It is very difficult to please everyone all of the time, which is why there was a saying created for such occasions. This becomes especially true when planning a wedding and trying to get all of the bridal attendants into matching outfits. Everyone knows the concept of the hideous bridesmaid dress that doesn’t look good on anyone. This doesn’t have to be the case. There are ways to make everyone happy in this situation. Take this advice and have a happy bridal party the day of the wedding.

It can be tempting to try and control every minute detail of the wedding planning. Of course, everyone wants a perfect wedding day. This is often why the bridal party is wearing outfits that are the same. This doesn’t have to be the case. It is possible to have a uniform looking bridal party without forcing them to wear actual uniforms. Not every person is going to look good in the same outfit. Everyone has a different body type and looks good in different styles of clothing. Luckily, the bridal industry has come up with new lines of formal separates. These are mix and match skirts and tops that can be combined to create an elegant gown. The beauty of these separates is that each woman in the bridal party can find the styles that suits her body best and makes her feel the most comfortable. The bride will be pleased with this compromise because all of the separates, if ordered from the same clothing designer, will be the same color. This will create the uniform look that the bride is hoping for, while keeping her bridal party happy and comfortable.

Another solution to the bridal party dress problem is to take the party shopping together. This is best when the party is small. If there are only a few women, then it is possible to go to the bridal shop, pick out several options, and have each woman try the dresses on. They may be able to come to a consensus about the dress. If this doesn’t work, then consider the separates idea or consider designating a single color and having the women choose a dress in that color. Again, this works best with a smaller bridal party.

The bridal party is integral to the wedding day. These are the people who mean the most to the bride and groom and have probably helped immensely in the wedding planning process. It would be a nice gesture to make sure that they are comfortable in the chosen bridal attire so they will have a great time at the wedding as well. So, ditch the pink taffeta and dress the bridal party in style.

When a bride orders her wedding bouquet, it might not seem that any “activities” will come from it other than as a thing for the bride to hold. But the bridal bouquet can be the source of many interesting activities and meaningful gestures.

During there ceremony there are all kinds of possibilities. Certainly you can go traditional and have a flower for both the mother of the bride and mother of the groom. The moms, in particular, love this activity and guests usually appreciate it as well. But what if you turned that traditional gesture on its head and supplied flowers for both the mothers and the fathers?

If the bride supplies flowers to both the men and women, there are a couple of ways to do this. What if dad’s flower was enclosed in a verse that he will then get up and read at the ceremony? What if it was a flower to recognize the members of the family who have passed, and it gives dad an opportunity to recognize those family members?

If the bride chooses not to have a unity candle, but wants some gesture like it, she can have her bridal bouquet designed by having several small bouquets put together. At an appropriate time during the ceremony, the bridal bouquet is “broken up” and various people might receive a share, such as the mothers and fathers of the bride and groom.

Now, if the bride wants to hang onto her bridal bouquet during the wedding ceremony, but is willing to have some fun with it at the reception, there are a few options there as well. How about a dance involving the bridal bouquet? This is silly, but fun. The bridal bouquet is on display somewhere near the dance floor and guests must guess a flower that’s in the bouquet before they can enter the dance floor. The first few guests might not have a problem as some flowers are obvious, like roses and tulips, but others might give people pause. Of course, this won’t work if the bridal bouquet is all roses or some other single and obvious flower but for a traditional mixed bouquet, it can work well.

For a naughty touch, the bride can hide her garter in the bridal bouquet and actually put it on her leg before the groom takes it off. Or she can have a couple of breakaway bouquets that are wrapped in garter belts, so hers doesn’t get thrown, but instead the tiny bouquets with garter belts attached are thrown.

When it comes time for the bride to throw her bouquet, there are several options. Some brides choose not to keep their bouquet and simply pluck one flower out of it before chucking the whole thing during the bridal bouquet toss. This is an alternative to having a special bouquet set aside for throwing, and there are others as well.

Are there are a lot of single women coming to the wedding? Maybe one thrown bouquet won’t be enough. Many brides these days are opting for something a little more fun. There are a few options, really. One popular option is to have the florist create several small bouquets and then bundle them to look like one bouquet. They are tied lightly with a ribbon. When it comes time for the bouquet toss, the bride unties the ribbon, and throws the “bouquet” which is actually several little bouquets. Several women will catch the bouquet, rather than just one.

