find a number of options available for your seating plan. These range from:

No plan at all – best for standing buffets or small & informal events.
Assign guests to tables – you allocate guests to tables but the choice of seat is theirs.
Assign guests to seats – you specify the seats at which each guest will sit.

When it comes to deciding on a seating plan, bear in mind that you should do what you think will make your guests most comfortable.

The Top Table Dilemma

The traditional top table is a long table on which sits the bride & groom in the center & the rest of the wedding party beside them. Whilst this is still the favored choice, there are other alternatives being used as family structures become more complicated.

Traditionally the top table would look something like this:

Chief Bridesmaid–G.Father–B.Mother-Groom-Bride-B.Father-G.Mother-Best Man

Alternatives are used where parents are divorced & maybe remarried or have a new partner. Another popular choice is to do away with the top table altogether & just have a table for the two of you.

Top Tips for Other Tables

1. Seating families or close friends all on one table may not do much to encourage mingling between guests, although these guests will be relaxed. Sitting people who don’t know each other may be daunting for those concerned & again may not do much for the atmosphere. The best advice is to mix the tables up so that there is a combination of new & old friends. Consider your guests ages & interests also & try to seat like for like together, they are more likely to get on & have fun that way.

2. Singles can be a dilemma, especially if a large number of your guests are couples. It can be tempting to try a little matchmaking but this could back fire, making both parties & you uncomfortable & embarrassed. Avoid a singles table & try to place them on tables with other likeminded guests whom you think they will get along with.

3. Etiquette rules apply depending on the shape of the tables you are using. For round tables sit male & female guests alternately. If you are using long tables sit couples opposite one another & alternate male/female along the table.

4. Reserve the tables closest to yourselves for close friends & family.

5. Make sure each table has a name or number to identify it. You could theme them according to things relevant to you both, for instance name after your favorite places you have visited together, or your favorite films. Your venue may make these cards for you, but make sure they are shown on your seating plan.

6. If you want to assign a specific seat to each guest then you will need to write out name cards which you can then place at each setting. Aside from the traditional name card, you can use menus or wedding favors for the same purpose.

Creating your Seating Plan

Start putting together your seating early in your wedding planning. You can start even before you have had back all of your RSVP’s as you will know already who is definitely coming.

When you start ask your venue for a plan of how the tables will be arranged on the day & decide on which shape of table you will use. You will also need to know how many guests you can seat at each one.

Putting together your plan can take some time & may involve many revisions to get it right. A good tip is to write each guests name down on separate pieces of paper & do the same for each table. You can then arrange the tables out & assign guests to each one. Experiment by moving them around until you find the right layout for you. In recent years there have been numerous software programs developed to help with organizing your seating plan which can save you time & a great deal of stress as well!

Wedding Plans – Get it Right Before Dressing in White

One wedding plan quite often overlooked is, the actual preparation of the to-do list itself. If the to-do-list is not organized and itemised properly with all your wedding desires then you can expect last minute hiccups. This part of planning your wedding is the conclusion to a beginning. Meaning, now you have the list in order (finished), you can start the ball rolling.

To avoid any disappointment on your wedding day – prep friends and family in advance who have offered their services to help. To lighten the load you need to allot each person with a wedding task. You need to remind each helper after receiving their instructions that they need to report back with a progress report on how they are getting along with their assignment.

Wedding tasks may include ordering the wedding cake, ordering flowers from the florist, wedding cars to transport the bride, bridesmaid dresses, decorating the reception hall, arranging entertainment right down to what hymns are sung in the church for the marriage service. All of these are wedding plans which are considerably important so therefore the reason why you need to be kept updated.

Do you the betrothed find you’re self in a catch 22 situation i.e. worrying over having to ask others for help with your wedding arrangements who you feel may give you reason for concern in not fulfilling their duties, or, are you worried if you don’t the pressure will be to much for you going it alone.

Unnecessary stress before the wedding is not good. Okay so you need help, well, the first thing to do is pick family members and friends you can trust in carrying out your requests. The more intimate the friend is with you the better because, they know your traits, likes and dislikes so therefore if faced with a dilemma – having to make a decision on your behalf in your absence it will be in your best interest. (This is where trust prevails)

One wedding plan is to sit down with your disciples and talk things through. You will be surprised how this will help ease pressure. Give them each a note pad to make their own wedding to-do-list on your behalf and then compare notes when the sitting is over. Once again there maybe surprises in store with what each individual sees fit for your wedding. Ask each friend before hand if they will be comfortable with the wedding task you have assigned to them. If you receive an indecisive reply then it gives you the opportunity to reallocate them with a different assignment, The more finer in detail of what you want from them will get you positive results.

