Party Time

You always want to make sure that your activities proceed in a timely manner. But it depends on the length of your reception, but is smart and plan ahead and don’t leave details to chance. A great party must have what’s called “Flow”.
Usually with a reception lasting four hours or more you usually have time to schedule things then when you have a shorter event. Once you know exactly what you and your groom would like to do at your celebration, you can then notify your Dj and other wedding pros about your activities and times they will be accruing. Remember if you have a wedding consultant she can help with timing and pacing.

Hour One: Pictures, bride, groom, attendants and family members pose for wedding pictures.
Hour Two: Guest take there seats for there first course, champagne toast usually offered by the best man. Others such as the bride’s father or maid of honor may say a few words.
Some couples prefer to have their first dance, fallowed by their father-daughter and mother-son dances.
Hour Three: The main course is served, and guest dance and mingle.
Hour four: Cut and serve cake, the bride tosses her bouquet, and the groom tosses he garter (optional). Then guest begging to leave. These are just some guidelines. You are entitled to schedule your reception in whatever way you like. Whatever you decide plan your party in a way that’s most comfortable for everyone.

June Weddings:

Everyone always thinks that June weddings are the only time that brides get married. Actually according the the major bridal magazines, there is only about a 10% increase in June weddings and the rest of the months are basically about even.

We have conjured up in our minds the idea that June is the time to get married. Actually June is probably the worst time to get married as that is the time that all catering facilities are full retail. Since there are only 4 weekends in that month photographers are more expensive as they only have the possibility of 8 photo shoots for the month. So why not discard that June wedding idea and try for a great bargain like December or January. Or even Friday these days has become a great day for a wedding. Just remember that anytime that is slightly off time for a vendor is the best time for you to get married.

June weddings can be very romantic just because they are June weddings. So don't just fall in love with an idea rather look for the best economical times to get married in these recessionary times.

June weddings are wonderful but there are hundreds of other days of the year. Remember just have fun!

Mother in Laws:

At what point do we start to include future mother in laws in the planning of our weddings? Well it is an individual thing but generally speaking, you will have a longer, happier relationship with your future mother in law if you include her from the start. At least ask her to be involved in the planning and you will really score points. As for the really big times that your mother in law might want to share with you one would be the shopping of your wedding gown. Maybe you shop and shop and them let your future mother in law see the final selections with your mother and your future sisters in laws and your sisters and then they will feel as though they are really a part of the event. You may also want your future mother in laws final approval on the reception location. You and your fiance may also want to speak to your future mother and father in law about the church, synagogue or location where the actual ceremony will be help. Remember that family traditions start at the engagement time so don't leave anyone out. and remember have a really fun time at everything that you do.

Who Walks You Down the Aisle:

There is always the tradition of your father walking you down the aisle but what if your father was not around when you were growing up or what if your father has passed. Often times even if your father is alive today the mother and the father walk you down the aisle. If the mother and father were separated or divorced especially that if the case. The mother feels that
she raised you and that she also deserves that prove.

What if your father was never in your life and your step father raised you? Well it is not at all uncommon to have the step father walk you down the aisle. Another option is to have your father and the step father walk you down the aisle. Another option is to have your grandfather walk you down the aisle.

Whatever you do son's forget the most important thing is to have a wonderful
time and a wonderful memory of your big wedding day. Choose the person you are closest to for your big walk down the aisle.

The Ultimate Don't List:

Don't demand that your guests dress like wenches. If you want to wear a plunging neckline for your Renaissance themed wedding that is fine but don't put that onto yourt guest as a requirement.

Don't send the yellow pages for a hotel selection for your out of town guests. Rather go to a reasonably priced hotel that is near the festivities and make a block reservation for your guests. Give your guests an inexpensive price range and also a medium and a high price range for their possible bookings.

Don't send your wedding gift wants to your wedding guests. If you are having a wedding shower then it is acceptable to let your guests know where you are registered. Otherwise just accept the gifts and thank each personn individually.

Don't charge admission. As cash bar is not in good taste. Rather than look cheap, scale your wedding back and don't have booze at all if you can't afford to pay for it.

Garden Weddings

Have your ever dreamed of a lovely garden wedding but thought it was too much work? Wel dream no more here is the way to plan that wedding and also to do it on a budget.

If you consider borrowing from your neighbors and friends the chairs and folding tables as well as dishes and silverware, you can really do this wedding on a tight budget.

Go to Costo or Sams Club and you will find incredible things to buy that are already made and are discounted to boot. You can even have your wedding cake done there are the prices are wonderful.

Think about going to a thrift store to find really cute items that some other bride may have used for her wedding and you can buy them for a song. You can decorate with beautiful vines and leaves from your garden. If you plan far ahead enough you will be able to plant your own seeds for flowers and they will be full grown for table decorating by August. Just let your imagination go wild.

Actually speaking of thrift stores, why no shop for a vintage wedding gown for your garden wedding or for a used wedding gown that shows hardly no wear. You will have fun doing it with your mom and sisters or even your fiance.

Whatever you do make certain that you have a fun time at your garden wedding. This will be the most exciting day of your life and one you won't want to forget forever. So make that garden wedding a spectacular event!

Slimming Down for the Gown:

When the "big day" comes you want to be slim and mostly that happens in a hurry. You realize 6 weeks before the wedding that the big day is approaching and how do I get this weight off FAST? Well there's nothing like an impending deadline to get you started down the road to weight loss.

First focus on the good not the bad. You can get yourself sick if you just go on nothing and your body will go into starvation mode and you may in fact, gain weight. A smart nutrition plan is about finding more foods that you can eat and making good choices.

Never let yourself get hungry. It is better to eat 6 little meals a day that to just have one. Also don't forget how important small portions of protein are to your well being. You will feel full and not want to pick all of the time. Remember this is about burning fat and it take fuel to do that.

Pay attention to the 12 food groups....almonds and other nuts, legumes and beans, spinach and other greens and veggies. Dairy, instant oatmeal, eggs and turkey and other lean meats, whole grain breads and cereals, and extra protein when you feel hungry.

Cut back on the baddies. Don't forget that there are some trans fats that are good for your direct like avocados, nuts and other natural sources.

Whatever you do keep a positive attitude and exercise as much as possible. Start this the year before your wedding and you will have no problem loosing whatever amount of weight you need to loose to fit perfectly into that beautiful gown for the "big day".