For some couples, the romantic honeymoon depends upon their available budget. To begin saving, many couples will set up a Honeymoon Registry, so guests can pay for some (if not all) of their trip instead of giving traditional gifts. Couples also begin saving Frequent Flier Miles or sign up for credit cards that earn Flier Miles as a bonus reward. For the budget travelers, all inclusive romantic vacation packages are a great way to save money on hidden expenses like meals, transportation and activities. At a resort like Sandals or on an all inclusive cruise, all entertainment and meals are already included! No matter what time of year the newlyweds are traveling, there are great vacation spots waiting.

A winter wedding may limit your romantic honeymoon options slightly, although many couples find the decision making process that much easier with less destinations to choose from. Budget-conscious travelers will find ample honeymoon packages to Las Vegas, Nevada — the city that never sleeps. Vegas is certainly not all about gambling, as there are plenty of romantic activities, such as indulging in the Mandalay Bay Spa, visiting the Wine Cellar tasting room, taking a gondola ride at The Venetian, sailing on Topaz Lake or dining at Alizé at the Top of the Palms, to name a few. Another great destination for January travelers is Saint Barths Island in the French West Indies, where you can catch some rest and relaxation amid 14 quiet beaches and dine on world-class French cuisine. February newlyweds would not be disappointed with Buenos Aires, which is very warm all year round, offers fine dining and boutique shopping, and may even send you home knowing how to Tango. Of course Hawaii also offers luxurious, romance-filled vacations with ideal weather any month of the year.

Come springtime, the Caribbean waters are all the rage for romantic honeymoon plans. In Jamaica, the weather is dreamy and the luxury is unparalleled at a place like Half Moon in Montego Bay (www.halfmoon.com). This 400-acre estate will offer you a personal butler, chef and housekeeper on a beachfront suite. While you’re there, you can snorkel, go rum tasting at Appleton Estate, visit the underwater marine park at Cornwall Beach, eat local Caribbean cuisine at Pier One Restaurant and catch a steel drum band. Another romantic vacation destination for March, April or May is Belize. Divers will be able to see the plankton-eating whale sharks migrating this time of year and you can also tour a jaguar reserve if you’re feeling adventurous. If you simply want to relax, then you’ll love The Placencia Hotel (www.theplancencia.com) or Sandals all inclusive resort (www.sandals.com) — not to mention, the Swedish spas, waterfalls and kayaking. While you’re visiting, be sure to try some local Creole cooking at The Capriccio restaurant! For an even more intimate experience, you can stay overnight on a privately owned island called Ranguana Cave (www.robertsgrove.com).

Autumn can be a challenging time for planning a romantic honeymoon because it’s hurricane season for many of the coastal paradises. However, these cooler and less touristy months are ideal for traveling Europe. In Spain, you can stay at the five-star La Pleta Hotel & Spa in Baqueira (www.lapleta.com) up in the Pyrenees Mountains for more seclusion and pampering. Horseback riding, mountain climbing, archery and massages are some of the activities here. In Venice, you’ll find many romantic vacation ideas, such as wine tasting, gondola rides in the Venetian canals and partaking in the international art and film festivals that occur each fall. Try staying at the Hotel Dei Dogi (www.boscolohotels.com), which will give you that historic 18th century vibe.

The rehearsal dinner is a chance for the people involved in the wedding to relax “before the big day” and get to know each other under an informal setting. For the bride and groom, though, it’s a chance for them to thank everyone who has helped them throughout all the preparations. Rehearsal dinners are a chance for the couple to get to know the new in-laws and a chance to hang-out with family and friends before things get crazy at the wedding. The groom’s mother can host it at her home if there are few people coming. Many people choose to send out rehearsal dinner invitations if it’s going to be a bigger party at a bigger venue. If it will be for only a few guests, then a word-of-mouth invitation will suffice.

Rehearsal dinner invitations do not need to be as elaborate, elegant and dramatic as the wedding invitations, although they can match a theme wedding. Only basic details are included, such as the date, time and place of the dinner and an RSVP number. The couple can choose to print out the invitations themselves, use invitation kits or even seek out printers to do the job for them.

Searching for printers and suppliers of invitations for the rehearsal dinner is now easy. They can choose to go through the traditional route and send out invitations through snail mail or in person, or they can utilize websites that will help to customize invitations that can be sent by email. All they need to do is go to the website, pick out a design from the hundreds of invitation ideas, fill out the appropriate details and send. Or they can enlist the help of invitation kits to get invitation ideas and then have them printed. The couple can send out the invites or have the printer send them out. All the couple needs to do is supply the names and addresses of the guests.

Should the couple decide to have one, rehearsal dinners are meant to give the couple a chance to relax before the big day. It gives them a chance to just sit back and appreciate everything they’ve done and everything their family and friends has done for them. A rehearsal dinner will also give the couple the chance to talk to the people who matter the most. Just don’t forget to send out the rehearsal dinner invitations.