Wedding plans normally entail Bridal Gown, headwear, bridesmaid dresses, wedding cars, booking the church, wedding cake, flowers, wedding rings, entertainment, photographer, food, wedding invitations, wedding speech, marriage vows and venue hall.

The list is endless but the most important of all wedding essentials not be forgotten is to have the groom at your side.

Before dressing in white – Get it right.

Wedding Plans – 7 Ways Summer Brides Can Save Money and Still Look Beautiful

Wedding plans – What is the difference between a summer bride and that of the woman who weds in autumn spring or winter? Aside from weather conditions none whatsoever. If we talk in monetary units, then weddings can differ greatly regardless of whether the sun shines. Wedding plans will nearly always consist of traditional items like the wedding gown, wedding cake, wedding flowers, flower girls etc. Wedding necessities as such leave no room for originality because most future brides will have a list like this too.

All four seasons create beautiful brides; however you have to plan accordingly so it stays that way. Summer brides will forever blossom as long their wedding plans cater for sweat stains appearing under the arms or the fringe sticking to the forehead. Not all June July brides are fortunate enough to have the sun beaming down on the day hence the importance of planning for this. Weddings incur major expense which is sad because every woman wants it to be special but special comes at a price. Special weddings come with a difference; if you decide to ignore tradition then your summer wedding will be remembered not only by you but for all in attendance on the day

Let us look at some options to help reduce cost

1 The bridal cosmetic content will have to be prioritized in the wedding plans. Sun protection is important. Photo shoots in the midday sun is a major health risk if the skin is not protected. Running mascara and melting lip gloss will not have the bride looking her best. Check for beauty products that can withstand climate changes. Some women tend to overlook the seriousness (not intentionally) of the suns harmful UV rays due to being busy with other matters.

2 Its quick its cheap its easy to send wedding invites via email, invitations can be prettied up with font change, colours and clip art. You have more chance of receiving a reply using this method.

3 A sit down meal is more expensive than a running buffet. Your guest likes to have the option to eat when he/she feels like in contrast to that of being prompted to eat at a specific time. Open garden parties at this time of year are very popular. Have a marquee on standby. Download music from the internet for the wedding venue, this will save money.

4 Does the wedding gown have to include layer after layer of satin, you can save money with less material. Also encrustation of pearls/ sequins can up the price. Buy your own pearl necklace/ earrings, this will save a considerable amount of cash and you can always wear them for other occasions. However if the dress of your dreams consist of gems then you can remove them at a later date and make use of them in many ways.

5 Save more money by wearing a plain off the shoulder figure hugging dress, ankle or knee length. A lace, fur (imitation) shoulder wrap/ shawl will set the dress off as well as give you protection from the sun or the rain if the weather goes against you. If you carry a little weight then have the dress not so tight.

6 Wedding flowers do not come cheap so why not grow from seed your own summer flowers for button holes and wedding bouquet. This is unique and will give you something to talk about or pass onto your kids when they marry. If your choice of wedding gown is short then a small hand held posy is ideal, if longer then carry long stemmed fresh blooms, after use place in a vase on the reception table. Have your flowers dried out and treated, add to wedding memorabilia scrapbook. Consider carrying a clutch bag. Bags and shoes can be decorated with finery to match whatever accessories you have hanging around your neck or on your head. Pearls can be worn long short to suit the style of dress.

7 Another expensive item is head wear. Have a dummy run and make your own; a hair band is easy and ideal for decorating. Why else have we the option to buy loose gems and glue? Remove a shoulder pad from an old item of clothing and cover with material of your dress. Add a little scrunched up lace and tack it to the pad. Sequins or pearls glued and shaped like teardrops can be tacked or glued to pad. The pad can be secured with pins onto the top/side or back of the head. A good imagination will have you see what I mean. If you cannot visualize fret not, the outcome will result in either a breathtaking awesome way or damn it way, if this be the latter then a beret or skull cap can be purchased for this purpose.