Choosing your gifts for your wedding party doesn’t have to be a painful and expensive experience, because cheap wedding favors can be found too. However, you can get elegant gifts for your wedding attendants that range from personalized wedding gifts of engraved items to fun gifts. Favors wedding guests often enjoy the most are items they can display and use for years to come, such as an engraved flask, a sterling silver piece of jewelry or a photo frame.

The power of light is always amazing when you are putting on a special wedding reception for your friends and family. Look to the addition of candles as favors to compliment any candlelit centerpiece for a special touch that your guests can then use once they get home. As well, many places offer individually wrapped votive candles that you can also have personalized with your names and your wedding date. Take it to a whole new level once you have the favors set up to match the theme colors of your wedding. Favors wedding guests can use, like candles, candle holders and handmade items are often popular.

Here is some good wedding advice. If you are going to be holding a garden themed or spring time wedding, then you may want to look into something that is able to be planted or floral in nature. This could mean anything from embellished seed packets that your guests can take home with them and plant in their very own vegetable or flower garden. Another marvelous idea would be to have favors such as a small potted plant for each place setting at your wedding reception. These types of favors wedding guests will love because they can be planted in their garden or in a pot and they will remember your wedding day fondly for years to come.

It may seem daunting to choose wedding party favors with all the choices available. Sometimes choosing favors wedding attendants will use and enjoy for years to come is a good idea. Jewelry engraved with the date of your wedding or the initials of the recipient is a thoughtful and personalized wedding gift. Another great gift is a basket stuffed with personal items from lotions, snacks, salts for baths and other luxury items.

Don’t let the stress of planning your wedding take the fun out of choosing favors wedding guests will love. Whether you go for the traditional or the more eclectic, just remember it’s your wedding and there are no wrong answers. However you choose to honor your guests is your choice and you can do it in any manner you deem appropriate, from fun gifts to gifts of tradition like jewelry and flasks.

For quite a long period of time, when a person was celebrating their second wedding, the occasion was often downplayed. However, second weddings these days are more commonplace and have become more acceptable and, in many cases, are even bigger events than first weddings.

Making sure to pay special attention to the details of second weddings, such as the wedding location, wedding decorations, the wedding ceremony program, the wedding theme and other such considerations, will help to make sure that the day is unique and memorable. Often, it is such specifics that make the day stand out and it also helps to create precious memories that will be treasured for many years.

When it comes to second weddings, it may mean that either the bride or the groom, or both, have children who must be taken into consideration. In such cases, the advice of experts is to make sure that before anyone else is told about the engagement, that the children are first talked to in a calm and nurturing environment.

This way, the children are able to openly ask any questions they might have and won’t feel constrained or pressured because other people are present. This is also a good time to ask for their input. Often, second weddings go more smoothly if the children are allowed to share their ideas about wedding locations or with the planning of the wedding reception.

After the children are informed and have had a chance to accept the plan, it is then appropriate to tell the parents of the bride and groom. At this point, siblings and friends of the couple can be informed as well.

When there are children to be considered, there are most likely ex-spouses and former in-laws who will need to be informed about the wedding as well. In cases where such relationships are strained, it should not be considered an obligation to share this information face-to-face or even by telephone; a simple note will suffice. However, it is important not to put the children in the position of sharing such news.

The guests who are invited to second weddings are not considered to be obligated to give wedding gifts for such occasions. In the majority of cases, couples marrying for the second time already have duplications of household items and don’t want to add more to a house that will soon be very crowded as two families try to blend together. It is advised to discreetly ask for no gifts in the invitation, or to ask that donations be given to a charity in the name of the couple.

Etiquette guides suggest that it is not appropriate to extend an invitation to second weddings to former spouses, regardless of how good the relationship with them is. Having the former spouse there can be confusing to the children and makes it very awkward for everyone else who is present who may know the ex-spouse.

Second weddings can create meaningful and memorable ways for the children of the couple to be involved with the wedding ceremony proceedings. Children can be a part of the official wedding party by acting as junior bridesmaids or junior grooms men. Any younger children can take part as a ring bearer or a flower girl. Some couples also choose to involve the children in the ring ceremony as well. For children who are not intimidated by being in front of people, they can also read a poem or sing a song as part of the occasion.

Not all brides and grooms want to exclude children from their wedding. Many are happy to welcome children into their wedding both as members of the wedding party and as guests.

Having children at a wedding, however, poses a myriad of problems. Do you leave the children to their own devices and hope they behave and don’t get in the way? Do you provide a room with childcare so they are “present” but not too much under foot? Perhaps the best solution is a simple mix of both, with a smattering of fun built in.

First of all, if children are invited to the wedding, take into consideration the ages of the children. Babies will have to stay with mom and/or dad, for a variety of reasons. So planning to have all the children in another room might not be feasible. But if the children are toddlers up to about age 12, you can provide a separate room for them with childcare and a make a number of activities available to them.

If the children will be in a separate room at the reception, you can provide a coloring table, perhaps a TV with an appropriate movie ready to roll, and some board games. That could probably be enough for the duration of the wedding reception. Be aware of a few things: there should be a ratio of at least 1 adult for every 5 children if the children are toddlers, or 1 adult to every 10 children if the kids are older. Don’t expect the kids to take up the activities on their own, but rather tell the childcare provider to get the kids involved in the activities by doing them him or herself.

What if the children will be part of the reception festivities? What activities can be geared specifically to children at the reception? There are plenty of things you can do, really. You can certainly plan a coloring table at the back of the reception hall or room. There, you can provide loads of paper, coloring books, markers and crayons. Paints are not recommended, for obvious reasons, and moms will thank you if you remember to supply the kids with washable markers and crayons only.

The art table can be more than just coloring, however. Buy a huge bag of pipe cleaners. Kids can amuse themselves for long periods of time, making animals, odd figures and the like. Make sure you have at least 20 or more pipe cleaners for each child, however, as children can go through these quickly. Think about “clean” clay, the new products that don’t stick to anything and don’t leave a trace on furniture. With a few different colors, kids can create a variety of figures, faces or forms.

Many brides like to plan more formally for their small guests. There are several options if this is the route you want to take. One popular option is to have paid entertainment on hand just for the children. This can take place in a separate room or toward the back of the reception room or hall if it’s large and the guest list is big. You can hire a clown or a balloon artist. You can have someone braid the children’s hair and provide temporary tattoos. If there is a separate room available, you can even hire a children’s musician to come and entertain the kids. The options are endless.

If no plans are made for the children, but they arrive at the wedding expecting entertainment, you’ll have to make some plans. One option is a “child only” dance, which allows only the children on the dance floor. This is not only cute to watch, and could be entertaining as well, but it will bring a smile to the face of every grandma and grandpa present.

Planning a wedding can be a very daunting task. What with time constraints and budget concerns, some couples choose to leave some of the more important aspects out of their wedding completely. Photography should not be one of them. In this audio program, we will address some basic topics on wedding photography that every couple should know when planning their special day.

How far in advance should I book a photographer for my wedding?

Many photographers recommend booking a photographer as soon as you get engaged, or at least until you know the wedding date. It is suggested that the engaged couple book 8-12 months in advance because many studios book wedding dates quickly. Weddings are more prominent from May to October when the weather is most favorable. If you choose to hold your wedding within this period, the photographer you choose will likely require a non-refundable deposit or retainer fee to hold your wedding date. This ensures that you will have this studio or photographer on your desired date, as well as securing a job for your photographer. The sooner you book your photographer, the more likely you are to be able to work with your first choice.

What are the advantages of hiring a professional?

The main advantage to hiring a professional wedding photographer is experience. Most wedding photographers have experience dealing with many different individuals and difficult personalities. They have faced unfavorable weather conditions, and encountered technical problems. Since they specialize in photography, they are well equipped to handle various wedding sizes or photo demands. Unlike a friend or relative of the couple, a professional photographer’s main goal is capturing candid moments on film. Knowing they are depended on delivering superior photos that will be cherished for years to come, they are less apt to be carried away by aspects of the ceremony. With an event that allows no second chances, hiring a professional is a good investment that will help keep your memories of your special day around for years.

How do I choose a photographer for my wedding?

First, get some recommendations from people you know about different photographers they have used. Friends and relatives who have had good experiences with the photographers or studios they have used should be more than eager to share this information with you. After reviewing websites and online portfolios, contact each studio or photographer that you are interested. Meet at their studio and look at samples of their work in person, preferably with each party of the engaged couple. Ask to see pictures from different weddings, and if possible a full wedding. Doing so allows for complete evaluation of photography styles and formats, or even artistic impressions that each photographer can offer you. Ask yourself if they share your artistic vision while looking through their portfolio. Do you agree with the styles they use? Is the quality to your liking? Also, take note of how well you communicate and interact with each photographer. Besides friends and family, your photographer is the one person you will be interacting with the most. Feeling comfortable enough to communicate with them during your wedding will lessen the stress of an already hectic day. Once you have chosen a photographer whose work you are pleased with, and whose personality is compatible with your own, you can then discuss price ranges.