All those pennies saved can be put to a better cause like paying the gas bill, electric, water rates, telephone, council tax, food bill, car insurance, I could go on and on the list is endless. It makes sense to not overspend on wedding essentials that only last a day when you have a lifetime of the above.

Wedding Plans & Precious Bridal Tips -things That Can Spoil the Perfect Wedding Day if You Let Them

Wedding plans have you made yours yet. Are you to be a spring bride, if so then you need to get things rolling “now” to avoid any last minute hiccups that could spoil your wedding day? You need to be “organized,” if not, then “prepared” being the more appropriate word to use for the worst happening. When making wedding plans keep in mind that “two heads are better than one.” Having someone at your side along way can help tremendously in the way of coming up with ideas and to help lighten the load. This can be a stressful time for the future bride, however by knowing the things you want and how to go about getting them will have you avoid hours of bridal mayhem. Make sure to involve your future husband with all wedding plans so he has the opportunity to contribute or have his say.

It doesn`t matter how precise you are you can bet something will go belly up on the day. Even the wedding experts can get it wrong sometimes. It only takes the slightest little thing to spoil what may have taken you a year or two to plan, if not longer. Typical mishaps like forgetting to inform the chauffeur where the church service is to be held or mislaying the wedding rings are a couple to mention. If you finalize particular wedding tasks early enough then you`re half way there in having a mishap carefree day.

Drawing up a wedding-to-do-list should be your top priority. Put a date in your diary to meet up with them who you have allotted a particular wedding duty to carry out. Keep these meetings regular so you know where you`re up to with the wedding tasks. What`s been accomplished can be ticked off your wedding-to-do-list. The more ticks there is the fewer headaches. Duties for wedding helpers might include ordering the flowers, baking the wedding cake, sending out invitations down to booking the minister for the wedding ceremony. Let the happiest day of your life stay that way by planning ahead.

The content bride will always look the prettiest on the day more than that of a miserable looking bride.

By highlighting some vital wedding issues will help you get yourself in order to achieve the perfect wedding. If you experience difficulty in planning your wedding, then in all due respect it maybe down to you that is making it difficult. You need to relax and take time out to think and not rush.

There are a lot of steps you will need to take when planning a wedding but taking one step at a time is the answer. Taking too much on at once can cause problems and cause you unnecessary stress. When planning a wedding, you need to make detail planning of the program. Let us begin with the wedding reception, some couples dedicate more of their time to this part of their wedding than any other part of the wedding events. You need to make sure that the venue hall is an ideal size for accommodating all your guests. Estimating the number of guests coming at this stage is not good, it is best to have exact numbers if it is a sit down meal because you could end up spending over the odds. Planning the reception should have you include and allow for the catering, decorations and entertainment.

Involve yourself with the catering and by doing this you get to check the menu with your caterer and change things as you go along. Wedding entertainment like hiring a disco DJ or live band is fabulous for getting people in the mood for dancing.

If you have to much on your plate and have no time to involve yourself with the catering then you will need to get a final head count for any meals to be served concerning your wedding to your caterer. This count should include the wedding photographer and coordinator as well as your wedding entertainment members, such as the DJ, muscians or singers.

When planning a wedding it is favourable to have wedding favors. The more unique the wedding favour the more it excites the guest. Send wedding invitations early so your guest will have time to prepare themselves for your special day. Your guest may have book a day off work, buy a new outfit or arrange for a baby sitter so it is important to send wedding invites at least 12 weeks in advance.

Wedding tips

1 Whether your hair stylist is calling to your home or you are to visit the hair salon, remember to wear loose clothing especially round the neck. After your hair has be styled in the fashion you want you don`t want to spoil it when removing any garments. A blouse is more ideal with a button down front.

2 If the bridal gown is designed for going over the head then place a pillow case or petticoat over first to prevent any lipstick/mascara smudges getting on the dress. It will also allow the dress to glide over the head without tossing your hair.

3 Don`t forget to remove the price tags from the soles off the shoes. This is easily overlooked and can go unnoticed; however not by the people in the church.

4 We all know children are easily bored and “will” get up to mischief at the drop of hat so if possible for the bridal dressing have a separate room for the kiddies to play and an adult to keep them in check. If the flower girls/bridesmaids are of toddler age – dress them last.

5 Keep beverages (coffee tea blackcurrant juice) at a distance if the wedding dress is fitted. Assist young children when thirsty by guiding the drinking cup to their mouth. Spillage is a spoiler.