Is there any way to save money when it comes to hiring a professional photographer for my wedding?

There are a couple of things you can do to cut down the cost of photography without sacrificing quality. Many photographers determine what they charge based on how many hours they spend at a wedding. Meaning, holding a short wedding can significantly reduce how much you pay. Cut the cost of extras by either buying a basic photo package, or finding a photographer who is willing to let you keep the proofs. This way you can print extra copies without getting charged an extra fee. In addition, choosing to shoot with digital cameras is not only budget conscious, but time saving as well.

Do I get to keep the negatives from my wedding?

Legally, the copyrights to photos taken on your wedding day belong to the photographer when they are created. It is illegal to copy or reproduce copyrighted material without authorization from the owner of the copyright. Many photographers choose to keep the proofs or negatives because they wish to maintain their control of, and protect the photos they have taken. This enables photographers to charge extra if additional prints are requested. Yet many wedding photographers do not consider selling photographs, and are more than willing to hand over any negatives. Each photo studio will have different policies regarding who retains the rights to the negatives and proofs. Some studios also like to keep negatives for people just in case original negatives have been lost or damaged.

For countless brides over the years, their bridal dress is an important memento of their special day that they truly treasure. Even though the bride will be captured in numerous photographs in her gown, there is something especially wonderful about having the gown preserved. Because of this, wedding gown preservation is often high on the list of priorities and for some is even included in the wedding details.

Another reason to preserve the wedding gown is so that the bride can pass the dress on to another family member. Often when one finds the perfect wedding gown, it will also be useful and meaningful if worn by another family member who has a similar body style and size. Sometimes this means that a younger sister or cousin can also enjoy a special bridal dress, or it can be saved so that a daughter or two are able to wear the treasured gown for their special day.

It doesn’t really matter why wedding gown preservation is desired, yet it is possible to keep a bridal gown in pristine condition even after many years of storage, if it was properly handled from the start and stored correctly. But, when the right steps are not taken right away, and the storage is inferior, it is almost assured that the dress will be ruined.

This can even be heartbreaking if a daughter has spent years dreaming about being able to wear her mother’s wedding dress for the occasion of her own marriage. But, good gown preservation will help to assure that such disappointment does not happen and that the heirloom bridal dress can be happily and proudly worn again.

In the midst of the whirlwind that swirls around most nuptials, many times the bridal gown is simply left in an ordinary plastic garment bag. Weeks go by and it is often forgotten about and is not properly stored to prevent deterioration. Unfortunately, this unintentional neglect can make proper gown preservation very difficult.

If preservation steps are delayed, then stains have a chance to oxidize. These could be both seen and unseen stains. Even if the dress visually seems clean there is likely to be areas of body perspiration on the fabric which will cause discoloration over time and can even cause the fabric to become brittle. The bridal gown should be cleaned as soon as possible after the wedding to make sure it is preserved in its best condition.

Even though many people believe that leaving the wedding gown in the protective plastic garment bag is enough to preserve a wedding gown, the fact is that there are harmful fumes that are emitted from the plastic. These are chemical releases that will cause a wedding dress to yellow and will do more harm than good over time.

Proper wedding gown preservation requires both cleaning of the dress and also storage in an acid-free box. These steps should be taken as soon as possible after the occasion and it is best to seek out the services of a company that specializes in preserving wedding dresses.

You can plan the wedding of your dreams all at the tips of your fingers. Online bridal consultation is a growing trend with the prospects of getting bigger as time goes by.

Planning a wedding is stressful and time consuming. It is one of the most important days in a woman’s life and she wants everything to be perfect and what better way than to hire an online bridal consultant? Take charge and have the wedding you want.

With the online bridal consultant, you can learn how to do everything from planning a budget, writing the newspaper announcement, planning the engagement parties, information about diamonds and rings, etiquette for invitations and etiquette for wedding style and formality. And that is just the beginning.

Online bridal consultations can help you with the most important part of the wedding, keeping focus. There is so much to know, so much to plan, so many things to do that it is easy to get overwhelmed.

But the online bridal consultant can keep you on track. They can notify you when it is the key time to do complete certain tasks, like when to send the invitations, when to book the band, when to register for gifts. The online bridal consultant can become your best friend if you utilize their talents properly.

Your online bridal consultant will also continue to help you after the wedding. They will instruct you on the etiquette for thank you notes and when to send them. They will also be available if you should decide to have a first wedding anniversary party.