6 Call the best man on the morning of your wedding day to make sure the groom did arrived home safe from the night before (stag do,) and at the same time ask him if he has the wedding bands. Men have been known to walk up the aisle without socks so keep this in mind.

7 The man`s buttonhole is traditionally worn on the left lapel, of course personal preference prevails. Have someone help the men pin their buttonholes because it is nothing new to see a beautiful displayed corsage – displayed upside down.

8 Don`t write your speech down on a scrap of paper because it`s easy to think it rubbish and gets thrown out. Nerves can have you say things that people may not want to hear so be careful with choice of words. Read your speech back as many times as it takes for you to be satisfied.

Wedding reminders for the to-do-list

Wedding ceremony location

Wedding programs, pew bows, chapel flowers, unity and taper candles

Marriage license and the officiate fees.

Useful pieces to have at your side – scotch tape for the gift table, a guest book and pen.

Have a basket for placing money envelopes in.

Don`t forget the silver knife for cutting the wedding cake

Glasses for the wedding toast.

Have a medical/emergency kit close by which should contain, make up and hair spray along with personal feminine items if needed. Other bits are Q-tips, facial tissues, aspirin or Tylenol. The list is endless so you could find yourself packing a case instead of a box. You need to know when to stop, mind you what about a nail file and clear nail polish, a stapler and safety pins, “see what I mean,” oh and spare panty hose.

Why not make your special day special for everyone else too. You can do this by giving your guests a unique wedding favor.

Wedding favors are given as a way to say “Thank You” to the wedding guests, – and if the perfect favor is given then you will have very thankful guests.

Wedding favors Ideas

Cookies and Chocolates

Crystal

Guest books

Glass coasters

Photo Album

Silver Items

Bath sets

Unity candles

Check on your wedding plans regular to avoid last minute hiccups.

Should a problem rise on your wedding day then meet it head on with plan B.? You do have one don`t you. It is in your best interest to have back up. For instance if the photographer gets stuck in a traffic jam, then have a camcorder in the car. If the caterer has faulted and burnt the wedding breakfast, then have a pizza house number on your personal, or if the groom doesn`t turn up then settle for the better man i.e. “best” man. All joking aside it is important to have your standby props.

Wedding Plans & Precious Bridal Tips -things That Can Spoil the Perfect Wedding Day if You Let Them

Wedding plans have you made yours yet. Are you to be a spring bride, if so then you need to get things rolling “now” to avoid any last minute hiccups that could spoil your wedding day? You need to be “organized,” if not, then “prepared” being the more appropriate word to use for the worst happening. When making wedding plans keep in mind that “two heads are better than one.” Having someone at your side along way can help tremendously in the way of coming up with ideas and to help lighten the load. This can be a stressful time for the future bride, however by knowing the things you want and how to go about getting them will have you avoid hours of bridal mayhem. Make sure to involve your future husband with all wedding plans so he has the opportunity to contribute or have his say.

It doesn`t matter how precise you are you can bet something will go belly up on the day. Even the wedding experts can get it wrong sometimes. It only takes the slightest little thing to spoil what may have taken you a year or two to plan, if not longer. Typical mishaps like forgetting to inform the chauffeur where the church service is to be held or mislaying the wedding rings are a couple to mention. If you finalize particular wedding tasks early enough then you`re half way there in having a mishap carefree day.

Drawing up a wedding-to-do-list should be your top priority. Put a date in your diary to meet up with them who you have allotted a particular wedding duty to carry out. Keep these meetings regular so you know where you`re up to with the wedding tasks. What`s been accomplished can be ticked off your wedding-to-do-list. The more ticks there is the fewer headaches. Duties for wedding helpers might include ordering the flowers, baking the wedding cake, sending out invitations down to booking the minister for the wedding ceremony. Let the happiest day of your life stay that way by planning ahead.

The content bride will always look the prettiest on the day more than that of a miserable looking bride.

By highlighting some vital wedding issues will help you get yourself in order to achieve the perfect wedding. If you experience difficulty in planning your wedding, then in all due respect it maybe down to you that is making it difficult. You need to relax and take time out to think and not rush.

There are a lot of steps you will need to take when planning a wedding but taking one step at a time is the answer. Taking too much on at once can cause problems and cause you unnecessary stress. When planning a wedding, you need to make detail planning of the program. Let us begin with the wedding reception, some couples dedicate more of their time to this part of their wedding than any other part of the wedding events. You need to make sure that the venue hall is an ideal size for accommodating all your guests. Estimating the number of guests coming at this stage is not good, it is best to have exact numbers if it is a sit down meal because you could end up spending over the odds. Planning the reception should have you include and allow for the catering, decorations and entertainment.

Involve yourself with the catering and by doing this you get to check the menu with your caterer and change things as you go along. Wedding entertainment like hiring a disco DJ or live band is fabulous for getting people in the mood for dancing.

If you have to much on your plate and have no time to involve yourself with the catering then you will need to get a final head count for any meals to be served concerning your wedding to your caterer. This count should include the wedding photographer and coordinator as well as your wedding entertainment members, such as the DJ, muscians or singers.

When planning a wedding it is favourable to have wedding favors. The more unique the wedding favour the more it excites the guest. Send wedding invitations early so your guest will have time to prepare themselves for your special day. Your guest may have book a day off work, buy a new outfit or arrange for a baby sitter so it is important to send wedding invites at least 12 weeks in advance.

Wedding tips

1 Whether your hair stylist is calling to your home or you are to visit the hair salon, remember to wear loose clothing especially round the neck. After your hair has be styled in the fashion you want you don`t want to spoil it when removing any garments. A blouse is more ideal with a button down front.

2 If the bridal gown is designed for going over the head then place a pillow case or petticoat over first to prevent any lipstick/mascara smudges getting on the dress. It will also allow the dress to glide over the head without tossing your hair.

3 Don`t forget to remove the price tags from the soles off the shoes. This is easily overlooked and can go unnoticed; however not by the people in the church.

4 We all know children are easily bored and “will” get up to mischief at the drop of hat so if possible for the bridal dressing have a separate room for the kiddies to play and an adult to keep them in check. If the flower girls/bridesmaids are of toddler age – dress them last.

5 Keep beverages (coffee tea blackcurrant juice) at a distance if the wedding dress is fitted. Assist young children when thirsty by guiding the drinking cup to their mouth. Spillage is a spoiler.

6 Call the best man on the morning of your wedding day to make sure the groom did arrived home safe from the night before (stag do,) and at the same time ask him if he has the wedding bands. Men have been known to walk up the aisle without socks so keep this in mind.

7 The man`s buttonhole is traditionally worn on the left lapel, of course personal preference prevails. Have someone help the men pin their buttonholes because it is nothing new to see a beautiful displayed corsage – displayed upside down.

8 Don`t write your speech down on a scrap of paper because it`s easy to think it rubbish and gets thrown out. Nerves can have you say things that people may not want to hear so be careful with choice of words. Read your speech back as many times as it takes for you to be satisfied.

Wedding reminders for the to-do-list

Wedding ceremony location

Wedding programs, pew bows, chapel flowers, unity and taper candles

Marriage license and the officiate fees.

Useful pieces to have at your side – scotch tape for the gift table, a guest book and pen.

Have a basket for placing money envelopes in.

Don`t forget the silver knife for cutting the wedding cake

Glasses for the wedding toast.

Have a medical/emergency kit close by which should contain, make up and hair spray along with personal feminine items if needed. Other bits are Q-tips, facial tissues, aspirin or Tylenol. The list is endless so you could find yourself packing a case instead of a box. You need to know when to stop, mind you what about a nail file and clear nail polish, a stapler and safety pins, “see what I mean,” oh and spare panty hose.

Why not make your special day special for everyone else too. You can do this by giving your guests a unique wedding favor.

Wedding favors are given as a way to say “Thank You” to the wedding guests, – and if the perfect favor is given then you will have very thankful guests.

Wedding favors Ideas

Cookies and Chocolates

Crystal

Guest books

Glass coasters

Photo Album

Silver Items

Bath sets

Unity candles

Check on your wedding plans regular to avoid last minute hiccups.

Should a problem rise on your wedding day then meet it head on with plan B.? You do have one don`t you. It is in your best interest to have back up. For instance if the photographer gets stuck in a traffic jam, then have a camcorder in the car. If the caterer has faulted and burnt the wedding breakfast, then have a pizza house number on your personal, or if the groom doesn`t turn up then settle for the better man i.e. “best” man. All joking aside it is important to have your standby props.